Sunsets after five and fresh haircut energy
Plus, rice bowls, smoothies, and spicy sauce
Hi friends,
We’re still in January and I hope the last few days are gentle for you and yours. It was a little warmer this week and I enjoyed the feeling of walking around with my coat unzipped. noticing the sun set after 5 pm, and getting a haircut. There’s nothing better than walking around after a haircut, taking selfies and feeling like an extra bouncy version of yourself. As we close out this month, I’ve noticed that it’s felt quieter than usual, which has been unusual but nice. I’m trying to appreciate it because I know things will ramp up soon. We eased on in to this year.
On Thursday,
Something to cook:
The Bachelor is back (!!) and on Mondays as it should be. Julia, Julianne, and I watched and Julia and I brought back our Monday night rice bowl. We made crispy tofu with Omsom’s bulgogi starter and served it over rice with broccoli, edamame, scallions, cilantro, avocado and peanuts.
I bought a jar of Calabrian chilis at our local Italian pork store and pro tip: add a hefty spoonful to jarred sauce and you’ll be so happy. It’s even better if you have fresh basil on hand, which I rarely do. If I have herbs, I store them in water and basically put them in everything I’m making until they run out. Otherwise, they rot so quickly. I had a few pasta meals with side salads (romaine, lettuce, feta, and pumpkin seeds is a great side salad).
I made a very quick WFH lunch inspired by a few Tiktoks: a veggie burger wrap. I spread a tortilla with chipotle mayo and topped it with lettuce, shredded cheese, and a halved veggie burger. Wrap it up and email away.
On Sunday night, I tried another recipe from
Tenderheart, the kale and orzo. It’s a one pot meal with orzo, kale, dill, lemon, feta, and a bit of butter to finish everything up. Lots of chopping but highly recommend—once you chop it’s hands off and chopping can be meditative.Something to order:
Leah, Lauren, and I saw Kate Kennedy’s One in a Millennial book event on Wednesday and grabbed a slice at Joe’s beforehand. Post and pre event pizza is a necessity and it was a great show.
After my haircut, I grabbed a smoothie at Hawa Smoothies, which has a few locations. Their smoothies start at $7 which is a great price for the city. The namesake smoothie is avocado, cucumber, peanut butter, spinach and banana and it’s very good.
Zoe, Ilan, Julianne and Ian, Dale, and I got dinner at Xolo near the Williamsburg bridge. It was fun to see everyone and I especially liked the esquites and mushroom tacos (but Mesa’s are always my favorite).
The next morning, Dale and I kept the Mexican food moment going with brunch at Mesa Coyoacan. I alternate between the enfrijoladas and huevos rancheros, both excellent.
Something to read:
Kiley Reid on education, excess, and what makes us squirm
Looking for trends on restaurant menus
Greenpoint’s knife sharpening truck
A new money substack from a former Money Diaries editor
Why
is pro JanuarySolidarity with the media workers engaging in walkouts this week. It’s been such a hard week for the industry.
I highly recommend Between Two Moons about Egyptian American twin sisters in Bay Ridge. It takes place over one Ramadan and is so beautifully written.
Love to see
in sharing her tips on eating in movies and very cute sunglassesWhat to bring to a dinner part
This American is one of the few allowed into Gaza. This is the horror she saw
Keep calling your representatives for a ceasefire
The complicated lives and deaths of TikTok’s illness influencers
Have a great week,
Abigail
Love your smoothie selfie!