By Elisa Zied, MS, RD, CDN for GalTime.com

Passover

When I think about Passover, I think about dressing up in homemade costumes with my family (including my two sons, husband, and even my parents) and improvising the parting of the Red Sea.

But of course, the backdrop of our annual Passover play tradition is the delicious food.

While matzo ball soup (made with matzo balls as dense as hockey pucks) is my favorite Passover indulgence, my husband loves chopped liver on matzo and my kids love matzo brei (made simply on a nonstick pan with matzo, eggs, and nonstick cooking spray).

To help you enjoy, savor, and better understand and incorporate a few of your favorites, I asked a few of my registered dietitian gal pals to share their favorite foods, ideas, and recipes to help make this Passover one to remember. Here's what they had to say.

Karen Ansel, MS, RD, CDN, a Media Representative for the New York State Dietetic Association, loves gefilte fish (as do I!). Traditionally, it's made

By Shira Scott, GalTime.com
Perfect Passover brownies

I love Passover brownies, even more than regular brownies. Not sure whether that's because of the taste or because they come with a cookbook full of memories.
I've tried many recipes over the years and this one is by far the best....simple, yet delicious. It's good with meat or dairy meals.

I top my brownie with a spoonful of homemade whipped cream (I use very little sugar in the cream since the brownies are sweet).

INGREDIENTS

• 5 large eggs

• 2 1/2 cups sugar

• 1 1/4 cups oil

• 3/4 cup baking cocoa

• 1 1/4 cups Passover cake meal (not matzoh meal)

• Optional ingredients: 1 cup chopped walnuts or 1/4 cup chocolate chips (try white chips)

Related: Powerfoods for Passover

DIRECTIONS

• Preheat oven to 350 degress

• Beat eggs and sugar until pale and lemony (use mixer if possible)

• Beat in oil, cocoa, and cake meal. Blend well.

• Stir in walnuts

Forget taking a trip to a florist for a fabulous arrangement. You only need to go as far as your local grocery store. Simply walk down the produce aisle, fill your basket with vegetables, fruits and flowers, and you have the makings of a stunning centerpiece. Then follow our step-by-step instructions for creating unique, eye-catching floral designs.

Guinness Lamb StewLife Lived DeliciouslyIn honor of St. Patrick's Day, we've gathered a few recipes featuring-what else-Guinness!

There's more to St. Patty's Day than shamrocks and pots of gold. We're bringing you recipes featuring a famous Irish stout that has become beloved by the masses. Cheers to celebrating this decidely jolly holiday to the fullest.

See More: St. Patrick's Day Feast

Our first recipe is mouth-watering Guinness Lamb Stew, a favorite of Cooking Light Test Kitchen Professional Robin Bashinsky. He explains, "The touch of mustard at the end adds a little tangy punch that sets off the robust flavors of the hearty, slowly simmered broth."

View Recipe: Guinness Lamb Stew

Ingredients
8 teaspoons olive oil, divided
2 cups chopped onion
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 1/2 pounds boneless leg of lamb, trimmed and cut into 1-inch cubes
1 teaspoon salt, divided
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper,

by Carolina Santos-Neves, Epicurious.com

According to the National Confectioners Association, Americans consume approximately 16 billion jelly beans at Easter time. So even if you're not a fan-and we don't believe people like that really exist-Easter seems to trigger the sweet tooth in everyone. Not that it's easily escaped, as everywhere you look, there seems to be a ceramic bowl filled with pastel-colored candies just waiting to be devoured. To make certain those bowls are filled with only the best jelly beans, we tasted 17 brands, ensuring that your (and our) sugar highs and dental indiscretions are worth it.

Related: The Epicurious Guide to Easter

We split our taste test into two categories: classic (or an equivalent standard variety) and sour. Read below to find out which two we would indulge in again and again and share with friends.

Best Classic Jelly Beans

Life Saver Jelly Beans
($2.28 for a 14-ounce bag)
Pros: These jelly beans were liked for their crunchy, shiny shell and

Photos by Kimberly Sentner; styling by Ma'ayan Rosenzweig and Sara Bonisteel
by Tracey Seaman, Epicurious.com

Prepare the Eggs
You can take one of two approaches to preparing your eggs for decoration: hard-boiling or draining the egg shells. We give you tips for both.

To hard-cook eggs: Use a pot that's large enough to accommodate the eggs in a single, uncrowded layer-this will prevent cracking. Add cold water to cover the eggs. Bring to a boil, uncovered. Turn off the heat, cover with a lid, and let stand for 18 minutes. Drain the water from the pot, cover the eggs with cold water, and drain again. Then cover with ice water and let stand until cold, about 3 minutes. Return eggs to cartons to dry or transfer them to a bowl and refrigerate until ready to use. If there are any cracked eggs, separate those and save them for eating instead.

Related: Chocolate Easter Bunny Taste Test

To empty a raw egg: Wash an egg in warm water and dry. With a sterilized long needle or slender metal skewer, prick a small hole in the pointy end of the egg and a larger hole in the

For those of you in Northern climates, don't fret! Spring is almost here. Yesterday, I noticed snowdrops peeking up in the garden and thought, you know, it's time to start planting more flowers. Without further ado, here are 5 beautiful flowers you can plant right now! These flowers aren't afraid of a little frost and most are already blooming.

Bloomin' beautiful!
Hellebores
Hellebores are always the first sign of spring! This green variety is lovely and unusual. Plant them now for spring color!
Buy hellebores here

Related: 7 ways to make your garden unique

Bloomin' beautiful!
Sweet Peas
Now is the time to plant your sweet pea seeds for summer bloom. You can plant them straight into the garden or into pots for porches and balconies.
Buy sweet peas here

Bloomin' beautiful!
Pansies
Pansies are one of the first annuals of the season. Plant them into containers for the best look. They come in yellow, purples, blues and white. They are easily found at garden centers and groceries this time of year.
Buy pansies here

Related: How to throw a garden

Grilled Wild Salmon and Vegetables
Life Lived Deliciously
Rain, shine, or out of time, we've got the just-right Easter menu for you.

Sunny Easter Menu

This brunch menu is designed for Easter al fresco, but can be enjoyed just as thoroughly indoors.

Grilled Wild Salmon and Vegetables (pictured above)
Ham and Asparagus Frittata
Herbed Potato Salad
Fresh Berry Pavlovas

Fresh Berry Pavlovas

Ingredients
4 large egg whites
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 1/4 cups sugar, divided
1 (8-ounce) carton plain fat-free yogurt
3/4 cup commercial crème fraîche
1 cup sliced strawberries
1 cup blackberries
1 cup blueberries

Preparation
1| Preheat oven to 250°.

2| Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper. Draw 8 (3-inch) circles on paper. Turn the paper over; secure with masking tape. Beat the egg whites and cream of tartar with a mixer at high speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add 3/4 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff peaks form (do not underbeat). Divide egg white mixture evenly