Hello and welcome to the first weekend of December. How are we already at the end of the year? Just a couple more recipes and editions of this weekly catch up, and I’ll be taking a break to close the year out. We have a chill weekend ahead, which I am so pleased about. This time of year can get crazy, so I will savor any and all dull moments.

Keeping it brief this week! Take care out there.

5 Things I’m Reading:

1. A Radical New Approach to Human History via The Atlantic (non-paywalled)
2. How Students Are Trying to Save Local News via Columbia Journalism Review
3. sorry about your cookies via Hot Dish with Sohla on Substack
4. The myth of the carnivore caveman via Vox (non-paywalled)
5. On my nightstand: Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy

5 Things I’m Enjoying:

1. Subscribed: Sohla and Ham on YouTube
2. I love juicing, but the Greenhouse Juice Ginger shots are so easy to pick up and (unfortunately lol) they definitely taste better than the ginger/turmeric shots I make. For the Ontario people out there, they sell a 7-serving carton at Food Basics
3. Watching Come See Me in the Good Light this weekend
4. Experimenting with fresh cranberries A LOT for a holiday dessert to be posted here, and it’s been fun! I am a cranberry gal through and through. Tart everything please!
5. Trying a new sleep/wake up routine to help with insomnia and it’s slooowly working. I’m going to bed later (no screens after 8pm, in bed at 10:30) and using a SAD light therapy lamp as soon as I get up around 5.

5 Questions:

1. Are you doing a gift guide this year?
   No unfortunately! In my real life, holiday gifts are less and less of a thing as time goes on. In general, I recommend supporting small local businesses in your area, and going homemade whenever possible :)
2. Is there a recipe that you make every year for the holidays?
   Lasagna and cinnamon buns! Usually a different recipe/technique/flavor combo every year too. I have commitment issues when it comes to recipes, which is a little off brand given what I do here, but it’s the truth.
3. What are those wood spatulas/sticks that I see in your videos? I want to get some for gifts.
   Earlywood sauté sticks are what you’re looking for. They really are an excellent gift for the cook in your life that has everything ;)
4. Really struggling with vegan high protein breakfasts that aren’t a smoothie/don’t have protein powder. Any ideas?
   I recommend going savory and making tofu scramble. There’s lots of recipes and techniques for this online. Scrambled tofu was my gateway to tofu enjoyment. I had never really been into it before that! It’s wonderful with some greens sautéed in there, hot sauce and avocado on top, and some sprouted grain toast on the side. Scrambled tofu also works remarkably well for making ahead and reheating.
5. Wait, are you not posting dinner recipes anymore?
   I think I’ve mentioned it here as well as on Instagram, but I am working on a stronger baking/sweets content vertical. The reasons for this are varied, but in sum: I want to add some variety to the recipes available here and to hopefully bring in some new folks. Dinner and savories are hanging around though! I could never let that go. I just posted a lasagna recipe this week! I hope to alternate sweet and savory week in, week out. I put out a feeler for dessert and treat requests on Instagram and a shocking amount of folks asked for a bran muffin recipe. I am more than happy to oblige! Working on it for the new year ;)
   

5 Seasonal Recipes:

1. Kale Arugula Butter Bean Salad with Mustard Tahini & Garlicky Bread Crumbs
2. Veggie Sausage Sheet Pan Dinner with Pesto Cream
3. One-Pot Spinach Artichoke Orzo with Chickpeas
4. Vegan Chopped Cabbage Roll Skillet
5. Cozy Spiced Vegan Orange Mocha