Let's talk about getting ready for Passover!

[Wags]

For the newbies among us - you might find this guide helpful:
An Absolutely Very Short Guide to Keeping Kosher for Pesach (http://www.wzo.org.il/en/resources/view.asp?id=143)
It is by no means an all inclusive article, but it does make it all seem a little less overwhelming. :)

I am working on my menu now, and trying to figure out my shopping list. Past experience has taught me that I need to order 3-4 weeks in advance if I want to have any hopes of even half of my order showing up. Around here we are lucky to even find K4P Matzah, let alone anything else. Fortunately my kids love Matzah pizza, so at least lunches are easy. ;)

[Lulav]

Since the other main forum is so rift with strife, I decided to post this here, but I will state first so there is no mistake, this thread is for those who keep Passover according to Messianic and Jewish halacha. I really don't want to talk about Christian passover or Christian communion etc. All sincere questions are welcome but this is mainly a sharing thread to help us get ready for the Holy Day.


I always start planning way before Purim, but its always after Purim I start going through my cupboards, and fridge and freezer to see what all I have got to get rid of, one way or another, before Passover.

I just went and did three cupboards and lazy susan. I don't have as big a pile this year because of my disease ( celiac ) but there are some things.

One thing I like to point out for those just starting out, is make sure you check your soups, most always contain yeast extract for flavoring. Also don't forget if you have pets to check their foods. Right now because of my Celiac I have my dog on a dehydrated food that has nothing that would not be ok for passover, and besides when I hydrate it, she will defiantly eat it before 18 minutes passes, most times, 18 seconds! ;)

So nows the time to acclimate them to a new food for a week so you have no problems, they need to be eased into it, mixing some old and new, gradually upping the portion of the new and decreasing the old, over about a week, so you will need enough food to cover you about 3 weeks with them.

[Lulav]

The freezer and refrigerator contents are a different story. With canned goods and bags, boxes, you can stack these on the counter or a shelf which you can constantly monitor to make sure you are eating from it. But things that need to be kept cold need to stay where they are. There is a simple solution.

Go through each shelf of freezer/fridge. Take out everything and sit on a nearby table. Choose one shelf ( or two if needed) to place things 'to go' before passover. When you have read a label and determined that it needs to be eaten ( or thrown out if you forgot you had it :eek: ) then put it on this designated shelf, that way it won't get mixed up with things that can stay.

But while you are doing this , also make a list ( if you have a age appropriate child nearby, ask them to record for you , if not use a tape recorder and make a transcript later. This list you will put on your refrigerator to refer to when making meals so you can use up these things.

Don't forget to check ice creams, many have baked goods in them. ;)

[Lebesgue]

The freezer and refrigerator contents are a different story. With canned goods and bags, boxes, you can stack these on the counter or a shelf which you can constantly monitor to make sure you are eating from it. But things that need to be kept cold need to stay where they are. There is a simple solution.

Go through each shelf of freezer/fridge. Take out everything and sit on a nearby table. Choose one shelf ( or two if needed) to place things 'to go' before passover. When you have read a label and determined that it needs to be eaten ( or thrown out if you forgot you had it :eek: ) then put it on this designated shelf, that way it won't get mixed up with things that can stay.

But while you are doing this , also make a list ( if you have a age appropriate child nearby, ask them to record for you , if not use a tape recorder and make a transcript later. This list you will put on your refrigerator to refer to when making meals so you can use up these things.

Don't forget to check ice creams, many have baked goods in them. ;)

Todah, Lulav! Looks like I'll be doing a lot of label reading.

Regarding pets, I have a cat. What should I be looking for to avoid in his food during Pesach?

G-d Bless.

Shalom,

Lebesgue

[Lulav]

For the newbies among us - you might find this guide helpful:
An Absolutely Very Short Guide to Keeping Kosher for Pesach (http://www.wzo.org.il/en/resources/view.asp?id=143)
It is by no means an all inclusive article, but it does make it all seem a little less overwhelming. :)

I am working on my menu now, and trying to figure out my shopping list. Past experience has taught me that I need to order 3-4 weeks in advance if I want to have any hopes of even half of my order showing up. Around here we are lucky to even find K4P Matzah, let alone anything else. Fortunately my kids love Matzah pizza, so at least lunches are easy. ;)

They have so many new kinds of matzah I saw in the store a few days ago, round, square, crackers, whole wheat and others, a whole shelve almost, I almost cried because I can't have a one of them. I consoled myself by buying 6 canisters of potato starch and 4 boxes of passover pasta I can eat by Gefen and some wonderful garlic and basil flavored olive oil from Israel. I also finally found the passover noodles I had been searching high and low for, so got 4 bags. I also stocked up on yahrzeit candles that are 75% off during holidays. :)

[HadassahSukkot]

Todah, Lulav! Looks like I'll be doing a lot of label reading.

Regarding pets, I have a cat. What should I be looking for to avoid in his food during Pesach?

G-d Bless.

Shalom,

Lebesgue
This one is pretty good too.
How to search for Chametz (http://judaism.about.com/library/3_howto/ht_searchchametz.htm)

Lebesque, it really depends if you are keeping an Ashkenazi or Sephardi Pesach as to what is and is not ok for your pet to have during pesach, and what is considered Chametz or Kiniyot.

here's an article (http://www.aish.com/passlaw/passlawdefault/Pet_Food_for_Passover.asp) about that, but it doesn't go super in depth.

Lulav and I have the same issues with food, so I dunno how she is handling it, but two years ago I made the realization I have to keep a Sephardi Pesach or I wouldn't be eating healthy. My future pets will be on Dr Pitcairn's diet (all home made meals) so I can carefully monitor what they have at all times and ensure they are getting meat that is not waste byproduct, and the grains they're getting are safe for me to have contact with (and with them since they groom themselves and also you)...

If I were keeping an Ashkenazi Pesach, I wouldn't be able to have any bread products, noodles, casseroles or most the veggies I can eat. I'd be on a basic vegan/vegetarian diet with little meat... and after trying that for one year, I realized that seriously I couldn't keep that up.

[Lebesgue]

This one is pretty good too.
How to search for Chametz (http://judaism.about.com/library/3_howto/ht_searchchametz.htm)

Lebesque, it really depends if you are keeping an Ashkenazi or Sephardi Pesach as to what is and is not ok for your pet to have during pesach, and what is considered Chametz or Kiniyot.

here's an article (http://www.aish.com/passlaw/passlawdefault/Pet_Food_for_Passover.asp) about that, but it doesn't go super in depth.

Lulav and I have the same issues with food, so I dunno how she is handling it, but two years ago I made the realization I have to keep a Sephardi Pesach or I wouldn't be eating healthy. My future pets will be on Dr Pitcairn's diet (all home made meals) so I can carefully monitor what they have at all times and ensure they are getting meat that is not waste byproduct, and the grains they're getting are safe for me to have contact with (and with them since they groom themselves and also you)...

If I were keeping an Ashkenazi Pesach, I wouldn't be able to have any bread products, noodles, casseroles or most the veggies I can eat. I'd be on a basic vegan/vegetarian diet with little meat... and after trying that for one year, I realized that seriously I couldn't keep that up.

Todah, Hadassah! That is very informative.

I will be keeping the Sephardi Pesach.

So I gather that I should also inform my wife(who is a Christian and does not keep Torah but respects my keeping Torah and living a Jewish life) that our cat is not to have anything that is not kosher for Pesach.
I will print out the pet feeding guide for Pesach and give it to her.

Better start it before Pesach because my cat is VERY picky to food, he has his particular brand of cat food that he likes. We have even tried to give him steak one time which he refused and went and ate his cat food.

G-d Bless you.

Shalom,

Lebesgue

[HadassahSukkot]

yeah, unfortunately we've conditioned our pets to accept the sweet food that is petfood (notice it lists cereals and corn products + sugars first), and the meat content is generally really low.

It's definitely hard when they come to accept only one type of food.

As far as keeping sephardi, you basically are only having to worry about actual chometz -- yeast, baking soda/baking powder and other leavening agents.

[Lebesgue]

yeah, unfortunately we've conditioned our pets to accept the sweet food that is petfood (notice it lists cereals and corn products + sugars first), and the meat content is generally really low.

It's definitely hard when they come to accept only one type of food.

As far as keeping sephardi, you basically are only having to worry about actual chometz -- yeast, baking soda/baking powder and other leavening agents.

That's why I'm keeping the Sephardi Pesach.

I just can't do the almost veganism the Ashkenazi Peasach requires.

G-d Bless.

Shalom,

Lebesgue

[Lulav]

I have always kept Sephardi, but this year I feel funny about keeping beans in cans, so they are in my 'to eat b4 passover' pile. I have many dried beans so may use them.

I have enough troubles keeping a healthy diet anyway so this should prove interesting. I think I shall be eating lots of salads and meat.

I steam most veggies, including corn and potatoes. And will be having a turkey as well as lamb for the seder so there should be some leftovers.

Lebesque, check out Honest kitchen I think they have cat foods too. Yes, here it is

Prowl (http://www.thehonestkitchen.com/products/prowl.shtml)

Ingredients
Hormone-free chicken, eggs, potatoes, yams, flaxseed, zucchini, spinach, honey, cranberries, rosemary, vitamins and minerals

All above are fine for Sephardi Passover

[Lebesgue]

Cool Links:

Why do Sephardim and Ashkenazim have different customs regarding permissible foods on Pesach (Passover)? (http://www.faqs.org/faqs/judaism/FAQ/04-Observance/section-22.html)

Passover customs and quirks vary tremendously between Ashkenazi, Sephardi (http://www.jewishsf.com/content/2-0-/module/displaystory/story_id/13454/edition_id/260/format/html/displaystory.html)

Passover- The Laws Regarding Eating RICE (http://www.dailyhalacha.com/Display.asp?PageIndex=2&ClipID=537)

Knowing what is kosher for Passover (http://www.myjewishlearning.com/holidays/Passover/TO_Pesach_Home/Passover_Foods.htm)
(http://www.myjewishlearning.com/holidays/Passover/TO_Pesach_Home/Passover_Foods.htm)
Jewish Life (http://www.uja.org/page.html?ArticleID=41996): Passover at Home (http://www.uja.org/page.html?ArticleID=41996)

Passover Guide (http://www.pasyn.org/index.php?page=277)

What Special Preparations Must Be Made In The Jewish Home For Passover? (http://www.ou.org/chagim/pesach/pesachguide/maze/basic3.htm)
(http://www.ou.org/chagim/pesach/pesachguide/maze/basic3.htm)
Sephardic Passover Customs (http://www.angelfire.com/pa2/passover/sephardicpassovercustoms.html)

A Plethora of Passover related links (http://www.knowledgehound.com/topics/passover.htm) (crafts, recipes, haggadot.. you name it)

These links are great!

So what about my wife and son who are Christians?
Do I need to require them to join me in these things?
They respect and are supportive of my Messianic beleifs and my practicing Judaism but they do not wish to join me in that. Though they will eat the dinner at home the 1st night of Pesach and will be attending the seder my synagogue is having.

I am going to follow the Sephardi Passover and with my lack of spare time and minimal cooking skills I may be going a bit hungry but pleasing HaShem is more important to me than pleasing my stomach.

G-d Bless.

Shabbat Shalom,

Lebesgue

[Lebesgue]

It is a Holiday in California(Cesar Chavez Day) and as I work for the state and attend grad school at a state University I neither have work nor school.

On the Eastside of LA where I live there isn't much selection but since I don't have to work or go to class on Monday I may be able to shlep to the Westside of LA where I might be able to find this stuff.

I have another question. I will follow the Sephardi Pesach dietary requirements to the letter. However, my wife and son are Christians and although they respect my beliefs as a Messianic and my practicing Judaism, they don't want to join me in this. Should I expect them to keep the Sephardi Pesach with me? What are my responsibilities in this as spirtual head of my family even though they are Christians? Bless their hearts, they are going to have the family meal the first night of Pesach and are also going to attend the seder my synagogue is having the 7th night of Pesach.

My birthday falls during Pesach this year and I have made it clear to my family I do not want a celebration of it until after Pesach is over. Pesach is a Holy time and I do not feel right about celebrating my birthday during that time, I can wait a few days. I believe I need to focus on G-d and what he has done for us and not think about myself during that time.

G-d Bless.

Shalom,

Lebesgue

[HadassahSukkot]

Cool Links:

Why do Sephardim and Ashkenazim have different customs regarding permissible foods on Pesach (Passover)? (http://www.faqs.org/faqs/judaism/FAQ/04-Observance/section-22.html)

Passover customs and quirks vary tremendously between Ashkenazi, Sephardi (http://www.jewishsf.com/content/2-0-/module/displaystory/story_id/13454/edition_id/260/format/html/displaystory.html)

Passover- The Laws Regarding Eating RICE (http://www.dailyhalacha.com/Display.asp?PageIndex=2&ClipID=537)

Knowing what is kosher for Passover
(http://www.myjewishlearning.com/holidays/Passover/TO_Pesach_Home/Passover_Foods.htm)
Jewish Life (http://www.uja.org/page.html?ArticleID=41996): Passover at Home (http://www.uja.org/page.html?ArticleID=41996)

Passover Guide (http://www.pasyn.org/index.php?page=277)

What Special Preparations Must Be Made In The Jewish Home For Passover?
(http://www.ou.org/chagim/pesach/pesachguide/maze/basic3.htm)
Sephardic Passover Customs (http://www.angelfire.com/pa2/passover/sephardicpassovercustoms.html)

A Plethora of Passover related links (http://www.knowledgehound.com/topics/passover.htm) (crafts, recipes, haggadot.. you name it)

[Wags]

Is Rye Matzah (http://www.amazon.com/Osem-Matzah-10-5-Ounce-Boxes-Pack/dp/B000ZK5YSS/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=grocery&qid=1206924994&sr=1-10) something that would work for folks that aren't supposed to have glutten?

[Henaynei]

Is Rye Matzah (http://www.amazon.com/Osem-Matzah-10-5-Ounce-Boxes-Pack/dp/B000ZK5YSS/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=grocery&qid=1206924994&sr=1-10) something that would work for folks that aren't supposed to have glutten?all the rye products I ever saw - except for RyeKrisp, were only partly rye - it is not a great flour for use alone in baking ...

[Henaynei]

gluten free Matzoh
http://www.kosher.com/store/kosher-passover-food-market/kosher-passover-bakery/passover-matzo/gluten-free-matzo-and-matzo-meal


http://www.glutenfreeoatmatzos.com/ I think this is the info on the brand sold at the above site - but they also have a listing of their Distributors (http://www.glutenfreeoatmatzos.com/distributors.html)

found THIS on a G/F board

GLUTEN FREE MATZOH BALLS
4 eggs
3 Tablespoons chicken fat/ margarine
1 tsp salt
1/4 teasponn xantham gum (I omitted)
1 cup instant potato flakes
4 tablespoons chicken stock

Beat eggs and fat, add salt and gum to potatoes and add to the eggs. Add stock, mix well and chill for 20-30 minutes. Wet hands and form into balls; drop onto plate and steam covered for 20 minutes. (or cook in simmering soup for 20 minutes)

NOTES: Here is the "matzah free" matzah balls recipe. It came from the gluten free pantry recipe sheet, but I tinkered a bit when I made it because I wasn't sure if xantham gum is KLP or not (I omitted it). I tried making this with 1/2 ground almonds and 1/2 potato and they turned out ok. I found that I needed to add alot more potato and almonds to make it stiffer, so fiddle around with the quantities. I was also doing the fat free thing last year and tried with just egg whites it wasn't as good. I also added in some soda water (I think you call it club/ seltzer soda) instead of chicken stock and this made then a bit lighter.

Rokeach has gefilte fish that states "gluten free"


hope this helps :D

[HadassahSukkot]

Is Rye Matzah (http://www.amazon.com/Osem-Matzah-10-5-Ounce-Boxes-Pack/dp/B000ZK5YSS/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=grocery&qid=1206924994&sr=1-10) something that would work for folks that aren't supposed to have glutten?
only if it is a wheat allergy that is the reason for no gluten.

Here's the basic list of what I can't have (http://www.celiac.com/articles/182/1/Unsafe-Gluten-Free-Food-List-Unsafe-Ingredients/Page1.html), and here's the list of OK ingredients (http://www.celiac.com/articles/181/1/Safe-Gluten-Free-Food-List-Safe-Ingredients/Page1.html).