Pita Chips & Popsicles
Texture is the name of the Covid food game
Thank you for all of your well wishes (and your support of Meal Prep Made Simple). I’m feeling more like myself every day and I finally tested negative yesterday, which was day 9. I’ve regained a lot of my taste (smell is a little slower but it’s coming along). Certain things are still tasting weird (like carrots and balsamic vinegar) but it’s so much better than it was, which I’m very grateful for. When I was at my sickest, I was afraid to google, but hearing stories of other people who have dealt with this was very helpful. This is not medical advice (in fact, I’m not sharing any of the meds I took because I’m not a doctor) just my recommendations.
If you’re maxed out on Covid content, I totally understand, you can scroll down for Midweek Reads and a fun Recommendation Station question. And next week, I’ll be sharing more about my birthday and how weird of an age 29 is.
Some non Covid reads from the archives:
Don’t make this vacation mistake
How restaurant comps really work
How to find good stuff at the thrift store (it’s time for fall shopping)
The first few days I was sick, I barely had an appetite. I was eating really bland foods and having things like electrolyte tabs (my summer MVPs), smoothies, popsicles, and saltines. I think eating such bland foods probably made it harder to realize I was losing my taste but I was not in the mood for anything. Last Wednesday before bed, I went to put on lotion, which was mint scented and I realized it smelled like nothing. I went to smell rubbing alcohol and again, nothing. It was so alarming knowing that everything still had a smell, I just couldn’t perceive it. The next morning I ate something (I don’t even remember what) and it tasted like nothing. I was always able to tell if something was sweet or not, but not really anything beyond that. So a popsicle tasted like sweet ice. I had a piece of homemade pizza my parents dropped off, topped with summer tomatoes and zucchini, and I couldn’t taste anything. There was one slightly charred part that I could taste and that was it.
I definitely spiraled when I realized these senses were gone.
Stories were all over the place about when they would come back and if they would come back (Long Covid is devastating and affecting millions of people). As of writing this, they are definitely coming back which I do not take for granted. While my smell and taste were gone, I started to regain my appetite, which was a good sign of healing but very confusing. It’s hard to pick what to eat when you can’t taste or smell. And since I was quarantining, I had to order groceries. Tilden gave me the advice to lean into texture, which was key.
I placed an extremely chaotic grocery order on Saturday. The highlights were pita chips (so crunchy), popsicles (the mango and strawberry Outshine popsicles are so good), grapes, tzatziki (to go with the pita chips), and little mozzarella balls (again, texture). I also got myself some sunflowers because I wanted something pretty to look at since I couldn’t smell/taste. They really brightened my space. Hillary and I had a virtual movie night on Saturday and I lit a candle I couldn’t smell and enjoyed my textured snacks. If you’re in a similar boat, definitely lean into textures (and also be patient). There were times where a texture would become too much midway through so I started serving myself smaller portions and getting more if I was into the food. I think I was craving variety in texture since I wasn’t getting flavor.
On the smell front, it’s taking longer to come back but I’m using a smell training kit that Tilden passed along. You smell four different oils every day and note your reactions. The scents represent the four major scent families. The box recommends doing it for at least 12 weeks, which was helpful for me to set realistic expectations. One of the scents is hard for me to detect (rose) but I can smell the other three, which is exciting. Losing the sense of smell made me appreciate the things I can smell now, even the bad smells, like compost that needs to be taken out.
Smelling and tasting is a major part of being alive and it’s also part of my job! I haven’t done much elaborate cooking since getting sick (I’ve made pasta and breakfast tacos) and I’m apprehensive about some recipe development I have to do next month. I’m looking forward to my first restaurant meal but I also hope I can appreciate it (I will definitely appreciate being out of the house). I started drinking coffee again on Sunday and haven’t tried alcohol yet so I’ll see how all of that tastes. I hope this doesn’t have negative longterm effects but I can only take it one day at a time. I’m also so privileged to be able to stay home. A 5 day quarantine really wouldn’t have been enough.
Here are some other things that helped, besides food:
A portable charger. I kept this with me on the couch so my phone stayed charged.
Aquaphor! I kept a giant tube by my side to deal with dry skin, lips, and hands. Very important.
A humidifier. I have one from Canopy near my bed and it was nice to have at night.
A trash bag. I kept a little bag next to me for all my tissues, which kept the space relatively clean and meant I didn’t have to get up constantly to throw things out.
A water bottle with a straw make it so much easier to stay hydrated.
Flowers! I’ll repeat, get yourself some flowers! I’ll be sending some to my next friend with Covid and I got a bouquet for under $10 on Fresh Direct.
Open windows and open curtains. This was a Dale suggestion and it was correct. Getting some natural light and fresh air was so helpful and made it feel like time was actually passing. It did suck to see beautiful weather and be trapped inside but sunshine is a mood lifter.
TV! I watched a lot of TV, mostly Sex and The City, Never Have I Ever, and Below Deck Mediterranean (thank you Isa for the rec). I recommend things with a lot of seasons, you’ll have time.
I’m so grateful to be feeling better and definitely feel a special appreciation for turning 29 tomorrow and being able to celebrate with loved ones in person. I’m extremely lucky and relieved.
Midweek Reads: I share reads every week in the Monday issue, these are some extras for you.
The experience of taking Kris Jenner’s masterclass (George W. Bush is now a masterclass instructor so we don’t endorse masterclass).
How Steak Diane Is Bringing Drag to the New York Food Scene. I love this campy approach to food (the fall collection is inspired by breakfast in bed).
High School Musical 2 came out 15 years ago (!!) and this makes a compelling case that it’s better than the original. I do love a summer movie!
How much garlic is too much garlic? How do you handle garlic amounts in recipes? I often increase them, especially if the garlic is going be cooked, but it’s not the only flavor out there,
There’s a problem with the Mediterranean Diet. So much of diet culture upholds white supremacy and putting the Mediterranean Diet on a pedestal is not great. There is more than one way to be healthy and health is culturally defined.
Recommendation Station is the TNHS advice column for paid subscribers. Have a question you want answered about food/life/restaurants/kitchen gear? I’m here to help Reply to this email or send me a message on Instagram to submit yours. I can also keep your question private if you’d like.
Q: Love the newsletter SO much and wanted to submit a question :) I’m turning 28 next month and would love a Brooklyn birthday dinner recommendation that feels special and also has a good vibe on weeknights (my birthday is a Monday this year). I’m in Park Slope but looking to go wherever in Brooklyn (or lower Manhattan)!
A: Happy almost birthday! A Monday birthday can be rough but luckily you have some great options! And if you’re stuck working on your birthday, I def recommend taking a morning walk to get a special treat (coffee/croissant/etc) to lessen the Monday vibes.
For dinner, try Peasant in Nolita (Dale just went and said it was delicious and there’s a hidden wine bar inside which feels very special), Fish Cheeks in NoHo if you like seafood, or Rolo’s in Ridgewood (a bit of a trek from Park Slope but it’s a big industry hang on Mondays which could be fun). Closer to you, al di la is open Mondays for wonderful Italian and if you can snag a table at Runner Up, the dinner arm of Winner, that would be really special. I haven’t been to Gage and Tollner, but they are open on Mondays if you want an over the top, old New York vibe (the desserts are supposed to be excellent, especially the baked Alaska). I hope you have a great celebration!
Have a great weekend and thank you as always for supporting This Needs Hot Sauce!
xo, Abigail