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Entries from April 2008

Mushroom Olive Compote

April 29th, 2008 · No Comments

I make this simple (but time consuming) dish for Passover every year. It’s not a Passover dish persay but it’s become a tradition. Some of my guests count on it being there. Use quality ingredients and watch the cooking methods and this dish will be perfect. Otherwise, it can be bland or just really off. […]

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Categories: Food · Recipes · Vegetable Dishes
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Traditional Ashkenazi Charoset

April 28th, 2008 · No Comments

If you ask an Ashkenazi Jew (of Eastern/Central European origin, most American Jews) the recipe for charoset, you will generally get one answer: chopped apples, honey, wine, nuts (walnuts and pecans are popular), and (often) cinnamon. This version is so popular that many Haggadahs list it as such and I’ve had Jews tell me it […]

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Categories: Desserts · Food · Judaism · Passover · Recipes · Religion & Holidays · Spreads & Dips
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Homemade Gluten-Free Passover Matzoh

April 26th, 2008 · 15 Comments

This year, I made my own Passover matzoh. Why on earth? Because Miriam and I don’t do well with gluten (we can cheat once in a while, but not two days in a row). So I wanted it to be gluten-free. Matzoh (aka matzah, matza, matzo) used during a Passover seder must come from one […]

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Categories: Food · Grains · Judaism · Passover · Recipes · Religion & Holidays
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Beet Borscht

April 23rd, 2008 · No Comments

Borscht is a Russian and Jewish beet soup that can be made with or without meat, served hot or cold. The cold versions are often served with sour cream (unless it’s a Jewish recipe and it has meat). There are many variations. The addition of ginger and carrots is my own invention, though I doubt […]

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Categories: Food · Passover · Recipes · Soups
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Macadamia Nut Torte

April 23rd, 2008 · 4 Comments

I made this lovely torte (or is it a tart? or maybe a cheesecake?) for Passover this year. It was a gamble, since we had never made it before, and didn’t have much of a recipe to go on, but it came out wonderful. Many thanks to Jessica of Foodlab for the idea. The original […]

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Categories: Desserts · Food · Recipes
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Natural Products Expo West – March 2008

April 17th, 2008 · 5 Comments

I go to Expo West for my soap business, Tikvah Organics but, for the past several years, Michael and Miriam have joined me and we turn it into a vacation. Miriam charms exhibitors by asking for seconds of foods like pickled herring, I make business contacts and get to stuff myself silly with the latest […]

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Categories: Event Venues · Places to Go
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Surviving voluntary chemical exposures

April 13th, 2008 · 2 Comments

Multiple chemical sensitivity is a lovely disease. With a lot of other disabilities, the issue of access is simply that: getting in. With MCS, it’s all about survival. Like anyone else who doesn’t remain homebound, I get whammed once in a while. Depending on what the chemical is, I’m usually okay after a few minutes […]

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Categories: Family Life · Health · Judaism · Religion & Holidays
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Safer cosmetics I found at Expo West

April 13th, 2008 · 5 Comments

As I wandered the dozens of aisles at Expo West 2008, I collected information on nontoxic makeup. This is hardly a comprehensive review. I haven’t included brands I already knew well, or even every brand I saw. Just a handful of new or interesting products to share with you all. Information is based on company […]

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Categories: House & Home · Personal Care
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A pan-fried, egg-free, omelet stuffed tortilla pie frittata. With onions

April 9th, 2008 · 2 Comments

A couple of months ago, I found myself at the Berkeley Farmer’s Market, by the Primavera Tortilla stand. Primavera is a Sonoma County-based company that makes their own masa (tortilla/tamale dough) from organic stoneground corn. The handmade tortillas looked good but were pricey (and the fancy flavored ones had dairy) so I bought a bag […]

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Categories: Breads & Savory Cakes · Food · Food Product Reviews · Main Dishes · Recipes
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Boys & Girls Club of Petaluma

April 9th, 2008 · No Comments

When it came time for Miriam’s 3rd birthday party, we didn’t know where to hold it. Our house is too small and full of cats. The weather is too iffy to plan something outdoors. And we can’t stand most of the venues that turn children’s parties into entertainment extravagances. Fortunately, we discovered the Boys and […]

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Categories: Indoor Playspaces · Places to Go
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Miriam the Spot Stealer

April 8th, 2008 · 1 Comment

Why I don’t get enough sleep. This is what happens when I get up in the wee hours to use the bathroom…

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Categories: Family Life
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Bean Salad

April 6th, 2008 · 2 Comments

My go-to dish. Super easy to make and Miriam’s favorite. If you ask her favorite food, she’ll tell you “kidney beans!!!!!” Normally I like to make beans from scratch, but it’s hard with a bunch of different kinds (because they require different cooking times). So canned is loads easier. Recipe: 4 cans of plain whole […]

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Categories: Food · Recipes · Vegetable Dishes
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Rockfish Stew

April 4th, 2008 · 1 Comment

Rock fish, rock cod, plain cod…I don’t know. But it made a tasty stew. I got fillets at Costco. Don’t fuss over ingredients. I made this out of what I found in my fridge and freezer. Next time I’ll make it with completely different vegetables. And why are there 4 carrots in the picture but […]

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Categories: Food · Main Dishes · Recipes · Soups
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Slushies (and frozen strawberries)

April 3rd, 2008 · No Comments

When I was at the Marin County Fair on July 4th, 2007, one of the booths was promoting healthy eating for kids and they had samples of a blender drink. All fruit (no juice) and no added sugar. It was fabulous on that blindingly hot day (about 100*F). Their slushie recipe: Ice cubes (between 1/3 […]

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Categories: Desserts · Food · Recipes · Snacks
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Baba Ghanoush

April 3rd, 2008 · No Comments

This lovely eggplant dip or spread is quite easy to make and there are a lot of variations (even more so than for the spelling). I don’t follow an exact recipe. I just do it by taste. Ingredients: Eggplant (globe is best but you can use any kind; leave the skin on) Tahini Lemon juice […]

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Categories: Food · Recipes · Spreads & Dips
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