Baseball, Aliyah, and a Battle with Type 1: How Life Led Me to Kosher Keto

Hi, I'm Eli Rutenberg. I grew up in Toronto, Canada, where I was a huge tomboy and absolutely loved playing baseball. I've been working in the finance industry since 2001, specifically in online trading. While this is not a passion of mine it's something I do enjoy.

In 2013, I made aliyah to Israel and quickly reconnected with my passion for baseball by becoming a coach. Today, I serve as the Regional Director for Beit Shemesh Baseball, a program under the Israel Association of Baseball. We currently have over 180 children and 50 adults participating in our city’s teams. I oversee all aspects of the program, including registration, coaching, umpiring, equipment management, and specialized training for advanced players, and our yearly free events.

Baseball is more than just a sport for me; it's a vital community builder. This is especially true in Beit Shemesh, where many of our players are American “Olim”. For them, baseball offers a familiar and comforting environment, helping ease their transition to life in Israel. I'm proud to provide a space where they can feel at home, stay connected to their roots, and build new friendships through the game they love, while speaking in their mother tongue.

Outside of work and baseball, I’m also a proud mom to Ezra, who was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at age 6. He’s now turning 18. Early on, I connected with other parents and came across Dr. Richard Bernstein’s book, which introduced me to the keto diet. That discovery changed everything for us. Over the years, I’ve collected a wide variety of kid-friendly, low-carb strictly kosher recipes, and it became my mission to turn them into a cookbook. Which could also help other parents succeed in assisting their type1 kids, while following a kosher keto lifestyle.

With encouragement from friends and family, I recently began the journey of putting together not just a cookbook but a resource guide to help others who want to follow a keto diet.

This cookbook, born out of a personal journey with low-carb cooking, caters to individuals managing diabetes, those looking to reduce their sugar and carb intake, as well as anyone seeking healthier meal options for their families. What sets this cookbook apart is its unique blend of kosher and keto-friendly recipes, providing a practical and satisfying approach to eating well within the boundaries of the Jewish dietary laws. The recipes featured in the cookbook are designed to be accessible and easy to prepare, making them ideal for busy individuals and families. From traditional Jewish favorites with a low-carb twist to innovative dishes that cater to modern palates, this cookbook offers a diverse range of options to suit every taste preference.

It is important to note that before embarking on any dietary changes, especially for individuals managing medical conditions like diabetes, consulting with a healthcare provider or a registered nutritionist is crucial. The cookbook includes a medical disclaimer, underscoring the significance of seeking professional guidance before making significant alterations to one's diet. For those interested in exploring this unique intersection of low-carb and kosher cooking, reaching out to the provided email address for more information can open the door to a world of innovative and delicious culinary possibilities. Whether you are looking to manage your health more effectively or simply seeking new and exciting recipes to try, this cookbook offers a fresh perspective on the intersection of Jewish culinary traditions and low-carb cooking.