The best things about Pesach!
Some of you may be wondering how I really feel about Pesach. After all the hard work and effort of preparing for the holiday there is really no time to enjoy it, and the Matza, well we just won’t go there. The honest truth is I LOVE IT. I love the fact that after A LOT OF HARD WORK and intense preparations I got to have my family together for a long weekend. I got to enjoy every single minute of it! I really enjoy being in Pesach mode. Sure, like everyone else I do not enjoy too much the preparations before hand…but really to me they were well worth it.
Going through all of the preparations of cleaning, cleaning, cleaning and more cleaning and covering and then cooking I can really understand why people would like to go away for Yom Tov. You go to a hotel, everything is cooked, cleaned and all you have to do is ENJOY! The upside…you do nothing but relax. The downside, when you come home your house is still a wreck because it hasn’t ever gotten a deep scrub like one does for Pesach. Then I wonder does a person really enjoy Pesach when they haven’t put in an ounce of effort into it? DO they really reap the reward? Then I think do I really care? The answer to be completely honest with you is NO. I could care less. I don’t care that someone paid $5000 per person for a Pesach Vacation, I don’t care that they just relaxed without any work at all involved. I just don’t care. However I do want to say that I have had such a positive experience that I cannot wait to make Pesach again and have the entire family together at our house. These are the memories that I like, everyone together, comfortable being able to laugh as loud as we want, or cry with big tears, to sing as loud as possible, or to be supper silent. Not to have to dress before having breakfast with your mom and dad and to stay in PJ’s till the men come home from shul that IS AWESOME. That is why no matter how ‘relaxing’ doing nothing is, I would still choose to stay home with the family and be truly relaxed and at ‘home’ ;-). I love the freedoms that Pesach allows.
On another note, I hated Pesach when I was single. One of the reasons: I didn’t have a kitchen. I was starving that whole week. So, now that the kitchen is mine and I am not starving the whole time I LOVE IT.
Another note, I’ll be baking a lot more next year, LOVE IT!!!
Showing posts with label Pesach. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pesach. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Monday, April 14, 2008
Pesach Crunch
Pesach,
Just for one second I would like to talk about how much money is being spent for Pesach. Really its not that much more than every week grocery shopping the only problem is you need everything. I don’t buy mayo every week; I’ll buy it once a month. For Pesach I need to buy it fresh and with a special label that says that it is Kosher for Pesach. I don’t buy ketchup every week; I’ll buy it once every 4 months, for Pesach not so. Same goes for a lot of the items that we are forced into buying a new even though usually we do not. It is those items that really add up. I understand others may have complaints with the actual COST of food items for Pesach. I do not. Some things cost a little more, others because I don’t usually buy them I have no idea how much they usually do cost. Yet, staples like chicken and turkey and roast beef and gifiltah fish have been on sale from week to week since before Purim. Sometimes the sale price is so good that I’ve bought even more than what I need for Pesach so that I can use it after. So really the cost of Pesach (at least in a big city, where there are options of where to go to shop) is not the topic, the true topic is the quantity of what it is that we are buying. For holidays people have more company therefore needing to buy more food.
So I have pinned down why our Pesach costs…it's our first Pesach. Last year my expense for things I need for Pesach were $4…we were married for 8 months and I bought a cutting board and a knife, all our meals we had invitations for and during the three days of Halamoid we ate veggies and matza. This year however we are starting from scratch….therefore we have to buy everything some examples; dishes, and serve wear and cutting boards and real knives and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and. Yet, I must admit, I love it. I like preparing I like the idea that my family will be together, and admittedly so I like buying new stuff for the kitchen and new serve wear and trying to find awesome deals for everything. So, after all I’m glad we knew we were going to be doing Pesach at our house and we started shopping for sales way early. I’m glad that we were 75% prepared before Purim and now we are about 95% there…
So I guess it’s not a rant after all, I’m just trying to say to everyone that reads my blog…
Have a Happy Kosher Pesach. Enjoy!!!
Just for one second I would like to talk about how much money is being spent for Pesach. Really its not that much more than every week grocery shopping the only problem is you need everything. I don’t buy mayo every week; I’ll buy it once a month. For Pesach I need to buy it fresh and with a special label that says that it is Kosher for Pesach. I don’t buy ketchup every week; I’ll buy it once every 4 months, for Pesach not so. Same goes for a lot of the items that we are forced into buying a new even though usually we do not. It is those items that really add up. I understand others may have complaints with the actual COST of food items for Pesach. I do not. Some things cost a little more, others because I don’t usually buy them I have no idea how much they usually do cost. Yet, staples like chicken and turkey and roast beef and gifiltah fish have been on sale from week to week since before Purim. Sometimes the sale price is so good that I’ve bought even more than what I need for Pesach so that I can use it after. So really the cost of Pesach (at least in a big city, where there are options of where to go to shop) is not the topic, the true topic is the quantity of what it is that we are buying. For holidays people have more company therefore needing to buy more food.
So I have pinned down why our Pesach costs…it's our first Pesach. Last year my expense for things I need for Pesach were $4…we were married for 8 months and I bought a cutting board and a knife, all our meals we had invitations for and during the three days of Halamoid we ate veggies and matza. This year however we are starting from scratch….therefore we have to buy everything some examples; dishes, and serve wear and cutting boards and real knives and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and. Yet, I must admit, I love it. I like preparing I like the idea that my family will be together, and admittedly so I like buying new stuff for the kitchen and new serve wear and trying to find awesome deals for everything. So, after all I’m glad we knew we were going to be doing Pesach at our house and we started shopping for sales way early. I’m glad that we were 75% prepared before Purim and now we are about 95% there…
So I guess it’s not a rant after all, I’m just trying to say to everyone that reads my blog…
Have a Happy Kosher Pesach. Enjoy!!!
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Pesach Lists
List, what list?
As some of you know we have been remodeling our bathroom for the better half of 3 months now. This situation has not really bothered me, up until this week. This is my power week! I NEED to have 90% of cleaning and organizing done this week so that can flip my kitchen next week! As I am not completely crazy (and the fact that I like to keep everything clean anyways) I am not in full out panic mode…yet. Really though I would love to be able to clean my room, curtains that need washing, floors that are so neglected!!!! AHHHHHHHHHH.
Yesterday I had a moment of weakness. It came at about 11:30pm and after yet another trip to the store equaling $150 on food that I cannot eat today. Honestly, it’s like Pesach is out to ruin any budget that you may have set. Since, this is my first Pesach I’m taking it in stride and trying very hard not to panic. Yet, it still feels like a gigantic money pit which I just have to keep buying for. The truth is it is our first Pesach and a lot of the items we don’t have and we truly do need them in order to make Pesach. Such items are like pots, pans, mixers, dishes, serving dishes, utensils, serving utensils and etc. We started to shop sales months ago and yet I feel like I’m not any closer to having everything that I will need. I do realize that if I were to just go to a store and buy things at regular price that I would be spending 3 maybe even 4 or 5 times as much as I am now shopping for bargains there is just a little piece of me that wants to just go to one stop and get everything done! Then the rational part of me says: “ARE YOU CRAZY!!!” You really want to pay full price when you know you could do a little bit of research and get it so much cheaper??? This is the statement that makes the constant shopping and stores and price checking worth it.
On that note, I have renounced the idea of saving any money on food at this time. This goes against all of my theories and my general principal, but there is truly nothing I can do. I cannot go to a different store and get a better price on Mayo, because there is no better price. There is Mayo for the price that it is set for Pesach or there is no mayo at all. Other than the fruits and vegetables I have let down my money saving guard (on food items).
As some of you know we have been remodeling our bathroom for the better half of 3 months now. This situation has not really bothered me, up until this week. This is my power week! I NEED to have 90% of cleaning and organizing done this week so that can flip my kitchen next week! As I am not completely crazy (and the fact that I like to keep everything clean anyways) I am not in full out panic mode…yet. Really though I would love to be able to clean my room, curtains that need washing, floors that are so neglected!!!! AHHHHHHHHHH.
Yesterday I had a moment of weakness. It came at about 11:30pm and after yet another trip to the store equaling $150 on food that I cannot eat today. Honestly, it’s like Pesach is out to ruin any budget that you may have set. Since, this is my first Pesach I’m taking it in stride and trying very hard not to panic. Yet, it still feels like a gigantic money pit which I just have to keep buying for. The truth is it is our first Pesach and a lot of the items we don’t have and we truly do need them in order to make Pesach. Such items are like pots, pans, mixers, dishes, serving dishes, utensils, serving utensils and etc. We started to shop sales months ago and yet I feel like I’m not any closer to having everything that I will need. I do realize that if I were to just go to a store and buy things at regular price that I would be spending 3 maybe even 4 or 5 times as much as I am now shopping for bargains there is just a little piece of me that wants to just go to one stop and get everything done! Then the rational part of me says: “ARE YOU CRAZY!!!” You really want to pay full price when you know you could do a little bit of research and get it so much cheaper??? This is the statement that makes the constant shopping and stores and price checking worth it.
On that note, I have renounced the idea of saving any money on food at this time. This goes against all of my theories and my general principal, but there is truly nothing I can do. I cannot go to a different store and get a better price on Mayo, because there is no better price. There is Mayo for the price that it is set for Pesach or there is no mayo at all. Other than the fruits and vegetables I have let down my money saving guard (on food items).
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Pesach!
WHY are we still in Renovation MODE!
So I’m trying to get ready for pesach but my efforts are being hindered by the NEVER ENDING CONSTRUCTION THAT HAS BECOME MY HOUSE! Granted it was my idea to start this hullabaloo but really can it please come to an end? Thank g-d my husband is working on it and is putting in all of his free time towards the effort of completion. We are almost there and I cannot wait! I really would like to use the toilet rather than trip over it every morning.
In other news some things were bought for Pesach at Wal-Mart last night. I HATE Wal-Mart! But you got to do what you got to do in order to get the savings. So one of the things that I wanted to mention that is interesting at Wal-Mart is that they have implemented a door checker. This person’s job is to stand at the door look at your receipt and then check the items in your cart to match those of the receipt. In theory GREAT IDEA….In reality NOT SO MUCH! Here is the problem, the person checking my cart was not checking everyone in fact the only reason she checked me is because I patiently stood there and waited my turn. Everyone else that was not so patient went around the line and out the door with no repercussion. Moving on she read my receipt line for line it took her two minutes at the least, yet she did not check my cart AT ALL. SO she memorized my list and that was it? What’s the point? THEN, she let me go. So on my way to my car ( I had to park in Japan because in America the parking lot was full!) I was thinking I could have stolen anything I wanted and gotten away with it. WHY because I bought a huge 100 qt storage bin for all of the Pesach stuff that we will have store after Pesach. Nobody checked if anything was in there! I could have had all of my stuff that I bought inside and paid $10 for everything! There are also cart checkers at Costco. At least there I can understand it. Nothing is in a bag. Most items are clearly visible and they usually do a count of items while you wait. Yet again, mission completed and savings were made. I am still not entirely convinced that I wouldn’t have gotten the same savings at Target where I LOVE the store!
So I’m trying to get ready for pesach but my efforts are being hindered by the NEVER ENDING CONSTRUCTION THAT HAS BECOME MY HOUSE! Granted it was my idea to start this hullabaloo but really can it please come to an end? Thank g-d my husband is working on it and is putting in all of his free time towards the effort of completion. We are almost there and I cannot wait! I really would like to use the toilet rather than trip over it every morning.
In other news some things were bought for Pesach at Wal-Mart last night. I HATE Wal-Mart! But you got to do what you got to do in order to get the savings. So one of the things that I wanted to mention that is interesting at Wal-Mart is that they have implemented a door checker. This person’s job is to stand at the door look at your receipt and then check the items in your cart to match those of the receipt. In theory GREAT IDEA….In reality NOT SO MUCH! Here is the problem, the person checking my cart was not checking everyone in fact the only reason she checked me is because I patiently stood there and waited my turn. Everyone else that was not so patient went around the line and out the door with no repercussion. Moving on she read my receipt line for line it took her two minutes at the least, yet she did not check my cart AT ALL. SO she memorized my list and that was it? What’s the point? THEN, she let me go. So on my way to my car ( I had to park in Japan because in America the parking lot was full!) I was thinking I could have stolen anything I wanted and gotten away with it. WHY because I bought a huge 100 qt storage bin for all of the Pesach stuff that we will have store after Pesach. Nobody checked if anything was in there! I could have had all of my stuff that I bought inside and paid $10 for everything! There are also cart checkers at Costco. At least there I can understand it. Nothing is in a bag. Most items are clearly visible and they usually do a count of items while you wait. Yet again, mission completed and savings were made. I am still not entirely convinced that I wouldn’t have gotten the same savings at Target where I LOVE the store!
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Getting Prepared for Pesach
Ladies and gentlemen lets face it, Pesach is coming. At this point it is too late to deny it. There are a few options, one: convert to another religion, two: embrace it. I'm sure there are other options, but these are the best in my opinion.
Since my husband and I have chosen to embrace it we are starting to prepare early. Really, one of the reasons we are starting much earlier is because we have not 'made' Pesach before. So a brief explanation and then onto the preparations. We have of course celebrated Pesach many times, we even helped prepare many times but we have not really done our own. Last year we were in the middle of a move and our only Pesach preparation was to of course clean (that is never a problem though) and to buy a cutting board and a knife, grand total $5, not including the cost of food of course. This year however we are extremely excited to be doing Pesach at our house and having our families over. Since the only thing we have for Pesach is China and cute salad bowls that we got for our wedding, we are really starting from scratch....which brings me to the meat of this post.
We have known for a while now that we would like to do Pesach at our house, there was toss up as to it maybe being at my brothers but it appears we have won this year. So, every time there is a sale on a good or a service we are quick to think about it for the future. Which is really how you can SAVE on Pesach preparations. I was at Target in October and they had a food processor on sale from $50 marked down to $20....now we have a Pesach food processor which from what I hear is the work horse for this chag. There was a coupon for a crock pot, that is an old fashioned one (not on a timer) which is what you need in order to use in on a chag that flows into Shabbat, the crock pot original cost $50, we paid $10 that is right you didn't miss read it $10. We were looking for water glasses, beautiful glasses, 20% off 16 pieces $10 that's right $10!!! Now these are just a few examples that I am giving to prove that Pesach does not have to be this awful thing that everyone doesn't look forward to. It can actually be quite fun. Everyone likes getting good deals and if you are on the ball you can have fun and not spend a ton of money. Granted because we are getting all this stuff for the first time we are going to spend more money this year than in years to come. Since we will not need a lot of the things that we are buying and on the look out to buy this year. However, this is just an example of how things can be managed in every day life. If a person needs something the same day that they thought of it, chances are you are not going to get it on a sale at a great price. IF however the person is reasonable, and can wait a bit you can get a great deal for what you need.
The only problem with trying to save money is that it takes time! Its a lot easier to go into a store, buy whatever it is that you need and leave. Ten seconds after you leave the store you start complaining to every Sara, Chaim and Moshe how you got ripped off and how much money you HAD to spend. WHEN in fact you did not need to go into the first store, be it Walmart (which is not always the cheapest) or Bed Bath and Beyond (which is sometimes cheaper then Walmart) and spend the asking price of whatever it is you are buying. It never seems to amaze me how people go completely nuts over holidays. Pesach is the best example because people literally need to take a zanex when preparing for this one. The only reason to go crazy over the holidays is because you are ill prepared for them. If however you are on track with coupons, advertising and a little bit of shopping (be it by foot (store to store) or on the Internet) you can find good deals.
Thoughts?
Since my husband and I have chosen to embrace it we are starting to prepare early. Really, one of the reasons we are starting much earlier is because we have not 'made' Pesach before. So a brief explanation and then onto the preparations. We have of course celebrated Pesach many times, we even helped prepare many times but we have not really done our own. Last year we were in the middle of a move and our only Pesach preparation was to of course clean (that is never a problem though) and to buy a cutting board and a knife, grand total $5, not including the cost of food of course. This year however we are extremely excited to be doing Pesach at our house and having our families over. Since the only thing we have for Pesach is China and cute salad bowls that we got for our wedding, we are really starting from scratch....which brings me to the meat of this post.
We have known for a while now that we would like to do Pesach at our house, there was toss up as to it maybe being at my brothers but it appears we have won this year. So, every time there is a sale on a good or a service we are quick to think about it for the future. Which is really how you can SAVE on Pesach preparations. I was at Target in October and they had a food processor on sale from $50 marked down to $20....now we have a Pesach food processor which from what I hear is the work horse for this chag. There was a coupon for a crock pot, that is an old fashioned one (not on a timer) which is what you need in order to use in on a chag that flows into Shabbat, the crock pot original cost $50, we paid $10 that is right you didn't miss read it $10. We were looking for water glasses, beautiful glasses, 20% off 16 pieces $10 that's right $10!!! Now these are just a few examples that I am giving to prove that Pesach does not have to be this awful thing that everyone doesn't look forward to. It can actually be quite fun. Everyone likes getting good deals and if you are on the ball you can have fun and not spend a ton of money. Granted because we are getting all this stuff for the first time we are going to spend more money this year than in years to come. Since we will not need a lot of the things that we are buying and on the look out to buy this year. However, this is just an example of how things can be managed in every day life. If a person needs something the same day that they thought of it, chances are you are not going to get it on a sale at a great price. IF however the person is reasonable, and can wait a bit you can get a great deal for what you need.
The only problem with trying to save money is that it takes time! Its a lot easier to go into a store, buy whatever it is that you need and leave. Ten seconds after you leave the store you start complaining to every Sara, Chaim and Moshe how you got ripped off and how much money you HAD to spend. WHEN in fact you did not need to go into the first store, be it Walmart (which is not always the cheapest) or Bed Bath and Beyond (which is sometimes cheaper then Walmart) and spend the asking price of whatever it is you are buying. It never seems to amaze me how people go completely nuts over holidays. Pesach is the best example because people literally need to take a zanex when preparing for this one. The only reason to go crazy over the holidays is because you are ill prepared for them. If however you are on track with coupons, advertising and a little bit of shopping (be it by foot (store to store) or on the Internet) you can find good deals.
Thoughts?
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