9 People You Might Be Forgetting to Tip (But Should) + My Top 5 Intentions for 2025
Learn about three worthy causes involved in California wildfire efforts, then catch up on my first 25 stories published this year.
Welcome to the first edition of What’s Good in 2025!
The year started off on a grateful and joyful tone here in Des Moines, as I rang in the new year by joining a friend for a jazz show at Noce and delicious and creative tasting menu at Harbinger. (Prior to cozying up in my PJs by 11 p.m., it was so fun to debut my new favorite capsule wardrobe addition that night. Expect to see this bow-adorned black dress as part of the rotation early and often this year!)
I was quickly reminded of the “we can hold two things at once” philosophy. Work is going wonderfully: I have 10 trips already booked for 2025 and have been having a blast creating new content; some of which you’ll see below. But my heart is breaking for all of my friends, colleagues and the other residents of California (as well as those who love them) who are dealing with absolutely terrifying and tragic conditions amidst the wildfires.
I’m holding a safe space in my heart for all who are affected. But I know that thoughts can only do so much, so I chipped in to financially support the following charities this week as well.
I also reached out directly to as many of my contacts in the area who I could think of. Although that latter factor might seem inconsequential or like you’re “bothersome,” as the wise author Cleo Wade reminds us, “reach out. It is never a bad idea or the wrong thing to send care,” whether it’s during or after a weather event, after a death in the family or during an illness.
I usually stick with something short and sweet: “No need to reply, but know I’m thinking of you, am here with a listening ear and am just a ping away if I can support you in *any* way. I love you so much. ❤️🩹”
If I’m nearby and know that they’re sick, just experienced a loss or have more clarity about their condition, I’ll weave in a more direct offer like coordinating a cleaning service, ordering them meals for delivery, dropping off their favorite local dessert, picking up groceries, etc.
I can’t even imagine what it’s like to be in their shoes, but I can use my voice and heart to hopefully help them feel like they have a teammate in this fight. If you’re reading this, especially if you’ve been impacted by the wildfire or other recent loss or diagnosis, know I’m sending you love and support, and again, am just a message away if I can be a supporter for you.
What to Read…
As I enter my seventh year of full-time freelancing and 17th year (unreal!) of working in national media, I’ve come to firmly believe that part of my life’s purpose is to share inspiration and information that hopefully motivates others to live more joyful, healthier and richer lives.
So looping back to that mindset of holding two opposing ideas in the same breath, while it can feel inconsequential to chat about topics like muffins, drink trends and which fast food restaurant has the best burger (spoiler: it was a tie between Shake Shack and In-N-Out), I feel like finding little whispers of delight and deliciousness amidst some darkness can act as an important counterbalance—and offer flashes of hope.
Since we last connected at the end of 2024, I’ve had 25 new features go live, which I’m proud to share below! If you’re short on time, I’ll pop a * next to a few highlights.
I highly recommend mentally jetting away for a few minutes through the new hotel series on BHG. And if you, too, are ready for a break from the restriction-focused resolutions, don’t miss my latest feature on CNN, I think it might offer a refreshing perspective. (By the way, I can confirm that Justine Doiron is just as warm and wonderful as she seems on social media on her @justine_snacks accounts!) If you’re craving a quick appetizer idea that will have everyone asking you for the recipe, take a glance at the Mole Meatballs. The BHG Test Kitchen developed a totally-doable recipe for us after I fell in love with these meatballs at a restaurant in Phoenix last fall. Lastly, before you stay at a hotel, valet your car, have your housecleaners visit or move, check out this first piece: your thoroughly modern guide to tipping.
* Better Homes and Gardens: 9 People You Might Be Forgetting to Tip (But Should), According to Etiquette Experts
Better Homes and Gardens: The 7 Best and 4 Worst Pasta Shapes for Mac and Cheese, According to Chefs
Better Homes and Gardens: The Top Winter Fruits to Eat in Season (When Little Else Is at Its Best)
Better Homes and Gardens: I’m a Food Writer and I Swear by These 3 Baking Secrets for Perfect Muffins
Better Homes and Gardens: 3-Ingredient Cocktails for a Last-Minute New Year's Eve Party
Better Homes and Gardens: 7 Cooking Confessions from Pro Chefs That Are So Relatable
Better Homes and Gardens: 2025 Drink Trends You’re About to See Everywhere
Better Homes and Gardens: The Difference Between Blind Baking and Par-Baking Pie Crust: Experts Dish
* Better Homes and Gardens: 9 Dreamy Hotel Bathrooms We Wish We Could Live In (and Design Ideas to Steal)
* Better Homes and Gardens: 7 Hotel Design Secrets That Make Rooms Feel Larger (Try These At Home!)
* Better Homes and Gardens: 9 Hotel Design Details to Steal to Make Your Home Feel Like a Getaway
Better Homes and Gardens: These 15-Minute Garlic Noodles Instantly Became Our New Favorite Side Dish
Better Homes and Gardens: 10 Clever Ways to Reuse Charcuterie Leftovers, According to Culinary Experts
* Better Homes and Gardens: Mole Meatballs Are the Zesty Appetizer Your Menu Has Been Missing
Better Homes and Gardens: Cozy French Onion Recipes You Should Definitely Add to Your Winter Meal Plan
Allrecipes: I Asked 6 Chefs for the Best Fast Food Breakfast Sandwich and This Classic Won By a Landslide
Allrecipes: I Asked 4 Chefs for the Best Fast Food Burger and 2 Chains Dominated
Allrecipes: I Asked 5 Chefs for Their Favorite Fast Food Milkshake, and Here’s Their Must-Try List
Allrecipes: I Asked 3 Chefs for the Best Cottage Cheese and Their Favorite Is Ours, Too
Allrecipes: Anthony Bourdain’s Go-To Meal He Always Craved After Traveling
Southern Living: Ree Drummond's 3-Ingredient Casserole Topper Is Almost Too Genius
Southern Living: 9 Southern Chefs Share The Best Places To Eat In Their Own Towns
Southern Living: The 1 Type Of Biscuits You Probably Haven't Tried—But Should
* CNN: Ditch the Restrictive Resolutions and Set One of These 3 Fun Food ‘Intentions’
EatingWell: The Antioxidant-Rich Ingredient I Add to Recipes All Winter Long, According to a Food Writer
What to Consider…
2025 Intentions
If you’ve been hanging around with me on social media, IRL or here on Substack for a bit, you’re probably well aware that I don’t set typical resolutions at the start of a new year. But I do appreciate the promise that a fresh calendar brings, and am grateful for the reminder to look back—and ahead—each January.
On the heels of making significant progress on my four intentions for 2024, I decided to up the ante and create five self-growth goals for 2025. To keep me honest, and in case they speak to you, too, I’m publicly sharing them here!
Keep up with last year’s aims. As I alluded to on Instagram in December, I’m quite proud of the progress I’ve made on last year’s missions, especially the ones related to my physical health and strength. That, journaling, consistent water intake and being kinder to myself will continue to be priorities in 2025.
Daily, read the daily meditation in Journey to the Heart. Back in 2020, I read this one-page-a-day book, and found it to be such a lovely way to find some brightness in the world and spark some deeper reflection about my emotions. Five years later, I’m excited to revisit the timeless book to view it through my 37-year-old lens.
Daily or whenever the inspiration strikes, chronicle “delights” in the Notes app. Since last Labor Day, I’ve been mentally chronicling moments of delight as a way to be more present and truly witness the beauty, connections and lessons that surround us (but that we often miss when we’re too tied to our phones, computers or worrying about the future or the past). To make this practice even more tangible—and to have a lovely list to look back on this time next year—I followed the lead of my friend Emily Kestel who did this in 2024, and am keeping a bulleted list in my iPhone Notes app.
Weekly, try one new thing just for play or for rest. Sitting and just ~being~ is difficult for me. After reflecting on why this might be the case, I think there are a few reasons: as a solopreneur, every hour is a potential billable hour. I am what Gretchen Rubin calls an “upholder,” and don’t like to let myself or others down. And I am pretty sure I haven’t quite been able to untangle the connection between achieving and helping with worthiness. To remind myself that I am worthy of relaxation and rejuvenation and fun for no other reason than that, I hope to incorporate more opportunities for play and rest. I got a head start on this by taking my nieces to a trampoline park a few days after Christmas—what a hoot! If you have any suggestions for what this might look like, I would greatly appreciate your recommendations in the comments!
Seek out more occasions to make or see art IRL. Art—be it visual, musical, physical (like dancing), culinary or otherwise—is one of the ultimate sources for inspiration, allows for a sense of community and collective awe and frequently lights me up inside. Sure, there are a lot of art forms that I can experience within my four walls, but I’m on my computer enough and it hits different when IRL. So in 2025, I hope to build in several experiences to create or witness the beauty that surrounds us. To kick things off, I’m heading up to Minneapolis this week to see Joy Oladakun with my sister, then am looking forward to taking part in my globe-trotting dinner club on Saturday (we’re “visiting” Italy) before hearing from anthropologist Dr. Mireya Mayor (aka “the female Indiana Jones”) next Tuesday at the Des Moines Civic Center’s Explorer Series.
If you’re comfortable doing so, please comment below to share your word of the year (mine is “trust”) or one intention you’re excited to prioritize.