slant2plants Newsletter

November 22, 2024, 2024

Hi Reader,

I am glad to share my Friday Fun Newsletter so I can connect with you and share what's new with slant2plants, my health coaching endeavors and some other fun information about healthy living that I hope you will enjoy.

1. Personal Update: I've travelled a lot for for Thanksgiving—different states, even different countries. Eric and I hosted big family gatherings for many years, and we still hold the record for cooking the best turkey and mushroom gravy. Those are past chapters for this vegan girl now—I'm planning to make a Mushroom Wellington this year. Originally we planned to be in LA again for Thanksgiving. But a few weeks ago, I made the decision to stay home that week. I hate to say this phrase out loud (or put it in writing), but I think I have a little bit of "travel fatigue". Yes, even I need some down time.
2. Movie or Book highlight: I finished American Dirt much more quickly than most books—I just couldn't put my Kindle down. I even got up and read it for two hours in the middle of the night! It's riveting and I highly recommend it. What's next on my reading list? Chutzpa Girls. I watched Noa Tishby describe this collection of stories about courageous Jewish women of past and present day, including portraits created by Jewish women from all over the world. Sounds like a great Chanukah* present for daughters and granddaughters! (*BTW, the first night of Chanukah starts on Christmas Night this year!).
3. This week's recipe(s): Roasted Carrot and Red Lentil Stew. I often divide my recipes into at least 2-3 steps--I call it "chunking". In the notes section at the bottom of the recipe, describe how I "chunk" this winter stew--it's great to come home and be able to heat it up in just a few minutes. It tastes even better the next day!. I love the hearty texture of the chopped vegetables but my husband likes to puree his with the hand mixer. He even uses it as a topping for ravioli! There's no added salt or oil, and you won’t miss them! This dish is always a hit--we never have leftovers!
4. Travel Tips: Packing a few small and large ziplocks is one of my go-to travel hacks. On my recent trip to Austin, they came in handy for food items like vegan salami from Rebel Cheese Café and vegan fudge from a local candy store, as well as for damp garments. They take up no room, and if I don’t use them, they just go back in the drawer at home.
5. Nutrition Highlight: Miso is a paste made from fermented soybeans and koji. Miso isn’t just delicious—it’s a probiotic powerhouse that supports digestion, gut health, and immunity. It’s also packed with B-vitamins, protein, and minerals. I just tried using this umami flavored ingredient for roasting vegetables. Inspired by a Plantrician webinar, I dissolved miso in vegetable broth as a basting sauce for fresh asparagus. OMG—game changer! THIS is the kind I buy at Whole Foods. Miso Soup is one of my favorite comfort food, especially in this cold and gloomy weather!
6. Restaurant Review: We ate at several fantastic restaurants throughout our visit to Austin last weekend, and even enjoyed a few of the food trucks. One of our favorites was our last meal--lunch at Bouldin Creek Cafe. I was a little worried it would be too funky, but when we arrived at this groovy eatery in the hip residential neighborhood, we were lucky to get two seats at the bar, saving us from waiting 30+ minutes for a table. With an impressively large menu and vegan options for every item, we had trouble narrowing down our choices, especially as we salivated over our neighbors' selections. The portions were generous, the food delicious, and the service cheerful and friendly. We enjoyed it so much, we ordered food to go to take with us on the plane! We'd love a restaurant like that near us...
7. Destination Highlight: ATX trip? If you get the chance to spend a few days in Austin, check out the LBJ Library on the UT campus. Definitely don't miss the boat ride on Lady Bird Lake. We loved the Sunset Cruise, even though we just missed the popular bats by one week! When you're heading home, take advantage of the many restaurants in the airport that have more healthy options than you usual see in other terminals.
8. Self-Care Activity: Practicing gratitude is a self-care practice. I love an exercise I've done with my high school students called Gratitude Concentric Circles. You'll be notified of my post describing how to do the exercise. You may even want to do it at your Thanksgiving table!
9. Health Coaching Update: What is Health Coaching anyways and how could it benefit you? If you're interested in finding out and even trying out a practice session, book a DISCOVERY CALL with me. I love helping people improve their lives and move forward towards their goals. If you know someone that might be interest in Health and Well-being Coaching, please let them know they can book a DISCOVERY CALL with me.
10. "Happiness is neither virtue nor pleasure nor this thing nor that but simply growth, We are happy when we are growing." William Butler Yeats

113 Cherry St #92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2205
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I hope you have a great weekend filled with fun and healthy activity, food and connection. Please always feel free to share your feedback, requests and opinions. I'd love for you to check out my slant2plants blog, and share it with anyone you think would enjoy it. I appreciate our connections... Dvora

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