March 30th, 2011
By Keren Gilbert MS RD, www.decisionnutrition.com
Wouldn’t it be nice if on your child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah day you could throw your Spanx out the window and look svelte and beautiful in your dress? You can!
You just have to commit to eating the right foods and you can attain your weight loss goals. I have listed 7 of my favorite foods to add to your diet that have been proven to shrink your tummy and that you can start incorporating into your life- TODAY!
1. CHIA SEEDS
Chia seeds are an amazing belly flattening food. In fact, it is the staple of my nutrition practice because I believe it is the top super food that you should add to your diet regime starting now. Once a sacred food to the Aztecs, the benefits of these little black seeds are amazing. They are the highest natural source of omega -3s, which is proven to lower fattening stress hormones like cortisol. In addition, they are rich in antioxidants, minerals, fiber and protein. Sprinkle on salads, or veggies. You can mix them in yogurt, oatmeal or shakes. I recommend about 1-2 tablespoons per day. (See recipe at bottom of story).
2. ORANGES
When you replace refined sugars (like those found in white pasta or white rice) with carbs from fruits; your belly will reap the benefits.
Oranges are on top of that list due to its high levels of antioxidants like Vitamin C, and beta-carotene. Plus, fiber in the form of pectin helps you stay full longer and fend off the belly fat.
3. OATMEAL
Oatmeal contains soluble fiber so that it attracts water and stays in your stomach longer. This also helps reduce blood cholesterol by flushing those bad digestive acids out of your system.
The most beneficial oatmeal to eat is unsweetened because the sweetened oatmeal has all sorts of sugars that cancel out its health benefits. A bowl of unsweetened oatmeal with some berries and your belly will have a good day.
4. ALMONDS
These nuts are high in monounsaturated fats, and rich in the minerals magnesium and selenium, all of which have been shown to be important to support adrenal function and boost metabolism. In addition, they keep you satisfied and full for a long time.
Be cautious of salted or smoked nuts which contain a lot of sodium which cancels out the benefits since it bloats! A handful of raw almonds a day will keep the belly fat away.
5. BEANS
“Bean, beans they’re good for your heart, the more you eat the FLATTER YOUR MIDDLE PART!” Didn’t think I would say that but it’s true.
They are a low calorie food rich in protein, fiber, and iron – nutrients that contribute to a trimmer you. Try Lima, navy or white beans. Just stay away from refried since they contain a lot of saturated fat.
6. BROCCOLI
A highly nutritious green veggie that is high in fiber and packed with vitamins and minerals. It is also high in enzymes that assist in digestion and metabolism.
7. ALMOND MILK
A great alternative to milk and it contains belly flattening ingredients as well. For one, it does not have any lactose in it which makes it easier to digest.
It contains a lot of Vitamin E which aids in detoxification. In addition, it has 1.5 grams of monounsaturated fatty acids, the good fat which helps burn fat around the abdomen.
RECIPE
Start your day off with a SEXY STOMACH SHAKE!
Many of us forgo breakfast and don’t put a morsel of food in our bodies until lunch. That is doing yourself a big disservice especially if you want the pounds on the scale to decrease! Your metabolism slows down during this period of “starvation” because your body wants to conserve energy and burn only what is necessary until food becomes available. Drink this shake first thing in the morning, rev up your metabolism and start the day off right!
SHAKE
1 large peeled orange
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1 cup vanilla almond milk
1 banana (frozen)
1 teaspoon Agave Nectar
Combine all the ingredients in a blender until smooth and serve.
Congratulations on your child’s upcoming Bar/Bat Mitzvah and remember to always be healthy and live decisively!
About Keren Gilbert
Keren is a nutritionist and the Founder and President of Decision Nutrition™, a nutrition consulting firm in Great Neck, NY and Roslyn, New York. Keren has counseled patients for years with experience in both the clinical and private settings. She has counseled patients with a variety of nutrition related issues including obesity, high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, pre natal, pregnancy, and digestive issues.
Through her many years of counseling, Keren realized her true passion is to awaken her clients on how to make their “decision” to live their most healthy life through nutrition, and exercise. Keren believes that the first step lies within you. If you want too look and feel good, there is commitment involved.
Keren is a registered dietitian and certified nutritionist in the state of New York. Keren completed her Masters degree in nutrition and Food studies from New York University (NYU) and completed her dietetic residency at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. She is an accredited member of the American Dietetic Association and the Greater New York Dietetic Association. She is a member of Nutrition Entrepreneurs, Dietitians in Business, The Diabetes Care and Education Dietetic Practice Group and Sports, Cardiovascular, and Wellness Nutrition (SCAN).
March 30th, 2011
Just in time for baseball season we bring you this creative Bar Mitzvah for a young man named Evan. The celebration took place at Citi Field, we mean “Evan Field”, and all party details were coordinated by EK Productions. They helped the client design the menu complete with a food tasting! Pictures are courtesy of Visions Photography.
EK Productions provided some extras like custom bling glasses, 2 photo stations, green screen magazine covers and deluxe frames. Check out all the pictures below:
EK Productions worked with Barbara Becker from Dazzling Parties to create this was colorful decor!
Kids lounge area included a cubbie area
Logo on the dance floor!
They had full surround lighting and illuminations set up
The EK Productions team posing with Bar Mitzvah boy Evan
Evan “makes his entrance” with EK dancers in themed t-shirts
A sax player performed “live” during the cocktail hour and again in the main room
EK Productions produced the montage which was shown on this big screen!
To watch a video from this party, click here.
We would like to thank EK Productions for sharing this celebration with Mitzvah Market. To learn more about them, visit their extended profile page on MitzvahMarket.com.
March 30th, 2011
Sayings For You, Inc. does all the custom imprinted party favors from hooded sweatshirts to bags to mugs, and really just about any item that can be imprinted.
Here are the top 6 reasons why their customers are happy:
1. They get many requests for hooded sweatshirts and can get any brand and at special discounted prices.
2. They have been in the business for 30 years and have been dealing with these factories for a long time. So this long time relationship helps them and you at the same time!
3. They treat each customer’s event as if it were their own helping them budget and pay attention to detail with artwork, etc.
4. They have had their own children’s Bat Mitzvahs and know what it is all about.
5. They give the time and have patience for as many questions needed to be answered whether orders are big or small.
6. Their award winning art department creates a proof for you to approve or make changes. All is sent in an email for the customer to view. The process is simple, so there is no stress involved. You will be guided every step of the way.
Here are some words from their happy customers:
“Thank you so much for your service which was absolutely amazing! The sweatshirts are fantastic and I can’t wait to see all of my daughter’s friends wearing them after her affair. In addition, I checked out prices for exactly the same thing at quite a few different sites online, your prices put those to shame, you saved us a lot of money! We can’t thank you enough for all u have done for us.”
— Seth Berger, Bellmore, NY
“Just wanted to let you know how excited we were when our sweatshirts arrived. Justin was so happy, he could hardly wait for everyone to get them. I never expected them to come as quickly as they did! Thanks for all your help. This was the easiest part of the Bar Mitzvah experience!”
— Jill Chase, Stamford, Connecticut
“We are so thrilled with the sweatshirts you made for Jessica’s Bat Mitzvah! “Jessica’s Candy Shop” was a hit and fit in perfectly with our candy themed party! It was a pleasure working with Sayings For You. Emails and phone calls were returned promptly. You worked within our budget; the quality and art work was first rate!”
— Sue and Neil Gewelb, Suffern, New York
“I just received the t-shirts. You did a wonderful job and they are beautiful. I can’t wait to show my son when he comes home from school. Thank you so much for your hard work and your quick response. It’s nice to have it in advance and now I can figure out how best to present them to the kids.”
— Pam Moretzky, West Harrison, New York
To learn more, visit their profile page in our Vendor Directory.
March 30th, 2011
Hand-dipped and fragrance free, Crafted Candles offers over forty different shades of tapers that adds a subtle chicness to your Bar/Bat Mitzvah Candle Lighting ceremony.
Made with a blend of the highest quality waxes that render them dripless, these traditional candles are ideal for cakes or when edibles are close by.
But if you’re looking for an out-of-the-box decor element, check out their incredible variety of floating candles, from sculpted flowers to under the sea creatures.
Daffodil flowers
Starfish
Floating butterfly candles
Create a gorgeous tablescape with textured pillars, colorful balls and metallic votives that will illuminate your reception with candlelight.
For more information, visit their Website.
March 30th, 2011
By Cindy Silvert, www.easybreezygourmet.com
Jordana Kayla Falinsky plans her son’s Bar Mitzvah. She takes care of the caterer, the band, the flowers, the out of towners, the photographer, videographer, rentals, invites, seating, wardrobe, staff and the weather. She does this while working full time both in and out of the home. The morning of, she dresses and feeds her crew, then reminds her husband who his relatives are. She’s inexhaustible, unstoppable, and a babe. After the marvelous meal, when her husband gets up to the mic to revel in his wife’s magnificence, you can bet your Israel Bonds that he lovingly refers to her as “The Glue” that holds it all together.
Is it just me, or does glue remind you of a dead horse? Let’s do some free association for glue: Kindergarten macaroni art, 1970, teens who can’t afford respectable middle class barbiturates… and who the heck is Elmer? I have peeled dried glue off my hand with the best of them, but in the end, it’s messy and smelly and toxic. Even glue sticks dry out and vanish into thin air just when you need them most (11pm the night before the project is due). A girl poured a bottle of glue on my head in 1st grade (she was from Florida), so maybe I have a unique perspective.
Things I’ve glued: a broken desk, a smelly shoe (not mine), a deep cut on my pinky (doctor’s orders, I swear), and a fake leather purse (it was a gift, no really). We glue on fake nails, eyelashes and teeth. Face it, the best part is the hot glue gun which, coincidently, rhymes with “Hot Jew Mom” –I’ll take some of that!
Instead of calling us “The Glue”, how about Great Gala Goddess, or Multi-Tasking Mega Maven, or A Silicon Chip in a Supermodel’s Body with the Face of an Angel? Frankly, I’d take staples, white-out or tacks over that white sticky stuff. Plus, is it a solid or a liquid? Friend or foe? What if the purple doesn’t vanish when it’s dry? If we were describing a man who took care of eight zillion ever changing details, we’d call him Cement, or a Rock or Mr. Universe, or simply The Man. Not us, we’re made in China and cost two bucks.
My son’s geometry project fell apart upon delivery to school because the glue from the Dollar Store became unglued by our sub zero weather. If we become temporarily unglued when the caterer is late or poisons half the guests, the band is drunk on arrival or your mother-in-law really does wear her wedding dress, are we no longer of use? Have we lost our merit, our place, our meaning? Call me crazy, you won’t be the first, but please don’t call me “The Glue”.
About Cindy Silvert
Cindy Lynn Silvert took the long route to the States from Canada via Israel, where she studied, worked and had her first two children. A lover of the Arts, Cindy is a professionally trained actor, prolific artist and writer. She has designed educational software, curricula and museums exhibits in addition to editing two books. She writes for a number of sites including easybreezygourmet.com where she shares culinary secrets, shortcuts and tips. She is also a featured chef and lead contributor of metroimma.com.
Follow Cindy’s new blog Eat Pray Save, right here on MitzvahMarket.com as she challenges the status quo all the way to the Bimah, while planning her son’s upcoming Bar Mitzvah. Eat Pray Save will be the place to get a fresh perspective and a classy, yet fun and affordable solution to the out of control phenomenon of the American Bar Mitzvah.
It’s funny stuff we know you will enjoy!
Share your thoughts by writing to us at Sheri@MitzvahMarket.com.
READERS RESPOND
“This is so well done… I have been called “the glue” more than once and while it was intended as a compliment, I would have preferred other options – now I know why. 🙂 I love reading the blog and look forward to the next posting!”
— Bonnie S.
Catch up on what you missed!
Read Part 1
Read Part 2
Read Part 3
Read Part 4
March 26th, 2011
Alison Lee celebrated her candy themed Bat Mitzvah on September 4, 2010 with a morning service followed by an evening celebration at the Marriott in Coral Springs, Florida.
As you will see below, their theme began with their creative invitations and was carried out through all their party elements.
We thank them for sharing their terrific ideas with Mitzvah Market.
All party photography was done by Magdy Guirguis and the rest of the vendor information is located at the bottom of this spotlight.
Pictured L-R: Dad Jeffrey, Bat Mitzvah girl Alison, Brother Zachary and Mom Lisa
We always say that the invitation sets the mood for your child’s celebration. Ali’s was a real box of gobstopper candy with her invitation on top created by Marcus Bickler from Marcusfineart.com.
Ali’s looks great in her short teal dress with a hot pink underlay from Cache. The top featured teal, silver and hot pink sequins. Notice her footwear for comfort!
Ali loves her converse sneakers and wore these all night with her party dress!
Ali’s candy theme and brightly colored decor was created by Perfect Party of Boca Raton.
Ali in her brightly colored lounge area
An overall look of the room before guests arrive
A close-up of the candy centerpieces
Mitzvah Mom Lisa created their clever place cards! They were metal candy scoops with candy names attached to identify their table. Guests each received a bag of candy in their scoops!
Tags were created by Marcus Bickler to match the invitation
The music entertainment was provided by Platinum Gold Entertainment with MC Romero.
The Platinum Gold Entertainment crew
Ali used oversize brightly colored candles for her candle lighting ceremony provided by Party Perfect.
Alison was written in chocolate letters
Her sign-in board poster that matched her invitation was created by Marcus Bickler.
Ali’s friends received a hoodie sweatshirt favor designed by Marcus. Ali models it below:
“I Had A Sweet Time At Alison’s Bat Mitzvah” was on the back
And the date went down the sleeve
For her entrance video, a clever mini-movie was created by Timeline Video Productions.
Ali and her brother get stuck inside their tv!
Watch it here.
For Ali’s Mitzvah Project she participated in The Lee National Denim Day. She raised $2500 towards Breast Cancer research and awareness. All of Ali’s friends wore jeans for a day, she passed out sugar cookies with a pink ribbon and she collected money for the cause. This was a very personal project for Ali because Mitzvah Mom Lisa is a breast cancer survivor.
Lisa’s advice can be said in 3 words!
“Be very organized!”
Here is the list of vendors who made Alison’s party special. If you call any, please make sure you tell them that you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com
Venue: Coral Springs Marriott
Music Entertainment: DJ/MC Romero, Platinum Gold Entertainment 954-753-7500
Favors: Parkland Sweets 954-346-7939
Favors: Hoodie sweatshirts designed by Marcus, marcusfineart.com
Party entertainment: Event Studio Production 561-443-5553
Invitation: Marcus, marcusfineart.com
Cake: Coral Springs Marriott
Décor/florist: Party Perfect 561-994-8833 partyperfectevents@yahoo.com
Sign-In board: Marcus, marcusfineart.com
Dress for Bat Mitzvah girl: Cache
Hair/makeup: Jyll Kaufman
Photographer: Magdy Guirguis 954-749-2763
Videographer: Timeline Video Productions 561-998-3755
March 26th, 2011
Awesome Events DIY Centerpiece kits are designed to save you time and money….we love that!
You get to choose the design and color options. Each kit contains detailed instructions and a photograph of what the completed centerpiece will look like. You will need a glue gun or spray adhesive to make the centerpieces, which include techniques that professional designers use.
Basketball
Awesome Events also has a recycle program. You have the option of returning the products you purchased for your event. You must pay the return shipping and the refund will depend on the pre-determined amount allotted for the specific product and the condition of the products returned.
Rock On!
Buying a kit from them takes out the guesswork. Yet, there is enough flexibility to change or add to the design if you need something unique. You choose your design and color options. Your kit will include detailed instructions and a photo of what the completed design will look like. They also provide some great place card templates and sign-in boards as well.
Football
For more information, check out their Website.
March 26th, 2011
Recently we told you about a talented Mitzvah Dad who produced an original music video for his son’s Bar Mitzvah. Click here if you missed it.
Now we have learned about another talented Mitzvah Dad who created custom invitations, place cards, magnet favors and thank you notes for his daughter Daniella’s Bat Mitzvah using watercolors and pencils!
The Dad, Moshe Mikanovsky goes through his step by step process on his blog, but you can see the finished result below:
He painted a portrait of his daughter Daniella and had it printed on heavy stock paper at a local printer
That same design was used for the place cards, thank you notes and custom magnet favors!
To see the rest of his step-by-step process, visit his blog.
If you are a clever and creative Mitzvah Dad who made something for your child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah let us know at info@mitzvahmarket.com.
March 26th, 2011
Eventful Productions is a full service event production company, specializing in social, corporate, and wedding events. They are trend makers and setters constantly looking out for the next best idea, design, innovation and wow factor.
We are excited to bring you this Mitzvah Inspire as they reveal how they transformed Muttontown Club in East Norwich, New York into a contemporary candy factory with motorized centerpieces and candy galore.
Check out the details from “Will’s Wonka Bar” Bar Mitzvah celebration portrayed as the modern version of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”
As the guests headed into the ballroom, they walked through a hallway that was turned into a “Wonka Shipping Department” featuring boxes with labels on them from all over the world
An industrial looking Holographic dance floor separated the kids from the adults. The kids sat in a purely White lounge. The room was completely draped in White Chiffon which created a clean “canvas” for projecting a custom gobo with the Bar Mitzvah boy’s name – Will
Each table had its own whimsical and unique look from its shape, the linen, and the type of chair, to the colors used, and finally to the centerpiece
The banquet tables had glass cylinders and unique vases filled with a variety of candy. The rest of the tables had motorized candy producing centerpieces that were fully functioning and clearly revealed the mechanics of each piece.
To complete the industrial look, a conveyor system from the ceiling carried customized Wonka boxes throughout the entire adult’s section and from table to table
Custom artwork was created in the design of a Wonka bar for the kids light blue sweatshirt favors. T-shirts with matching logos were also made for the staff and dancers. Additionally, chocolate bars (5 of which had a winning golden ticket) were given to guests with 5 lucky winners redeeming a special prize
Wonka Custom Cake
Thank you to Eventful Productions for sharing this creative Bar Mitzvah with us. To learn more about them, visit their extended profile page in our Vendor Directory.
March 23rd, 2011
When we saw this “007” themed Bar Mitzvah courtesy of Diva With A Fork, and we knew our readers would love it!
The woman behind Diva With A Fork is Eileen Kanter, who owns Events By Eileen, a full-service event planning and design firm in Tampa, Florida. Over the past ten years, her company has created one-of-a-kind events for corporations, non-profits, individuals and celebrities.
Bar Mitzvah boy Brett is a fan of James Bond and all things 007. This was the inspiration for the bold design of this celebration!
An elaborate entryway influenced by the movie Casino Royale welcomed guests
We love the dual purpose place cards! These glow in the dark martini glasses were used as seating cards, as well as, party favors
James Bond always traveled in style, above and below shows the decked out children’s soda bar and buffet area
Young guests loved this candy bar
The adult tables were all named after Bond movies. Bright floral centerpieces complimented multi-colored shag linen overlays with matching chair covers and saches
The following vendors helped to make this celebration special:
Venue: Renaissance Tampa International Plaza Hotel
Event Planning & Design: Events By Eileen & Diva With A Fork
Photography: Maddock Photographers
Florals & Props: The Arrangement Florist 813-886-1518
Linens: Connie Duglin Specialty Linen & Chair Cover Rental
Entertainment: M & M Entertainment
