One of my favorite Shavuot customs dictates that we bring flowers and natural beauty into our homes. And spring flowers are blooming everywhere now. Another favorite custom is that of eating dairy … more

Peas. Just say the word, and kids run for cover. Peas are the food that people love to hate. I hated them. My kids hated them. My mother hated them. And then my dad began to grow them in his … more

As I write this on the evening of Mother’s Day, I think about my own mother who, to be honest, was not a very good cook. She had absolutely no interest in cooking or baking. She was a … more

It is often difficult to take time to relax and enjoy a day with family and friends. Even when we have a big family dinner, I often hear friends complain that by the time they get to sit down, the … more

Did you ever think, “It’s just too hot to eat?” I remember many such days when all my kids wanted was ice cream or popsicles for dinner. Can I confess that once or twice I gave in? … more

In many homes, Super Bowl Sunday — Feb. 13 — has taken on the characteristics of a holiday, right down to the rituals and foods associated with the big day. Despite the lingering … more

“On the first day you shall take the fruit of hadar trees, branches of palm trees, boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the L-rd your G-d seven … more

Summer time is ice cream time. It’s also fresh fruit and vegetable time, and drippy watermelon time, and real lemonade time. It is the perfect time for vegetarians to rejoice, and the perfect … more

Of all Jewish desserts, there is none more iconic than the black-and-white cookie. It comes in all shapes and sizes, but if you’re looking for authenticity, only the round one counts. If you … more

I write this from the sweltering heat of Florida. Florida in July is often cooler than the Northeast in July, but not this summer — Florida has been under a heat wave of epic proportions. … more