Welcome to a lovely September weekend! Ours is pretty low key, but I will be getting started on some of the fall cleanup in the garden–just pruning shrubs/grasses and digging out my annuals to make way for mums, gourds, and more. We’re also heading over the border for a little shopping day. Let me know if you’ve had anything particularly good from Trader Joe’s recently 😉

I’ve received a couple requests to note sources under the reading list items. I’m guessing this is so that folks will know if they’re heading to a site with a paywall, which makes sense! I do try to feature sites that don’t keep their content behind pay barriers, but sometimes an article is just too good not to share (like this week’s New Yorker profile on Ina Garten). I also just personally value good journalism! As of today you’ll see sources noted and gift links when appropriate.

This is my favourite month of the year by a lot. The weather where we live is pretty much perfect every day and it feels like any type of produce you could want is in season. Keeping things short and sweet today so that I can get out there and enjoy it all. Be well!

5 Things I’m Reading:

1. Ina Garten and the Age of Abundance [The New Yorker]
2. How ‘loving corrections’ could transform our relationships with one another — and the Earth [Grist]
3. The Cult of Wellness [Toronto Life]
4. A dopamine menu can make your days more joyful – a neuroscientist shares how to create yours [Stylist]
5. Life After Factory Farming: ‘The Longer They’re Out, the Happier They Are.’ [New York Times gift link]

5 Things I’m Enjoying:

1. There is a Wirecutter podcast!!
2. Watching: The Decameron on Netflix
3. We bought this Sven Wunder album at our local record store recently and haven’t stopped spinning it. Described by one critic: “A gorgeous blend of nocturnal jazz, spaghetti western soundtracks and library music.”
4. A blind sheep receives musical therapy 🥹
5. Big Vegan Flavor! I can’t recommend this cookbook enough. So many exciting dinners, perfected classics, and plenty of sauce/condiment ideas for making everything taste incredible. I’m a huge fan of Nisha’s work, so I had an inkling I’d love this 600+ page (!!!) effort from her. It’s so impressive and almost encyclopedic. Maybe it’s too early to even mention, but this book would be an excellent gift for the vegan/plant-curious person in your life come holiday time.

5 Questions:

1. Curious if you have a favourite tofu press?
   I honestly do not press tofu anymore! I use this method outlined by Andrea Nguyen via Serious Eats where you soak your chopped/torn tofu in salted boiling water for 15-20 minutes. I do this any time I grill, bake or air fry tofu and it works a treat. Nice and crispy every time. If you are partial to using a press, I recommend this Tofuture one. Easy to use and super effective.
2. Is it too late to receive the recipe for the earl grey cake with blueberry lavender compote and coconut whipped cream?
   Still getting asked about this one! Liz from Birdhouse Bakeshop and I did a newsletter recipe exchange back in the spring, and her cake recipe was an absolute sensation with subscribers! Here is a link to the email with the recipe. We are doing another recipe exchange in early October to properly usher in fall, so make sure you’re signed up for both of our newsletters 😉
3. How can I get Sprout Living Protein shipped to Canada?
   Unfortunately Sprout Living does not ship directly to Canada and only US-based folks can take advantage of my 20% discount code. I’m so sorry about this. The first time I tried their protein though, I found it at my favourite local health food store right here in Ontario. The product is sold here, just not directly through their website. I would recommend checking out local health food store options or sourcing it online from Healthy Planet, iHerb, or Goodness Me.
4. Would love to hear more about the specifics of your journey into weightlifting if you haven’t shared about it already?
   Around my birthday in February, I was ready to make some changes to my exercise/overall health routine. I generally eat healthy, but never really paid attention to how much fiber, protein etc I was getting. I had done pilates and yoga off and on, and that was great! Still sometimes sciatica would creep up and take me out for a week or so, and my sleep quality was irregular. I just started by tracking protein and fiber intake and committed to walking as much as possible. Like I’d walk the dogs for an hour and then walk solo, park in the furthest parking spot whenever I could etc. I noticed that my sleep was better and I felt more energetic in general. Prior to the program I’m currently doing, I had never consistently worked out in a gym setting and had never even touched weights. I was so intimidated by it and scared of injuring myself. But I was also motivated to start building some muscle after learning how important it is leading into perimenopause/menopause. In the interest of locking in a good routine now to prepare myself, I found a local gym and trainer to work with. I’ve only been at it for about 10 weeks, so I’m essentially still learning how to work out in a sense. I find it super rewarding and am already feeling results though. As an extreme beginner with this, I feel like I can say that simply showing up consistently gets you about 80% there. No matter what, I walk every day and go to the gym 3 times a week (for 1 hour each time). Relentless consistency + lifting heavy sh*t = feeling pretty great!
5. Favourite butternut squash recipe?
   It’s my butternut squash risotto! Just super comforting and lovely to make when you have a little extra time to hover over the stove. Maybe a light a candle and romanticize it a little? I also love these butternut coconut noodles with greens, herbs and smoky coconut crunch topping.

5 Seasonal Recipes:

1. Butternut Coconut Noodles with Greens, Herbs & Smoky Coconut Crunch
2. 40-Minute Lemony Red Lentil Soup with Spinach
3. Braised Harissa Eggplant with Chickpeas
4. Sticky Sweet Potato Tacos with Avocado Cilantro Sauce
5. Blackberry Glazed Tofu with Black Pepper & Chili