Thursday, January 31, 2008

Focus....Learning to Read & Write

Such focus as he learns to write the words.


"Brave spelling" they call it.
I love that the word brave is involved.
It makes me feel like he's a little superhero, boldly embarking upon the glory of words.

And here's what he wrote:

Translation for those of you who can't quite make it out: "When I grow up I am going to be a rabbi. I will tutor with kids. I will work at Am Shalom."

It's a pretty neat feeling when your kids want to follow your footsteps. He's only 6, so who knows!

See more focus here...(and congrats, Stacy, on your new home...even though it wasn't exactly how you planned to get there!)

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

The People of the Book - A Must-Read!

Looking for my giveaway? Click here.

This week I read devoured a most wonderful book.

The People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks

The book tells a fictionalized story of the Sarajevo Haggadah, a book that was saved many times throughout its history -- through the Inquisition to the Nazis. The book jumped through many lands and time periods. In each, I held my breath, knowing that the Haggadah would somehow show up, would somehow tie itself into the story. The technical aspects of the book's restoration combined with the storytelling is just breathtaking. And the twist...! Divine.

And let me tell you -- I had only 2 chapters left when we turned out the lights. I laid in bed mulling over the book, I couldn't sleep! So I went downstairs, finished the book (20 minutes or so) and finally could rest. That's how good this book was.

This worked for me.
What are you reading?

Monday, January 28, 2008

Who's the parent, here?

This morning as I was getting ready to leave with David, my 6-year-old, he looked over my attire: a skirt, pantyhose, a coat and boots. About six inches of panty-hose-covered leg were left bare between the skirt and the top of the winter boots. (Mind you, it was 40 degrees out today)

He said: "Mom, aren't you going to be cold in that!?"

Me: "I think I'll be fine, honey."

Him: "Mom, I think you should put on pants."

Gosh, thanks kiddo...

It's wild to hear your words thrown right backatcha, isn't it?!

Don't forget my giveaway...right here!

Like my blog? Subscribe to my feed:-)

**DEADLINE EXTENDED***Princess Not in Need of Saving...Giveaway & BSM

**This giveaway is now closed. Check out my blog and come back in March for my Purim Party with another giveaway!** Winner announced shortly...

**UPDATE: Deadline extended to Friday, February 1 @ 8:00am**

As many of you know, my third child (after 2 boys) is a girl. As soon as she was born, pink stuff started to descend upon my house in glittery waves. Pink shirts, pink pants, pink shoes, pink socks -- pink, pink, pink. And along with it, things that said "Princess" all over them.

See more Best Shots here...

My feminist self reared up in annoyance. I looked over my own closet. There is only one pink shirt in there (and it's shoved to the back because I hardly ever wear it). Why did everyone feel a need to paint my baby girl pink? (in truth, her gorgeous blue eyes make BLUE her best color!) I'm worried enough about raising a strong, self-confident young woman... all this pink just seems to make me more stressed out, let me tell you. What exactly does "princess" entail? Not to mention that whole Jewish princess stereotype problem....

So I've thought about it. Because she sure is cute and let me tell you, some of those pink outfits are truly adorable. Here's my decision: I think that my daughter can wear adorable clothes and hair clips as long as I also give her strong lessons in girl power.

Which is why I'm so excited for this giveaway, which I feel blends adorable girl-stuff with a strong female role model!

What will you win?

Any 2 items of your choice from Oopsie Dazie...check out their adorable hairclips, headbands, bows, and headwraps. Aren't they cute? and affordable, too.

AND

one copy of The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch - my favorite princess story in which the princess stereotype is turned upside down! (And by the way it's my 2-y.o. BOY's current favorite. He likes the dragon.)
(shipped separately)

Rules and other Information -- How can you win?

1. Make a comment here. How do you instill confidence and strength in girls? This is your entry! U.S. shipping only, sorry Robin & other international folks.

2. For an extra entry, post on your blog or tell a friend about this giveaway and Oopsie Dazie and link back to me.

3. Don't forget to give me a way to get in touch with you if you win!

4. This giveaway ends on Thursday, January 31st at 9pm Central Time. Winner will be announced Friday morning!
**UPDATE: Deadline extended to Friday, February 1 @ 8:00am** Winner announced shortly afterwards.

See more Bloggy Giveaways here...

P.S. Like what you see? Subscribe to my blog's feed....

Sunday, January 27, 2008

aren't you excited? and five places I've Been This Week

Random List of Things I'm Excited About:
What are you excited about???

----
five six places i've been this week
(it was a good week)

a 30-second plan for a better week

cupcake pincushion
-- yummy!

unintended consequences

noodles with spicy tofu


100 books every child should read (*i* haven't read them all!)

sparkletopia beautiful and inspirational

from my del.icio.us ...add me to your network?

Friday, January 25, 2008

More on things that make me crazy...

Some of you read my post on this woman who was denied service at Steak N Shake because she is deaf.

Fox News Chicago picked up the story and so did a lot of other bloggers.

This is what she writes on her blog:
Last night, shortly after calling the corporate headquarters via relay, an employee from their Human Resources division called me. She sent me an email apologizing for the incident. She called again this morning to see if we could set up a meeting with the manager in question and discuss the issue. They agreed to provide an interpreter for this meeting.

What do you think? Will you go to Steak and Shake? I think I won't.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

The BIG 10...in Haiku, of course

Yitro* of Midyan
(He was Mo's father-in-law)
heard what God had done.
*aka Jethro

He was very glad
that the Israelites were free!
So he came to Mo.

Mo's wife and kids came
with Yitro to celebrate.
Mo told the whole tale.

Now Mo was the judge.
Everyone came to ask him
how to solve disputes.

All day he listened
to all their problems and fights.
Jethro saw all this.

"This is not so good,"
Jethro had a better way.
"Delegate!" he said.

So Mo chose judges.
They judged what they could deal with.
Hard stuff went to Mo.

They got to Sinai -
time for God to explain laws -
A very big deal.

The people washed up
And made themselves very pure
to wait for God's words.

Smoke, fire, lightning crashed
The mountain trembled with fear
Loud blast of the horn!

God spoke these words here:
I am the Eternal God (1)
Make no other gods (2)

Do not swear falsely
by My Name or profane it. (3)
Observe Shabbat (4)

Honor mom and dad (5)
Do not commit murder and (6)
no adultery (7)

Don't steal anything (8)
No false testimony (9) and
no coveting stuff (10)

The people heard all
but were scared of God's presence
So Mo spoke for God.

God told them to make
an altar for sacrifice
without cutting stones.

A simple altar
will be fine for sacrifice.
The people listened.

Ah...do we follow all the laws? Stay tuned for the next few weeks...Exodus rocks.
More Haiku Friday...over here this week while Jennifer gets settled in Indiana.

Shabbat shalom!

Just not right

Things like this just should not happen in 2008.

We are supposed to be better than this.

Theme Thursday...Books

Ah....we haven't met a book yet that we didn't like in our house....



See more booky pics here...

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Winner of b.happybags Giveaway!

Birthday Party for the Trees at imabima.blogspot.com

The winner of the last Tu B'Shevat giveaway from b.happybags is...


Christina from Momology
(check out this gorgeous gorgeous post about her daughter and her daughter's best friend)

Congrats, Christina!

But wait...there's more. The wonderful folks at b.happybags sent me TWO beautiful bags (and let me tell you, they are so nice I reeeealy wanted to keep one. But I didn't!) and the second one goes to....

Frume Sarah!
...who will be hosting the Celebrate Women Purim Party with me in March...so come back for all the fun.
Better yet, subscribe now!

Thank you so much to all who joined in the Tu B'Shevat Birthday Party!

A big thank you to:
Eco-Libris
PopJudaica
Skeeda bags
b.happy bags
Please visit them and buy their nice things....

Come back next week for the Bloggy Giveaway party and in March for the Celebrate Women Purim Party...

Today is Tu B'Shevat!

Birthday Party for the Trees at imabima.blogspot.com

In honor of Tu B'Shevat, we had green pancakes for breakfast. Aren't they pretty cooking?

I made a tree out of them. Yes, that's chocolate syrup. Why not celebrate? (Hey, chocolate comes from trees, technically!)


The funniest part: David refused to even let me do it. I had to dye only the end of the batch and I *had* to eat them myself! They were yummy.

Maybe I'll try green eggs next. How are you celebrating Tu B'Shevat today?
Check out the Festival of the Trees
Read this post on To Plant or not to Plant at the Jew and the Carrot
Try Reiza's post on Tu B'Shevat

A final green giveaway...

In honor of Tu B'Shevat (the Birthday of the Trees) and the commitment to the earth that the holiday brings with it (read more here and here), I am so excited that b.happybags is giving away one of their gorgeous reusable shopping bags to one of my lucky readers!!! (Isn't it pretty???) All domestic materials and made right here in the U.S.A. Gotta love it.

How can you win?

1. Make a comment here or yesterday's Tu B'Shevat posts. How are you "going green"? What is your green legacy...? This is your entry! You can enter each day - once per day.

2. For an extra entry, post on your blog or tell a friend about this giveaway and b.happybags and link back to me.

Use my button:
<a href="http://imabima.blogspot.com"><img src="http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc126/imabima/tubshevatparty.jpg" border="0" alt="Birthday Party for the Trees at imabima.blogspot.com"></a>

3. Don't forget to give me a way to get in touch with you if you win!

4. This giveaway ends on Tuesday, January 22nd at 9pm Central Time. Winner will be announced Wednesday morning!

My Previous Tu B'Shevat Party Posts:
Go Vegetarian and be green?
For the Love of the Trees
Waste Not...
Facts About Trees
Tu B'Shevat Haiku

Monday, January 21, 2008

Gazing Out at the World...Giveaway too

Birthday Party for the Trees at imabima.blogspot.com
I love the way she's looking outside...yearning to get out there... it sure is cold right now here in Chicago but she doesn't know that! She sees the beauty of the world, the fresh air, the joy of nature....

(See more Best Shots here)

As the holiday of Tu B'Shevat comes tomorrow, I know that I am wishing I was outside in warm weather celebrating trees by looking up at them instead of keeping my head down out of the cold wind!

This week I've spent so much time talking about green, thinking about how to save the earth, I hope it has made you think about it too! Tomorrow is Tu B'Shevat, so I leave you with this favorite story from Talmud (before the Tu B'Shevat Party here at my blog comes to a conclusion...)

R. Yochanan said: One day [Honi the Circle-maker] was journeying on the road and he saw a man planting a carob tree. He asked him: How long does it take for this tree to bear fruit? The man replied: Seventy years. He then further asked him: Are you sure you will live another seventy years? The man replied: I found [full-grown] carob trees in the world. As my ancestors planted them for me, so I will plan them for my children. —Babylonian Talmud, Taanit 23a

May we all find the way to do enough so that we can say to our children, I helped to make sure there were trees for you to sit under, my dears.


A final green giveaway...

In honor of Tu B'Shevat (the Birthday of the Trees) and the commitment to the earth that the holiday brings with it (read more here and here), I am so excited that b.happybags is giving away one of their gorgeous reusable shopping bags to one of my lucky readers!!! (Isn't it pretty???) All domestic materials and made right here in the U.S.A. Gotta love it.

How can you win?

1. Make a comment here or tomorrow's Tu B'Shevat posts. How are you "going green"? What is your green legacy...? This is your entry! You can enter each day - once per day. Come back and visit all week for this and other giveaways.

2. For an extra entry, post on your blog or tell a friend about this giveaway and b.happybags and link back to me.

Use my button:
<a href="http://imabima.blogspot.com"><img src="http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc126/imabima/tubshevatparty.jpg" border="0" alt="Birthday Party for the Trees at imabima.blogspot.com"></a>

3. Don't forget to give me a way to get in touch with you if you win!

4. This giveaway ends on Tuesday, January 22nd at 9pm Central Time. Winner will be announced Wednesday morning!

My Previous Tu B'Shevat Party Posts:
Go Vegetarian and be green?
For the Love of the Trees
Waste Not...
Facts About Trees
Tu B'Shevat Haiku

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Winner of PopJudaica Tu B'Shevat Garden Giveaway!

Birthday Party for the Trees at imabima.blogspot.com

The winner of the Tu B'Shevat Garden from PopJudaica is...

Secret Agent Mama!

Check out her cool blog...definitely worth a regular read...

What she won:

In honor of Tu B'Shevat (the Birthday of the Trees) and the commitment to the earth that the holiday brings with it (read more here and here), PopJudaica has offered to give a Tu B'Shevat Garden.

PopJudaica is a fun and slightly irreverent shop devoted to creative and downright cool Judaica. In fact, they're having a Tu B'Shevat party of their own so just mosey over there to see the whole Green Collection, with proceeds from these products going to Hazon, an organization whose mission it is to create a healthier and more sustainable Jewish community.

Come back tomorrow for one last Tu B'Shevat giveaway from b.happy bags!

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Fellow Travellers...

Birthday Party for the Trees at imabima.blogspot.com
As we travel on our path through life, we all know that we have a job to do, a responsibility for something. What is it? What is our calling? What is the task that consumes our days on earth?

Rabbi Tarfon taught: It is not our job to complete the task, but neither are we free to abstain from it.

Our world is in pain. War, famine, plague, suffering, destruction.... where to start? Does my little corner make a difference? Does it matter if I change a bulb, carry a bag, bring my lunch, skip a water bottle....reuse, reduce, recycle? Dare I think that I and my fellow travellers on Spaceship Earth really can make a difference?

Ah...but I do believe we can. I do believe that one who saves a life saves a world. I do believe that each act we take can make a difference, and I do believe that we matter to each other as well. It's not just me changing a bulb, carrying a bag, bringing a lunch but it's all of us, together.

Let's start today.

See more Sunday Scribblings here.

The Giveaway:

In honor of Tu B'Shevat (the Birthday of the Trees) and the commitment to the earth that the holiday brings with it (read more here and here), I am so excited that PopJudaica has offered to give a Tu B'Shevat Garden to one of my lucky readers!!! PopJudaica is a fun and slightly irreverent shop devoted to creative and downright cool Judaica. In fact, they're having a Tu B'Shevat party of their own so just mosey over there to see the whole Green Collection, with proceeds from these products going to Hazon, an organization whose mission it is to create a healthier and more sustainable Jewish community.

How can you win?

1. Make a comment here or Friday's Tu B'Shevat posts. What kinds of things do you plant? How are you "going green"? This is your entry! You can enter each day - once per day. Come back and visit all week for this and other giveaways.

2. For an extra entry, post on your blog or tell a friend about this giveaway and PopJudaica and link back to me.

Use my button:
<a href="http://imabima.blogspot.com"><img src="http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc126/imabima/tubshevatparty.jpg" border="0" alt="Birthday Party for the Trees at imabima.blogspot.com"></a>

3. Don't forget to give me a way to get in touch with you if you win!

4. This giveaway ends on Sunday, January 20th at 9pm Central Time. Winner will be announced Monday morning, along with the next Tu B'Shevat Birthday Giveaway!

Come back all week for the Tu B'Shevat Birthday Party and more green green green....re-use a bag, hug a tree, plant a flower!

My Previous Tu B'Shevat Party Posts:
Go Vegetarian and be green?
For the Love of the Trees
Waste Not...
Facts About Trees
Tu B'Shevat Haiku

Friday, January 18, 2008

Tu B'Shevat Haiku...and Giveaway!

Birthday Party for the Trees at imabima.blogspot.com


What is Tu B'Shevat*?
The Jewish New Year of Trees -
in essence, tax day.

This date was the end
of the fiscal year for fruit
to count up the tithe.

The day is now more -
a day to celebrate green
Hooray for the trees!

Make the world better
by planting a tree or two,
recycle, reuse.

If you're not Jewish
celebrating trees still rocks!
Join in! Hug a Tree!

*Tu in Hebrew is 15, therefore the name of the holiday, like the Fourth of July, is the name of the date. It is the 15th of the Hebrew month of Shevat.

See more Haiku Friday here.

And now....The Giveaway:

In honor of Tu B'Shevat (the Birthday of the Trees) and the commitment to the earth that the holiday brings with it (read more here and here), I am so excited that PopJudaica has offered to give a Tu B'Shevat Garden to one of my lucky readers!!! PopJudaica is a fun and slightly irreverent shop devoted to creative and downright cool Judaica. In fact, they're having a Tu B'Shevat party of their own so just mosey over there to see the whole Green Collection, with proceeds from these products going to Hazon, an organization whose mission it is to create a healthier and more sustainable Jewish community.

How can you win?

1. Make a comment here or on tomorrow night or Sunday's Tu B'Shevat posts. What kinds of things do you plant? How are you "going green"? This is your entry! You can enter each day - once per day. Come back and visit all week for this and other giveaways.

2. For an extra entry, post on your blog or tell a friend about this giveaway and PopJudaica and link back to me.

Use my button:
<a href="http://imabima.blogspot.com"><img src="http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc126/imabima/tubshevatparty.jpg" border="0" alt="Birthday Party for the Trees at imabima.blogspot.com"></a>

3. Don't forget to give me a way to get in touch with you if you win!

4. This giveaway ends on Sunday, January 20th at 9pm Central Time. Winner will be announced Monday morning, along with the next Tu B'Shevat Birthday Giveaway!

Come back all week for the Tu B'Shevat Birthday Party and more green green green....re-use a bag, hug a tree, plant a flower!

My Previous Tu B'Shevat Party Posts:
Go Vegetarian and be green?
For the Love of the Trees
Waste Not...
Facts About Trees

P.S. Looking for my weekly Torah Portion Haiku? Go to my other blog for that this week....

Winner of Skeeda Giveaway...

Birthday Party for the Trees at imabima.blogspot.com
The winner of the gorgeous Skeeda bag (which I really wanted to keep for myself. After my month of no-buying is over I need to get me one of these.) is....

Robin from Around the Island

(who I actually linked to in Thursday's post...how fun is that!?)
Make sure you check out her blog, it's great.
Mazel tov, Robin!!!
(thanks to random.org)

Maybe I can bring you the bag when I come to Israel next month!:-)

What she won:
Skeeda: Reusable Bags for the Hip, Eco-Chic Shopper gave away one gorgeous, awesome re-usable shopping (shlepping) bag! The bag is very strong, washable, folds flat and is beautiful! Visit their lovely site to see all their affordable and beautiful styles. (Read more about re-usable bags here.)

Thank you Skeeda!!!!

Come back here for more Tu B'Shevat giveaways...
tomorrow's from PopJudaica!


My Previous Tu B'Shevat Party Posts:
Go Vegetarian and be green?
For the Love of the Trees
Waste Not...
Facts About Trees

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Facts About Trees & Green GIVEAWAY

Birthday Party for the Trees at imabima.blogspot.com
Tu B'Shevat, the birthday of the trees (or the new year of the trees) is a minor Jewish holiday, and you can read more about it here and also at Robin's great blog here (she is a few hours ahead of me so her post was up way before mine!)

In honor of Tu B'Shevat...here are 13 reasons trees are important (and a few facts about trees in Israel for good measure...):

1. Trees are a source of shade when the sun is hot. They protect our homes, our grass, our land, from the heat of the sun. Trees control climate by moderating the effects of the sun, rain and wind. Leaves absorb and filter the sun's radiant energy, keeping things cool in summer.

2. Trees produce nourishing fruits and nuts for humans to eat.

3. Trees purify the air we breathe and are sometimes called the "green lungs" of our cities.

4. Trees help prevent the soil from erosion and the land from becoming a desert.

5. Trees can be beautiful and inspiring to gaze upon. As the old adage goes, “I have never seen something as beautiful as a tree.”

6. Many animals, including elephants, koalas and giraffes eat leaves for nourishment. Flowers are eaten by monkeys, and nectar is a favorite of birds, bats and many insects. Animals also eat much of the same fruit that we enjoy.

7. Hundreds of living creatures call trees their home. Leaf-covered branches keep many animals, such as birds and squirrels, out of the reach of predators.

8. They have a wide variety of practical and commercial uses. Wood was the very first fuel, and is still used for cooking and heating by about half of the world's population. Trees provide timber for building construction, furniture manufacture, tools, sporting equipment, and thousands of household items. Wood pulp is used to make paper.

9. The bark of some trees can be made into cork and is a source of chemicals and medicines. Quinine and aspirin are both made from bark extracts. The inner bark of some trees contains latex, the main ingredient of rubber.

10. Today, there are over 200 million trees in Israel – forests of pine, tamarisk, carob and eucalyptus.

11. Since its founding, the Jewish National Fund has planted more than 240 million trees in Israel to protect the land, prevent soil erosion, green the landscape and preserve vital ecosystems.

12. Israel is the only country in the world that entered the 21st century with a net gain in numbers of trees.

13. The Yatir Forest, which grows on the edge of the desert, is the largest of Israel’s man-planted forests. The father of afforestation in Israel, Yosef Weitz, jabbed the ground of Yatir with his walking stick and declared: "A forest will grow here!" contradicting the experts who argued that it was impossible for trees to grow on such arid soil. Which generally sums up Jewish gumption!

Some of these are from SavATree and some are from Jewish National Fund.
See more Thursday Thirteen here...

And now....The Giveaway:
In honor of Tu B'Shevat (the Birthday of the Trees) and the commitment to the earth that the holiday brings with it (read more here and here), Skeeda: Reusable Bags for the Hip, Eco-Chic Shopper is giving away one gorgeous, awesome re-usable shopping (shlepping) bag! The bag is very strong, washable, folds flat and is beautiful! Visit their lovely site to see all their affordable and beautiful styles. (Read more about re-usable bags here.)


How can you win?

1. Make a comment here or on yesterday's Tu B'Shevat posts . Do you use reusable bags for groceries, lunch, shlepping? This is your entry! You can enter each day - once per day. Come back and visit all week for this and other giveaways.

2. For an extra entry, post on your blog or tell a friend about this giveaway and Skeeda's Bags and link back to me. Use my button:

<a href="http://imabima.blogspot.com"><img src="http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc126/imabima/tubshevatparty.jpg" border="0" alt="Birthday Party for the Trees at imabima.blogspot.com"></a>

3. Don't forget to give me a way to get in touch with you if you win!

4. This giveaway ends on Thursday, January 18th at 9pm Central Time. Winner will be announced Friday morning, along with the next Tu B'Shevat Birthday Giveaway!

Come back all week for the Tu B'Shevat Birthday Party and more green green green....re-use a bag, hug a tree!

My Previous Tu B'Shevat Party Posts:
Go Vegetarian and be green?
For the Love of the Trees
Waste Not...

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Waste Not... and a Giveaway!

Birthday Party for the Trees at imabima.blogspot.com

Did you know how easy it is to save the world?
One Sandwich at a Time!

If you would like to slow global warming, if you would like to save water, if you would like to slow deforestation and overgrazing and cut back on the pesticides and fertilizers used to grow your food, all you have to do is change your lunch today (or tomorrow, if you’re reading this after lunch):
Pack a peanut butter and jelly sandwich instead of buying a lunch based on animal products, like a hamburger, fried chicken, or ham sandwich. Want to do more? Have another PB&J tomorrow.

from the PB&J Campaign -- check it out!

But has this ever happened to you?
One "regular" piece of bread...and one "end" (which the kids won't eat, right?):

So here's what I do...spread peanut butter (in our case, chocolate soy nut butter -- peanut-free school) on the back of the "end" (and a little on the other side too), like so:

Put it together...and you'd never know the difference! And you haven't wasted the end.
Pretty neat, huh?

Put it in your reusable container:

And then into your re-usable lunchbox! (Although not as cool as these and my lunches don't look nearly as beautiful as hers.)
That's what Works for Me! What works for you?

And now....The Giveaway:

In honor of Tu B'Shevat (the Birthday of the Trees) and the commitment to the earth that the holiday brings with it (read more here and here), Skeeda: Reusable Bags for the Hip, Eco-Chic Shopper is giving away one gorgeous, awesome re-usable shopping (shlepping) bag! The bag is very strong, washable, folds flat and is beautiful! Visit their lovely site to see all their affordable and beautiful styles. (Read more about re-usable bags here.)


How can you win?

1. Make a comment here or on any of my Tu B'Shevat posts today or tomorrow. Do you use reusable bags for groceries, lunch, shlepping? This is your entry! You can enter each day - once per day. Come back and visit all week for this and other giveaways.

2. For an extra entry, post on your blog or tell a friend about this giveaway and Skeeda's Bags and link back to me. Use my button:

<a href="http://imabima.blogspot.com"><img src="http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc126/imabima/tubshevatparty.jpg" border="0" alt="Birthday Party for the Trees at imabima.blogspot.com"></a>

3. Don't forget to give me a way to get in touch with you if you win!

4. This giveaway ends on Thursday, January 18th at 9pm Central Time. Winner will be announced Friday morning, along with the next Tu B'Shevat Birthday Giveaway!

Come back all week for the Tu B'Shevat Birthday Party and more green green green....re-use a bag, hug a tree!

My Previous Tu B'Shevat Party Posts:
Go Vegetarian and be green?
For the Love of the Trees

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Winner of Eco-Libris Giveaway!

Birthday Party for the Trees at imabima.blogspot.com

The winner of the *first* Tu B'Shevat Birthday Party Giveaway is...
(thanks to random.org)

Melody A. - the HipMomma!
you definitely should check out her gorgeous blog

Congrats, Melody!

What she won...
Eco-Libris is trying to balance out our books -- planting a tree for every book. They're going to plant 10 trees for Melody A., with accompanying stickers to put into her own books to proudly show her "tree offset" and her commitment to the environment.

Please check them out and get your own tree offsets! -- they offer gift cards and easy payment via Paypal.
Their blog is full of great greeny stuff. Thank you, Eco-Libris!

Read this (Wednesday's) post for the next giveaway, from Skeeda bags!

Go Veg? and GIVEAWAY!

Birthday Party for the Trees at imabima.blogspot.com

I have posted before about being a vegetarian. I do not usually proselytize about the veggie life -- in fact, I know that many people will never give up meat (hi Dad! hi Harry!). But that doesn't mean that eating a plant-based diet, even a few times a week, isn't a good idea for all of us. One of my favorite "earth-saving" tips is to eat a meat-free meal at least once a week.

Here are some of the benefits:
  • Animals raised for food are responsible for 18% of global warming emissions -- more than transportation.
  • Most of the 78 million acres of razed rainforest worldwide is to be used as grazing land to produce meat for North America. This leads to global warming, desertification, and driving 80% of the earth’s species to extinction. Every hamburger is the equivalent of 55 square feet of razed rainforest.
  • Producing plant foods is 5-50 times more energy efficient than producing animal products! A pound of steak is the equivalent of burning a gallon of gasoline.
Source: http://www.jewishveg.com/je.html

Judaism has always been interested in preserving our environment. Psalms 24:1 teaches: "The earth is God's in all its fullness." Our tradition holds the concept of "bal tashchit" -- do not waste, and this applies most especially to the fruits of the earth. If we shouldn't waste, then perhaps occasionally we should feed ourselves using means which do not use as many resources...

In honor of Tu B'Shevat, which is next Tuesday...can you do it? Can you go meatless once, twice, three times a week? One week each month, can you go meatless? What's the challenge you're willing to take to save even one tree, one acre of forest, one little bit of fresh air?

To get you started, here's one of my favorite veggie recipes (that doesn't use tofu!)...from one of my favorite cookbooks, the Vegetarian Family Cookbook by Nava Atlas (find this recipe and others at her website):

Seitan “Meat and Potatoes” Stew
6 to 8 servings

Seitan, a high-protein food made of wheat gluten, gives this stew a “meaty” texture. Prepared seitan is readily available in most natural foods stores as well as a growing number of well-stocked supermarkets.

  • 2 tablespoons light olive oil
  • 1 large onion, quartered and thinly sliced
  • 2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 5 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 4 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 1 vegetable bouillon cube
  • 1/2 to 1 lb sliced mushrooms (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon salt-free all-purpose seasoning (like Spike or Mrs. Dash)
  • 1 to 1 1/2 pounds seitan cut into bite-sized pieces (the more the yummier)
  • 1 cup frozen green peas, completely thawed
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Heat half of the oil in a large soup pot. Add the onion and garlic and saute over medium heat until the onion is golden. Add 3 cups of water along with the potatoes, carrots, bouillon cube, and seasoning. Bring to a simmer, then cover and simmer gently for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the potato and carrots are tender. Meanwhile, heat the remaining oil in a large skillet. Add the seitan pieces and saute over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until most sides are nicely browned and crisp. Once the vegetables are done, use the back of a wooden spoon to mash enough of the potatoes to thicken the base of the stew. Stir in the sauteed seitan and peas. Add a bit more water if necessary. The consistency should be thick and moist, but not soupy. Cook over low heat for 1 to 2 minutes longer. Season with salt and pepper (use salt sparingly, if at all, since the bouillon cube and seitan add a salty flavor), then serve in shallow bowls.

Some of my other vegetarian-friendly posts:
Mushroom Barley Casserole
Five Great Vegetarian Cookbooks
Tortellini Tomato Soup (yum)
Why be a vegetarian?
Kosher Bacon?

Don't forget the Tu B'Shevat Giveaway!

Eco-Libris is trying to balance out our books -- planting a tree for every book. They've generously offered to plant 10 trees for one lucky reader, with accompanying stickers to put into your own books to proudly show your "tree offset" and your commitment to the environment. Check them out -- they offer gift cards and easy payment via Paypal. Their blog is full of great greeny stuff.

How can you win?

1. Make a comment here or on any of my Tu B'Shevat posts. Say something nice about trees or the earth. Make a meatless pledge? This is your entry! You can enter each day - once per day. Come back and visit all week for this and other giveaways.

2. For an extra entry, post on your blog or tell a friend about this giveaway and Eco-Libris and link back to me. Use my button:

<a href="http://imabima.blogspot.com"><img src="http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc126/imabima/tubshevatparty.jpg" border="0" alt="Birthday Party for the Trees at imabima.blogspot.com"></a>

3. Don't forget to give me a way to get in touch with you if you win!

4. This giveaway ends on Tuesday, January 15th (that's today) at 9pm Central Time. Winner will be announced Wednesday morning, along with the next Tu B'Shevat Birthday Giveaway!

Come back all week for the Tu B'Shevat Birthday Party and more green green green....hug a tree!

Previous Tu B'Shevat Birthday Party Posts:
For the Love of the Trees

Monday, January 14, 2008

For the Love of the Trees - Tu B'Shevat is Coming!

Birthday Party for the Trees at imabima.blogspot.com

It's here! My big Tu B'Shevat Birthday Party for the Trees is here!

Tu B'shevat is the Jewish holiday celebrating the "new year (or birthday) of the trees." The name comes from the calendar date on which it falls: Tu is the Hebrew equivalent of 15 and Shevat is the Hebrew month in which we are in right now. Tu B'shevat was originally a day when the fruits that grew from that day on were counted for the following year in regard to tithes.

In modern times, it is celebrated as a Jewish "Earth Day" -- celebrating trees, planting trees, and reflecting on environmental and ecological issues. This year, Tu B'Shevat falls on Tuesday, January 22nd, next week.

Over the next week leading up to Tu B'Shevat, I'm celebrating green here at Ima on and off the Bima with a Birthday Party for the Trees!

No party is complete without party favors, so visit all week for giveaways and winners -- giveaways will be posted today, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday so come back each day this week!

Here we go...

My children love books. We have a large collection, they love to read (and chew) on them.

(Thanks to Julie, whose Best Shot last week inspired me to stand up...see more Best Shots here!)

My whole family loves books. But did you ever think of the environmental impact of your books? Books are, of course, made from paper, which comes from trees. A new organization, Eco-Libris, is trying to balance out our books -- planting a tree for every book. They've generously offered to plant 10 trees for one lucky reader, with accompanying stickers to put into your own books to proudly show your "tree offset" and your commitment to the environment. Check them out -- they offer gift cards and easy payment via Paypal. Their blog is full of great greeny stuff.

How can you win?


1. Make a comment here or on any of my Tu B'Shevat posts. Say something nice about trees or the earth. This is your entry! You can enter each day - once per day. Come back and visit all week for this and other giveaways.

2. For an extra entry, post on your blog or tell a friend about this giveaway and Eco-Libris and link back to me. Use my button:

<a href="http://imabima.blogspot.com"><img src="http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc126/imabima/tubshevatparty.jpg" border="0" alt="Birthday Party for the Trees at imabima.blogspot.com"></a>

3. Don't forget to give me a way to get in touch with you if you win!

4. This giveaway ends on Tuesday, January 15th at 9pm Central Time. Winner will be announced Wednesday morning, along with the next Tu B'Shevat Birthday Giveaway!

Come back all week for the Tu B'Shevat Birthday Party and more green green green....hug a tree!

Friday, January 11, 2008

I wanna win....


A Cowboy’s Wife is having a contest on her food blog! You can win a Hamilton Beach® Stand Mixer and she’ll ship anywhere so everyone is eligible!

Remember how I said I was on a streak? Wouldn't this rock...






And...Stay tuned...beginning next Monday is the
All-Green, All-Trees, All-Week Celebration of Tu B'Shevat,
the Birthday of the Trees!
***with FIVE giveaways***
Come back and visit!

Tu B'Shevat Birthday Party for the Trees at Imabima.blogspot.com

The Plagues Continue...Haiku Torah

"Let my people go!"
Moses brought God's threat to Court.
"Who should go?" they asked.

"Everyone!" Mo said.
"No way!" Pharaoh had to say
and sent them away.

So God sent locusts
to cover over Egypt.
Bugs were everywhere!

Then Pharaoh denied
the request that Moses made
one more time: "no how!"

Now plague number nine
came down in the form of dark -
no light anywhere.

The king was almost
convinced to let them all go
but couldn't do it.

Moses warned Pharaoh
the next one would be real bad -
Mo left in a huff.

God gave a command
"Put lamb's blood on your doorposts
and eat the lamb too,

with unleavened bread
and bitter herbs together -
Call this Passover."

"The blood will protect
your homes from the final plague
that I give Egypt."

"You'll remember this
every year at this same time
and you'll eat matzah."

And so it happened:
the first-born of Egypt died.
Everyone was sad.

Pharaoh called for Mo:
"Get out and go and leave us!"
and so they packed up.

Four hundred thirty
was the number of years there.
It was time to go.

Shabbat Shalom!
Stay tuned for the big climax of Exodus...
See more Haiku Friday here.

And...Stay tuned...beginning next Monday is the
All-Green, All-Trees, All-Week Celebration of Tu B'Shevat,
the Birthday of the Trees!

***with FIVE giveaways***
Come back and visit!

Tu B'Shevat Birthday Party for the Trees at Imabima.blogspot.com

Making New Year's Resolutions, sort of

I am not usually one to make New Year's resolutions. In fact, I generally consider January 1st to be an interesting change but never feels "different" in the way that Rosh HaShanah does for me. But this year, in the last week of December, I came across the 101 in 1001 challenge. The idea of creating 101 things to do in such a lengthy period of time (1001 days) is more interesting to me than making loose resolutions that I may or may not keep in a year. I had a number of ideas for my list but many of them involved my husband and family. So I convinced begged invited my husband to join me in the challenge. Together we made a list of 50 things to do in 1001 days, and then we each made a list of 51 more personal things. Some of them are simple: Take our vitamins every day (#7), kiss a child every day (#2), some are fun: watch one movie together each week (#23), change the CDs in the car once a month (#34), some are big projects: organize our closet (#44), organize the basement once a month until it's done (#29)....some are private!

My personal list is somewhat similar -- a mishmosh of difficult and simple things that I hope will change my life, make it different, make it more interesting, more beautiful. Here are 13 of my 51 in 1001...

1. Go to gym once a week. One week each month, go 2x a week. (this is actually 2 separate ones)
2. Keep track of all the books I read.
3. Make sure I'm in more of the pictures.
4. Attempt one month each year of the 365 Photos Challenge.
5. Execute one crafty project every three months.
6. Buy bottled water no more than 1x a month (use water bottle).
7. Use travel mug at least twice for every 6 visits to coffee place.
8. One month each year, no Starbucks at all.
9. Start a vegetable garden.
10. Attempt to have a neighborhood block party.
11. Do the Printz Award Challenge (read six of the Printz Award winners)
12. Make soup once a month.
13. Use slow cooker 3x each winter.

What are some of your goals? I think this challenge is so powerful because of the length of it. I am keeping the list posted in my kitchen, inside a cupboard, divided by daily, weekly, monthly, yearly tasks.

Stay tuned for updates on my 101 in 1001 progress...
See more Thursday Thirteen here.

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

A great existential problem...


This week is a backwards Works for Me Wednesday at Rocks in My Dryer, where we get to pose our question to the Internet and it will be magically answered (I hope!)...

So here's the great existential problem I have today...

How do you keep the toys organized?
How do you keep all the pieces together so that the toys can be played with in their set?
How do you keep all the legos together, the puzzles together, the Little People together, the trains together...I have separate bins but when they get put away, they often get all mish-moshed together (that's a technical term, btw)
How do you get the kids to put them away in the right places without having to pick them up on your own? (A terrible controlly sort of thing that I try to avoid doing...and then about once a week or once every other week, I do a major re-sort of all the toys.)

Help me, O Wise Internet!
(And help other people here...)

And...Stay tuned...beginning next Monday is the All-Green, All-Trees, All-Week Celebration of Tu B'Shevat, the Birthday of the Trees! (With at least one great giveaway....maybe more!)

Tu B'Shevat Birthday Party for the Trees at Imabima.blogspot.com

Monday, January 7, 2008

I want to be like Dad...BSM

Obviously, our children want to be like us. They want to do what we do and have what we have. I know that my children (all of them!) think my Blackberry is the coolest toy in the house. There is great power here. Even without realizing it, I have taught them something about what I value. Do I teach them that the Blackberry takes Mommy away from them, or do I teach them that it helps us connect to the people that we love? I hope for the latter, and I think I'm doing alright when my 2-year-old just want to call his grandparents whenever he takes my phone. But it is an awesome responsibility knowing that these little people emulate my every move.

My husband loves to play video games. Therefore, my children want to play with the controllers. These controllers, they know, are important in some way. They don't know exactly what they do, but they want them!

Here is Yael, enjoying the controller that her dad has let her play with, while in th background, he plays his game.



Just for good measure...I did a little editing of another one of these shots. What do you think?



For more Best Shot Monday, go here.

Stay tuned...beginning next Monday is the All-Green, All-Trees, All-Week Celebration of Tu B'Shevat, the Birthday of the Trees!

Tu B'Shevat Birthday Party for the Trees at imabima.blogspot.com