are you stumbling? ...take my hand, stat
some relief ahead of your weekend 😘
Spring is on deck! I’m offering 20% off paid subscriptions sale through 15 April. Going paid means:
you get to join the lively read.write.eat. book group, meeting once a month over zoom
you will never encounter the dreaded paywall!
you get the full recipe index and a compendium of all the prompts
plus, it’s a way to say, “hey, thanks,” and that feels great to me!
hey-ho!
These are hard times.
I listened to a podcast with Dr. Laurie Santos, who hosts The Happiness Lab. Let’s talk about the strategies she suggests to increase our happiness:
Be a kindness instigator with micro-interactions. Chat with strangers in the coffee shop, wave to people you pass on the sidewalk, give a complement. When we stay silent, we lock ourselves in our very anxious brains. Be the one that starts the conversation. Remember, out in the world, people don’t wave, but everybody waves back, nearly everyone gives back warmth, and now you both will feel incrementally better!
Notice that you have more time than you think you do! Voluntarily doing something for other people makes you feel as if you have extra time. Pick up someone’s dropped keys, open the door for someone, drive someone’s kid to dance class, make a meal for a harried family, doing any of these makes you feel as if you have the time to help someone else out. That is the key, sure you’re doing something nice but time affluence (meaning you have plenty of time) is something that makes us feel happy.
Reach out! If you feel lonely or unhappy, choose a person in your contacts who you think might be feeling a ton of loneliness, who might be really struggling, then send them a text. Undo your own loneliness by trying to undo someone else’s loneliness.
Ignore your phone as much as you can. Enough said, but just in case you need to hear more, check this terrific article, How To Break Up with Your Phone. Here are some take aways, things to ask before you pick up your phone.
Why am I picking up my phone right now? Was there a purpose?
Why now? Is there an emotional trigger? Was I feeling anxious, bored?
What is it costing me? What am I missing out on by looking at my phone?
Be present and grateful. The present moment is all we have, right? Be grateful for the micro-gifts. Today, I was so happy I could lift weights and walk home in the wind, enjoying the blossoms on the trees. Thank you (aging) body! Thank you spring. And now I’m so grateful to be writing to you.
Also, if you are feeling overwhelmed about the current situation in our country… take steps. I promise you will feel better. I got these ideas from
to which you should absolutely subscribe.Let’s start with the gratitude thing!
Write an email: Two high profile law firms, Keker, Van Nest & Peters and Wilmer Hale, are finally standing up to Trump. Let’s send them each an email at and thank them. You can reach Wilmer Hale through its managing partner Anjan Sahni at anjan.sahni@wilmerhale.com and you can reach Keker through their parter Elliot Peters at epeters@keker.com.
Say something simple:
I am profoundly grateful that your law firm has chosen not to cave to the Trump administration. History will remember you kindly for it and so will I. May your courage help to restore humanity to our country.
Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip code]. My name is ______.
First, I'm shocked and outraged over the careless use of a commercial app to discuss highly-classified military operations by Trump administration officials. I want the Senator to move to impeach Waltz and Hegseth for their complete disregard of national security protocols if they fail to resign. Americans in uniform deserve better.
Second, what is the Senator doing to achieve the immediate release of Mahmoud Khalil, Badar Khan Suri, Rumeysa Ozturk, and other legal immigrants being punished for political views? It goes without saying that it is totally unconstitutional for these lawful residents to be detained without charges or due process for exercising their First Amendment rights.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip code]. My name is _______.
I'm calling because I’m furious that the Senate voted this week to raise overdraft fees for American consumers. I want the Representative to oppose this resolution—S.J. Res. 18—when it comes up for a vote in the House. Overturning the CFPB’s rule limiting overdraft fees to five dollars is exactly the OPPOSITE of what Congress should be doing. This rule saves consumers five billion annually and protects people like me from unreasonable and unpredictable banking fees. It needs to stay. Thanks.
eat:
Though it’s tempting, please, I encourage you, do not to eat sugar! Don’t set yourself up to crash! Instead, try this salad, which we’ve eaten three times this week!
Roasted Cauliflower Salad With Feta And Dates
1 head of cauliflower eaves removed, stem trimmed
¼c (or more) plus 2T extra-virgin olive oil; plus more for drizzling
1-2 garlic cloves, finely grated
3T red wine vinegar
2t honey
Kosher salt
1 med red onion, cut into 1"-thick wedges
6oz. feta, cut into slabs
2T drained capers
2T shelled raw pistachios
2 big handfuls of arugula
1/2c torn pitted Medjool dates (about 2 oz.)
Freshly ground pepper
Place a rack in lowest position in oven; preheat to 450°. Cut 1 large head of cauliflower through core into 1⁄2"-thick slabs (this will allow the cauliflower to sit flat against the baking sheet and brown more quickly and evenly; it’s okay if some fall apart). Arrange in a single layer on a large rimmed baking sheet; drizzle with 1⁄4 cup extra-virgin olive oil (or more if needed to evenly coat) and season generously with kosher salt. Roast cauliflower until starting to brown underneath, 18–20 minutes.
Meanwhile, whisk garlic cloves ,red wine vinegar, honey, 2T extra-virgin olive oil, and a big pinch of kosher salt in a large bowl to combine, then set dressing aside.
Scatter red onion over cauliflower; drizzle onion with oil and season with salt (do not toss). Roast until onion is slightly softened, 14–16 minutes. Using a spatula, turn over any large pieces of cauliflower. Arrange feta over and scatter capers and pistachios on top. Roast until feta softens slightly and pistachios are golden brown, 9–12 minutes. Let cauliflower mixture cool 5 minutes.
Add arugula and pitted Medjool dates to bowl with reserved dressing and toss to coat. Scatter salad over cauliflower mixture and, using a spatula, toss gently to combine; season with freshly ground pepper.
Good news! If you’ve been following along on THE RIGHT TO FOLLY, the diary of my perilous struggle to get my mother to accept care and the terrible turn her life took, you will be happy to know that I have placed her little dog, Chula, in a terrific forever home. We love you, Chula!
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Tell your people you love them, Take care of yourself!