My Food & Wine Debut + a Must-Listen Podcast to Study Up on the Situation in Israel
Peruse through 29 new stories overflowing with recipe, travel, fitness and health inspiration.
Hi all,
Wow, what a difference 2 weeks makes. Since we last left off with my Mendoza, Argentina recap, I’ve been riding a seesaw of very strong emotions, ranging from extremely happy to heartbreaking.
My heart goes out to all my Jewish friends and anyone with loved ones in, or connections to, Israel and Palestine. Don’t miss “What to Listen to” below for more information about this, and if you feel called to help those on the ground, please join me in making a donation to World Central Kitchen. The team from chef José Andrés’ non-profit is already making an impact to share food and water with the civilians caught in the crossfire.
Without glazing over the fact that the world is a really scary and sad place, I’ve been trying to allow myself space to celebrate a few huge professional wins.
In addition to publishing 29 new stories, I am proud to share that:
I'm now contributing to a brand I've devoured for decades and dreamed of writing for since I went full-time freelance: Food & Wine! Moving forward, you can now find my work popping up across their inspiring and beautiful website. I am also headed on a trip 2 weeks from today for my first piece for another bucket list brand of mine, so watch for the next edition of What’s Good hitting your inbox on Monday, November 13.
Just 1 day after that, you can tune in as I reveal 10 Secrets to Freelance Success as part of the IACP: The International Association of Culinary Professionals' (IACP's) "Work Smarter" series. As someone who had grown up with nearly everyone inside and outside of magazines saying "there is absolutely no way you can make a living as a freelancer,” I thought my full-time freelance journey would last 1 year. Maybe 2, tops, if I was lucky. But nearly 5 years in, I can confirm that it takes a lot of hustle and heart, but it’s possible. And it’s pretty amazing. Members and non-members alike are welcome, and you can save your spot here.
What to Read…
This week’s story round-up includes my first couple bylines for Food & Wine…and so much more. From Tucci to etiquette related to taking off shoes and restaurant copycat recipes to energy-boosting news you need before we fall back, there’s a little something for everyone below.
If you’re already dreaming of a snowbird-style escape, don’t miss my interview with “Sedona’s Culinary Queen for T+L Co. (the magazine brand’s membership and travel company). Chef Lisa Dahl’s resilient story and five top-rated restaurants are reason alone to book a ticket to Arizona. The warm temperatures and stunning hiking scenery seal the deal for me!
Food & Wine: The 1 Thing You’ll Never See in a Stanley Tucci Recipe
Food & Wine: Popeyes’ Cajun Thanksgiving Turkey Is Back, but if You Want One, You Better Reserve It ASAP
Veranda: Should You Take Your Shoes Off in Someone Else’s Home?
Veranda: Is It Rude to Put Ice in Wine? Here’s What Sommeliers and Etiquette Experts Say
Better Homes & Gardens: Magic Shell Yogurt Cups Make Eating Protein and Probiotics Fun
Better Homes & Gardens: Take the Trendy Tinto de Verano Cocktail From Summer into Fall
Better Homes & Gardens: This Brilliant Catering Trick Keeps a Chopped Salad Fresh for Up to 4 Days
Better Homes & Gardens: Step Aside, Cottage Cheese—Sour Cream Ice Cream Might Be the Next Big Thing
Better Homes & Gardens: Chipotle Just Revealed Its Top 3 Tips for Juicier Chicken, And Our Test Kitchen Pros Have Thoughts
Better Homes & Gardens: These High-Protein Frozen Yogurt Bars Taste Like a Dairy Queen Favorite
Better Homes & Gardens: This Potato Chip Salad Is Taking Over New York City—Here’s How to Recreate It at Home
Better Homes & Gardens: These Ritz Cracker Recipes Will Have You Thinking Outside of the Box
Better Homes & Gardens: Southern Christmas Foods You Might Have Grown Up With
Better Homes & Gardens: The Best Evaporated Milk Recipes, Whether You’re Craving Sweet or Savory
Better Homes & Gardens: No Skewers? No Problem! Try This Easy Way to Make S’mores All Year Long
Better Homes & Gardens: 17 Comforting Potato Soup Ideas to Get You Through Fall and Winter
Better Homes & Gardens: It’s About Time to Embrace Chaos Cooking—Here’s Why
Better Homes & Gardens: How to Carve a Turkey Breast Into Perfect Slices, According to Our Test Kitchen
Better Homes & Gardens: How to Carve a Ham, According to Our Test Kitchen Experts
Better Homes & Gardens: How to Truss a Turkey in 3 Easy Steps (And Why You Might Want To)
Better Homes & Gardens: Why Do We Break the Turkey Wishbone at Thanksgiving?
Better Homes & Gardens: How to Reheat Turkey: The 3 Best Ways, Plus 1 to Avoid
EatingWell: 8 Sneaky Reasons You're Tired That Have Nothing To Do With Sleep
EatingWell: What Happens to Your Body When You Drink Energy Drinks Every Day
EatingWell: Should You Eat Fruit on an Empty Stomach? Here's What Dietitians Say
Peloton: Want to Practice Cobra Pose? Let Peloton Instructor Kirra Michel Show You How
dsm Magazine: Mulberry Street Tavern’s New Executive Chef
T+L Co: Sedona's Culinary Queen
T+L Co: Fall Color Gear (including the hiking boots that carried me through the Dolomites!)
What to Listen To…
Fresh Air: How Was Hamas Able to Launch Such a Devastating Attack on Israel?
As I mentioned above, this week has been a crushing one for anyone who wishes for a peaceful world—and especially for those of Jewish faith and individuals who live in the now-battle zones.
Since we reside thousands of miles away, and considering the conflict has so many layers, it can feel easy to scroll right past the posts on news sites or flip channels when the topic is discussed on the news. But it’s vital that we all study up on the situation, not only to support our Jewish friends, but also to:
Educate ourselves on what the residents of the region are going through
Be able to sift through the misinformation swirling around on social media
Understand how interconnected the countries of the world truly are
Learn more about what the path forward might look like
A great place to start is with this foundation-setting NPR feature and the new episode of Fresh Air embedded below.
On the podcast, host Terri Gross (one of my top interview icons) speaks with Daniel Byman about this history that led up to the attacks in Israel. As professor at Georgetown University, a terrorism expert and the author of A High Price: The Triumphs and Failures of Israeli Counterterrorism, Byman is able to offer important context about the potential overlaps between Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran and Russia. (To be honest, the interplay here was new to me.)
Throughout the 46-minute conversation, the duo discuss what has happened and what the potential future might look like in the best case and worst case scenarios, using historical disagreements in the Middle East for reference.
It’s heavy. It’s insightful. It’s devastating. But in the end, there is a distinct possibility for hope. So please listen until the sign-off; every minute is worthy of your time.