Welcome to the first weekend of October. We had a bit of humidity this week, but it’s gonna be cozy blanket conditions by the time this is published. Nothing too urgent on the schedule for the next couple days, which is extra nice. Canadian Thanksgiving is here next weekend (my mega roundup here for inspiration if you need it), which I know will be super busy for us. Relishing in a chill couple of days to catch up on the tasks that always seem to pile up this time of year.

I’m gonna leave it at that today! If you have any questions for a future edition, pop them in the comments or into my inbox. Take care out there :)

5 Things I’m Reading:

1. Maybe Your House Is Fine via Modern New Englander on Substack
2. AI Doom Spiral? Three Steps To Climb Out via The Golden Hour on Substack
3. Ontario farmers are finding ways to help the environment — and it starts with a pair of underwear via The Narwhal
4. Why Americans Stopped Throwing Dinner Parties via The Atlantic (click here for non-paywalled option)
5. Feeling wired? The truth about ‘nervous system resets’ via The Guardian

5 Things I’m Enjoying:

1. Shed a tear watching this tribute to Dolly Parton by Kacey Musgraves
2. Having an ambient music moment: Laraaji’s Day of Radiance and Sally Daley’s My God & My All.
3. Shameless self promo: was on my friend Jess’s Inside + Outside podcast this week! Is Loving Nature Genetic? + How To Find A New Internet (I say “like” 300 times, oops)
4. I keep plugging them, but I cannot get enough of Burlap & Barrel’s ground black lime. I was hesitant to feature it in a recipe that I posted this week, but ultimately decided to do so. It is a bit of a unique thing! I only recommend specialty items if I truly think they will make your cooking life better, so I decided to stay with it. Black lime has that acid lime tang but it’s also SO fragrant. I love using it in roasted veg mixtures (especially root vegetables) or dry rubs where a little sharpness and lift is needed.
5. LOVE this new section from The New York Times dedicated to good-bad movies. I have a special fondness for 6/10 movies, so this has been guiding my to-watch list lately. National Treasure is on the docket. If you also love good-bad movies, please share your faves! ;)

5 Questions:

1. You’ve mentioned a couple of times that email is your preferred channel for supporters and I know you offer some bonus content to email subscribers. My email is hot garbage – I have one address for work and one address for shopping, bills, etc.; but it’s not something I use for meaningful or deep or relaxing communication. I honestly think subscribing to the email would put it into more of a “content marketing to ignore” bucket for me mentally vs something to relax, enjoy and look forward to. So I read Saturday Sun on the TFM website every week (which I relax, enjoy and look forward to!). What impact does that have on you vs subscribing to the email?
   To answer the question quickly: you visiting the site every week to read Saturday Sun is an absolute positive. Thank you for making it part of your browsing routine! When I talk about adding folks to my email subscriber list, I’m generally recommending that over following me on social media. I’ve tapped out of the socials significantly. It just doesn’t feel healthy for me and it’s not my scene most of the time. I am also much more consistent with email. Of course, I’m trying some new things with email lately and sending out resources that I want folks to have (ultimate TFM soup roundup is coming in the next couple weeks), but I also recognize that it’s not for everyone. Since the big pivot to Substack/newsletters, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t experiencing newsletter fatigue myself. We all have our preferred sources and preferred ways of accessing them. I’m just happy to be in the mix :)
2. Is there a flavour combination that just screams “fall” to you — something you reach for every year?
   A very simple one, yes. Freshly grated nutmeg and maple sugar on top of my morning flat white. Preferably in my spooky skeleton mug.
3. Where do you buy butter beans in Ontario?
   This question comes up all the time and I have answered it before, but I have an update for the Ontario folks specifically. The best buy on canned butter beans is the Grace brand that’s sold at Food Basics in the International Foods aisle. The label says “dry lima beans” but it’s butter beans. It’s also a bigger 540 mL can, which is nice.
4. I used to be able to eat gluten and loved farro, but since becoming celiac I’ve not been able to find anything that I can substitute that has the same or similar nuttiness and nice bite. I’ve tried quinoa, buckwheat, brown and wild rice and while all great in themselves they don’t really quite match up. Do you have any suggestions?
   Have you tried oat groats (sometimes called oatrice)? It’s whole oat kernels before they’re cut/steamed into oatmeal. It looks an awful lot like brown rice and can be chewy if cooked properly. You’d have to ensure that the brand you’re using is certified gluten-free. Stoked Oats here in Canada sells it.
5. What’s the first soup or stew you make when the weather starts to cool off?
   Usually minestrone because I’m trying to use up garden bounty while still being cozy. Works a treat!

Pinned Recipes This Week:

1. Vegan Italian Wedding Soup
2. Smoky Butternut Squash Tacos with Smashed Pinto Beans
3. Crushed Beets with Chunky Olive & Mint Dressing
4. Vegan Hamburger Helper with Lentils
5. Creamy Chocolate Pear Smoothie with Cinnamon