Another way to get FREE things!

I'm going to assume that if you're reading this, you really appreciate FREE stuff! Sometimes, the only free things you can get are pretty useless junk, but sometimes there's something really worthwhile out there!

Here's a way to get points towards a VERY WIDE variety of free things - if you're a member of Clalit Mushlam.

So if you are, indeed, a member of Clalit Mushlam, here's what you need to know:

You're paying them a monthly premium for the privilege of membership, and you can get discounts on things and perks, like the ability to see a mushlam doctor for much less than the cost of going private. So here's a perk you might not have heard of:

Clalit Active. It's an app that encourages a healthy lifestyle, and you accumulate points. You can redeem those points for rewards - things like gift cards, smoothies, gym admission, and sports equipment!

Now, everyone knows I'm not big exercise buff, but even I go walking and eat things and drink water, so it's pretty easy to get points! I've already picked out the reward I'm working towards, and my family members have already gotten several rewards.

Right now, rewards include pool admission for a major discount (20 NIS + 2000 points, at participating pools - there's a list).

Want in on it? Just click this link from your phone to get it! And be sure to add in referral code JPAJKYK for a sign-up bonus - there's a section called מישוש קוד מתנה where you can put the code in for a 600-point bonus! You have to put the code in the day you activate the app in order to get the bonus.

Have fun! Feel free to share this post with anyone you know who might want to join!

I went shopping for a bag and here's what I got

 This post contains affiliate links, so if you click on a link and make a purchase,
I may receive a small commission. Thank you!

I decided I needed a grown-up bag that I could use when I want to dress a bit nicer than usual and feel a little more formal than my usual super casual "SAHM" look.

I've been dressing down a lot, especially the last few years. But I have decided that every so often, I really do need to dress a bit nicer. And it's easy to start with buying a pretty bag... Much easier than buying new clothes that fit and make me feel good. So I started with that... 

And then, naturally, after finding some nice looking but pretty pricey bags that weren't actually quality, I turned to Aliexpress. There, I sorted through handbags and settled on one in the $30 range, with free 15-day shipping. And now it's here, and I just unpacked it! 

I ordered it in purple, of course. The exact bag I purchased isn't available right now but this one is very similar: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DkBJDZn

Sadly, the purple isn't the shade I thought I was getting, but it'll do. It's not as deep a purple as I thought.

The bag itself is very nice - I just need to air it out a bit - it has a strong smell that, oddly enough, one of my kids LIKES, but I'm sure will fade in the next couple of days.

Here's how it came packaged:

It was a LOT of packaging, but it did the job and the bag arrived in brand-new condition. This seller has lots and lots of good reviews.

So now that my bag is all unwrapped and ready to go, it will probably just sit and wait a bit. Because I have no place to go right now! But trust me, when I do, I'll take the bag!

Here's the link to a similar bag from the same seller - I may actually be regretting that I bought the one above and not this other one! 

Let me know what you think. 

Hope you found this helpful!

If you've found a seller that has impressed you, please let me know which, so I can check it out too!

Thanks

VEGAN White Spelt and Oat Bran Challah Recipe

--- Retrieved from http://www.kosherfrugal.com/2013/06/sweet-whole-wheat-and-oat-bran-challah.html -
I change up my challah recipe sometimes, and this is our White Spelt Vegan version! It's been a hit with my family. If you make it, I'd love to hear your feedback!

White Spelt and Oat Bran Vegan Challah

1 kilo white spelt flour, sifted
2/3 cup oat bran  
1 T. salt  
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp dry yeast
1/3 cup oil + a little more for oiling the bowl (use the oil you like for baking - I use sunflower oil)

3 1/4 cups warm water*

 *I find that the amount of water needed varies a lot - it depends on the temperature and humidity in my kitchen on a particular day, and different batches of flour behave differently

(Take challah without a bracha for this quantity)

Directions:

1. Mix together dry ingredients (flour, oat bran, salt, sugar, and yeast)
2. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add liquid ingredients. Mix well. Then knead well till you have a nice ball of dough that isn't too sticky to work with.
3. Drizzle about 1-2 teaspoons of oil into the bowl and flip the ball of dough over a couple of times, so it's coated lightly in oil. Cover and allow to rise till doubled. On warm days, this can take about 1 hour.  In the winter I set it up in the morning and forget about it until noon or so.
4. Punch down. Shape your challot. Allow to rise for about 1/2 an hour. (I usually make 3 challot out of this size batch, but it's easily doubled)

5. PREHEAT YOUR OVEN TO 220 C/425 F

6. Optional: brush the tops with a sugar-water mixture or oat "milk"
7. Bake for about 25-30 min at 220C (425 F) until golden.
Allow to cool before you devour them. Lately everyone likes them best when I remember to take them out of the oven at 24-25 minutes so they're just-so-slightly underbaked.

Shabbat Shalom!

Coupon Code for TODAY only!

 This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you! Thanks for your support! 

It's the tenth of the month, and that means that if you shop online using an Israeli mastercard, you can potentially save a lot of money today.

Here are some of my favorite deals, be sure to enter code MASTERCARDAY at checkout to get your savings!

Aliexpress - with the code you'll get $5 off your $35 purchase

Wallashops - with the code you'll get 100 NIS off your 990 NIS purchase

Groo - with the code you'll get 30 NIS off your 99 NIS purchase

iHerb - with the code you'll get 10% off your $60 purchase

There are other deals out there, too! Happy Savings!

Restaurant Discounts!!

This post contains affiliate links. That means that I may get a paid a small commission if you click on a link and make a purchase, at NO additional cost to you! 

I'm so excited to bring you a whole list of discount Restaurant Vouchers (KOSHER) today! We all like to treat our loved ones (or ourselves) sometimes, so why not make sure to get the best deal for your shekels?! Check out these discount vouchers - there are all kinds of restaurants, in various locations throughout Israel!

As far as I know, all the restaurants listed here are KOSHER. If I know they're mehadrin, I've tried to make a note of that.

Get your sushi fix in Jerusalem - here's a voucher for Thailandi BaMoshava (Mehadrin) - your platter will be 24% off!

CLICK HERE FOR THE J-M SUSHI VOUCHER 

Jerusalemites will definitely want to check out Shepaduni's voucher for 2 (priced at 199 NIS!) (mehadrin)

CLICK HERE FOR THE SHEPADUNI VOUCHER

Here's a deal for a discount voucher to Poke Bowl in Petach Tikvah or Herzliya! For 65 NIS per person! 

CLICK HERE TO BUY THE POKE BOWL VOUCHER

Here's a deal for a meal for 2 at Paradiso at Sarona in Tel Aviv, for 159 NIS instead of 265 NIS!

CLICK HERE TO BUY THE PARADISO VOUCHER

Going out to eat in Cesearia? Here's a discount voucher for lunch for 2 at Aresto!

CLICK HERE TO BUY THE ARESTO VOUCHER

Dinner for 2 in Tel Aviv's Schunat Hatikvah at Avazi, for just 139 NIS!

CLICK HERE TO BUY THE AVAZI VOUCHER

Looking for a Friday hotel breakfast buffet? Here's a discount voucher at the Ramada in Ramat Gan! 89 NIS for 1 / 169 NIS for 2

CLICK HERE TO BUY THE RAMADA BREAKFAST VOUCHER

Here's a voucher for discount admission to the Leonardo Jerusalem's breakfast buffet! Starts at 79 NIS

CLICK HERE FOR THE LEONARDO JERUSALEM BREAKFAST VOUCHER 

Get your Caffit voucher (at the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens) for 159 NIS or 189 NIS for 2!

CLICK HERE TO BUY THIS VOUCHER

Breakfast for two in Gush Etzion at BaYekev - the winery restaurant - 99 NIS for two!

CLICK HERE TO BUY THE GUSH ETZION BREAKFAST DEAL

Here's a deal for discount Sushi platters in Ramat Gan!
CLICK HERE TO BUY THE RAMAT GAN SUSHI VOUCHER

Love Italian food? Check out Castello at Namal Tel Aviv (mehadrin) - vouchers are available for 30% off!
CLICK HERE TO BUY THE CASTELLO VOUCHER

Eating out in Netanya? Here's a deal for 2 at Casa Julia (mehadrin), for 159 or 189 NIS!
CLICK HERE TO BUY THE CASA JULIA VOUCHER

Coffee and Sandwich deal at LecheMoshe in Tekoa (Mehadrin)

CLICK HERE TO BUY THE TEKOA SANDWICH VOUCHER 

Pizza deals (personal/family) at LecheMoshe in Tekoa, starting at 19.90

CLICK HEAR TO BUY THE TEKOA PIZZA VOUCHER

El Rancho (Tiberias) has a great deal for dinner for 2 for 199 NIS! (mehadrin)

CLICK HERE TO BUY THE EL RANCHO VOUCHER

Breakfast for 2 in Ashkelon: get your voucher for Gatos for 109 NIS!

CLICK HERE TO BUY THE GATOS VOUCHER

Grab this deal for the Breakfast Buffet at the Leonardo-Negev (Be'er Sheva) Hotel! 69 NIS for 1 person, 119 NIS for 2!

CLICK HERE TO BUY THE NEGEV BREAKFAST BUFFET VOUCHER

My apologies for any discrepancies between the prices listed above and the price on the site. Sometimes prices change without warning.

Don't forget to follow me on Facebook and join my Kosher Frugal group where everyone can share their best savings tips!

Discount Code - valid Tuesdays in May

 This post contains affiliate links, so if you click on a link and make a purchase,
I may receive a small commission. Thank you!

If you're shopping on Amazon with your Israeli credit card, you NEED to know about this Visa discount code!

Simply use code VISA10 when you checkout using your Israeli Visa credit card. You'll get $10 off if you spend $49 (or more) - valid ONLY on Tuesday this May (May 2, May 9, May 16, May 23). 

So go ahead and save on your next order!

Some things we buy online (in case you haven't yet discovered why it might make sense to shop online):

You might be as frustrated as I am with the prices at "tzanua clothing stores" here in Israel, plus sometimes I find the styles, while cute, are not what I'm looking for. But did you know that there are great deals with free shipping to Israel on popular tzanua dresses, shirts, and skirts? And some of these even have coupons you can activate for extra savings!! 

My dancer daughters can't live without these Second Skin bandages! They are amazing protection for sensitive spots in her pointe shoes. 

Another item we routinely buy is Nexcare Blister Prevention Tape. This stuff is great for when you haven't quite broken in your new shoes enough. 

We also buy difficult-to-find items, like Pimple Patches - your teens will love this product! - and soap refills for sensitive skin.

And we've found the most effective and least expensive way to control any pest problems you have in your house is to use this Ant Gel and this Roach Gel. Seriously, a few dots every few months should do the trick.

Also - books. We love to buy books

Check them out! Happy Savings!

Free Help Filing Israeli Taxes/Tax Refund Requests for Tax Year 2022!

Every year, many of us have to file a yearly tax report with the Israel Tax Authority.

Many, many people pay an accountant to handle this report, but did you know that in some cases you can also get FREE help?

Here's the deal:

The Israel Tax Authority runs Free Clinics for filing yearly tax reports: this year, assistance is available for Atzmaim (freelancers/self employed people) with income up to 60,000 NIS using Form 137, people who need to file a tax report using Form 1301, and employed individuals requested a refund using Form 135.

Find this help HERE:

Regional Tax Offices will operate these services between May 7, 2023 and June 29, 2023, Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 1pm - 6:00pm. Some offices may be closed on certain days of the week. I recommend calling before you go to verify they are open!

In Eilat, the service will be available only on Mondays and Wednesdays.

In Um Al Fahem, the service is only available on Sundays. 

In Ashdod and Rishon Letzion the clinic is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1-6pm.

NOTE: These clinics are ONLY for getting help filing your yearly tax report or a request for a refund for employed people (only forms 1301, 137, and 135).

Bring ALL your relevant paperwork with you so you can get the most accurate assistance.

Good luck!

Follow me on Facebook for more tips and info!

 

Best Shopping Find of the Month?

You all know that I'm a price sensitive shopper.

 And I'm definitely not opposed to stocking up if I find a great price on something we'll use.

You might feel the same, right?

So I thought I'd share what may be the best find of my month so far:

Yes, you read that right!

8 bottles of Carmel Selected Moscato wine (full-size bottles!) for just under 100 NIS! That includes the deposit (pikadon). Usually, we see this priced much higher - about 4/100 NIS.

This sale seems to have been available for a limited time on Rami Levy Online. I  guess I lucked out and was on their website when it went live, noticed it, and added them to my grocery order. It's since gone back up to about 25/bottle, but I wonder if they'll drop the price again soon!

And I checked the receipt when my order arrived, and I was, indeed, charged only 12.40 per bottle. So now we're good for our kiddush wine for a while! Maybe I should have ordered 12? I don't know - I didn't want to press my luck, so I went for 8.

I find that I can keep my grocery bill lower by placing an online order about once a month, and buying most of my fresh fruits and vegetables and other perishables at other stores I can easily get to. So it's very likely that had I not found this wine sale, I may have opted out of placing an online order this week and just waited until another time when I found a compelling sale.

Have you found any great deals?

What's your take on online shopping?

Updated Recipe: Vegetarian Liver

This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission, always at no additional cost to you!

I'm posting an updated NUT-FREE version of this recipe, because I no longer make it the way it appeared on this blog back in 2014, due to a nut allergy.

I've been making variations of this recipe for years, and it's been a big hit with family and guests.

It IS vegetarian, so I'm sure it does not taste like REAL chopped liver, but I haven't eaten chopped liver in over 3 decades, so what do I know? It's our favorite vegetarian version, though.

I hope you'll try it out and let me know what you think!

Vegetarian Liver

1 cup water
1/2 bag frozen green beans (about 400g)
1/2 bag frozen peas (also about 400g)
olive oil
1 onion, chopped
4 cloves of garlic, chopped
oregano
1 cup toasted sunflower seeds
salt and pepper to taste

Place green beans, peas, and water in a pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for about 20 min.

(watch to be sure you don't boil out the water, add water if needed)

Set aside to cool.

Heat olive oil in a medium size frying pan (I usually use my cast iron pan) and saute onions and garlic with oregano flakes, until caramelized and very fragrant.

Combine peas, green beans, some of the cooking water, onion/garlic mixture, sunflower seeds, salt, and pepper in the bowl of your food processor. Pulse to puree. Add more cooking water or regular water if needed.

(If you don't have a food processor, you might want to consider getting a light duty one for the times you want to make recipes like this! Here's one to take a look at that ships from within Israel (link updated 31.1.2024 so it's valid again!).)

Transfer to a container and refrigerate before serving. Serve with cherry tomatoes, pickles, olives, and crackers!

I'd love to hear what you think of this recipe!

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Pesach Brownies - Repost with updates

This post contains affiliate links. So if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission, 

but never at any additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!

What is Pesach without brownies?

I first posted this recipe for Pesach 2020. We thought it was awesome then, but this year, I modified it and made it even more amazing!

I hope you like it as much as my family and extended family does!

Pesach Brownies 

(gluten free, non-gebrokts, pareve)

4 eggs
1/2 cup oil
1 tsp pesach vanilla (optional)
1 3/4 cups sugar
2/3 cup potato starch
1 cup cocoa powder
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt

1/2 bag of chocolate chips

Optional: chocolate frosting (I used the entire (small) jar of pareve chocolate spread)

Mix together eggs, oil, vanilla, and sugar. In a second bowl, mix together dry ingredients. Make a well in the dry ingredients, and add the wet mix. Mix well with a wooden spoon. If you want to use one bowl, you can, but you'll probably find this needs to be mixed with an electric mixer, rather than a wooden spoon.

Pour into a large pan (I used a lasagna size pan or even bigger. It worked perfectly in the largest baking pan from the new set I bought for this Pesach!), sprinkle chocolate chips all over the top of the batter, and bake at 180 C for about 25 min (160 C if using the convection setting). I've also baked these in my "Shabbat mode" oven on 140 C (the highest I can leave it on Shabbat mode. I know, that's very strange, but that is what it is) for about 35 or 40 minutes, and it was perfect. But not everyone leaves the baking for the chag, so if you're baking on a weekday, go ahead and bake it according to these directions.

Allow to cool before frosting. Cut. Serve.

YUM. Chocolate craving solved. And with the roller coaster ride we've been on here in Israel, I'm guessing I'm not the only one craving a chocolate fix.