Food Recall (Israel)

פודלי רטבים מוצרי מזון בע"מ is recalling several mislabeled products. they are wrongly labeled "gluten free".

The affected products by the פודלי company are:

Spaghetti Sauce (720 grams)
Pizza Sauce (750 grams)
Sweet Chili Sauce (700 grams)

They are not gluten-free. All production dates are included in this recall.

Consumers are being asked to return the products to the store where they purchased them for a credit.

(expired) Style J 30% off (coupon code)

My favorite skirt company has a great sale code - good for 2 days only!
(Oct 29-31, only)

Use code TG30S to get 30% off your order of $50+ from Style J!

Happy skirt shopping...

Not quite price wars in Megdal Ha'emek

I noticed that Kimat Chinam in Migdal Ha'emek is selling whole chickens for 8 shekels/kg - which is the best price I've seen around. They also had deals on various other chicken parts.

Today, a friend mentioned that Shufersal in Migdal Ha'emek, which is right next door to Osher Ad, is selling whole chickens for 8 shekels/kg, legs and thighs (kirayim) for 15 shekels/kg and in addition, a whole bunch of vegetables are priced at 89 agurot, until the end of October.

Woohoo! I think I will go stock up, as I'm not likely to find better prices. And since it's the Emek, I highly doubt the store will be crowded...

If anyone around here hears of a good deal like this, either here in the Emek or in Tiberias, PLEASE let me know!

Thanks so much!

Book shopping time

I truly love books. I love old books, and new books. I have books in my house that I have read over and over again...

But I always need more. Or my kids need more...

Lately, our local second hand shop has been selling most of their used books for just 10 shekel, but it's really hit or miss. I'll find a really wonderful kids' book, but it will be practically falling apart. Or there are a bunch of novels in English, but nothing that I would find myself reading...

In comes the internet.

And Better World Books - they have a great promo right now! Buy 4 or more used books and get 20% off (if shipped within the US) or 15% off if shipped internationally. Free worldwide shipping!

Hurry - sale ends SOON!

Negative Income Tax (Israel)

Just a friendly reminder about the negative income tax for 2011. The deadline to file based upon your 2011 earnings has been extended to November 30th.

It's easy. Just go into the post office (not all post offices do all tasks, please verify which branch to use), with your Teudat Zehut and your bank account information (take a check, everything they need is on there, or get a letter from your bank, the banker will have a form to fill out and stamp if you don't have a check. Just knowing your account # and branch # isn't enough, it needs to be "official".). Let the clerk know that you want to apply for "mas shleelee". Answer a few questions, and then go home. Your approval may take a few weeks, and you'll be given instructions for checking the status online.

This program is open to people who earned, on average, no less than 2040 shekels per month and no more than 6645 shekels per month. Even if some months you earned more, if you were unemployed or under-employed for part of the time, you may qualify. In some cases, people who are (legally) self-employed qualify as well... If you were employed by a relative, you are not allowed to claim this benefit.

If you have questions about it, call the tax authority at *4954.

Check it out and see!

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

B'hatzlacha.

Recall - Canned Peas (Israel)

The Ministry of Health has issued a recall for Yachin brand canned peas, with expiration dates of 4/2014 and 5/2014.

The product may contain small stones mixed in with peas.

The recalled items have been removed from store shelves, but anyone who has them at home is asked to contact the company to arrange a refund or replacement.

Use their Hebrew online form, or their English online form, or call  04-659-5555

Amazing Resource

Need a cellphone for your trip to America?

There's a Gmach for that.

Need a car seat for a new baby?

There's a Gmach for that.

Need business advice?

There's a Gmach for that.

Need a wedding gown?

There's a Gmach for that.

I think you figured out where I'm going...

There is a HUGE list of Gmachim available, over at Gmachnet.

Need something? Consider borrowing it from the Gmach! Gmachim pool resources, and really help people save money.


P.S. I have no connection with the Gmachnet people, I just stumbled across their site and LOVED it!

Seeds

Someone was asking where to buy vegetable seeds to start a little garden here in Israel.

I'm all for gardening, if it won't be wasted effort and water - I know I have rarely had success growing things because I am just not dedicated enough to my plants! Something to work on when my kids are a little older and independent, I think.

Anyhow, I was searching for a good place for her to buy some interesting seeds, when I stumbled across a company advertising seeds. They (א.ב. זרעים) are selling Monsanto seeds - a whole variety of them. Tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, cucumbers, melons, and more. In other words, Monsanto is marketing seeds for vegetable varieties used ALL THE TIME in Israeli cuisine.

This is very troubling to me. I don't think that the answer to the world's food crisis lies in GMO food. Recent studies show that since the introduction of Round-Up ready Corn (Monsanto's corn), the use of Round-up increased by 11%. Round up is a chemical herbicide which causes environmental damage to fragile eco-systems.

You can read more about it, and get a better idea of what is going on with Round-up and GMO seeds... 

And you can buy seeds from other sources - Eden Seeds, Organi-Grow, and My Garden.

Will you be growing your own vegetables?

Does this concern you?

 

Announcement

I am so pleased to let you all know my first article on Joy of Kosher is up!

Please go on over to the Joy of Kosher site and let me know what you think!

I'd love it if you could leave comments on my article there!

Warm Coats

Even though it doesn't feel like winter in my neck of the woods yet, I know it's not far off. And I am so grateful that we have warm blankets, sweaters, coats, tights - all that we need to stay warm.

I recently heard that there are groups of soldiers who do not have warm coats issued to them. Apparently, there is a lack of funding fothem.

So I am taking a break from my usual food and money-saving talk, to ask you to consider joining in the International Young Israel Movement's Campaign to buy warm, weatherproof jackets for a group of soldiers.

More information below:


While we are warm on winter nights a group of 300 brave Israeli
soldiers are protecting the Tomb of the Patriachs in the city of our
forefathers - Hebron. These brave young men and women neither
sleep nor slumber on duty. They are in need of water proof fleece
jackets (Cost=$70). This is your opportunity to partner with us in
showing our appreciation!

IDF Soldiers Winter campaign - you can make a donation here:
https://www.iyim.org.il/payments/secure.asp ?

p.s You can specify that the donations is for Soldier's Coats.

Price Wars in Modi'in

I am hearing rumors of a price war between Rami Levi and Shufersal in Modiin (in the Yeshpro Center?), with Mega joining in by lowering the price of chicken to 1.99/kg.

And Shufersal is selling cucumbers for 17 ag/kg, onions for 19 ag/kg, and tomatoes for 29 ag/kg?!

Has anyone seen this?

I won't be traveling to Modi'in to shop, but those of you around there, please confirm what I'm hearing!
It's ok, I'll live with the jealousy, and I will not hold it against you, don't worry.

Subsidized Solar Water Heaters

The Israeli government is planning to sponsor a program to replace 14,500 electrical water heating units with solar powered ones, at a highly subsidized price.

The new units will come with an 8-yr warranty, and will be reduced in price, but restrictions will apply.

They estimate that for families who currently only use electrical water heaters, savings will average 1000 shekels per year after the upgrade. That means the new water heater will quickly "pay for itself"/

As soon as I hear that the program is accepting registrations, I will let you know!!

Sorry

I haven't posted to this blog in a few days. I don't know how that happened!

I am in a rut. Annoyed that food prices just go up and up, but my bank account is not following suit.

My kids are picky.

I'm bored with picky kid food.

I'm trying to stay focused. Sorry.

Anyhow, I have had a busy, overwhelming day. I just want to go to a spa.

Instead, I'm cooking.

Tonight's quick supper:

Vegetable-noodle soup
Rice
Stir fried vegetables (I love how stir fries can be so versatile, using whatever I have available!)
Peaches

Free Shipping Deal!

iHerb, one of my favorite sites - I buy all sorts of hard-to-find items from them, is now offering FREE DHL Global Mail for international orders over $40!

So go ahead and check them out. We get all sorts of good stuff from them, for far less money than the local health food or specialty store. And, now, with free shipping for orders over $40, it's an even better deal!

You can save an additional $5 - $10 off your first order when you use my referral code - QEJ101 - at checkout!

Enjoy!

Super Fast Garlic Bread Sticks

I needed something to round out a meal, and I immediately thought of garlic bread. Of course, I had no bread around, and no time to wait for a yeast dough to rise.

So...

I threw together my homemade whole wheat biscuit recipe, and instead of cutting circles, I cut it into strips. I slathered olive oil on my baking pan, and I transferred the biscuit strips to the pan, then flipped each strip, so there was now olive oil on both sides, and some funny shapes, that the kids loved.

I sprinkled the tops with freshly crushed garlic.

I baked them at 450 F in a convection oven, for 10 min.

And we had quick-bread breadsticks that got devoured!

Discounted Books with free worldwide shipping

Did you say books?
Did you say discount?
Did you say free shipping?

Oh my gosh. Those are high on my favorites list!

All of them. Right now. At Better World Books.

Get 15% off your purchase of 4 or more used books (conditions apply).

Gotta go. I must get some of the books on our wish list before they are gone!


This post contains an affiliate link. It won't cost you anything, but if you click thru and make a purchase, I will get a small commission. Thanks in advance!

Little Challah Bakers

My girls wanted to take responsibility for our challot this week, so each braided 3 challot, and I made a bunch of rolls. This way we should be good to go not only for Shmini Atzeret (only one day in Israel, folks!), but we should be set for Shabbat too!




Here are the results!


These (to the right) were braided by my 7 year old. She REALLY wanted to learn how to braid a round challah, so I taught her that technique. She did it all herself though.










And these (to the left) were braided by my 4 year old, with a bit of help from her big sister.

Lookin' good, I think!








Chag Sameyach Everyone! Even though I really do love chag, I am looking forward to seeing you on the other side, when we can start to get back to some sort of normal life!

Free e-books!

More free e-books!

Sweet Potato and Carmelized Onion Kugel

I like sweet potatoes, and the price has come down lately. My family, however, just doesn't enjoy sweet potatoes the way I do. I really don't know why!!

my sweet potato pile

I wanted to come up with a something made with sweet potatoes that the others would enjoy too, and so far 3 of my 4 children are happy with my new kugel.

So I have this pile of sweet potatoes, that I got for a pretty great price (5 shekel/kg), and I decided that now is the time to make a bunch of kugels for the freezer.






Here's the recipe, enough for 1 kugel in a casserole size pan.

2 good size sweet potatoes, diced and steamed (I use a steamer basket in a pot on the stove)

2 good size onions, sliced or diced, cooked in a heavy pan (I used my cast iron pan, my favorite) with olive oil till they begin to carmelize.

2 eggs
2 cups non-dairy "milk" - I use either soymilk or coconut milk
1/4 c. ground flaxseeds

basil (lots), salt, and pepper


First spread the sweet potato out, covering the bottom of the pan. Then, layer the carmelized onions on top of the sweet potatoes.

Mix the eggs, non dairy milk, flaxseed, and seasonings together. (mix very well)

Pour the mixture over the sweet potatoes and onions.

Bake for about 1 hour at 425 F.

Let me know what you think!

2 more...

Free e-books!

A bunch of free e-books! Grab them quickly, as the prices change all the time.


 

Homemade Cream Cheese - 2 options

My family loves cream cheese. Seriously. Before we made aliyah, that was me that used to buy out all the cream cheese whenever it was on sale!

Here, though, cream cheese is far more expensive, so it feels like a real indulgence, but sometimes we just HAVE to have it, especially for Pesach!

A friend told me she buys sour cream and drains off the whey to make something that tastes like cream cheese. I was looking at the sour cream in the store, and there it was, right next to the cheaper "Gil" and "Eshel" leben packages. I've taken to using Gil anytime a recipe calls for sour cream, as it is cheaper AND lower in fat.

So, it was time to experiment!

I added a bit of salt to 2 containers of Gil, lined a strainer with a basket style coffee filter, placed it over a bowl to catch the whey that drains off, and filled the lined strainer with Gil. Then I covered it with cheesecloth so nothing would fall into it (like bugs) and let it drain. After about 1/2 -1 hour, I moved it to the fridge, and let it drain overnight.

I pulled back the cheesecloth to show you what it looks like while draining

By morning it was nice and thick and very much cream-cheese-like.

And SO much cheaper than those little containers of cream cheese that sell here for a fortune!

I also tried it out with sour cream. Same exact process, except that if it's not hot, I leave it to drain overnight outside the fridge, and then move it to the fridge for up to 24 hrs before transferring it to a container.

Over time, I've decided this works best with sour cream. I buy the 500g containers, for about 6 shekels. It's so easy and inexpensive! (look for a tub labeled "shamenet")

Let me know what you think!

Sukkot Savings!

Doing some tiyulim/touring this Sukkot?

Don't forget to find coupons for your favorite attractions.

Some great places to look include:

Cuponofesh
 
Tzofit

Ligdol

I have found a coupon on one of these sites nearly every time we've decided to go do some expensive, touristy activity!

It also pays to check the attraction's website, some places post coupons online on their own sites.

Have fun, and moadim l'simcha!