Looking for a new meat recipe? Who isn’t?!? This Sweet Onion Roast is easy, versatile, and a no-brainer for Shabbos or Yom Tov.

By Chantzy Weinstein

I learned about this recipe while sitting around and enjoying the company of friends in the bungalow colony…isn’t that where all good recipes come from? Rechie Bergman, who shared this amazing recipe with us a while back. One great part of this (besides for the smell in the house while it cooks!) is the versatility! Virtually any standard roast or steaks that you pick up at the butcher will work! See our recommendations below.

About Chantzy:

Chantzy Weinstein is a makeup artist, Chai Lifeline Tour de Simcha biker participant, Spin instructor, enthusiast cook, and a “Queen of Lists.” Follow her on instagram @chantzyw.

Read more of Chantzy’s articles here.

The post This Go-To Meat Recipe Works With Any Roast or Steak! appeared first on Between Carpools.

You can create a grand tablescape like this one in no time…even on a budget!

Shavuos is all about the flowers and the fresh colors. Filling the house with beautiful blooms brings joy to anyone, and on this specific Yom Tov, it’s an extra special minhag as well. We mimic Har Sinai, and how Hashem made it beautiful in honor of matan Torah.

Creating the most amazing Shavous floral tablescape doesn’t have to break the bank. Would you believe it if we told these flowers cost us only 75 dollars? Yes, it’s true!

The trick on this table is the amount of flowers. They also need to be clustered together. It’s simple, especially because you don’t need to arrange the flowers; simply dump them into vases.

Shown here are 15 bouquets of spray roses.

It doesn’t necessarily matter what  type of flower you are using, as long as they are colorful. Look at the selection by your florist, and check out the cheap flowers you might have overlooked. Then, ask the florist to bring them in for you, lots of them. Most florists will work with you on pricing when ordering large quantities. We paid $5 a bunch for these spray roses.

While the vase we used is no longer available (frown), you can get similar vases at the dollar store or spray paint glass vases like these or these in the color of your choice (think gold or white). If you want something decorative and ready to go, look for a vase with straight sides (so the vases can be placed somewhat closely together) like this.

Vases which have wide bottoms and narrow necks won’t work well for this type of tablescape.

The post The Most Beautiful Shavuos Table–Without Spending a Fortune appeared first on Between Carpools.

Want to make the best cheese latkes? We searched for the best recipe. And bonus: it’s easy too.

Recipe by Deviory Roth

We went on search for the perfect cheese latkes, asking all our friend and family to see who had the very best version. This one is a family favorite that’s also quick and easy, and, most importantly, absolutely delicious. -BCP

Alternative: Don’t have sour cream? You can omit the sour cream and milk and replace it with a rich yogurt such as J & J Deluxe. Just add an additional egg.

Want to learn some more basics? Click here.

The post Basics: How to Make the Perfect Cheese Latkes appeared first on Between Carpools.

Babka is delicious. But all that dough being rolled, and filling being sprinkled everywhere also creates a big mess. We have a solution.

I’m addicted to baking babka. There is nothing as satisfying as baking a yeast dough…the add some cocoa and sugar for a chocolaty, chocolaty filling and bam! It’s addicting.

But there’s a problem for those who don’t want to make babka but have no problem baking challah: the mess of cocoa and sugar is what usually deters them. They aren’t scared of yeast; they don’t worry that their dough won’t grow.

And even though the chocolaty mess didn’t scare me away from baking babka, I did want a faster and cleaner way to fill my babka.

So let’s start.

Line your island, counter, or tabletop with plastic wrap. Kirkland is definitely our favorite.

Have someone else help you ensure the plastic wrap is tight, snug, and stuck to the counter.

Sprinkle some flour on the plastic wrap and start rolling out your dough.

Roll out all the babka doughs you’ll be preparing at the same time so that you can work efficiently.

Move onto the next step, spreading the oil on the dough.

Spread out the cocoa/ sugar mixture on each dough. There’s no need to make one babka, clean the counter, make another, clean it again, etc.

Start rolling them up.

All 4 are ready at the same time.

Place into pan. We used these wooden loaf ones as mentioned here.

The beauty of the babka roll.

Now’s the fun part, the easy clean up! Just roll up the plastic wrap…

All clean and ready to go into the oven. Suggestion: Add the egg wash and crumbs before you roll up the plastic wrap.

Here is my babka recipe from Fresh and Easy Kosher Cooking.

The post The Little Trick for Keeping Your Kitchen Clean While Making Babka appeared first on Between Carpools.

Warning: These Cheese Babka Buns are too incredibly delicious. You’ll be dreaming about them long after Shavuos is over.

When we originally printed this recipe in Dairy Made Easy, it had about half the filling. I like cheese babka with way more filling, so I doubled the filling (even though I don’t use all of it). It makes for much messier cheese buns, but waaaayyy more delicious!

Want to keep your counters perfectly clean while you roll your babkas? See our babka hack on this post.

The post A Must-Bake: The Creamiest Cheesiest Babka Buns appeared first on Between Carpools.

The name sounds good right? This simple roast has been a hit in my house for over a decade!

Many years ago, my husband and I were served an amazing roast by an amazingly gracious couple who hosts medical patients who need to stay in their area. B”H we were visiting with patients who were there for a very positive follow-up, so the mood was festive. I asked Mrs. K for the recipe and only some of it stuck with me since I wasn’t able to write it down. (Yes, this was before smartphones were ubiquitous. Maybe before smartphones altogether.) I heard: onions, hickory, brown sugar, and coffee. After a few attempts at recreating her dish, I came up with the following super simple recipe that is a hit with every guy who has ever eaten it in my house.

Enjoy!

(Let me know how you like it. Maybe I’ll share some more of my go-to super easy recipes if you won’t laugh at my lack of sophistication!)

The post My Family’s Favorite Hickory Brown Sugar Coffee French Roast appeared first on Between Carpools.

Giving tzedakah before candle lighting was always known to unlock blessings and bring them showering into your home. Project Ignite makes sure you merit having all your prayers heard.

Click below to hear a message from Rebbetzin Jackie Bitton:

For generations, Jewish mothers would empty their pockets before candle lighting time and drop the coins into the pushka that sat near their Shabbos candles. It’s an age old tradition that is known to open up the gates of Shamayim and invoke blessings and hatzlacha on our home and for our children.

Nowadays, though, we’re so busy until the last moment before Shabbos that we often forget. In the age of credit cards, nor is there isn’t always coins in our pockets.

Project Ignite comes in to help you perpetuate this beautiful tradition without any hassle.

It’s so easy!

1. Sign up at  www.rebmeir.org/projectignite and simply select the amount that you want to give each week. It can be as little as $1, $2, $5, $18 or whatever amount you choose.

1. Project Ignite handles the rest by automatically charging your card each week just before candle lighting.

1. You reap the rewards and unlock priceless zechusim at this important eit ratzon.

Just when you want a zechus to have your prayers heard, you’ll have the immense merit of helping an almanah in Yerushalayim set her Shabbos table with dignity. There are almanos that have fallen on hard times, and your weekly donation makes her have so much more joy as she prepares for Shabbos.

Is your weekly donation $5 or more?

For donations of $5 and above, you can include a kvittel/request and an almanah will daven for your specific needs every week at candle lighting time.

Every participant is entered in our $10,000 raffle

Every Project Ignite participant is automatically entered in our $10,000 Sukkos family trip to Eretz Yisrael! Your number of entries depends on your weekly dollar amount.

To sign up:

Online at www.rebmeir.org/projectignite

Call: 718.243.2495

Email fr@rebmeir.org

The post The Secret to Unlock Blessings at Candle Lighting Time appeared first on Between Carpools.

Want to make delicious, airy, thin blintzes with that creamy filling for Shavuos?

By Chevi Shapira

This is my mother’s blintzes recipe, the all-time best. She makes it all the time and over the years so many friends have asked her for the recipe. But, then, they complained that they couldn’t get the blintzes as thin as hers! So, she called all her friends over to the house for a cooking demonstration! 

The post Basics: The Best Cheese Blintzes in Town appeared first on Between Carpools.

Cooking marathon ahead? Listen to shiurim while you cook and the time will be so enjoyable.

On Sukkot, on the night of Hoshanah Rabah, while the men were up all night learning, I was up all night cooking. But I didn’t feel so left out. TorahAnytime.com had a live video feed of shiurim, and it really made the cooking so much more enjoyable. I find that I’m also able to absorb a shiur better when I’m doing something with my hands. Do you feel that way too? I find it hard to sit and concentrate if I’m not doing something else simultaneously…but if I’m cooking or driving I can listen and concentrate for hours and be so happy.

And it feels really good to be productive in two ways during each hour.

So, while I don’t have unique thoughts of my own to inspire your Shavuot, all I can do is share links to what I’ve been enjoying lately. So…if we’re learning while we’re cooking before Shavuot, then perhaps we’ll feel perfectly fine (and not guilty) when we get into our comfy beds on the first night of Shavuot.

Of course, find your own favorites on TorahAnytime.com or LearnTorah.com. I play the shiurim either on my laptop or on my phone. TorahAnytime also has an app.

This is just a couple of picks from what I’ve been enjoying lately, but of course, there’s hundreds of speakers on both websites to choose from, and different styles and topics appeal to different people.

When my kids are up and in the kitchen with me, they only let me listen to Rabbi Duvi Bensoussan. That’s because his stories are so exciting. I can be cooking in the kitchen and all of a sudden, I’ll see kids gathered around, listening attentively to a story. If you want a couple picks to get started, try this one about Ma’arat HaMachpelah or this one about True Chesed. But really, you can just go down the list. 

Recently, I also enjoyed the Tomer Devorah series by Rabbi David Sutton. This one from a couple weeks ago was very interesting (What is the Torah’s opinion on Mother’s Day?), along with the next one in the series. You need to concentrate a bit more (those who attend the class have sheets with sources on them), but I appreciate that.

Do you want more picks? Do you have some picks for me? Post links below.

The post What to Listen to While You Cook appeared first on Between Carpools.

While Ruth, the heroine of Shavuos, serves as a role model for us in many ways, it’s interesting to explore her greatness when it comes to the contentious arena of mother/daughter-in-law relationships.

Ruth not only afforded her mother-in-law Naomi great respect; she actually clung to her fiercely, refusing to part ways. How does that happen?

Honestly, I don’t feel qualified to write this article. Hashem blessed me with a mother-in-law so giving and warm that the usual in-law struggles don’t resonate with me. However, since this is indeed a hot topic for most women around the globe, using Ruth as our guide to enhancing this unique relationship seems like the way to go.

Two Separate Entities

The classic mother/daughter-in-law tension revolves around the former, the latter, and the monkey in the middle—the mother-in-law’s son who also happens to be the daughter-in-law’s husband. Being the one person whom both cherish dearly, he’s often caught as the tightrope between two opposing forces, trying to please both women in his life while treading gently.

When the husband exhibits behaviors that don’t impress his wife, she’s tempted to play the blame game. Whether the wife confirms that he’s just like his mother or that she gave him the worst chinuch ever, wife knows just who’s at fault. Although Ruth’s first husband, Machlon, was a righteous person, his sins resulted in his untimely death. Still, instead of pointing fingers at Naomi, who watched idly as her son committed his sins, this Moabite princess respected her mother-in-law deeply and afforded her incredible honor. To Ruth, her former husband and mother-in-law were two separate entities, her perspective unmarred by even an iota of blame.

Let Bygones Be Bygones

Humans of the female persuasion have a particularly hard time letting go of grudges, especially when it comes to mother-in-law terrain. It takes us a long time to get over that disinvitation or hurtful comment. Ruth, we see in the Megillah, was a pro at letting go. Although Naomi’s intention in parting from Ruth was righteous, Ruth could have perceived it negatively, feeling slighted and unwanted. Despite the rejection she faced from her mother-in-law, who begged her to return to her city of origin, Ruth persevered. And when she continued her journey with Naomi, she constantly expressed her gratitude to her mother-in-law for having allowed her to join her.

The Giver

Ruth worked hard not only to sustain herself, but also to provide for her mother-in-law. Of course, it’s way more pleasant to be hosted and served, to be lavished upon by a mother-in-law who doesn’t stop buying gifts, sending packages, or inviting for this Shabbos and that Yom Tov. But when the tables are turned, we’re put to the challenge that Ruth faced. Can we give lovingly to the woman who raised the most important person in our life? When we’re placed in a position of giving vs. taking, how well do we do there? Ruth voluntarily offered to share her provisions with her mother-in-law, giving from a place of true love and appreciation. With merits like these, it’s no wonder she ended up being the mother of Moshiach.

About Shiffy:

Shiffy Friedman is a kollel wife and mother of three kids. Whenever she’s not busy with drop-off or pickup (no carpools in Yerushalayim!) she works as a writer, editor (at The Wellspring) and therapist.

The post Ruth’s 3 Lessons on How to Treat Your Mother-in-Law appeared first on Between Carpools.

Order in time for camp and get the kids towels, bathing suits, and anything you don’t want to lose!

Think smart and order your labels before you start your camp shopping…if you want everything you buy to avoid making it to the lost and found bin!

And now, exclusively for Between Carpools readers, you can save 15% off your order from Label Land. At checkout, simply enter code: 15FORU

And shipping is always free with no minimum order!

Our favorite are these Stick-n-Wear Labels. There’s no need to iron them on, and they stay on forever. Great for everything from t-shirts, to bathing suits, to linen.

The original waterproof, laundry safe Iron On Label is always a popular pick (and the most economical with 50 labels for $9.99).

Waterproof labels are amazing for Crocs, shampoo bottles, canteen bottles…

These Shoe Labels are cute and fun for the inside of footwear (because, let’s get real, shoes are always getting lost).

The post Deals We Love! Save 15% on Labels from Label Land appeared first on Between Carpools.

Even awesome moms needs some reminders. These 10 tips will help you remain a #1 mom.

Laugh a lot.

Yes, we’re putting this as number one. Keep your house a happy, positive place. At some point in the future, your children will remember it as a happy warm place.

Create structure/boundaries and stick to them. Boundaries are healthy for children. It gives them a sense of security.

Tell them how much you love them.

Tell them how much you were crazy about them when they were babies even before they did anything, just for being born. Those stories help instill in them that you love them unconditionally.

Love their father. Show respect to him.

A good marriage helps kids feel safe and stable. Bonus, you are setting a good example for when they are married.

Look into your children’s eyes when they talk to you.

When one child interrupts another child’s story say one minute, I’m listening to Yaakov now, in a minute it will be your turn.

Touch them, pat their hand, brush their hair (even if they can do it themselves), cuddle, wrap your hand around their shoulder, give them a back rub.*

Do something for yourself every day.

 Something small. Take a brisk walk, get a manicure, buy a salad, read a magazine, meet a friend. When you do something for yourself that brings you contentment and helps get rid of resentment, your happiness will spill over and positively benefit your family.

Before you say no, think why you are saying no. Many of the things we say “No” to are perfectly harmless and should be answered with a “yes.” Better your children learn that when you say “NO,” it’s a serious “no” and they won’t negotiate a “yes” out of you. (Think of how many times we say “no,” and then the kids convince us that we should say “yes!”)

Don’t discipline kids when they are tired or hungry. Solve the physical problem first and then focus on the behavior.

*“Physical contact is important across the lifespan,” says Tiffany Field, director of the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine. Positive touch stimulates pressure receptors under the skin, lowering the heart rate, slowing the breath, decreasing stress hormones and boosting the immune system. In other words, touch helps bodies stay healthy.

Have your own tips? Please share them below.

The post 10 Tips on Being a Better Mom appeared first on Between Carpools.

Special occasion coming up? No time to shop? You can still find a great dress!

I’ve never been the type to run around to different stores to find the perfect dress. Rather, why don’t I just let all the dresses come to me?

And while most of the time, I’m not in the market for a simcha dress (my first bar mitzvah is this coming year), I often see dresses while I’m shopping for other things and always, “If only I had somewhere to wear this!”

I’ve included gowns you can wear to your own simcha, along with some picks for the rest of us (the guests!), so there’s something for everyone.

There’s one thing that’s important to note: I’ve only included gowns that are either totally covered, or the type that would look completely normal with a shell. That means there’s no halter or sweetheart neck tops or scoop backs that would look odd.

First, even though it’s higher priced than the rest of the gowns below, I want to start with the gown that inspired this post!I loved this Badgley Mishka Metallic Texture Stripe Gown from the first moment I saw it. Those sleeves! I secretly hoped it would go on sale before it sold out so I could save it for my bar mitzvah (alas, my size was sold quickly and there’s still no sale in sight).

Anthropologie’s bridal branch, called BHLDN, carries lots of beautiful dresses for a range of occasions. The Miramar Dress is one pick that wears easy. Simply replace the camisole lining with a shell and you’re completely good to go.

And this Kala Dress is so sweet for your mini-me.

I love white and ivory dresses in the summer. They’re such a breath of fresh air. Wear this Edina Dress as a guest to a simcha or to your own baby’s bris.

This Black and Silver Tahari Embroidered Dress is both dressy and well-priced….though I love the blue color on this Aidon Mattox Dress. So classy. Both are great for the mother of the chassan/kallah/bar mitzvah boy. On both dresses, it’s also easy to swap out the camisole for shell with no one knowing that it wasn’t meant to be that way.

And a classic, simple Teri Jon that’s on sale…

Can’t not include another timeless Teri Jon dress…for your own sheva brachos, for wedding guests…it’ll get lots of mileage.

This Maya Sequin Midi Dress is good to go, and a steal. (It also comes in floor length).

I simply love anything pleated, this TFNC dress included. The back isn’t good, but the price is so low, there’ll be room left in the budget for some minor alterations.

And another perfect white summer dress for the guests…

Tadashi Shoji is another great simcha dress brand, and if you’re stuck on black no matter the season, this Black Lace Gown might be the one that works for you.

What kind of dresses do you want to see here? Let me know in comments below.

The post Didn’t Think You Can Find That Perfect Simcha Dress Online? You Can! appeared first on Between Carpools.

Do you make a list every week? Do you ever forget a Shabbat staple and run out on Friday? Here’s one simple solution.

I thought I was so organized, with all my menus set weekly on a spreadsheet. Fill in the menu item, list what ingredients were needed, make a shopping list, divided by store (and if you don’t have a system yet, this download will help!).

My system, though, wasn’t perfect.

Why did I even need to write a new Shabbat shopping list every week when most of the items I bought weekly–with some variation here and there–were mostly the same? It seemed like too much effort.

Sure, I might swap out one dish for another or add an extra meat/chicken/salad/dessert, but the staples for Shabbat (however different for each of us) are mostly the same week to week, no?

I had another problem with my system. When I shopped in the beginning of the week, I’d have weekday meals and weekday lists on my mind. Then, when it came to shop for Shabbat later in the week, I might find myself in a different store.

But what if there was an item I needed in that store I had been to on Monday? How could I save myself the extra trip?

And how could I make sure I never forgot some of the staples, or prevent the need to run out on Friday afternoon?

The solution was very simple: Make A master Shabbat list.

I keep the list below on my phone in notepad and simply scan down whenever I’m in a store. So now, whenever I’m shopping, before I check out, even if it’s Monday, I can check, “Is there something in this store I’ll need for Shabbat?” This way I won’t need to double back (unless it’s a perishable).  

Most items on the list I keep on hand and don’t need to purchase weekly (i.e. Grape juice on sale? Stock up for a few weeks). But at least it’s not overlooked when I’ve run out. Of course, having a list doesn’t mean I can’t add an extra dish. But at least I have all the “essentials,” nothing is forgotten, and I don’t need to write the list week after week.  

Notes in brackets are just my explanations and not part of the actual list.

My Shabbat  Master List (Create Your Own!)

Grape Juice
Wine
Pita Bread
Diet Snapple
Dr Brown
Soup Veggies [winter only]
Chicken Legs [winter only]
Matzah Ball Mix [winter only]
Cole slaw
Avocado
Other dips
Ribs
Sauce for Ribs [this varies week to week depending on the recipe]
Meat number 2 [for me, this could be yebra, mechshe, pulled beef tacos, a roast, or a chicken dish or a few of these, but there’s always at least one other meat item besides the ribs]
Peas or Keftes [peas + kibbe balls or ground meat + tomato sauce]
Kugel
Veggie side

Mazzah
—
Mazor dough
Ground meat
Prune, tomato paste, lemon, ketchup [these and the previous two items are lehme b’agine ingredients]
Hot dogs
Kibbe
Chicken [with sesame]
(Maybe other mazzeh)

—
Viennese crunch
Ices
Shabbat Party
(Dessert optional)
Fruit
Shabbat breakfast item for kids [like Krispy yogurts or muffins]
—

Barley
Cholent Meat
Lettuce
Parsley
Salad Veggies

—
Staples:
Chicken Consommé [winter only]
Truffle

Mayonnaise
Onion Soup Mix
Ketchup
Eggs
Rice
Temerhindi

The post Why Make a Master Shabbat Shopping List? appeared first on Between Carpools.

Want to enjoy the great outdoors after a long winter? Here’s 7 scenic and fun spots to enjoy with the family.

By Sarah Einhorn

At the first opportunity, as soon as the weather warms up a bit, I like to go on outdoor trips. I really look forward to the warmer weather on Pesach (hopefully!). Here are 7 parks I recommend. They’re free and fun, tried and true. I tried to choose places in a variety of areas around NY and NJ so something might be close to home for you.

If the weather does not hold up, or if you would like some other ideas, feel free to see this post or this post or visit my website: beentheredonethattrips.com

Bowline Point Park: Haverstraw, NY

There are three playgrounds and volleyball courts at this scenic park adjacent to the Hudson River. Each playground is geared to different ages, with one playground that is handicap accessible, and one especially for the toddlers. The playgrounds are located near an outdoor pool and water slides which are open during the summer.

There is also a fishing pier and a beautiful scenic path alongside the Hudson River. Plenty of picnic tables and grills are spread throughout the park. In addition, there is a covered pavilion and a gazebo, each with plenty of tables, although permits are needed for all groups of 5 or more entering the park.

 When I visited the park in the fall it was empty and quiet. It was tranquil and relaxing. There was no one collecting parking fees. I imagine that it is full during the summer months and swimming season.

Croton Gorge Park: Croton-On-Hudson, NY

Croton Dam is the highlight of the 97 acre Croton Gorge Park. The park has many hiking paths as well as a bridge over the impressive dam from the Croton River above. There is a playground and picnic tables near the dam, and the park is very popular for fishing. Swimming is not allowed in the river. There are open fields that are great for flying kites or playing games. The Croton Dam was originally built in 1842 to supply New York City with water. When it was unable to supply enough water, the Cornell dam was built instead. The beauty of the Croton Dam still remains to be enjoyed by visitors.

Englewood Cliffs Park and Picnic Area: Englewood Cliffs, NJ

The park at Englewood Cliffs is one of our favorite spots for a summer barbeque. It is a scenic riverfront park with beautiful views of the nearby George Washington Bridge. There are plenty of picnic tables and a few grills. Visitors are allowed to bring portable grills as well. There is a walking path alongside the Hudson River as well as a path that leads up almost to the foot of the George Washington Bridge. The park is a popular fishing destination as well.

Driving down to the park from the street above, there were waterfalls cascading down the sides. There is also a boat basin with a full service marina.

Grant Park: Hewlett, NY 

I couldn’t believe what a beautiful park I came across in Long Island when I was in the neighborhood for an appointment.

I was surprised to see an outdoor ice rink at the park when we visited in the winter. In the summer the rink is transformed into a skating rink.

The park is located on a sprawling 35 acres. There are multiple playgrounds for all ages, with a separate enclosed playground for the very little ones.

There is a sports complex with fields for baseball, basketball, tennis, paddleball and a skating area. There is also an adult workout station. Picnic tables and grills are near the beautiful lake. Fishing is permitted in the lake or a walk on the path is fun too.

Saddle River County Park: Bergen County, NJ

The Saddle River County Park is a 577 acre park which consists of five separate parks, with bike paths, streams and tributaries connecting them. Each of the parks, aside for the Fairlawn Park, has a playground. Some have ponds and picnic areas. 

So far I’ve been to the Wild Duck Pond Area, The Dunkerhook Area, and the Glenrock Area. Each of the parks is enjoyable in its own right.

The Ridgewood area park, also known as the Wild Duck Pond, has a playground, pond, picnic area and a bike path that runs alongside a stream. The path connects to the Glen Rock and Dunkerhook areas.

The Dunkerhook Area features a playground suitable for young children, picnic tables and a waterfall a short walk or bike ride from the playground area. There are signs at the bike bath entrance that have the distances of each place and directions posted. The Dunkerhook bike path connects to The Glen Rock Area, The Wild Duck Pond and the Fairlawn Area.

The Glen Rock Area has a pond with a sprinkler in the center. There is a large covered picnic area and a playground more suitable for older kids than the Dunkerhook area. The biking path connects to the Wild Duck Pond Area and the Dunkerhook area.

Currently I have not visited the Fairlawn Area, the Otto Pehle Area, and the Rochelle Park Area. Once I do, I will be sure to post it on my website.

Walkway Over the Hudson and Upper Landing Park: Poughkeepsie, NY

We finally went back to the Walkway over the Hudson after hearing from many people how much they’d enjoyed it. I went back reluctantly, since I had been especially impressed during my first visit in October, 2010 (shortly after it opened).

What I did not have during that first visit is what made this visit so much better – a 21 story high glass elevator which takes you down to the Upper Landing Park. The Walkway over the Hudson is a bridge formerly used for trains going from Poughkeepsie, NY to Highland, NY. The bridge was restored and redone to be used by pedestrians as a walkway.

The total length of the bridge is 6,768 feet at a height of 212 feet. It is the longest pedestrian bridge in the world! The walkway is open year round but is closed when there is inclement weather. Biking and rollerblading are allowed, however motorized vehicles and activities are not permitted. There are signs posted at the entrances of the Walkway with instructions for the “Talkway over the Walkway” a guided cellphone audio tour.

In the city of Poughkeepsie the Leisure Ride Bike rental is located just 6 ½ miles and bikes can be rented there to be driven to the Walkway.

Winward Beach Park: Brick, NJ

Winward Beach Park, located near Lakewood, NJ, has a great combination of activities for all ages. The park includes an updated playground with a very cutely designed section geared to the real little ones.  There are also picnic tables, and a gazebo.

There is a swimming beach with volleyball nets and a fishing pier. Beaches are staffed with lifeguards all week from June 13 to Labor Day Weekend and are open weekends from Memorial Day until Labor Day from 8:45 am – 4:45 pm. During swimming hours a beach pass is needed in order to enter the beach area. However, before or after swimming season (in the spring or fall) the beach area is generally not full.

About Sarah:

For as long as she can remember, Sarah has loved getting out and seeing the world. She launched beentheredonethattrips.com to share her firsthand experiences and recommendations on where to go and what to see.

The post 7 Outdoor Trips for Sunny Days appeared first on Between Carpools.

Love avocados? Give ‘em a new tist. This is an easy, quick variation of your fav avocado salad.

The post Salad Sundays: Your New Avocado Salad appeared first on Between Carpools.

No bakery on your corner? No worries. Bread from your freezer can also be soft and fresh-tasting if you know this little trick.

If you grew up in Europe like Renee Muller, then it’s likely your childhood mornings included walks to the bakery to buy a fresh loaf of bread for breakfast.

And while there’s nothing like fresh bread (and best of all, fresh pita), we’re not running out each morning to buy freshly baked bread. But even when we do, some of that bread goes into the freezer.

So now comes the time when you need to defrost such bread. Defrosting in the oven takes too long and the bread gets a little toasty. What if you simply want it to be soft? Defrosting in the microwave yields a rubbery texture.

But with one little trick, your microwaved bread will be soft, as if it was freshly baked.

Simply wrap your bread in a clean dish towel (when there’s no dish towels to be had, paper towels also work, but a real towel is better). Microwave.

And that’s it! Fresh, soft, hot non-rubbery bread! This works great for bagels, pita, rolls, or any kind of bread your family enjoys.

The post One Trick to Make Frozen Bread Feel and Taste Fresh appeared first on Between Carpools.

Life has its stresses, and yoga can help balance it all out…even if you don’t have time! Here’s 5 easy ways to incorporate the benefits of yoga into your busy momhood.

By Daniella Weitzman

Being a mom of two with my oldest just about the age of two, I now know what it feels like to have the responsibility of being a mom. It’s stressful and never ending! It’s the best thing in life but also the hardest thing in life. And it’s so worth it.

But between the cleaning, the dinner time, the crying, and the late night wake ups, moms need time to balance it all out. We need to have time for ourselves and relax so we can continue to be our best. I’m a yoga teacher and have found that having yoga in my life helps balance out all my stress. Yoga helps to balance the body when things get tough, when the oh-so-very-hectic-life of being a mom kicks in and at some very second i just want to pop!

Here are 5 tips to keep yoga in your life during your busy days to help you do your best and most importantly be your best for your kids.

Start your morning or/and end your night with meditation. This simply means listening to yourself breathe. Get into a comfortable position, lay down, or sit up straight. Place one hand on your belly and one hand on your chest and start to notice your breathe. Feel as you inhale and your belly rises, and as you exhale your belly falls. Take five breaths noticing the rhythm. This often helps you relax from the night time shenanigans or gets you prepared for what’s in store for your day.

Strike a pose with your kids. If you have a baby, try a Down Dog! Lie your baby down right under you and get yourself up into a down dog. To get in, start on your hands and knees. Curl your toes under your feet; press into your palms and slowly lift hips and knees up and back. This pose stretches the whole body, lengthens the spine, and lengthens the legs. A few breaths goes a long way in terms of releasing tension from holding groceries, babies, laundry, plus your baby is looking straight up at you. What will make them happier!? If your kids are older, they’ll copy you!

Strike a seated pose during tummy time with your baby or during playtime with the kids on the floor. Integrating yoga into whatever you are doing can help make you feel more at ease. You can do something like a child pose, a simple pose that will lengthen the spine and open the hips. Knees wide on the floor, bring feet together and lengthen torso over legs. Or a cobbler pose, sitting up straight with soles of the feet together, knees open wide. This pose helps open the hips. These are ways to keep working the body to keep yourself open and strong when you find you can’t make the time.

Try restorative yoga. When the kids are out of sight, sometimes a light yummy yoga pose is all you need to recharge. Try Legs Up the Wall. Start seated. Sit as close as you can to the wall and swing your leg up against the wall.  Your legs can relax from your busy day and all you have to do is listen to yourself breathe. It’s very calming and a helpful way to reduce stress.

Do nothing. Sit and just be present. Yoga teaches us to be present, not thinking about the future or the past. Sometimes we are running around like a race horse, trying to do everything we can. Let’s just try to take time to do absolutely nothing. Sit and drink a cup of coffee or tea and just be present without any distraction.

Hope some of these tips work for you like they’ve worked for me!

About Daniella:

Daniella Mann is a certified yoga instructor who has a passion to inspire as many people in her life to become more aware of their bodies physically and mentally so they can live a more conscious and healthy life. Follow her on Instagram to see more of how she integrates yoga into her life @daniella_weitzman.

The post 5 Ways Busy Moms Can Relax with Yoga (Yes, You Have Time for This!) appeared first on Between Carpools.

What do teens appreciate nowadays? It’s so hard to choose the perfect gift…so we’ve rounded up ideas for the graduating girl in your life.  

Graduations can be fun, exciting and definitely emotional. But we all know how hard it is to find that perfect gift (what do teenagers want or better yet, need, nowadays, anyway?) So, we did the work, for you, and asked a bunch of graduates what they got and what they loved.

Here you go.

You will notice that some are more appropriate for girls graduating elementary and some for high school graduates. You decide.

Whether your graduate is headed to Israel or staying local, luggage is always a welcome gift. This pretty carry on is practical and girly. A sleek rolling system makes it a pleasure to wheel around.

If you are looking for a duffel bag, look no further. This lightweight and practical bag will hold everything one might need for an overnight stay.

This duffle bag is definitely more of a splurge but it will withstand many trips aand lotsof wear and tear. It’s super comfortable as its made to wear as a knapsack on one’s shoulders.

High school can be challenging. Here’s an incredible planner to help you along the way. The Student Boss by Shaatra Club never fails. It’s a perfect gift, at a low price point.

A high schooler-to-be will also appreciate a cool new backpack.  Or this adorable and super useful small backpack. It’s perfect for that day in high school that you don’t need a full briefcase (think Friday) or for play practice. Or camp.

Inexpensive and pretty, watches like this pink one or this in rose gold and silver are always a welcome gift.

This inflatable and huge pool float is a cute idea for a gift. Super girly and fun. Hey, summer is here! Gotta relax after all that hard work!

Every teen could use some cool noise cancelling headphones. These here have a bluetooth connection. You can pair them with almost any device.

An underwater waterproof camerasuper cool and fun gift for the swimmer in your family.

For the girl going to sleepaway camp, the upscale laundry bag is something that will have her thinking of you, daily. Guaranteed.

For the girl who has everything and is heading to seminary, these are the cutest dust bags for heels, flats, and boots. Adorable! And so practical.

Pool slides are all the rage! Why not get these colorful ones for your graduate? She will bless you every day at the pool this coming summer.

Have you seen the latest craze??? Belt bags are in. And they are the perfect gift for anyone traveling or on the go.

Here are our favorite picks:

For the sporty girl

For the fancy girl

For the fun girl

For the classy girl

The post 18 Awesome Graduation Gift Ideas for Girls appeared first on Between Carpools.

Yes, weather will affect your challah dough. On warmer days, it might seem like your regular recipe just isn’t working. Here’s how to troubleshoot.

By Naomi Elenberg

When it comes to challah, intuitive baking is the key to achieving the perfect result.
I often say that when making challah, by machine or by hand, the quantity of flour which is needed is simply a guideline.  Flour is a hygroscopic, which means it absorbs moisture out of the air.

On a humid day, flour absorbs more moisture (vs. a cooler drier day) which can make your dough stickier than usual. The opposite occurs in the winter.

Nonetheless, I always start with ½ – ¾ of the amount of flour needed in the recipe, mix, and go from there. I also always keep extra flour on hand.

Sometimes, regardless of the weather, our dough just doesn’t cooperate. No big deal! Too sticky? Add more flour or water/oil if too dry.  Also allowing your dough to rest part of the way through the kneading process is helpful as well; this allows the gluten in the dough to relax. Being flexible and adjusting to  to get the right consistency helps make a good loaf, in any weather.

More from Naomi

About Naomi:

After moving to Michigan with her family back in 2011, Naomi unpacked her stand mixer, started baking, and hasn’t stopped since. She specializes in gourmet challahs, babkas, and seasonal goodies for all dietary needs including vegan, gluten-free, and various allergies. She can be contacted via instagram @naomi_tgis.

The post How to Adjust Your Challah Dough on a Humid Day appeared first on Between Carpools.