A challah-day musing

Elevate your ritual occasionally!

Rituals are powerful in and of themselves. However, the power of a ritual can be further enhanced by elevating an ordinary ritual and making it extraordinary. Making challah weekly is a ritual for me and for so many others. Today, I was reminded of what happens when you take a ritual and build upon it. How? Just by modifying your usual ingredients.
 
I believe that ingredients are a reflection of your authentic self, and my friend, Jessica, demonstrated to me that they are also a way to elevate ourselves and our own rituals. Jessica makes challah frequently and we touch base most Fridays. Sometimes she takes the whole challah-making process to a whole other level. Today was such a day.
 
Her challah this week is made with turmeric* and tahini, from a recipe from The Nosher. Why these additions to her challah on this Friday? Because today she found herself with a little extra time to experiment, a little extra time to create a beautiful Friday night meal. Incidentally, she is pairing this gorgeous challah with a lemon chicken and croutons and roasted Brussels Sprouts. Honestly, if she didn’t live on the other side of the country I just might crash her family's shabbat dinner this evening…
 

So thank you my friend, for reminding us all to carve out a few extra minutes, on occasion, to make a special occasion. As always, I welcome hearing how you are using ingredients in your challah practice to find your own authenticity, specialness, and just that moment of joy.

Have a happy & healthy Christmas Eve-Shabbat!  
 
*Turmeric is one of my all-time fave spices because of its healing properties, including its' anti-inflammatory properties - and during this time of both Covid and the flu, eating foods such as turmeric is a great way to stay healthy!

**More of Jessica's wonderful recipes can be found on her website, www.withhealthandgratitude.com.