Are you one of the lucky ones who’s being lavished with tons of Rosh Hashanah gifts every year? So many that you can’t even wrap your head around what to do with all these delicious goodies? Or maybe this time around you just want to make your traditional celebration a little bit different?
Gift giving etiquette does not allow you to re-gift, and honestly, you probably don’t want to do it. Besides, why would you if there are so many exciting ways to use all the honey, apples, and pomegranates from your kosher gift basket in ways you’d never thought possible! So, if after the celebration you still have plenty of gifts received for Rosh Hashanah as leftovers, just keep on reading to find out how to get the most of them:
So, What to Do About the Most Popular Gifts Received for Rosh Hashanah:
HONEY
“Food of the Gods” or “Liquid gold,” this is how many people refer to honey and they have every reason to. This popular Rosh Hashanah staple food has unique properties that go well beyond its common use as a sweetener. Honey contains a treasure chest of nutritional and medicinal value that has been known since ancient Egypt. Its super powers contribute to its vastly touted health benefits for the whole body.
Honey is naturally hydrating, antibacterial, and soothing, making it a must-have addition to your skin and hair routine. It is indeed one of your kitchen cabinet’s best beauty resources. I mean, there’s a reason legendary queen Cleopatra soaked in honey from head to toe!
Honey For Skin Care:
Honey Facial Mask:
Did you know that by simply spreading raw honey on your clean dry skin, you’ll get the most natural hydrating and antioxidant facial mask? Leave it for 20 minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water and, voila, enjoy a brighter, smoother complexion right away! In addition, thanks to honey’s antibacterial properties, it is a wonderful acne treatment. It instantly calms any redness or irritation on the skin. Having done this a few times myself be ready to have to rinse a few times to get all of the stickiness to go away. It’s totally worth it!
Honey is also a perfect base for a great number of other skincare products. For example mixing it with baking soda (2 parts of honey and one part baking soda) gives you a fabulous natural scrub to get rid of dead skin cells. And when combined with lemon it becomes a powerful vitamin C treatment. Simply cut a lemon in half and remove the seeds, then add 1 tsp honey to one of the lemon halves. Rub all over the face, let sit for 5 to 10 minutes, then rinse. Can’t get any easier, right?
Honey For Your Hair:
Skeptical about the idea of using honey for your hair? Just try it once for yourself and see how it will add extra volume and make your hair shine after the first use! You can start experimenting by making a homemade conditioning mask. Mix 1 Tbsp raw honey with 2 Tbsps coconut or olive oil, apply to your hair, let it sit for at least 20 minutes, and then rinse with hot water. If you like the effect of honey on your hair, add 1 tsp of honey to your regular shampoo, thoroughly mixing it together. You’ll want to make sure that you shake the bottle before every use as the honey can start to separate a bit. This will help you to strengthen your hair over time and retain its moisture.
APPLES
Expecting guests on Rosh Hashanah and want to surprise them with something other than traditional apples dipped in honey? We have an idea! How about some Jewish holiday-inspired apple carpaccio? A modern twist on the old classic, this delicious and festive dessert will become the perfect addition to your Rosh Hashanah feast table.
Apple Carpaccio Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 sweet apples
- Seeds of 1/2 pomegranate
- 2 tbsp Greek yogurt
- 30 g pine nuts, candied pecans, or walnuts
- Honey to taste
- A few sprigs of mint for decoration (optional)
Instructions:
- Thinly slice apples using a spiralizer or knife.
- Crush about half of the nuts and stir them into yogurt.
- Arrange the apple slices on a plate. Top with yogurt, sprinkle with pomegranate seeds and nuts, then drizzle with honey.
And just like that in 3 easy steps you get a delicious dessert that includes all three Rosh Hashanah essentials: apples, pomegranates and honey. I bet this recipe is here to stay!
Want something kids friendly? You got it! These no-bake Apple Oat Bites will be a big hit with both kids and those on a diet.
No Bake Apple Oat Bites Recipe
Ingredients:
- 200 g Cooked apple or apple puree
- ½ cup Peanut butter
- ½ cup Raisins
- 2 cups Rolled oats
Instructions:
- Add apple, peanut butter, and raisins to a food processor and blitz
- Add rolled oats and pulse until combined
- Using a tablespoon roll the mixture into balls. Place them on a baking sheet and refrigerate for at least 30 mins before serving. Use within 4 days keeping in the refrigerator, or freeze and enjoy as a healthy snack later.
POMEGRANATE
If your Rosh Hashanah gift basket includes not only pomegranate but also some dark chocolate, you have to try this decadent Pomegranate & Dark Chocolate Bites recipe. It’s ridiculously easy and will take only 10 minutes of your time. That’s it, just 10 minutes and three simple ingredients later you have it! Delicious, healthy, and absolutely fabulous little treats you and your family are going to love.
Pomegranate & Dark Chocolate Bites Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups pomegranate seeds
- 5.25 ounces (150 grams) melted high quality dark chocolate (e.g. Lindt or Godiva)
- 1 tbsp. sea salt
Instructions:
- Take muffin cups and fill with a single layer of pomegranate seeds.
- Fill in a plastic or icing bag with a small tip with melted chocolate.
- Squeeze the first layer of chocolate in a crisscross pattern across the pomegranate seeds. Add another layer of pomegranate seeds, follow by chocolate, and then the last layer of pomegranate seeds.
- Finish with a pinch of sea salt and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving. Remove from the fridge and serve immediately.
Of course there are other traditional Rosh Hashanah symbols beside apples, honey and pomegranate. Sweet challah bread, fish and other Kosher gifts are all given to wish a sweet Jewish New Year to family members and friends. But no matter how you decide to surprise your nearest and dearest this year, make sure you do it from the bottom of your heart.
Wasn’t it sweet?
– It can get even sweeter with these amazing gifts for Jewish New Year
– Getting overwhelmed? Here’s your full Guide to Unique Rosh Hashanah Gifts
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