Enlightened Eater

It’s that time of year when you’re likely on the hunt for some wonderful gifts: I’m here to help you out. While the internet is an incredible resource for an unlimited number of recipes, having cookbooks, particularly beautiful ones, is still a must for many. Up first, is the eye-catching book Variations Simple and Delicious […]

Next Tuesday night marks the beginning of Chanukah, the 8-day festival of lights, which is celebrated by Jews around the world. While it’s usually just the kids who get gifts, here’s a special gift for someone who likes to cook: The Healthy Jewish Kitchen: Fresh Contemporary Recipes for Every Occasion by Paula Shoyer (Sterling Epicure). […]

Every year at Chanukah when I explain my reasoning as to why Chanukah should be a low-fat festival, everyone always comments that my thinking makes sense. The miracle of Chanukah is that one day’s supply  of oil (back in 165 B.C.) lasted 8 days.  Each night of the 8-day festival an additional candle is lit […]

This coming weekend is quite unique: both Chanukah and Christmas coincide. In my entire life I do not ever recall both taking place at the same. Chanukah, the festival of lights, usually falls sometime during November or the beginning of December but this year, the eight days celebration starts on Christmas Eve! If you’re looking […]

Yes, I know. Everyone says you’re supposed to eat copious amounts of oil over Chanukah to celebrate the miracle that took place thousands of years  ago when the Maccabee’s one day’s  worth of oil lasted eight days.  I’m still of the belief that this Jewish holiday should be one based on tradition which would make […]

Chanukah, the Festival of Lights,  is only a few days away.  It commemorates the    miracle of  oil, a one day supply which burned for 8 nights. It is a holiday filled with games for kids and plenty of food (much of it fried to celebrate the oil).  One traditional food is potato latkes.  You simply […]

I am always asked for my baked latke recipe so I am re-posting it along with my questions about how the tradition of using copious amounts of fat came about. I just don’t get it. The miracle of Chanukah is that one day’s worth of oil lasted eight days. How does that translate into eating […]

I just don’t get it.  The miracle of Chanukah is that one day’s worth of oil lasted eight days. How does that translate into eating everything that is fried as a way to celebrate the festival? It simply doesn’t make sense to me. And it’s not because I’m a dietitian. When you consider what Jews […]