These days have been anything from normal. Which, in some ways, is uncanny for this time of year. As we approach Passover, we are reminding/teaching our kids about the Pesach Story. We repeatedly ask “Why is this night different from all other nights?” … Just as we are asking ourselves now – and noticing in every possible way – how different this time is from any other time in our lives, and maybe ever.

It is easy to get caught up in the negativity of it. Wow, do we feel that too: how unfair and scary and worrisome and uncertain. The economy is shocked, shredded. Community and connectivity is limited to screens. Jobs are lost. Food is being rationed… and yet… and yet we go on. We still manage to come together (on Zoom and FaceTime). We still find a way to work and to workout. We make meals. We keep moving along.

But I am also taking this pandemic as a gift. One we hopefully will never have again. A gift of time. This unexpected and unconventional unit of time where we have nothing to do, nowhere to go, no-one to see and no end in sight. I’m relishing these quality moments with my kids. We are baking and cooking, crafting and learning. We are cuddling in bed watching My Little Pony and learning how to draw animals from YouTube. We are using our imaginations, having board game tournaments, going on scavenger hunts and seeing wherever the day takes us. We are putting on shows, attempting science experiments and collecting shells, rocks and sticks. We are making huge messes and trying our best to keep the house organized.

Time is slowing down for us. We can get back to the basics. We can shed all the layers of show and circumstance. We can wear PJs all day and forget mascara. My hope is that you are too – as much as possible. Trim the excess. Notice what you really need. What you actually care about. What truly feels good. Let go a little. It’s ok. It is OK now, and it will also all be OK soon enough. Breathe it in. Let it go. Be a little looser than normal. Give in a little more. Bend your rules. Throw them out. Cook something. Taste something. Make something. Hold something. Hug something.

Why is this night different than all other nights?

Gluten Free / Grain Free Matzah:

  • 1 cup organic almond flour
  • 1 cup garbanzo bean flour (or other gluten free flour, including more almond flour!)
  • 1/2 cup coconut flour
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 2 organic eggs
  • 4 tbsp organic olive oil
  • 3 tbsp water

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  2. Using a blender or food processor, combine the dry ingredients.
  3. One at a time, add in eggs, oil and water.
  4. Divide dough into 4 pieces and shape into balls on floured parchment paper
  5. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and dust with flour. Roll dough out until very thin and poke holes with a fork.
  6. Bake for 10-15 minutes, until golden.
  7. Repeat with remaining dough.
  8. Break into square shaped crackers.
  9. Allow to cool and enjoy!