Yom Kippur Holiest Jewish Holiday Begins at Sundown Tonight Around the World

Celebrations

Tonight, beginning just before sundown, Jews around the world will be observing Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), the holiest day on the Hebrew Calendar. Traditionally those of the Jewish faith attend a long evening service called Kol Nidre (which translates to All Vows). Then we return to the synagogue again in the morning for a full day of fasting and praying that G-d forgive each of us for all our shortcomings and that everyone should be sealed in the Book of Life for another year.

Symbols of the New Year and Yom Kippur, MommyBlogExpert.com

At the end of the holiday, which also concludes the Jewish High Holidays, a long single shofar (ram's horn) blast will be sounded after the sun has set for all the congregation to hear. Jews will then break the fast with some honey cake at the shul and then, typically, eat a light dairy meal at home.

Shofar (Ram's Horn) with Ceramic Honey Dish, MommyBlogExpert.com

For those who are celebrating with me, may your prayer and fasting inspire you as we continue into the new Jewish year 5774.

G'mar Chatima Tov!

May you be written in the Book of Life

for all Good Things

Honey Dish I made by Carving a Real Apple, MommyBlogExpert.com

FTC Disclosure: I did not receive any payment or compensation for this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Cafe Mango Six Los Angeles Opening Tropical Restaurant Centered on Fresh Fruit & Juice

Good Food

This is a sponsored post

What a fun and healthy day it was recently when I was invited to a special mom bloggers event put together by MomsLA. The occasion was to celebrate the grand opening of Cafe MangoSix, a wonderfully decorated casual kid-friendly boutique restaurant with a tropical vibe that just opened in L.A. along hip Third Street shops.

Fresh Mango Juice Drinks, Image from Cafe MangoSix

At the gathering I had the chance to catch up with many of the other Southern California lifestyle bloggers I love hanging out with. I also got to enjoy some of the freshest drinks and food I've had in awhile, thanks to having carte blanche to order anything I wanted to try on the house from their surprisingly massive menu.

Lush flowers at the in-store event, MommyBlogExpert.com

Women bloggers chat about the drinks, MommyBlogExpert.com

The Cafe MangoSix website (as well as their coffee cups) describes itself as a premium coffee and dessert cafe. When I visited the restaurant to experience it for this review, I discovered what an understatement that is -- this unique eatery really is so much more.

Cafe Mango Six specialty coffee, MommyBlogExpert.com

Peanut Butter & Jelly Cake and other sweet surprises, MommyBlogExpert.com

Sure they have good coffee drinks, to die-for sweet baked temptations, and both dairy and vegan frozen yogurt and toppings. They actually are West Hollywood adjacent, too, almost exactly in the middle between two of L.A.'s most trendy shopping areas, The Beverly Center to the west and The Grove to the east and just about a mile from world famous Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.

Vegan & Dairy Organic Frozen Yogurt, MommyBlogexpert.com

A rainbow of yogurt topping choices, MommyBlogExpert.com

Inspired by a single fruit, the mango, this is the first U.S. location for this growing global brand. At the opening I was surprised to learn that there are six major health benefits to this exotic but mighty fruit. In fact, this is how the company got its name.

Fresh Mangos for sale add to the decor, MommyBlogExpert.com

Mango

• Protects against Cancer via the antioxidants it delivers to the body
• Lowers cholesterol by providing high levels of fiber, pectin and vitamin C
• Clears the skin with vitamin E, helping to fight pimples and blemishes
• Promotes eye health with its high vitamin A properties
• Balances the alkai levels in our bodies via its citric acid component
• Elevates the immune system with vitamin C & A and 25 carotenoids

Out front, a colorful display of drinks greets you, MommyBlogExpert.com

The mango drinks made with 100% mango juice are definitely this cafe's flagship products and the shop serves up a variety of different concoctions that incorporate fresh juice from that healthy and tropical fruit -- like the Mango & Coconut Juice sensation. So you'll have to come back more than once if you want to try them all.  They also offer an array of other delicious fresh fruit based drinks.

Rounding out the menu, the selection of healthy salads and sandwiches make this a good choice for a lunch or light dinner. It's worth adding that this is a good place to bring the whole family, since everyone -- including children -- is likely to find more than one thing that whets their appetite on the extensive healthy menu. Berry Cream Cheese Shake, anyone? Yes, they have that unusual drink and lots of others too. 

Spinach Salad w/ Grilled Salmon & Feta Cheese, MommyBlogExpert.com

Mango Six Cafe is located at 8428 West Third Street, Los Angeles, California 90048; phone 310-966-5866. Just walk up to the counter to order, then find ample seating to enjoy your snack or meal. For the full menu and more information visit their website and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

Cafe Mango Six Gift Bag of fun, MommyBlogExpert.com

Tropical orchids were apropo at the opening, MommyBlogExpert.com

FTC Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. I disclose that I attended Mango SixCafe's grand opening mom blogger event to facilitate this review as a guest of the hosting restaurant with access to the entire menu. I also received a goody bag for participating and covering this event. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

12th Anniversary September 11th Pictorial Memorial - May G-d Continue to Bless America

Remembering

If you're 18 or older, you likely remember exactly where you were when the news first broke. Today marks the 12th anniversary of that terrorist attack, the worse ever to ever take place on American soil.

One of many frontpage news stories I've collected, MommyBlogExpert.com

On the 10th anniversary I attended the dedication of Beverly Hills September 11th Memorial and just before the 11th anniversary I made my first visit to the World Trade Center Memorial in New York, a day when --appropriately enough -- it rained symbolizing the many tears our nation has shed since that unforgettable day twelve years ago.

Let's not forget that tragic day and all those who were lost and injured -- including their families and friends. Let us also remember to support our U.S. service men and women that continue to fight terrorism around the world and to keep the USA safe. Above all, just like the Freedom Tower has risen like a phoenix at the former World Trade Center site, so too we must all look to the future with our heads held high. 

The world comes together after tragedy strikes, MommyBlogExpert.com

Beverly Hills 9/11 Memorial, MommyBlogExpert.com

My visit to World Trade Center Memorial, New York City, MommyBlogExpert.com

The new Freedom Tower rises in NY, MommyBlogexpert.com

May G-d continue to Bless America, MommyBlogExpert.com

FTC Disclosure: I did not receive any payment or compensation for this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.