Lentil Soup

Huge hit in my house!

4 hours on high in the crockpot (usually done by 2-3 hours, too)-- makes 20 servings

Ingredients:
1 pkg dried green lentils (16 oz)
2 tsp thyme
2 carrots, finely chopped
2 ribs celery, finely chopped
3 boullion cubes (I use Rapunzel vegetable with sea salt)
Salt & pepper to taste
10 cups water
(Plus more below)

Directions:
Put all of the above in crockpot and set on high for 4 hours


At the very end of cook time, chop one onion and 2 cloves garlic-- saute in a bit of oil.  When browned, add to the soup.

Serve!

Stayed good in fridge up to 1 week

Applesauce Muffins

My 11 month old son LOVES muffins.
This is a recipe I came up with as a combo of a few others and substitutions of my own.

Ingredients:
(makes 24)
3 cups oats
2.5 cups flour
2/3 cup maple syrup (grade B preferred, but use any all natural maple syrup)
2 tsp baking powder
1.5 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1 jar unsweetened organic applesauce (24 oz)
1 cup almond milk
3 tbsp canola oil
2 eggs

Directions:
In large bowl, combine all dry ingredients, mix well
In medium bowl, combine all wet ingredients, mix well
Combine
PAM the muffin tray (I use silicone)
Fill muffin cups to the top

Bake at 325 for 29 minutes

Making Hamantaschen for Mishloach Manot Baskets

So... if you aren't Jewish the subject of this might make you wonder if I had a tiny stroke while typing.

Nope!  It's almost Purim!  And to stay true to character (not a perfectionist) let me paste some info here about the baskets (which is where Easter got their basket idea, tho I like this better because KIDS GIVE the baskets as gifts and receive a piece of candy for delivering vs. just getting a basket of candy):

KEY:
Hamentaschen- pastries shaped like Haman's hat
Mischloach Manot- Purim Basket
Mitzvah- Good deed
Purim- A Jewish holiday-- this is the actual holiday where we get gifts (Hanukkah became that way, but isn't historically a gift holiday) and we also dress up in costume and get drunk.  We like to joke that it's Halloween meets St. Patty's Day + more.  A festive meal and costume party is part of the celebration.  Giving a Purim basket to two friends with food in it is required.  One of the more interesting things about Purim is it is the only story where God's name is never mentioned once, and no magical miracles--it is all about the Jewish people coming together and... sort of making their own miracle.

Mishloach manot, literally, "sending of portions"; also called a Purim basket, are gifts of food or drink The mitzvah of giving mishloach manot derives from the Book of Esther. It is meant to ensure that everyone has enough food for the Purim feast held later in the day, and to increase love and friendship among Jews as a counter to Haman's assertion that the Jewish people are characterised by strife and disunity.

According to the halakha, every Jew over the age of Bar and Bat Mitzvah should send a food gift consisting of two different types of food to at least one recipient. The practice is a fairly prominent feature of Purim.

Two different mitzvot: the sending of two different, ready-to-eat foods and/or drinks to one friend (known by the Hebrew term, mishloach manot), and the distribution of two charitable donations (either money or food) to two poor people.

Poor people are also required to give mishloach manot. One who cannot afford to buy food for his friend may exchange his own food with that of his friend — this fulfills both their obligations.

This mitzvah may not be fulfilled by giving items other than food. Money or other material items cannot suffice. Only food gifts fulfill this mitzvah.

So--- we set out to start on the Hamantaschen today.  It's kind of a long process for just 16 of them in the end.

I like to make my own filling so it's simple and fresh, but you can just buy apricot preserves.

To make your own, buy a bag of organic apricots, put 5-6 in each muffin spot, cover completely with water, and bake at 350 for 45 minutes.

Remove from oven, put all of it including water into a food processor, add 1/4 cup cold water and puree 60 seconds.  The entire bag makes enough to fill probably 100 Hamantaschen, so adjust to your amount.  Pureed apricot is also great for babies or smoothies or added to oatmeal or yogurt, so plenty of ways to use the leftovers.

Make the dough (see the end of this post)

Roll it out

Find a nice large round thing to cut circles with-- I used the second largest stacker in my baby's toy stackers, ha!  You want something wider than a cup rim, but not so big as a coffee can.

Put just a bit of filling in the center of each circle-- less than a tablespoon usually--but do it to your taste.

Pinch the 3 corners creating a triangle.  It's very important to really seal off the 3 corners or they will open up in the oven.  (The ones I let my kids do usually open up)  ;)

As you can see, my 6 yr old loved the apricot puree so much she asked for a little to eat-- and that is just PLAIN apricots and water!  Why give them extra sugar if they love that!?

Bake and cool... eat, or put in mishloach manot baskets!

RECIPE:

makes 16

2 cups flour

1/2 cup cane sugar

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup butter

2 eggs

1 tsp orange juice (it really makes it, don't leave it out!)

apricots OR apricot preserves

(Get apricots baking, see above)

1. In a large bowl, mix dry ingredients

2.  Cut in butter

3.  Add beaten eggs & extracts and mix well to form dough into ball, roll & cut circles, etc

4.  Bake at 350 for 25 min

Challah Baking

I recently came across 2 articles about a scary ingredient in bread, azodicarbonamide-- described as something used in making plastics like yoga mats.  AH!

Looked on the back of my yummy fresh challah from Publix-- BOOM-  azodicarbonamide.  

So-- to start-- I set out to make my own challah.  I have 3 small kids, it's not really a project I was excited about-- but I researched and found a recipe that looked authentic and yummy-- I like a very eggy and very NON-sweet challah-- and I saw it made 2 large challahs.  I figured I'd make 4-5 minis and freeze them... because who needs to really consume an entire challah every Friday?

I took this recipe and tweaked it based on comments and my own preferences.  I made 11 mini challahs!  WHOA.  It came out tasting good, but definite;ly not the typical challah--- it's like a healthy challah.

Next time I think I'll add 4 more eggs or yolks--it just needed to be more eggy---  when I do, I'll come back and edit this and tell you the results!

Meanwhile-- I'll go freeze 10 of my 11 loaves.  ;)

My version:
INGREDIENTS:
2.5 cups warm water
1 tbsp active dry yeast (approx 1.5 packets)
1/4 cup honey
4 tbsp canola oil
3 egg yolks+ 1 egg 
Additional egg for egg wash
1 tbsp salt
8 cups King Arthur Organic White Whole Wheat Flour

Directions

1. In a large bowl, sprinkle yeast over barely warm water. Beat in honey, ---- then let it proof for 10 minutes.  Beat in oil, 3 egg yolks, 1 egg, and salt. Add the flour one cup at a time, beating after each addition, graduating to kneading with hands as dough thickens. Knead until smooth and elastic and no longer sticky, adding flour as needed. Cover with a damp clean cloth and let rise for 1 1/2 hours or until dough has doubled in bulk.
2. Punch down the risen dough and turn out onto floured board. Divide in half and knead each half for five minutes or so, adding flour as needed to keep from getting sticky. Divide each half into thirds and roll into long snake about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Pinch the ends of the three snakes together firmly and braid from middle. Either leave as braid or form into a round braided loaf by bringing ends together, curving braid into a circle, pinch ends together. Grease two baking trays and place finished braid or round on each. Cover with towel and let rise about one hour.
3. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
4. Beat the remaining egg and brush a generous amount over each braid. 
5. Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 25 minutes. Bread should have a nice hollow sound when thumped on the bottom. Cool on a rack for at least one hour before slicing.

On God

When my oldest was in Kindergarten, I went to a parent discussion with our Rabbi about how to talk to your kids about God.  I loved ALL of what he said and shared, and while I can't transcribe all 60 minutes of discussion- especially over a year later- I'll share some of the biggest takeaways for me.

The year before my daughter came home from her Jewish preschool scared of God one day.  She said, "Morah Rachel said God is EVERYWHERE!"  Ha!  So, I became interested in healthy ways to talk to her about God, especially since I am not exactly sure where I stand on God-- I definitely believe in something bigger than us-- and I believe we are all connected--but my views on God specifically have changed a lot (and continue to) from when I was her age.

(While I'd love to share in story form, I'm afraid I'll never post if I do it that way-- this draft has been sitting here for a year!)

• The BIG one:  Don't say anything about God that, when they grow up, they will take as a lie.  Or-- take as an untruth is maybe a better way to put it.  'God lives in the sky and watches over everyone', etc. If you say, "God watches over everyone.", when they are older... if they lose someone, or something... that might not feel true to them anymore.  Why did God let that person get sick? etc.
• Don't be afraid to say, "I don't know".  I loved this part of the Rabbi's explanation... this is one subject where we're likely on the same level as our children.  Let them know YOU are still figuring it all out, too.  In fact-- that makes it easier for them to trust the whole thing rather than unwavering faith no matter what.  (Loved this.)  I told my daughter, "I used to believe______, now I believe _______, but we are always learning new things and changing our minds about what/who God is or means... let me know when you have new ideas about it, maybe it'll help me!"
• Don't give vague answers:  God is everywhere can sound scary, God is always watching (scary), etc.

I'm going to link to two articles he gave us that day, but I'll also credit and paste some passages from each in case links fail in the future...

My biggest take away is this:  Listen, answer honestly, don't be afraid to say "I don't know", and give them the same answers at 6 as you would at 30 -- (this is MY take away).

Emily  :)

1. How to Talk to Your Kids About God by Rabbi David Wolpe

1. Ask. Studies show that almost all children by the age of six have some developed concept of God. Ask them. Do not allow your own preconceptions to determine the range of their curiosity -- let them think, speculate, dream, imagine. Children will grow in their understanding, but only if we do not cut off conversation by dictating the "truth" or by evading the issue.

2. Tell Stories. Stories encourage children to form concepts of character. To learn about God, tell the stories of the Bible, the midrashic or teaching legends, incidents from your own life. Children are less adept at manipulating abstract concepts than they are at understanding concrete operational ideas. Along with stories, use descriptive language: Rather than "God knows everything" try to be specific: "God is the one who helps us to grow."

3. Bring God into everyday life. Tell your children that God loves them. Explain that the world is filled with evidence of God''s concern and artistry. If the language seems alien or difficult, find ways to ease into it. "Who loves you?" Go through a list -- parents, siblings, grandparents, and God. Remember that Judaism is filled with ideas of God''s love, in the prayers, in the Bible. And our best known prayer, theSh'ma, exhorts us to love God back.

4. Do not be defensive at challenges. Thoughtful children -- especially once they enter into adolescence -- will challenge our religious ideas. That is a sign of thoughtfulness. When we are angry or defensive we show our own insecurities, our unease with the religious ideas we profess. Welcome the challenge -- recognize that there are many good reasons to doubt God''s existence or benevolence. Engage in a dialogue, not a diatribe.

5. Learn good answers. There are no definitive answers to difficult questions, but there are good ones. Try not to fall into the trap of giving facile answers that may satisfy a six year old, but will be transparently unacceptable when the child is older and more sophisticated. It is better not to be understood yet than to misrepresent the complexity of the issues. Still, in many cases hard questions can be addressed very early: "If God dwells everywhere, is God in my pocket?" The appropriate answer to this is to explain the difference between physical and non-physical objects. The wind is invisible, but physical. Love is intangible. Ask a child "where is love?" You cannot point to it, but you can feel it. The same is true with God.

There is no one idea of God in Judaism. Our tradition is as rich theologically as it is culturally and historically. 

Our aim is not answers but spiritual growth. Allow yourself to be open to the directions that spiritual exploration can take you. Once again, as so often, through teaching our children, we learn.

2.  How to Talk About God by Rabbi Sarah Reines

1. Judaism does not have a rigid understanding of God.
2. There is no "right answer."
3. Positively reinforce your child's curiosity.
4. Try to speak of God from a soulful place, rather than an intellectual one.
5. Actions often speak louder than words.
6. Read!

When people tell me they don't believe in God, I ask them to describe the God they don't believe in. When they finish I say in agreement, "I don't believe in that God either." 

When our preschool children ask us why the sky is blue, we can go to the internet for a scientific answer, but a description of the atmosphere's composition and electromagnetic waves may not be what they need. In the same way, a theological discourse on whether or not God is omniscient or omnipotent will likely miss the mark. Children's questions may be a way for them to express their burgeoning spirituality. Leave space for your children to keep questioning and thinking for themselves. Engage in a conversation, rather than struggle to provide an answer. Spirituality requires questioning, imagining, and openness.

Often, children are more spiritually astute than adults. Give your child the space to explore this aspect of themselves. A legitimate, supportive, and honest answer can be, "That's a wonderful question. I ask myself that question sometimes. What do you think?"

Simple rituals can let God into our lives and our children's lives. When we light Shabbat candles and pause to watch the flames dance, sing the Shema in a whisper before tucking our child into bed, gather the loose coins in the bottom of purses and pockets and set them aside for tzedakah (charity), we foster an environment which will allow spirituality to flourish.

Books about God or books with a Jewish flavor can help provide language and focus for us. Sandy Eisenberg Sasso's God's Paintbrush and In God's Name are non-denominational picture books with beautiful illustrations which provoke and directly ask questions that you can discuss with your child. Some books for adult reading on this topic are When Children Ask About God by Rabbi Harold Kushner and Teaching Your Children About God by Rabbi David Wolpe.

For many, becoming a parent ushers in a newly-found or recovered sense of the Divine. The miracle of birth, the wonder of raising a child, opens our eyes anew to God's presence in our world. Allow your children to continue to lead you in this awe-inspiring journey of discovery.

Cure for a non-sleeping baby: The Chiropractor

My third baby gave me the biggest run for my money in terms of sleep.
Things were decent til the 4 month sleep regression.
Then from 4-8.5 mos, it became worse and worse.
Of course, I know "sleeping through the night" is technically defined at 5 hours for a baby.
That would have been a godsend.  He wasn't going more than 2 straight hours sleeping.  By 8 months, baby boy was waking an average of 6 times a night--and some of those wakes he was inconsolable and could stay up crying while we rocked him for up to 90 minutes.  . Nothing worked- not rocking, nursing, playing-- nothing.  That would wake the other two kids up.  It was hellish.
It was a really tough time with lots of tears and coffee.

At some point I remembered vaguely hearing about people taking babies to the chiropractor starting at 1 week old!  I immediately Googled it, and within 5 minutes made the baby an appointment.

He had his first appointment at 8 months, 18 days old.  The chiro told me to give it 2-3 adjustments (visits) before we might see some improvement.  After the first visit, not much change at all.  Second visit was 5 days later.  That night, he woke up on 3 times and it was a bit quicker to get him down.  3rd visit was another week later... that night he slept 6 hours straight.  6 hours!!!!!!!!


He is now 10.5 months old and sleeps most nights 8pm-5am STRAIGHT.  I take him every other week for adjustments.

Here he is last week watching his sister get adjusted:

Of course I can't promise you anything--but my friend Rachel just took her son, and after the first visit, he was sleeping 5 hours straight.

So, for something non-invasive or labor intensive for you-- it's worth a try!

Baby Girl Hair: When, Why, and How

When my first daughter was about 9 months old, someone gave me really good advice... she said "Start doing her hair NOW, even if she doesn't have much.  If you wait till she has enough hair then it isn't part of the routine and it becomes such a battle."

I think she was onto something.

So, this is the baby at 12 months with hair up and hair down:

TIPS:

• Use a boar-bristled brush (pictured)
• Use a spray bottle to get the fine hairs is-- my goal is to only have to do hair ONE time for the entire day
• Keep all the stuff in a Caboodle-- it's organized and babies can't open it.
• I taught them early "resist me" and after a few months they learned to pull back against me
• Let them watch TV while you do it at first
• Don't EVER cut bangs.  Like, ever.  Okay, it's your call-- but my daughter had really thick hair and I thought it would be cute and easy.  Was cute but not easy.  Nope--- and it took 3 years to grow them out.  And she has pretty fast growing hair!  

Could you leave the hair alone everyday?  Sure.  But summer time, snack time, meal time... these are messy things-- and I find a few minutes of putting hair up saves a lot of stress later in the day.  And starting at 1, I think, helps it be a routine.  My second daughter was bald at 1 year, but I still had her sit and sort of pretended.  ;)  

Good luck!