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    - The mission of the Jewish Food Media Conference is to bring together our community of Jewish food professionals in a positive atmosphere that encourages personal and business growth.
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    - KAVANA is a 1 day personal growth conference for Jewish women of all religious levels to become inspired, find community, live with purpose, and learn how to dream.
- - - Jewish Food Media
      The mission of the Jewish Food Media Conference is to bring together our community of Jewish food professionals in a positive atmosphere that encourages personal and business growth.
  - - Kavana
      KAVANA is a 1 day personal growth conference for Jewish women of all religious levels to become inspired, find community, live with purpose, and learn how to dream.

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therealmelindastrauss

We just got back from another adventurous summer t

We just got back from another adventurous summer trip and it just hit me that school begins in less than a month 😱
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✏️Are you sending your kids to school in September?
✏️Is your school opening in-person, over zoom, both?
✏️Will your kids need to wear masks in the classroom?
✏️Do your kids have bussing?
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Right now, I can tell you that my kids school IS opening and we’re waiting on the logistics to be announced next week. My kids will definitely be in the classroom and they are ready for anything! I know that things won’t be what we’re all used to but I’m grateful that kids are resilient and I’m choosing to be resilient right along with them.
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#backtoschool #covid19 #openschool #learningispower #adventuretime #summerinseattle #wenatcheeriver #summervibes #summerisalmostover #staysafe #kidsarethefuture

This is a post for the type 1 diabetics out there!

This is a post for the type 1 diabetics out there!!! Zoom in on that pump 🤩
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YOU CAN DO ANYTHING 🙌🏻 well, except donate blood 🤷‍♀️ Your pancreas may not be working but the rest of you works just fine! Just make sure you take care of yourself, test your blood sugar, keep your A1C low, and check in with your endocrinologist every year! That way, you can live your life and do all the things you can dream of ❤️ You don’t have to hide your disease because people don’t understand it. It’s a part of you and it’s nothing to be ashamed of.
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I know that many of you are parents of diabetics and I’ve been able to give you hope that your children with diabetes will be okay 🙏🏻 Even through the struggles, the low sugar, the high sugar, the scares, and the frustrations, your kids will be able to do anything they want as they grow older.
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Do you have something in your life that could hold you back but you don’t let it?? Let’s share and give others HOPE!
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#type1diabetes #type1warrior #t1dlookslikeme #t1dstrong #diabetesawareness #youcandoanything #youcandohardthings #healthyliving @medtronicdiabetes #healthcoach #hopeliveshere #givehope #liveyourbestlife

Next up in summer adventures with the Strauss’s

Next up in summer adventures with the Strauss’s 😂
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This time, we’re staying right on the Wenatchee River in Leavenworth, Washington. Have you ever even heard of this place??? I was totally shocked getting out of the car and seeing this beautiful cold river right outside of our cabin. It’s INCREDIBLE!
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I’ve definitely been going wayyyyy outside of my comfort zone this summer! I did grow up skiing, fishing, hiking, camping, and kayaking but honestly, my adult life looks very different 😂 There are a lot less bugs and outdoor activities happening in my 30’s and a lot more staying in my house. So I am definitely taking advantage of this rare summer in Seattle and I’m excited that my kids are doing this all with me.
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Would you like stay at a cabin on the river (@miriamstobezki I’m thinking of you)? Or do you prefer a nice hotel?
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#adventuring #washingtonstate #leavenworthwashington #downbytheriver #riverlife #summervibes #summerinseattle #ontheriver #vacationmode #vacationgoals #comfortzone #thegreatoutdoors #cabininthewoods

To the man who taught me HOW to fish instead of ju

To the man who taught me HOW to fish instead of just giving me the fish, happy 65th birthday to my dad, Larry Russak!!!!
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Yeah, I couldn’t help myself! My dad had literally been teaching me how to fish since I was a little kid 🎣 You’ve been getting to know my dad this summer on my IG stories and many have realized that he is a man of MANY talents. He can clearly cook, he makes the best dairy free ice cream, he fishes, he golfs, he hunts, he gardens, he teaches, he learns, he writes books, he collects art, he remembers EVERYTHING, he never says um or like, and he makes sure that when something needs to get done, it gets done! And yeah, my dad used to build doll houses and rockets with us too 🙌🏻
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I could probably keep going and I’m sure many of you who know my dad will have more to add! My dad is so passionate about his family, the Seattle community, and his work and he is so committed to helping everyone grow! Okay, so my dad doesn’t like hugs 🤗 but if you know him, you know how much he cares about you. He just doesn’t want to be on the phone with you for longer than 2 minutes. Don’t take it personally 😂
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Happy 65th birthday, dad!!! And yes, that is Justin without a beard in 2011 and me before I knew how cute I looked in a top bun 😘 Enjoy the view!
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#happybirthday #65thbirthday #happybirthdaytoyou #mydad #mydadismyhero #fishingislife #teachamantofish #fishinglife #nootkawildernesslodge #pacificnorthwest #outdooradventures #familyiseverything #dadlife #salmonfishing #bestdadever

💜IT'S A PEAS LOVE & CARROTS COOKBOOK GIVEAWAY💜
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Watching my friends give birth to their own cookbooks is like giving birth to my own. I feel so proud every time I see all of their hard work in the pages of their beautiful books and I can't help but celebrate right along with them! Well the newest cookbook on the scene from Danielle Renov has left me (almost) speechless! I can't get over the recipes, the photography, the graphics, the colors, the stories...Danielle has a very special talent for setting extremely high standards for herself and then reaching beyond her goals, and every page of this book exemplifies that. So now you're wondering how you can get your own copy of this cookbook, right?? Especially since the first print is already sold out 😱 Or maybe you want a second copy so you can give it to someone you love? Well that's what I'm here for! I am so excited to give away a copy of the Peas Love & Carrots Cookbook AND one of Danielle's custom PLC tote bags!
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So here is how you enter:
💜Like this post
💜Follow @peaslovencarrots
💜Follow @therealmelindastrauss
💜Tag a friend below who NEEDS to know about this cookbook - each comment counts as an entry
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For an extra entry:
💜If you have the book already and want to share with me what recipes you're making first
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This giveaway is for US Residents only. If you live out of the US but someone in the US can ship to you, you can enter. Good luck!!!! Winner will be announced next week!!!
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#giveaway #peaslovencarrots #thecookbook #cookbooks #koshercooking #jewishfood #foodstyling #chickensoup #cookbookauthor #madewithlove #newcookbook

Sharing my most popular break-fast recipe! . Glute

Sharing my most popular break-fast recipe!
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Gluten Free Cinnamon Buns:
3 cups almond flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup oil (canola or coconut-melted)
2 Tbsp honey
2 eggs, room temperature
Filling:
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup coconut sugar (or brown sugar)
1 Tbsp ground cinnamon
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Preheat the oven to 350 F.
In a bowl, combine the almond flour, salt and baking soda. In a separate bowl, beat together the oil, honey and eggs then combine with the flour mixture and stir with a spatula until a smooth dough forms. Since the dough is sticky, let it rest in the fridge for 10 minutes so it will be easier to work with.
Rip two large pieces of parchment paper and place one on the counter. Lightly grease the outside of the ball of dough with oil then place the dough on the paper.
Place the other piece of parchment on the dough then roll out to a 9x13 inch rectangle. Discard the top piece of parchment then drizzle the dough with the honey.
Combine the coconut sugar and cinnamon then sprinkle over the honey.
Carefully, using the bottom piece of parchment paper as a guide, roll up the dough from the wider side, keeping it tight as you roll. It's okay if there are some funny creases and rips in the dough but be careful not to rip it too much. This dough is not as pliable as regular cinnamon bun dough since it's made with almond flour but if you take your time, you'll be just fine.
Using a very sharp knife, slice the dough in half lengthwise, leaving the top few inches intact. Carefully open the dough to reveal the layers inside.
Carefully twist the halves over each other then connect the end together to create a circle. The dough can be a bit fussy so if it tears as you twist, just pinch it back together.
Slice off the edges of the parchment paper, leaving a few inches around the edges of the dough, and lift the ring into a 9-inch round baking pan.
Bake the cinnamon bun twist for 30-35 minutes, until the top is browning.
Storing in an airtight container at room temp.
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What’s your favorite food to break the fast on?
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#breakfast #tishabav #fastday #cinnamonbuns #glutenfree #grainfree #healthydesserts #healthyeats #cinnamonrolls #bakedgoods #homemadebaking #thefeedfeed

Anyone else feed alpacas today?? . My sister and I

Anyone else feed alpacas today??
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My sister and I took the girls to a farm near Seattle and it was like being out in the country! We fed goats and alpacas, saw some baby ducks and chickens, and went home with farm fresh eggs and a huge cabbage from their garden. Hello stuffed cabbage!
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Spending the summer in Seattle has definitely been an adventure and we still have 5 more weeks until we fly back to NY 😱 It hasn’t all been perfect and I’ve had to drag my son away from his xbox more times than I can count, but I am beyond grateful to be here. We have even more adventures coming up in August and above all, I can’t wait to see Justin soon!!!
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What are some things you’re doing this summer that you never thought you’d be doing?
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#summerinseattle #covid19 #tiedye #tiedyefashion #staysafe #summervibes #summeradventures #adventuretime #seattlelife #alpacasofinstagram #alpacafarm #feedtheanimals #goodtimes #familytime #mommycamp

Are you making an effort to speak less lashon hora

Are you making an effort to speak less lashon hora?
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I received a message today from someone who wanted to let me know that she is unfollowing me bc of my political views. "Your unhealthy spewing of negativity and toxicity makes me so uncomfortable that I and a few others are unfollowing you....You may not miss us but I thought you should know."
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I am not sharing this message because I feel bad for myself. And I'm certainly not sharing it to call anyone out. I am so proud of what I do here. For having a voice, making an impact, learning from people who don't think like me, being someone that people can talk to when they have no one else in their life who will listen. I am sharing that message because it was unnecessary and hurtful and there is something we can all learn from it. You don't need to make an announcement when you stop following someone. You don't need to say mean things when you don't like what they have to say. If you don't like what someone on social media is putting out there, you can simply unfollow them.
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Right now, we are in 9 days before the fast of Tisha B'av. It is a time of reflection, to make an extra effort to think before you speak, to work on yourself. But what happens when the 9 days are over? Is it okay to go back to not caring what you say and who you say it to? To not care what affect you might have on someone else's life? Yes, now is a time for extra reflection but it's not the ONLY time to reflect.
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I encourage you to take this time to think about the person you want to be. The example you want to set for your children. But don't stop after Tisha B'av! Keep going! Keep growing and learning how to be better. How to speak less about others and how to respect people who are not like you. What is something you are working during the 9 days?
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#lashonhora #highholidays #selfreflection #speaknoevil #personalgrowth #mindsetmatters #selfawareness #positivetalk #compassion #bekind #politics #proudamerican #speakupforthevoiceless #proudofmyself #alwaysgrowing #impactinglives #makinganimpact

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