Friends of ours bought a new home and just moved in. I was sad to lose them as neighbors, but at least they are still only an 8 (I timed it!) minute drive away!

My husband, daughter and I moved to Los Angeles nearly 2 years ago. It can be very challenging (in many different ways) when you have no family around and a baby and business to care for! We’ve met many great people here, but these friends have been especially welcoming and gone out of their way to make us feel at home.

I know the renovation and move has been challenging with 2 children under 3 years old, so I brought some food as a housewarming gift! 🙂 I made a roasted zucchini, mushroom, butternut squash, thyme frittata, ginger & port poached pears (recipe coming soon!) and almond butter brownies. I also made a traditional style prosperity housewarming basket, to help them bring good luck and joy to their new home.

What, you may ask, is in a traditional style prosperity house warming basket? There are many traditional symbols, but here’s what I included:

• Bread, so they’ll never go hungry.
• Candles, so they’ll always have light
• Honey, so they’ll always enjoy the sweetness of life
• Olive oil, so they’ll be blessed with health and well-being
• Salt, so there will always be flavor and spice in their lives

I went with raw honey since it has more enzymes and health benefits (including boosting immunity and decreasing allergies!), my very favorite non-toxic soy candle, and a home made yeast, dairy and gluten-free bread (It’s SO easy! Check out this NEW recipe here!).

There are many other items I could have been added (had I had a bigger basket and more time!) 🙂 Here are some other suggestions I found by scouring the internet:

• Wine – so they’ll always be of good cheer
• Plants – so their home will be filled with life
• Rice – for fertility
• Coins – for luck/good fortune
• A Broom – so their home will be clean, or alternatively so their home will be free of evil spirits.
• Knives – to protect them from intruders. Alternatively, a gift NOT to bring, since it can cut a friendship in half!
• Wood – symbolizing stability, harmony, and peace
• Nuts/Nut Butter – so that they will always be slighty nutty and have a sense of humor

It was really fun putting it together!

I’d love to know what you think below and if you try it out let me know!

Have fun!

In good health & hugs,
Abby