Passover Archives - L.A. Parent

April Book Corner: Understanding and Appreciation

Published April 1, 2022

When facing hardships with family or friends, it can be difficult to relax and envision a beautiful future ahead. Our picks for April Book Corner show us that during adversity, there is beauty in embracing differences, and appreciating the world in which we live in.

Howie Blend – Playdate Adventures with Family and Friends

By Jennie Guay, Illustrated by C. Bryce

In the United States, 40% of families are blended, with 16% of children living in a blended household. Inspired by her own experiences raising children in a blended family, LGBTQ+ author Jennie Guay releases “Howie Blend – Playdate Adventures with Family and Friends,” the first of the “Howie Blend” series. This children’s book follows the Howie and five of his friends that also come from blended families: Joshua, Liza, Flora, Henry and Oliver. With “Howie Blend,” Guay aims to increase diversity and representation in children’s literature and showcase how healthy blended family dynamics work. Recommended for ages 4-10.

A Persian Passover

By Etan Basseri, Illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh

With Passover this month, author Etan Basseri and award-winning illustrator Rashin Kheiriyeh team up to release Basseri’s debut children’s book, “A Persian Passover.” In this book, siblings Ezra and Rosa immerse readers into the sights, smells, sounds and preparations made for Passover. Often overlooked, “A Persian Passover” highlights the traditions of Iranian Jews and how local customs such as Nowuz, the Persian new year, are also combined into their own celebrations. Both Basseri and Kheiriyeh aim to not only showcase the diversity of Jewish community but acknowledge strength and hope within the community as well. The book also includes notes and a glossary explaining the Passover holiday and Persian customs, and a recipe for Persian-style Passover charoset (hallaq). Recommended for ages 6-11.

This is the Tree We Planted

By Kate McMullan, Illustrated by Alison Friend

Through vibrant imagery and enticing text, author Kate McMullan and illustrator Alison Friend highlight the importance of ecosystems in “This is the Tree We Planted.” The children’s book explores school children planting a tree in their playground. As they watch the tree grow the children watch the animals, like robins, squirrels, spiders and hawks that depend on the tree for their survival. With Earth Day around the corner, “This is the Tree We Planted” encourages children to observe the world around them and cultivate a love for nature. Recommended for ages 4-7.

Stella and the Dinos… Alive in Space

By Peyton Gulley, Illustrated by Desi Moore

In his debut children’s book, author Peyton Gulley takes readers out of this world with “Stella and the Dinos…Alive in Space.” The story follows Stella, a young dinosaur on a mission to save the dinosaur species from extinction by taking all the dinosaurs to live in outer space. Filled with rhymes and vibrant illustrations, “Stella and the Dinos…Alive in Space” encourages readers of all ages to remain determined and curious about the world.

Wild for Winnie

Bby Laura Marx Fitzgerald, Illustrated by Jeannie Løvlie

Inspired by her own experience raising her two children, Laura Marx Fitzgerald’s “Wild for Winnie” aims to help neurotypical children understand classmates with autism and other sensory processing disorders. The story follows Winnie, a young girl with autism at her new school and her classroom teacher. In an effort to view the world from Winnie’s perspective, Winnie’s teacher encourages the entire class to complete activities such as playing on the jungle gym and cozying up for story time. On sale April 5.

Show the World

By Angela Dalton, Illustrated by Daria Peoples

Author of the award-winning children’s book, “If You Look Up to the Sky “, Angela Dalton releases her newest children’s book, “Show the World!” The story follows a young narrator as she journeys through her neighborhood highlighting different ways of self-expression. Whether through painting, slam poetry, peaceful protesting, or engineering, Dalton and Peoples encourage readers to find spaces and opportunities to find their voice in the world. “Show the World” is on sale April 5.

The List of Things That Will Not Change

By Rebecca Stead

Newbery Medal winner Rebecca Stead releases her newest middle grade novel, “The List of Things That Will Not Change.” After her parents’ divorce, ten-year-old Bea could not be more ecstatic that her father and his boyfriend, Jessie decide to get married. As the wedding approaches, Bea looks forward to meeting Jesse’s daughter, Sonia, and is excited to become a blended family. Inspired by her own life, Stead’s novel explores topics such as divorce, anxiety, family and marriage. Recommended for ages 8-12. On sale April 5.

Hot Dog

by Doug Salati

Perfect for dog lovers of all ages, critically acclaimed creator Doug Salati releases his summery picture book “Hot Dog.” On a hot summer day, a pup and his owner decided to escape the hustle of the city life and take a day trip to the beach. With lyrical text and fluid art, “Hot Dog” shows readers how to relax and appreciate the small joys in life. On sale April 26.

For more book suggestions, check out our March Book Corner.

Easter and Passover Celebrations in L.A.

Published March 31, 2022

By Nina Harada

Passover and Easter are right around the corner and L.A. is ready to celebrate. From brunches to bunnies to sweet and savory treats, we’ve rounded up fun and delicious ways to celebrate these spring holidays with your family.

Celebrate at home

PJ Library has a host of Passover resources to make the holiday fun and accessible for children and their families. For ideas on how to make Passover more meaningful for kids, check out their guest post, which includes tips like making a seder plate vegetarian, getting outside and more.

Want an easter egg hunt without the setup? Watson Adventures is hosting an Online Easter Egg Hunt for ages 10 and up. Follow fun clues as you travel around the world on a quest to find all the eggs.

Celebrate spring holidays with a book, and dive deeper into the world of Passover and Easter. “The Passover Mouse” by Joy Nelkin Wieder and illustrated by Shahar Kober tells the story of a little mouse who disrupts a town’s preparation for their seder, but ultimately brings everyone together for an even more meaningful holiday. Little ones will love following their favorite Sesame Street characters in “It’s Passover, Grover!” by Jodie Shepherd and illustrated by Joe Mathieu. Ages 2-5.

The 100-year old classic, “The Velveteen Rabbit” by Margery Williams gets a fresh, new look with illustrations by Erin Stead. Young readers will love “Open the Easter Bunny’s Door…“ illustrated by Jannie Ho, an interactive board book with little flaps hiding eggs, baskets and other sweet surprises.

Celebrate Out

Smorgasburg LA will host “Put An Egg On Everything Day” April 17. PHOTO COURTESY SMORGASBURG LA

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 17, Smorgasburg LA is hosting its annual “Put An Egg On Everything Day.” That means tons of Smorgasburg vendors will feature egg-themed specials and collaborations throughout the market. Attendees can get a version of Evil Cooks‘ famous chilaquiles burrito, stuffed with potato flautas made by Los Dorados. Or, they can opt for an egg topped bungkus from Bungkus Bagus, a mouth-watering breakfast sandwich from Picnic Sandwich, a special Vietnamese egg coffee from Be Bright Coffee and loads more. Trying all the specials is an egg hunt in and of itself!

Legendary Compton pit-master Kevin Bludso will be on site selling and signing copies of his brand new cookbook “Bludso’s BBQ Cookbook” while offering up barbecue specials of his own, direct from the book.

There will also be a family-friendly beer garden. Entry is free; pets are not allowed. Smorgasburg LA is located at ROW DTLA, 777 S. Alameda St, Los Angeles.

Brunch & Bunnies

Nothing says Easter like Sunday brunch and bunny photo ops!

Easter sweets from Bianca in Culver City. PHOTO COURTESY BIANCA

Bianca in Culver City has your Easter eats covered with fresh treats from the bakery and Sunday brunch on April 17, featuring crepes, mimosas and other items inspired by the owners’ family traditions. Reservations are required. Grab some Easter treats from Bianca’s bakery, like carrot cake and chocolate eggs, available for pre-order through April 12.

There’s something for everyone at Balboa Bay Resort’s Easter Sunday Brunch in Newport Beach. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 17, sample from the sushi bar, pancake station, chocolate fountain and more, while enjoying waterfront views, live music and a visit from the Easer bunny. $95 per adult; $45 per child.Reservations are encouraged.

Grab a photo with Bunny at 2nd & PCH. PHOTO COURTESY 2ND & PCH

2^ND & PCH in Long Beach invites the community to Hoppin’ Photos with Bunny April 9, 10 and 16 to capture memories and grab a selfie in front of a spring-themed backdrop, including a vintage Volkswagen bus. Crafts and additional activities will be provided by Family Church in Signal Hill on April 16.

Shop for hand-crafted treasures and support local artisans at 2^nd & PCH’s Creative Communal Makers Market on April 10 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The unique open-air market features a curated assortment of vendors, kids activities, a photo op and live music from Ernando and the Nandos.

Visit the Easter Bunny at Bunny Bungalows at The Grove and Americana at Brand April 1-17 for more springtime captures. Professional photo packages are available for $45 and up.

The Collection at RiverPark will host Spring Festival April 9. PHOTO COURTESY THE COLLECTION AT RIVERPARK

The Collection at RiverPark is hosting a spring fun all month long. For the month of April guests can participate in a Spring Bunny Scavenger Hunt. Pick up a map at Guest Services and hop around the shopping center to search for items and win a prize. Bring the little ones and pets for Photos with the Spring Bunny April 8-10 and April 15-16. On April 9 the Collection will host a family-friendly Spring Festival, featuring live sing-alongs, local musicians, arts and crafts and more.

Sweet & Savory Treats

Spring themed gift boxes from Dylan’s Candy Bar, like the Garden Party Tackle Box ($28) featuring a gummy butterflies and sour gummy worms, is the perfect sweet treat for Easter or to celebrate spring. Or stick to the classics with a chocolate bunny ($10). dylanscandybar.com

Make your own spring-themed treats, like Weelicious founder Catherine McCord’s easy Nut-Free Nutella Matzo Sandwiches or PJ Library’s Matza Pizza Lasagna.

Nut-Free Nutella Matzo Sandwiches

Ingredients

1/2 cup chocolate chips

1/2 cup sunflower seed butter

4 matzah sheets

Preparation

1. Place the chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 30-60 seconds, until melted, stirring halfway through.
2. Add the sunflower seed butter to the bowl, and stir until thoroughly combined.
3. Gently break matzah sheets into 4 pieces each, spread with the faux Nutella mixture and sandwich together.

Matza Pizza Lasagna

Ingredients

4 eggs, lightly beaten

1 (24-ounce) container small-curd cottage cheese

4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1-2 tablespoons fresh Italian herbs (oregano, Italian parsley, basil), chopped

1 (23-ounce) jar marinara

2 cloves garlic, minced

6 sheets of matzah

Pinch of salt and pepper

Your family’s favorite pizza toppings (we used green bell peppers, sliced mushrooms, olives, fresh basil, and red pepper flakes)

Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, combine eggs, cottage cheese, fresh herbs, garlic, salt and pepper, and 1 cup of the mozzarella. Set the mixture aside.
Grease a 9- by 13-inch glass baking dish and spread a thin layer of marinara over the bottom.
Lightly dampen the matzah with water (run quickly under a faucet, so as not to completely soak), then place two sheets on top of the layer of marinara. Spread a third of the remaining marinara over the matzah, and spoon half of the cottage cheese mixture on top. Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella over the cottage cheese mixture and add the first layer of pizza toppings.
Continue to layer ingredients, adding another two sheets of matzah, half of the marinara, the remaining cottage cheese mixture, half of the mozzarella, and more toppings.
Add the last two sheets of matzah and the remaining marinara, mozzarella, and toppings.
Loosely cover the dish with foil and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Then remove the foil and broil the lasagna for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the top is browned to taste. Let the dish rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Making Passover Meaningful for Kids

Published March 31, 2022

By Saskia Swenson Moss, PJ Library Engagement Officer

This year, Passover, the Jewish holiday of freedom, begins on Friday April 15. Passover, or Pesach in Hebrew, was originally a pilgrimage holiday celebrated (if you were an ancient Israelite) by coming to Jerusalem to bring sacrifices to the Temple. When that Temple was destroyed in 70 CE, the celebration of Passover changed from one based out of the house, to one in which the home is central.

As someone who did not grow up actively celebrating Passover, I feel a bit anxious as the holiday gets closer wondering what parts of the celebration will be meaningful for our family and how a story and rituals that that go back thousands of years will resonate with my kids.

My first step is to enlist the help of PJ Library, the award-winning book-based program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. On the PJ Library website, the steps towards a fulfilling Passover are organized into two helpful categories:

Holiday preparation – what to do to get ready for Passover
Seder resources – how to engage your family in the Passover meal

Holiday preparation

A pre-seder check list helps my partner and I make sure we know what we need. The list includes recipes for do-it-yourself matza, a flat cracker representing the food that the escaping Israelites ate, and delicious desserts that my older kids can make for themselves. There are instructions for how to set up your seder table, which Haggadah or Passover story to read for different ages (I like the PJ Library Haggadah for the table and the PJ podcast for a good overview of the story), and creative ideas for populating the seder plate, which becomes home to six different symbolic foods that represent parts of the Passover story.

My vegetarian daughter was sad to learn that a lamb shank bone is traditionally part of the seder plate. “What about a beet?” says the PJ website. “Why not add that as your sacrifice?” “YES!” said my daughter, and with a veggie as her offering, she was back in the story again.

Seder resources

Central to celebrating Passover is the seder meal. My advice? Set up the meal in a way most comfortable to you.

If you have young kids (or tired adults!) that might fall asleep early, use PJ’s 15 minute seder to keep their attention. I like to set up a cozy book nook with games, books and pillows for anyone who needs a break from activities at the table.

There are places throughout the meal where kids can find meaning. Pick what works for your family. For some learning the four questions traditionally sung at the beginning of the meal can be a highlight. For others, Passover-themed Mad Lib style activities can bring an element of surprise to the table, as can hiding (and then finding!) the Afikomen, the last piece of matzah eaten at the end of the meal.

Michael Fritzen, the PJ Library Program Manager at the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, wants to go back to the original essence of Passover. He and his team are organizing a PJ Library Passover family hike, a modern-day pilgrimage into nature, on April 10 at Franklin Canyon Park. “For some of us, it’s our first time getting out to see friends,” says Michael. “We have been stuck in our homes and now we can finally get outside…it’s a form of freedom!”

And isn’t that the essence of the Passover story? Having the freedom to make choices, to gather with friends and family, and to celebrate milestones with resources that deepen our experiences. As one PJ Library parent put it recently: “I couldn’t do this without PJ Library.” Thinking back on my childhood, as our family prepares to celebrate Passover together, I couldn’t agree more.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles offers families entry into a thriving, inclusive and accessible Jewish community where all are welcome

For more information on the Passover hike and on community programming email: mfritzen@jewishla.org.

Saskia Swenson Moss is the PJ Library Engagement Officer and mom of three.

Celebrating Easter, Passover, Spring in and around L.A.

Published March 23, 2021

By Cassandra Lane

While spring of 2020 feels like one big blur, a few images stand starkly in our collective memory: virtual celebrations of Easter and Passover. While many churches and synagogues still are not open this season, we have all had more time to plan events and activities with fresh eyes and renewed creativity.

In this roundup, we’ve collected activities, food ideas, arts and crafts and more to help you and your family celebrate.

From March 22 – April 4, Palisades Village is adorned with Easter décor and spring-themed backdrops. PHOTO COURTESY PALISADES VILLAGE

Easter arts and crafts — and movies

Crate & Kids will help you design the perfect basket your kids will love — full of Easter toys and crafts. See below for easy steps to make this holiday a magical one.

Start with an Easter basket. If you’re looking for a reusable option try these chic, functional bins you can use for post-holiday toy storage.
Find their new plush bestie. Whether it’s a classic bunny or a not-so-traditional Bashful Bee and Amuseable Tulip, there’s a stuffie BFF for every kid.
Pick a (naturally) cool craft. Choose from an egg coloring and grass growing kit, a candle-making kit or even hopscotch chalk. These naturally made arts and crafts are the perfect family activity.
Add a special surprise. Every little bunny needs a fun toy to celebrate the holiday. Check out the Etched Wooden Blocks, Felt Garden Set and Flora Pop Up Book.

Moms Caitlin Kruse and Mandy Roberson have created some magic to keep kids busy this holiday. Magic Playbook is a digital print-and-play kids activities subscription and is designed as an easy resource for parents to put together fun and educational activities for their kids.

Created for ages 2 – 6, each month’s Magic Playbook features seasonally-appropriate activities that will spark a child’s imagination and make everyday moments extraordinary.

Each Magic Playbook includes:

A monthly collection of themed printable activities and ideas
Easy-to-follow directions and an easy-to-shop supply list
Seasonal activities including kid-friendly crafts, sensory play, games and recipes
A library reading list to complement each month’s theme
Curated screen time ideas

Magic Playbook is a digital print-and-play kids activities subscription. PHOTO COURTESY MAGIC PLAYBOOK

The April theme will feature gardening and bugs, as well as Easter. With activities such as a bug playdough mat, a farmer’s market setup and seed packet counting, kids will explore key lessons such as math and imaginative play. The digital subscription costs $9 per month or $84 annually at https://magicplaybook.com. For those who prefer to have physical printables shared (i.e. those without a printer), pricing is $15 per month.

For the artistically inclined, Art Classes for Kids is introducing its Easter ART BOX, which offers87 fun and educational experiences for artists of any age. Created by instructor Kim Bavington, each ART BOX includes all the supplies needed to create three cool art projects, along with exclusive video tutorials containing all instruction needed.

Celebrate Passover with PJ Library, which is providing downloadable, kid-friendly Haggadah in five languages this year: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian and French.

And check out PJ Library’s updated Passover hub , with music, stories, crafts and recipes. It’s got games, history and printables, plus a step-by-step video playlist where kids can learn (or refresh) some serious seder skills.

Whether you’re looking to enjoy a kid-friendly Easter movie with the whole family or want to learn more about the history of Christianity, FOX’s free streaming service Tubi has a number of options to choose from. A few options: conduct an “Easter” search on Tubi Kids, or check out specific titles such as Easterland, Hodge Saves Easter, Easter Bunny Adventure, or Amanda and the Easter Bunny.

Virtual adventures

Watson Adventures, known for its live scavenger hunts in cities around the country, has launched two brand new Easter virtual experiences to safely bring people together in a fun and interactive way.

Available for both public bookings and private bookings (families, friends, work groups, school groups, birthday parties, etc.), the hunts feature a live “hunt host” connecting teams around the world via videoconferencing and a computer, smartphone or tablet to navigate the 60 to 90-minute live game.

Watson Adventures will host a virtual scavenger hunt. PHOTO COURTESY WATSON ADVENTURES

The two all-new Easter offerings include:

Hop To It, Kids! – This one-hour scavenger hunt hops around the world, following clues that lead to websites where eggs must be found – in paintings at art museums, the homes of kings and queens and atop a building in Spain! Fun questions will be asked. Suitable for children ages 10 and up, each team must include one adult.

Great Eggspectations – This adult-oriented online Easter egg hunt brings players to some of the world’s greatest museums, where a trail of clues will help find eggs and answer tricky questions. The full calendar of public hunts available for booking is available here. Public hunts begin at $19 per person (depending on the game) for teams of two to six people.

Evite party specialist Casey Martinez has a few tips on ways to make this year’s festivities more unique than 2020 (even if they are still remote and/or physically distanced):

Help your kids decorate. Decorating your home is a great way to get in the spirit of any holiday. You can decorate your own eggs and make other decorations.
Have a social distance Easter egg hunt. Setting up an Easter egg hunt is pretty easy to do in your own backyard (or throughout the home if it’s just your household participating), and there are plenty of ways to get creative , including color-coding eggs. You can also do a virtual egg hunt with your neighbors. Just print out an egg coloring page for your kid to decorate, place it in your window and neighbors can “hunt” for them while on walks in the neighborhood.
Virtual brunch. While enjoying brunch over video may not be ideal, it’s a great way to connect with family outside of your home – or even your state. Set the party atmosphere with a festive backdrop and even share recipes with your virtual guests so you all can enjoy the same meal. Consider inviting your guests with a themed Evite Invitation.
Include the grandparents. You can help your kid make an Easter basket for their grandparents and drop it off to the grams at home. The basket could include their favorite homemade treats, pictures and even a pastime like a deck of cards.

Art Classes for Kids is selling its Easter ARTBOX.

Around town

Family friendly Easter and springtime festivities are taking place in Los Angeles this month at The Grove, The Americana at Brand and Palisades Village

From March 22 – April 4, the iconic outdoor shopping and dining destinations will be adorned with Easter décor and spring-themed backdrops as each property rings in the spring season with exclusive offerings in food, fashion and more –including a limited-time Instagram storyEaster Egg Hunt, spring-inspiredphoto installations and a “shop for spring” spending incentive with a chance to win a private dining experience.

An interactive Easter egg hunt will be featured on property-specific Instagram channels, highlighting an impressive selection of exclusive spring products, promotions, and weekday surprise and delights Guests are invited to take part in a Willy Wonka-inspired spending incentive, in which shoppers who spend $500+ in a single day can present their receipt to the concierge to receive a complimentary chocolate bunny made by acclaimed French pastry chef Fabrice Benezit. The chocolate bunnies will be hollow, with a “golden ticket” hidden inside a select few. The special ticket will be redeemable for a private dinner for four of their choice at The Americana at Brand, The Grove or Palisades Village

French pastry chef Fabric Benefit crafted this chocolate bunny with a “golden ticket.” PHOTO COURTESY CARUSO

Each property’s spring photo installation will be live, and guests will be encouraged to post their photos on social and tag the property handle. Caruso will reach out to guests who post with delightful prizes (including complimentary parking, car wash, discounts and more)

The South Botanic Garden is hopping with bunnies and bursting with blooms, and at this special three-day affair, kids are invited to find a series of enormous hand-painted spring eggs hidden amid all the color. Take a journey through lush formal gardens and wild nature trails to try to locate all of the eggs.

South Coast Botanic Garden is the perfect place to celebrate the season of renewal, as the property itself showcases the restorative and healing possibilities of nature, with its landfill turned botanic garden. Tickets are same as General Admission — members: free, adults: $15; seniors (62 and over): $11; students (with ID): $11; children (5 – 12): $5; children (4 and under): free. Get tickets here.

Enjoy photo ops in front of Wild Child Party balloons and socially distanced meet-and-greets with the Easter Bunny at Platform’s spring-themed outdoor marketplace. Other springtime treats include Easter sweets from Candy Coach and Lee’Poof, spring picnic baskets from Party with Plants, and spring bouquets by local florists. Kids can pick up Easter activity sheets and crayons from the Courtyard all week long.

Good eats, good treats

Good food is the foundation of any celebration, and L.A. knows how to make it the shining center of any Easter or Passover celebration. Bianca restaurant is offering a festive brunch menu featuring caviar, crepes, truffle pizza, mimosas and more Easter specials. Bring the family and inspire your child’s inner confectionary artist with a chocolate egg decorating kit.

Indulge in Easter treats from its bakery inspired by family traditions. The menu features Italian, Argentinian, British and American pastries. Pre-order is advised.

Terranea Resort is inviting families to spend Easter on its sprawling 102-acre property, which sits along the Pacific Ocean. Easter and Passover celebrations include a variety of dining selections, stay specials for overnight accommodations, gourmet meals to-go and family-friendly activities, all designed to promote a safe, comfortable and enjoyable experience.

Stay: Guests may enjoy more Terranea and extra savings with the property’s “Third Night Free” offer. Enjoy a Southern California vacation for a quick weekend getaway or an extended stay. Outdoor adventures include whale watching, hiking, plein air painting by the sea, family activities, kayaking, archer and more. Restrictions may apply. Promotional code: 3FREE. Visit here for more.

Easter Gourmet Meals To-Go: Leave the cooking to “some bunny else” this year with Easter To-Go from Terranea. Offerings include: asparagus and parmesan soup with crispy shallots; pea and carrots spring salad; choice of house-cured maple ham with apricot and Dijon glaze or herb roasted leg of lamb with rosemary gremolata; roasted baby turnip with turnip greens; garlic and chive mashed potato; hot cross buns; and a ricotta citrus tart with candied fruit and tarragon.

Eat by the water

Weekend brunches overlooking the marina are in effect. In Marina del Rey, weekend brunch on an outdoor patio beckons along with stunning seaside views.

Click here for the updated Marina del Rey outdoor dining guide.

Click here for a list of restaurants offering take-out or delivery in Marina del Rey.

Dining on a patio in Marina Del Rey is always a popular Easter brunch option.

Vegetarian Easter To-Go

Offerings include: asparagus and parmesan soup with crispy shallots; pea and carrots spring salad; artichoke and olive tart; roasted baby turnip with turnip greens; garlic and chive mashed potato; hot cross buns; and a ricotta citrus tart with candied fruit and tarragon.

Passover Meal To-Go

Terranea’s chefs have created a specialty Passover Meal To-Go featuring savory herbed matzo ball soup, red wine braised brisket, traditional sides, delicious desserts and more.

Terranea’s to-go ordering deadline is April 1 at 12 p.m.. Pick up April 3-4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please visit here. For more on Terranea’s dine-in and other options, including a Kids Club family activity and toddler box of arts and crafts and Mandala Easter egg painting, visit terranea.com.

Over at Superba Food + Bread, Passover delights include a Seder dinner package ($40/per person) for the first two nights of Passover (March 27-28).

The dinner package includes all the Passover greatest hits, from matzo ball soup to brisket, with plenty of great sides, veggies and desserts. Superba will even handle the bitter herbs and horseradish for you – just make sure to select the Seder Plate option ($45/per person) on Tock.

A beautiful Seder dinner from Superba Food + Bread. PHOTO COURTESY SUPERBA FOOD + BREAD

Books, Books, Books

Here are some picture books to celebrate Passover, Easter, Earth Day and more from Holiday House.

“Happy Springtime!” by Kate McMullan, illustrated by Sujean Rim(Neal Porter Books / Holiday House). Look ahead to sunny days with this bright, bouncy, and colorful picture book. Full of riotous watercolor illustrations by Sujean Rim, Kate McMullan’s ode to the joys of spring celebrates the burst of life following the thaw of winter.

“The Passover Guest” by Susan Kusel, illustrated by Sean Rubin(Neal Porter Books / Holiday House). In this fresh retelling of a classic I.L. Peretz story, Muriel assumes her family is too poor to hold a Passover Seder, but an act of kindness and a mysterious magician change everything.

“Pippa’s Passover Plate” by Vivian Kirkfield, illustrated by Jill Weber (Holiday House). A charming story with a happy ending, this book pairs simple, rhyming text with bright paintings. In bravely facing her animal neighbors, this adorable little mouse finds not only her missing Seder plate, but also new friends.

“Bunnies” by Gail Gibbons(Holiday House). Hop…hop…hop into spring with a cuddly board book all about bunnies. This information-packed but easy-to-read board book teaches toddlers and parents about rabbits and how they came to be a major tradition in Easter celebrations.

“A New Green Day” by Antoinette Portis(Neal Porter Books / Holiday House). On each spread, children will solve riddles about the familiar animals, plants and the weather that one child encounters outdoors throughout a whole day. Active readers will delight in the clever language and striking illustrations.

An Animal-Friendly Easter

Plant-powered kids everywhere are invited to join “The Biggest Vegan Egg Hunt Ever,” a free online event featuring fun and games, prizes, cooking and craft demonstrations and a live meet-and-greet with rescued bunnies, lambs and chickens at Animal Place’s sanctuary. Created by Miller Wolfson and Plant-Based Network Director of Events Helene Greenberg, The Biggest Vegan Egg Hunt Ever also marks the launch of PBNet’s new Plant-Based Kids Club that unites plant-based and eco-conscious families.

The virtual event will be held Saturday April 3 at 10 a.m. Pacific. Families must register in advance here. Special guests include author and illustrator Ruby Roth, who will lead a real-time drawing class from her studio, and a cameo by Omari McQueen, a 12-year-old British cooking show host, cookbook author and entrepreneur.

For the main event, kids will participate in a scavenger hunt for vegan treat-filled eggs in their own homes. Parents will get instructions for hiding places in advance as cookbook author Leinana Two Moons and her husband Anthony Two Moons, master of dad jokes, announce clues. Throughout the 90-minute Zoom event, families will win fun prizes, including a year’s worth of gelato from Nubocha, chocolate, toys and books.

Natural egg dyeing

Keeping with the sustainability theme, egg-dying is one fun activity you can do with the whole family, but rather than using artificial dyes (most synthetic food dyes are derived from petroleum), you can make your own natural dyes by upcycling food scraps from the kitchen. The following tips are from Lauren Olson, a Zero Waste Manager/ sustainability expert for World Centric.

Natural foods can be a safe alternative for dyeing Easter eggs. PHOTO COURTESY WORLD CENTRIC.

Natural vegetables, fruits and spices in your kitchen that can be used to make dyes. In addition to using extra food items you might have laying around, you can also use food scraps you’d otherwise throw away and give them a second purpose before composting.

Red cabbage will create blue dye. For green, use red onion skins or spinach. Turmeric will create a golden yellow dye. For red try beet shavings, and for pink try avocado pits and skins. And for orange, try yellow onion skins.

Along with your food scraps, you will also need white vinegar, water, hard boiled eggs and bowls and spoons for dying. Use compostables from World Centric, which can be commercially composted along with your leftover food scraps and dyes.

Step 1: Boil the eggs

Hard boil 1-2 dozen eggs (depending on how many you’d like to dye), for 8-10 minutes on medium heat.

Step 2: Make the dye

Combine 1-2 cups of food scraps, 2-3 cups of water, and 2 tablespoons of white vinegar and bring to a boil for 15 minutes. For the yellow dye, combine 3 tablespoons of turmeric with 2 cups of water and microwave for 2 minutes. The more water you add, the less vibrant your dye will be. Remove the food scraps from the pot and pour the remaining dyed water into a bowl.

Step 3: Dye the eggs

Add 1-2 eggs to each bowl of dye. Let the eggs soak for 20 minutes, then flip the egg and let soak for an additional 20 minutes.

Step 4: Dry the eggs

Remove the eggs from the dye and place them back into the carton to dry.

Step 5: Clean up = compost

Don’t forget to compost all leftover food scraps, compostable bowls and utensils, and any paper towels.