Getting Ready For Pesach (Passover)

It's that time of year again when Jewish women tend to go overboard getting ready for Pesach. I have learned over the years that the earlier you begin the more work you will do. I try and leave most of what needs to be done until the week or two before the holiday. There have been a few things that I have already taken care of. I have begun to reorganize my cabinets so that one can be cleared for my Pesach food.

The girls and I have also cleaned their room. This entailed going through the drawers under their beds where crumbs tend to collect (Yes, I let my kids eat food in their bedroom!). We also went through the boxes that they keep their Barbies, Polly Pockets, Playmobile and other toys in. Everything is now  sorted and food free. We did have some fun while we were cleaning. We spent some time dressing up Molly in the dress up clothes. I'm not sure, though, how much Molly enjoyed it.

Next week I will go food shopping for my dry goods and cheeses and I will also replace the food processor, spatula and can opener that I pinched from my Pesach cabinet when said items either broke or were lost.

The week before Pesach I will turn over my kitchen, buy my milk and eggs from my co-op downtown and do my baking and Seder prep. One of the most important things that I have learnt over the years is that the Seder meals should not be big. After being required to eat massive amount of matzo during the Seder (About the equivalent of 4 square pieces!) no one is very hungry for dinner. I usually make a brisket or schnitzel and a vegetable for the meal. I also make a small dessert with fruit to help digest the matzo! Anything else is a big waste of time and energy. Lunches will be low key. We will eat salads, smoked salmon and eggs.

For those of you out there who are getting ready please remember what really is necessary and what is not necessary. You do not need to move your appliances and clean under and behind them! Most importantly I want everyone to know that despite the calm that exists while I write this post I am absolutely sure that I will still experience moments of complete panic so don't feel bad when you do. You are not alone.


Comments

coriefeiner said…
nice post! keeping the meal simple is great advice. now tell that to my mom!
Emily Rosenfeld said…
First, I just adore the picture. Thanks for a great post, and for the reminder that we are not alone in our panic!
Corie,

I think I know you from API or Diaper Free Baby!

Beth
Emily,

I can't begin to tell you how many times I have begun to feel panic coming on in the last few days. I just do my best to push it aside.

Beth
Bizzy said…
I am glad you commented on simplicity for the seder meal. Over the years, have cut down and cut down until now, we have a reasonable meal.

I make chicken with lots of vegetables so it covers everything. Sometimes, I even get soup out of this, if I play my cards right.

I also make apple muffins that you might be interested in - no matzah meal and pretty healthy. I will try to blog them tomorrow, if I can find a few minutes.

I made my blondies with cranberries and almonds, this year. Actually, we ate those already, in the week before crunch.
http://bizzybakesb.blogspot.com/2011/04/blondies-with-cranberries-and-almonds.html
Bizzy,

It took many years of me sitting at the Seder table exhausted to figure out that the meal did not need to be big.

The cranberry blondies look delicious and I am looking forward to checking out the apple muffins.

Beth

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