In the age where everything is so easy to do online, is there still a benefit to using a travel agency to book your travel? Actually, yes.

I heard a story on a shiur this week by Rabbi Duvi BenSoussan (the story starts at 31:45 if you want to hear the entire thing). There was one boy, who had come a long way in his life, battling and rising above a lot until he finally had the opportunity to go learn for a year in Eretz Yisrael.

Even after he arrived at the airport, he still met with resistance.

“Oh no,” said the lady at the check-in counter. “If you’re traveling for this duration of time, you’re going to need a student visa to board the plane. You’re going to have to go visit the Israeli Embassy in Manhattan to get one before you can fly.”

Oh no. After all he’s been through, working odd jobs to save up money for his yeshiva tuition, he can’t even board his flight!

Luckily, the ticket had been booked through a travel agency. Within two minutes, he was on the phone with someone at the travel agency. With the press of a few keys, the travel agent was able to change the return date so he could be classified as a regular tourist. Five minutes after his initial check-in, he was able to return to the check-in counter, check-in without a problem this time, and proceed to security. Disaster averted. If he had booked his ticket another way, he wouldn’t have been able to get on that flight.

With so many ways to book a flight nowadays, lots of us wonder, “What are the benefits of using a travel agency?” I also wondered, so I asked some frequent travelers and learned a few things.

1. Most Flights Have a Standard Price. Unless you’re flying from a no-frills airline, most flights that you’ll find online will be the same price that the travel agency will offer. So, if you’re not tech-savvy or are simply busy and don’t have time to search and search for flights, the travel agency will do it for you–and you don’t have to pay anything extra (the commission is paid by the airline). The price of a flight is the price, no matter who you book with. Plus, you’ll get the service and support as an added bonus, especially helpful when flying internationally.

1. Travel can get complicated. Maybe a trip to Florida isn’t complicated, but multi-leg trips, especially if you’re visiting a foreign country, isn’t as simple. Travel agents are familiar with the regular flight and arrival times from one country to the next and know how to advise their customers on where and when to travel so they don’t need to figure it out on their own (and it doesn’t cost extra so why not?).

1. Problems popped up? A travel agent can fix them. We don’t plan to have issues come up while we’re traveling (in an ideal world). But often, a flight will get cancelled, or there’s a delay, and a traveler can spend a whole day on the phone with an airline to get their travel issues resolved. Like in the story above, when a traveler uses a travel agent, flights can be changed and new plans made with one quick phone call and the click of a few keys. Travel agencies also have an “in” with the airlines. They can view which seats are available on which flights throughout the day, so you can quickly see what your best options are, even options which aren’t available to the general public.

Say you’re stuck in a snowstorm. You’re current airline might not have a seat available for you on the next available flight. But your travel agent can see exactly which seats are available on which airline in the next 24 hours and cancel and rebook the ticket for you. If you’ve ever had trouble getting through to your airline after a cancelled flight, you know exactly what I mean!

No matter what happens while you’re traveling, when you use an agent, you have someone taking care of you that knows the industry and all the people in the industry.

4) Travel agents have exclusive rates. Travel agents often have exclusive access to certain tickets during popular travel times. When the tickets are all sold out or very high priced, travel agencies may have them available at a lower rate (about 25% less than current going rate, on average). For example, Do-All Travel usually has these tickets for Sukkos in Israel, Pesach in Israel, Lag B’Omer in Israel, Pesach in Florida, and Uman for Rosh Hashanah.

5) Need to travel at the last minute? Often, business travelers need to pick up and go quickly. While on a multi-city trip (especially when it’s international), they don’t have time to stop in the middle of the day and search for flights. Travel agents take care of all the arrangements so it’s off the head of the business traveler who is running from one city to the next.

6) Travel agents offer travel insurance. This inexpensive perk (usually just $30 or $40) can save a lot of headache. If you need to cancel, or have lost or damaged baggage, or suffer from any injury while abroad, travel insurance can protect you financially.

7) Get hotels and cars too. If you’re flying internationally especially, and are unfamiliar with the different neighborhoods in the city of your destination, a travel agent will be familiar with the local hotels that suit your family’s needs and your budget. You don’t need to do exhaustive research when there’s someone that has all the info at his fingertips, ready to advise you.

Going somewhere? Have the convenience of searching for flights on your own and have the benefit of a travel agency to assist and protect you by using the Do-All Travel Engine. Click here to search for flights now.

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The post What’s the Benefits of Using a Travel Agent vs. Booking Online? appeared first on Between Carpools.

Don’t be confused or stay in the dark. Check the list and know what’s kosher and not kosher at Starbucks.

I know that there’s been a lot of confusion lately about the status of Starbucks drinks. I’ve written a lot about this in the past (you can find a roundup of all articles and relevant info on this post). The main takeaway is that one must be so careful when they venture in. One needs to know quite a few details about the preparation of their drink and the related halachos to be able to walk out with something kosher.

And while I’m not familiar with what was included in a “expanded kosher program” (I believe it was mostly cold blended drinks that had a hechsher on the ingredients for a brief time period), I think that the publicity surrounding the cessation of it is gam zu l’tovah, as it opened the eyes of many people who were still ordering a variety of drinks, many of which have problems for different reasons and were not part of “the program.”

Here’s the updated CRC Starbucks Beverage list. Download now (and save in iBooks!)

Note that most things that you order at Starbucks are not kosher, due to trief keilim being used. Read the footnotes so you know exactly what is ok or not ok, or what changes must be done from the usual preparation.

The post Confused About Starbucks? Here’s the CRC’s Updated Beverage List appeared first on Between Carpools.

No time to bake from scratch, but still want to call a challah your own? Change up your own challah or store-bought challah dough with these three toppings.

Anyone can tell you that the quickest, easiest hack for Shabbos challah is to buy it freshly baked from the bakery.

That wouldn’t be much of a post.

So I’ll tell you how I hack semi-store-bought challah and make it my own. These are challahs I like to add when I have more company than I expected or to add some variety to our challah course (what, it’s not a course in your family?)

Buy a Raw Challah

Many tristate supermarkets sell pre-braided raw challahs in pans on Thursday and Friday. You can also find raw braided challah in freezer sections. (If you do want to make it from scratch but still have fresh challahs to bake in a pinch, you can make your own dough, let it rise, braid and freeze before the second rise.) These are baked fresh so you have the same effect as made-from-scratch challah.

So, now you have that challah.

When Is It Ready to Bake?

If you are removing a frozen challah dough from the freezer, it takes about 7 hours (depending on the temperature in your kitchen)  to defrost and rise.

If you are buying it fresh from your supermarket, it really depends what hour they removed it from the freezer and the time that you bought it. You want it to double in size.

I let it rise right in the loose bag that it came in.

When it’s doubled in size or looks like its fully defrosted and it grew significantly, we’re ready to top it.

Make It Your Own

Garlic Knot Challah:

Let’s start with an easy one.

Bake your challah without any egg wash. Meanwhile, chop 6-8 garlic knots finely and combine with 1 tablespoon dried parsley and 3 tablespoons olive oil. While challah is warm, top with garlic knot topping. For Shabbos I warm the challah up sans topping and top it right before the meal. Disclaimer: it’s a little oily when slicing the challah so you may want to do it in the kitchen and bring it sliced to the table.

Pretzel Challah:

Many make pretzel challah using baking soda (like this post) but I find it quicker, tastier and easier to use food grade lye.

Lye micro beads are easier to use than powder or liquid and can be easily bought on Amazon for a great price.

Before I ordered my first bottle I called up the OU Kosher Line (212 613 8241)  to inquire if I need some sort of certification. The Rabbi on the line told me that no certification was needed  and that the OU accepts lye from any source. And then in a fatherly tone he added, “Please be careful. Don’t drink it, ok?”

With the Rabbis blessing (that was a blessing, no?) I got to work.

1. Wear gloves.
2. I’ve never ruined any clothing but I’ve read comments that some users got lye on their clothing it it “bleached it.”
3. Make sure no kids are around.

Prepare the lye bath. In a glass or plastic container big enough to hold the challah loaf, combine 5 cups water and ¼ cup lye, mixing it slowly so that it doesn’t splash. This is enough for 5 challahs. If only making one or two, divide it in half.

Do not mix in the lye unless you are ready to dip the challah and don’t let it sit after you are done and the lye started “eating” into the bowl. I prefer to place my container directly into the sink and work there to prevent any accidental spills on the counter. Some argue that glass is preferable to plastic, or vice versa. I’ve had success with both.

Wearing gloves, carefully dip each loaf into the water bath, top side down. Let sit for 20-30 seconds. Flip over and let sit another few seconds.

[Mom don’t read this.] I once got a slight chemical burn on my arm (that didn’t last more than a day), so while it wasn’t anything major, do work carefully. Don’t rub your eyes, wipe your face, touch your hands until you remove your gloves and wash your hands.

Lift challah, letting the lye water drip down, and place on prepared baking sheet. You’ll want to line it with some greased parchment paper or grease a disposable pan as it does tend to stick slightly.

Top with some coarse salt (not too much as the pretzel taste is already salty).

Bake as usual.

While pretzel challah browns very quickly, the inside may not be ready. Depending on the challah size, keep it in the oven an extra 5-10 minutes after you believe the challah is done.

In the US, food grade lye must meet the requirements set up by the FCC and FDA. However lower grades of lye which are unsuitable for the food prep are commonly used to de-clog drains and oven cleaners.

Streusel Challah

It’s always fun when challah tastes like cake, just don’t serve this with savory dips.  Top your challah with the streusel found on this post.

Got any fun or delicious challah toppings you make? Share them below.

The post 3 New Ways to Top Challah (or Fake That You Made It) appeared first on Between Carpools.

Have menu planning quandaries for this Yom Tov? Want your questions answered? Join us tonight as Renee, Leah, Esti, and Victoria answers your questions right here on Between Carpools.

Tomorrow night Renee Muller, Leah Schapira, Victoria Dwek, and Esti Waldman will be on deck, ready to assist you with any Yom Tov menu planning questions you may have. We know that it’s hard to think of that perfect menu that will please everyone and still keep the cook from getting overwhelmed. You’ll have all of our heads together to assist you in coordinating the perfect dishes for your Yom Tov meals.

Simply post questions in the comments below starting from now and we’ll start responding on motzei Shabbos.

Please make sure your questions are specific! It’s pretty hard to answer a question like, ‘What should my Yom Tov menu be?’ and we’d like to be able to recommend things that work for your family.

Want to learn more about menu planning? See these posts:

4 Real Life Menus from Leah, Renee, Esti, and Victoria

How to Be Madly Organized This Yom Tov Season

Exclusive Download! Renee’s Personal Yom Tov Menu

Your Shabbos Menu Organizer– Free Download!

See you at 8 p.m.!

The post Tomorrow Night! Join Our Menu Planning Hotline with Renee, Leah, Esti, and Victoria appeared first on Between Carpools.

Sorry doesn’t help if a person mutters it quickly and walks away. There’s better ways to make one person feel better and the other regre

By Shiffy Friedman

Yom Kippur is the one majestic day of the year on which we’re absolved of all our sins. But, the Torah cautions that only one who sought and received forgiveness from those he’d wronged merits to be forgiven by Hashem. Apologizing, therefore, is an essential part of the process. The apology the Torah expects of us is not a mere show of words; it’s real, heartfelt admittance and regret, one that leaves the wronged party feeling validated and willing to forgive.

As people, we expect others to apologize to us in this way. As parents, we are obligated to teach our children how to do just that. While it’s equally important to teach our children how to let go of a grudge and forgive (a topic for another article), raising them with an understanding of how to apologize is a crucial component of their development into caring, respectful, Torah-true individuals.

You know the scenario: At a family gathering, your sister-in-law Chana makes a grand announcement about something in your life you’d asked her to keep secret. After your name is finally off the table, Chana suddenly remembers your request  to keep it private—a half hour too late. Later in the evening, when you’ve gone through stages of fury, embarrassment, hurt, anger, and whatnot, your phone buzzes with a one-word “apology” from her: “Sorry.”

A curt message like this one is the classic apology that hurts more than it heals. It may leave the offended party feeling not only the lingering hurt of the unpleasant incident but also deeply slighted that the perpetrator has shrugged off all responsibility of her wrongdoing. Isn’t it ironic, then, that we teach our children to do just that?

After a long day at cheder, Mendy walks through the door to find his brand new box of crayons scattered across the living room floor, some of the crayons already bereft of their sharpened points. He comes to Mommy in tears, upset at his 3-year-old sister Rochel for messing with his treasure.

Desperate to douse the damage, Mommy tells Rochel, who is totally oblivious to the deep damage she’s wrought, “say I’m sorry to Mendy.” And while the kid has no idea what she’s saying, she mumbles along. When Mendy still doesn’t calm down, an already exasperated Mommy turns to her son and says, “Didn’t you hear she said she was sorry?”

While there’s no question that every iota of pain the hurt party endured was decreed from Shamayim, the perpetrator has no excuse for not doing the proper teshuva. And as hurtful as the above situation may be to Mendy, the hurt only increases if the perpetrator is mature enough to understand what he did but doesn’t feel guilty and was simply forced into apologizing by the parent.   

However, teaching children to mumble words that carry such weight is not teaching them the essence of apology at all. On the contrary, when children who cannot yet grasp the concept of feeling regret, or children who do not feel guilty for what they did, are instructed to apologize, they are not only taught to lie, but also to see apologizing as a social construct—something we do just to get the situation over and done with.

So how can we teach our children to be those individuals who do mean it when they say, “I’m sorry”? The idea is that the child should learn to associate words of apology with the feeling of regret. This is the only form of true apology, the only form that will leave the hurt party feeling understood and willing to forgive. Therefore, a child can only apologize sincerely when:

1.He exhibits emotional readiness to experience the feeling of regret and to undertake not to commit the wrongdoing in the future.

2.He regrets his actions.

Does this mean that if these two conditions are not present the wronged child won’t have an opportunity to be validated for feeling hurt? Certainly not. Precisely because the perpetrator is unable to apologize sincerely, the hurt child is in need of a great dose of empathy. In such cases, the parent should be the one to step in to ease the hurt child’s feelings. Sit with the child as she cries out her pain, offering the appropriate gestures that exhibit your true concern for her (such as stroking her hair, wiping her tears, saying things like, “Wow! That really hurts, right?”) Avoid mentioning the other sibling; this is not about him, it’s about the child who’s hurting.

If you’re blessed with a family of two or more children, it’s safe to assume that you’ll have plenty of opportunities to teach your children the power of a proper apology in your own home (raise your hand if you’ve ever heard of sibling rivalry :)). An especially golden opportunity to teach this is when a child feels awful for what she did (the other kid is bleeding, bruised, etc.) Utilize the situation as a teaching moment and say, “Look how bad you feel now. Does it bother you that you did this to your brother? Right you never want to push him down the stairs again? What would you like to say to your brother now?” Instead of instructing the child to apologize, help him to access his own feeling of regret and to act upon it independently.

Under normal circumstances, a child who is guided in this way will end up offering a sincere apology, promising never to do it again. (Since part of the apology process is making a commitment for the future, it’s unrealistic for us to have our kids make commitments never to do the regular sibling rivalry stuff such as teasing or kicking.) Not only will the hurt party accept such an apology, but all other family members will gain a true appreciation for the forgiveness process. When applicable, if a parent apologizes in this way, it profoundly impacts a child’s trust in the ability to forgive and be forgiven.

A child who learns to associate apologizing with feelings of regret and a sincere commitment to change will, with the help of Hashem, grow into the understanding, empathetic adult we all want to be around. If she will ever have to say “I’m sorry” to her sister-in-law, I’d bet it won’t be a one-word text message.

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 I’m Really Sorry: How to Teach Your Child to Apologize Sincerely appeared first on Between Carpools.

You know you should know how to prepare it, but, really, a recipe would help

“Really, what’s the big deal? I don’t need to ask my MIL how to cook it.”

That’s what you told yourself last time you cooked some good old gefilta and then, your husband covered it with so much tehina and chrein you just couldn’t ignore it and you  knew it didn’t taste like it should.

So here. You do not need to call MIL.

This is the recipe you are looking for.

Note: Some people like the liquid of the gefilte and store it with the liquid. My family personally likes it as dry as we can get it. If you like the liquid, make sure to refrigerate the gefilte with the liquid, about halfway up.

The post How to Make Gefilte Fish appeared first on Between Carpools.

What you eat before and after a fast can really affect how you feel. Here’s the secrets.

By Faigy Fink

FOR BEFORE THE FAST:

• Drinks lots and lots of water, as much as possible (2-3 days before the fast) even if you feel you’re about to float off, it’s worth it by the time the fast is well underway.
• Tap off coffee so you don’t have withdrawal symptoms like headaches.
• Vary your meal schedule in the preceding days. If you normally eat the same time everyday, your body clock with automatically prepare to digest as the time approaches. By varying your meal schedule you may find it eases the hunger you might normally experience at meal times.
• Go with the fruits that have a lot of water in them , the ones you feel slightly bloated from-such as, grapes and watermelon
• Have 1-2 good starches before the fast. Some good complex carbs include a whole wheat roll, 1/2 cup of sweet potatoes, 1/2 cup of quinoa, or 1/2 cup of brown rice. Consuming these carbs will be very effective since they bond with water that the body will make use of during the fast.
• If you digest your fiber very quickly, don’t do a salad or very high fiber food right before the fast since they can travel through the digestive system quickly and can leave you hungry. (Every person is different which is why I don’t generalize). Fruits despite its high fiber content is worthwhile since they carry a lot of water. Gluten intolerant people–Breathe, you have the advantage here.
• Avoid salty food, sauces or sharp spices. Salt causes thirst.
• Your well balanced meal before the fast should consist of carbs, protein, and foods high in oils and healthy fats which fill you up.
• Make sure you have at least 4-5 ounces of of protein before the fast: preferably plain chicken.
• Having a Powerade before the fast will also help.
• Don’t overstuff yourself right before the fast. Many people think that overstuffing themselves will compensate for not eating in the fast day. This can actually make you hungrier.
• Avoid sugary foods that will make you crave more sugar and bring on migraines.

FOR BREAKING THE FAST:

• Don’t eat too quickly. Start with some juice or milk. It puts sugar in the bloodstream and occupies space in the stomach avoiding you from eating too rapidly.
• Begin with eating a simple food like: a healthy muffin or our chocolate energy balls. Other options: whole wheat roll, whole wheat matzah, and whole wheat crackers. Wait a little if you can and then have soup, a good protein like eggs (yummy omelette) or fish or chicken, salad and fruit. For those that get nauseous from protein after a fast, yogurt or cottage cheese with almonds (and strawberries) is a nice option.
• Most of my clients do not find a second starch necessary!
• Drink a lot of water and try to walk–it can be a stroll, nothing that takes much energy out of you.
• Avoid gorging yourself. The body protects itself from starvation when you are fasting by slowing down the rate at which burns food. Therefore, the calories you consume right after a fast will stay with you a lot longer than those acquired on a normal basis.
• Your body does not like digesting too much food in a shot so it is not necessary to make up all the calories for the day in a meal.
• The next day is a regular day! Keep drinking and don’t skip protein and veggies!

Have an easy and meaningful fast!!

About Faigy:

As an expert integrative nutrition health coach and fitness trainer, Faigy Fink founded Fit with Fay to mentor thousands of people with their health and fitness issues. Her interest in nutrition & health since her early childhood created her passion to become a mentor and help those who are struggling. Learn more at http://www.fitwithfaynj.com/, on Instagram @fitwithfay or contact her at Fitwithfaynj@gmail.com.

The post The Most Essential Tips for an Easy Fast and a Healthy Break-the-Fast appeared first on Between Carpools.

A few simple tricks to creating a beautiful ambiance in your Sukkah.

By Chaya Bromberg

Credit: Pinterst

Love the rustic ambiance of greenery focal point, but don’t know how it’s even possible to get this on your schach?

Here’s how I do it. Start by running a piece of chicken wire as a base along one side of your sukkah. That’s the trick! It can just be along one wall to create this focal point of greenery.

Once the chicken wire is suspended along the side, you can get to work. Start by hanging your pendant or string lighting. This Vintage Pendant Lighting in one option (includes 3 bulbs). For more lighting, I love the look of this  49 Foot String of Indoor/Outdoor String Lighting  that includes 15 pieces (and 3 extra bulbs). It’s a great deal!

Pop in some hanging glass ball terrariums.

Next, you can have fun adding the greenery and flowers. Wind a big string of artificial ivy leaf around and around at different lengths. You can also add in some artificial wisteria (this was a super popular item in BCP’s sukkah decor post from last year!).

Good luck!

About Chaya:

Chaya Bromberg is an event planner who specializes in custom work, creative events, and booths for shows. See her work and reach her through Instagram at @creativetablespaces.

The post  How to Duplicate This Sukkah Decor appeared first on Between Carpools.

Want to create autumn on a plate? It’s never been easier!

My sister was looking for a seasonal way to serve gnocchi and came up with this perfect combination. And the best part is that it takes under 10 minutes to prepare, beginning to end!

The post The Perfect Fall Yom Tov Dish: Gnocchi with Butternut Squash and Chestnut Sauce appeared first on Between Carpools.

Everyone loves corned beef, and if you’re looking for a new way to top yours off, we’ve rounded up the most popular versions, including both our personal and reader favorites.

Almost everyone prepares corned beef nowadays. With most butchers pickling their own meat, corned beef has become a can’t-miss family favorite option, most often paired with a sweet sauce.

Corned Beef simply refers to pickled meat, but there can be a ranges of cuts of meats that are used for corned beef, all at different price points. You may see first or second cut, deckle, and brick/French corned beef (the most premium).

All corned beefs, no matter the cut, are prepared by boiling in a pot of water (the time depends on the size). They can be boiled in the bag, or removed from the bag. Either way is fine. After boiling, there’s lots of different ways to top your corned beef.

For all the recipes below: Boil your corned beef as you normally do. Then, simply add the corned beef to your baking pan, add your desired sauce, and warm it up in the sauce for about 30 minutes.

Do you want to slice your corned beef? This is best done when it’s cold, before the sauce is added. Let cool after boiling and slice. You can do this simply with a knife, or to get really nice thin slices, you can use an electric meat slicer. This one by Gourmania is a popular well-priced option. For a premium slicer, the Chef’s Choice Food Slicer is also recommended. These thin slices are even delicious on their own, even when served cold, no sauce needed!

But if you want to serve a hot main dish with sauce, here are some of our favorites plus top sauces that our readers have shared and recommend.

#1 Horseradish Sauce

“These two sauces, both the horseradish and the orange sauce, have been my favorite go-to versions over the years.” -Leah

#2 Mandarin Orange Sauce

#3 Duck Sauce-Pineapple Sauce

“This corned beef was the first Friday night main dish I ever made when I was newly married. It’s been a family favorite ever since and they don’t let me make corned beef any other way!”-Victoria

#4 Corned Beef with Three Glazes

Lots of our readers told us that the Corned Beef with Three Glazes from The Kosher Palette is their favorite. Here’s two of ’em:

#5 Blogger Favorites.

You told us you love both Gush Gourmet’s Bourbon Glazed Corned Beef or Overtime Cook’s Asian Glazed Corned Beef from Real Life Kosher Cooking.

#6 The Brown Sugar and Mustard Method

Lots of you shared that you use a brown sugar/mustard combination on top of your corned beef, with some variations. Some use simply mustard and brown sugar. One of you told us you use equal parts brown sugar and mustard with a little bit of orange juice.

#7 Duck Sauce and Mustard

Duck sauce and mustard is another popular combination. Many people recommended boiling the corned beef in beer before adding the duck sauce and mustard sauce. One reader said they don’t make any mixture at all. They simply use a bottle of Mikee Duck sauce over their corned beef and they’re good to go!

Another variation to the sweet duck sauce-mustard sauce is a honey-whole grain Dijon mustard-bit of mayo combo.

#8 Balsamic Vinegar Glaze

This recipe was shared by Gourmet Glatt. It does not entail boiling the corned beef ahead of time. Combine 1 cup water with 3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar and 3 Tbsp brown sugar. Pour over corned beef, cover, and bake at 400ºF for 3 hours. Let cool and slice. The glaze before a light sticky coating over the meat.

The post Top Ways to Top Off Your Corned Beef appeared first on Between Carpools.

Need a quick dinner in a jiffy that will please everyone?

By Elisheva W.

There’s just three ingredients in this chicken recipe: Thinly sliced chicken cutlets, duck sauce, and Paskesz Onion Crisps.

Dip chicken in duck sauce, press both sides into the onions crisps, and place on a lined baking sheet.

Bake at 350ºF. For 30-45 minutes, until desired doneness.

That’s it…a simple kid-friendly dinner that everyone loves.

For easier prep, just sprinkle onion crisps on the lined baking sheet, place chicken coated in on top. Sprinkle with additional onion crisps.

The post 3-Ingredient, 3-Step Crispy Onion Chicken (Kid and Adult-Friendly!) appeared first on Between Carpools.

When it’s cold or raining or you just want to be in an air-conditioned space, check out these 5 Indoor Spaces in North Jersey and NYC.

By Deena Friedman

The question of “ What is for dinner?’ is being answered all over the internet. But what about the all important question of “What are we doing today?” During the warmer months this can be easy to answer with a drive to the beach or a ride on a bike but when it’s raining or cold it’s not always that easy!

Catch Air in Paramus, NJ is a great place for a wide range of ages to enjoy. It is not a massive space so kids stay contained and it has very secure entrances and exits so you can feel safe having the kids run free. There is Tiny Town with small rides and swings which are always a hit- for kids up to 4 feet. A soft play toddler area is great if you come with a little one in tow. The bigger kids will love the climbing structure with slides and an interactive ball pit. Like many indoor spaces, it gets loud but the lights also go out and a mascot comes out often for birthday parties so can be sensory overload for some kids. No food is allowed in the actual play space but they don’t mind you eating right outside the entrance. We even had pizza delivered from a local Teaneck pizza shop.
224 Route 4 East At Forest Ave Lower Level suit 102 Paramus, NJ 07652 201-620-2125

Jumpin Jax is also in Paramus NJ and a really nice place for the younger set to enjoy. If you have been to Billy Beez in the Palisades Mall near Monsey it’s a lot like that but toned down a ton! It has the fun rainbow slides and a great climbing structure. The ball pit with shooters from atop is also similar to Billy Beez but smaller. There is a toddler section as well as a little grocery. Another cute Lego area and dress up and dollhouse area are sure to keep all kids busy. There is a rock climbing wall that is in addition to admission but it’s good for older kids so they have something extra to do. It is very clean and beautifully designed and has benches and tables to sit and take a break. Technically, no outside food is allowed but it is not strictly enforced. Everyone, including parents, must wear socks, which is strictly enforced.
600 Winters Ave, Paramus, NJ 07652

Urban Air in South Hackensack is geared towards a little bit of an older crowd and is perfect to let your kids literally jump off the walls. With a huge trampoline area and even bounce dodgeball the kids will expend some serious energy! There are obstacle courses and climbing apparatus and sponge pits. There is even a battle beam where kids can try and knock their opponent (or sibling) off the beam into the sponge pit.
69 Wesley Street, South Hackensack NJ 07606

Ripley’s Believe it Or Not in Times Square is fun for all ages! It’s exciting upon arrival. Many would think this is a creepy or scary place, but it’s actually not at all! Well, there is one room that is a bit scarier but that can be easily avoided. It is fascinating and educational and adults will enjoy checking it out just as much as the kids. You can see the world’s tallest man and Abraham Lincoln painted on a fly! I am particularly partial to this venue because I got engaged during the magic show they have out front in the summers ten years ago. It was so much fun to bring our four kids back and actually go inside! Check Groupon for tickets.
234 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036

Children’s Museum of the Arts in Greenwich Village is not your typical museum. Kids are free to get their hands dirty and paint, create and explore. It’s a smaller manageable museum with a kiddie area that has small tables with markers, Play Doh, and paints. There is a place for older kids to create at easels as well as other crafts. There is usually an educator with a special craft being taught. For older kids there is a clay bar which requires sign up for a time slot so it’s a good idea to put your name down upon arrival because slots fill up. There is also a sound recording studio you sign up for as well. There is a special exhibits room which changes and is always a lot of fun. There is often a Groupon so make sure to check before going!
103 Charlton St, New York, NY 10014

Want more ideas of places to go and things to do? 

See more indoor picks in NY/NJ area here.

For great Brooklyn & NYC outings, click here.

For outdoor trips on sunny days, click here. 

See what to do on a Pennsylvania road trip here.

About Deena:
Deena is a stay at home mom to four kids who likes to have as much fun as possible! She enjoys sharing her family fun and all the places they go. Follow @fun.in.the.bc for answers to the question of what to do within a 2 hour drive of Bergen County.

The post Indoor Fun for the Family – Northern NJ/NY Edition appeared first on Between Carpools.

Think it’s an old-fashioned idea? If it makes your marriage better, these techniques are as current as ever.

Our mothers and grandmothers didn’t need lessons on how to respect a husband. They got married and quickly fell into a role that felt natural.

Our generation has more trouble. Perhaps we’re more educated, we think we’re smart and independent, and we have a hard time slipping into that essential role of a good wife.

So let’s break it down into “Should we” and “How.”

Should we?

Showing your husband respect doesn’t make you less of a feminist, not any less of a woman, and doesn’t take anything away from you. Just the opposite: Showing respect to your husband gets him to treat you better, and as a result have a better marriage in the Torah way.  The Rambam says “A husband should be like a king in his wife’s eyes. She should have a certain awe. Her actions should be according to his will.” Respecting a husband does not mean agreeing with everything he says. Being respectful of your spouse is like being respectful of any stranger you interact with.

Our first reactions are usually “When he respects me, then I will respect him.” Leah Reicheimer in Marriage Secrets usually answers that statement with this line “scrutinize your own history; has the strategy of waiting for your husband to respect you been a fruitful approach?” It may not feel fair that the wife always has to be the ones to step up to the plate first, but Hashem gave us binah, the wisdom and insight to do so, and the bottom line is, it works…. I don’t claim to know why our sages insights work, I just witnessed that they do.”

How

First take note that you may think you are respecting your husband but if you are constantly arguing about things or if you feel like your opinion is being ignored, you are not respecting him.

Here’s a game plan.

1 ) Don’t feel like respecting? Fake it until you make it.

2) Stop controlling. We think we are smarter and know how to do things better. If we express that, it doesn’t work. Keep your feelings of superiority to yourself.

3) Giving helpful suggestions  is something we woman try to do, but it makes men feel controlled. Try to resist.

4 ) Listen – without offering advice or helpful suggestions (unless he specifically asked). You don’t have to agree or disagree with everything. You can just listen.

5) Apologize when you yell, criticize him for doing things his way, and not your way.

Which brings us to – Let him do things his way

6) Don’t contradict his stories. Yes, you were there and it didn’t happen the way he’s telling. But be quiet and let him say it the way he wants to.

7) Don’t nag. He heard you the first time. Don’t treat him like a child where you feel the need to repeat things 100 times to get them done.

8) Don’t talk critically of your husband in front of your children or family.

Based on Leah Recheimer’s Marriage Secrets and Laura Doyle’s The Empowered Wife.  These two books are great suggestions if you feel like you want to work on this.

The post How to Show Respect to Your Husband appeared first on Between Carpools.

What do you do when it’s erev Yom Tov and you need one more side dish? Tastier than plain roasted broccoli and easier than anything else that

By Chavie Shapira

It was erev Yom Tov and my mother asked me to put together one more side dish. Of course, I wanted it to be something that was very easy. So I opened up The Flavor Bible to look up what pairs well with broccoli. A few minutes later, that side dish was in the oven.

The post That Really Easy Side Dish That You Still Need: Sesame Broccoli appeared first on Between Carpools.

We asked Chanie what her family loves and what her fans love…and discovered one go-to culinary shortcut.

Chanie is always creative, inventive, and exciting. But what are the dishes that her kids request over and over? What have her fans made more than any other recipe? And what easy secrets does she go-to when there’s simply not time to patchke?

BCP: What is your family’s favorite recipe from your cookbook?

Chanie Applebaum: Mike’s High S’mores Pie, Kani Fried rice, Hasselback Salami, Breaded Baked Gefilte Fish, Deli Pasta Salad, World’s Best Corn Muffins, Nish Nosh, Mac n’ Cheese, Corn Chex schnitzel, and Refried Bean Tacos.

A few years ago, I instituted meatless Mondays into our dinner rotation and after dairy Thursdays, that’s my kids favorite day of the week! Being big bean-eaters, they love my refried bean tacos and something I have learned over the years is that kids love any meal that gives them options. I prepare the refried beans and put out all the toppings and they each build their own.

VARIATION: if you’d like to serve the tacos with melted cheese, place the corn tortilla in a the skillet for a minute so that it’s pliable but not toasted. Add refried beans and top with shredded cheese. Cover the skillet and cook until the tortilla is toasted and the cheese is melted. Add additional toppings and serve.

NOTE: if you make the refried beans in advance and they start to dry out, just add a bit more stock to make them creamy again.

BCP: What recipe do you think is the most popular from your blog or cookbook?

Chanie: That’s easy! Drunken hasselback salami!

BCP:  Is there a dish you make that’s not really a recipe but you make all the time? Something that your family loves but you couldn’t put in a cookbook because it’s either embarrassingly simple and/or uses ready-made or store-bought ingredients?

Chanie: I think people appreciate any recipe written out, even if it’s a simple one! My 2-ingredient lazy meatballs are a great example of that. I didn’t share that recipe in my book because I felt it wasn’t book worthy, but it’s become a blog favorite!

The post What Are Chanie Apfelbaum’s Family Favorite Recipes? appeared first on Between Carpools.

We asked Between Carpools readers…what do you love to buy on Amazon? Here’s a roundup of your recommended basic items and household necessities.

Lots of you use the convenience of Amazon, not just for one-time purchases, but for day-to-day basics. Here’s some of your favorite everyday items that you get delivered to your door…and many via Subscribe and Save!

If you’re not familiar with Subscribe and Save, Amazon offers a greater discount on some items that you use and need often (i.e. diapers). You’re eligible for the discount if you “subscribe” to a number of items (you can choose how often you want them).

Want to see Between Carpools readers’ favorite travel and staycation items? See this post.

Groceries

Please check hechshers on individual items.

“I have my kids’ multivitamins on Subscribe and Save, which is awesome!” – @Blimi 

“I have marinara sauce on Subscribe and Save-every month.” -@Blimi

“K Cups became a problem in my house because they really become expensive but we only like Keurig coffee. These K Cups taste just like the donut shop medium roast and are dirt cheap.” – @soriefko

“I get PB2 powder on Amazon.” – @Mireesegal42

“I love Cafe Bustelo instant espresso. I think I read about it on Busy in Brooklyn’s post. I can’t drink any other coffee since – I don’t even bother with my Nespresso machine.” – Suri B.

“Order King Arthur flour on Prime pantry. It’s a full THREE dollars cheaper than in the store and two dollars cheaper than the King Arthur website!” – @noshpitality

“Nugo Slim Fiber Bars. At 150-180 calories a bar they’re way less caloric and super high fiber so you’re actually full.” – @noshpitality

Household

“Amazon Basics Batteries are a great deal.” – @nechefter

“Dixie-To-Go paper cups and lids–with 156 cups with lids included, this is a pretty good deal (and the cups are cute too).” – @Mireesegal42

“Having these Affresh Washer Machine Cleaners on Subscribe and Save literally saves my front loading washing machine (front loader- can u write an article about how to clean/take care of the gasket of front loaders!!) – @meltzer28

“Tin foil, Windex, and Q-Tips are the items currently on their way. Household items that come in just 2 days! Amazon prime is great!” – Leah P.

“These toothbrushes just because there are so many…I love having them around in the guest bathroom.” – @Chaviedachs

“Love the Amazon Basic USB cables. Great quality, great pricing. Ordered a bunch of these for home, office, purse.” – @meltzer28

“Can never have enough of these hangers.” – @shifraschonfeld

Baby

“Subscription to Pampers! Delivered and done!” – @coolkidscakes

“Amazon Essentials Baby Wipes! I seriously spent months searching for the cheapest and best baby wipes and found these perfect. They come in separate packages, are so well priced, and are moist but not too moist that they smell and make a mess! They are better than Kirkland!” – @sorilefko

“Baby formula (Enfamil)!! If you use Subscribe and Save, you get the equivalent of 6 20-ounces pouches for less than $120! Amazing deal!” – @chaybeeklein 

The post Your Favorite Household Basics to Get on Amazon appeared first on Between Carpools.

We can only win by playing the role Hashem originally intended for us.

Whether a woman is married for a day, a decade, or half a century, there’s nothing she wants more than for her husband to love her. We know this not from the plethora of marriage books on the mainstream market. We know this from our purest, holiest guidebook: the Torah.

Upon committing the sin of the eitz hada’as, Chava, the world’s first woman was cursed: “V’el isheich teshukaseich,” Hashem said to her. “You will forever crave your husband’s love.” This deep emotional neediness we women possess, whether we’re in touch with it or not, is an intrinsic part of our being. It is woven into the tapestry of our femininity. No woman, no matter how self-sufficient or macho she appears or even convinces herself to be, was ever created without this defining characteristic. A wife’s neediness is not only deep; it’s practically a bottomless pit. And no one, but her husband, has the ability to fill it for her.

But, the Torah doesn’t only to inform us of our curses. It is also the ideal, and our only, guidebook for how to utilize this craving to merit a truly fulfilling relationship, the kind of marriage that makes husband and wife feel like one soul.

In order to understand how we can attain that kind of closeness in our marriage, let us return to the building blocks of our essence. On the sixth day of creation, Hashem created Adam, Man. Soon after, He realized that it wouldn’t be good for Adam to exist in solitude. And so, He turned to His angels and said, “let us make for Man an ezer k’negdo, a helper against him.” This new creature, who was fashioned from the man’s rib for the sole purpose of serving as his helpmate, was the woman. In other words, the female’s essence is entirely contingent upon her soulmate, her husband.

For modern-day women living in a society that has been infiltrated with skewed perceptions of a woman’s basic needs, it may seem absurd that what a woman needs more than anything is to feel dependent on her husband. But this, dear Jewish women, is the reality. In His wisdom, Hashem created both the male and female lacking, inherently dependent on one another. In order for them to feel fulfilled in the relationship, the male would receive the kavod, respect from his wife, and she, in turn, would thrive on the emotional support and love he would channel in her direction. For this reason, a woman can be outrageously successful in every area of life, but if she lacks a fulfilling marriage, she will feel forever deficient and unfulfilled. On the other hand, a woman who serves as her husband’s ezer k’negdo with the proper perspective does so not from a place of surrender but from a place of true desire.

When a woman understands the essence of her creation, she is able to play her role toward kindling the love she yearns for, namely to fulfill her duties as a wife in the relationship. “If you want your husband to give you the love you yearn for,” the Torah tells us, “you must first be his wife.” No one understands the psyche and emotional world of the male and female better than the One who fashioned us, the One who instructed us to treat our husband, first and foremost, with respect.

To be a wife is to treat your soulmate not as a friend, but as a husband. Being a wife means putting your husband’s needs first, always, making him the center of your life in every aspect. It means turning to him for advice, not contradicting his words (unless necessary), and making his wishes your priority. What a compliment or another expression of love, no matter how petty it may seem to a man, is to a woman, an expression of respect, no matter how petty it may seem to a woman, is to a man. Indeed, the Shulchan Aruch’s list of a woman’s obligations toward her husband, such as preparing his drink, may seem very petty to a woman. But to a man, it is everything. And more important than the technical details of how the wife gives her husband the message that he is her king is the underlying feeling of respect she must have toward him (which is only possible when a woman has a healthy sense of self-esteem).

You might wonder, so what if the husband and wife won’t have the sparks; does it have to be the way the Torah describes—that she gives him total respect and he gives her love? Can’t a husband and wife just live together like two friends in an equal partnership? No, tells us the Gemara. “If a man and woman merit [to bring Hashem into their marriage], the Shechina dwells amongst them. If they don’t, a fire consumes them.” It’s either you’re the wife and he’s the husband or you’re no friends at all. But when a woman takes her role as a wife seriously, and she does her duties with respect and joy, the love she receives in return is boundless. Only when she treats her soulmate as the king, does she become the queen of her home.

Note: This article is geared toward women in a healthy marriage; it is not intended to minimize the Torah’s obligations a husband has toward his wife.

I’ll be glad to answer questions on this topic in the comments section below.

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 How To Win Your Husband’s Love appeared first on Between Carpools.

Never tried cooking chicken in a bag? You might not cook chicken without it again. It’s easy, foolproof, and absolutely delicious.

At a recent photo shoot, when I pulled out this old method of cooking chicken in a cooking bag, someone at the shoot asked me, “Is this healthy? Cooking in a bag?”

irstly, the reason why I love cooking chicken and potatoes in a bag is because everyone (at least those that like chicken on the bone) loves the texture of the chicken and potatoes that result from this method. The chicken is soft (and crispy on top) and the potatoes are soft like butter. I feel it’s a fool proof method of cooking a pan of chicken and potatoes. I can also keep it on a lower temperature for hours until we’re ready to eat and it’s still as fresh and moist as it was after the initial cooking. No dry chicken or potatoes.

Oven bags or as some call it roasting bags are typically made of food-grade polyester or nylon. They are generally BPA-free, phthalate-free, and approved by the FDA for cooking.

Oven bags won’t melt or catch on fire, they keep the food moist as it cooks its own juice and you end up with easy clean up. Just read the instructions on the box  to see how high of a temperature you can use it for and always place the bag into a pan before placing in the oven.

Since we’re talking about cooking with plastic, when cooking sous-vide, always use proper bags. For example, Ziploc brand bags are made from polyethylene plastic with a softening point of approximately 195ºF. By pouring near boiling water (water begins to boil at 212ºF) into the bag, or putting the bag into the water, the plastic could begin to melt. Usually sous-vide food are cooked at much  lower temperature, but it’s good to keep this in mind.

Editors note: Every so often we get comments about plastic not being eco- friendly. While we don’t advocate the overuse of plastic, since we’re a site for busy people, we definitely find it helps our lives. Like everything in life, moderation is key.

The post The Best, Moistest Chicken is Chicken in a Bag (Bonus: It’s Cleanup Is Also the Easiest!) appeared first on Between Carpools.

That magic – and elusive – number does not have to be boring!

Calories in, calories out. That’s the basic concept when you need to get those pounds off. And while there are good calories and bad calories, the basic math doesn’t change. It’s up to us to make the most of those precious calories and choose the foods that will keep up full, healthy and satisfied through the day.

After following the 1200 calorie diet plan for quite a while and taking pictures when I was able to, I put together a visual of what 5 days on such a diet might look like. And you’re probably thinking something along the lines of, “But I’m not a food photographer so my food doesn’t look that good.” But your food can look that good. Every single one of these images is real food I prepared in my real kitchen then and ate after I took the photograph. One of the most important tips I can give you is to make sure the food looks good. A nicely prepared plate will make you feel happier and more satisfied when eating smaller amounts of food that may not be as fun as you’d like. If it looks blah, add some color. Slice a couple of tomatoes. Sprinkle on some herbs. Quarter a ready-cooked beet and add it to your salad. These things make a real difference.

The following meals are not presented as a diet plan. I am deliberately not writing portion sizes because everyone has to calculate what works for them. These are just sample meals that worked for me. And note that I like to keep my meal totals between 900 to 1000 calories to leave room for snacks.

Day 1

Breakfast – 250 calories

Wasa Crackers with goat cheese and herbs

Soft boiled egg

Mushroom and tomato salad – lightly dressed

Lunch – 328 calories

Baby arugula

Roasted carrots

Pre-cooked beets

Edamame

Feta cheese

Toasted sesame seeds

Dressing

Dinner – 380 calories

Grilled chicken

Spinach

Tomatoes

Cashews

Grilled sweet potatoes

Total: 958

Day 2

Breakfast – 264 calories

Plain greek yogurt

Maple syrup

Fresh cherries

Sliced almonds

Lunch – 336 calories

Whole grain bread

Shredded cheese

Jumbo olives

Cucumbers

Tomatoes

Peppers

Dinner – 355 calories

Grilled oyster steak

Spinach

Grilled sweet potato

Broccoli

Grilled peppers

Grilled onions

Total: 955

Day 3

Breakfast – 300 calories

Whole wheat roll-up

Goat cheese

Low-fat latte

Poached egg

Broccoli

Dressing

Lunch – 318 calories

Sushi rice

Kani

Cucumbers

Jicama

Spicy mayo

Sweet sauce

Dinner – 334 calories

Shwarma spiced chicken

Whole wheat crackers

Spinach

Tomatoes

Cucumbers

Pickles

Total: 952

Day 4

Breakfast – 294 calories

Whole grain bread

Goat cheese

Avocado

Arugula

Lunch – 280 calories

Arugula

Tomatoes

Toasted whole wheat croutons

Fresh mozzarella cheese

Pistachios

Dressing

Dinner – 459 calories

Farro

Roasted chick peas

Poached egg

Feta

Cucumbers

Beets

Zaatar

Total: 1033

Day 5

Breakfast – 377 calories

Acai packet

Almond milk

Kiwis

Mangos

Shredded (unsweetened) coconut

Slivered almonds

Lunch – 286 calories

Whole wheat roll-up (half)

Eggs

Spinach

Edamame

Tomatoes

Mushrooms

Dressing

Dinner – 314 calories

Baked salmon

Spinach

Tomatoes

Dressing

Pretzel crisps

Total: 977

And now it’s your turn. What are some of your bang-for-your-calorie-buck favorites? How do you stay on track? And what else would you like to hear from us? We’re all in this together, so let’s help each other make the best of it!

The post How to Eat Exciting Food on 1200 Calories Per Day appeared first on Between Carpools.

Do you have years of photos on your phone, and miss the days you could open an album?

By Miriam Hammer

Does creating your own photo book seem overwhelming to you? Now that Yom Tov has passed and we have a long stretch until Chanukah, it’s the perfect time to tackle that project. Don’t know where to start?

Follow these easy steps!

1. Have your pictures all organized on the computer. This is key!  

 Create a folder for every year and then subfolders for every month. Periodically dump all your camera and phone pictures into the correct folders.

2. Start by copying all the photos you’ll be using into a new folder titled ‘photobook’. (Use CTRL to help you easily select more than one picture at a time)

3. If your photobook is of a single event or trip, then skip this step.

If, however, it’s of 6 or 12 months worth of pictures then make a list of all the events so that you can easily keep track.

4. Upload all your pictures to a photobook program.

There are loads of different ones depending on your budget (like Shutterfly or Snapfish), but most of them are pretty decent.

5. Start by filling your pages with pictures.

Vary the layout and sizing to make it visually interesting. Match the coloring to the season/occasion. Or keep it simple and monochrome for a sleek, elegant look.

6. Then add backgrounds, text and clipart to create fun, colorful pages.

Tweak your pages by rotating some pictures a bit and changing up the font to make it even more fun.

7. Wait a day or two to go over it again with fresh eyes to make sure everything is in the right place and you didn’t make any spelling mistakes.

8. Now you’re ready to order your photobook!

About Miriam:

Miriam Hammer is a mom of two boys and an English teacher in Vienna, Austria.

Her hobbies include photography, graphic design and cooking quick, fresh, and nutritious meals that her picky 4-year old won’t touch.

She loves using her creativity to come up with fun lesson plans and exciting projects for her students and kids.

The post How to Create Your Own Photobook and Preserve Those Memories appeared first on Between Carpools.