I am so excited to announce that the winner for our
2nd Annual Chanukah Giveaway is….
Chanie P.
from Brooklyn, NY!!!!
Chanie will get a $50 Gift Card to either Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s!
Thank you to all who participated…
Have a wonderful and delicious Chanukah!!
Duby 
I was chatting with a dear friend of mine Miss. S – who is a single gal and lives in Brooklyn. When I asked about her plans for Chanukah, what kind of exciting things were going in on NY, she sadly told me that because she has a rigorous work schedule, she won’t be attending any parties. In short, she told me that her Chanukah will consist of “Buying a Donut on the way to work.” Obviously she wasn’t very happy about it.
So here are a few simple tips for all you single ladies (or any ladies) out there who feel they won’t be able to celebrate with the masses in their little apartments. These ideas might sound too easy or small, but they are very impactful for getting into the spirit of the holiday.
1) Make latkes after work. Sounds simple I know – but it makes a HUGE difference. Nothing feels like Chanukah like the smell of frying latkes in your apartment.
2) Play Dreidel – but make it Interesting – Dreidel is fun, but why not kick it up a notch? Personally, I always was a fan of “strip dreidel” but if that’s not your thing, how about adding a poker / gambling element to it for an added twist?
3) Light Menorah as an Apartment: as a single girl I remember feeling a little blue during Chanukah since it was just me and the other singles in my apartment. There was an element of Chanukah spirit missing. Well, I say – DO IT !!!! Speak to your roommates, and decide what time you want to light (it could be late at night too) and jam it up! Sing the songs, dance around, play music, play guitar (if you do), whatever to crank up the Chanukah a bit.
4) Host a gift swap – you have lots of single friends – guaranteed they are all looking for ways to make Chanukah more joyous. Make a list of the ladies in your building complex and host a Secret Santa! (or as my sister in law Chaya properly named it: Mystery Maccabee!) It’s a WIN WIN! And at the end, you get a Chanukah present. 
5) Block Party anyone? If you’re hosting a gift swap, maybe you can get all the girls together and have a small party! It can be over the weekend (so you won’t have to get up early for work) and have a little shindig … it can be as elaborate or as simple as you are able to.
6) Night Activity! Remember in overnight camp – there was night activity? How about each night of Chanukah (or on the few nights that you’re together with your roommates) plan a little activity. It can be playing a board game, doing a puzzle, watching a movie (feh ).
7) Don’t forget about your day job! We tend to think of Chanukah as nighttime activities with Menorah lightings and parties, but don’t forget to bring some of the festivity into the daytime! Bring in donuts for your co-workers, decorate your cubicle (or desk) and if you’re REALLY ambitious, maybe plan a little special Chanukah lunch for the people at your work. (I know, might be too much but at least it will get you thinking of ideas )
Well my dear New York gal (and everyone else), I gave you 7 ideas for a festive Chanukah…. Now it’s YOUR turn to give me the 8th idea !!!
Happy Happy HAPPY Chanukah …
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A quick reminder. I will be announcing my Giveaway Winner on Sunday, December 18th. It’s not too late!
This post is not my original idea. I found this idea from a recent article on the Chronic Babe website. The woman who runs the website, Jenni, blogs about Chronic Illness. She gives tips for maintaining a healthy balance in life, something that’s imperative to people who live with illnesses.
I read her recent newsletter entitled “The Best Gift You Can Give Yourself” and I was IMMEDIATELY inspired. So I’ll just shut up, and get right to it …
The BEST Gift you can Give Yourself…
P.T.M.O.
Permission To Miss Out.
It’s the simplest of things, but for some reason I needed this lesson to be spelled out for me. Permission To Miss Out means allowing yourself to say “I’m staying home tonight.” It means not going to EVERY Chanukah party or Menorah Lighting. Not buying a million gifts for every niece and nephew, and it means deciding not to bake a thousand donuts for the Shul Chanukah party. Permission To Miss Out is an incredible gift that allows anyone to realize their limits and to pick and choose instead of trying to do it all.
I needed this lesson because this is something I do EVERY SINGLE year (without realizing it). I get very excited when the holidays come (no matter which holiday, it’s always an exciting time!) and of course Chanukah is no different. Just the other night I was going through all the upcoming events in our community and I even picked out what I’m going to wear!!! (yes, my husband rolled my eyes) I am in the process of buying and wrapping all my gifts, planning what goodies I want to bake to bring to my in laws … and of course planning the family Chanukah shindig. Then yesterday, I read this article and it hit me like a ton of bricks! This is what I do every single year. Every year I get wrapped up (quite literally) in all the excitement, and I go into the holiday planning to go to every party, every holiday lighting and halfway through Chanukah I am exhausted, burned out and upset that I end up missing that last few events…
Why hadn’t this occurred to me sooner? It’s time I learned the beauty in PTMO.
So last night I went through all the different events and stuff I very much want to do, and I prioritized. I chose 2 or 3 parties that I know FORSURE I don’t want to miss, and the rest is completely optional. This way, I won’t go in with unrealistic expectations that by the 5th night of Chanukah if I SEE another latke I’ll practically puke. And somehow, this little PTMO exercise instantly helped me feel a lot calmer about the whole holiday.
While this article was geared for people who have illnesses where they need to be extremely careful how much they over extend themselves during this busy season, I felt that this concept really relates to EVERYONE.
We ALL do so much ALL the time and even though physically we may feel we can handle it, it’s crucial we learn that fine line between doing and overdoing.
We can use a little bit of PTMO in our lives and feel happy that we can enjoy the holiday without burning the (Chanukah) candle at both ends.
Happy Chanukah everyone !!!!
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Don’t Forget –
My Chanukah Giveaway (AKA – FREE MONEY !) is right around the corner!
Someone mentioned to me the other night that they didn’t post my blog or tweet it because they wanted to give someone else a chance to win. Please know that EVERYONE is eligible to win (except the guy I sleep with) – so feel free to spread the word !!! 
Click Here for more details about the Giveaway
I remember sitting in Tanya class when I was about 13 years old. We were studying Chapter 7, which discusses the spiritual essences in every being. Our teacher explained that there is a spiritual difference between forbidden and permissible items. While all living and non-living objects have a spiritual essence, the essences are derived and powered from different spiritual sources and levels. The source of objects essence is the determining factor whether an item is allowed for Jewish people.
For example – Pork has a different spiritual source than beef – therefore pork is not allowed while kosher beef is.
(If I have not confused you yet, congratulations! For more explanation, click here after reading the rest of my blog
)
My Rabbi teacher then continued to explain the following concept:
“Just Because You Can, Doesn’t Mean You Should.”
So there I am, a 13 year old kid, and in simple terms my teacher basically just told me that just because ice cream is kosher, doesn’t mean I should have it.
WHAT!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! (I even asked him this exact ice cream analogy)
He explained that when you hold yourself to a higher standard – you refrain from things you urge and desire. By doing so you break the hold that the urge had over you. (Hayom Yom Shevat 27)
Needless to say, at age 13 I thought this was totally bogus. First, you tell me all the things I’m not allowed to do. And trust me, in Judaism there is a WHOLE lot of “not allowed” – but now you’re telling me that even things that are labeled “kosher” I should refrain? Who am I, Gandhi or something? This upset me greatly and I never liked this attitude. I understood that these were men who lived a few hundred years ago who led simpler lives, but we always learn that we live IN the world, and not on some mountain top in Tibet. That is exactly why we have KOSHER ice cream so we can enjoy the pleasures of the world but in a way that’s allowed according to Torah.
Well, I’m happy to say I’m no longer 13.
Recently, I decided to research this concept, so I’d like to thank my Dad who found me numerous places where this concept is discussed. One place is the Hayom Yom. The Hayom Yom for the 25th of Adar Sheini tells of a disciple who came to learn from the Alter Rebbe. He said that the first concept he ever learned was the following:
“What is forbidden is forbidden and what is permitted is unnecessary.”
He goes on to say that they studied this concept until it was drilled into their systems and only then could they go on a path of service to G-d.
This year, as I get ready for Chanukah (along with the rest of you) I recalled my post last year about 8 Tips for a Healthy Chanukah . One of the items in that post is about the dangers (yes DANGERS) of giving 8 gifts, one for every night of Chanukah. I’m aware that many parents don’t give presents at all (which is cool) but the more I thought about this 8 gifts concept, the more I realized that not only is it a warped tradition but it really is an unhealthy attitude to teach our next generation. (feel free to read last years post for more details).
Just because you Can Doesn’t Mean You Should.
This extends to more than just Chanukah gifts. This is a year round concept that we as Americans need to learn. We live in a society of abundance (and for those of us who don’t have, try to emulate that abundance through Credit Card debt 
) Abundance is a beautiful thing… it means we can do more, give more, and celebrate more, but we mustn’t forget to teach our kids the work that came BEFORE the abundance.
Very often I see families who give their kids EVERYTHING they need and EVERYTHING they want. (big difference) I believe I’ve blogged about this before.
Raise your hand if you know a 3 year old kid who has a favorite flavor sushi ? Or a young child who already has a “usual” at Starbucks?
Just because you CAN – just because you may have the money, or the resources, – doesn’t mean you should – doesn’t mean that you should be showering your kids (or loved ones) with lavish clothes and bedrooms and every new toy on the shelf.
So I’m no longer 13. I finally see the wisdom behind: “What is forbidden is forbidden and what is permitted is unnecessary” – As we thank G-d that we don’t live on a mountain in Tibet but in the Abundant America, – we also need to remember that it’s all about balance and responsibility. About leading a spiritually driven life, and not just accumulating “stuff” (I’m sure you’ve heard of George Carlin’s famous “Stuff” Routine). So yes, I’ll be buying my Chanukah gifts for my loved ones (and hopefully I’ll be receiving some too!) but I will try my best to see beyond the gift wrapping and fancy packaging. I’ll try to see and feel the intentions of the giver and therefore really appreciate the presents.
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Its Not Too Late to Enter the Annual Chanukah Giveaway!
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Want More? Check out some past Chanukah related Dubyisms
A Jewish Girl Who Loves Christmas
Minimalism in a Present Filled World
You got that right!
Time for the 5 Pillars of Health ANNUAL
Chanukah Giveaway !!!!!
(can I get a hell yeah??)
Keeping things simple, I decided to keep the prize the same as last year, since you all seemed to LOVE free money.
Soooooo once again, I’m offering a choice between a
$50 Gift Card to:
Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s!!!!
How Do I Win?
You can do one or all of the following options (each option will give you one entry)
1) Comment on this post answering the following question: “What is my favorite holiday and why?”
2) Post this giveaway on Facebook (you can use the Facebook icon on the bottom of this page) Make sure to let me know you have done so.
3) Tweet about the giveaway!!! Make sure to mention me: @mrsduby
4) Subscribe to my blog!! (if you’re already a subscriber: Forward this email to a friend and CC me for an entry)
When do I Win?
The winner will be chosen (at random) on Sunday, December 18, 2011 – which is 2 days before the first night of Chanukah.
The winner (which could be YOU) will be notified by Email – and a post will be on the blog announcing the winner.
If I don’t hear from the winner by January 1, 2012 I will have to pick a new winner, although I don’t want to, so make sure to be in touch with me 
Good luck!!!!!!!!
I gotta tell you – Chanukah is MY kind of Holiday. Latkes and dreidels aside – I confess that I’m a bit of a pyromaniac (if you ask my husband though, he’ll tell you I’m an actual fire hazard!).
Chanukah candles are nothing like lighting Shabbos candles where you just light them and move on with life. No, on Chanukah you stand there holding a lit candle – swaying back and forth singing very long blessings – and you’re NOT supposed to get mischievous with the fire ???!!! So tonight, as I was holding my Shamash candle while doing the swaying thing, I decided to give a shout out to my fellow pyromaniacs out there – and let them know that there is some really cool stuff to burn, and for your reading pleasure, I’ve listed them below.
1. The Chanukah decorations. (I did light them on fire, but luckily me and hubby were quick enough to blow it out before the first brocha was over)
2. The foil on the table. Granted I learned the first night that foil doesn’t burn well, so there went that idea)
3. The dreidels! We all know plastic melts beautifully 
4. The menorah. I’ve tried seeing what happens if you try to light the silver (or metal) menorah on fire but to no avail. Didn’t do much. Oh well.
5. The box of matches. This has proven to be dangerous – so make sure you know what you’re doing. (Right, like there is a Pyromaniac 101 course?)
6. Hair. There’s always one or two strands of hair floating around begging to be singed.
7. Your hubby’s hair. Maybe this is why he keeps it so short?
Well, I think 7 is enough for you to play with for the next few nights of Chanukah…
Oh and of course, keep a fire distinguisher handy
Happy (rest of) Chanukah !!!!
image credits: journey66.blogspot.com
