Review: KOL Foods

At Pesah I usually make a "resolution" around food. A few years ago it was salads, last year it was desserts for Pesah (and not buying a bunch of ready-made Pesah products) and this year it was to head back to our Traditional Food ways. As part of this, I took advantage of the KOL Foods buying club and stocked my freezer with pastured lamb and beef. How was it? Short answer: Amazing.

I used my regular meatball recipe (only substituting whole wheat matza meal for the bread crumbs) and they not only cooked up fabulously, they reheated without drying out. I ended up having to make another batch chol ha'moed because the girls devoured them and they asked to have it for Shabbat. Mind you, this was a recipe that was okay but not spectacular. Mainly I made it for the girls and because it was easy but no one was thrilled with it.

I also made a few lamb dishes. I used 8 pounds of lamb and have none left. What our guests didn't consume, the girls finished at lunches and Aba asked if I had any for meals where I hadn't planned to serve it. Thing 2 has even asked me to make it again and in the past she has declared loudly, "I DON'T LIKE LAMB!"

I used to order from Golden West Glatt and preferred their meat over the markets, but KOL is better. 

They carry two lines of beef. One is American grown and the other is from Uruguay. I bought a mixture of both (depending on what was available for what I wanted) and couldn't tell the difference. (Yes, there is one based on the environmental cost of transporting beef from South America to the US as well as the support of American businesses and farmers. I'm just talking taste and texture.)

The price is higher than the market and there is shipping, too. However in our family we will save by not tossing leftovers that don't reheat well, are dried out or are just plain old because no one wants to finish it. I also have to say that I love having the freezer packed with meat so that all I can skip the kosher market for the most part and focus on supporting the local farmers markets.

Bottom line: I will continue to buy from KOL Foods and recommend it.

If you choose to try out KOL Foods, contact me for a referral link. You and I will get a $5.00 coupon. Win-Win! Also, if you are local to me and want to make a combined order to possibly save on shipping, let me know.

Review: The Style Underground

Around Rosh Hashannah I was introduced to The Style Underground's scarves and tying videos and I'm finally getting around to writing up a recommendation.

I've gotten into the habit of wearing scarves rather than hats and wigs. They are more comfortable and I feel more in line with the traditional Moroccan way of hair-covering. But sometimes it gets boring doing the "bun" look. And I don't really like the "babushka" look of a simple tie behind the neck with all the ends hanging down. This is when I turn to Julie's videos. 

I've gotten compliments every time I worn one of the more ornate ties and I've taken up the habits of using a light-weight cotton scarf under the silkier or thinners scarves and of tying my pontytail higher on my head to add volume. Both were ideas that never crossed my mind and really lend a more polished look to an old wash-worn Israeli tichel.

For Rosh Hashannah I purchased a stretch lace rectangular scarf and the paisley scarf seen in the photo. I haven't gotten much wear from the lace one as the girls have decided it looks like a bridal veil and absconded with it. A shame since it was nice and stretchy and felt wonderful.

The paisley is my go-to scarf for dressier events where I actually consider wearing a wig. It wears and washes beautifully, but is lined with cotton so be careful when washing of the lining may shrink a bit rolling the edges uneasily. 

I highly recommend a visit to The Style Underground and some fancy tichel-tying to dress up your day.