So I got Covid...
And a big announcement!
If you’ve met me in person (or heard one of my occasionally rambling Instagram stories), you know I love to talk. And last week, I lost my voice. I thought it was laryngitis, brought on by lots of vigorous singing at a Taylor Swift Party (talk about a cruel summer). But, it was Covid, which I had been lucky enough to dodge until now. My parents got Covid in spring 2020 and I shared their experience here and just about everyone I know has gotten it—now I’m part of the club.
I tested positive last Monday (hence the silence here, I’m so sorry to leave you hanging) and it’s been a really hard week. I’ve dealt with a whole mess of symptoms—fever, sore throat, fatigue, congestion, loneliness, brain fog, and nightmare of nightmares—losing my sense of smell and taste. I still remember the panic of smelling a bottle of very minty lotion and smelling nothing and then thinking back to the last time I had smelled anything. I ate an everything bagel and it tasted plain! It’s been extremely distressing. My energy is finally starting to return and I was able to smell dish soap last night (cause for celebration), but I’m still testing positive and not back to my usual self, especially in the palate department.
I’m hopeful for a full recovery and I’m so grateful to everyone who has dropped off supplies, sent gossip filled voicenotes to keep me entertained, and checked in. I’m grateful for the deadlines that were able to be pushed and the patience of all the people I work with. Being sick when you work for yourself is not easy and my Sunday scaries last night were next level. I’ll share more of what I’ve been eating and some of my Covid MVPs (texture is key when you can’t taste much) in Thursday’s newsletter. If you’re sick with Covid (or anything else) right now, I’m sending you healing energy and a wishes for speedy recovery. It’s brutal.
Before we dive in, I want to share something really exciting and not Covid related (created back when I could fully smell and taste). Erica and I are publishing an ebook, Meal Prep Made Simple, and it’s available for preorder! Here’s the link again!
Meal Prep Made Simple is the answer to your mealtime decision fatigue! We’re taking the planning off your plate so you can put delicious meals on it with five delicious meal prep menus, grocery lists, game plans (the secret to multitasking without losing your mind), remixes so you don’t get bored, and more. The book is a fantastic gift (and a great deal, at $20). It’s got desserts, drinks, mains, sides, sauces, you name it! (and beautiful photographs shot by Erica).
If Zoom classes aren’t for you (totally get it), we hope this book will be a way for you give meal prep a go and try some of our favorite recipes. The tools in this book are designed to give you a serious confidence boost and make meal prep way less complicated. We’ve been working on it all summer and we’re so excited to share it with you! And like all our classes, there are vegetarian and GF options for every recipe!
You might wonder why you should preorder an ebook and the answer is: to get goodies! Your preorder shows support for the ebook and gets you:
An exclusive 15% discount code for our October meal prep class that’s doubling as a little book release party! Come cook and celebrate with us!
Access to two exclusive playlists to keep you company while you cook (and do the dishes): one rounds up our very favorite food-related podcasts, and one is full of tunes for cooking and dancing round the kitchen in the refrigerator light.
Intrigued?
Now, let’s dive in.
Something to cook:
Before I had Covid, Julia and I watched the Bachelorette and made these delicious sesame noodles. We added crispy tofu, broccoli, cucumber, cashews, and cilantro to make it a complete meal. It was a perfect dinner and came together quickly. I couldn’t find fresh noodles at the store (it was a very spur of the moment thing) but I got Hokkien Stir-Fry Noodles, which cook in the microwave, and they were perfect. Fresh ramen noodles would also be fantastic.
Julia, Julianne, Hillary, and I spent a lovely few days down the shore with Julia’s family which meant beach sandwiches. I always think of this quote, “When you go on a picnic, it is customary to pack three times as much food as your would normally eat.” We made sandwiches (mine was a caprese with pesto), and brought pickles and cape cod potato chips. Karen also made delicious blueberry bars and the freezer was well stocked with ice cream sandwiches. There’s something so nostalgic about a foil wrapped sandwich.
Something to order:
Strollo’s is a must visit for Italian Ice (they also have soft serve) and you can get two flavors in a small. The peanut butter is so good and they also had a mint oreo special (bring cash).
Julia’s parents took us to a beautiful dinner at Beach Tavern in Momouth Beach. Definitely sit outside for sunset views and seafood.
On Friday, we went to Asbury Park for dinner at Talula’s, which was incredible (I had to leave the beach to get enough service to make a reservation and it was 100% worth it). The pizzas are the stars and pretty much everything, including the cheese, is made in house. Get the peach pizza in the summer, the hot honey pie, and the kale salad. The house white wine is also fantastic and the tomato toast uses tomatoes in three ways (butter, confit, and fresh). It was the perfect summer meal and I even bought a t-shirt so you know it was special.
Something to read:
Want more reads? I share additional links in the Thursday newsletter.
Things to do for a mild Covid case
Why do drugs have such weird names?
When did peanut butter get so cool (and expensive)?
How Chef Mario Carbone built his star studded restaurant empire
The money is in all the wrong places. During my Covid SATC watch, I heard Carrie Bradshaw say she got Vogue to raise her rate to $4.50 a word!! Writing these days is such a different career path.
Amy’s Kitchen really treats their workers poorly
Restaurant bills are going way up, here’s why
Your approval process is ruining your social strategy with friend of TNHS Shelby!
Low ABV company Haus is being sold and the founder is being candid about the process
I need to read Jeanette McCurdy’s memoir (once I have the energy to read again)
A beautiful profile of Soleil Ho by John Birdsall
Mexican Pizza, at Taco Bell and beyond
Alejandra Ramos on the importance of diversity on TV
In a Tense Political Moment, Taiwanese Cuisine Tells Its Own Story
Should Slave Cabins ever be Rental Properties? Absolutely Not!
If you’re in New York, don’t forget to vote tomorrow in the primaries! I’m hoping to test negative so I can and I like this progressive voter guide.
It’s easier if you’re not isolating: how to enjoy your own company
BTS of a personal cheffing business
It’s so good to be back and I really hope I’m free from quarantine to celebrate my birthday this weekend! Thank you again for sticking with me and I hope you have a fantastic week!
xo, Abigail
Okay, first off - FEEL BETTER!!!!! I hope you're on the upswing, at least a bit, since finding the energy to post this.
Secondly, congrats on the ebook coming out - great topic + rock on!!! Meal prep life!!!
Hope you feel better soon and can vote and celebrate your birthday. Losing taste and smell cannot be fun. I only had the brain fog. That seemed bad enough. Best wishes!