Purim

February 21, 2013 Nechoma Nutrition

☺☻PURIM☺☻

What is the happiest day of the Jewish calendar?

Ask your kids and they will most likely tell you that it is Purim. Dressing up in funny clothes, giving gifts and most of all receiving…lots of treats…such excitement. Yet the thought of this can strike dread and panic in the heart of many a mother, not only because we need to produce novel and exciting ideas for both dress up and mishloach monos, but because the after effects can be disastrous for so many children.

Simcha seems to equal sugar and happiness means hyperactive and weary parents just don’t know what to do. So let’s explore some ideas that can restore some sanity without doing away with the simcha and try to include the happiness together with some healthy options.

It may not be possible – or sensible – to do away with all the nush (although in some situations you may have to and then you need to offer alternatives or some sort of trade in or replacement). Often it is about deciding beforehand what will be allowed and talking about this together in order to prepare a plan. If your children hear from you that you do want them to have a fun time, but that you must also think about what is going to be good for them they will accept that we need to make choices. If they are included in the discussion and can help to make the decisions then they get firsthand experience of making wise and thoughtful choices that will stand them in good stead in all decisions they need to make in their lives. They will learn that what is easiest is not always best and they will learn to think things through.

You can discuss with children how we are all affected by what we eat. Therefore being sensible about what we put in our mishloach monos benefits everyone. Gift giving on Purim is no longer the required two foods to help someone make the Purim meal. It has become a time to thank our families, friends, neighbours and our children’s devoted teachers. But there is a limit to the junk that anyone wants to eat and even hard working teachers don’t want to put on too much weight. So we need to start thinking ‘less is more’ as far as the food is concerned and maybe choose something that is more useful or long lasting. We need to be comfortable with doing what will have long term benefits and go for what makes sense to us, not just to be driven by expectations that are placed upon us.

Some simple ideas:-

A vase can be filled with nuts in layers, like coloured sand (or if nuts are a problem try dry fruits). Chocolate cranberries or raisins can be used to add interest and a layer of smarties or coated almonds add colour and make a great treat.

Alternatively the vase could be filled with mixed nuts or treats and flowers could be added by putting dry fruits or fruit leather flowers on kebab sticks and placing them inside.

A pretty glass bowl works as the perfect base for a wine bottle and nuts or chocolates can be poured in around it, as above. This can be as small or large as you like, a larger bowl or serving dish could hold several bottles with nuts or dried fruit placed around them.

Alternatively the wine bottle could be placed flat on a platter and draped with a bunch of grapes, some fresh figs or whatever other fresh fruit is available. Fresh foods are vibrant in colour and texture, but cannot be prepared in advance, so if time is an issue it is best to use dried fruits instead.

A useful, fresh and healthy option is chopped vegetables in a storage container. If the container has compartments you can add a dip or crackers/rice cakes/tortilla chips etc.

For a special gift why not choose a book, set of books or a gift voucher. Wrapped together with a small box of chocolates this is very sophisticated and will be appreciated forever.

For children, too, choose something that they will enjoy after they have finished the snacks. Try placing the goodies in a cup or beaker, a cereal bowl or even a party hat. Replace one food item with a pencil/eraser, a whistle or other small toy or game.

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So we have thought, discussed and prepared, but along comes Purim and together with all the excitement there will be plenty of stuff that is no good for our children. It is difficult, too, even with all the planning and care to stick to our good intentions. This is particularly so if one is hungry and in addition to this the effects of the sugar and colouring/preservatives is so much stronger on an empty stomach.

It is very helpful to prepare some ‘proper’ food either the night before or early on Purim morning and set it out on the table to be easily available. Tell the children, and this is equally important for adults, that they need to have something nutritious in them if they are to have energy for the busy day ahead.

☺☻Have a healthy AND happy Purim! ☺☻