What I’ve Been Reading Lately

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No matter how crazy-busy my day is—and most of them are chaotic—I always carve out 20 minutes for personal reading. Sometimes, I can manage a little more, but I never do less. Books have always been very important to me and I really need those quiet moments by myself to relax and decompress, or I become extremely stressed out.

Lately, I’ve been on a non-fiction kick, mainly Judaica and Cooking. Despite having small blocks of time, by reading consistently every day, it’s not difficult to finish multiple books per week. 

Art of Revelation – Yoram Raanan

One of Israel’s most famous painters was inspired by an unimaginable loss: In 2016, Arab terrorists set Yoram’s village on fire, destroying his studio that contained forty years of work (over 2,000 pieces in total).

Instead of becoming horribly bitter or disillusioned, he turned the tragedy into triumph, with an incredible art book that describes the Torah through 160 original paintings, each of which is accompanied by commentary written by his wife, Meira.

I have always believed that Torah is so much more than words. Some people may actually connect with it better through other means like pictures or music. Yoram’s artistic gift, coupled with his wife’s interpretations, is a new and fresh way to look at familiar Scriptures. 

This book is 5 Stars, for sure!

Recipe for a Delicious Life – Zipora Einav

Written by a celebrity chef who worked with Mariah Carey, Bob Hope, Aaron Spelling, and Pierce Brosnan, Zipora’s interactive cooking experience is a book/CD set that combines recipes, stories from her interesting career, health advice, and lots of affirmations and positive thinking. This is not strictly Kosher, but some of the food will work for the Kosher kitchen. I’m eager to try “Pierce Brosnan’s Moroccan Chicken” because I’m a huge fan of his movies.

I agree with her suggestion that cooking accompanied by music is 100% more fun. This is a short book that’s easy to read and provides a nice distraction that doesn’t require a lot of concentration (i.e. good to read right before bed).

Do Not Photograph – Joshua Haruni

Have you ever wanted to peek inside a foreign world? If so, you’ll love this book that focuses on the Hassidic community who are notoriously camera-shy. For 8 years, the author spent considerable time and effort to win over his subjects and was rewarded with deeply personal moments caught on film, after he had won their trust. The readers get to see an Orthodox wedding, students in a yeshiva, holiday celebrations, a child’s first haircut, prayers at the Wailing Wall, and so much more. 

This form of Judaism is so different from my own, but some things are universal—Torah, family, life cycle events, etc. Definitely more pictures than text, making this one another easy read. 

 

Are you reading anything good? I’m always open to suggestions.

Tuna Fricassee Sandwich

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Tuna sandwiches are a lunchtime staple. Everyone’s got their favorite version. In America, it’s all about the pickles and celery. In Israel, they make something called “Tuna Fricassee” which combines tuna, eggs, and potatoes, along with hot spices. It’s influenced by North African immigrants and looks amazing. 

Here is the recipe, courtesy of Hadassah magazine:

Ingredients

4 eggs
2 large potatoes 
4 cans tuna packed in oil
1/3 cup mayonnaise
Freshly ground black pepper
Garlic powder to taste
Small package arugula
Pinch finely grated lemon zest
Focaccia bread
Prepared roasted red pepper sandwich spread

1. Place whole eggs and whole peeled potatoes in a medium pot and fill to cover with water. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, remove the hard-boiled eggs with a slotted spoon and place in a bowl. Run cold water over the eggs to shock them.

2. Continue simmering the potatoes for an additional 10 minutes, or until fork tender. Spill the water from the pot and place potatoes in a bowl to cool slightly. Once cooled, peel the boiled eggs, then place both the eggs and potatoes in the fridge to chill until cold. This will make them easier to slice.

3. Meanwhile, prepare the tuna mixture by mashing the canned tuna with the mayonnaise and black pepper and garlic powder, to taste. Wash and spin dry the arugula in a salad spinner.

4. Assemble the sandwich: Spread each side of the sliced focaccia with about 1 tablespoon of red pepper spread. Top with 2-3 thick slices of boiled potato, tuna mixture, 2-3 slices of hard-boiled egg, a few leaves of arugula and a small pinch of finely grated lemon zest. Wrap tightly and keep in the fridge until serving.

The author of the sandwich enjoyed hers during a sunrise picnic atop Mt. Masada. While I won’t be having quite as much fun dining in my own kitchen, I’m excited to try Tuna Fricassee anyway. As usual, I’ll add my own touch to the recipe by including some sliced black olives. Yum!

 

Do you like tuna sandwiches? 

Temporary Addition to the Family

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Meet Josie, a temporary addition to the family. This precious fur baby arrived nine days ago, in very rough shape. Her journey in life has been a difficult one so far—homeless, alone, and extremely ill. Someone found her behind a dumpster, and thankfully a rescue group stepped in and saved her. After initial treatment to stabilize her condition, she was available to foster and I couldn’t say no. 

With beautiful black coloring, white paws, and a white mustache, she is one of the prettiest little kitties I’ve ever seen, with a sweet personality to match. She loves to lay on my lap and be hand-fed from a bottle. (I’m waking up every 3 hours, for round-the-clock feedings, but it’s ok.)

I would gladly keep her forever, but she will be moving on soon to another family. Though it rips my heart out to have to give her back, I am grateful to be a part of her world, even if it’s just for a little while. Josie is an angel.

Whenever someone tells me that they want a new pet, I always encourage them to adopt, rather than shop. There are so many animals in need. Older ones or those with health issues have a much harder time finding a forever family. I have many pets and I also enjoy fostering from time to time. The love and joy that these little guys provide is truly priceless. Josie is in demand as a kitten, of course, but fostering a senior is equally rewarding. 

If you’re able to foster, it’s so worth it! 

The Best Fabric for Babies

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Finding your baby covered in a rash can be a very scary experience for moms, especially when you’re new to parenting. The first time I dealt with it, we rushed off to the Pediatrician, fearing it was something terrible, as little one wailed uncontrollably.

Initially, I suspected diet or cosmetics, but the answer was much more surprising: contact dermatitis caused by the wrong fabric. According to the doctor, this is much more common than people think. Many babies—and toddlers, too—can be aggravated by rough and/or synthetic fabrics.

I never would’ve dreamed that a rash could be caused by using the wrong bedding! We were advised to use only 100% cotton from then on as prevention. Cotton fabric is the most popular choice for babies because it’s soft, highly absorbent, and extremely gentle. 

While that situation was unpleasant, the solution was so simple. I started researching fabrics and fabric companies, to find the best options for our family. I wanted something that was durable, cute, and safe.

My fabric source for high quality, affordable material is Gehman’s Country Fabrics. They offer so many options that I love. For girls, Rose & Lavender Butterflies is beautiful and boys will enjoy the Toy print.

You don’t have to be an expert seamstress to use their products. My own sewing skills are modest and I can accomplish simple things like a flat sheet, blanket, etc. Another easy option is curtains for the nursery. 

Gehman’s Country Fabrics is family owned and operated, with the best customer service of any company I have ever dealt with. They have frequent sales and also offer ready-made clothing for those who prefer to buy, rather than make.