Rivkasmom's Profile

Can anyone suggest something you could use instead of halloumi? I keep kosher, so my fancy cheese options are more limited. Thanks!

When my daughter was two, I became seriously, chronically ill with M.E. That was 7 years ago, and I've been slowly and steadily getting worse every year. Imagine having a flu that NEVER GOES AWAY, and add a whole bunch more neurological, cardiac and muscular problems on top of it. I can't even get the flu shot because it will make me worse, and people with M.E. don't seroconvert the shot anyway.

I've learned to admit to my friends that I have chronic health problems, and not to hide it and be "fine". I've learned to ask for help when I need it, and I've realized that my daughter needs to learn to be self sufficient, while knowing what is not safe around the house. (She tried to scramble her own eggs when she was 3, but thank goodness she couldn't reach the knob to the burner!)

It's easier now that she's older, but I still rely on my friends a lot. I can call and have someone take her for the afternoon or weekend, or have some soup delivered when I can't get up. I live in a close knit Jewish community, so we have really strong bonds, and everyone lives within a few blocks of me. When I can, I do as much as possible for my friends who need me, even if it's a bit of mending or sending out invitations for a bar mitzvah.

When I have a rare "good day", I try to get caught up on major stuff like laundry, and I cook a ton and freeze it. I let little things go, like dusting the window sills. Seriously, who cares? You have to pick and choose your battles when your energy is tightly rationed. Everything you do has a "price", and you have to decide if it's worth it or not.

melibean, if you're cooking any kosher meats do NOT add extra salt! The brining process still leaves a lot of salt in the meat. Just gently poach the chicken, and adjust the salt at the end of the recipe.

Shabbat shalom!

"Use your hands"? Ewww. I think I've just lost my appetite.

Even with lots of soap, scrubbing and alcohol gel, there's still a million germs in there.

Instead of meat, I use JD's Hickory Bacon Salt. It's vegan, and kosher! Just make sure that you cut back the salt in the rest of the recipe, and use unsalted stock.

This is perfect for the childless, workable for a couple, but absolutely impossible once you start a family. I live in a two bedroom "starter cottage" type house, and with one child it gets crowded FAST! Where do you keep all the games and stuffed animals? What do you do when it's freezing outside and your kid gets cabin fever?

You can't craft or work from home, either. No room for art supplies or a home office. I need room to spread out!

I love Middle Eastern cooking, it's so adaptable.

If you want to make these kosher, there are a couple of ways. The first one is to substitute soy yogurt for the goat's milk. It can be hard to find, but in the US it's in most whole foods stores.

The other way is to use a "mock hamburger meat" (again, in whole foods shops) and keep the dairy yogurt.

If you want to go vegan, the do both of the substitutions.

If you hate the way grape leaves taste, you can use cabbage leaves instead.

Shalom! :-D

Aw come on, you guys. Haters gonna hate, but I think it's fabulous. Personally, I'd pull out all the stops and do a full Roma vardo interior/exterior on it, complete with small porch on the back. http://pinterest.com/pin/236227942924745003/ Now THAT'S my dream! (tons more inspiration on my Pinterest @ Bohemian Rhapsody)

One of the things that has helped me the most is to set small boundaries. My favorite one is "once I sit down to dinner, I don't get up for anyone until I'm done eating." I have multiple health problems that affect my digestion, so this is not selfishness, it's a necessity. If anyone wants seconds, they can get it themselves, or wait. I will not get up to "come look at this bug!" or "help me find my pajamas". I also will not discuss politics or depressing news. I give 23 hours of my life to my family, and I want one hour to slowly chew my food in peace.

Holy moley, that house is PURE LOVE! <3