Health

Wegovy your way to weight loss…. Or is there another way?

By Lauren Rashap, CN

Lauren RashapHi friends, your clinical nutritionist here, to spell it out or dispel some of the myths surrounding miracle weight loss drugs that we’ve all been talking about and even taking, perhaps indiscriminately and incorrectly!

Semaglutides aka GLP-1 Inhibitors like Wevovy, Ozempic, Monjaro have found their way to 1 in 8 Americans across the United States. While initially this statistic surprised me, I had to reflect on the staggering number of people in our country with pre diabetes and type 2 diabetes which is 1 in 3 Americans if current trends continue. (more…)

Education

Creating a Unified 2025

By Shirin Yadegar
As we stand on the threshold of 2025, I find myself reflecting on a year that has been both challenging and transformative. The past year has tested us in unimaginable ways, but it has also reinforced the profound strength that comes from standing together as a community. As a proud Jew, a mom, and a firm believer in the power of shared values, I’ve seen firsthand how connection and unity can help us rise above even the darkest moments.

October 7, 2024, is a date that will forever be seared into our hearts. The tragedy and heroism of that day remind us of the resilience of the human spirit and the strength of community. For the families of the hostages who are still waiting for their loved ones to return, we must continue to pray, to advocate, and to hope. Let’s keep their stories alive, teaching our children the power of empathy and the importance of standing up for what is right—even when it’s hard. (more…)

Education

Beyond the Routine: How to Elevate Your Mental Health with Aromatherapy and Chakra Balancing

By Laura McCann Ramsey

Laura McCann Ramsey We’ve all heard that routines are crucial for mental health. But let’s take it a step further—what if your routine could be a scented pathway to self-care, stress relief, and emotional balance? Welcome to the world of aromatherapy and chakra balancing, where each breath can be a step toward a better you.

The Power of Small Changes

Mental health routines don’t have to be complicated. It’s the small, consistent actions that make a difference, and with Adoratherapy, we believe those small actions can be intentional breaths—inhales and exhales powered by essential oils designed to reset your mood. Need a boost? Reach for our Chakra Boost roll-ons, your “life coach in a bottle” to guide you through the day. Aligning with the energy of your chakras helps ground those little habits, turning them into transformative moments. (more…)

Food

Ice Cream Cupcake Edible Menorah

By: Joan Nathan

Joan NathanThe menorah is the most meaningful symbol of Hanukkah. Artistic Jews throughout the world have created their own versions. I liked to take our children to local Jewish gift shops, synagogues, and museums to see the different renditions. We spent one Hanukkah in Jerusalem delighting in menorahs in windows.

For each of the eight nights of Hanukkah, an additional candle is inserted, from right to left, and lit by the shammas, or helper candle, from left to right, until the eight-candle menorah is aglow. We place our menorahs on a flameproof tray in our front window. If your children do not want to make their own menorah out of clay, let them make the following edible one. (more…)

Food

Roasted Delicata Squash with Pomegranate-Pistachio Relish

By: Pamela Salzman

Pamela SalzmanIngredients

  • 2 Delicata squash washed well and cut into rings*
  • 2 Tablespoons unrefined coconut oil melted
  • sea salt
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Relish: this makes a lot
  • 2 Tablespoons unrefined cold-pressed olive oil
  • 2 Tablespoons unfiltered apple cider vinegar or pomegranate molasses
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 cup pomegranate seeds
  • ½ cup pistachio nuts toasted
  • ¼ cup dried currants
  • 2 small shallots chopped
  • 3 Tablespoons fresh mint chopped

(more…)

Education

An Expert from “On Being Jewish Now”: An intimate collection of essays about what it means to be Jewish and how life has changed since the attacks on October 7, 2023.

By Shirin Yadegar

Fleeing Iran with my family was a decision born out of desperation, a leap into the unknown, grasping for safety amidst the rising tide of antisemitism. As a Jewish Iranian woman, my mother sought sanctuary for my brother and I in the United States. Becoming a mother of four daughters, I always thought my girls would always grow free from the shadows of hatred that had darkened my homeland. Yet, the events since October 7 have stirred the embers of old fears, igniting a flame of sorrow and anxiety that wakes me at night. (more…)

Food

Apple Pie Sugar Cookies

By: Nina Safar 

Apple Pie Sugar CookiesIngredients:

Sugar Cookie Dough:
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup oil
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder (more…)