Mar 29 2013
By Mayim Bialik at 1:23 pm
Pesach was good! Mid-divorce, I hosted everyone. And it was great.
In addition to my I-still-call-her-my-mother-in-law and Michael, my parents were there and my uncle. My closest and oldest friend and her 7-year-old daughter came and the kids had a blast. Her 7-year-old and my 7-year-old even let my 4-year-old find the afikomen because he was literally having a fit about the possibility of not finding it, starting at about karpas. Thank you, mature 7-year-olds! Read the rest of this entry →
Mar 21 2013
By Mayim Bialik at 10:15 am
I saw an ad in a Jewish magazine today advertising the 30 minute Seder: The Haggadah That Blends Brevity With Tradition. “Sarah B.” from New York City says (on the ad), that this haggadah makes Passover “a joy to celebrate.” Hmmm.
In case you were wondering, it’s also “rabbinically approved,” “refreshingly brief” (hence the 30 minute bit), and “gender-neutral.” Hmmm.
Yep, I’ve got opinions. I’ve also got a lot of reasons to have opinions. (You can check out the haggadah here.)
As a mom of two young boys, I like the idea of a short Seder (and really, who doesn’t!?). By the time the Seder rolls around, most kids are already in bed. What gives? I asked my Partners In Torah chevrusa: Why have a ceremony that kids can’t even stay awake for?
Her answer–and the answer I have come to understand–is sort of up for debate. And you may not agree with it. But here’s what I have come to feel about this matter. And here’s why I won’t be doing a 30 minute Seder. Read the rest of this entry →
Mar 19 2013
By Mayim Bialik at 1:21 pm
Passover is upon us and I am sort of almost ready. Because of my car accident seven and a half months ago and my tendinitis which I am just finally over, my cleaning and cooking will not be as thorough and rigorous as I like them to be, but I am doing things differently this year and that’s a good thing.
Here are the things I am doing differently:
1. Not obsessing as much as I like to. Traditional Judaism is a beloved religious undertaking for those of us on the Obsessive-Compulsive spectrum, with its myriad boundaries, numerical rituals, and things to do and not do in order to be “right” with God and the world. Even our spring cleaning is regimented, to a certain extent, and I usually take this time of year to go totally nutso bonkers with my cleaning. This year, it will be more by-the-books and I will save the super duper magnifying glass-type of scouring for another time when my hand is better. And that’s ok. Read the rest of this entry →
Feb 22 2013
By Mayim Bialik at 12:01 pm
I have so many posts that I want to write. I’m going to write a post about the Super Bowl promo that the cast of The Big Bang Theory did. (I wore a football uniform that did not involve a football skirt since they don’t exist.) I’m going to write a post about where I’m at in this divorce mess. I also am going to write a post about what it’s like having a fancy assistant.
For now, however, I’m not going to write those posts because I continue to have tendinitis and now it’s in both hands. So Fancy Assistant Brandon is typing while I dictate and while he’s a very good typist and pleasant to be around, it’s really a major bummer to not be able to use my hands. Read the rest of this entry →
Apr 16 2012
By Mayim Bialik at 1:00 pm
1. Mission Possible. You CAN survive with no animal products, no kitniyot, and no gebrocht (soaked matzah). It just means a LOT of salads, quinoa, and soup.
2. Tableware. Plastic tablecloth coverings are excellent for covering counters. And if you are cheap like me, you’ll be happy to know that they wipe down super easy and fold up super thin for use next year!
3. Lo-tech. Being driven to work and not using any phones or computers (so as to violate as few halachot [traditional Jewish laws] as possible at a job that does not give off for Pesach) really makes me feel like the way I function on a normal workday is a hectic crazy mess of nonstop calls, emails, and insanity. It is! Read the rest of this entry →
Apr 11 2012
By Mayim Bialik at 12:00 pm
You’ve seen my fruit faces. Now I present to you… matzah cracker faces! Who says you shouldn’t play with your (kosher for Passover) food?
Apr 10 2012
By Mayim Bialik at 10:27 am
Here’s what I ate for lunch on set yesterday: Mango quinoa, charoses, matzoh and margarine. Yum!
Apr 9 2012
By Mayim Bialik at 3:09 pm
Here’s what’s been on my mind since our Passover seder experience over the weekend:
1. Opinionated Kids. Children parented with gentle discipline will give their adorable little opinions all the time, since they know their voice matters and that even if the universe doesn’t change for them, they have a right to state their preferences and be heard. And since we can’t threaten time-outs, no dessert, or them being sent to bed as a punishment, small people will kind of give their sweet little opinions throughout the seder. Granted, he used a polite and gentle voice most of the time, but hearing a 6-year-old repeatedly ask to “get to the fun stuff already” from urchatz (ritual hand washing) on got a bit old by yachatz (middle matzah is broken).
2. Gluten-Free. Read the rest of this entry →
Apr 4 2012
By Mayim Bialik at 1:28 pm
Can I eat my quinoa or not?
We’re all thinking of things that are annoying us/infuriating us as we prepare for Pesach. I’m going to do you the favor of making you feel justified in your indignation and in unity with other similarly-frantic preparing women. Here are my 10 things that are NOT working for me as I prepare for Pesach 2012:
1. Not enough Pesachdik (kosher for Passover) baking dishes.
2. Pesach knife not sharp enough.
3. Husband not helpful enough. Read the rest of this entry →
Apr 2 2012
By Mayim Bialik at 3:02 pm
Sure, finding great food to eat during Passover when you’re also a vegan can be a little trying, but it’s not impossible. Here are my three favorite recipes that are kosher for Passover, vegan, and totally delicious. Bon appetit!
1. Mini Potato Kugels – They’re cute, easy to make, and even easier to enjoy.
2. Eggplant Casserole – I’m not even an eggplant kind of girl, but I love this dish.
3. Chocolate Truffle Pie – Hello, it’s chocolate! And utterly to die for.
