I would start off this post with, "Happy Thursday!" but today really isn't a happy kind of day.
Or not at least until the fast is over.
Today, thousands of years ago, Jerusalem was surrounded by an army of it's enemies. Thousands died of hunger and thirst because of this siege. So, to remember this sad day and those who have fallen, we refrain from eating and drinking.
*stomach grumbling*
There are some ways to make fasting easier. Here are some of my tips.
Pre-Fast:
1. I know it's obvious but, DRINK LOTS and LOTS of WATER.
Many people recommend drinking Powerade and Gatorade because they contain electrolytes which can help quench thirst, but honestly I don't think they really make a difference. So I just like to stick to plain old water because it's healthier.
2. Eat lots of carbs.
Carbs take a while to fully digest, so you'll feel fuller longer.
I personally LOVE this tip because I usually try to refrain from eating lots of carbs, so being able to eat as much as I want and not hold back feels absolutely amazing!
3. Prepare things to keep busy with beforehand.
The worst thing to do on a fast day is thinking about the hunger pangs. So keep busy and distract yourself! My favorite way to do this is by sleeping. But unfortunatly, that was not an option for me today because I have college apps to do. YAY!
If you're not a sleep-all-day kind of person, make a list of things you can do instead. Find a good book, movie, homework, or anything to keep busy with.
During the Fast:
1. Keep busy - as I've just explained.
2. Smell or don't smell the food. This sounds weird, but for some people like my sister, they feel much better smelling food on a fast. So she'll peel an orange and keep the rinds with her all day to smell at her leisure. I know of other people who do this as well.
This does not work for me! If I smell anything even remotely delicious, my stomach cries. Literally.
So I try to steer clear of the kitchen.
Post Fast:
1. EAT SLOW! I can't emphasize this enough! I know that all you want to do after the fast is stuff yourself within a two minute radius, but this will result in bad stomach aches and even vomiting. It's happened to me. Don't do it to yourself.
*********
My favorite Break-Fast Foods
(Disclaimer: All these recipes are from my favorite chef, my Mom.)
1. Vegetable Soup
Whether it's cold or hot outside, I always want this soup after the fast. It feels so good down your throat, and it's nice and light.
INGREDIENTS:
- Any vegetables. Preferable: Onion, garlic, mushrooms, zucchini, parsnip, carrots, celery, tomatoes.
- Canola/ Safflower Oil.
- Spices: Salt, pepper, oregano, thyme.
- Powdered pareve chicken stock.
- water
DIRECTIONS:
- Heat oil in pot.
- Mince garlic and and chop up veggies, medium sized.
- When oil starts to bubble, saute dryer veggies - garlic, onion, mushroom, carrots, parsnip, celery.
- Then add the wetter veggies - tomatoes and zuchini.
- Toss veggies with spices - a pinch of each, basically eyeball it.
- Add water when veggies are cooked. Water depends upon how much soup you want, but it's usually around 4 to 6 cups.
- Add a couple heaping tablespoons of chicken stock. Cover soup with lid.
- Let soup simmer for around 45 minutes.
2. Blintze Souffle'
Classic comfort food, super easy to make, and always comes out delish.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 pkg of frozen cheese blintzes
-1 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 eggs
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tsp orange juice
- 1/2 cup melted butter
DIRECTIONS:
- Set oven to 350 degrees.
- Pour butter in an oven-safe dish, and lay out blintzes on top of butter.
- Combine rest of ingredients and pour over blintzes. Bake for one hour.
3. Shakshuka
This is a popular Israeli dish for those who like a little kick after the fast.
INGREDIENTS
-olive oil
- Onions, bell pepper
- tomato sauce
- 6 eggs
- spices: salt, pepper, cumin, oregano, red chilli pepper flakes
- dash of juice from sour pepper rings
DIRECTIONS:
- Chop onions and bell peppers, medium - large sized
- saute in olive oil
- Add spices and cool for a couple minutes, tossing veggies. (Make sure the spices are really cooked)
- Add tomato sauce, enough to cover the pan.
- With a spoon, make 6 ditches in the sauce mixture.
- Crack each egg into a ditch.
- Cover pan with lid.
- Let cook till the eggs are set.
I hope you all have an easy and meaningful fast!
And when it's over (3 more hours!!!) BON APPETITE!
Love, Zipp
Or not at least until the fast is over.
Today, thousands of years ago, Jerusalem was surrounded by an army of it's enemies. Thousands died of hunger and thirst because of this siege. So, to remember this sad day and those who have fallen, we refrain from eating and drinking.
*stomach grumbling*
There are some ways to make fasting easier. Here are some of my tips.
Pre-Fast:
1. I know it's obvious but, DRINK LOTS and LOTS of WATER.
Many people recommend drinking Powerade and Gatorade because they contain electrolytes which can help quench thirst, but honestly I don't think they really make a difference. So I just like to stick to plain old water because it's healthier.
2. Eat lots of carbs.
Carbs take a while to fully digest, so you'll feel fuller longer.
I personally LOVE this tip because I usually try to refrain from eating lots of carbs, so being able to eat as much as I want and not hold back feels absolutely amazing!
3. Prepare things to keep busy with beforehand.
The worst thing to do on a fast day is thinking about the hunger pangs. So keep busy and distract yourself! My favorite way to do this is by sleeping. But unfortunatly, that was not an option for me today because I have college apps to do. YAY!
If you're not a sleep-all-day kind of person, make a list of things you can do instead. Find a good book, movie, homework, or anything to keep busy with.
During the Fast:
1. Keep busy - as I've just explained.
2. Smell or don't smell the food. This sounds weird, but for some people like my sister, they feel much better smelling food on a fast. So she'll peel an orange and keep the rinds with her all day to smell at her leisure. I know of other people who do this as well.
This does not work for me! If I smell anything even remotely delicious, my stomach cries. Literally.
So I try to steer clear of the kitchen.
Post Fast:
1. EAT SLOW! I can't emphasize this enough! I know that all you want to do after the fast is stuff yourself within a two minute radius, but this will result in bad stomach aches and even vomiting. It's happened to me. Don't do it to yourself.
*********
My favorite Break-Fast Foods
(Disclaimer: All these recipes are from my favorite chef, my Mom.)
1. Vegetable Soup
Whether it's cold or hot outside, I always want this soup after the fast. It feels so good down your throat, and it's nice and light.
INGREDIENTS:
- Any vegetables. Preferable: Onion, garlic, mushrooms, zucchini, parsnip, carrots, celery, tomatoes.
- Canola/ Safflower Oil.
- Spices: Salt, pepper, oregano, thyme.
- Powdered pareve chicken stock.
- water
DIRECTIONS:
- Heat oil in pot.
- Mince garlic and and chop up veggies, medium sized.
- When oil starts to bubble, saute dryer veggies - garlic, onion, mushroom, carrots, parsnip, celery.
- Then add the wetter veggies - tomatoes and zuchini.
- Toss veggies with spices - a pinch of each, basically eyeball it.
- Add water when veggies are cooked. Water depends upon how much soup you want, but it's usually around 4 to 6 cups.
- Add a couple heaping tablespoons of chicken stock. Cover soup with lid.
- Let soup simmer for around 45 minutes.
2. Blintze Souffle'
Classic comfort food, super easy to make, and always comes out delish.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 pkg of frozen cheese blintzes
-1 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 eggs
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tsp orange juice
- 1/2 cup melted butter
DIRECTIONS:
- Set oven to 350 degrees.
- Pour butter in an oven-safe dish, and lay out blintzes on top of butter.
- Combine rest of ingredients and pour over blintzes. Bake for one hour.
3. Shakshuka
This is a popular Israeli dish for those who like a little kick after the fast.
INGREDIENTS
-olive oil
- Onions, bell pepper
- tomato sauce
- 6 eggs
- spices: salt, pepper, cumin, oregano, red chilli pepper flakes
- dash of juice from sour pepper rings
DIRECTIONS:
- Chop onions and bell peppers, medium - large sized
- saute in olive oil
- Add spices and cool for a couple minutes, tossing veggies. (Make sure the spices are really cooked)
- Add tomato sauce, enough to cover the pan.
- With a spoon, make 6 ditches in the sauce mixture.
- Crack each egg into a ditch.
- Cover pan with lid.
- Let cook till the eggs are set.
I hope you all have an easy and meaningful fast!
And when it's over (3 more hours!!!) BON APPETITE!
Love, Zipp