A Newsletter?
If I have one thing, it’s an opinion. Especially about some of the things I love the most - food, wine, and generally getting your shit together around these two things - plus whatever’s catching my attention.
I assume it’s the Taurus in me. Sure, I believe in astrology; and at least on some level - who doesn’t? As a young teen, I remember insisting to my mother that I couldn’t possibly connect with the stubborn reputation of my astrological sign, despite having just argued that foods that are meant to be served hot (i.e. pizza) should never be eaten cold under any circumstances - to the point of tears.
My opinions have never slipped quietly out into the world. I love sharing them; sometimes to a fault. Don’t we all have some of those? My opinions are the culmination of my lived experiences, as well as the excellent opinions of the people who raised me, my most intelligent friends, some folks worth paying attention to on the internet - and my favorite characters in books, movies, and on television.
I feel my opinions might even be a part of my charm, so I’ve decided to start sharing some of the things I’m most passionate about - right here. You don’t have to agree. But hopefully, you do agree, or at least try them on. See what you think.
Why a newsletter?
Because I relish the idea of doing something a little bit old-fashioned. Traditional marketing. The kind I find myself rolling my eyes at in certain business meetings but seem to work nonetheless. I’ve heard people complain that young people don’t check their emails anymore, but I think my opinions will be best received by those with a clean inbox with many hyper-specific folders for each email deemed necessary enough not to just land in the trash. In fact, that’s my first opinion.
A clear inbox = A clear mind. So organize your email inbox, you freaks!
This is an opinion graciously handed to me by my incredibly organized mother whose career often involves getting grown adults to better organize their busy over-achieving lives. She has a step-by-step guide I recommend you get her to walk you through - it’s worth every dollar. But I’ll simplify the idea by suggesting you create some email folders this week. Start filing your latest emails, deleting any crap you don’t need that flows in, and see where that takes you. While you’re at it, unsubscribe from crappy mailing lists (but never, ever this one.)
Things that are tickling my fancy
Zero spend days. I will be the first to admit I have a shopping PROBLEM. My dopamine levels have become highly dependent on a little daily treat and my bank account has simply had enough. I heard some advice recently to pick only one day a week when you’re allowed to do any shopping beyond food/essentials. Let me tell you, it has been hard for me! I picked Saturday, and I have been attempting to write down everything I think I “need” throughout the week and try to wait very patiently for Saturday when I have permission from myself to press the “buy now” button. But by the time Saturday hits, I often decide I don’t actually NEED the thing on my list. And even if I do, the waiting often makes the purchase feel even more exciting. Have I been perfect so far? Absolutely not. It is helping though, and in my opinion, life is all about progress, not perfection.
Leftovers for lunch. There is actually nothing better. I love reheating a little dish I made the night before or earlier that week. So every Monday or Tuesday (vibe-dependent), I will make a meal perfectly crafted for fantastic lunch leftovers. Below is one of my personal favourites…
One Skillet Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken and Orzo
I made this on Tuesday, and the leftovers have been absolutely delightful. This is also a one-pot meal that has never done me wrong. A total crowd-pleaser and actually pretty balanced. For the initial dinner, I had some steamed veggies on the side - largely because they were beginning to die in my overstuffed crisper drawer. But for lunch, this was perfect simply reheated in the MICROWAVE, and I’m a microwaved chicken hater (please tell me I’m not alone in that it tastes WEIRD), but for whatever reason, this slapped. The sundried tomatoes make this. Add a few more than called for in the recipe. Give it a go - with an extra dusting of parmesan to serve if you’re feeling nasty.
This week I made a cheese pizza on a pita bread base. While this is objectively NOT a gourmet meal, I devoured the HECK out of it nonetheless. This was a meal I ate ALL. THE. TIME. as a kid, and for that reason alone, I find it flipping delicious. What did you love as a kid? When was the last time you ate it? Call your mom if you need to; you’re making it this week!
I recently made a spreadsheet (so type A of me) that lists all of the random things in my freezer, cupboard, and fridge that I often forget about when I do my weekly shop. Now when I plan my meals, that can of chickpeas I’ve had lying around for ages is at the top of my mind to incorporate into one of my meals. This has helped me plan my meals around what I already have, and I end up saving on my grocery bill. It also allows me to clear out things I haven’t used to make room for new fun ingredients I have been eyeing up in the shop, creating less waste and more delicious meals. I also have a better sense of things I probably shouldn’t buy again if I’ve hardly touched them in the past six months. Yuck.
What I’m sipping…
Pictured above is a low intervention Beaujolais-style Cinsault from Nouveau Wine called “Love Bite”. HOW CUTE. While I am not always team hipster wine - Nouveau Wine truly knows what’s up. A bit funky, but so light and easy to drink with a good chill. Beaujolais-style winemaking creates a low-tannin wine with crisp-fruity flavors. This wine specifically comes from old vines in the Stellenbosch region of South Africa. The old vines help develop more concentrated fruit flavors which adds balance to this style of winemaking. This wine is well taken care of for the price tag. Hand harvested because they CARE. If you’re looking for fantastic winemaking at a reasonable price - head to your local wine shop and check out South African wines. In my opinion, wines from this region are about to BLOW UP so catch the current prices while you can.
Final Thoughts
IN: Tulips
Notion
An elaborate inner world and shopping alone
High-quality storage boxes and cool cleaning supplies
Going to the cinema
Celebrity Gossip
Weeknight friend dinners
OUT:Ordering in
Cheap non-stick pans (they’re poisoning you babe)
Frequent alcohol consumption
Being embarrassed and not asking questions
Not liking things because people on the internet said so
Stocking up
Dirty Makeup Brushes
