Hey how are you? I’ll be keeping this edition of Saturday Sun super brief! I caught some kind of bug/virus and have been laid up with it for most of the week. I haven’t been rocked by a cold or flu like this in over 3 years, so I guess I was due. I’m mostly living on electrolyte drinks, ginger ale, dry toast, and veggie noodle packets. It’s all very gourmet haha.

Here’s some weekend reading, things I’m enjoying, and answers to some of your questions. For those in the “generational arctic blast” zone: hope you stay warm and safe this weekend!

5 Things I’m Reading:

1. How Traditional Chinese Medicine Combines Health & Culinary Traditions
2. Things I learned the hard way
3. How to Be 18 Years Old Again for Only $2 Million a Year
4. Yes, You Can Train Yourself to Be a Positive Person
5. The glories of dining out alone

5 Things I’m Enjoying:

1. The Best Method for Reviving Stale Bread
2. Crispy Smashed Broccoli (Can’t wait to try this when my appetite for vegetables returns)
3. Rubbing Pai’s Rosehip Bioregenerate Oil into my extra sensitive nose/upper lip area, and so far it’s keeping the inflammation from constant nose blowing down to a minimum.
4. Bobi, the oldest good boy ever 🥹
5. The Ancient History of Rose

5 Questions:

1. What is your favourite comfort food when sick?
   Mostly refined carbohydrates! I love dry toast, noodle packets, plain pasta with salt, baked or roasted potatoes, and oatmeal with a bit of jam etc. And that’s honestly it! I have zero appetite for vegetables, fruit, elixirs etc. Keep it plain and mostly soft for me, please :)
2. Favourite brand of dairy-free yogurt?
   I am extremely fussy about vegan yogurt–it has to be tangy and a bit fluffy. I tend to gravitate towards ones with a coconut base. So many of the dairy-free yogurts available also have a gummy texture that is quite off-putting. Here in Canada, I love Yoggu (every flavour) and when I hop over to the US, I like to grab Culina or Cocoyo as a treat.
3. Things you do that will without fail cheer you up?
   I keep a list of these things on my phone in case I’m having a low day. Some examples are: making myself a fancy coffee or tea latte, going out for a walk or hike, getting lost in a bread baking project, if weather permits: sit outside and read a book/play my tongue drum, write every single thing that’s on my mind in my journal, do an uplifting breath work/meditation session (I use the Headspace + Feel Better apps), take a nap, and cooking a favourite comfort meal that’s also a bit nourishing. None of these things leads to a total 180 in how I’m feeling, but there’s always a slight improvement, which certainly counts for something.
4. What do you eat for breakfast?
   When my health is normal, I have coffee and a smoothie pretty much every morning. I’m not a big breakfast person, but definitely feel the benefits of getting some nutrients in first thing, so a smoothie fits into my days perfectly. It’s usually some version of this peanut butter vanilla one or a mixed berry option without greens. I always load it up with chia and flax seeds, nut butter, frozen banana, broccoli sprouts if I have them, and my favourite vegan protein. In the cold months, I add warming spices (ground ginger and cinnamon) to my blends and let them get to room temperature before drinking.
5. I’m not a fan of nutritional yeast. What would you recommend as a substitute?
   Any time I’m incorporating nutritional yeast, I’m using it for its super savoury flavour. I know some folks describe it as “cheesy” but I disagree with that. It’s mostly just savoury and a bit nutty too. It also has very subtle hints of umami. For recipes where it is added to a sauce, stew, or sauté, I recommend substituting with miso, Tamari or even Marmite/Vegemite. Substituting for it in dry applications (vegan “parmesan” for example) is a bit more trickier. I would try incorporating more savoury spices (garlic and onion powder) and if you can, seek out a mushroom-based “umami” powder if that sounds appealing to you (I know that Trader Joe’s sells one).