A Quickie
On skincare, religion, and high-fiber breakfasts, in no particular order.
Keeping this month’s newsletter short and sweet because, well, that’s all I got in me. Wishing you + yours a most healthful, restful close to 2025.
For the procrastinators
This gift guide guide from early bird blew. my. mind. The most comprehensive maybe ever? I plan to return to it again and again.
On faith
Back in October, I went to dinner with my closest girlfriends for my 31st birthday. Nestled in a cozy corner at Rucola in Boerum Hill, our conversation meandered around fertility, friendship, and, eventually, faith. What it means to each of us. How it fits into our lives, if at all.
One friend shared that she and her partner say grace before they share a meal. It’s not so much about religion but a way to pause, be present, and express gratitude. Another explained that she feels most spiritual in nature. To her, the sound of autumn leaves rustling in the wind is god. (If my friends sound more free-loving than I am, it’s because they are, and I love them for it.)
I’ve thought of our conversation a handful of times since that dinner, and then again when I read this essay, excerpted in a recent newsletter from Derek Thompson. The essay addresses prayer, with its thesis being: You don’t have to be a ‘believer’ to engage in it.
If religion is something you struggle with, especially in a world that feels increasingly dark, I encourage you to read the essay this holiday season. The excerpt, along with my friends’ insights, have inspired me to widen my lens when it comes to prayer.
(I recognize this isn’t quite nutrition, but also, it sort of is. True nourishment takes many forms.)
New (to me) finds
On a lighter note, here’s some stuff I’ve been into lately » (links are commisionable)
Kosterina’s crushed fruit vinegars. If you’re looking to do a dry — or at least damp — January, these fruit vinegars are a must. I’ve been loving a splash of the crushed strawberry vinegar in a blood orange tangerine Spindrift seltzer. Bonus points for adding the combo to a fun glass (this one’s pricey but you’re worth it) so it feels elevated.
I always trust dermatologist Dr. Samantha Ellis’ recommendations. If you’ve been here for a while, you might remember that I’ve shouted out her skincare brand, Prequel, before. I’m obsessed Prequel’s shockingly affordable yet effective products (my favorites being the Gleanser + Salicylic Acid, the Multi-Acid Milk Peel, and the Sun Barrier Mineral Sunscreen). So when Dr. Ellis recently recommended The Ordinary’s Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum for anti-aging purposes, I knew I needed to try it. I've been loving what it’s doing for my skin. You might even call it pore-fect. Ok, I’m done.
If you’re struggling to fit in fiber…
I recently posted about simple ways to stay well during the hectic holiday season. Among them: fitting in fiber and ‘nailing it ‘til nighttime’ if you’re anticipating a night of heavy eating and/or drinking.
Breakfast is by far the easiest meal to max out on fiber. Consider that just 1 tablespoon of chia seeds supplies 4 - 5 grams of fiber. You’d have to eat two whole cups of broccoli to get the same amount.
Below, three meals that supply at least 50% of your daily fiber needs — all before 9 a.m.
01: Warm chia oat pudding —
Combine 1/4 cup chia seeds, 1/4 cup organic rolled oats, 3/4 - 1 cup milk of choice in a bowl and microwave for about 2 minutes. Next, it’s time for toppings (which are non-negotiable for some flavor here). Good picks: cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice, maple syrup, berries or frozen fruit (add the fruit before microwaving if frozen), nuts / nut butter, seeds, plain Greek yogurt, unsweetened shredded coconut, cacao nibs, etc etc etc. You can also stir protein powder into the combo prior to heating up. The below combo, topped with maple, berries, and pecans, delivers a whopping 20(!!!) grams of dietary fiber. That’s about 2/3 of my goal for the day.
(For a similar recipe, check out this Apple Pie Oat Chia Pudding recipe I created for SELF earlier this year.)
02: Upgraded eggs —
