NEW KOSHER KITCHEN TURNER RED MEAT JUDAICAORGANIZE YOUR KOSHER KITCHEN WITH ITEMS THAT ARE COLOR CODED FOR USE WITH BLUE - DAIRY / RED - MEAT / GREEN - PAREVETen Step Program to Kosher LivingStep 1: Purchase only kosher packaged products for your homeYou may be surprised to see that many of the products you currently purchase at the local supermarket are kosher. Next time you make a trip to the grocery, check it out. You may not have to change too many items. So maybe it'll be easier than you think. Give it a try!Step 2: Purchase only kosher meat.As you can see, keeping a kosher home is not all that difficult. Try these two steps and see how it goes. Don't give up if something seems too difficult or you have a question.Step 3: Separate Meat and dairy products.As part of your new eating habits, eat meat and dairy products separately. This means no more cheeseburgers (get the last one in now), or chicken parmesan. But those can be easily and very tastily substituted with veggie cheeseburgers and eggplant parmesan. Some of you already do this and don't even realize it. That's probably the way you were raised. For the rest of us, once you get used to this eating pattern, it will be as natural as what you're doing today.Step 4: Eliminate shellfish and non-kosher animals.Shellfish includes shrimp, lobster, crabs, clams, mussels and all crustaceans. The most notable of the non-kosher animals is the pig (pork, bacon, ham). There are some wonderful substitutes for these foods if and when you're ready. just do without them. The health benefits to your cholesterol can drop 50 points in a year! -- Sure, you will eat more cheese, but not enough to make up the difference.Step 5: Do not eat meat or shellfish in restaurants.This means dairy products (eggs, cheese, etc.) veggies, pasta and fish are the big menu items. You may think this sounds difficult, but with today's menus and health consciousness, its' not bad. Plus, there are health related benefits that may not be apparent on the surface. so, no need to start cooking every night because you've chosen kashrut as a way of life. Just a couple of adjustments along the way.Step 6: Wait six hours between eating meat and dairy (from dairy to meat is only a 30 minute wait).What this means is that, if you have chicken for dinner, you can't have ice-cream for dessert until six hours later. But if you have a cheese omelet and then decide an hour later that a roast beef sandwich is in order, please be my guest. Dairy will become a bigger part of your diet. Ice cream and all the really good cookies (including the newly kosher Oreo's) are all dairy. So, a little more planning is in order when deciding on a meal. Don't forget, this pertains to the kids lunch too. Turkey sandwiches don't go with pretzels with an OU-d certification, or the average chocolate candy bar as dessert. It's not as difficult as it sounds, but does take some planning ahead. Just talk to your kosher friends and see what they have found works for them.Step 7: Purchase any necessary replacement items.Now that you have grown accustomed to a kosher eating pattern, it's time to bite the bullet and purchase the necessary items to kasher your home. Then I would suggest having a Rabbi or a member of the Kosher squad come to your home to help determine what items can be kashered. Remember, your purchases don't have to be expensive but should be items you and your family will feel comfortable living with. Get your kids involved.Step 8: Kasher the kitchen and celebrate!Okay, so you made it this far and now it's the "BIG STEP". Here's where TBA can really be your friend. let us help you go the extra step. It would be a good idea to have a copy of the instructions for kashering and kashering for Pesach: You can definitely make this a family affair, with the kids helping and any relatives or friends that are interested in kashrut or familiar with it. Remember, enjoy yourselves and think about the rewards you will receive in the future.Step 9: Sit back and enjoy!Now that daylight savings time is with us, think about having a celebratory barbecue and inviting your friends to share with you (if you have questions about kashering your grill please contact a Rabbi). Your first 'kosher" barbecue. What a great day! Chicken and hot dogs never tasted so good. We hope you will enjoy many kosher celebrations, each one more special than the last. Remember, the rewards will be coming for the rest of your life. So enjoy your new eating habits, be happy and celebrate.Step 10: Invite non-kosher families to dinner.Think about not just a barbecue, but Shabbat and Yom Tov meals, where you can truly enjoy your new lifestyle with those that are closest to you. Let them know that the choice you have made is a great one - with plenty of good food and family togetherness. (If you have a dairy meal you can even break out the Oreo's). Try to remember that not everyone understands the choice you made and may be uncomfortable with it. Some people may have questions - even questions you may not be able to answer. That's part of what the new experience is all about. Learning , sharing, loving, caring. Wonderful steps to guide you to a very fulfilling life. Enjoy the journey!Food Symbols and LabelsGenerally, all unprocessed fresh produce is considered kosher while the ingredients in dairy products and packaged goods need to be checked for religious supervision. the safest way to do so is look for an appropriate hekhsher, a registered kashrut symbol.There are many organizations which supervise kashrut in North America. Each have their own symbol and some will have additional lettering for more information.For example, some will indicate "P" for Passover, "D" for dairy, "DE" for dairy equipment (meaning the product is parve and may be eaten after a meat meal but since it was produced on dairy equipment, it cannot be eaten simultaneously with meat.) "Parve" indicates that the product may be eaten with meat or dairy.Reading labels is not always reliable. Neither is the use of the "K". (The "K" is a letter of the alphabet and cannot be registered, and therefore, may be perfectly okay or may be totally fraudulent.) Such items as natural flavorings and colorings are not sufficient to let you know whether the source of the flavoring or coloring is animal or vegetable. Therefore, when in doubt, check with the Rabbi.