Quantcast
Channel: Between Carpools
Viewing all 3308 articles
Browse latest View live

Exclusive Sneak Preview! Watch the Uncle Moishy’s World Trailer!

$
0
0

Uncle Moishy is here along with loads of excitement. Watch the trailer now and pre-order your copy for Chanukah!

When you were a kid, didn’t “New Uncle Moishy Album” make you tingle with excitement? Now, it’s time to pass that excitement onto your kids, because the new DVD is coming this Chanukah!

We’ve got a sneak preview right here on Between Carpools. See an exciting exclusive glimpse of Uncle Moishy’s World below:

There’s that magical vibe! Sound quality, music, visuals, characters…everything in this production has been enhanced. It’s so much fun to watch Uncle Moishy sing his latest songs along with his animal friends while teaching about Torah and mitzvos in his own charming way (and mom won’t mind sitting down to enjoy it with them too).

Uncle Moishy’s World is based on the songs in Uncle Moishy’s latest CD Welcome. If you’ve heard the CD, then you’ve certainly been impressed with the fresh sound and up-to-the-moment music quality.

Uncle Moishy brought together the absolute top talent in the Jewish world to make
The Music in Uncle Moishy’s World is by top composers Yossi Green, Malky Giniger, and Dina Storch and the video is produced and directed by the talented Meir Kay, whose video productions have won unprecedented acclaim.

Get your copy of Uncle Moishy’s World delivered on Chanukah by PRE-ORDERING now! You won’t want to miss it! All pre-orders come with a free Uncle Moishy keychain. The DVD will be in stores on December 2nd.

Shipping is free. Click here to order!


Our Favorite Black Friday Deals – Updated All Day!

$
0
0

Don’t know where to start finding just the right deals on stuff you need or want? We’ll be posting our favorites right here all day long…so keep checking!

Get $5 off one Amazon Book over $20. You can order 2 books or more that value $20 .
Use PROMCODE: NOVBOOK18 

best kosher cookbooks
Kim Kushner newest Cookbook – under $20 with code
Fresh and Easy Kosher Cooking
Our Table
Secrets of Skinny Cooking
All Kosher Cookbooks

Self Help:
Marriage Secrets 
Empowered Wife (the newest version of the Surrendered wife)
The Miracle Morning

Real Life Stories: 
Incredible 
As long as I Live

Ring Video Doorbell on Cyber Monday sale! ____________________________________________________________________

Michele Watches for up to 40% off
___________________________________________________________________


Dead  Magnetic Stick and Stack 40 piece set for only $15.99
Magnetic Building set 128 piece pastels for only $59.99

________________________________________________________________________

Kate Spade Jewelry Discounted up tp 50% at Macy’s


Little Tikes Shopping Cart for only $13.88

______________________________________________________________________

Amazon Paperwhite Kindle for only $79.99 (amazing price!)

________________________________________________________________________

DEAD Scooters for only $18
________________________________________________________________________

Ticket to Ride for only $24.99 (see further down to Ticket to Ride Junior)
Hurry this won’t last! 

________________________________________________________________________

Games to Play with kids. What card games do you like?Dead Monopoly Deal add on item (add to any amazon order) for only $4.99 (all our kids love this card game! And we love it because it doesn’t drag on forever like traditional monopoly)
________________________________________________________________________

Blokus Strategy Game is now only $9.99
______________________________________________________________________

Full Gorgeous Crib Set now 25% off on Amazon. Just click coupon code to get the price reduction.
________________________________________________________________________

DEAD It’s going to snow. Get ready with this shovel for $14.

________________________________________________________________________

Think ahead for summer/ camp season. Order your camp labels at 30% off (lowest we’ve seen). Use code: BLACK30. Our favorites are the iron on, and stick and wear lables.

________________________________________________________________________

Buy the doona for $499 and get $100 gift certificate.

BLACK FRIDAY PROMOTION DETAILS:
Score a free $100 Gift Certificate with all Doona car seats! Plus receive free gifts with select colors. Accessories shown are the accessories that are included with purchase. No exchanges on the free gifts are allowed. Gift Certificates will be sent out after promotion is over and can only be applied to a future purchase. Click here to purchase.
________________________________________________________________________

Think ahead to summer. We wrote about this Coleman Portable Grill in this post.

_______________________________________________________________________

Nab a kid-friendly (as in safer, because it’s low to the ground) trampoline for $99.

________________________________________________________________________

A ping pong table is a great family Chanukah gift.

________________________________________________________________________

Great loafer alert! Karl Lagerfield leather loafers  code:BESTDEAL

________________________________________________________________________

Amazing selection of faux fur sweaters (or these) with coupon code:BESTDEAL.

________________________________________________________________________

DEAD A crazy deal on pots!! Normally $119.99 now $29.99. Get NOW for Pesach!

________________________________________________________________________

DEAD Did you ever want to own your own chafing dishes for entertaining? Normally $59.99 now $31.99

________________________________________________________________________

This Avocado Tool is going to be your favorite kitchen gadget! It’s really so useful for removing the pit and scooping out and slicing the flesh.

________________________________________________________________________

Bosch Universal Plus 800 Watt 6.5 Qt Kitchen Stand Mixer $319 +free shipping

________________________________________________________________________

OUT of STOCK Personalized 150 piece Art Set $39.99

________________________________________________________________________

OUT of STOCK Laser Tag Blaster, set of 4 (boys love this!)


Dead Hoverboard for only $127.00


L

Little Tikes Princess Cottage for only $78.98


DEAD The Game of Life for only $10

__________________________________________________________________________

Little Tikes Toy Basketball Set for only $19.99 (makes a great upsherin gift!)


iRobot Roomba for only $194.00


___________________________________________________________________

Kitchen Aid 4.5Q for $189.99 use Code: DEAL


Marc Jacob Crossbody Bag for $79.97


Furlax Pom Pom Beanie extra 50% off using code: FRIYAY


Armani Navy Suit extra 50% off using code: FRIYAY



Playmobil Jet
for $12.95
________________________________________________________________________
instant pot meatball recipe
DONE 8 quart Instant Pot from Amazon for only $59.00
8 quart Instant Pot from Walmart for only $59.00 (one more left)
________________________________________________________________________

label maker
DEAD Lable Maker for 9.99
________________________________________________________________________

DEAD Ticket to Ride: First Journey – the perfect board game for ages 5-8 years old
_______________________________________________________________________


Mitzvah Notes Use code:BLKFRIDAYZAZ
You can personalize it in English or Hebrew!
Girls Personalized Mitzvah Note Pad for $8.77
Girls Personalized Mitzvah Post It Notes for $7.00
Boys Personlized Mitzvah Note Pad for $8.77
Boys Personalized Mitzvah Post It Notes for $7.00

________________________________________________________________________

4 Take & Toss Spill-Proof Sippy Cups
________________________________________________________________________

Sandwich Maker for 10.49
________________________________________________________________________

Bikes only $36 + free shipping

Huffy 12″ Sea Star Girls’ EZ Build Bike

Huffy 12″ Rock It EZ Build Kids Bike for Boys

Huffy 16″ Sea Star EZ Build Kids Bike for Girls

Huffy 16″ Rock It Kids EZ Build Bike for Boys

Huffy 20″ Sea Star EZ Build Girls’ Bike

Huffy 20″ Rock It EZ Build Kids Bike for Boys

________________________________________________________________________

BISSELL Proheat Advanced Full-Size Carpet Cleaner Carpet Washer, 1846 Only $88 + free shipping

________________________________________________________________________

Instant Camera for 49.99 in select colors
________________________________________________________________________

Black + Decker Lithium Ion Drill/ Driver for only 29.00


Blink XT Cam Systems for up to $150 off

It’s cheaper and easier than ever to protect your property and family. The standard Blink cameras are designed for indoor use, but if you have outdoor areas you want to monitor, look to the Blink XT. Those weather-proofed models are on sale now. Here are your options:

Blink XT 1-Cam System: $79 ($51 off)

Blink XT 2-Cam System: $150 ($80 off)

Blink XT 3-Cam System: $230 ($90 off)

________________________________________________________________________

Refurbished PowerShot ELPH 180 Only $69.99
Refurbished PowerShot ELPH 190 Only $99.99
Refurbished PowerShot ELPH 360 Only $119
Refurbished PowerShot SX620 Only $129.99

Click Camera/ Shop all Cameras

________________________________________________________________________

HP OfficeJet 6954 All-in-One Wireless Printer with Two-Sided Printing (P4C81A) Only $49
________________________________________________________________________

Nikon D3500 DSLR bundle: $499.99, reg. $849.99

This is the splurge worth making. For proffesional or ameteaurs just starting out, you wont regret owning this bundle.


 

The post Our Favorite Black Friday Deals – Updated All Day! appeared first on Between Carpools.

Your Guests Will Dig Right Into Our Chanukah Party Breads!

$
0
0

Bring your Chanukah party table to life with these tempting party breads! They’re easy to prepare and will be gone within minutes.

We know we don’t need to say much because these photos pretty much ensure that you’ll want to serve a buffet of party breads at your party. So, shall we get right to the instructions?You’ll need the long baguettes that are sold in the bakery section of your local supermarket.

First, slice the bread on an angle, about 1 ½ inches apart. Slice again on an angle in the opposite direction. Then simply stuff the toppings into the crevices! See instructions for specific breads below.

Pizza BreadAdd: Pizza or marinara sauce; tomatoes cut into chunks; 8 ounces shredded cheese (or more). Bake in oven until cheese is melted.


Mushroom BreadAdd: 3 Portobello mushrooms, diced and sauteed with a large diced onion until soft; Prepared pesto; shredded cheese. Drizzle the top with olive oil.  Bake in oven until cheese is melted.


Falafel Bread

Toast bread for a few minutes after slicing if desired. Fill with fresh falafel balls (you can cut them in half), Israeli salad, and lots of drizzled techina.


Olive BreadAdd: Mozzarella cheese, feta cheese, olives, and Italian seasoning.  Drizzle top with olive oil. Bake in oven until cheese is melted.


Goat Cheese Bread

Add: 5-6 ounces goat cheese, caramelized onions, and sliced Pink Lady apples. Drizzle top with olive oil on top. Bake in oven until cheese is melted.

 

The post Your Guests Will Dig Right Into Our Chanukah Party Breads! appeared first on Between Carpools.

Perfect Chanukah Gift Alert! This Radio Plays Jewish Channels from Around the World.

$
0
0

Naki Radio will soon be a staple in every Jewish home. I can’t wait for mine to arrive. Here’s why.

“When I was growing up, there was always music playing in the house. Why can’t we also have music playing all the time?” my husband asks.

We do play music and we do dance. But not all the time, not everyday. I try to think of the reasons. Because all my music is on my phone; if I play music, that means my phone actually has to be charged and connected via Bluetooth to the speaker. It means I have to have my phone out, instead tucking it away in a cabinet when the kids are home. As for CDs, I no longer own a CD player (my car doesn’t even have one either!), our CDs are probably all scratched by now.  

When I heard about Naki Radio, my first response was, “This is a dream! This is something I envisioned we’d have in the days of Mashiach!”

Imagine owning a radio where every station was Jewish…where you can have music playing all day with no effort on your part…where you could change the channels with a little turn of a dial and hear children’s stories or shiurim. Well, that vision is available now.

Naki Radio was created by askanim and members of TAG who wished there was a convenient way to listen to Jewish content without needing to turn on a general radio or open an internet browser to stream content. Some Jewish channels are only available on the radio in specific locations and some only stream online. What if all the Jewish content was in one place on one kosher radio? And now it is!

There’s currently over a dozen channels and there’s more constantly being added. You can turn on music channels, then switch to kid’s music or kids stories with a turn of the dial (for a list of channels, see below). There’s also content constantly being created special for Naki, including streaming shiurim that you can play on demand.

The radio has a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 10 hours, so if you want to take the radio with you, or simply move it around the house without worrying about the plug, you can. All you need is a Wi-Fi connection. The sound quality is amazing.

I’m sure that Naki Radio will soon be a staple in every Jewish home.

Now, before Chanukah, you can take advantage of the introductory Chanukah special of $99 (on sale from $135).


Plus! Exclusive for BCP readers: get free shipping with coupon code BCP.

Click here for more information or to get your Naki Radio now!

The post Perfect Chanukah Gift Alert! This Radio Plays Jewish Channels from Around the World. appeared first on Between Carpools.

Create a Great Hot Cocoa Bar + Soup Bar at Your Chanukah Party

$
0
0

These additions are easy to prepare and your guests will enjoy them so much!

Want to warm up your guests and give them reason to stay and enjoy a little longer? A Hot Cocoa Bar is the perfect addition to any milchig menu and a sweet way to add a finishing touch. A Soup Bar is great for either milchig or fleishig meals…everyone will appreciate it so much. And most of all, they’re both so easy to set up.

Hot Cocoa Bar

Once you have a color scheme, you will find more accessories in various craft stores. I found theses straws at Michael’s.

I ordered plain hot cups online. They came with covers and paper sleeves too. They give that finishing touch. You can also find different wooden stirrers and wooden spoons online at really low prices.

Underneath the hot cups I placed a square of fur that I purchased at Stitch n’ Sew for a few dollars.  I wanted to add some ‘warmth’ to the scene.

These chocolate covered spoons are so easy to prepare and so much fun. Just melt white or dark chocolate and top with your favorite toppings. To display, cut out a piece of Styrofoam to fit the tray and just stand them up. Cover the Styrofoam with mini marshmallows to conceal.

Display fun add-ins and toppings on your Hot Cocoa bar. I included fudge (chocolate syrup), peppermint, white chocolate, chocolate chips, and chocolate-covered marshmallows (great for stirring or just eating).

I rented out this teal bookcase (that I used as a table), shelves, and dished from Set It Up NJ Prop Rental. This was so easy and inexpensive. I got to use fun, up to date dishes at minimal cost. (And I didn’t even have to find a place to store them after the party is over!)

The Soup Bar

Soup bars are so much fun when setting up a party in winter. Whether you are having a milchig or fleishig menu there’s so much you can add in form of toppings and accompaniments.  I included different crackers, croutons, bread sticks, pumpkin seeds, and Terra Stix on the buffet. The soups featured here and the beautiful soup warmers (which are available for rental) are courtesy of The Green Bowl (they’re a beautiful way to serve wholesome soup!).

You can find these inexpensive wood boards that come with the hook at Michael’s and spray paint them to match your color scheme. Then use a sharpie to customize them, with your own cute slogan.

Easy Buttery Garlic Knots

These just work well with soup. Or salad. Or anything. I just eat them plain too, come to think of it. Hey, let’s get real here. These usually don’t even make it to the serving dish; they just get eaten straight from the pan in our kitchen. Yep. That good.

Easy Buttery Garlic Knots
Serves: 35 knots
 
Ingredients
For the knots:
  • 1 tablespoon dry yeast
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 ½ cups warm water
  • 3 ½ to ¾ cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons butter, softened
Garlic coating:
  • ½ stick butter
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • ¼ cup parmesan cheese (optional)
  • Freshly ground salt and pepper
Instructions
  1. Place the yeast, sugar, and warm water in a bowl. Wait 5 minutes for the yeast  to activate. Add 3 ½ cups of flour, salt, and butter (you can soften the butter in the microwave for 30 seconds).  Knead dough by hand or by machine (using the hook attachment) until it forms a nice, soft, uniform dough. Add the remaining ¼ cup of flour only if needed.
  2. Cover and let dough rest for 10 minutes.
  3. On a floured surface, pinch off a small ball of dough (approximately the size of a ping pong ball) roll into a short rope and then tie into a knot. Place into a rimmed and greased baking pan. Repeat with remaining dough. Let knots rest for another 10 to 15 minutes, covered with a clean kitchen towel.
  4. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400ºF. Bake knots for 15 to 20 minutes, until golden.
  5. Meanwhile, prepare the garlic coating. Melt the butter in a small saucepan . Once butter has melted, stir in  the minced garlic, mixing until just fragrant. Remove from heat. Brush the still hot knots with the melted butter. Toss with parsley,  parmesan cheese, salt and pepper.

Note: This dough can be prepared in advance and refrigerated overnight. Knots freeze well, just rewarm before serving.

 

The post Create a Great Hot Cocoa Bar + Soup Bar at Your Chanukah Party appeared first on Between Carpools.

It’s the Right Time of Year to Make the Best Fried Chicken

$
0
0

We pull out this fried chicken recipe one per year and we always can’t get enough.

My mother-in-law has one recipe that has been consistently on her menu anytime she’s hosting a fun party or get-together. It’s her famous fried chicken.

It’s the Right Time of Year to Make the Best Fried Chicken. We pull out this fried chicken recipe one per year and we always can’t get enough.Over the years the recipe has adapted slightly (replacing salt with the chicken soup consomme/mix) to be a little more health-conscience. However, I believe that if you are going to make fried chicken once a year, if you do have consomme, use it. And after all, it’s fried chicken (so don’t make believe we’re making it healthy). With all the right ingredients in place, there is something quite addictive about this dish.

The two most important parts are cutting the chicken in smaller pieces, and properly letting it marinate so that the coating sticks to the chicken.

It’s the Right Time of Year to Make the Best Fried Chicken. We pull out this fried chicken recipe one per year and we always can’t get enough.My mother-in-law always uses fine bread crumbs. For our photoshoot I used golden breadcrumbs (yellow colored bread crumbs that are slightly more coarse.) Both will work well.

To buckets of chicken and fun times together with family and friends!

Famous Fried Chicken
 
Ingredients
  • 4 pieces chicken (bottoms or bottoms and tops)
  • 8-10 garlic cloves , crushed
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 3 teaspoons paprika
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ cup Sprite or any lemon-lime soda
  • 1 tablespoon chicken soup mix or 1-2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 eggs
  • Breadcrumbs
  • Oil, for frying
Instructions
  1. With a sharp knife and a kitchen mallet (or hammer) cut the chicken (through the meat and bone). The bottom can be cut into 4 pieces (or 3 if its small). The tops can be cut into 3.  You want pieces that are more bite-sized for easier eating and frying.
  2. In a bowl, combine the oil, garlic, paprika, black pepper, chicken soup mix (or salt) with the chicken. Pour in Sprite and mix. Let sit for 1 hour to overnight to marinade.
  3. Dip into egg, pat well with breadcrumbs, and deep fry until insides are done and outside is crispy, about 8-10 minutes or more depending on the size of the chicken pieces.

It’s the Right Time of Year to Make the Best Fried Chicken. We pull out this fried chicken recipe one per year and we always can’t get enough.It’s the Right Time of Year to Make the Best Fried Chicken. We pull out this fried chicken recipe one per year and we always can’t get enough.It’s the Right Time of Year to Make the Best Fried Chicken. We pull out this fried chicken recipe one per year and we always can’t get enough.

 

The post It’s the Right Time of Year to Make the Best Fried Chicken appeared first on Between Carpools.

How One Mesivta is Finding Great Success Teaching Each Student “Al Pi Darcho” in a Very Unique Way

$
0
0

What is the yeshiva behind ChanceX12 all about? Shaarei Adirim is giving boys who never had a chance a unique opportunity to succeed.

   If you’re not the type that has luck with raffles, ChanceX12 is definitely the raffle for you. The odds are an incredible 1/292…compare that to the odds of winning the Powerball…which is 1/292,000,000.

There’s a winner drawn every single month. The next drawing is THIS THURSDAY, November 29th!

But, I wanted to know, what’s the cause behind ChanceX12?

And I learned, it’s a great one that we’re proud to get behind.

ChanceX12 benefits Mesivta Shaarei Adirim, a yeshiva endorsed by Rabbonim, Roshei Yeshiva, and Roshei Kollel from around the Midwest and beyond.

“There are lots of good kids that want to be matzliach. They’re quality bochurim. They might have struggled in yeshiva academically, but we provide them with many opportunities to shine outside of the academic curriculum. Once they feel successful at life, they shine academically too. Our goal is to get them ready to be matzliach in life.” -Rabbi Mordechai Elbaum, Rosh haMesivta

 Each year, Shaarei Adirim runs a confidence campaign where bochurim work on building confidence to overcome their personal “I can’t” moments. The following story took place during last year’s campaign:

For Chaim, a 9th grader, it was the first time he was away from home. So when he needed medical attention on the shortest Friday of the year, his mother researched and found the right Chicago-based doctor that could help her son. But Chaim was scared to go alone.

“I never went to this doctor before, and I’ve never been to downtown Chicago. I can’t…” he told Rabbi Elbaum.

Rabbi Elbaum went back to his office and called Chaim’s mother to talk it over. They came up with a plan, deciding that a friend would accompany him and his mother arranged for an Uber to take them directly to the office. Rabbi Elbaum went to tell Chaim the solution, but before he could speak, Chaim said, “Rebbi, I have the confidence. I will go.”

That Sunday afternoon, Chaim attended his acrobatics class. He had been working on a technique that was very difficult, where one bochur leaps onto the shoulders of another. It’s a complicated move that takes practice and skill. But, today, Chaim gathered the confidence he had armed himself with on Friday and mastered it. And then, while on the other bochur’s shoulders, he also learned to juggle.

The next morning, he arrived early to yeshiva. “Let’s start a Tosfos,” he told his rebbi, “I have confidence. I can do it.”

When a bochur is matzliach in one area, they learn they are capable. Even if they’re matzliach in something that’s out-of-the-box, it carries over into all areas of their day, including academics

Mesivta Shaarei Adirim, based in Chicago, is the midwest affiliate of Shaarei Arazim of Monsey, NY. It’s under the leadership of Rabbi Mordechai Elbaum, the Rosh haYeshiva Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Ausband, and Rabbi Shlomo Caplan is the General studies principal. In addition to their limudei kodesh, where they learn Gemara during morning and night seder, in addition to Mishnayos and Chumash, there’s a full limudei chol schedule [Shaarei Adirim is accredited and registered with the state of Illinois], and the boys are afforded with many more experiences that give them opportunities to build confidence. When they come into yeshiva, the first extracurricular project they undertake is building their own desk in woodshop. On Sunday afternoons, they learn acrobatics, training with world class coaches. They learn life skills; what it means to be a good brother/son/friend and later husband/father. There’s daily physical education; the boys can take electives in photography; they’re also safrus, which makes them feel so important. They play on a rugby team. They’re part of a marching band. There’s a lot going on and the day keeps moving with no downtime.

Every single one of the programs was not chosen arbitrarily. They’re chosen specifically for the life skills they teach. “The prism we use when deciding what programs to bring to the yeshiva is asking the question: what is the growth?” Rugby is a team sport that builds team-working skills. Martial arts builds self-discipline. A bochur that builds core strength feels good and confident; likewise when he builds his own desk.

“Bochurim who leave out yeshiva will have what it takes to be successful at life. They’ll sit and learn with a Gemara and with a chavrusa, or go to a shiur if that’s what they prefer. They’ll be koveah ittim. They’ll get a job and know what their responsibilities are when taking care of a family. He’ll have it together. Not everything that Hashem sends us is in our control. Our chiyuv is to be mechanech our bochurim and give them to tools to be successful, with whatever abilities they were given,” says Rabbi Epstein

Shaarei Adirim is filling a need that’s recognized and supported by all the rabbanim. There is a need to reach and teach every child.

You Can Be Part of Giving Boys a Chance with ChanceX12!

How It Works:

Your monthly donation of $36 to Shaarei Adirim ensures a base of support for the yeshiva and enters you in a monthly drawing for $10,000. You have another chance every month! Enter before the drawing date to be eligible for this month’s prize and every one thereafter. The odds are an incredible 1 in 292.

 

Congrats to the winners so far:

ChanceX12’s September winner: Steve Berkovitch

Chance X 12’s October winner: Aderet Blazer

 

Learn More and Sign Up!

 

The post How One Mesivta is Finding Great Success Teaching Each Student “Al Pi Darcho” in a Very Unique Way appeared first on Between Carpools.

This Game is a Way Better Version of Memory

$
0
0

Play Face Memory at your Chanukah party and we’re sure you’ll have a lot of laughs and cheers.

If you have lots of people coming to your Chanukah party, this game is going to get really challenging and exciting. And while you can definitely let the kids play on their own while the adults schmooze, you’re just might get tempted to chime in with your guesses. Face Memory is also a great game for your grown-up party!
This is also a great game for groups who want to get to know each other better (perhaps groups who work together or extended family).

The concept is simple. Photos of your family members simply serve as the memory cards.

Here are some notes:

*To make it easier, ask each mom (or any one person from each family) to send you digital shots of each member of the family as soon as they RSVP. Then you’ll need to print them; 5 x 7 is a good size for this game but 4 x 6 is fine too. (Haven’t printed photos in awhile? Try Alura Photo for best quality or Wal-Mart if you need them in an hour.)

*The photos don’t have to be formal shots! They can be candid and funny too!

*If you want to make a bigger effort, you can decorate the back of the photos and name your game, i.e. Weiss Family Memory (You’d want to print cards that are the same size as your photos and affix them to the back).

*Each person takes turns guessing. If someone gets a wrong match, their turn is over. If they guess right, they get another turn until they get a wrong match.

*Playing with kids and adults? You can make a rule that children under age “X” are allowed to have a parent’s help (decide how much help is actually permitted).

*Make sure there’s a prize for the one with the most matches at the end!

The post This Game is a Way Better Version of Memory appeared first on Between Carpools.


Exclusive Sneak Preview! Watch the Uncle Moishy’s World Trailer!

$
0
0

Uncle Moishy is here along with loads of excitement. Watch the trailer now and pre-order your copy for Chanukah!When you were a kid, didn’t “New Uncle Moishy Album” make you tingles with excitement? Now, it’s time to pass that excitement onto your kids, because the new DVD is coming this Chanukah!

We’ve got a sneak preview right here on Between Carpools. See an exciting exclusive glimpse of Uncle Moishy’s World below:

There’s that magical vibe! Sound quality, music, visuals, characters…everything in this production has been enhanced. It’s so much fun to watch Uncle Moishy sing his latest songs along with his animal friends while teaching about Torah and mitzvos in his own charming way (and mom won’t mind sitting down to enjoy it with them too).

Uncle Moishy’s World is based on the songs in Uncle Moishy’s latest CD Welcome. If you’ve heard the CD, then you’ve certainly been impressed with the fresh sound and up-to-the-moment music quality.

Uncle Moishy brought together the absolute top talent in the Jewish world to make

The Music in Uncle Moishy’s World is by top composers Yossi Green, Malky Giniger, and Dina Storch and the video is produced and directed by the talented Meir Kay, whose video productions have won unprecedented acclaim.

Get your copy of Uncle Moishy’s World delivered on Chanukah by PRE-ORDERING now! You won’t want to miss it! All pre-orders come with a free Uncle Moishy keychain. The DVD will be in stores on December 2nd.

Shipping is free. Click here to order!

 

The post Exclusive Sneak Preview! Watch the Uncle Moishy’s World Trailer! appeared first on Between Carpools.

Want Only the Best Classic Donut? Fry These Yeshiva Donuts

$
0
0

It may be true. We found the best ones. Just in time for Chanukah.

A donut is a donut. Some are better than others, but they’re pretty much all awesome.

So, when my son came home from yeshiva raving about the donuts the cook made, I paid attention. This guy is not a foodie. He can take or leave almost anything. If he says the donuts are the best, they have to be more than just good. He went back to yeshiva the next day with instructions to try and get the recipe from the cook. And Chef Naftali was gracious enough to share it with all of us here at Between Carpools and the recipe passed our taste test with flying colors! Thank you Chef Naftali Freeman!

Want to know what all of us at BCP like to use to fry our donuts? On Chanukah, we take out our Fry Daddy

It works great and fits 3-4 donuts at a time. Since the oil stays at a consistent temperature, your donuts will feel less oily and there’s less mess. If you’re hosting a big crowd and need to fry larger quantities, you may want to use the Fry Daddy Granpappy.

Yeshiva Donuts
 
Ingredients
  • 2 ¼ teaspoon dry yeast
  • 1 ½ cup warm water
  • 4 tablespoons sugar
  • 6 cups flour
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 2 tablespoons vanilla sugar
  • 1 (4 ounce) stick margarine
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
  1. Place dry yeast into a large bowl or mixer bowl. Add warm water and some of the sugar. Let bubble. Add remaining ingredients. Mix until very well combined.
  2. Using a sharp knife, cut the dough into uniform balls. Weigh the pieces on a digital scale so you know they’re exactly the same size (30 grams is a good size for minis; 60 grams for regular). It helps to spray your hands with nonstick cooking spray or wear gloves.
  3. Place each doughnut ball onto its own square of parchment paper (do not use wax paper!). Cover loosely and let rise for 1 ½ hours.
  4. Deep fry donuts with the parchment paper for 3-4 minutes, flipping halfway through. The parchment paper will come off after about 2 minutes, remove with tongs. When donuts are done frying, drain on paper towels and dust with confectioners sugar (or fill them as you like!)

 

To get evenly-sized donuts, we used the tips and techniques described on this post.

 

The post Want Only the Best Classic Donut? Fry These Yeshiva Donuts appeared first on Between Carpools.

The Easy Way to Avoid Melted Wax Stuck to the Menorah

$
0
0

This post-Chanukah wax-scraping chore is no more.

Do you find it a pain to scrape out the colored wax from the menorahs every night over Chanukah?

I learned this trick when I saw my brother-in-law prep his children’s menorahs last Chanukah. This hack works only when the candle fits exactly into the menorah.

Pour a bit of water into the candle holder before adding the candle.

The candle will extinguish when it gets almost to the end, right before it melts into that glob. Then, you can pop it right out. No melted wax to scrape!

 

The post The Easy Way to Avoid Melted Wax Stuck to the Menorah appeared first on Between Carpools.

Time for the Kids Party!  Create This Festive Pom Pom Centerpiece

$
0
0

The kids can help you create this centerpiece…and then enjoy the festivities when their friends or cousins come over for a Chanukah party designed just for them.


Once you have a fun centerpiece, the rest of the details are easy to accomplish. Have fun creating and celebrating at the table at this kids-only Chanukah party.


Here’s How:

To create the centerpiece, simply spray styrofoam rectangles squares in your desired color.


To affix the
bamboo hoops in the centerpiece, use some floral wire. Wrap the wire around the bottom of the hoop and stick it into the styrofoam.

The roses can also be affixed to the hoops with floral wire.

Then use a glue gun to glue on the pom poms! You can even let the kids do this.

Finally, glue gun on the balloons and let the kids have lots of fun at a party created just for them!

All paper goods from B & B partygood store


About Chaya:

Chaya loves planning parties of all types, from kids to corporate events. See her works on Instagram @creativetablespaces.

The post Time for the Kids Party!  Create This Festive Pom Pom Centerpiece appeared first on Between Carpools.

Free Download! Chanukah Gel Pen Coloring Page

$
0
0

Kids and adults…get out your gel pens and spend some quality time bonding and coloring with this coloring page by Artist Esti Winter

We’re smitten by everything that Esti draws. And so we’re super excited to get out those gel pens and color this masterpiece along with our kids. Keep ‘em busy for hours or spend some relaxed time together. Coloring pages also make an amazing low key Chanukah party activity that the kids always love!

Chanukah 2018 coloring page BCP

Download Now!

Want more Chanukah coloring pages? Click Here


About Esti:

Esti Winter is an illustrator extraordinaire. Her drawings are so full of charm, you’ll never stop staring. View more of her work @esti_winter. You can have Esti’s art enhance your own projects. To be in touch, DM her on Instagram or estibarker@ gmail.com

The post Free Download! Chanukah Gel Pen Coloring Page appeared first on Between Carpools.

Absolutely Yummy Apple Cider Baked Donuts

$
0
0

 I baked these donuts and then invited the girls over to taste. The verdict: We gotta spread the word.


This might be strange, but I prefer baked donuts to fried ones. It kind of defeats the whole Chanukah connection thing, but that’s just the way it is.  And when I came across this 
recipe for baked apple cider donuts on the Katie Bird Bakes blog, I knew I had to try it. Apple cider, cinnamon – what’s not to love in this donut?!

First I made the donut just as the recipe was written (minus the cloves because I didn’t have any) and it was just as good as I anticipated. But then I decided that I needed to try a non-dairy version so it could be served at any Chanukah party, and also so that the dairy-sensitive family members could also enjoy them.

I played around with a few versions and, while it’s not quite the same taste as the buttery one, it’s *almost* as delicious. And, of course, doubling is necessary because who makes just 8 donuts?? I used this donut pan, which comes with two, to bake a dozen at a time.    

Baked Apple Cider Donuts
Author: 
Serves: 14-16 donuts
 
Ingredients
For the Baked Apple Cider Donuts:
  • 2 cups apple cider (see instructions below)
  • 6 tablespoons Earth Balance or margarine
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 4 tablespoons Tofutti sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • Pinch nutmeg
  • Pinch salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
For the Cinnamon Sugar Topping:
  • 3 tablespoons Earth Balance or margarine
  • ºRemaining reduced cider (see instructions below), about ¼ cup
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Grease two 6-cup donut pans (or one, you'll just have to re-use it for the next batch).
  2. In a small saucepan, heat apple cider over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Bring to a simmer. Let simmer until reduced by about half, around 10 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in margarine until melted and combined. Let cool. Mixture should be a little syrupy in texture.  You need 1 cup of this reduced cider for the donuts, and a ¼ cup for the glaze.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk 1 cup of the cider mixture, sugar, egg, sour cream, and vanilla until well-combined.
  4. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, salt, baking soda and baking powder. Add to wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
  5. Spoon or pipe batter into donut pan until ⅔ full (if you only have one pan, you’ll have to bake in batches).
  6. Bake for 9-11 minutes, until risen and browned on the edges. Let cool for 2-3 minutes, then remove from pan and let cool on a baking sheet or wire rack.
  7. Prepare the topping. While the donuts are baking, whisk together ¼ cup cider mixture with 3 tablespoons melted margarine in a small bowl. Whisk together sugar and cinnamon in a second bowl.
  8. Working with one donut at a time, dip one side of the warm donuts into the cider mixture, then into the cinnamon sugar mixture. Coat donuts with as much cinnamon sugar as possible!
Notes
These are best fresh but will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for two days.

 

 

The post Absolutely Yummy Apple Cider Baked Donuts appeared first on Between Carpools.

Introducing Your Chanukah Craft Activity: Embossed Foil Art!

$
0
0

Looking for a Chanukah craft to keep the kids busy? This is embossed foil art project is our new favorite.

 It’s always a challenge to come up with something to entertain the kids at the yearly family Chanukah party. With cousins of all ages, it can be hard to find a craft that will please them all. Especially if you are trying to budget, finding the perfect project can be a harrowing ordeal.  Embossed foil art is a fantastic activity that will appeal to children of all ages. It’s easy, clean and cheap to boot! The teens can help with the glue gunning step and children of all ages will enjoy coloring in the foil. In fact, it’s so much fun you may even find an adult coloring at the kids table!

Supplies needed:

  • Card board, cut to size. I used cardboard from a cereal box, but a regular box cut up will also do the trick
  • Glue sticks
  • Glue gun (It’s a good idea to have more than one if there’ll be a lot of kids)
  • Glue gun sticks – Make sure to have a big package!
  • Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil
  • Sharpie Markers in an assortment of colors. You can purchase markers at the dollar store or alternatively this is a great set by Amazon basics. Washable markers will work, though the colors won’t be as vibrant.
  • Image of your choice, printed
  • Picture frames (optional). Frames can be purchased at the Dollar Store, Amazing Savings, or Amazon. Alternatively, you can purchase picture mats like these on Amazon.

Directions:

  1. Decide what size you would like your project to be. I did mine as an 8 x 10. Measure and cut out a template using a regular piece of paper. Using your template as a guide, cut out rectangles from your cardboard. Cut enough so that each person making the project can receive one.
  2. Print a simple Chanukah clip art from your computer. Look for an image that is not too detailed and has clear defined lines. Dreidels and menorahs work great. Paste the image onto your cardboard using the glue stick.
  3. Heat up the glue gun. Carefully go over the outline of the image with glue. Let dry.
  4. Cut a piece of aluminum foil a bit bigger than your image size. Lay it on top of the image and then flip the image over and glue gun the excess to the back of the cardboard.
  5. Turn the cardboard back over. Gently rub with your fingers to emboss the image in the aluminum foil.
  6. Color your image with Sharpie markers. Enjoy the beautiful metallic effect!
  7. If you choose you can frame the image in the frame of your choice. White frame mats from Amazon are wonderful as those can be decorated with Sharpie markers as well.


About Liba:

Liba Nussbaum is lifelong crafter and art enthusiast. She has a ceramic and art studio called the Paintbrush located in Lakewood NJ.  Her studio offers a paint your own pottery, plaster and canvas experience! The studio is a non pressure environment where people of all ages can come paint, relax and unwind. The Paintbrush offers in studio and take home party packages! Leave the Chanukah entertainment to us! Call for Chanukah specials!  You can follow her on Instagram @thepaintbrushnj or check out the studio at 221 2nd st in Lakewood NJ. No appointment necessary! Call 732-385-3400 for hours.

Liba would love to see how your Chanukah crafts came out! Send her a picture by email to thepaintbrushnj@gmail.com or tag her on instagram!

 

The post Introducing Your Chanukah Craft Activity: Embossed Foil Art! appeared first on Between Carpools.


The 7 “Don’ts” of Frying Donuts

$
0
0

You fry donuts once a year, so they better be perfect. Avoid these 7 no-gos and they will be.

With Chanukah here a fryfest is impending !  Whether it’s the hot oil or the cleanup, there’s certainly some work involved with frying at home, but if it’s the irresistible freshest doughnuts is what you’re after, then making them at home — even if you only do it once a year — is worth the effort. To make frying doughnuts an experience you want to repeat, there are a few key mistakes to steer clear of to set yourself up for success.
frying donuts

  1. Using a too-small pot.

Hot oil from frying is the last thing you want all over your stovetop. Doughnuts will take up more space in your frying oil than you think, especially as they expand from the heat, so you want a pot that is deep enough to hold at least two quarts of oil, even if you’re only frying with one. A pot that is wide rather than tall ( known as a Rondeau/Brazier ) is ideal ( especially for large batches of frying , you can save so much time), giving you space to fry a handful of doughnuts while leaving ample space between them to grow! Your next best option is a Dutch oven is great for frying doughnuts, as it easily holds a quart or more of oil with room for three to four doughnuts to fry at a time, plus its dense material holds heat well, making for a more even oil temperature while frying.

  1. Not using a thermometer.

Taking a gamble on perfectly cook chicken is a whole lot more forgiving than gambling on a perfect hot oil temperature. As much as you think you can figure it out, you can’t (unless there is some magic superpower I should know more about….) – neither can I! A candy thermometer is a relatively cheap and inexpensive item that can be found at your local kitchen and gadget store . Most candy thermometers have a convenient clip to hook onto the side of the pot to measure the oil temperature while frying. Buy one that has easy-to-read temperature markings, and avoid washing it in the dishwasher to prolong its usability.

  • A candy thermometer is different from a meat thermometer aside from its appearance.  The main difference between the two is that a candy thermometer can measure temperatures up to 400⁰F. While a meat thermometer can only measure temperatures up to 220⁰F. Oil temperature for frying needs to be at a minimum of 350⁰F.
  1. Frying to many doughnuts at one time

Oh, it’s tempting to fry all your doughnuts in one batch- but don’t! Doughnuts (and any deep-fried foods) need ample space between them to expand and cook evenly. Cramming to many doughnuts in a pot is a disaster waiting to happen- the oil temperatures will drop drastically – oil that’s not hot enough causes the doughnuts to soak up excessive amounts of oil leaving you with heavy limp results. For a doughnut that produces a crispy exterior, with a soft pillowy interior be sure to leave ample space between them to cook evenly.   

  1. Frying at a too-low too-high temperature.

Doughnuts need just the right temperature to fry to golden-brown perfection without being greasy on the outside or doughy, and raw on the inside. Oil temperatures for deep frying should be in the range of 350-375⁰F. I like to say 365⁰F is the ideal temperature for the oil before placing food in the fryer (and will drop to 360/355⁰F  once the doughnuts go in the pot). Many fearful fryers set the oil temperature too low to avoid burning the oil/doughnuts. Frying at too low of a temperature will have the doughnuts absorb oil instead of cooking it the result is greasy, soggy, doughnuts. Contrarily, allowing the temperature to rise too high will have your doughnuts cook too quickly–the outside burning before the inside is cooked through.

  1. Not adjusting the oil’s temperature while you fry.

The temperature of fry oil will fluctuate as you fry. When you add the first batch of doughnuts, you’ll probably need to boost the stove’s heat to maintain the correct frying temperature. Anytime the oil sits without doughnuts in it, the temperature will rise too. Lowering and hiring the temperatures accordingly is crucial. Keep a close eye on the temperature after adding a new batch of doughnuts and give the heat a small boost as needed. Work quickly to avoid an empty pot overheating while waiting for more doughnuts to fry. Be sure to check the temperature before adding a new batch to make sure you’re frying at the right temperature.

Watch the oil’s temperature carefully as you fry and adjust the heat as needed to maintain a temperature between 350°F and 365°F. It’s better to add doughnuts to slightly hotter-than-desired oil, as the dough will bring the oil temperature down a few degrees, than to too-cool oil.

Avoid adjusting the heat radically to raise the heat temperatures quickly, the temperatures will continue to rise rapidly once you reached your desired temperatures since a lot of heat was exposed. The best way to adjust the heat levels is in small adjustments.    

  1. Flipping your doughnuts too many times

We like things to get done, and get done fast! Flipping your doughnuts back and forth lots of times won’t make them ready any faster, only hinder them. Flipping the doughnuts back and forth franticly causes the temperatures to drop unnecessarily, and not allowing the doughnuts enough time to cook evenly and develop a golden-brown crust. Doughnuts fry for about a minute on each side. Don’t walk away from the pot mid-fry!

  1. Not draining your doughnuts properly.

The secret to crispier doughnuts is a double drain before cooling and coating. Drain the doughnuts over the pot of fry oil for at least 10 seconds (a gentle shake will force oil off the doughnuts) with a slotted spoon. Than move the drained doughnuts to a wire cooling rack so that they aren’t sitting in a pool of their own oil before filling and glazing.

For my sufganiyot recipe click here!

 


About Sarah Chana Gruskin:

A graduate of CKCA, Sara Chana is a busy personal chef; she also works frequently as a destination chef, preparing gourmet kosher food for kosher travelers. You can see her work on her blog at www.shecooksthat.com, on Instagram @she_cooks_that or contact her at shecooksthat@ gmail.com.

 

The post The 7 “Don’ts” of Frying Donuts appeared first on Between Carpools.

Mom, Wish There Was an Online Book Store Full of Vetted Secular Books? There Is!

$
0
0

Encourage a love of reading (or feed a voracious reader) at Menucha Classrooms – the online bookstore with a huge selection of vetted secular books (and Jewish books too of course!).

menucha books publisher

What’s a mom of a voracious reader to do? My kids always want to read the latest books, but the content in many popular books is just so questionable, and I feel like it’s just getting worse. What am I supposed to do, short of reading every book myself?

What about the mother who wants to encourage a love of reading, but doesn’t even know where to start? She wants books that are appropriate for her child’s level and that will help develop his reading skills, but she also wants to make sure the content is kosher.

Now there’s an answer: Menucha Classrooms is an online bookstore with only Jewish and vetted secular books. Search and buy books for your children without worry.

Menucha Classrooms began when Menucha Publishers saw a need for “leveled” readers – there wasn’t any available on the Jewish book market. Leveled readers are books that are ranked A-Z, depending on difficulty, from Kindergarten to Grade 8. By reading a book that’s exactly on their reading level (and the right amount of text vs. photos for each level for younger children), and then moving up step by step, children learn better how to read and improve their skills.

All Menucha Classroom books are rated 1, 2, 3, or 4, based on the amount of censoring they may need, from none to some. For books that may need some censoring, once you place the order, Menucha will provide you with the page number that may need to be censored. But no worries – Menucha only sells books where the content of the book wouldn’t be affected by the censoring!

Menucha’s readers have already read 5,000-6,000 of the latest secular books. Those that didn’t meet their approval aren’t on the site – but thousands are, and more books are being added all the time.

All book ship the same day and are priced competitively with other online sellers.

BCP Readers Only! Take 15% Off Your Order with Code BCP15

Click here to browse Menucha Classrooms selections of books!

The post Mom, Wish There Was an Online Book Store Full of Vetted Secular Books? There Is! appeared first on Between Carpools.

This Scavenger Hunt Will Be Your Family’s Favorite Night Out

$
0
0

 Last Chanukah, my family had a blast playing this type of scavenger hunt. Gather up the cousins and laugh all night long.

The kids are on vacation from school and everyone is a family state of mind. This is the perfect time of year to spend the day doing something fun with all the cousins – but the weather just doesn’t cooperate.

So, we came up with an activity that works for groups of 6 or more. And it’s available just about anywhere you live. Head over to your local Walmart or Target for a great big family scavenger hunt!

The basic idea is to split the family into two or more teams. Assign at least one adult to each team to keep things under control if the team members are young. Each team gets a list of items to find and a camera with which to take pictures of the items. The first team to find everything on the list is the winner. Optionally, set a “spending limit” for the full list. Make sure to have a judge verify that all the clues were satisfied!

Any other rules are flexible—just go with what works for your family. Good sense of humor? Award points for creativity. Very competitive? Have an official judging panel and some good prizes. Good at math? See who can come in with the lowest total of item prices. It’s up to you!

The most important rule is to make a kiddush HaShem. Keep the noise level down and be polite at all times.


The following are some sample scavenger hunt items, but it’s always fun to make up ones that are relevant to your particular family.

  1. Get a picture of an item that will represent your team’s mascot.
  2. Get a picture of everyone on your team staging a battle scene.
  3. Get a picture of a defective item.
  4. Get a picture of a book everyone in your group has read.
  5. Get a picture of every member of the team wearing the same article of clothing.
  6. Get a picture of an item that most people use every day.
  7. Get a picture of something off but strangely fitting. (Like a computer mouse in the cat toy section.)
  8. Get a stranger to take a picture of every member of your team sitting on the same piece of furniture.
  9. Get a picture of three things that can be used to lose weight.
  10. Get a picture of everyone in your group with a store employee.
  11. Find a toy that the majority of your group had as a child. (Can be a newer version.)
  12. Get a picture of a price check station after scanning a clearance item.
  13. Get a picture of something that “used to swim in water but now it doesn’t”.
  14. Get a picture of something that smells good when it burns.
  15. Get a picture of a tool that has multiple uses.
  16. Get a picture of something used only outdoors.
  17. Get a picture of a store employee cleaning something. Don’t make the mess so they have to clean!
  18. Get a picture of an item that would be a perfect gift for Bobby and Zeidy.
  19. Get a picture of an item that would make Pesach cleaning easier.

 

Now go out there and have fun! And if you see another family doing the same, ask them if they also saw it here on Between Carpools!

 

The post This Scavenger Hunt Will Be Your Family’s Favorite Night Out appeared first on Between Carpools.

We’ve Got *That* Great Roasted Veggie Salad That’ll Be the First to Go

$
0
0

You know that whenever a salad is finished all the way to the bottom, it’s a keeper. It’s not only a keeper, it’s worth sharing…We’ve just in time for when you need that great salad Roasted Eggplant and Sweet Potato Salad to feed the crowd.

We’ve Got *That* Great Roasted Veggie Salad That’ll Be the First to Go We’ve Got *That* Great Roasted Veggie Salad That’ll Be the First to Go My mother had this salad, prepared by my aunt Yenty Roth, at a shalosh seudos. It was the first to go and her immediate thought was, “This would be good for Between Carpools.” The quantities are enough to suit a crowd. You can serve it in a regular salad bowl, as shown, or layer it in a glass trifle, like my aunt Yenty did. The sesame seeds on the eggplant and sweet potatoes make those little bites particularly addictive. You can easily half this for a smaller crowd.

We’ve Got *That* Great Roasted Veggie Salad That’ll Be the First to Go

Eggplant and Sweet Potato Salad
Serves: 8-10 servings
 
Ingredients
  • 2 eggplant, cubed
  • 6 small sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 2-3 tablespoons oil
  • Salt, for sprinkling
  • Sesame seeds, for sprinkling
  • 24 ounces Romaine lettuce
  • 1 English cucumber, diced
  • 2 tri-colored peppers, sliced
  • ¼ cup chopped walnuts
Dressing:
  • ¼ cup orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons mustard
  • 1 tablespoon vinegar
  • ⅓ cup olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, crushed
  • Pinch crushed black pepper
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 425⁰F. On a two greased baking sheet, toss eggplant and sweet potatoes with oil and sprinkle with salt. Sprinkle sweet potatoes and eggplant with sesame seeds. Bake for 20 minutes. Toss in pan, and roast for an additional 20 minutes.
  2. Combine all dressing ingredients.
  3. Meanwhile, add lettuce to a large bowl. Top with cucumbers, peppers, and roasted veggies. Top with feta cheese and walnuts and toss with dressing.

 

The post We’ve Got *That* Great Roasted Veggie Salad That’ll Be the First to Go appeared first on Between Carpools.

Does Your Child Want a Gift That You Don’t Want to Give?

$
0
0

What to give, when to give, how to give—or whether to give at all

My mother is the perfect Bubby. Although my children are growing up 6,000 miles away from her, she never fails to express her love to them, whether through little gifts she sends, attention she doles out over the phone, and, of course, their wardrobe (which makes her a great Mom too!).

And so, I wasn’t surprised when a full two months before Chanukah my mother told me of the gift she was thinking of bringing my kids on her upcoming Chanukah trip: an adult-like digital camera, especially fashioned for kid use. When my mother told me of the great reviews she heard on the product and of its many incredible features such as a video playback option, I thought long and hard.

I didn’t want to hurt my mother, but I knew she would understand. And then, I told her the truth—I was grateful to her for thinking of us, but we would appreciate if she could bring something simpler. You see, for various reasons, my husband and I would prefer that our children (all under the age of seven) don’t entertain themselves through technology. While a junior digital camera may be a wonderful gift in one family, that may not be the case in another.


When it comes to gifts from parents to children, especially Chanukah gifts, ask two Jews what they think and you get three opinions.

Is a sophisticated camera an appropriate gift for a six-year-old? It depends.

Is giving Chanukah gifts at all, for that matter, appropriate? That depends too.

These are just two of the many questions that fall on the value spectrum. For some people, it’s a definite no-no. For others, it’s the ideal choice. As in many areas of parenting, gifting essentially boils down to values.

Is it up to parents to establish the values of their home? For starters, the only irrefutable set of values is the Torah. If something is clearly forbidden, it’s out. Then there’s another category of values: personal principles. We as parents are entitled to have our own set of values. Perhaps this is something our parents lived be and we would like to perpetuate the legacy. Perhaps we see a certain practice or concept as too forward, too glamorous, too much. And that’s perfectly okay. In fact, it’s healthy for children to see that their parents live within a value-based boundary system.

But what happens when the things our children request or do are incompatible with those principles? Are the values we parents establish enough of a valid reason for us to withhold something from our child? This is where the difference between needs and wants comes into play. In all chinuch matters, the focus is always the child. It’s beautiful and commendable for parents to have certain values and to stick to them no matter what, but what happens when they coincide with the needs or wants of our children? Who comes first? To answer this, we must be honest with ourselves. With true love, we’re able to dissect a matter with total honesty.

Once we ruled out that what the child wants is not against the Torah (in order to avoid bias, it’s advisable for a third party to do this), the question now becomes whether their request is a need or a want. As parents, we are obligated to provide our child’s needs, not wants, so this is an important distinction. What constitutes a need? If the child’s physical, social, or emotional wellbeing is dependent on this request, it becomes a need. Just as a parent would extend herself backward and forego on personal principles in order to provide her child’s physical needs, the same holds true for his other needs as well.

According to parenting expert Rebbetzin Spetner, a want becomes a need if 80% of the child’s peer group has that particular item or engages in that particular practice. Whether it’s getting Chanukah gifts, going to the mall, or buying a particular brand of shoes which the parent may find extravagant or even ludicrous, as long as it’s not explicitly against the Torah, this request now constitutes a need. (If you ask Rebbetzin Spetner what to do if 80% of your community consistently engages in practices that clash with your values, she would say that you have two choices: to adapt to the community or move out of it.)

While the process sounds complicated, it boils down to this: If what my child is asking for is not against the Torah, is this a need or a want for her? If it’s a want, it’s up to me to decide if it’s in line with my values. If it’s a need, it becomes a must for me, as the parent, to fulfill it.

Before withholding something from our children due to our own set of values, a good question to ask ourselves is: what am I giving up for what? Looking past our personal values to provide a need for our child is the ultimate expression of love. We may be losing the battle, but we’re essentially winning the war.

Going back to the digital camera our kids will not be getting this Chanukah, since it’s not in line with our values and is not currently a need for our children (most of their peers wouldn’t know what to make of it!), they’ll have a fine and dandy Chanukah with a new matching game or art set. If the camera would fill an emotional, physical, or spiritual need for them, that would not be the case.

And speaking of gifts, here’s the greatest gift we can give our children this Chanukah, whether we buy them material presents or not: love. Love comes in hugs and kisses, in song and laughter, in acceptance and marital peace. We give it to our children when we forgive them and our spouse for their mistakes, when we’re patient as they learn, when we give them their space to grow and develop into the unique individuals they were destined to be. Children who are bombarded with material gifts but live in a home devoid of love and serenity grow up with a deep void in their heart. But children who grow up enveloped in love? Give them anything and their eyes will glow—today and always.

 

The post Does Your Child Want a Gift That You Don’t Want to Give? appeared first on Between Carpools.

Viewing all 3308 articles
Browse latest View live