Welcome to the April 2023 edition of RPL at Home, where I share what I’m up to when I’m not in the kitchen or in front of the camera.
Each month, I’ll share snippets of what I’m working on, habits I’m cultivating, things bringing me joy, books/TV shows/podcasts I’m enjoying, and more. Think of it as stream-of-consciousness blabbering meets a semi-curated list of recommendations meets life update.
This month’s edition
1. What I’m watching, listening to, and reading
2. What I’m working on (in life)
3. What I’m working on (in the biz)
4. Recipes you might have missed
5. Products I’m enjoying
6. Celebration time!
What I’m watching, listening to, and reading
📺 Watching
I just finished season 2 of The Sex Lives of College Girls, the HBO series created by personal icon Mindy Kaling. I think I may be slightly older than the target demographic, but it was a hilarious show to binge when Max was out of town. The witty repartee between the characters reminds me of the chemistry between the main characters on Gilmore Girls, Friends, and Happy Endings, but for college gals in a very inclusive 2023.
Also, I just watched the first episode of The Reluctant Traveler with Eugene Levy. A charming but touching exploration of getting outside of your comfort zone (in some of the coolest places on earth).
📚 Reading
A few weeks ago, I finished Homegoing, the historical fiction novel from Ghanaian-American novelist Yaa Gyasi. And by finished, I mean I raced through it and read it at every opportunity because it was so good.
Gyasi weaves together a powerful narrative about a family that was split by slavery in the mid-18th century. Each chapter alternates between these two families over the course of seven generations: one chapter is from the perspective of a family member on the Gold Coast of Africa (present-day Ghana), the next chapter is from the perspective of a family member who lives in the U.S.
Despite there being no single central character, the storytelling is compelling, and the narratives, when read in order, paint a very clear picture of the realities of slavery and its enduring legacy on our nation.
I’m sure that this is the kind of book that many politicians would want to ban, which makes it feel all the more important to read.
Two other pieces I enjoyed this month:
- A Psychedelics Pioneer Takes the Ultimate Trip (the most profound 5 minute interview I’ve ever read; Dr. Griffiths truly has the secret to a happy life)
- Whatever the problem is, it’s probably solved by walking (more on that below!)
🎧 Listening
This episode from Hidden Brain on how experiencing awe can boost happiness. I was listening to this in early March when I saw an unexpected patch of bright orange flowers blooming on the side of the concrete 6-lane freeway I was driving on. It took my breath away and I found happy tears welling in my eyes.
At that moment, I had the urge to pull over and assume the role of carefree-girl-frolicking-in-field, but luckily my instinct for safe driving kicked in. And I was content with the fact that I had just experienced awe in this very ordinary part of my day.
What I’m working on (in life)
As I alluded to earlier, walking! I’ve always enjoyed walking, so truth be told, this is more of a build upon a current habit type of sitch instead of a build an entirely new habit.
When I first moved to San Diego, I tried to keep up my NYC lifestyle of walking everywhere. Walking 30 minutes to the farmers market was charming. Walking on a major thoroughfare at night with literally zero other pedestrians…not so much. So I quickly gave into car culture, and for the first year-ish of living here, I didn’t walk much, averaging 3,000-ish steps a day.
Eventually, I realized what’s now obvious to me. If I wanted to maintain an active lifestyle, I needed to actively put on sneakers, leave my house, and go on walks with no aim except to walk.
Why walking specifically? For one, these wobbly joints aren’t built for running. Trust me, I’ve tried. I even developed a year-long injury after going too hard with beginner Peloton classes. And two, I love walking. Being outside, even if it’s not amongst big open fields or grand mountains, is restorative for my soul.
For the last year and a half, I’ve gone on at least one walk almost every day, sometimes two walks. And that is certainly better than staying indoors all day.
But what I’m working on now is expanding this: making it at least two walks a day, if not three walks, and expanding the types of walks I take.
More frequent walks because I’ve noticed that the only way I can achieve my 10,000-steps-a-day goal on a work day is to take 3 walks a day (or two longer walks). And, yes, 10,000 steps is kind of arbitrary because you can get lots of health benefits even at 7,000 steps a day. But it’s nice to set myself a goal that feels challenging.
And, as mentioned, I’ve been trying to find little ways to experience more awe in my daily life. And going on walks, particularly right after sunrise or before sunset, really sparks that for me. Sometimes I actually stop and smell the roses. Yes, I am that person. Or I pause to admire the way the late afternoon sun makes ordinary shrubs look ethereal and flowers glow with absolute radiance.
It’s only been a week or so of hitting 10,000 steps a day, but I can already feel the benefits. I’m more energized, in a better mood, and feel more accomplished. The downside (for Max): I have been needing more frequent foot massages.
What I’m working on (in the biz)
👷🏽♀️ Building the RPL team
I’ve had my hands in a lot of different pots this month.
Working on the first big-picture round of edits for my next cookbook (more updates next month!), filming both long-form YouTube videos and short-form videos, developing new fun springtime recipes, working on a product we’re hoping to launch this fall (more on that soon-ish!), and more that I can’t even remember.
I love it all. But it’s a lot. Last week, Max and I spent a day writing down all the main areas of our business and the daily/weekly/monthly associated tasks, and honestly the list was so comically long that we both started laughing (crying) uncontrollably.
We realized that if we want to move forward on all these initiatives and still have a social life, we need to hire some very talented individuals to join the RPL team.
If you want to be notified when we post those job roles, be sure to sign up for our newsletter (also sign up if you like vegan recipes!).
👩🏽🍳 Introducing the RPL Recipe Club
We just launched our first monthly RPL Recipe Club!
Each month, I’m choosing a different recipe for the RPL community to make. Anyone can make the recipe, then submit a photo win amazing kitchen prizes. This month we’re giving away awesome cookware from Great Jones!
For all the details check out the April 2023 edition of the RPL recipe club.
🎥 What’s new on YouTube
We just shared a brand new YouTube video on how to master vegan pancakes. Not only are these pancakes life-changing, but you’ll also get to hear my mother’s hilarious storytelling in this video.
Recipes you might have missed
- Vegan Lemon Cake. So many of you chimed in with dessert suggestions in last month’s RPL at Home, and I’m proud to report we now have an epic lemon cake! Perfect for special occasions like Mother’s Day and graduations
- Spicy Gochujang Noodles. Your new favorite 30-minute noodle dinner that’s SO flavorful and easy to customize.
- Vegan Tagine with Chickpeas. A wholesome one-pot stew brimming with nutrients, warm spiced flavor, and all the coziness.
Products I’m enjoying
🥫 Calabrian Chili Paste. Y’all know I love my spicies (spicy food), and I’ve been obsessed with this Italian chile paste recently. Like all the best condiments, this one delivers multiple layers of flavor: spicy from the chiles, tangy from the vinegar, and a rich mouthfeel from the olive oil.
I found this brand at a local Italian market, but Cento also makes a variety. I slather it on (vegan) buttered toast, mash it up with vegan ricotta or feta and spread it on toast, add it to pasta…basically all the carby things.
🧴 Fave new skincare. For the last year or two, I’ve been using a few products from OSEA, which makes seaweed-infused vegan skincare and bodycare products. Last month I started using the OSEA Hyaluronic Sea Serum on my face before moisturizing in the a.m. and p.m., and I already love it. Dewy, hydrated, plump, soft, not oily. All the things!
Celebration Time! 🎉
We recently hit one million subscribers on YouTube last month! BANANAS. Thank you so much for your support and for spending time with our channel.
Okay, that’s it for this month! I’ve been loving writing these more personal posts, and I hope you’re enjoying them too.
Drop me a line below and let me know what you’d like to see in next month’s edition!
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I also read Homegoing recently!! From the start I was certain that it was going to become one of my favorite books ever, and it certainly is. I love that you include books you’ve read in these updates.
Have you hiked to Eagle Rock? It is an easy but pleasant walk in San Diego County.
Love your newsletter! I also loved Homegoing. Her other book Transcendent Kingdom is a must read too. Amazing! If you like epics like Homegoing, consider reading Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel!
First, congratulations on the huge milestone for the channel! It’s well deserved! 🎉
Second, I’m loving these personal blogs. It’s interesting to know what’s going on behind-the-scenes and cool to hear what you’re up to as well. I love going on walks, and your thoughts on awe are so lovely. I enjoyed learning more about awe (and wonder) from Brené Brown’s Atlas of the Heart. Highly recommend! I also loved Homegoing! 😊
Sincerely, I don’t get it, why would politicians want to ban a book on slavery? Totally unrelated I took your recommendation on Soom tahini and tried the chocolate version, its absolutely amazing. More product recommendations pls!
I’ve always struggled with becoming a reader but Homegoing was one of the books that really kept me going! Glad to hear you loved it too.
I’m also glad to hear that you’re offloading the crazy amount of work you and Max do. But also selfishly, I’ve decided to start looking for new jobs and when you mentioned this my eyes lit up! What a wild opportunity that would be. Looking forward to when you post those positions.
Take care <3
Homegoing has the BEST conclusion–cathartic, circular narrative (my personal favorite type of conclusion), a type of ‘coming home’–I try to get everyone to read it. I think it’s a book that people are going to be reading for years and years.
Sex Lives of College Girls is so great! My sweetie & I watch it together and every time we’re so glad that we aren’t in the dating scene today. Phew!
Really enjoy your work. Your newsletter is my favorite. But your monthly blog is missing too much info for me. You mentioned a podcast you listened to from hidden brain. I love those podcasts. And I’m curious what other podcasts you listen to?
Thanks
Lemon Asparagus Pasta. Devine! Laura of flavor, perfect for a spring or summer meal. My family says to definitely make it again…. Tomorrow😜!!
Kimberly, we’re so happy to hear that you and the family enjoyed the pasta.
You have wonderful values 💖
Thank you for your sharing
That’s really touching to hear. I will pass the message onto my lovely parents who raised me.
Congratulations on 1 million subscribers! That’s so cool! I really enjoy your content, not only the recipes, but the love and light you bring into all of it ! I am truly grateful to be able to be a part of the wonderful community you’ve created. You have really helped me dive into, and maintain, a plant based diet, for that I am also very grateful ! ❤️
Aww thanks so much, Amanda! I’m so touched you think I bring love and light into my content and so happy to have you here in our community.
I made the asparagus pasta dish and delicious it was. Thanks so much for your amazing and flavourful recipes!
You are such a beautiful ray of sunshine and we definitely need a lot more of that in this world! Enjoy your recipes and content!
You sure know how to make a girl blush. Thank you, Snehal!
You always have the best recommendations!
I love reading these updates. I’m also trying to increase my steps (I aim for 7000) and I thought with the coming of spring, I would be easier to do so. However, where I live, spring didn’t get the memo and it’s been raining and cloudy instead of sunny and warm. So unfortunately less walks for me.
Congrats on hitting 1M subs! You deserve it!
Also, can’t wait to see what you have in store in terms of recipes, products and books! Good luck on all of those!
Spring seems to be missing the memo in many parts of the country! I hope it’ll clear up soon and you can start enjoying more walks. I’m so excited to share more on my book and products soon!
Love reading these so much !
Love these updates and everything you’re doing! Random question: can you recommend a good powder vegetable broth? Cannot wait for your next cookbook!
Hello – I’ve been using Vogue Instant Vegebase, Low Sodium for about a decade and love it. They now carry Vegan versions in ‘chicken’ and mushroom.
Thank you JJ! I appreciate that. When I want something super savory, I’ll use Orrington Farms vegan chicken broth powder.
Nisha,
Love reading all the updates from your personal life and hurray hurray for the 1M subscribers!! Simply an incredible milestone. Huge congratulations. Xx
I had an awe moment when hiking at Palomar Mountain yesterday. There’s still snow on the trail so it looked beautiful! I kept gasping with amazement. You should head up there. Congrats on your golden YouTube award and I look forward to reading about your next cookbook!
Oh wow, still snow! Thank you for the recommendation. I am trying to get out to do a hike soon to see all the super blooms we’re getting this year (what a great reward after all the rain!).
I just put Homecoming on my bookshelf! I randomly picked it up when I was perusing the bookstore and am now even more excited to read it! Looks like I know what I’m reading next!
Also, congrats on 1 million on YouTube! I regularly send your recipes and videos to friends and family! Even my non-vegan other-half loves every recipe have made from you. Thank you!
Homegoing, not Homecoming. Darn autocorrect, right?
It’s such a good book. I couldn’t put it down and even found myself going to bed later than usual just so I could keep reading it. And thank you for sharing my recipes with your friends and family–that’s the biggest support I can ask for :)