Hi everyone,
So it’s January! I was having dinner with friends and we were talking about how, unlike when we were in our late 20’s, no one seems to be cleansing or abstaining from alcohol this year. My theory is that a) we’re old now and go out less anyway and b) we’re generally less interested in quick fixes and more in finding a healthy balance. That said, I did take the first few days of the month to break my holiday cookie streak and have dates with peanut butter and flaky salt for dessert instead. Try it, you’ll thank me.
Here are some other ways I’m kicking off 2019:
Eggs, but different: We go through an absurd number of eggs in our household—sometimes over two dozen a week. Lilly loves scrambled eggs so most mornings, that’s what Rob and I eat too (I wrote about my fluffy scrambled egg trick last year).
But lately I’ve gotten scramble fatigue so we’re switching things up with savory porridges. A couple years ago, this Dan Barber recipe made us realize if you whiz any whole grain (farro, spelt, wheatberries) in the blender, you end up with broken fragments that cook beautifully into a nutty porridge. We make a big batch of grains for the week, then add greens or leftover roasted vegetables—sweet potatoes or squash are delicious—and olive-oil fried eggs.
Project cooking: My sister gave us Bottom of the Pot, Naz Deravian’s bright, vibrant cookbook, for Christmas and we couldn’t wait to try the recipes. This weekend, we (Rob) successfully made Chelo Ba Tahdig, traditional Persian rice with a saffron-and-butter crunchy bottom layer. I think it took a couple years off his life but it was absolutely worth it and I’m definitely making him do it again. Next up: her baked saffron yogurt rice with chicken, which seems like it could maybe be a weeknight dinner.
Remembering those Points Counters: When I was in high school, I stole/borrowed my mom’s Weight Watchers Points Counter and remember being thrilled that on double swim practice days, I could eat a large order of Burger King fries and basically come out neutral. The concept still holds: you can eat whatever you like, just in moderation (ok, a large fries may not be moderation), and you should prioritize nutrient-dense foods and exercise. I’m a big fan of the brand and what it stands for, and have loved watching their evolution into WW—this Kara Swisher interview with CEO Mindy Grossman is a great listen.
Popping perfect popcorn: I’m usually against unitaskers but our Whirly Pop is one of my great loves. Recently I made two tweaks that have resulted in even more superior popcorn: first, I’ve switched from olive oil to grapeseed oil because of the higher smoke point; and second, I’ve been sprinkling my popcorn with nutritional yeast to make a funky, faux cheese version that is super addictive. I’m planning on exploring this Melissa Clark/Jessica Koslow recipe soon. (As far as the actual popcorn, Arrowhead Mills is my current favorite—it’s available at my regular grocery store.)
Accepting challenges: My goal with workouts is consistency so I got excited when I saw Peloton’s 30-day challenge. This one is based on taking one class (from a 5-min stretch to a 45-min outdoor run) through their app every day between January 7 and February 5. The concept translates easily to a non-Peloton world: just commit to doing something for each day of the month, from a 10-minute yoga video to a brisk walk outside to a full-on Barry’s Bootcamp class.
Toddler art-ing: Well, we’ve got a Picasso on our hands. Kidding, but Lilly is 100% obsessed with her new art supplies. First, her auntie Tamara gave her this incredible Melissa & Doug tabletop easel, which is a three-in-one chalk, magnet, and dry-erase board. I’ve never seen her sit in one place for so long (approximately 7 minutes). She also received a set of My First Crayola crayons, markers, and stamps from her great-grandmother (an artist herself) that are easy for her to grip and thankfully washable. We have a giant roll of kraft paper (also great for parties) that I just taped to the floor and it’s been really fun to see her get into drawing.
Upgrading my bathroom: I recently became the proud owner of a quip toothbrush and I’m a total convert. It looks infinitely nicer than my free dentist one and has cajoled me into brushing for the entire two minutes. My teeth feel sparklier, seriously. Second upgrade: my Flamingo razor. Again, looks much chic-er than my drugstore Venus did, at a fraction of the price and delivered to my home. I also tried the home waxing strips (not without some trepidation based on some high school mishaps) on my lip and they worked shockingly well—left my skin soft and smooth, and no irritation.
That’s all from me—happy Sunday!
Mollie
P.S. I got my first “new” Hungryroot delivery this week and am so thrilled about the new items! In case you’re wondering, I’m extra jazzed about our hot smoked roasted salmon (the perfect thing to throw on a salad) and dairy-free garlic parm (creamy, garlicky, and tastes amazing with butternut squash noodles, Brussels sprouts, or just pasta). Code MOLLIE for half off your first box, if you’re curious 🙂
P.P.S. Old editions live here.