Simple Meals + Honest Book Reviews + Practical Living
We had a really smooth week settling back in from our week long trip. Smooth, albeit we hit the ground running. We re-enrolled our two older children as upcoming first and second graders, switched home and auto policies, I renewed my soon-to-be expired drivers license, we moved some money around, and other mundane tasks of running a household with four small children. It was a great trip, though I’m really happy to be home.
Our household burns through a ton of tortillas. I used to purchase 1-2 packs at Trader Joes each week, though upon closer inspection to the ingredient list… I decided I better try my hand at homemade tortillas. And W-O-W. These tortillas are so much fresher, so much tastier, and only five simple ingredients compared to store-bought ones.
Greetings! We spent this past week out west, visiting my in-laws, thawing out our frozen bones in the Arizona sunshine, going on lots of little adventures + plenty of rest, and clocking in four dinner dates in seven days — actual dinner dates, not just drinks and dessert! We’re coming home refreshed (though slightly haggard from traveling across the country with four children under seven), with full hearts. Happy Valentines Day! 💕
This weeks Parsha, is entitled Mishpatim, which means laws in Hebrew. And it’s certainly chock full of them. Last week we received the rough draft of the Ten Commandments, and the following chapters outlines additional laws we are to obey and follow. At times it’s dense, heavy, and a bit overwhelming. Let’s jump in!
Over dinner this week, our older son was asking my husband about the relationship between Yisro (Yisro is Hebrew for Jethro) and Moses. My husband explained that Moses and Yisro have the same relationship – as he and my dad, Pop. My husband then proceeded to give a classic Pop impression, using the Pop voice, “AhhhHaaaHHhh! Look! Look at the mountain over there! AhhhHaaaHHhh!!” – if you know, you know. I spat out my wine laughing, and in that moment so grateful these are the types of conversations we have around the dinner table. Welcome to Yisro.
Pasta Bolognese is a dish I could make with my eyes closed. It’s a top-ten favorite in my own family and was a staple back when I worked as a personal chef, all those years ago. Recently, I made it for a beautiful postpartum friend who asked for the recipe — so I figured it was time to finally type it up and share it here, too.
This recipe began as a classic Bolognese, made with ground beef and pork, cooked in butter and simmered in milk. Over the years, though, I’ve adapted it to be more kosher-friendly for our family. I now use olive oil instead of butter, skip the pork entirely, and swap the milk for broth. And honestly? It’s just as delicious.
Winter can feel relentless—especially in February. The novelty of a “fresh new year” has worn off, spring still feels far away, and many of us are running on fumes. Between sick kids, cold weather, and low energy, this season is less about thriving and more about surviving.
Here are the ten simple ways I’m getting through February with a little more grace and a lot less pressure. 🤍