When to Save or Splurge on Wine + A Gentle Reminder to Rest
Plus a sneak preview of the newest season of Ina Garten's Food Network show.
Happy Monday and happy March!
And hello from California. 👋 I’m here for a couple days attending one of my favorite nutrition conferences of the year. (Below, a flashback to a scene from this same event nearly four years ago, when it was hosted in Scottsdale, Arizona.) I’m honored to be not only attending and learning from researchers, registered dietitians and brands, but also to be invited to speak on a panel about how those parties can score coverage in national media.
What a treat to kick off the week with some new scenery and alongside some very inspiring individuals. I always return from this conference with a bounty of story ideas and a full heart after reconnecting with several friends/teammates in person.
What to Read…
This week’s new content features a solid dose of good spirits, even more Ina Garten inspiration and another reminder about the systemic impact of quality sleep.
And even if you drink kombucha or stock up on Kewpie by the case, I bet you’ll learn something new in the comprehensive guides I created about both of these popular items!
Better Homes & Gardens: 5 of the Best Foods to Eat When You Have a Cold—And 3 to Avoid
Better Homes & Gardens: What Is Kewpie Mayo? Discover the Ingredient That Sets It Apart
dsm Magazine: New Winefest Dinner Celebrates Women and Wine
Veranda: When to Save and When to Splurge on Wine, According to Sommeliers
EatingWell: Insomnia Linked With a 69% Greater Risk of Heart Disease, a New Study Suggests
EatingWell: What Happens to Your Body When You Drink Kombucha Every Day
EatingWell: I've Been Making These High-Fiber Scrambled Oats on Repeat—and You Should, Too
What’s Inspiring Me…
True, this newsletter’s theme is What’s Good. But I strive to be as open and honest here as possible (and would love to take this opportunity to remind you to please feel free to do the same in the comments, my DMs or inbox!). This week has been a bit of a tough one, physically first then mentally as a result.
The recovery process after my late February fall on the ice has been not as linear as I would have liked. There are some roses, though! My bruises and cuts are healing and my staples and stitches are out. The thorns? I’m dealing with some lingering on-and-off headaches and some nerve pain in my low back and left leg. My doctor believes I may have had a concussion after all, and I’m thinking I might have a pinched nerve. And the Rx for both of those things—and for a spill like that in general? Brain rest and body rest; two things that don’t come very naturally to me. I thrive when I’m active, lifting weights is fantastic to relieve anxiety and to help me feel strong and I miss exploring Des Moines with my friends.
Since I’m getting better in my 30s about allowing myself to feel all of my feelings, not just the positive ones, I’m allowing myself some space to express my frustration (h/t to my Mom for always offering a listening ear!). All the while, I’m surrounding myself with reminders that it is okay—in fact, best—to rest right now, and finding moments of beauty in it all. My gratitude journal is getting a good workout, I’m investing even more to be fully present in the few social interactions I do have, and, most of all, I’m just beyond grateful that I normally have a pain-free, well-functioning body and that this hasn’t been worse!
No matter how much you’ve achieved or conquered this week, I hope this Instagram quote reminds you to also find moments to give yourself grace and rest. ❤️
Sorry to hear of the lingering issues from your fall. I had a bad fall several years ago, bonking my forehead into a concrete wall and fracturing my elbow when I threw my arm out to break my fall. Rest is key. I’m always here, too, if you need to vent more. ❤️
Such an ironic theme, rest. I’m at the gym after a long day of work. My body ached before I even got here after sitting in Soldier Field for three hours Saturday night. I walked roughly a quarter mile around the track when I got here and am now resting and reading (something I rarely take the time to do) until my aquatic fitness class in 30 minutes. I think tonight will be a sans electronics night when I get home.