I hope your January is off to a great start and that all you East Coasters are staying warm in this arctic weather. We were in Vermont over the weekend visiting friends and it didn’t get above 10 degrees the whole time! I kind of love the cold, though—it’s a great excuse to hunker down, change into comfy pants at 5pm, and cook and eat hearty things. On that note, here’s what I’ve been up to:
Warming up: I’ll never give up my morning coffee but lately I’ve been exploring other cozy beverages. I trekked over to my friend Freya’s in the snow other day and she whipped up golden milk, a turmeric and coconut oil concoction, that was spicy and sweet and completely restorative. She used a Gaia Herbs blend but you can also make a DIY version and adjust the spices to your taste. I have also been drinking more tea, especially in the afternoon or after dinner—I’m obsessed with Bellocq teas, which are made in Greenpoint and come beautifully packaged in bright yellow jars. Their Ashram Afternoon is a gorgeous herbal blend and I’m also into their Canyon Chai, which is punchy and turmeric heavy. They’re not inexpensive but a little goes a long way so they last a long time (also make an amazing gift!).
Reading: I’m taking a break from fiction with Michael Lewis’ zippy and fascinating The Undoing Project. It’s the story of two brilliant Israeli psychologists who pioneered the field of behavioral economics, and has me thinking a lot about the how and why of decision-making. And if you didn’t catch the infuriating and fascinating New York Times Magazine story about the New York subway system, I highly recommend it.
Listening: When I’m not backseat participating in the Bon Appetit Foodcast, I’m learning all about what makes pop music great via Switched on Pop. In it, my friend and songwriter Charlie and his musicologist cohost Nate deconstruct everything from Taylor Swift to Kendrick Lamar. I’m also catching up on Do You Follow?, a podcast about social media marketing from my friends and former Birchbox content gurus Rachel Silver and Juliette Dallas-Feeney. Even if you don’t work in marketing, you’ll learn about how to use new features on different platforms, which brands are winning at social and why, and pick up some new lingo.
Cooking: If you’ve had enough of heavy wintery foods but are still looking for something comforting, have I got the recipe for you. The Cleansing Chicken Ginger Soup from the Canal House cookbook is intensely chicken-y and ginger-y and can be eaten as a simple soup or bulked up with noodles, rice etc. It’s a great candidate for the freezer too—make a double batch and save some for a rainy or sick day.
Slathering on: Our entire family is suffering from crazy dry winter skin. I’ve been bathing Lilly in Mustela bath oil (thank you, Tamara, for the rec!), then putting lotion all over her body. For her face, I love Honest Healing Balm, which is basically a natural version of Aquaphor. Rob discovered Buckler’s Chapped Lip Remedy and we’ve both been using it—it’s currently out of stock and I can understand why. And I just took advantage of Birchbox’s winter skincare sale (ends January 18th so hop to it) to restock some favorites: Dr. Jart Ceramidin Cream, a rich and healing formula that I love for nighttime; Wilma Schumann Eye Pads, great for faking eight hours of sleep; Coola BB Cream, which I wear over face oil most days; and Herbivore Blue Tansy Mask, a gentle but effective exfoliating mask.
Joining: As of this month, I am a card-carrying member of The Wing, a women-only space in New York (and soon elsewhere). I’m excited to have a home base as I figure out my next career steps (and so I am not wandering the city with a tote bag full of milk). My friend Becca also inspired me to join the Food52 Cookbook Club, which she says has helped her with recipe inspiration and getting more out of her cookbook collection.
Feeling very strongly: I’m already a diehard Bombas fan—their running socks and no-shows are the only ones I’ll wear—and now I feel just as passionately about their wool socks. I’ve been wearing them with my L.L. Bean boots and they’re incredibly warm and don’t slip down (a pet peeve of mine).
Reconsidering our diaper choices: Thanks to everyone who made it through my epic baby stuff newsletter and for all the great tips! I got more than a few suggestions for Pampers alternatives and will be trying Earth’s Best, Bamboo, and Parasol—will let you know which ones we love.