Gentle January, we're halfway there!

Squash, Saturday games, and sesame noodles

We just wrapped the second weekend of the year but in many ways it felt like the first. I felt better and could see friends, go places, and do all the things we take for granted until we’re under the weather. It felt good and as of today, January is more than half way over. Whether it feels like January 1st or January 300th to you, it’s not too late to get gentle or start over if the first few weeks didn’t turn out how you hoped.

This set is Hillary’s grandma’s! Love traditions and learning new things

On Thursday, I’m sharing some recent groceries and rituals I’m loving, plus additional reads and a TikTok that made me cry!

Now, let’s dive in.

Something to cook:

It felt so good to cook again this week. I stopped and bought some delicata squash on my way home from work and make this sweet and spicy roasted tofu and squash. I cooked the tofu on the stovetop instead of the broiler and it turned out nice and crispy. I bought a second delicata squash that I plan to roast and toss with some pesto and nuts, inspired by a dish we had at Lilia. Squash that you don’t have to peel is so good (and gentle).

On Saturday night, I came home from a lovely day seeing friends and made some stovetop popcorn. It’s always a thrill when I don’t burn it. I’m out of nutritional yeast but butter is always good too.

Dale and I had an early dinner on Sunday so I decided to make some cookies when we got home. I realized that I only had enough flour for a half batch so I did some quick math and it all worked out. I chilled the dough for one episode of Grey’s Anatomy, topped each cookie with flakey salt and the end result was delicious.

They’re so cute

For lunch this week, I made a farro salad. I tossed the farro and a can of white beans with pesto and lemon juice and served with arugula, toasted almonds and pumpkin seeds, and feta. I was inspired by a very good farro and arugula salad that I got from Bakeri last week—I walked in hangry and almost lost it when they were out of a sandwich I wanted (clearly I waited too long to get lunch) but this salad turned my mood around.

Something to order:

Dale and I went to Javelina before seeing a movie on Friday night and it was thrilling to be back at a restaurant. Their queso is so good, especially the mag mud (white queso, black beans, pico de gallo, and guacamole) and the rest of the food is okay. Go for the queso.

Hillary taught Julia, Julianne and me how to play mahjong on Saturday! It was so much fun and I am looking forward to playing again. She got H&H bagels to fuel us for the game and they were so good.

What better way to start the weekend?

Later, I met Rose and Mandy at Festival and I got grilled cheese and tomato soup which was the perfect thing to have a on a cold windy day. The soup was served in a cute teacup and now I am inspired to make tomato soup at home, which I have never done before (it involves blending and I dread cleaning the blender).

Dale and I went to Birds of a Feather (his first time) and had the best meal. Every time I go, I get the sesame noodles, the cucumbers, and the scallion pancakes. I also got pea shoots with garlic and Dale got a few chicken things. I just finished up my leftovers and need to go back soon.

Really good #daleshands here

Dale is doing Dry January so we made a stop at Boisson to pick up some fun NA options. My number one is always Ghia (client and I’ve been a fan for years, the lime and salt Le Spritz is my favorite and Dale likes the ginger spritz) and I also enjoyed the new cans from Curious Elixirs. I also got a few cans from Pentire, which is a UK based company I tried when I was in London last year.

Something to read:

Lactaid is having a moment (and that moment is always for me)

Celisia Stanton

’s reflections on MLK and MLK Day celebrations are very worth a read.

The Substack Nazi issue. Since this article came out, Casey Newton has left the platform. This is very similar to when Substack refused to ban transphobic writers a few years ago—they do not believe in content moderation and as a result there are some extreme and horrific writers making a lot of money on here.

Layla Schlack on What Jewish Food Means to Her via

Alicia Kennedy

It's 'Not Just a Middle Eastern Restaurant.' It's Palestinian

The Uniqlo bag I can’t stop recommending is now a trend. At Mahjong, all three of us brought the same bag and had to be very careful to leave with our own.

Race Matters: On Feeling ‘Black Enough’

The extremely hot Tyler Cameron shared his NYC restaurant recs. I once saw him outside of Scarr’s, which is on this list (he looked incredible).

Do babies need skincare? from

Jessica DeFino

Advice on writing a book from

Jami Attenberg

Three months into a livestreamed genocide, we must ask—what does all this looking do?

Ashley C. Ford on How Poverty Makes It Hard to Figure Out What You Like in

Big Salad

Anytime I get to read an essay from Ashley C. Ford, I feel so lucky.

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Have a good week and I’ll talk to you soon. You’re doing great!

xo, Abigail