Judaism has many faces, and even among those who keep kosher not everyone observes the Jewish food laws in the same exact way. But if you’re just getting started with keeping kosher or want to know what it’s all about, this is a guide to the basics of traditional kosher laws.
Dear Jewish Food Hero:
My son is 13 years old and his body is changing. I worry that he is getting fat. I know better than to fat shame him. I remind myself that he is 13 and his hormones are changing and he is eating an American teen diet.
I grapple with the battle between my middle school-self and my adult nutrition knowing self. Sometimes, it feels difficult to know which part of me is taking the wheel?
I want to trust he’ll grow out of it soon. I want not to care whether he’ll be attractive, but I do.
I’d like to trust his body and him. The challenge is to not get on myself for not cooking/offering him only “good” food.
Do you think this worry is a Jewish Mother thing?
What’s in Your Pantry? is a recurring feature where I ask women to tell us more about their food and eating habits by opening up their kitchen pantries to us. This week I’m featuring Danya Shults.
Danya is the founder of Arq, a lifestyle brand and platform inspired by Jewish culture and open to all
When I travel, I try to explore and enjoy the local vegan food. I always want to feel that my travels support the local food culture and that I am spending my money in a way that helps the local community. When I was younger, I would DIY it – using Happy Cow to find vegan options and mostly just wander around hoping to find the best street foods, restaurants, grocery stores and local markets.
Lately when I travel, I join organized food tours and it is so much better; I learn more about the local food environment, eat healthy and delicious vegan food and enjoy the experience with my husband and young daughter.
Here’s the Haifa Street Food Tour that is on my travel dream list (along with visiting the Bahá’í Gardens again).
During the 8 days of Chanukah, we can serve healthy and nourishing side dishes with healthy latkes and baked sufganiyot (recipe included in the Jewish Food Hero Cookbook: 50 Simple Plant-Based Recipes for Your Holiday Meals)
These sweet and savory latkes are mini-sized and baked, making them cute and crispy. They are oil-free so they are healthier for our bodies. Serve with proposed applesauce for a sweet latke and/or with the sour “cream” for a savory latke. (Both recipes are included on the download here.)
Make 2 batches of this recipe so you do not run out or latkes (G-d forbid!). Extras can be re-heated or eaten cold the next day.
These latkes are:
Light
Crunchy
Not heavy
Not greasy
A delicious and healthier plant-based version of a traditional Jewish recipe
The calendar dates for Chanukah and Christmas overlap some years.
Some interfaith families celebrate both of the holidays on the same day at home or with extended family or friends. Even those who aren’t celebrating Christmas may be distributing gifts to friends and co-workers who are celebrating.
Here are printable interfaith Chanukah and Christmas gift tags to adorn your gifts.
Chanukah presents are more special with beautiful gift tags.
Here are two printable gifts tags to adorn your Chanukah gifts. Each sheet has 8 gift tags.
Spinning the dreidel is traditional game played during the eight days of Hanukkah. I created a helpful printable download that includes clear (and correct) rules of the game and an easy to read dreidel illustration.
