Book a Vacation at a Vineyard + 4 New Breakfast Spots to Try

Then tune into this powerful podcast about Juneteenth.

What’s Good, friends! Welcome to the new week, Happy Juneteenth (more on this below) and belated Happy Father’s Day to all the dads and father figures out there.

Considering the holiday—and the fact that I’m heading to the Quad-Cities to visit my parents later this week—I couldn’t resist paying tribute to my top pops, Bob. (He’s pictured below with me in my proud-grin glory from school career day circa 1993!)

Sage, thoughtful and a calm amidst many storms, my Dad has taught me so much in my 35 years. His quiet confidence has inspired me to be less self-critical, and his ability to figure out a solution to any and every challenge has definitely leveled up my self-efficacy in pretty much every avenue. Among the many ways he’s impacted my life, here are 3 of the best gifts my Dad has given me:

👉 Start saving early. From IRAs to SEPs to 401Ks, Dad taught me young about how investing can affect your future. Since compound interest is so impactful, the earlier you start saving, the better, he coached me. My retirement account and I am very grateful.

👉 Practice makes progress. Sprinkle or shine, pretty much every day the golf course is open, you’ll find my Dad playing a round of 9- or 18-holes, or at least hitting the driving range. His passion for the sport and always aiming to get better inspired me to take it up, too, and one of my favorite memories we shared was laughing-until-we-cried while playing through a torrential downpour during a pop-up storm. As long as there’s no lightning and the ground is snow-free (so you can see the ball), the conditions are right to try, try again for that hole in one. He has several aces to his name already, and if you ask me, more on the way thanks to his dedication, cross training and grit.

👉 Go ahead, break a rule. For the first 22 years of my life (okay, likely longer), I was a card-carrying teacher’s pet and rule follower who never wanted to ruffle any feathers. Can I check all the boxes to do this life thing right and not disappoint anyone? Living the dream. Only later did I learn that it’s okay to go your own way and take some risks, and Dad was the first adult I can remember, about mid-way through college, that gave me permission to stay out late and take some (reasonable, lawful, calculated) chances. I doubt I would have been emotionally ready to dive into entrepreneurship without that tutorial earlier in life.

I love you, Dad, and firmly believe I drew a lucky card to have such amazing parents!

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What to Read…

I’m excited to announce that you can now find my work on VERANDA’s website! This chic Hearst magazine deems itself “the authority on extraordinary design,” with a focus on lifestyle content, luxury travel, outdoor living and decorating. While I’m more focused on fitness, nutrition, psychology and wellness content, you know I’ve been dipping my toe into more lifestyle and travel coverage and love this space!

So far, I’ve covered sommelier selections for the best summer wines, and these two must-read stories below about too-beautiful-to-miss vacation rentals and homes. BRB, off to book an Airbnb stay at this epic Dubrovnik winery/home. 😍

• VERANDA: You Can Now Book Vineyard Stays on AirBnb—and These 5 Homes Look Downright Dreamy

• VERANDA: These Are the Most Expensive Homes for Sale in All 50 States

• EatingWell: Eating a Vegan Diet Can Decrease Pain and Inflammation Related to Rheumatoid Arthritis, New Research Says

• EatingWell: Why Drinking Only on the Weekends May Be Hurting Your Health, According to a New Study

• EatingWell: This Healthy 2-Ingredient Dessert Reminds Padma Lakshmi of Her Childhood

• EatingWell: The 3 Best Seasonal Products Returning to Trader Joe's This Summer, According to Employees

• EatingWell: These Trader Joe's Cauliflower Slims Are a Lower-Carb Way to Upgrade Your Sandwich

• dsm Magazine: 4 New Breakfast Spots for Your Summer Bucket List

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What to Listen to…

Food with Mark Bittman: Juneteenth

In the latest episode of Food with Mark Bittman, the prolific food writer passes his microphone off to award-winning food and travel writer Kayla Stewart to host a wide-ranging, honest and riveting conversation about Juneteenth (officially June 19, observed as a public holiday June 20 this year since it fell on a Sunday).

Stewart’s guests for the 30-minute conversation are former Top Chef competitor and Adrienne Cheatham, author of the beautiful new cookbook Sunday Best, and Stephen Satterfield, founder of Whetstone Media and host of Netflix’s unforgettable series High on the Hog. They discuss the origins of black liberation, their feelings about the good and bad of Juneteenth becoming a national holiday, the best foods to incorporate into a Juneteenth celebration and what we should do today to make the most of this public holiday.

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