Recall - Sucralose

Sweet and Light, Ltd (Matok V'Kal) has announced a recall of the following product:

Brand: Matok V'Kal
Product: Sucra Diet, sucralose based sweetener
Size: packages of 100 individual servings
Barcode: ending in 518220
Expiration Date: 28/09/19

The product is being recalled due to a production issue - the packets do not contain sweetener!

Please return the product to the store where purchased, or call the company at 04-623-1515 to arrange for your refund.

Vacation and Fun Day Deals!

(This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission when you make a purchase. Thanks for your support!) 

Kosherfrugal.com and Janglo have teamed up to bring you some great Groupon deals you don't want to miss!

This fall, you can save BIG with discount vouchers and savings - the links in this post will take you to discount deals for each place listed. Hurry, some deals sell out quickly!

Exclusive Deal:

Get 10% off at the Maimonides Puzzle Room in Tiberias. Use code "Kosherfrugal" when you make your reservation! Reservations required. Call 053-530-3018 to reserve your time slot.

Other Deals (mostly Groupon):

Here's an Eilat vacation at the Be Center Hotel in Eilat! Just 195nis per night (for 2 people. including breakfast. The hotel has an outdoor pool.)! There are also options for 2 adults plus a child, or for 3 adults in a room. Only available for a short while longer! You must call the hotel within 12 hrs of purchasing your Groupon in order to confirm the reservation.

Stay at the La Playa Plus Hotel in Eilat - just 285nis per couple, including breakfast. The hotel has a pool and kiddie pool. Available dates: 4-9.11, 11-16.11, 18-23.11, 25-30.11, 2-7.12, 9-13.12, 19-21.12

Vacation in Eilat for 249nis per night, at the Red Sea Hotel (price is for 2 people in a double room) - includes breakfast.Groupon valid thru the end of the year, for weeknight stays only (weeknights are defined as Sat. nights - Wed. night). The hotel has a pool and a private beach.

Ice Skating in Eilat, 49nis Groupon valid for 60 days from date of purchase, includes skate rental
BRING SOCKS!!!

Scuba Diving in Eilat - 199nis for 1, 389nis for 2, 579nis for 3. Glass bottomed Kayaking is included in the ticket for 2.
For ages 8+. Reservations required.

Crazy Shark in Eilat - 39nis for 1, 77nis for 2, 154nis for 4 (over half off!)
Groupon valid for 90 days from date of purchase. Reservations required.

Combo ticket for 3 water attractions: Banana Boating, Crazy Shark and Giant Sup - 89nis for 1 person, 177nis for 2, and 349nis for 4
Reservations required

50% off ice cream at Aldo Ice Cream at the Queen of Sheba Mall in Eilat. (You'll definitely want ice cream in Eilat!)
Groupon valid for 60 days from date of purchase. Can be redeemed Sun-Thursday, noon-10pm, Friday from noon until 1 hr before Shabbat, and Sat. nights from 1 hr after Shabbat until 10pm

Babylon Kids (playplace) at the Ice Mall in Eilat. Groupon valid thru the end of the year. Ages 6month - 9 yrs old. SOCKS are REQUIRED

Ride the Roller Coaster at the Ice Mall! 25nis for 1 person, 49nis for 2.
Ages 5+. (reservations required, no matter how odd that sounds)

7D movie at the Ice Mall, for 40nis per person

If you wanted to head North instead:

Here's a zimmer deal in Moshav Devorah (near Afula), for 279nis per night. Groupon valid thru the end of the year, but there is an additional fee for weekend nights. I'm not getting the feeling this is a fancy place, but it DOES have an outdoor pool!

Treat yourself to a "yom pinuk" at Chamei Teverya, for a really great price! Ages 12+. Groupon valid for 60 days from date of purchase. You can add massages to the package for 20% off the list price when you go.

Here's a Segway tour in the north at Montfort Lake! Ages 16+, closed shoes required. 65nis for one person, 129nis for two.

Water fun at the Swell Surfing Club in Nahariya or Acco, starting at 50nis for an hour. You must reserve your slot in advance.

Boating in Nahariya! 69 nis per person. Groupon can only be redeemed Sun-Thurs (7am - 7pm) or Fri (8am - 2pm) with advance reservations

Here's a combo ticket for fun at Montfort Lake - entrance to the park, the extreme park, and the ice skating rink - all for just 79nis.

Visit Dvorat Hatavor! Find out all about bees and honey! You must make reservations.

Want to go Jet-skiing? Here's a Groupon deal for that at the Kinneret! Choose between the single or the couples deal

Check out these "tracteronim" for kids (ages 4-12), or the adult version (the kids ones are 15 min long, the adult ones are 1 hr or longer). Not valid on holidays, please call before you buy to be sure your date is available

Here's a Groupon for the Petting Zoo at Kibbutz Deganya! Just 21nis per person.

Here are deals in the rest of the country you should see!:


Here's a deal for the Malka Hotel in Jerusalem - starting at 299nis per couple per night (does not include any meals). Groupon valid thru the end of the year. You must call to reserve your stay within 48 hrs of purchasing this deal.

Laser Tag in Jerusalem! Reservations required. 

Segway tours of Jerusalem (night tours). Restrictions apply

Expand your cooking know-how with a Bread baking workshop, or Italian Cuisine workshop!

Yum! Do a Chocolate Workshop in Kfar Chasidim!

Check out the Biankini Beach at the Dead Sea! This deal gets you in on a weekday, for under 40nis per person. There's an additional charge at the gate for Fridays. Groupon valid thru the end of the year.

Visit the Monkey Sanctuary in Ya'ar Ben Shemen for 30% off the regular price. Groupon valid thru November 30. Children under 2 get in free with a parent.

Check out this Paragliding deal at Top Sky (Sharon area)!
You must reserve your slot before you go.

If you are planning an Escape Room outing, be sure to check out all the rooms that have Groupon deals:

For Tel Aviv area click here
For Herzliya and Petach Tikva click here
For Haifa area click here
For Rishon L'Tzion and Rechovot click here
For Eilat click here
For Ashkelon, Be'er Sheva, Sderot click here


Click here for Restaurant Deals!
Click here for Shopping Deals!

Join my Facebook Group for Deals Everyday! Be sure to share this post with your friends - friends don't let friends overpay!

Restaurant and other Food Deals!

(This post contains affiliate links, and I may be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking a link. Thanks in advance for your support!)  

Kosherfrugal.com and Janglo have teamed up to bring you some great Groupon deals you don't want to miss!

This post focuses exclusively on kosher restaurants and take-out food, so if you're going to splurge, you can now afford to splurge a little more, with discount vouchers and savings. I keep checking for new deals, especially in the Jerusalem area. I know you've been waiting for new deals and this week there are a few new ones to check out! Be sure to check the Facebook group so you don't miss out!

Also, Janglo Beteavone has a great selection of restaurant coupons. Be sure to check http://shop.beteavone.com for deals you won't find anywhere else! But supplies are extremely limited, so hurry before they're gone.

Make sure you feed your pets too - check out this discount voucher for Anipet. Valid at stores around the country, thru the end of December.

Here's a deal for a Gift Basket of Spices from Neveh HaTavlin, valid thru November 30th. Pick up in Netanya, or call the company to arrange for delivery for an additional 34nis (up to 5 baskets can be delivered to one address for this price). Choose from the packages that cost 49nis, 59nis, or 89nis each.

Tel Aviv and Nearby:

Chiripom Chef's Restaurant in Tel Aviv - starting at 179nis for dinner for 2. Voucher valid thru Nov. 15, Sun - Thurs. noon - 11:30pm. Reservations required.

Gelato Factory in Rishon - starting at 10nis! Groupon valid for 60 days from date of purchase.

Cafe Yafo at Shuk Hapishpushim in Tel Aviv - get your 60nis voucher for just 30nis! Groupon valid thru Dec. 31, 2017, but not during Chanukah. Not valid for takeaway. Up to 2 vouchers can be used per table, and each person must have their own voucher (you cannot use one voucher to order a meal to share, sorry). During breakfast hours, only one voucher per table will be accepted.

Breakfast Buffet at the Rimonim Tower in Ramat Gan - 59nis for 1, or 115nis for 2. Valid for 30 days from date of purchase. Reservations required. Breakfast buffet is open from 7am - 10am, Sun- Fri

Breakfast Buffet at the Leonardo Boutique Hotel in Rechovot - 59nis for 1, or 115nis for 2. Valid until Oct. 30, but not on Fridays. Reservations required. Breakfast buffet is open from 8am - noon, Sun-Thurs

Dinner for 2 at Mifgash HaSteak (new!) on Ibn Gvirol in Tel Aviv - for 129nis (128nis if you hurry!). Max 4 people at a table with Groupons. Voucher valid thru Dec 15. Can be redeemed Sun-Thurs 6pm-11pm and Sat nights from 1 hr after Shabbat ends until midnight. Reserve your table in advance.

Pizza Hemeshulash in Rishon - get a family size pizza with topping for 24nis or an XL pizza with topping for 30nis! Good for 90 days from date of purchase, but not on Fridays. Can be redeemed Sun-Thurs 9am-11pm and Sat nights till 11pm. There's a surcharge for takeaway.

Dinner for 2 at Derby Bar Dagim in Tel Aviv for 209nis. Reservations required. Max 3 Groupons per table. Voucher can be used Sun - Thurs, noon - 11pm. Valid until Nov. 10.

Dinner for 2 at Hilulim (mehadrin) restaurant in Tel Aviv at the border of Holon, for 169nis. Reservations required. Max 5 Groupons per table. Voucher can be used Sun - Thurs, noon - 11pm. Valid until Nov. 10, but not on Rosh Chodesh (blackout dates listed in the deal).

Save 50% at Cafe Paradiso TLV. Can be used Sun-Thurs 9am - 6pm and Fri 9am-11am. Breakfast menu is available till 1pm. Voucher valid thru Oct 30.

Chumus (or Shakshuka) plate at Levinsky 41 in Tel Aviv, 18nis for 1 person, or 34nis for 2. Can be used Sun-Thurs 9am - 6pm and Fri 9am-two hours before Shabbat. Voucher valid thru Dec 15.

Jerusalem:

Desserts from "BaTa" in downtown Jerusalem - deals start at just 13nis! (It is kosher, I checked, even though Groupon doesn't specify that it is). Groupon valid for 60 days from date of purchase, BUT it says to call ahead!

Shakshuk in Machane Yehuda - 58nis for 2! Groupon valid for 60 days from date of purchase. Can be redeemed Mon - Thurs, 8am - 4:30pm, and Fridays 8am - 1pm

Montefoire (Dairy, Italian) in Yemin Moshe - Starting at 229nis for 2. Groupon valid for 60 days from date of purchase. Max 6 Groupons per table. Valid Sun-Thurs, 11am - 9pm and Fridays 11am - 2pm. Reservations required. 

Mehadrin Cheese Platters from Maccabi Gvinot in Givat Shaul (French cheeses), starting at 149nis. Treat yourself to decadence! Groupon valid thru the end of November. You must order your platter one day in advance, and pick up from Givat Shaul.

Workshops (meat cooking/butchery) at Ktzizot - including a "Carnivore's meal" and a glass of wine, for 139nis! Groupon valid for 60 days from date of purchase. Reservations required. Workshops take place on Mon, Tues, and Thurs, at 6pm and last for 2 hrs.

Takeout for Shabbat/Chag from Ulamei Atzula in Talpiot. Full catered meal for 10 people for 599nis. you must place your order 2 days in advance. Valid thru the end of October

Pescados - (Jerusalem) Lunch for two for just 139nis! Or the Dinner deal for 44% off regular price (your choice of party of 2, or party of 4). 

Buffet Dinner at the Crowne Plaza Hotel (Jerusalem). 1 for 99nis / 2 for 195nis. Groupon valid Sun - Thurs 6:30pm - 9pm. Not valid on Fridays, Shabbat, Holiday eves, or Holidays.

Breakfast Buffet at the Shani Hotel (center of town) - for 49nis (1 person) or 97nis (2 people). Groupon valid for 60 days from date of purchase.

Get half off at Ta'im B'Kerem. Sun - Wed, 4pm - 9pm or Thursday 4pm -8pm. Reservations required. Valid for 60 days from date of purchase.

Ta'im BaKerem (Shabbat Takeout, Jerusalem. Half Price Vouchers) Groupon valid on Fridays, from 8:30am - 2:30pm. There's also a dinner voucher, for 59nis, which can be redeemed Sun - Wed, 4-9pm or Thurs 4-8pm.
 

Haifa and North:

Japan! Japan! in Kiryat Ata, for 50% off! Groupon valid thru Dec. 3. Can be redeemed Sun- Thurs, 11am - 7pm, and Fridays 11am - 3pm

Takeout food for Shabbat from Pataio Catering in Tirat HaCarmel - get a 100nis voucher for just 50nis! 

Breakfast Buffet Deals at the Colony Hotel in Haifa - 49nis for 1, 95nis for 2, or 180nis for 4.

Breakfast Buffet at the Leonardo Hotel in Haifa - 79nis for 1/149nis for 2. Valid thru Dec. 31. Can be used Sun-Thurs, 7-10am. Not valid on holidays or erev chag

Sinta Bar (Kiryat Ata) at Kenyon Shaar Hatzafon, Burger meal for 2, for 76nis. Includes 2 burgers, one order of fries, and 2 drinks. Voucher valid for 60 days from date of purchase, and call in advance.

Shela Restaurant (Kiryat Motzkin), for 79nis per couple. Limit 2 vouchers per table. Voucher valid for 90 days from date of purchase, with advance reservations.

Sweet Dream Ice Cream Shop in Lev Hamifratz (Cinemall) for half price! Valid for 90 days from date of purchase. Can be redeemed Sun-Thurs till 9:30am - 9:30pm, Fridays 9am - 2pm, and Sat night from half and hour after Shabbat until 10:30pm 

Two Felafels with French Fries at Olam HaOchel, (or two omelet pitot with french fries) for just 19nis! Valid for 60 days from date of purchase. Can be redeemed Sun-Thurs till 9am - 5pm, Fridays 8am - 3pm

50% off at Ta'im L'Chulam in Haifa!

Shaytel (Badatz, Machpud meats) in Nahariya - for just 99nis for 2! Valid Sun - Thurs 11am - 10pm. Max. 3 Groupons per table. Groupon valid for 60 days from date of purchase 

Olam Ha'Ochel in Haifa (meat restaurant, with tons of salads for the table) for just 35nis per person. Groupon valid for 90 days from date of purchase, and only from 8am - 5:30pm (Sun-Thurs) or 8am - 4pm Fridays. limit 8 Groupons per table. 

Sushi Dinner for two at Frangelico in Akko, for 88nis. Valid thru Nov 30. Note: the dinner deal has a set menu, you cannot ask for variations. Voucher can be redeemed Sun - Thurs, 11:30am - 9:30pm, Fri 11:30am - 2:30pm, or Sat. night from an hour after Shabbat ends until 10:30pm

Breakfast for 2 at the Ramada Resort, Hadera, for 139nis. Valid thru Oct 30. There are blackout dates (cannot be used during Sukkot, or Fri-Sat, and more). Reservations required.

South:

Lunch at "Space" in Moshav Amonim - 139nis for 1, 279nis for 2, or 549nis for 4. Voucher valid thru Jan. 31, 2018. Check for blackout dates, and reservations required. Generally valid Sun-Thurs noon - 5:30pm or Fridays noon - 2pm

Pizza HaGesher in Be'er Sheva (Mehadrin) - Get an XL pie for just 29nis! Sun - Thurs, 11am - 8pm, and Fridays 11am - 4pm. Groupon valid for 60 days from date of purchase

Breakfast Buffet at the Leonardo Plaza in Ashdod: 59nis for one, or 116nis for two. Voucher valid until November 11. Can be redeemed Sun-Thurs 6:30am - 10:30am, with advance reservations ONLY

Atza Sushi Bar (Kiryat Gat) - half price vouchers (pay 25nis, get a 50nis voucher). Voucher valid for 60 days from date of purchase. Limit one voucher per person. Redeem your voucher any of the following times: Sun - Thurs, 2pm- 10pm, Fri 11am - 2pm, or Sat nites until 11pm

HaMeksikani in Ashkelon, for just 25nis per person! Groupon valid thru Oct. 30, Sun-Thurs, 3pm - 10pm. Delivery is not available with the Groupon

Shnitzeliya in Be'er Sheva (Tachana Merkazit) - get a shnitzel in a baguette, plus fries and lemonade, for just 25nis. Valid for 60 days from date of purchase, but not Erev Chag or Chol Hamoed. Can be redeemed Sun-Thurs 7am-7pm, or Fridays 7am-4pm

Ola Chef's Restaurant in Eilat, for 129nis per person, or 255nis for two. Reservations required. Not valid on Holidays or Erev Chag. Groupon valid for 2 months from date of purchase.

Ribs in Ashkelon - Dinner for 2, valid Sun - Thurs, noon - 7pm, starting at 99nis, or get a 400nis voucher for 195nis valid at more times. Looks like you should reserve your table in advance. Not valid on Holidays.

Click here for Vacation and Fun Day Deals!
Click here for Shopping Deals!

Have you joined Groupon Israel's Best Deals on Facebook? Join us there and you'll find out about awesome deals every day! 

Save on your shopping list - Groupon Deals!

(This post contains affiliate links, and I may be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking a link. Thanks in advance for your support!)

Kosherfrugal.com and Janglo have teamed up to bring you some great Groupon deals you don't want to miss!

Sometimes, I shop online at overseas sites for the best prices I can get. Other times, I shop locally - it really depends on what I'm looking for!

So, if you've got a shopping list - with big or small things on it - you might want to check out this list of hings I've stumbled across on Groupon this week!

If you're looking for Restaurant Deals, click here!

If you're looking for attractions and vacation deals, click here!

Condenser Dryer (8kg), with FREE shipping!

Condenser Dryers are designed for homes that don't have an option to ventilate your dryer directly to the outside. They tend to be more expensive than a standard dryer, so only get one if you need one!



Tablet for 299nis, with free shipping!
These small electronics have come down a lot in price in Israel since I first made aliyah!




Ninja Blenders, starting at 399nis, with free shipping!
These blenders are definitely strong. There are a variety of Ninja models on Groupon right now - check them out!



Dell Laptop - touchscreen, fully foldable screen, 1TB memory, 8GB RAM - all for 2799nis, and Free shipping! (Overstock - was only opened in Israel to engrave Hebrew letters on the keyboard) - with a 1 yr warranty. We're really pleased with the laptop we bought from Groupon - but be aware that Windows 10 comes pre-installed in Hebrew (but you can switch that, we were able to do that for free!)



This is an inverted umbrella that also allows for hands-free use. I've been eyeing it, as it seems like a really great price - especially if you share the deal with a friend!



With this Opticana deal, you can get new glasses for just 199nis (prescriptions between +4 and -4)! Truly a great price. Don't pay more if you don't have to!



Save 50nis at Keds online - here's a 60nis voucher, which you'll only pay 10nis for! One option is for clothing purchases, the other is for shoe purchases - so choose carefully!




Here's a space saving laundry rack - I cannot tell you how awesome it is to have one of these!
You'll just have to try it out and see, if you have a small space for drying laundry! This is the best price I've seen for one of these in Israel!



8 liter Poyke Pot made of cast iron, for 179nis! There are a wide variety of models out there, but this is definitely the best price I've seen for a cast iron pot this size in Israel! Check it out (it can be used on a stovetop, too, I believe)!

Rent a car for as low as 78nis per day! Hurry - the cheapest deal always sells out fast! (Restrictions and blackout dates apply)

Hanes and Fruit of the Loom T's! These multipacks are a really good deal compared to in-store deals I've seen in Israeli stores!

Dyson cordless vacuum cleaner - these things are built to WORK - with free shipping! Price is 1359nis


By the way, I absolutely love finding deals! Let me know what you're looking for, and I'll see what I can do!

Be sure to join my Facebook group to stay on top of Groupon deals!

How to make a bunch of cakes in a hurry!

Mine's purple, really!

This is my secret to making multiple cakes for every Shabbat, with very little effort (I usually bring cakes to kiddush). I really don't have time for complicated baking, and erev Shabbat is super crazy - so here's what I do to bake 2-3 cakes every week - and only spend about 10 min. on it (besides baking time)!

Makes TWO 9 x 13 inch baking pans, or 3 round cake pans

Cake Batter:
4 tablespoons flaxseed mixed with 1/2 cup hot water, (allow to cool)
1/2 cup oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups sugar
4 cups flour (I used whole spelt, you can make it with whole wheat or white wheat, or a mix too)
pinch of salt
1.5 tsp baking soda
1.5 cup water + 1 tsp vinegar 
Toppings (these are my go-to options, you can be as creative with this as you like!): 


1. 
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup flour
2 Tablespoons of oil - best if solid like palm shortening or coconut oil

2. chocolate chips, sprinkled on top

3.
Reserve about 1/4 of the cake batter after filling the pans and add 1/3 cup cocoa powder, mix well. Add to a half filled pan and mix very gently - to make marble cake

4. fruit jam of your choice folded into one of the pans

Instructions:

Mix together flaxseed/water mixture, oil, vanilla,  and sugar. Combine flour with salt and baking soda. Slowly add flour mixture to wet ingredients. Mix well to combine (this is best done with a mixer or a whisk). Add water/vinegar mixture slowly while whisking. Whisk till smooth.
 
Pour HALF the batter into each 9 x 13 inch baking pan, or reserve some if making the marble cake option. Top with your choices of toppings.

Voila! You've got (two or) three very easy cakes ready to go into the oven!
 
Bake for about 1 hour at 175 C (check with toothpick to make sure it's done) 

Allow to cool before cutting. 
Enjoy!

Pantry Challenge Shabbat

Not my pantry, but I have lots of shelves and glass jars too!

Last week, on Shabbat, our fridge called it quits. As I struggled to figure out what do with food that would quickly begin to spoil, I realized I may have allowed myself to stock up a bit more than is ideal. So I announced, "no grocery shopping next week"! And resolved to cook meals using whatever we have in the house. Some of the things I found (and had to transfer to the other freezer with difficulty) had been frozen for perhaps longer than ideal - so I'm trying really hard to use them up! We're doing well, actually - no one's starved and we've eaten a somewhat wide variety of foods this week!

So for this Shabbat, we're having whatever I find in the freezer or can make using items in the pantry and fridge...

Looks like we'll be having chicken from random other Shabbatot - there are all sorts of packages of 2 servings and 3 servings of chicken that were left, and it's time to use them up.

We have several challot and challah rolls in the freezer.

There's vegetable soup, that I'm making with whatever soup veggies are left in my fridge (onions, carrots, kishuim, celery, garlic...)

I'll cook some rice, and the sweet potatoes that are begging to be used, and a vegan cholent.

We've run out of tomatoes, but we still have cucumbers, yellow and red peppers, carrots, and kohlrabi for making a vegetable platter!

We have plenty of apples, so we'll make either apple crisp or baked apples...

And I might make a cake!

Next week we'll probably have to do some shopping again, but for now, I think we're doing well with this pantry challenge. We've eaten lentils a few days, random freezer leftovers once or twice, pasta with cheese I had stashed in the freezer, salmon that was the one thing that had defrosted before I realized what was going on with the fridge (cooked it after shabbat)... It's all good for eating, so we might as well use it up! But after Shabbat, I think we'll be very low on fresh fruits and veggies (except for carrots - we seem to have tons of carrots!), so we'll have to shop again!

So even though we had to fix the fridge this week (unexpected expense!), I'm blessed that we were able to salvage most of the food and make it work without shopping!

Shabbat Shalom - wishing everyone a restful and peaceful Shabbat!

Stock Up Time - iHerb specials you don't want to miss!

This post contains my iHerb referral link. You'll save money using it (even existing customers), and I may be compensated by iHerb. It won't cost you extra - but it WILL save you money!

It's back! The good folks at iHerb keep giving us amazing deals! And I've promised to share them whenever I hear about them, so none of you will miss out on the extra savings! Here's the current deal, aside from the weekly specials:

10% off many Oral Care products right now

10% off "Fall Cooking" products right now! (they have some great products in this line - don't miss out!)
(Now thru Nov. 1)

All customers, new or existing, can get also get an extra 5% off by using code QEJ101 at checkout. If you click on my links, the code should get added automatically to your cart!
Now's the time to stock up on items that don't usually go on sale!

Click here to Shop at iHerb and automatically add the code to your cart!

Not sure if shopping at iHerb makes sense?

I shop there pretty often, as you may already know. I find it makes life easier for me - not only do they make it easy to find some "hard to find" products my family needs (like fragrance free shower products), but I save a significant amount of money on things like vitamins and probiotics. They are definitely less expensive at iHerb than my local stores, and shipping can be VERY affordable, especially if you order "Shipping Savers".

Here are some of the things I like to buy at iHerb:

Palm Oil (this eco-friendly version is not available in Israel at all, and is perfect for making frosting or fudge)

Solgar supplements and vitamins are usually 50% less than in local stores.

Magnesium Tablets (these and many other supplements are quite pricey in Israel and iHerb is a great way to save!)

Stash Teas (I buy these when they are on sale, as the sale price comes out to less than the lowest price I can find herbal teas for locally, and these are just SO MUCH HIGHER quality than teas I can find for an affordable price!)

Vitamin D (so many people are deficient, it turns out! And my doctor prescribed a rather high dose, and what's sold here is very low dose and more expensive)

Probiotics are far less expensive from iHerb than any I've found in Israel, and they don't weigh much!

EO shower gel (we like this kid friendly all-in-one shower product that doesn't irritate our skin!)

Ricola throat drops (these work out to be only slightly less expensive than the local price, so I use them as a "filler" product, never as my "reason for buying")

Witch Hazel (it's really not easy to find witch hazel products in Israel, though there are a few pricey ones. If you love witch hazel, you'll be thrilled with iherb's price. This one is a toner with alcohol in it - some people like the alcohol in it, but if you don't, they also have plenty of no-alcohol witch hazel products)

Coffee Filters (unbleached) - I can find the #4 size locally, but I use the #2 size, and it's so easy to order it, rather than running around town!

Brown Rice Pasta (only when they're on sale, great for people who don't eat wheat! The local equivalent is more expensive unless there's an amazing sale)

Grapefruit Seed Extract (I checked out a similar product, 1/4 of the size, that cost more than twice as much at my health food store! Many people are convinced this extract keeps colds away!)

Essential Oils (I use them in homemade cleaners) - for a fraction of the price of the ones sold here in Israel! Yes, they are real and natural (and not an MLM - HUGE plus!)!

Soy-free Teriyaki Sauce (for my soy allergic child)

Calendula Cream (so soothing and wonderful for eczema!)

Aquaphor Ointment - impossible to buy locally! (The product that is considered "equivalent" is really not.)

I also regularly check the Specials Page to see if products I use are on sale and work out to a better deal thru iHerb during a sale, and I also occasionally will order a hard-to-find spice.

Don't get surprised by import taxes! If you are ordering items from overseas, be sure to familiarize yourself with the most recent personal import regulations!

Orlah Fruits in the Marketplace - Update for Cheshvan

This post is a follow up to the Kashrut for New Olim post. If you haven't seen it yet, please check it out -- there's important information there! 

FRUITS AND VEGETABLES in Israel

Unlike in other parts of the world, in Israel, fruits and vegetables are NOT automatically "kosher" - here we need to make sure that they are not "orlah" fruits (harvested during a tree's first 3 yrs, with other rules applying to year 4) and that trumot and ma'asrot have been taken (from both fruits and vegetables). 

If you shop at a market that doesn't have an ishur kashrut (kosher certification) on their produce, you'll need to investigate these issues further, if you are interested in adhering to the halachot of the Land of Israel OR if you regularly host people who assume the food in your home is kosher! I must say that it's important to familarize yourself with these special halachot, as they are part of keeping kosher in Israel! (If you say you keep Kosher in Israel, everyone assumes that you have taken care of these issues; and if you don't, then you may be unwittingly putting someone in a situation they don't want to be in!) 

It's definitely possible to take trumot and maasrot on your own (I do it often), so vegetables are easiest to buy without a teudah, as that is all you need to do (and very often, it would be without a bracha). Some of the fruits on the market may be ok to purchase even from a non-certified establishment and just take trumot and maasrot, because of the extremely low percentage of orlah fruits being sold, but those lists change frequently, so you'll constantly need to stay up-to-date.

Other fruits can be a problem, because of a high possibility that they are orlah (from the first 3 yrs after the tree was planted). I have recently begun to post a monthly update on my website, with a list of the fruits where the percentage of orlah fruits on the open market is greater than 0.5%, so should only be bought from a reputable source that does not sell orlah fruits (i.e. a place with a teudah) that should really help everyone avoid the orlah problem:

ORLAH Update for Cheshvan 5778

Fruits to AVOID buying without a teudah:

• Avocado - Day variety, Ettinger variety, Haas variety (at the end of the month)
• Blueberries
• White Peach
• Lemon
• Papaya
• Prickly Pear (Sabra Fruit)
• Starfruit
• Passionfruit
• Clementines - Rishon variety

You can print this list or save it to your phone!

Please be sure to speak with your personal Halachic Authority about purchasing fruit in Israel without a teudah. Not everyone holds by the 0.5% threshold. This information is just for informational purposes and is not a halachic psak! Even if you follow a psak that relies on the 0.5% threshold, you still must take trumot and maasrot on all produce grown in Israel (or be sure it has been taken), in order to fulfill your halachic obligations.

Also, this list does not apply to fruit grown by an individual. If your friend has a fruit tree, you'll need to find out how old it is! 

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