Olive Oil Issues - Fakes in the Marketplace

The Ministry of Health runs random checks on olive oil in the marketplace, to assure compliance with health and labeling standards.

The following oils, marked as Extra Virgin Olive Oil, were tested and found to have significant deviations from the standard, and are most likely not pure olive oil (most likely another oil has been mixed in with the olive oil):

1. "Mary" brand 4 liter can. Marked Extra Virgin Olive Oil, produced in Tzur Yigael. The sample tested had expiration date 7.12.17


2. Shemen Zayit HaGalil, 1liter bottles, produced in Kidmat Galil. The sample tested had expiration date 8/2017

3. Shaarei Yerushalayim "Extra Virgin Olive Oil", had multiple issues, including a forged, outdated seal. The sample was found at "Maadanei Achim Eliyahu" at Shuk Machaneh Yehudah in Jerusalem

4. "Umanut Hashemen" (The Art of Oil) "Extra Virgin Olive Oil", 4L bottle, produced in Kidmat Galil

5. An unmarked bottle of oil being sold at "Roshdi, Druze Food" at Sarona Market in Tel Aviv. It was represented as Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Select Deals of the Week!

These deals of the the week are a joint project of Kosherfrugal.com and Janglo

--- Retrieved from http://www.kosherfrugal.com/2017/01/select-deals-of-week.html ---

(Some links in this post are affiliate links; I may get paid a commission when you purchase thru these links. Thanks in advance for your support!)

Here are some of the online deals I found this week (shopping online helps me save time and stay dry during the winter!):

Entertainment (these you'll still have to leave home to DO, but buy your tix online first!):

Discount Admission to "YU KIDS" - a play place - in either Modiin or Jerusalem

Discount admission to the Bowling Alley in Bet Shemesh

Space Laser Game (Jerusalem) - 2 for just 69 shekels!

Save Money on Everyday Items:

50% off at Anipet Pet Supply Store

Save BIG on Huggies Diapers with this deal (with free delivery)

Need a convenient laptop carrying case? These backpacks will do the trick!

This folding table is a great space saver! (I am really considering getting this!)

Don't throw out your dull knives - check out this battery operated knife sharpener instead!

Deal with pantry moths the non-toxic way! Here's another deal for a similar product.

Stay Warm and Dry:

Here's a Wind-Proof Umbrella for just 59 nis! (I really hope it's good. We have lost so many umbrellas to crazy gusts of wind that break them!)

Fleece Sheets for kids (Hello Kitty, Smurfs, Princesses, Cars, and More) for 75 nis 

Is there something you're looking for? Let me know what it is and I'll tell you when I find a deal!

Subsidized Eye Exams and Glasses - THIS WEEK!

This Thursday, Jan 12, 2017 there is a subsidized eye exam and glasses program in Karmiel.  You'll be able to get a pair of glasses - frames + lenses for just 100 shekels!

The event will take place at The Pitchon Lev Center, at HaLevona Street #1 in Karmiel.
(According to some maps, the street is called Levona Street, so try both ways if you have trouble finding it)

Eye exams are available from 11am - 4pm

Hope this helps some of you out there! There's been a lot of discussion about the cost of glasses lately. Your savings will certainly be more than the cost of your transportation to Karmiel and home! 

I'm sure there will be similar programs in other towns - please let me know if you know of any!

Latest Recalls - Protein Bars and Energy Bars

I have two recalls to share with you today.

The first one is these Protein Bars:

"Oh Yeah One" 60 gram protein bars, almond flavor, with a use by date of 01/10/2017 and batch code 16214B 6, have incorrect allergen information on the Hebrew labels. The labels should specify that the product contains SOY and DAIRY ingredients.

The mislabeled products are safe to eat, but are being recalled for the safety of the allergy community.

The bars may be returned to the place where purchased. If you have further questions, please contact the importer at 050-513-3333.

The second recall involves the following Energy Bars:

Strauss brand Sugar Free Milk Chocolate Covered Energy Bars, 28g, Barcode 7290106666467
AND
Strauss brand Sugar Free Energy Bars with Mixed Nuts, 20g, barcode 72901034044024
with use by date 15/7/2017

are being recalled due to a quality issue. The energy bars are harder than would be expected, due to production changes. In order to avoid disappointment, consumers are asked to call Strauss Customer Service at 1-800-777-777 in order to arrange for a refund/replacement.

Fast Days

Today is the shortest Fast Day on the Jewish calendar - the 10th of Tevet. But even though it's a relatively short fast, for some reason everyone in my family has made a habit of getting up in the early morning hours before fasting in order to eat and drink something.

I filled up on coffee (the most important thing!), water, and a bit of food. Thankfully this time my boys did NOT fill up on pizza at that hour, so we didn't have to all get nauseated by the smell at that time of the day - that used to be their "minhag". (I convinced them to drop it after they complained of stomach upset during the day!)

Getting up early for coffee makes my day easier, since I really never think of going decaf before the fast, and I'm not convinced the strategy really works well for me anyway!

So now, it's time to figure out our break-the fast menu. I am not planning to go out today at all, so we'll make do with whatever ingredients we have on hand. 

 
I'm strongly leaning towards a soup - maybe this one - (it's SO cold today!), some fresh bread, cheeses, and spreads. And fruit, of course. (The kids are asking for pizza or lasagna though, so I guess I'll have to spend some time considering their request...)

What do you do for breaking the fast?

Shabbat Menu Planning

This week, we have another family of 6 (they are vegetarians) joining us for one meal, and tentative guests for both meals as well. Here's what I plan to make tomorrow:
Whole Spelt and Oat Bran challah (can be made with Whole Wheat, as well)
Mushroom Barley Soup for Friday night

Black Bean Cholent for lunch

Chicken with Date Honey, Garlic, and Ginger. So delish, but I don't have a recipe written up, since I just eyeball it... (there are also lots of onion slices and black pepper in that dish)
 
Potato Kugel 

Broccoli-Cauliflower Kugel

Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers (there will be lots of vegetarians around the table! And as a bonus, I got lots and lots of peppers for 2nis/kg!)

Roasted Kishuim

Salads (guests bringing)

And for dessert, baked apples (guest bringing)  

Cinnamon cake and Banana muffins for treats

What's on your family's Shabbat menu this week?

Select Deals of the Week!

These deals of the the week are a joint project of Kosherfrugal.com and Janglo
(Some links in this post are affiliate links; I may get paid a commission when you purchase thru these links. Thanks in advance for your support!)


Lately I have really been shopping online a lot more than before - with the current constant rainy weather this really helps me still get a lot more done, and I don't complain about the rain as much when I can still do my errands! Here are some of the online deals I found this week:


Entertainment (these you'll still have to leave home to DO, but buy your tix online first!):

Space Laser Game (Jerusalem) - for just 35 shekels!

Stand-Up Comedy Show (in Hebrew, in multiple locations) - 69 nis admission

Discount Tickets to "Oops I shrunk the kids!" on Jan 5 (Yuval Hamevulbal, in Ramle)

Restaurants/Food (again, you'll have to leave home to actually eat out, but this will stop you from wandering around looking for a place to eat if you're planning a splurge!):

Breakfast for Two at Teresa in Cinema City (Mehadrin Hechsher, Jerusalem) - 58 nis

Breakfast for Two at Cafe Charutzim in Talpiot (Jerusalem, Mehadrin) - 44 nis

Stay Warm:

Children's Thermals - shirt and long underwear for 59 nis - save when you pick up in Beit Shemesh

Decorative Heater - warm your house with an electric fireplace-style heater for 40% off

Flannel Sheets - double bed size - for 119 nis

Fleece Sheets for kids (Hello Kitty, Smurfs, Princesses, Cars, and More) for 75 nis

Snuggie Blanket for just 25 nis!

Is there something you're looking for? Let me know what it is and I'll tell you when I find a deal!

More Plastic Bag Info

There's been a lot of discussion about the new 10 agurot fee for plastic bags at supermarkets, and a lot of noise is being made about this in Israel! Once again, people's facebook posts about the law are becoming headline news - that's how much time and energy this country is devoting to this topic!

Honestly, I believe the fee is too low to actually merit all the backlash it's receiving, but I decided to get some more info for us all, to clear up some questions. I got in touch with the people in charge of the bag program at the Ministry of the Environment, in order to gain some clarity. I asked them a few questions, which I share below:

Which stores are required to collect the 10 agurot fee per bag?

There are 20 supermarket chains that, by law, are required to charge 10 agurot per bag, and report the number of bags distributed, to the Ministry of the Environment. They will also be required to turn over the fee to them .

Here's a list of supermarket chains that meet the requirements (this list is subject to change): 

• Bar-Kol
• Victory
• Zol B'Gadol
• Tiv Taam
• Yeinot Bitan
• Machsanei HaShuk
• Chatzi Chinam
• Yochanenof
• Mega
• Dor Alon
• Machsanei Lahav
• Osher Ad
• Super Dosh
• Stop Market
• Super Bareket
• Freshmarket
• Co-op
• Keshet Te'amim
• Rami Levy
• Shufersal

Some of these chains also run stores with other names, which will also be required to charge for bags. 

Will smaller stores still be distributing the lighter weight (under 20 microns) bags for free?

No stores will be allowed to distribute bags that are less than 20 microns at checkout, but smaller stores will not be required to charge for the bags and turn over the fee. You should see that ALL stores now distribute bags that are between 20 and 50 microns thick. Exceptions are bags that come into direct contact with food or medicine.

Where does the money that we pay for bags GO?

The money will go to an Environmental Fund. The monies will be monitored and will be used to support the initiatives to reduce the use of plastic bags and increase the use of reusable bags, to clean-up the coastline, and if there is extra, will be used to reduce air pollution as well.

How much will I pay per bag?

By law, the supermarket chains listed above MUST charge a minimum of 10 agurot per bag. The law allows the supermarkets to charge more.

___________________

This leads me to believe that while smaller stores are not required to turn over the fee to the Environmental Fund, they may be allowed to charge for bags.

I am going to guess that most stores will be using bags that are JUST the minimum thickness allowed (20 microns), and we won't really notice much difference in the quality of the bags. I still recommend keeping a stash of reusable bags and using them - I find them far more handy and reliable than plastic bags when hauling groceries.

As far as the question of "what will we use for garbage bags"? Well, if you're like me, first you'll use the stash of bags you have lying around the house (yes, even though we often use reusable bags, there have been plenty of times when we have picked up a bag or two here or there) and THEN you'll figure out a solution in 6 months or so, when it will no longer feel so strange to have to figure out an alternative to plastic bags.

Printable Coupons (Osem products)!

With all the recent talk about plastic bags at the supermarket, we've all got saving money on groceries on our minds, right?

Coupons can help!

If these are products/types of products you buy, don't forget to print these coupons out and use them when you shop!

This first coupon is for instant soup packets (in stick form). It expires April 30, 2017 and can be used at Shufersal stores, SuperDosh, Chetzi Chinam, Victory, Tiv Taam, Yochanenof, Machsanei HaShuk, and Machsanei Lahav

This second coupon is for the new "homemade" Tivall line (all recognizable ingredients!) It is valid thru June 30, 2017, and can be redeemed at the following stores: Shufersal stores, Chetzi Chinam, Victory, and Yochanenof.

This third coupon is for ChumusTchinah, a chumus salad that is 40% sesame paste. It's valid thru March 1, 2017, and can be redeemed at Shufersal stores, Chetzi Chinam, Victory, Yochanenof, SuperDosh, and Machsanei HaShuk

Happy Savings, and remember to share this post with your friends who like saving too!

The Plastic Bag Law: What you need to know

The plastic bag law went into effect today (Jan 1, 2017) in Israel! As of now, there is a mandatory fee of 10 agurot for each plastic shopping bag you use when you shop at the large supermarket chains.

Some things you should know about this law: 1. The plastic bags that cost 10 agurot are THICKER than the old plastic bags were allowed to be. They cost stores more to produce, and the fee you pay for them is NOT kept by the stores! It is passed on to an environmental organization. The hope is that people will start to take A LOT FEWER bags from the stores. 2. Some stores will be giving out free reusable bags from today thru Jan. 17th - depending on the size of your order (a purchase of over 100 nis gets you 1 bag, 250+ nis gets you 2 bags, 400+ nis gets you 3 bags, 550+ nis gets 4 bags, and 750+ gets you 5 bags). 3. You will be able to buy reusable bags at supermarkets for about 3 nis per bag. Let me know what price your store is charging for them!




In addition to these free bags (some of which are actually quite flimsy), you'll probably want a few additional bags, especially the kind that fold up small. Some people will be making their own bags, but if that's not for you, I wanted to help you source some inexpensive bags that will work for your shopping.

Here are some 5-star rated bags from there that will help you deal with the new law:

5- pack of Reusable Totes (your choice of 3 patterns) (a bit more than $1 per tote)

Foldable Shopping Bags - pack of 6 (less than $1 per bag, and they fold up tiny for easy carrying around inside a purse or pocket)

Insulated Large Capacity Bags that clip onto your shopping cart (2-pack) (I ordered these and hope they arrive soon!)

Canvas Bags - 2 pack

If you don't want to buy bags, you can also make your own. I've seen a lot of great tutorials out there. They vary from simple no-sew bags to intricate funky bags you really need sewing skills to make! Find your favorite and tell me about it!