Happy Hanukkah

Happy Hanukkah!

It has been almost exactly a year since I started this blog, and I apologize if you have missed it these past several months. But don't worry - it has not been for a lack of writing!

Last March, I began writing for the Rittenhouse Sq. Revue, a monthly publication that features arts & cultural happenings in the Rittenhouse area. My boyfriend, Dan, is now the proud owner and publisher of the magazine, and we are enjoying working on the content together every month.

You can visit the magazine's Web site by clicking here (but it is a work in progress, so please excuse the minor formatting issues you may find throughout it). You can find the magazine in about 50 hotels, condos and restaurants throughout the Rittenhouse Square area in center city, and thousands of issues are distributed each month. If you live outside of the city, no need to worry! You can subscribe to have the magazine delivered to your door right on the Web site (subscriptions make great holiday gifts). It's a great resource for restaurant listings, Rittenhouse events, and articles that feature historical information about prominent Rittenhouse Square establishments.

I hope you'll visit RittenhouseRevue.com frequently, and enjoy reading the great monthly content.

I hope you have a WONDERFUL Hanukkah and a very happy and healthy new year!

Happy Purim!

Happy Purim! Today, the 13th of Adar, marks one of the most festive holidays on the Jewish calendar. The story of Purim takes us back to around 360 BCE in a place called Shushan, which is somewhere in modern-day Iran. Here is the "Cliffs Notes" version for those of you who need a refresher so you can explain what a Shaloch Manot basket is to your friends (as I did this afternoon):

Purim in Two Minutes or Less:

The king of Persia, Ahasuerus II, asks his Queen Vashti to appear before him and show off her beauty. She refuses, he has her killed. He's in a bad mood, and asks for all of the beautiful maidens to be brought before him so he can pick one. He picks Esther. She's Jewish, but she doesn't tell him that because her cousin Mordechai advised her against it. Meanwhile, Mordechai discovers a plot to kill the king. He warns him, and is now on the king's favorite list.

There's a bad guy named Haman who is buddies with the king and makes everyone bow down to him. Mordechai refuses. Haman convinces the king that he should not just kill Mordechai, but all of the Jews. Haman draws lots to see when he should annihilate the Jews. He picks the 13th of Adar. (In Persian, "pur" means lottery, hence the name of the holiday, Purim). Jews start mourning. Mordechai calls his cousin, Esther, to see if she can help.

And of course, the woman saves the day! She invites both the king and Haman to one party, and then to another. The king grows jealous of Esther and Haman's developing relationship, can't sleep, and his servants tell him the story about how Mordechai saved his life. After the second party, Esther reveals her Jewish identity and tells the king that Haman wants to destroy her people. The king has Haman hung, on the gallows Haman had prepared for Mordechai.

A Feminist's Perspective:

I was very fortunate to receive a wonderful Jewish education as a child. Although I can't say I always loved hebrew school (at least when I was in elementary school), I have great memories of going to synagogue on Purim, eating candy apples and shaking a grogger each time Hamen's name was called.

I also remember always wanting to dress up as Queen Esther because (for whatever reason) as a kid, I thought she was "the good queen" or "the pretty queen" - in childrens' books, Vashti was always depicted with dark hair, and was never as celebrated as Esther. I never questioned this growing up. But after reading an article entitle "Taking Back Purim," by Tamra Cohen, I realized that maybe I should have re-thought my outfit (not that it would have been too different from my Esther-ware!)

In her article, Tamra points out that the story of Purim has two parallel plots - a main story, about how Jews were almost victims of power but, in the end, prevailed; and the second about women - one in which was punished for refusing to obey her husband, and another who is given a significant amount of power. In both stories, rights of an entire group are threatened - Jews and women. Yet, although we celebrate Esther and Mordechai's bravery which led to the salvation of the Jewish people (as we should!), Vashti is often overlooked. Shouldn't we also celebrate her courage for standing up to the king? Tamra suggests that we should.

Read her article here, enjoy some hamentaschen, and celebrate the courage of all of the Purim heroines this holiday. We should all be so condident and courageous.

Additional Purim resources:

Did you know that Moses is online? This is hysterical (and is actually a very helpful recap):

AskMoses.com - Purim

Here's everything you ever wanted to know about Purim from Wikipedia.

Here is a basic description from Judaism 101 (including very detailed directions on what they think the best way to make Hamentaschen is).

How to Live Like a Millionaire (Without Winning $214 Million)

Earlier this week, I attended an offsite during which each participant was given a large piece of paper and asked to illustrate what we would do if we won the $214 Million "Mega Millions" Jackpot.

Thoughts started running through my head as quickly as the 10 employees in Tom's River, a N.J. shore town only 80 miles away, probably ran to tell their families they had won. I picked up a marker and drew a picture of a ticket. After calling my friends and family to report my good fortune, I thought, the first thing I would want to do is purchase tickets for the next flight to Florence. I would gather my close friends and family so we could all fly to Italy and buy a Tuscan villa, in which we would begin plans for my first big project - starting my own charitable foundation.

With the excitement of winning the jackpot, I thought, would surely come an overwhelming feeling of responsibility. Clearly, I would have to call Bono and Oprah, and seek their advice regarding how best to distribute the money. I would want to start with my hometown. I would feed the hungry, house the homeless...fund local animal orphanages. I would visit local women's shelters to see what they needed, and then make sure they had a lifetime supply of whatever it was. I would set up scholarship funds. I would establish savings funds so my family would never want for anything. I'd ask them for their top three wishes, and then I would grant them.

I would not stop working or learning, and would go back to school full-time, for a long time. I would get my MBA, or my Master's in Nutrition. I would have the ultimate job title: MBARDVHP (Master's of Business Administration, Registered Dietitian, Very Happy Person).

Then I would work on my first book, and build my first business - an online marketplace where women from around the world could sell artisan crafts and connect with one another. Then I would take the family jet I purchased and travel the world to meet them.

The group briefly shared their pictures, and then tucked them safely away into binders and computer cases - some threw theirs away - and we quickly moved on to the next topic.

Of course, I didn't really expect to win the lottery this week. According to Bloomberg, the odds of winning the jackpot, which was the 10th-largest jackpot in Mega Millions history, were 1 in 176 million. But I have to admit that later that day, after dreaming big, I felt a slight pang of disappointment that I wasn't in fact an instant millionaire.

But as I pulled out my illustration from the ice-breaker, I realized that all of the dreams on my list were attainable.

I can't afford to go to Italy tonight. But I can go to my favorite Italian BYOB in Philadelphia this weekend, which is owned by a family from Italy, and have a truly authentic meal. I can leverage technology to brush up on my Italian just for fun by downloading free podcasts. I can probably even find a great ribollita recipe from an Italian family online. Experiencing world cultures right at home has never been easier.

I don't have the resources with which to start a charitable foundation right now. But I can give of my time, and continue volunteering for local non-profits. I am strong, and healthy. I can serve soup, build houses, walk dogs that need adopting and clean up parks that need cleaning. As the saying goes, "to know that even just one life has breathed easier because you have lived is to have succeeded."

I have the passion I need to achieve my dreams, the drive I need to reach my goals and the power to make change. I live in a country where everyone has the opportunity to live and contribute to society to their fullest potential. I have a very loving family. And although I can't grant them their three wishes, by counting my own blessings, I've realized that everything I've ever wished for is within reach.

Rosh Chodesh Adar: Don't Worry, Be Happy

So today I have good news and I have bad news (and part of the good news is that it far outweighs the bad news).

I'll give you the bad news first. Do you remember that children's book Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day? In the book, Alexander falls asleep with gum in his mouth, only to wake up with gum in his hair...and he knows it's going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Well, I didn't fall asleep with gum in my mouth, but the past two weeks are up there with Alexander's day. Throughout the past two weeks I've gotten a horrible sinus infection, followed by an ear infection (I told you - I'm an overachiever. I couldn't just have ONE infection...) I've burnt my portobello mushrooms in the oven, stained my favorite white sweater from The Limited, stepped on my adorable, loving cat.

It just hasn't been the easiest two weeks.

But here is the good news - Sunday marks another new month, the month of Adar. And do you know what that means? I didn't either - but a quick Google search told me that the month of Adar is the "happiest" month of the whole Hebrew calendar! Adar, the twelfth and final month of the Jewish calendar, is cognate to the Hebrew adir, which means "strength." Adar is the month of "good fortune" for the Jewish people - our sages say that the "mazel" or "fortune" of Adar is strong.

This joy and good fortune is linked with the holiday that takes place during Adar, Purim, which commemorates the salvation from the evil Haman, who tried to abolish the Jewish people. Even though we are instructed in Pirkei Avot to not celebrate when our "enemy falls," an exception is made in the case of Haman's death, and Purim is traditionally celebrated as one of the most joyous holidays of the year.

There's more good news. According to Sefer Yetzirah, one of the oldest Kabbalistic texts, each month of the Jewish year has a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, a zodiac sign, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, a sense and a part of the body that represents it. Here's a look at Adar's symbols:

Hebrew Letter: Adar is cognate to the Hebrew word adir, meaning "strenth." Its letter is Kuf, which means "monkey," and is supposed to represent the laughter of the month.

Zodiac Sign: Dagim, or Pisces - fish. The word for fish, "dag," is similar to "da-ag," which means "to worry." In Adar, the symbol of fish is thought to convert all worry to joy.

Tribe: Naftali. In Kabbalah, "nofet li" means "sweetness is to me." It's a mitzvah (good deed) on Purim to drink as much wine as he needs to "until he is unable to differentiate between cursed Hamen and blessed Mordechai, until he is sweet."

Sense: Laughter.

Body: Spleen. (Our sages say "the spleen laughs.")

So if you were thinking that it's cold outside - and it's only getting colder; or that there are no more long weekends until Memorial Day; or that the darkness of winter is terrible and horrible; or that you're the only one who has had a no good day, think again. We have a new month ahead of us, and a reason to eat yummy hamentashen (Purim cookies) and not feel guilty. We're one month closer toward Spring. We have a new chance to get a breath of fresh air, take a look at a glowing moon, and see it as an opportunity for renewal.

And in case you need some more help beating the winter blues, check out this blog that's been getting a lot of attention recently: CuteThingsFallingAsleep.org. And take a look at the all-new how-could-you-possibly-not-be-smiling-after-you-listen-to-these-songs mix on the playlist at the bottom of my blog. They are all from WXPN's (Public Radio from the University of Pennsylvania's) Top 100 Songs of 2008.

Hakunah Matata, and Happy Rosh Chodesh!

We made another non-disastrous home-cooked meal this weekend! I think at this point I've made up for our New Year's Eve debacle, and I've brought enough kitchen supplies to my boyfriend's house that now I know we're well equipped to at least boil water and assemble a salad (he has a beautiful kitchen, but the last time we attempted to make dinner he warned me ahead of time that he "doesn't know how to cook." Who knew that meant that he didn't own measuring cups...or a ladle...) So although I was more confident about this attempt, I still took precautions to avoid another dinner catastrophe. This time I made a soup and dessert ahead of time, and emailed him a specific list of ingredients to pick up before I got there. Then we made the rest of the dinner together (I supervised, he followed directions well!) The result was a great, heart-healthy dinner, again using several Mediterranean ingredients.

I don't have any pictures this time, but hope you enjoy these recipes.

On the Menu:

Spinach salad with strawberries and a balsamic reduction

Red Pepper Puree Soup from Cook 1.0 by Heidi Swanson (my favorite cookbook -read her blog here, it's great!)
To a large pot over medium heat, add:
3 T extra-virgin olive oil
2 onions, chopped
3 shallots, chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped
Saute for 5 minutes, or until the onions start to get soft. Add:
6 large red bell peppers, seeded and deveined, cut into 1-inch strips
4 c. water
Bring to a boil, then turn down the heat and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the fresh peppers soften up. Remove from the heat. Puree in a blender in batches, return the soup to the pot. Whisk in:
1 c. low-fat sour cream
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Add salt and pepper to taste. I used 1/2T salt (half the recommended amount) and 20 cranks of pepper. Garnish with basil and feta cheese.

Roasted eggplant
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut 1 eggplant into 1-inch squares. Toss in a bowl with a drizzle of olive oil, sea salt, pepper, and two cloves of chopped garlic. Place on a roasting pan (with olive oil spray) and roast for about 25 minutes, tossing a few times while it roasts.

Whole wheat fettuccine with tomatoes, goat cheese and pine nuts (a take on another Cook 1.0 recipe)
Heat 1 T olive oil in pan. Cut cherry tomatoes in half, and saute in olive oil with a little bit of salt and pepper. Cook pasta, drain. Toast pine nuts in a toaster for 2-3 minutes. Top cooked pasta with pine nuts, tomatoes and goat cheese.

Angel food cake with berries (from Allrecipes.com)
1 cup cake flour
1 1/2 cups white sugar
12 egg whites
1 1/2 t. vanilla extract
1 1/2 t. cream of tartar
1/2 t. salt

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Be sure that your 10 inch tube pan is clean and dry - any amount of oil or residue could deflate the egg whites. Sift together the flour, and 3/4 cups of the sugar, set aside.

In a large bowl, whip the egg whites along with the vanilla, cream of tartar and salt, to medium stiff peaks. Gradually add the remaining sugar while continuing to whip to stiff peaks. When the egg white mixture has reached its maximum volume, fold in the sifted ingredients gradually, one third at a time. Do not overmix. Put the batter into the tube pan.

Bake for 40 minutes in the preheated oven, until the cake springs back when touched. Balance the tube pan upside down on the top of the bottle, to prevent decompression while cooling. When cool, run a knife around the edge of the pan and invert onto a plate.

Garnish with raspberries and blackberries.

The Original Earth Day

Tu B'Shevat, the 15th day of the Jewish month of Shevat, is known as the Jewish New Year for trees and is traditionally celebrated around the world as an arbor holiday each year. This year, the 15th of Shevat falls on Monday, January 9th.

The date originally marked the day in which the ages of trees were calculated. So before "sustainability" was a buzz word, the people of Israel were celebrating Tu B'Shevat - possibly the first Earth Day - by planting trees and enjoying fruit indigenous to the region, such as figs, pomegranates, olives and dates. Today, Jews traditionally plant trees or make a donation so a tree can be planted in Israel on behalf of a loved one.

Ecology and environmentalism are central to Judaism. Long before we were faced with the environmental challenges we have today, Judaism was addressing them. The concept of Bal Tashchit ("Do Not Destroy") is first introduced in the Book of Deuteronomy (Chap. 20:19-20) as a law outlining ethical behavior humans are commanded to practice during wartime. The Torah states that fruit-bearing trees should not be destroyed while "laying a siege to a warring city."

Although this concept is first specifically addressed in Deuteronomy, the idea that humans have a responsibility to take care of the earth is presented in the very beginning of the story of creation and is central to Jewish belief and tradition. The Torah differentiates humans from the rest of the animals that were created in G-d's image, since we were the only animals given the intellect. Therefore, the Torah states, it is our responsibility to take care of the land and resources G-d created.

In the hour when the Holy One, blessed be He created the first human being, He took him and let him pass before all the trees of the Garden of Eden and said to him: "See my works, how fine and excellent they are! Now all that I have created, for you have I created it. Think upon this and do not destroy and desolate My World, For if you corrupt it, there is no one to set it right after you."-Midrash Ecclesiastes Rabbah 7:28

Tu B'Shevat is also one of the most vegetarian-friendly holidays on the Jewish calendar, as it serves as a reminder that we should be good to the earth and be grateful for the fruit, vegetables and grains it provides us with. Vegetarianism is, in fact, one way Jewish people have been protecting the earth for centuries, as it is considered to be the highest form of Kashrut, and some would argue that it is fundamental to Jewish principles.

God said: "Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree that has seed-yielding fruit, to you it shall be for food."-Genesis 1:29

In the Torah, there are several instances in which G-d speaks solely of fruit and grains when discussing food. In fact, whenever meat is discussed, there are very specific rules which we are commanded to follow:

If along the road you chance upon a bird's nest, in any tree or on the ground, with fledglings or eggs, do not take the mother together with her young. Let the mother go, and take only the young, in order that you may fare well and have a long life. --Deuteronomy 22:6

For more information on Judaism and vegetarianism, visit ShalomVeg.com, or watch this video interview with Jonathan Safran Foer, the author of the bestselling novels Everything Is Illuminated, and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, as he discusses why he is a vegetarian.

For more information on Judaism and sustainability and some great ways you can incorporate these principles in your life, visit Hazon.org.

For more information on how being a vegetarian helps you protect the earth (reason No. 1: did you know that one fifth of all greenhouse gasses result from global livestock production?) visit Goveg.com.

Celebration Staycation

To celebrate a recent business accomplishment, last weekend my boyfriend and I visited a few of our favorite Rittenhouse institutions and made some delicious home-cooked meals - I guess you could call it a "celebration staycation." :)

On Friday night I pulled together a nice happy hour/kiddish (same thing, right?) and then we went to Audrey Claire (my favorite) for dinner. On Saturday we treated ourselves to an hour or so at The Sporting Club, which was probably a good idea, because then I made a decadent brunch. Dan said the table scape and food presentation looked like the work of the Four Seasons - I thought it looked more like the sample table at Trader Joe's, but I'll take the compliment!

After a disastrous home-cooked New Year's dinner, I decided to stick with what I know best - vegetarian and Mediterranean fare. Without too many trips to Sue's Produce, and, frankly, much effort, I was able to pull the following things together. Feel free to try some of these at home, or post your favorite recipes.

B'Teavon!

Happy Hour/Kiddish

Oprah's Favorite Pomegranate Martinis (makes two)

1 1/2 cup Pom pomegranate juice

2 oz. citron vodka

1 oz. cointreau liquor

Cup of ice

Squeeze of lemon

LeBus Challah

Trader Joe's Pastry Bites with Feta Cheese and Caramelized Onions

Dried figs and Mahon Cheese (aged cow's milk cheese from Menorca, Spain) from DiBruno's

Trader Joe's Sesame Flat Bread with Hummus

Dessert

Ciao Bella Blood Orange Gelato (I LOVE this gelato...and not just because it's called Ciao Bella...okay maybe. Read this article from NPR about blood oranges and you'll want some too).

Brunch

Baked Egg White Fritattas

4 egg whites, 2 eggs

1/2 cup skim milk

1/4 cup grated low-fat feta cheese

1 tomato

3 handfuls spinach

S&P to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Spray 8 muffin cups with Pam

Dice tomatos and stem spinach. Heat Pam-sprayed pan on medium heat. Cook down the tomatoes, then the spinach

Beat together eggs until they form soft peaks. Add milk, S&P

Divide half of the egg mixture among the 8 muffin cups

Divide the tomatos and spinach among the eight cups

Fill the cups with the rest of the egg mixture

Top with grated feta cheese

Bake 15 min. or until golden and puffed

Moosewood Fruit-Filled French Toast (from Moosewood Restaurant Cooks At Home)

4 slices challah bread (from last night :)) about 4 in. in diameter, sliced 1 in. thick

4 generous tablespoons fruit spread

2 large eggs (or egg whites) lightly beaten

1/2 cup low-fat milk

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

2 teaspoons butter

With a sharp serrated knife, cut lengthwise through each slice of bread to within 1/2 inch of the bottom and side crusts to make a pocket. Using a butter knife, fill each pocket with a generous tablespoon of fruit spread.

In a shallow bowl that is large enough to hold the four bread slices in one layer, mix together the eggs, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon. Soak the bread slices for 2 or 3 minutes, turning them over once.

Warm a large skillet on medium-low heat. Coat the bottom of the skillet with 1 teaspoon of butter. Cook two slices of bread at a time for about 6 minutes, turning the slices over several times, until both sides are nicely browned and crisp. Add the remaining butter to the skillet and cook the final two slices of bread.

Serve hot, either plain or topped with yogurt.

Fage 0% Greek Yogurt (to top the french toast)

Bowl of fruit

Kerbel Champagne with strawberries

Rosh Chodesh Shevat and Shabbat Shira

Image courtesy of Northwest Jewish Artists

It's hard to believe that a new moon is already upon us. It feels like just yesterday I was visiting my friends in Brooklyn and reading about Rosh Chodesh Tevet...

This month is an easy one! This week we're entering Shevat, during which we'll celebrate Tu B'Shevat in a few weeks (Tu B'Shevat means the 15th of Shevat, which is traditionally observed as an arbor holiday - more on that later this month).

But during this week, the first week of Shevat, we read about the Israelites' exodus from Egypt. This week's parshah, B'Shalach, is the one in which Moses parts the Red Sea and the Israelites follow him out of Egypt. Many of us are already familiar with this parshah, as it marks one of the most significant milestones in the Jewish people's story of strength and survival. But this is also the parshah in which we meet Miriam, who notably is the first person in the Torah to be introduced as a prophet.

Although her name first appears after Moses and his people reach dry land, according to The Women's Torah Commentary, Miriam was a central figure in this story throughout the entire journey. However, in the opening of the parshah, we are told that, "direct representation of this story is sacrificed because it could bring tensions between those who followed Moses and those who followed Miriam."



According to the parshah, Miriam brought her timbrel (or tamborine) with her, and led everyone in song and dance after they were safely out of Egypt. The Israelites sang the "Song of the Sea," and followed Miriam as she lifted their spirits and led the celebration of their newly-found freedom. For this reason, this shabbat is often refered to as "Shabbat Shira," which means "Shabbat of Song." (If you're thinking what I'm thinking, it may seem strange that as they were fleeing Egypt, Miriam thought to pack a musical instrument with her. But contemporary scholars say that women in ancient medieval cultures had a tradition of participating in musical celebrations.) The parsha also says that Miriam was the source of water that nourished the thirsty travellers during their exodus, and was the main source of strength that helped the Israelites survive.

Because, like many heroines, Miriam's full story has been largly omitted from biblical commentary, we should celebrate what we do know about her this shabbat. I've posted some songs from my favorite female vocalists (new and old) on the new playlist I've added to the bottom of this blog. See if you like them...or let on some music from your favorite modern-day female artists fill your room, and remember the spirit and leadership of this too-frequently "unsung" heroine.

Tikkun Olam - Yes We Can!

Today was a truly remarkable day. Republican or democrat, black or white, young or old - no matter who we are, there is no doubt that we will never forget where we were when Barack Obama became the 44th president of the United States of America.

More people than ever before in history gathered in Washington, D.C. to be a part of this historic day. All around the world people watched, awe-struck, as the Obama's officially became our new, young, first family. As they said on the evening news tonight, taxis stopped driving, diners stopped eating - we all halted, and felt as the change our country so desperately needs became official.

President Obama's much-anticipated speech outlined the ambitious goals he hopes to accomplish during his presidency. As I sat and watched, surrounded by silent, teary-eyed coworkers, I felt optimistic and hopeful about our country's future - a feeling my generation of Millennials hasn't felt much in our adult lives. I felt proud to be American. But I also felt a tremendous responsibility:

"We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment – a moment that will define a generation – it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.

For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter’s courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent’s willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.

Let it be said by our children’s children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we didn't turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God’s grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations."

Tikkun Olam - "repairing the world" - is up to us. There is only so much one man can do. It is up to each of us to make a personal commitment to improving the state of our country, and repairing the world we live in. President Obama is asking us for help.

I often feel powerless when I read about what's happening in Israel, or how many children go hungry at night. But today, President Obama gave us the power to truly be a part of the change we all want to see.

Tonight I'll sleep soundly, grateful that I was able witness this historic day. But throughout the next days, and weeks, I'll be giving a lot of thought to what my personal commitment to repairing the world will be. For some ideas, visit Renew America Together - USAService.org - you can enter your zip code and search through thousands of Tikkun Olam opportunities. If we all committed to making just a few small changes, it would make a huge difference.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. In fact, it's the only thing that ever has." --Margaret Mead

Together, we CAN rebuild the world, one mitzvah at a time.

False alarm

This week the fire alarm in my large, 40-story center city apartment building went off in the middle of the night for two consecutive nights. Each time the alarm sounded between 9 p.m. and 2:30 a.m. for approximately 30 minutes. Fortunately, these were false alarms. But you can imagine the panic I feel when I'm tucked in bed...nice and warm...and I hear, blaring from all ends of the apartment, "This is a fire emergency. Please proceed to the nearest exit."

When this happens, I have two options. One is to get up and start searching the my apartment for my cat, who then proceeds to hiss and claw at me while I try to get him into his carrier. After several attempts - and scratches - I usually am able to get him into the bag. At that point, I grab my keys and cell phone and quickly start walking down 33 flights of stairs to the bottom of the apartment building. This means that later, I will have the option of waiting downstairs for an elevator for an hour, or walking back up 33 flights of stairs (which is usually what I choose to do, since these alarms typically prevent me from making my gym run in the morning). My other option is to put in earplugs and pray that it's a false alarm, which was fortunately the case this week.
On top of having to climb up 33 flights of stairs (with the cat on my shoulder-this photo above is where I left him in the morning, and where he was when I returned from work 11 hours later) in the middle of the night twice this week, my internet connection in my apartment has been down, and my cable in my bedroom is not working. To make matters worse, two of the four elevators in the building have been broken for almost three weeks. This means that the average wait time for an elevator has increased from approximately 30 seconds to about five minutes. This delay doesn't sound like a big inconvenience, and I shouldn't complain - I live in a beautiful, safe luxury apartment in the center of town. Usually, I really do absolutely love living here. I know I will look back on these days in my life fondly, and not regret one minute of living in the building I've called home for almost three years.

But it's been a tough week.

So you can imagine my excitement the other day when, as I was entering my building, I heard the familiar chime of the elevator arriving in the lobby. Not letting my heavy laptop or my heels slow me down, I ran as quickly as I could (without looking ridiculous or falling) to try to catch the elevator. As the elevator doors slammed in my face, I saw my dishevelled reflection in the lobby mirrors. My post-vacation glow from a few weeks ago was definitely beginning to fade.

But what happened next is really where the problem comes in. I slumped into the sofa in the lobby and started searching through my pocketbook for my Blackberry and cell phone. G-d forbid I just sit for a minute...no, now I was determined to make the next five minutes the most productive five minutes I'd had all day. I checked the Blackberry. Then the cell phone. Then the Blackberry. I started thinking about all of the other elements of city life that I'm getting tired of - exhaust from city buses blowing in my face. Making do without a car by schlepping groceries in the freezing cold on my back. The fire alarms. The problems with Comcast. And now, the elevators.

I started thinking about how I should move to a lower floor, or move out of the city. I realized that I had a headache. I thought about how I should considering changing my evening news routine and start watching Rachel Maddow on MSNBC at 9 p.m., rather than Brian Williams at 6:30, since clearly I would be spending the rest of my winter evenings sitting in the lobby, waiting for the elevator.

And with this thought, the elevator came and I made it up to my apartment (in time for Brian Williams).

It's situations like this one that make me wish I had more control over my reactions to everyday situations. Fire alarms, slow walkers, loud cell phone talkers...sarcastic or snide remarks friends make and don't mean. Late trains, delayed airplanes, slow restaurant service. Are these things really so bad? At least it wasn't a real fire. Rittenhouse Square strollers can be slow, but the sidewalks and store fronts are beautiful. Delayed airplanes make flying frustrating, but usually they mean I'm on my way to visit a friend, or see colleagues who I rarely get to see. When service in a restaurant is slow, it can be frustrating, but isn't that how they do it in Europe? Shouldn't we slow down a bit anyway? In the long run, do these things really even matter?

The other day a friend passed along a theory her friend has about not taking things too seriously. "Be unaffected," she said. "Just think, I'm unaffected by this." His theory is to realize that "this" (whatever "this" is) is not really about you. I think this is a very powerful concept. If I could be unaffected by these things, I'd be happy...more patient...more relaxed. Imagine not caring if there's traffic - wouldn't that be great?

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to participate in a Mindfulness training session with one of the professors from the University of Pennsylvania's Stress Management program. During the session, the professor encouraged us to create space between an event and our reaction. Our bodies are programmed to respond to potentially harmful situations with a fight or flight response, so sometimes we need to remind them to slow down, and not launch into attack or avoidance mode so quickly. We are supposed to first stop and think about what happened, then take a breath, and then decide how we'd like to react. Practicing this gives us more control over our reactions, and helps us be more present. Basically, we need to let our bodies know that whatever is happening is a false alarm - it's not really a big deal, and therefor doesn't deserve a "big deal" response.

Of course, this takes practice, but I think there's no better time to start than now. There are such larger things happening. This week, we will have a new president. We will get closer to spring. We may make progress towards peace in Israel. We will see seven sunsets and seven sunrises...

Next time the elevator door closes in my face, or the fire alarm goes off, I will ask myself if it really matters - and will thank G-d that it's just a false alarm. And I will try my best to recognize that life is probably just trying to get me to slow down. I'll try to be thankful that I even have elevators, and a warm apartment...and a job to come home from, and friends and family to come home to. I'll try my best to remember what really matters - and that every day and every moment - even ones spent sitting on the sofa, waiting for a slow elevator - is a blessing.

When Life Gives You Lemons...

Make lemonade!

I will never forget the first time I saw lemon trees in Israel. I was 16, and I remember thinking how amazing it was that people who lived on the Kibbutz we were visiting could eat lemons and avocados straight from the tree, every day. I remember being introduced to carob during the same trip, and being amazed that something that tasted so much like chocolate existed...and grew on trees! I'll also never forget hiking in Cinque Terre, Italy, and being among lemon trees lining the Mediterranean.

When you're some place that beautiful, you can't help but feel completely and utterly beautiful yourself.

Unfortunately, I live pretty far from both Italy and Israel. This week it's FREEZING in Philadelphia, so I decided to go to my favorite local produce store on Sunday, before it got too cold, to buy as many fresh fruits and vegetables as I could carry. Citrus is in season right now, so I grabbed a bunch of lemons to help cheer up my apartment during this cold, dreary week.

Here are 18 things you can do with lemons:

1) Slice them and put them in your water for some added flavor, color and Vitamin C. They'll give your water some more taste and help you ward off a cold.

2) Put leftover lemon slices to good use by throwing them down your garbage disposal. It will make your whole kitchen smell fresh.

3) Display them in a big bowl in the middle of your table. They'll brighten up your whole room.

4) Meyer lemons are really hot right now for some reason. Read about them here on Serious Eats, or get some tips from this Los Angeles Times article, "100 Things to Do with a Meyer Lemon."

5) Squeeze some fresh lemon juice on fish with some salt and pepper.

6) Use lemon juice as a green, chemical-free way to clean your silver (I've never tried this but I've heard that it works).

7) Make this Lemon-Scented Quinoa Salad recipe from 101 Cookbooks (one of my favorite blogs).

8) Exfoliate your feet by mixing lemon pulp and brown sugar. Rub and rinse.

9) Scrub your wooden cutting boards with lemon juice and salt to keep them fresh.

10) Use the juice from a lemon as a salad dressing (or mix it with olive oil and a little bit of honey).

11) Keep bugs away by squirting some lemon juice around pet food to deter ants, cockroaches and fleas.

12) After your washing machine is full with water, add some lemon juice to whiten clothes. It will also make them smell nice and fresh.

13) If you need to freshen your breath and you don't have anything minty, rinse your mouth with lemon juice.

14) Prevent apples from turning brown by tossing them in some fresh lemon juice. I like to serve cheese with apples instead of crackers, and this makes it easy to keep them bright and crispy while I have company over.

15) Put lemon juice in an ice cube tray and freeze - then use the "lemon" cubes in drinks.

16) Make David Lieberman's White Sangria: Use 2 bottles of chilled white wine, 1 cup brandy, 2 sliced navel oranges, 1 sliced lemon, 1 sliced lime, 1 sliced pear, and 1/4 cup superfine sugar. Pour wine and brandy over fruit and sugar in a large serving bowl. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.

17) Put some sliced lemons in your green tea for a boost of anti-oxidants. I love Yogi Green Tea from Trader Joe's - and I don't even typically like green tea!

18) Try making this Lemon Risotto recipe from ItalianVegetarian.blogspot.com.

Treatment of the Day: When life hands you lemons (figuratively or literally), try your best to make lemonade.

Question of the Day: What do you do with lemons?

A Case of the Mondays

Dear Monday,

It's time you and I had a talk. I don't know if you know this, but you are most people's least-favorite day. Since I was in seventh grade you have been keeping me up on Sunday nights, and frankly, all other days are able to stick to their alloted 24 hours so I would expect that you could do the same. You make me nervous, you're overbearing, and you always just put me in a really bad mood - even though on all other days I am a pretty positive person!

When I'm on vacation everything else tends to settle down, but somehow you gain momentum. This past Sunday, after ten whole days off from work, I did my best to ignore you. I went for a run, cleaned my apartment...I did everything in my power to exhaust myself so the thought of you did not keep me up at night. But at the end of the day, I could not stop thinking about you. Even worse, when I arrived at work on Monday, I realized that I wasn't alone - you kept everyone up on Sunday night! You're even keeping Ellen DeGeneres up! (Listen below)

Enough is enough. This first week of 2009, I'm putting an end to it. Because I've realized that Monday, when it comes down to it, your bark is much bigger than your bite. When you finally arrive, nothing happens. In fact, you probably only have the best intentions. After all, you're just trying to get us back on schedule and help us keep our cyclical calendar moving - something that I, as a Type A planner, greatly appreciate. In 2009 I will try to remember your positive attributes, and how quickly you come and go. And even if you do turn out to be as scary as you seem, I'll try to remember that Tuesday is your neighbor, and that Friday is never too far away.

Treatment of the Week: Meditate

Take six minutes (I promise, six minutes and forty-two seconds to be exact - you can spare it) and practice this Jewish meditation and breathing exercise by Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburg from Inner.org. Just close your eyes, listen to the nice music, and start breathing slowly and deeply.

Question of the Week: What helps you fall asleep at night?

Camp Reunion

This week I went to Brooklyn to spend some much-needed girl time with my two favorite people! The amount of talking we did in the 24 hours we had together would astound any man, but would probably bring back wonderful memories of late nights at camp and slumber parties for any woman. Although we've grown up over the years, we've never grown tired of talking for hours on end - and we will never get too old to have sleepovers. When we're together we participate in very few activities - anything that involves thought or moving would distract us from all of the catching up we need to do! So we tend to revert to the few simple things that entertained us when we were 13 - painting our nails, laughing, listening to music (click here to hear our most-listened to song from growing up), and talking about boys. Here is a look at our girls-only weekend:

Number of...

1
Trips we made to the Flatbush Food Co-op

4
Veggie-friendly dishes we cooked for dinner (spaghetti squash with garlic and olive oil, roasted eggplant, spinach salad with berries and nuts, & guacamole)

1
Bottle of Pepperwood Pino Noir we drank

3
Times we listened to the Putumayo Presents: Africa CD (so much fun!)

About once every five minutes
Times we laughed

1
Times we were completely hysterical, crying because we were laughing so hard

Way too many
Beauty products we had collectively, including some of my favorites: Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy Sleep Pillow Mist in Warm Milk and Honey; Avalon Organic Botanicals Lavendar Hand and Body Lotion; Dejavu Manicure Kit with Dead Sea Green Tea Lotion; A Crash Course in Skincare Face Mask from Lush (they have the BEST masks); and Johnson & Johnson Shea and Cocoa Butter Baby Wash

3
Cups of Bigelow Mango Chamomile tea we drank

0
Times we left the apartment

1.5
Air mattresses and sofa pillows the three of us slept on

2
Books we flipped through, including Camp Camp by Roger Bennett and Jules Shell (you MUST go buy this if you went to overnight camp), and That's Funny, You Don't Look Like a Buddhist - on Being a Faithful Jew and a Passionate Buddhist by Sylvia Barstein

8
Minutes we spent collectively talking to our significant others on the phone

And lastly, I've thought about how lucky I am to have friends like these about a million times.

Treatment of the Week: Do what made you happy when you were little.

I read a quote once that said that you should think about the things that you loved to do when you were ten and start doing them again. Did you love to watch thunderstorms, or have sleep-overs with your girlfriends, or eat macaroni and cheese? Try to remember one of those things and do them this week.

Question of the Week: Some of our favorite products are listed above. What can't you live without?