Passover is coming!

Passover begins this Monday night!  I can't believe it's here already.  This festival is extremely fun and joyful as we celebrate the Exodus from Egypt.  It is also incredibly spiritual and can be life-changing.  In the next few days, there will be a flurry of activity in homes throughout the world, removing chametz (leaven) from every corner.  As we do this, let us not neglect to clear out the chametz from our hearts.  This is the present-day Exodus.  Each of us must daily remember that we are not slaves of the world, but we are set free in Messiah to be "slaves unto righteousness" (Romans 6:18).  When we allow the chametz of pride, anger and unforgiveness to remain in our hearts, we are acting as slaves to this world and its bondages (John 8:34).  Therefore, let us remember the miracles of the past, and walk in them in the present!

Here are some Passover links:
Tammy has a great Matza Ball Soup recipe here...it looks delish! 
Joanna at Fearlessly Feminine has had a great series here on "Getting the Leaven Out".
Aaron Eby wrote a great piece for Passover newbies (and oldies!) - 10 Tips for A Smooth Sailing Seder.

Pesach Sameach (Happy Passover)!

Earth's Best Giveaway!

Yesterday I told you how to score some Earth's Best organic baby food for really cheap.  Today I'll tell you how you can win some for FREE!

One of my favorite money-saving sites is The Centsible Sawyer and she is giving away 3 cases of Earth's Best Infant Cereal.  Just go here to enter!

Recipe of the Week: Baby's First Guacamole

Homemade baby food is something that I want to make more of.  I'm kind of a "low maintenance" type of cook, so the easier the better.  Here's something I make for my 7 month old daughter and she loves it!

Baby's First Guacamole

1/2 cup ripe, peeled avocado

1/4 of a ripe banana

Mash together both ingredients.

Voila! Creamy, yummy and nutritious "guac" for your baby!

Publix Premium Diapers for 50 cents!

Attention Publix shoppers!  If you belong to the Publix Baby Club, and received the last set of coupons, including the $3 off any Publix Premium diaper Jumbo Pack (40 - 66 diapers), then you could score some diapers for CHEAP!

I've seen these diapers on the clearance rack for $3.50 at 4 different Publix stores. 
Use the coupon, and get the jumbo pack for 50 cents! 

Grill Night!

Why does everything taste better grilled?

YUM!

Recent Reads

I LOVE to read...and I thought I would share some of my favorite recent reads with you!

Quick & Kosher by Jamie Geller
Ok, I know it's a cookbook.  But I really did read it...all the way through!  That should tell you something.  I'm not usually into cookbooks, but my mom and I were planning our Passover meal for next week (ahhh...it's next week!) and she told me to look through this book.  I immediately fell in love with the author, whose number one criteria for any recipe is that it must take less than 15 minutes to prep.  I actually just read it today and haven't tried any recipes yet, but I definitely plan to this week.  I'm always looking for shortcuts in the kitchen.  I'm a gourmet-food lover, but hate all the prep.  I love reading my sister's old copies of Bon Appetite magazine as my mouth waters from just looking at the titles of the recipes, but one mention of "separating eggs" or using an "immersion blender" makes me turn the page.  My sis on the other hand, will make the most delicious  (and challenging) recipes, "just for fun."  Therefore, this book is perfect for me, and any other cook who would like some traditional Jewish recipes (and lots of non-traditional ones) that are EASY to create!

Passionate Housewives Desperate for God
If you are a woman, you need to read this book.  DEFINITELY.  It has been one of the most life/attitude changing books I have ever read.  I don't want to say too much because I don't want to give it away, but seriously...read this book.  Now.

Unspoken by Angela Hunt
This book is one of the most intriguing works of fiction I have ever read.  It is about a woman who works with a gorilla.  I have never fallen in love with a character as much as I fell in love with that gorilla.  I laughed, I cried, and I was encouraged.  It has a wonderful "redemptive" message, as most of the Angela Hunt novels do. 

So, what have you been reading lately?  Any recommendations?

Earth's Best Organic Baby Food for 40 cents per jar!

Now that my daughter has started solids, I am always looking for good deals on baby food.  Homemade is of course preferable, but it's just not feasible for me to do homemade for every meal.  So I have rules about the jarred baby food I buy:

1) It has to be kosher.

2) It has to be organic.

3) It has to be less than 50 cents per jar.

These rules can make it a challenge at times to find baby food that fits all my criteria, but they are all important to me.  Today I found a great deal at Babies R Us which is good for the next week, and I wanted to share it!

Earth's Best Organic 1st and 2nd foods are on sale at BRU for 10 for $5.00 (must buy 10).

Use $1/7 here (can print 2 coupons)

Get each jar for 40 cents each! 
(I actually had more coupons from a blinkie I found a few weeks ago, so mine were less than 40 cents each.)