Fall Rituals for the Fast-paced Human

Posted on September 26, 2012 by Chandler

“Days decrease and Autumn grows, Autumn in everything.” ― Robert Browning

It’s that time of the year when the leaves brighten and fall earthward, the air turns crisp, and kids trudge back to school in their new duds. And while it’s not New Year’s, there’s an aspect of Fall that feels ripe with renewal.

Back in the day, people ritualized the changing of the seasons. Now, we all seem too busy, too disconnected. But hope is not lost; you can create your own modern-day rituals to mark this rich season.

Harvest something. Autumn has marked harvest season for eons. So what if you don’t have a farm or even a garden? What about jarring some jelly or making a heaping pot of stew? Why not visit a local farm and feel that glorious sensation of plenty? Buy some local produce and create a dinner for friends, where the food abounds and wine pours. (Don’t forget to light a candle and take a moment before the meal to give thanks in whatever way you see fit.)

Dig in the dirt; connect to the land. There’s a reason children feel the need to jump in a leaf pile; it’s a form of connecting up-close to the seasonal changes (and is just plain fun, of course). Connect with the earth during this transitional phase. Clean up the yard, rake the leaves (but please don’t use those annoying leaf blowers…how annoying are those things?), go for a long walk in the woods. Look up to the sky and be thankful for being lucky enough to experience another season on this planet we call Earth.

Go back to school. School never ends…never! What can you learn this season? Autumn marks a time of reflection where your mind opens up and expands with ideas. Take a local class or workshop. Grab a book from the library. Write, reflect. Feed your brain.

Make right with the world. Fall is a time of reflection and clearing. If there are amends that need to be made with a loved one, reach out. Simply the act of trying often shifts a long-held grudge. Clean the slate this Fall. (If it feels too hard to break the ice, write a letter and burn it, letting go of any bad feelings that still may still get in your way.)

Get cozy and comfortable. Nothing says Fall more than that soft, grey sweater or those trusty old boots that fit just right. And don’t forget to add some color to match with the season’s rich shades. (Burgundy is all the rage this season, FYI.) Embrace the colder temperatures with clothes that make you feel lovingly prepared for it.

So yes, our world seems to be moving too fast to stop and mark the seasons properly. But that doesn’t mean you can’t adapt and create rituals that help you celebrate in your own way. Encourage others to do so by sending them our bright, colorful Autumn ecards.

Our Autumn Friendship eCard – because friends keep us warm inside.

Breaking the Fast after Yom Kippur

Posted on September 24, 2012 by Chandler

After fasting for Yom Kippur in which no food or water is consumed for over 25 hours, most Jews heartily welcome the day after, where the fast is officially broken and deliciousness is consumed.

So what is generally eaten?

The answers range, according to culture:

Iranian Jews often eat a mixture of shredded apples and rose water called faloodeh seeb.
Polish and Russian Jews take to some tea and cake.
Syrian and Iraqi Jews prefer round sesame crackers that look like mini-bagels.
Turkish and Greek Jews partake in a sweet drink made from melon seeds.

In American Jewish households, I found delicious recipes to break your fast deliciously (see the link below). they include:

Herring In Cream Sauce With Apples And Walnuts
Lox, Eggs, And Onions Quiche
Carrot Cake Kugel
Cheese Blintzes With Cherry Sauce
Chocolate Chip Rugelach

Is someone you know celebrating this High Holiday? Send them one of our Yom Kippur ecards from our collection.

The Puppy is fasting, and will not break it for even a bone. Good puppy!

Here is the site with all the delicious recipes: http://main.kitchendaily.com/2010/08/23/yom-kippur-break-the-fast-recipes/

What is your Yom Kippur? Will you Forgive or Ask for Forgiveness?

Posted on September 21, 2012 by Chandler

“No sin is so light that it may be overlooked. No sin is so heavy that it may not be repented of.” – Moses Ibn Ezra

As a curious and open-minded individual, I’ve come to embrace aspects of all holidays. Each offer up history, lessons, traditions and reflections that we can all learn something from. Yom Kippur is certainly one.

So what is Yom Kippur?

Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the years for Jews. It is also called the Day of Atonement, a 25-hour period dedicated to fasting, intensive prayer and a long visit to your synagogue. Even those who aren’t overly religious tend to regard Yom Kippur seriously (meaning the synagogues are packed).

There are three essential components of Yom Kippur:

Teshuvah (Repentance)
Prayer
Fasting

The ten days prior to Yom Kippur are dedicated to repentance. One should seek out and request forgiveness to anyone he or she offended so that the New Year can begin with a clean slate.

Here’s the interesting part: if your first request is rebuffed, you should ask at least two more times. At that point, the offended should grant you forgiveness.

What a cool tradition! It seems to take into account that forgiveness is a process, not a split-second occurrence. Forgiveness can also require several attempts (who doesn’t get that?).

And let’s not forget: the scorned party must also do his or her part. In short, when someone has reached out to you several times, requesting heartfelt forgiveness, it is also your moral duty to accept it to the best of your degree.

Couldn’t we all stand for that “clean slate” feeling. This Yom Kippur, Jew or Gentile, why not seek out the people with whom you can make amends? Yes, it certainly takes courage and resolve…and it often takes several attempts. But you’ll feel a weight lifted, simply by reaching out and trying.

And maybe, just maybe, when more of us seek out forgiveness during a certain period of time, it heals the world that we live in, even just a little.

Is someone you know celebrating this High Holiday? Send them one of our Yom Kippur ecard from our collection.

The blowing of the Shofar, a ram’s horn.

Quick and Easy Birthday Party Themes

Posted on September 20, 2012 by Chandler

I don’t know about you, but I feel like I have a dozen birthdays to contend with every month, on average. Of course, it’s a blessing to have so many friends and family, but I’m not Martha Stewart, so I need to keep organizing birthday parties simple.

Here are a few quick and easy tips for the next birthday in your life:

Music-themed birthday. For my friend’s 40^th birthday, I created a playlist entirely consisting of songs that came out the year he was born. It was simple and fun to do and added a certain fun nostalgia to the evening.
An easy costume party. Costumes can be a lot of work but if you give people a loose theme to work within, everyone can look great…and match. For my sister’s birthday, we picked a “sea theme” and asked people to dress accordingly. (My sister loves the ocean.) Some went all out (including one friend who wore a hat with fish hanging from it). But many simply wore green and blue, which made for a great group photo. Another idea? Pick a movie and make that the “theme” for the night.
Dedicated dishes. This is a fun idea: ask people to bring a dish or beverage that reminds them of the person being celebrated. This not only nudges people to be a bit creative but also helps fill the food table. An example? My one activist friend received several spicy dishes that paired well with her fiery personality.

And even if you can’t do any of the above, definitely remember to send your loved one birthday ecards. It’s a virtual party!