NEW  YEAR ROSH HASHANAH Festivals and celebrations that bring us all together are the best time of the Year.
I always feel there are some people who cannot wait to create the invitations, the gifts and meals, the décor and the extra little thousand details that make it all special and unforgettable. If you find all the planning too much, do not despair, just modify it all, let it be easier with the same love thrown into it, but scaled down to the size that you can cope with.

I like a color scheme and choose the tablecloth and serviettes, plates and glasses to have a connection to the New Year. I place little surprises at each child's place and they love the colorful cards and wrapped up gifts

Welcome the New Year with apples and honey When people walk in serve a slice of apple and honey. I arrange it on a tray with raisins, a bowl of pomegranate pips, nuts, apple jam and fresh dates.

If you have many children, place little dishes on the table with fun things in them. Tiny candies, chocolates and pecans and walnuts. Some kids nibble rather than eat…

Make the meal simple with the favorites of everyone. Not easy , but try, Kids like what they recognize and old folks like easy to eat foods. Do not experiment with way out nouvelle cuisine; just make tasty dishes that go with the holiday. I will give you a list of ideas.
The dessert should be ready and the dishes can be prepared on a tray that has serviettes, spoons and scrumptious goodies on it. Then you can sit down as everyone does a serve yourself tea, coffee and cake dessert.


MENU.
Drinks. Water, juices, iced tea. Chilled grape juice and wines to celebrate the New Year.
Starters. In homes where people eat meat and fish, herring, liver, fish balls are served. We replace them with boiled eggs, asparagus, artichoke hearts, cut up vegetables, cherry tomatoes, fresh and pickled cucumbers and olives. You can have a fresh green salad and a good dressing. Sprinkle pecans and walnuts on this. Cheeses can be prepared as slices, cubes and even grilled haloumi, cheeses marinated in olive oils, spreads and dips make a great start.

Have a few assorted challah s and rice crackers (for gluten free diets) whole wheat bread and some rye crackers.

Soup. I find this fills everyone up, but a vegetable soup is the best.

Main course. I will refrain from telling you what to make, as everyone has their favorites. Here are a few ideas.
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Lentil loaf, Stir fry vegetables, Broccoli and Mushroom quiche, Onion Pie and tzimmes
We always include beets, red cabbage, roast potatoes, carrots, rice, quinoa and beans.


Rice. Cook plain brown or white rice. I make two sauces and let people choose. You place them on the large platter with the rice. One is sweet. Lightly fry two onions, 2 teaspoons pine kernels, two thinly sliced apricots and two teaspoons sliced almonds
And chopped walnuts.and a little turmeric. The other one is a savory one .Lightly fry two cloves, of garlic, chopped onion, cut up spring onions, one grated carrot and ten to twelve mushrooms. Add salt ,pepper and parsley. You will find people choose what the want and the left over rice is ready for the next day. You can turn it into a pudding by adding honey, cinnamon, cream or butter, or two yogurts and bake it in the oven. Serve with ice cream or chocolate sauce.
Use left over rice to make stuffed peppers with nuts and herbs.


Roast potatoes. I bake or boil washed potatoes the day before. I cut them up and roast them with the peels, with olive oil, rosemary, salt and pepper. Kids love these. The others can
. be made into a quick potato salad. I make a salad dressing of two tablespoons olive oil, herb salt, black pepper, chopped fresh parsley, a teaspoon of prepared mustard, a teaspoon of honey and two tablespoons of sunflower seeds. This dressing is healthy and delicious.
Cabbage. Cut red cabbage thinly and lightly fry in a pan with 2 diced onions. until the cabbage wilts. Add two peeled and diced apples, half a cup of raisins, half a cup of brown vinegar, 2 teaspoons salt and two tablespoons sugar. Add a little water or orange juice. Cover and simmer on a low flame for twenty minutes. When the cabbage is tender, add 1/4 cup of red wine and heat through. Excellent with any main dish.

Baked cherry tomatoes and onions. I use three cups of cherry tomatoes, one cup of baby onions cut in thin slices, ten cloves of garlic. Arrange in an oven dish and sprinkle two tablespoons olive oil, a little coarse salt and black pepper. Bake for ten minutes. Fabulous with any dish. I prick the tomatoes before I bake them If you have any left over, blend and use as a spread on toast or with a baked potato.

Green beans. This is another vegetable that is traditional to serve with a Rosh Hashanah meal. I use fresh beans and cut them in half and steam them until they wilt. I add a dressing of two teaspoons olive oil, two teaspoons roasted sesame seeds, chopped clove of garlic
thinly sliced yellow pepper. I add this to the beans and warm through.


The idea of this meal is to combine foods with the traditional symbols of the New Year

Vegetable platter. I steam washed pieces of broccoli, cauliflower and sweet potatoes. I do these separately. It is a lot of work, but do this the day before. Cool and store.
Slice zucchini into shapes of a cigar and steam lightly. Use a dressing of olive oil,
Chutney and balsamic vinegar
Arrange all the vegetables on an oven dish and bake for ten minutes. Sprinkle olive oil on everything The idea is to prepare ahead and assemble with no effort. You can sprinkle finely cut up chives on this and serve on a large tray.

Dessert. Traditionally we have honey cake, compote of prunes, raisins, cinnamon ,nut cookies, apple and cinnamon kugel, a never ending of delights. Being sane and sensible , I know there. Is ,hardly place for more after a large meal. I like a bowl of assorted ices, tofu ice creams, chocolate and carob sauces, pureed apple sauce and chocolates for the kids. I prepare a fresh fruit salad of fruits in season. I use steamed peeled and cut up apples. They are made a day or two before and you can add them to the compote or fresh fruit salad. They do not spoil and make life easier. Left over apples can be made into pudding or apple pie. With the tea tray ready, sit down and relax.


I wish you all the joy of renewal, dreams to start a New Year, Re unions that are full of love and caring and most of all Health and Happy days. Love and light RONA

 

STUDENTS WINTER MEALS.

Hi to all of you! It is the start of a new year of studies, activities and living on a busy campus. You guys have to remember to eat and drink logically. This Sane and Sensible food plan will help you to create a small food corner.

You need nourishment: wholesome foods, fruit and vegetables in season, healthy drinks and supplements

There is very little time to cook so shop carefully for products that are quick to prepare. Oats is a quick and easy breakfast. Simply put a cup of oats and a little salt in a saucepan of two cups of water. Cook on a low flame for ten minutes. You can eat it with honey, raisins, cinnamon, granola and milk. It is a nourishing and satisfying meal.

These are the items you need to keep on hand: Yogurt, buttermilk, milk, cottage cheese, yellow cheese and olives. Have olive oil, grains, rice, pastas and some instant soups. Keep honey instead of sugar. Peanut butter and jams are good for sandwiches. There is a product called MARMITE and I recommend it for a spread on toast and as a hot drink. Just a teaspoon in boiling water is a broth you will enjoy
Soups are easy to make and you can literally throw in all vegetables and some lentils, barley, yellow lentils and chickpeas You need to eat grains, peas, hummus, techina, healthy grain whole-wheat breads, rye bread, rice crackers and whole-wheat pitot and crackers. Look at my former recipes and you will find soups, quinoa, rice and lentil dishes. They are simple to make and are nutritious.

Milk products are necessary and a glass of milk, cottage cheese, yogurts, yellow cheese and cream cheese are great. Do not forget eggs, boiled and make easy protein meals of omelets and pancakes.

Skip sugar pops, junk nibbles and commercial drinks. They do very little for you. Water is the best drink. You can have boiling water in the morning with a squeeze of lemon in it. This is good for the system and cleans the throat. Eliminate caffeine at night and make yourself a hot milk drink with cinnamon and honey in it. Grapefruit is a good winter drink. Squeeze a grapefruit into a tall glass and add a little honey, and boiling water.

Remember to keep your teeth and gums in good condition. Floss daily and rinse the mouth with salt water a few times a week.

Salty snacks, sugary cookies and commercial junk foods are of no value. Eat fresh apples, cucumbers, carrots, fruits in season for winter, like grapefruits, oranges and mandarins. Choose fruits and vegetables with beta carotene, red peppers, carrots, kohlrabi, loads of green herbs, onions and garlic too.

Get into the habit of eating breakfast and taking foods for the mid morning snacks.
Peeled carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, celery and apples, bananas are great with a chunk of cheese. Easy and fast to do.
You are in charge of your health. Smoking and coffee are trends and style, but not an investment to your health or well being. When you are young, you take your body for granted. Don’t! Eat simply and sanely. You are worth the trouble.
Study well, love what you are doing and put joy into each day.

Love and light, Rona

 

 

RESOLUTIONS FOR THE NEW YEAR.

When the calendar changes and a new year is heralded in , we look back and think about the year that has ended. Of course, each one of us, has had a varied experience, re acted differently to emotional and personal changes. We have had success, failure, challenges and generally only want the New Year to be better…………………

Look at your life and review what is good, of value and makes you a whole person. The little things you do that make a difference to another human being, are of value.
The hand you put out to help some one who is in pain, is time worth spent, and the love you shower on those you cherish, is giving and loving unconditionally.

What we do , what we eat, drink and spend time on, is what will make a difference to our health, well being and attitude each day. People can be busy, but selective in choices of good food or eat careless junk. Sane and sensible eating should be a priority and a resolution for 2010. We know where the mistakes are. Jamie Oliver found it in the school lunches, and with effort he has revolutionized eating habits of all the kids. They feel better and their work has improved. A kid loaded with sugar, trash and heaps of additives and chemicals, has not got a chance to be alert, bright and enthusiastic. You must make the change in your home, in the school lunch box for kids and members of the family. Snacks can be sane and tasty too….not salty prepackaged nibbles that lie on a shelf. They have all that "stuff" in it, to last for months and years in the store. That does not mean you have to store it…. Eat fresh, simple foods that are well prepared. Eat at regular hours. Drink water, caffeine free drinks and fresh milk. Forget about packaged instant pop up miracles in the micro, instant recreated pastas, purees , spicy smoked meats and salty snacks. LESS FATS, LESS SALTY EATS. LESS SMOKED FOOD. LESS SUGAR AND MORE TIME CARING ABOUT WHAT IS GOOD FOR YOU.

EXERCISE DAILY, GET UP OFF THE COUCH. BREATHE DEEPLY. YOGA, SPORTS AND SWIMMING WILL HELP YOU TO IMPROVE THE BREATHING.
SLEEP REGULAR HOURS AND LESS PLAYING WITH LAPTOPS, TV AND GIMMICKS, LATE AT NIGHT.
BATHE AND EXFOLIATE THE SKIN. USE PREPARATIONS AND TOILETRIES THAT ARE NOT TESTED ON ANIMALS.
TAKE TIME TO HELP OTHERS, WHO ARE LESS FORTUNATE THAN YOU.
REMEMBER, RESPECT YOUR PARENTS, TEACHERS AND PEOPLE WHO MAKE YOUR LIFE MORE PLEASANT. THE WORK PLACE IS FOR YOU TO EARN A LIVING. YOU ARE THERE FOR HOURS. BE MINDFULL OF OTHERS. BE KIND, FOR EVERY ONE IS FIGHTING A BATTLE OF THEIR OWN DAILY..
BE IN TOUCH WITH EARTH AND SKY, TREES AND ANIMALS AND APPRECIATE THEIR ROLE IN OUR UNIVERSE.

Make up your mind to trash the junk from the fridge and pantry and re create a home of good choices.
Skip fats and oils, Use a little olive oil, techina and fresh vegetable and fruit sauces. Create them in the blender and use for cooking and smoothies.
Have good nuts and raisins, dried fruits and health snacks. The best are apples, carrots, celery and good fruits.
Toss all fancy condiments, ready sauces and make your own.
Skip cereals that have been popped and created for shelf life for years. Cook oats, rice, granolas, grains and beans. You can make granolas easily. Muffins are great and healthy cookies are simple tp make. Look at previous blogs for muffins and crunchies.
Make fresh soups often. Stews and casseroles are easy to do the night before and have with rice, couscous and grains for a meal.
Check the breads you buy Be aware of the salt and fats in your breads, rolls and crackers.
HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR …LOVE AND LIGHT ….RONA