Flower walks. EfshariBari Spring Break
Ideas for an EfshariBari break on Passover
Spring holiday is a great time to break your routine and while enjoying the outdoors, have a healthy, nutritious meal and fun activities such as hiking in nature and cycling. There are also parents who recommend taking a ball and playing with the children, there are many games that can be played in nature such as rounders, netball, dodgeball, paddle ball, statues, soccer and more.
Playing games has many benefits for the general health and the family experience. During ball games, the upper body is active, thus contributing to the development of pulmonary endurance, muscle strength, coordination, balance, agility, and more. Active vacations are both healthier and fun for family members because it puts family and joint activities at the center of the experience.
Active breaks – close to home too
Adults also love to play, but unlike children, they have trouble integrating this activity into their daily routine. Taking active breaks does not necessarily require remote travel or taking multiple days off from work. With daylight saving – we get more hours of light, so you can decide on an hour of activity, even after a day of work, and go out and play with the kids in a public playground or in the park near your home.
The break can be used to teach children to play the childhood games we grew up with. Would you like to recall? On the “Games from Olden Days” page we have collected 60 childhood games for you (with and without a ball, for home, for the yard, and more) including 'seven on the wall', jacks, statues and many others. We'd love to share your favorite game with us.
Passover is a chance to spend quality time with the family
The holiday break is a great opportunity to sit with family members around the table, discuss your day-to-day experiences and discuss topics you would like to share with family members. Having family meals has important benefits both socially and from the health point of view: First, the family meal can encourage eating healthier foods as there is usually a greater variety of foods on the table. The children can choose, be exposed to new foods and be influenced by the other diners’ food choices. Thus, children can develop healthier eating habits from an early age, and reduce their intake of high-calorie, sugar, fat and sodium foods [1].
Many studies describe the importance of the family meal and show that children who eat family meals at least three times a week were more likely to eat healthy foods and have healthier eating habits. Conversations around the table allow better communication between parents and their children, so parents may be more involved in their children's daily lives [2]. Many parents in Israel say they usually sit for family meals throughout the holiday break, share daily experiences and spend family time with the children.
Tips and recommendations for a healthier diet at Passover
- Matzah: The familiar square matzah is usually made of (white) wheat flour and some water. In one matza there are about 160 calories, which is equal to the amount of energy found in two slices of bread, but far less satisfying. If possible, you should try whole wheat flour matzah, which is rich in dietary fibers and provides a long-lasting sense of satiety. You can also try 'light matzah', which contains about two thirds calories less than a normal matza, or rice crisps (for legume eaters).
- You can find kosher rolls for Passover based on matza flour, potato flour, rice flour, almond flour and the like in shops and bakeries. It is important to keep in mind that in many cases these rolls contain particularly large amounts of oil and eggs.
- Potato and sweet potato are a key part of the menu among those who don't eat legumes and rice. It is best to prefer baked or cooked potatoes over fried.
- If you do eat legumes during the holiday – you can make stews, soups and salads rich in protein and fiber – from lentils, chickpeas, beans, mung beans, fava beans, dried peas, soybeans and lupine. The proteins in legumes can be a healthy, tasty and satisfying vegetarian substitute for meat dishes that holiday meals are packed with.
Further reading
Passover nutrition recommendations from the Department of Nutrition, Ministry of Health