Here we are again, it’s Chanukah eve. 2022, whoa, another challenging year for so many. More booster shots, the flu, returns to offices (sort of), layoffs, lots of folks struggling. We need to come together now more than ever. I hope this post finds everyone happy, safe and healthy. Here is my “best-of” for 2022. It’s all about coming together, supporting one another, love and laughter.
The Festival of Lights won’t wait…. Let’s get going.
Hope you enjoy my 2022 picks. As always, I welcome your feedback. Please feel free to leave me a comment or tweet me at @mindylevy.
Day One
Yoga. It’s free (yes, I taught myself!) or you can join a class. Either way, it’s a wonderful to get fit, but even more importantly, it can help relieve chronic stress patterns, relax the mind and sharpen concentration. I highly recommend https://www.youtube.com/yogawithadriene. She’s amazing and really helps you get grounded. You’re never alone because there is an entire community of Yoga with Adriene yogi’s, like ME! She meets you where you are, which is different for most of us every day. For me, battling anxiety for quite some time, it’s a G-dsend! Plus I’m pretty buff. If you need a yoga matt, I recommend this one, the Jade Harmony Professional Mat.
Day Two
The Mench has made my list seven times! Anyone who has read my previous lists has met Irving, my Mensch on a Bench. Every year he puts more Funukkah in our Hanukkah! If you don’t have one, you need one. If you DO have one, Dreidel Dog, his faithful sidekick, is your go-to 2018 gift to yourself or fellow Mensch enthusiast.
2022 marks the seventh year The Mench has made my list. Irving lights up our lives and our holiday. And, while others aspire to be the person their dog thinks they are, he is the quintessential mensch- a person of integrity and honor. Round out your bench with Ask Bubbe, the talking Grandma doll. She’s full of wit and wisdom, and sounds just like my Bubbe!
Remember: Even a secret agent can’t lie to a Jewish mother. – Peter Malkin
Day Three
SCHMALTZ, SCHMALTZ AND MORE SCHMALTZ!
With Schmaltz Deli we all have a Jewish deli right in our back yard! These folks say they deliver goodness, and they do! So keep calm, eat latkes & knishes and read on.
Looking for those hard-to-find tastes from your childhood. Of course you are. You could spend all day in the kitchen rolling rugelach or frying latkes, but why? Let our friends at Schmaltz Deli take care of it for you. They will ship Jewish deli goodness anywhere. Really. I recommend the Latke and Brisket Dinner for Chanukah. I order one for our family and our besties every year. It’s delicious, packed with traditional tastes and, best of all, you don’t turn on the oven OR clean pots and pans. Doesn’t get much more Jewish than that, does it? My mom bought her dream retirement home, insisting on a double oven. Oh, not because she loved to cook. I don’t think the dials were ever turned in the “on” position. “It’s for resale value, honey.” Click here to order your Schmaltz online now!
Day Four
Right from the GURU herself, OPRAH! From her list of 50 Unique Gift Ideas to Treat Your Best Friend I choose these Long Distance Friendship Lamps. Yes, long distance love exists and what better way to stay close to your besties? Across town or across the country, when you turn one on with a simple touch of your hand, its mate emits the same ambient glow, no matter where it is and who is on the other end. Get yours today from Uncommon Goods!
Day Five
Oy Vey, some holiday parties are better than others. If there are no Jews on the food committee you will definitely need to bring your own snacks and this special stainless steel Oy Vey flask. It holds 6 oz. of your favorite alcohol. Unfortunately, can’t fit any food in there, too. Gift this to your fav guy or gal to ensure their holidays are full of fun and their favorite adult beverage!
Day Six
“The world is full of kind people. If you can’t find one, be one.” I am sharing the same Inspire Kindess post from last year’s list. There has never been a better time to give back than now. Don’t wait and think, “I’ll get involved next year.” Or “I don’t have time or money to donate.” Kindness is free, from the heart, you can’t buy it in a store and everyone needs it. Visit Inspire Kindness. 15 Ideas to Practice Kindness During The Coronavirus / COVID-19. They share some awesome ideas on how you can be kind and still protect yourself and your loved ones. Be kind to your community. Be kind to your friends and family. Be kind to yourself.
Looking for a way to get involved in your local community during thse uncertain times? Visit http://www.volunteermatch.org/.
If you don’t have time to donate, please DO find gifts that GIVE. One of my favorite nonprofits is Angels Among Us Pet Rescue. They connected me with Stella who rescued me in 2016.
Day Seven
You MUST have this cookbook from What Jew Wanna Eat. Sweet Noshings offers the best of the best, whether you are Jewish or just want to be From the author herself, Amy Kritzer, “Are you ready for a sugar chai? (Get it?) Sweet Noshings is all sweets all the time. Yes there is sugar, and yes there is butter. Yes, it’s delicious.
When I started my blog over five years ago, writing a cookbook was a someday dream of mine. Along with taking Manischewitz shotskis with Andy Cohen and being the Jewish Giada. Well, one out of three ain’t bad!”
The remarkable thing about my mother is that for 30 years she served us nothing but leftovers. The original meal has never been found. – Calvin Trillin
Day Eight
BOMBAS SOCKS and Mindy’s Musings!
These guys believe a more comfortable world is a better world. I agree! Everyone, no matter their circumstances, deserves to put on clean clothes that feel good. They perfected socks and t-shirts you’ll want to live in. The best part? For every item you purchase for yourself, they donate an item to someone affected by homelessness. I happen to love these fab gripper slippers– got them for the entire family! Find ‘em on Twitter https://twitter.com/bombas and Instagram https://www.instagram.om/bombas/
Why Mindy’s Musings, too? Because this little gem is free, has no bad side effects and is available to EVERYONE! What is it, you ask? LAUGHTER. Everyone can, and should, give the gift of laughter to someone. I challenge you to bring at least one smile to the face of a family member, neighbor, coworker or stranger each and every day. Laughter is indeed the best medicine.
Get a copy of my book, Mindy’s Musing, free. Tweet me at @mindylevy and I’ll be happy to send you a copy. My little way of passing along that smile to you.
Happy Holidays. Stay safe. Stay healthy. Be kind, and keep smiling!
XO
Mindy
As always, your post makes me smile. Happy Hanukkah! YBFALLP.