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**So Into That**

Substack’s #1 food & drink writer invites some of her favorite people to share what they’re into right now… whether that’s a book, show, recipe, beauty hack… or an approach to marriage and parenting, community, or friendship. Conversations about finding easier and better ways to do (and enjoy) life. Learn more at whattocook.substack.com.

whattocook.substack.com

Latest Episodes:

Thanksgiving hotline with Sohla, Olivia, and Caro Nov 21, 2024

Thanks to all who tuned into our turkey day chat earlier this week! Here’s the recording in case you missed it.

Have any questions we didn’t cover? Ask them here!

Get full access to What To Cook When You Don't Feel Like Cooking at whattocook.substack.com/subscribe

a VERY BIG pre-order giveaway!!!! Jul 14, 2024

ONE OF YOU IS WINNING A TRIP TO CARMEL!!!!

I promise I’ll stop yapping about pre-orders soon, because the book will BE IN YOUR HANDS IN LESS THAN A MONTH! But until pub day on August 13th, it’s pre-order city, baby.

And to show you just how SERIOUSLY, UNENDINGLY GRATEFUL I am to all of you for pre-ordering, I’ve been working really hard on a truly massive giveaway…

CARO’S PERFECT WEEKEND IN CARMEL GIVEAWAY!!!!!

**TWO NIGHT STAY AT CARMEL VALLEY RANCH**

**$100 GIFT CARD TO STATIONAERY**

**A PICNIC BOX + CRACKERS FROM LADY & LARDER**

**A WINE TASTING FOR TWO AT PELIO ESTATE WINES**

**A WINE TASTING FOR TWO AT HOLMAN RANCH**

**$100 GIFT CARD TO WINE HOUSE**

**A WINE TASTING FOR TWO AT JOYCE WINE CO.**

**$100 GIFT CARD TO CELLA RESTAURANT**

**PLUS… A SIGN SLAP HIKE OR GLASS OF WINE WITH LITTLE OLE ME!!!! (if you want to lol)**

If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll know and recognize all of these spots as places I frequent with my fam, friends, and on dates with George. Bring your whole fam (all of these tasting rooms are kid-friendly, trust me, I’d know), bring a friend, come with just your significant other, or bring your grandma…! No matter who you bring, I’m just so excited for one of you to get to get to experience the beautiful part of the world where we live.

TO ENTER:

* If you already entered to join the cooking class, you’re already entered!

* Otherwise, preorder the book, then head to this link to enter! FYI it says nothing about the giveaway right now, but don’t worry, this is how you enter!!

* If you can’t remember if you already entered to join the cooking class, just do it again!

* Winner will be announced on August 14th, 2024.

**Carmel Valley Ranch disclaimer: Accommodations based on availability. During holidays and special events, blackout dates apply. Valid Sunday - Thursday.

**Flights not included.

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author annabel monaghan on getting unstuck, her new book ‘summer romance,’ and how decluttering reveals your true values Jun 05, 2024

Get this week’s full So Into That newsletter here! https://whattocook.substack.com/p/author-annabel-monaghan-on-getting

It’s summertime, and that means it’s Annabel Monaghan time!

Annabel’s one of my favorite authors, and lucky for us she cranks out a delightful new book seemingly every June.

This year is no different, so today we talk about Summer Romance and a whole lot more: from kids and smartphones (she’s also mom of 3 boys/young men), to sneaking away from her family to write her first adult novel during the pandemic (“it felt like a love affair”) to her recent embrace of getting rid of old stuff – and the existential questions that pop up when you’re deciding whether to let go of a 15-year-old shirt.

Plus, Annabel’s fascinating writing process: part art, part science, part voodoo. And bribing her sons to read her (not even that steamy) books: “They’re like, ‘Gross!’”

Links:

* Annabel’s new book, Summer Romance - https://amzn.to/3R5GYc1

* Her debut (adult) novel, Nora Goes Off Script - https://amzn.to/3wVtadi

* Same Time Next Summer - https://amzn.to/3R0DHuo

* Annabel’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/annabelmonaghan/?hl=en

* Our new cabin! - https://www.instagram.com/p/C7hGmo_xKSM/?hl=en&img_index=1

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'the idea of you' author robinne lee reacts to the movie adaptation and the new ending May 15, 2024

Get this week's full So Into That newsletter here! https://whattocook.substack.com/p/the-idea-of-you-author-robinne-lee

The Idea of You was a book that changed the way I read.

I absolutely loved it. I recommend it all the time. And it was my gateway drug into the romance genre… although, as its author Robinne Lee shares in this episode, she never intended to write a romance novel (nor does she consider it to be one).

The Idea of You really is about much more than meets the eye. As Robinne wrote in this Time article, the book grapples with themes including “ageism, sexism, the double standard, motherhood, female friendship, agency, and the dark side of celebrity.” And now that it’s been turned into a hit movie starring Anne Hathaway, it’s the perfect time to hear from Robinne herself.

If you haven’t read the book or seen the movie yet (BTW, I really recommend reading the book first!), it follows the relationship between a 40-year-old single mom and art gallery owner (Solène) and a boy-band lead singer 16 years her junior (Hayes). In the podcast, we talk about the inspiration for the book (it’s not Harry Styles and Olivia Wilde, y’all); the tension between motherhood, romantic love, and career; what she wishes was different about the movie; and much more.

We also get into:

* Her hustling for 7 years to sell the book, copy by copy

* Why she ended the story the way she did

* Writing sex scenes and why she doesn’t see TIOY as a romance novel

* Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine’s performances in the movie

* A tantalizing tease about her next book

Whether you’re a fan of The Idea of You or not (yet!), I’m so excited for you to get to know Robinne, who is also a talented actor and overall smart and fascinating woman.

PS: I know I said So Into That episodes are going to air every other week now, but the world is currently *loving* The Idea of You, so I didn’t want to sit on this interview!!

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how to get rich AF, with vivian tu (@your.richbff) May 08, 2024

Get this week’s full So Into That newsletter here! https://whattocook.substack.com/p/how-to-get-rich-af-with-vivian-tu

Vivian Tu (Your Rich BFF) is here, and she’s here to make us smarter about personal finance like we’re out for margaritas.

No condescension. No jargon. Just tons of actionable tips, no matter your income or family situation.

You might know Vivian from Instagram, where her personal finance videos go viral on the reg. But not everything can fit into a 60-second clip… so she’s written a new book called Rich AF.

Today, we tackle everything from negotiating a raise, to “the talk” she recommends stay-at-home parents have with their income-earning partner, to the website that could reunite you with hundreds or thousands of dollars that are rightfully yours (really!).

Get ready to learn more about making and managing money in an hour than you did in 20 years of school!

We also get into:

• What to do when it feels like bachelorette parties and weddings are bankrupting you

• Why talking about money more usually makes you richer

• Why she doesn’t believe in splitting rent 50/50

• Advice for stay-at-home moms who feel left in the dark about money

• Step-by-step salary negotiation tactics

• High-yield savings accounts

• Hiring your kids (!) to lower your taxable income

• And much more

Links:

• Vivian’s new book, Rich AF: The Winning Money Mindset That Will Change Your Life - https://www.yourrichbff.com/richaf

• Vivian’s website: https://www.yourrichbff.com/

• Vivian’s Substack, Enriched - https://yourrichbff.substack.com/

• Vivian’s podcast, Networth and Chill

• Vivian’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/your.richbff/?hl=en

• Vivian’s TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@yourrichbff?lang=en

• MissingMoney.com - https://www.missingmoney.com/

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ask me anything! mom jealousy, toddler tantrums, money, and more Apr 24, 2024

Get this week’s full So Into That newsletter here! https://whattocook.substack.com/p/so-into-that-ask-me-anything

If you follow me on Instagram, you know I do the occasional “question box” style Ask Me Anything there. Well, today I’m bringing that format to the pod – and you sent in some juicy ones.

This Q&A gets into:

• Workout motivation with young kids

• How do I deal with “mom guilt” as a working mom?

• Toddler tantrums

• Deciding whether to have another child?!

• Will we stay in California forever?

• Ghostwriting cookbooks

• My brother? (yes, I have one!)

• And more!

Links:

• Emma Lovewell on So Into That - https://whattocook.substack.com/p/pelotons-emma-lovewell-is-so-into

• Cameron Rogers episode - https://whattocook.substack.com/p/efficiency-hacks-the-transition-from

• Gaby Dalkin episode - https://whattocook.substack.com/p/gaby-dalkin-is-so-into-mastering

• Eat to Beat Depression and Anxiety by Drew Ramsey, MD - https://www.amazon.com/Eat-Beat-Depression-Anxiety-Nourish/dp/006303171X

• Expecting Better by Emily Oster - https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/310896/expecting-better-by-emily-oster/

• Final scene of Mad Men (spoilers, obv) - https://youtu.be/Exf63KPXF6w?si=5J3nO7dPQTZcda3s

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angela santomero, the creator of blues clues and daniel tiger, won't mom shame you about screen time Apr 17, 2024

Get this week’s full So Into That newsletter here! https://whattocook.substack.com/p/angela-santomero-the-creator-of-blues

As the creator of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood on PBS, Angela Santomero may be the person most responsible for getting my family through the pandemic with our sanity intact. The show was (and still is) a lifesaver in moments when George or I needed a break from hands-on parenting, and its musical life lessons have become part of our toddlers’ lexicon.

Today, I get the chance to thank Angela in person! And you get to hear about the early childhood development principles behind her Emmy award-winning work. Plus, her take on screen time for kids; working with the real-life Mr. Rogers; and two wise pieces of advice for parents of young kids.

We also get into:

• Why Daniel Tiger doesn’t wear pants (but Mom Tiger does)

• How Angela developed the show (and Blue’s Clues before that)

• How music and repetition help kids learn

• Advice she’d give to her younger self (now that her daughters are in their 20s)

Links:

• Angela’s new book, Life Clues - https://angelasclues.com/

• Her Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/angelasclues/?hl=en

• Her TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@angelasclues

• Her new show, Dee & Friends in Oz on Netflix - https://www.netflix.com/title/81223055

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carly duguid on building the brand of naomi osaka Apr 10, 2024

Get this week’s full So Into That newsletter here! https://whattocook.substack.com/p/carly-duguid-on-building-the-brand

Carly Phillips Duguid is my former college classmate, a What to Cook subscriber, and… oh yeah, the co-founder of the sports agency Evolve, along with her husband and 4-time grand slam winner Naomi Osaka.

Today, Carly shares how she’s “embracing the pure chaos” of parenting a 4-year-old and a 4-month-old while serving as Naomi’s right hand woman – from helping design her Nike apparel, to laying the groundwork for a post-tennis career in fashion, to crafting the look of Naomi’s recent historic baby formula commercial.

We also get into:

- How Carly’s second kid changed her mind about work-from-home “interruptions”

- The story of meeting her husband, Stu (it’s romance novel material)

- What Naomi’s like off the court and how that’s changed since she became a mom

- How Carly structures her day and her childcare setup

- What she cooks when she doesn’t feel like cooking

Links:

- Evolve - https://www.instagram.com/thisisevolve/?hl=en

- Carly’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/carlsterthebalster/

- Silver Spring hot pilates - https://silverspringsla.com/

- Naomi’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/carlsterthebalster/

- Naomi’s Bobbie Formula commercial - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jkCrOea3aA

- Her Nike apparel line - https://www.nike.com/w/naomi-osaka-tennis-clothing-4an2mz6ymx6zed1q

- mango peanut chicken salad recipe - https://whattocook.substack.com/p/mango-peanut-chicken-salad-635

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i found the perfect reading for a wedding ceremony or toast Apr 03, 2024

Get this week’s full So Into That newsletter here! https://whattocook.substack.com/p/i-found-the-perfect-reading-for-a

Today I share what I’ve been so into lately: entertaining versus having people over, a great new lipstick, etc.

Plus, the insane story of how I heard a beautiful poem read at a wedding and immediately knew who the author was (it's not someone famous, and I'd never heard the poem before!).

I also get into:

PMS getting way worse with age, kids, or both (my “so out on”)

Traveling to Austin for my mom’s 70th birthday (but missing the solar eclipse!)

My IRL LOL of the week involving my son, high off Easter candy sugar, and the word “dragon”

What I’ve been cooking lately and my trick for getting my kids to eat it

Links:

Merit Matte Lipstick

The Need by Helen Phillips

beef enchilada casserole recipe

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jess damuck is a salad freak and a health nut and she's got the books to prove it! Mar 27, 2024

Dinner party tips. Healthy meals with Trader Joe’s ingredients. Stories involving Martha Stewart, Sufjan Stevens, and Sia?

This conversation with Jess Damuck has all of the above and more, and I’m bringing it to you a day after the launch of her gorgeous new book, Health Nut: A Feel-Good Cookbook.

If you’ve seen Salad Freak, you know how beautiful Jess’ work is. Which makes sense considering she spent years working directly with – and learning from – Martha Stewart.

Amazingly, Jess wrote not one but two cookbooks in the past year. And when we caught up in Los Angeles a couple weeks ago, we talked about both of them, plus:

* Making 47 plaster sculptures for Sia (really!)

* What she learned working for Martha Stewart and Bon Appétit

* Minimizing the number of dishes we use in meals

* Embracing living in L.A. and hosting artists and entertainers

* Why “health” can be a loaded word and what it means to her

* The tofu stir fry she cooks when she doesn’t feel like cooking

Links:

* Health Nut: A Feel-Good Cookbook

* Salad Freak: Recipes to Feed a Healthy Obsession

* Open Wide: A Cookbook for Friends (Benny Blanco book out April 2024)

* Jess’ Instagram

* Smoked soy sauce

* Kettle Soba Cha buckwheat tea

* High Maintenance, the HBO show Jess’ partner Ben created and starred in

* Dave, the FX show Ben directed

* Ram Dass’ spiritual sanctuary in Maui

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eve rodsky's "fair play" method for dividing household labor will improve your marriage Mar 20, 2024

I love each and every guest we’ve had on this show, but I’m just gonna say it: for me at least, this episode is probably the most important and relevant one we’ve done yet.

Today we have Eve Rodsky, the Harvard-trained author of Fair Play: A Game-Changing Solution for When You Have Too Much to Do (and More Life to Live).

I personally credit Eve’s ideas – and the playing cards that help you implement them – with making the “invisible work” of running my own household visible, and equitably dividing that work with my husband.

As you’ll hear today, Eve embarked on this journey to find answers to her own problem. After becoming a mom of two, she watched as she became the default doer of the things, all while feeling sidelined in her career and “abandoned” by her husband (whom she still loved).

In other words, her “Sh*t I Do” list grew longer and longer without any real discussion of who should actually do what.

Fair Play is the antidote to that problem, and this episode breaks down the method in detail. You’ll come away equipped to start a conversation with your partner; identify and fairly divide responsibilities; create space for yourself; and ultimately live a happier, healthier life.

Eve and I also get into:

* Why household labor tends to be so unequal

* Men over-reporting and women under-reporting their contributions

* How to raise this topic with your partner

* What Fair Play looks like in action in my own marriage

* “He’s the income earner. So shouldn’t I handle everything in the home?”

* Understanding the different types of labor (daily grind vs. on your own time)

* Hard-to-define responsibilities like spirituality and “magic” (tooth fairy, etc.)

* Why it’s so important to own a task completely

* Eve’s key to staying happy even as you shoulder more responsibility in life

Links:

* Fair Play book

* Fair Play cards

* Fair Play documentary

* Eve’s second book, Find Your Unicorn Space

* Eve’s podcast with Dr. Aditi Nerurkar

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gaby dalkin of what's gaby cooking on building her food empire + remaining positive through nine miscarriages Mar 13, 2024

I am a longtime Gaby Dalkin lover, and you will soon be, too! She is charming, hard-working, smart, and just a good, kind human.

Trigger warning: like the title says, Gaby has experienced 9 miscarriages. She copes with this with humor and levity, so if that's not something you wish to hear right now, skip this one.

We also get into:

* How Gaby structures her typical day

* Dividing responsibilities with her husband

* Her IVF journey and miscarriages

* Why grilling is seen as a man’s game and why it’s actually so enjoyable

* Why she loves the Netflix show Formula 1: Drive to Survive and how she landed a bougie AF trip to Italy to watch a race!

* The tacos she makes when she doesn’t feel like cooking

Links:

* What’s Gaby Cooking

* Formula 1: Drive to Survive

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jessa hastings, author of the magnolia parks universe, doesn't follow the rules Mar 06, 2024

OMFG — Jessa freaking Hastings is on So Into That this week!!!!!

Jessa is the brilliant author of the Magnolia Parks book series, and whether or not you’ve read them, I know you’ll love getting to know her and hearing about her path to mega-book-fame.

I can’t stop thinking about the unwavering faith that Jessa had in herself that these books would someday be a success, despite so many people telling her no along the way. If you’ve ever wanted to put something out into the world but hit speed bumps along the way, I know her story will be as inspirational to you as it is to me.

Whether you’ve read Magnolia Parks or not, you’ll love getting to know Jessa and hearing her talk about “downloading” ideas out of thin air, blacking out while writing, what she reads and watches for inspiration, and navigating the wild world of “Bookstagram” and “BookTok” where everyone’s a critic.

Also – if you haven’t read the books; heed my spoiler alert about 15 minutes from the end!

We also get into:

* Where Jessa gets her ideas

* Trusting her instincts, self-publishing, and going viral

* The DMs she gets from her very invested fans

* Drawing on her personal experience with grief to write Magnolia’s book 5 experience

* Trying to get spoilers out of Jessa — “Will there be another wedding? Will someone die?!”

* The meaning of the last sentence of Book 5

* What Jessa’s so into (and out on) right now

Links:

* Jessa’s Instagram

* Buy the Magnolia Parks books here

* Pre-order my book here

Listen to this episode on your favorite podcast app:

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a big announcement + "one day" discussion + the year of me Feb 28, 2024

Today’s show kicks off with a BIG announcement… something that’s been in the works for years.

I know you’re going to love it!

I’ll fill you in on all the details, plus – why I'm relating so hardcore to the show One Day (spoiler: you get to hear all about me and George's FINAL breakup before we got engaged).

And an update on what I’m calling “The Year of Me”. Why I’m taking time to reignite old passions and discover new ones this year… and what to keep in mind if you decide to pursue a Year of You.

Links:

* Pre-order my book here!

* One Day on Netflix

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becoming experts on our own stress with stress expert dr. aditi nerurkar Feb 21, 2024

My husband and I have been following the amazing Dr. Aditi Nerurkar for months now, and putting her tips to work in our sometimes-stressful lives.

Now that she’s put all her wisdom together in a book and started her own Substack, it seemed like the time to ask her to share science-backedstrategies for managing and mastering stress – beyond unhelpful and annoying clichés (“just relax?!”).

So in this episode, we talk about the personal stress crisis that inspired Aditi to become a world expert on the subject; how she manages her own stress as a working mom with a young kid; and how to apply the “5 Resets" in your day-to-day life.

We also get into:

* Finding small moments of calm throughout the day

* The 3-second routine she recommends when making a transition (before picking up kids, etc.)

* Night time screen time and “Revenge Bedtime Procrastination”

* What keeping your phone nearby at work or in bed does to your stress

* Habit formation and why falling off the wagon can actually be good

Links

* Gaiam Posture Corrector

* Aditi’s Instagram

* Her new Substack, It’s Not You, It’s Your Stress

* Her podcast, Time Out: A Fair Play Podcast

* Aditi’s book, The Five Resets: Rewire Your Brain and Body for Less Stress and More Resilience

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"you went to BOARDING SCHOOL?!" with Lily Wick, my best friend from... boarding school Feb 14, 2024

Every time I mention I went to boarding school, people are like "WOAH WOAH WOAH, please explain!"

So here's a primer on boarding school, why we loved it, what was hard, and why we think our friendship is still so strong despite not having lived in the same place for more than 15 years.

We also get into:

* A basic, 101-level intro to boarding school

* Different “houses” on campus and their reputations

* A typical day

* Sneaking out, making out, and navigating the “strike” (disciplinary) system

* What I was like in high school

* Pros and cons and how the experience shaped us

Links:

* Lily's Instagram

* lilywick.com (amazing interior design)

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efficiency hacks, the transition from 1 to 2 kids, and recognizing that mom guilt is actually often jealousy, with cameron rogers (freckled foodie) Feb 07, 2024

Cameron Rogers is a longtime friend and OG food/mom content creator who played a crucial role in helping me open up about my life online.

True to her Freckled Foodie roots, she still develops recipes but these days you’re more likely to find her talking about motherhood, overall physical and mental health, and how they’re intertwined.

So in this episode, we catch up about how to divide the labor of running a household and raising kids; our thoughts on the transition from one child to two; identifying what makes you anxious and creating systems to avoid it, and much more.

Also: right before we recorded this, Cameron interviewed me for her podcast. Check out that conversation on her feed here.

We also get into:

* How being hit by a car led Cameron to make some major life changes

* How she rarely spends time on her phone but still manages to stay on top of texts and emails

* Blocking time to handle small tasks in batches so you can stay more present throughout the day

* Our occasional feelings of “jealousy” (feels more accurate than “mom guilt”) when handing over childcare

* Her wild birth story of having contractions for weeks and being turned away by the hospital because of a bed shortage!

Links:

* Fair Play deck for couples

* Cameron’s website

* Her Instagram

* Her podcast, Freckled Foodie and Friends

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*the* guide to being the best newborn partner ever Jan 31, 2024

The response to Sohla’s episode, where we both shared a few things that our husbands have done to make us feel supported postpartum, and shared several elements of postpartum recovery that we wish we’d had a heads up on, was insane. Countless older moms, brand new moms, soon-to-be-moms, all the moms, wrote me to thank me for sharing the real deal about postpartum.

But the #1 thing I heard was “I wish my husband had done that” or “I wish my husband had known to help with that" kinds of comments in regards to Sohla and I sharing how supportive our husbands are as newborn dads. My husband George absolutely crushes the labor and postpartum/newborn phase. I can’t even count the number of times that my friends or IG followers have seen him in action and said something along the lines of “how did George know to do that?” or “you’re so lucky he did that!”.

And it got me thinking: all of our husbands want to make us feel loved, taken care of, and supported. It’s not their faults that they have never done this before! Neither have we, after all! We want them to know exactly what we need without us having to tell them, but they are not, in fact, mind readers capable of meeting our every hormone-riddled need before we even know we need it ourselves.

So, I polled my Instagram audience to get their feedback on how they felt supported by their partner during labor and postpartum, and 20k+ women responded. This is a HOT TOPIC. I combined that intel with my own personal experience from giving birth to my three sons, and here we go: A Complete Handbook for Being The Best Newborn Dad/Partner Ever. It’s a podcast with an accompanying PDF for quick reference. Because our partners deserve to be set up for success! So this handbook is here to help them out.

I get into:

* Explaining some of the gnarlier elements of childbirth and postpartum so guys know what we go through

* Things to avoid saying (I’m so sorry that the hospital couch is uncomfortable, but I promise your wife is more uncomfortable than you are)

* Teamwork for nighttime wake-ups

* Taking that breastfeeding “death thirst” seriously

* Actual scripts for handling your partner’s hormonal changes, mood swings and yes, rage

* Following her lead on sex after childbirth

* And so, so much more.

Links:

* Download the "Handbook for Being the Best Newborn Dad/Partner Ever" here: https://whattocook.substack.com/p/the-guide-to-being-the-best-newborn

* SwaddleMe Velcro swaddles

* The Baby Stuff You Actually Need

Like this episode? Learn more at whattocook.substack.com

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caitlin murray (@bigtimeadulting) is so into damp january and i'm emotional about my son turning 5 Jan 24, 2024

If you’re on Instagram, I can almost guarantee you’ve seen Caitlin Murray. She has a way of expressing exactly how many moms feel in the day-to-day grind while making you laugh out loud in the process.

After I barely get through today’s intro (happy birthday, Mattis!), Caitlin and I talk about why we’re both out on extreme diets and restrictions and prefer a “damp” approach to alcohol these days… with the occasional full send.

Plus, we talk about decisions about whether to have more kids, and how she knew her family was complete after the birth of her third.

We also get into:

* The vitamin/snack Caitlin’s all about right now

* The quest for the perfect hairband

* Our alternative to Dry January

* Kids behaving totally different inside versus outside the house

* Screen time for young kids

* Our IRL LOLs

Links:

* Gem Daily Essentials citrus ginger bites

* Slip hairbands

* High Noon

* Caitlin’s Instagram: bigtimeadulting

* Caitlin’s magazine, Soul Snacks (coming soon to Substack!)

* Caitlin’s podcast

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sohla el-waylly helps you conquer cooking and shares the down and dirty about becoming a mom Jan 17, 2024

I first discovered Sohla El-Waylly in the early days of the pandemic, when Bon Appétit Test Kitchen videos were all the rage. She was by far my favorite contributor to that series, and now that she’s promoting her own cookbook and recently became a mom, this was the perfect time to catch up with her.

So today, we talk a bit about “Start Here,” the A to Z guide that took Sohla 3 years to write. She also shares her go-to meal when she doesn’t feel like cooking – a surprisingly common feeling for a recipe developer.

But we actually spend more time talking about the ups and downs of new mom life: balancing work and parenthood, sharing childcare with a partner, and the unpleasant realities of post-birth recovery that both of us felt woefully unprepared for. (Why don’t they tell you about this stuff?)

We also get into:

* What it’s been like to bring a baby and a 500-page book into the world almost simultaneously

* How she prepared for postpartum mental health challenges

* Lies we were told about breastfeeding and postpartum weight loss

* The toy her 5-month-old is obsessed with, that Cash was also obsessed with

* Family members buying impractical baby clothes (buttons… in the back?)

* Discovering free stuff to do with kids in New York

* Her forthcoming podcast

* Her egg, steamed rice, and greens recipe

Links:

* Get the chicken soup + masa dumplings reeipe from Sohla's new book here: https://whattocook.substack.com/p/sohla-el-waylly-helps-you-conquer

* Fisher-Price Kick & Play mat

* John Legend performing the Kick & Play “purple monkey” song (IYKYK)

* GAP vintage soft classic jogger pant

* Magnetic Me onesies

* Sohla’s History Channel TV show, Ancient Recipes

* Sohla’s New York Times bylines

* Her newsletter, Hot Dish

* Sohla’s book: Start Here: Instructions for Becoming a Better Cook

* Her book tour dates

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my backstory and how i became a creator Jan 10, 2024

I recently asked you for your questions, feedback, and topics you want to hear more about and you gave me a ton of great ideas.

One of the most common questions was a version of, “So what’s your deal? What’s your background, and what exactly do you do now?” Good question. How did I wind up as a recipe developer/cookbook author/whatever-I-decide-to-call-myself-that-day? You’re about to find out.

In this first solo episode, I share my “villain origin story” along with, of course, a few of the things I’m into right now.

I talk about where I come from, how I met my husband George, my crazy idea to start a catering company in San Diego, working in a test kitchen, and how that evolved into what I do today.

Next solo episode, I’ll get into the nitty gritty of what my day-to-day looks like as a full-time creator, including how I make money, what I love about my job, what I don’t love as much, and my goals for 2024 and beyond.

I also get into:

* Is a few days apart occasionally a good thing for married couples? (yes)

* The small but *wonderful* change I think you should make to your kitchen (possibly my favorite part of the renovation…?!)

* How I learned to write recipes that people can clearly read, understand, and cook from

* The story behind my “Just Married” cookbook

* How COVID lockdowns inspired What to Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking

* My weather-related So Out On and my IRL LOL of the week

* How to make an egg quesadilla with chili crisp

* My cookbook… coming soon!

Links:

* Kate Hutchison, the interior designer who designed our home

* Red Clay Chili Crisp (code CARO15 should work)

* Book Lovers by Emily Henry

* Food writer and cookbook author Melissa Clark

* My fave former boss, Ben Pote, has a restaurant in Greenwich, CT called Wildacre Rotisserie. Go visit him!

Get full access to What To Cook When You Don't Feel Like Cooking at whattocook.substack.com/subscribe

peloton's emma lovewell is so into setting small goals instead of unrealistic resolutions Jan 03, 2024

Peloton classes have made me a much happier and less anxious person. As you’ll hear in this episode, I wish there was a government grant that gave all new mothers Peloton bikes upon the birth of their first child. Being able to exercise and boost those endorphins while the baby is sleeping has been a total game changer for me.

And of their many great instructors, is my absolute favorite.

Emma’s teaching style is exactly what I look for: encouraging, but not too over-the-top. Her mantra is “progress, not perfection,” which seems appropriate, especially in this phase of life and this time of year (holidays = lots of stress and sugar).

In this episode, Emma shares her tips for staying active when you don’t feel motivated; which Peloton classes she actually takes; her “lazy girl ramen” recipe (she’s a bit of a recipe developer herself, her Substack is fabulous and worth a follow!!!), and much more.

We also get into:

* Teaching ourselves to drink water after being raised by parents who NEVER do

* Our guys stealing our skincare products

* Our shifting relationships with caffeine

* The surprisingly important role our pets play in our lives

* Finding a fitness community (Peloton #whattocookcrew, stand up!)

* “Throwing in an egg” for protein

* What made us laugh out loud this past week

Links:

* Emma's book, Live Learn Love Well

* Her Substack newsletter, The Love List

* Emma’s Peloton profile

* My Peloton name, if you want to be friends! @caro_chambers

* Jones Road Beauty’s Miracle Balm

* LMNT electrolyte hydration packets

* Lanniege Lip Mask

* Belkin 3-in-1 charger

Get full access to What To Cook When You Don't Feel Like Cooking at whattocook.substack.com/subscribe

amanda hesser is so into a racket sport i'd never heard of and i’m so into her building a 9-figure food brand Dec 27, 2023

Amanda Hesser founded one of my favorite food and lifestyle brands, Food52. It’s one of my go-to sources for recipe and gift inspiration… and what’s crazy is that building that hugely successful company is just a small part of Amanda’s life story.

She was also a food writer and editor at the New York Times for many years, and she’s written cookbooks and a memoir called Cooking for Mr. Latte which I just love.

Today Amanda and I talk about what she’s into right now (padel, anyone?), what she’s out on (do sweatshirts really need to be cropped above the belly button?), and the time she may or may not have taken her kids on a prison tour on one of their birthdays.

We also get into:

* The recent habits that have been improving both our day-to-day lives (mine is a lot more superficial)

* Amanda’s ideal sneaker

* How we dress when working from home

* Her brilliantly simple go-to meal when she doesn’t feel like cooking

Links:

* Food52

* Food52’s Instagram

* Amanda’s Instagram

* Rachel Comey jeans

* Adidas Women’s Ultraboost shoes

Interested in my weekly "complete meal" recipe newsletter? Head over to whattocook.substack.com to sign up.

Get full access to What To Cook When You Don't Feel Like Cooking at whattocook.substack.com/subscribe

katie from beach reads & bubbly is so into romance having a moment, and caro is so into... sports? Dec 20, 2023

The day I announced this podcast, the DM’s started rolling in. “You have to get Katie from Beach Reads and Bubbly on the podcast!” I was already all over it, I love Katie as much as all of you!

I get a ton of my book recs from Katie’s page, @beachreadsandbubbly, but more than that, I’ve fallen in love with her down-to-earth, bubbly personality. We had so much fun chatting, after we stopped recording we kept chatting for hours.

So today, we get into all things reading, romance books, working / parenting from home, and how we became internet girls (I promise to never say that again LOL).

We also get into:

Why she thinks romance is having a moment

B.R.A.D.’s (Beach Reads After Dark) ;)

The origins of Beach Reads & Bubbly, which started as Katie’s side hustle and is now her full-time gig

The Magnolia Parks Universe book series and associated fashion Instagram page

Our literary pet peeves

Why we’re obsessed with the author Emily Henry

Katie’s bread saw

My favorite T-shirt

How Travis + Taylor + Instagram’s algorithm = I’m now a sports fan?

The romance-novel-esque story of how the Miami Dolphins’ coach met his wife

What Katie cooks when she doesn’t feel like cooking

Links:

Katie’s Instagram

Beach Reads & Bubbly blog

My tee obsession - the Perfect White Tee

Ballerina Farm

Magnolia Parks Universe Closet Instagram page

Get full access to What To Cook When You Don't Feel Like Cooking at whattocook.substack.com/subscribe

anela malik might scandalize you with what she's so into right now ;) Dec 13, 2023

Anela Malik is one of my favorite internet (and real-life) friends. There’s no one who I respect more when it comes to telling beautiful stories with video, and as you’ll see in this episode… she’s so much fun and hilarious, too.

Today, we laugh a lot talking about our shared love of smutty books, and Anela opens up about the past year in which she went through a divorce and wound up doing a lot of therapy, self-love, and intention-setting as she re-enters the dating world and a new phase of life.

We also get into:

* Her visit to a food festival that ran out of food (yikes)

* Why Kindle Unlimited is the best/worst thing in our lives

* A surreal family story she documented on a trip to Japan

* A rapid fire “So Out On” segment

* Her philosophy on creating content about food, creativity, and travel

* Her mindset toward dating and love after divorce

* The TikTok trend that made her LOL, IRL

Connect with Anela:

* Instagram

* TikTok

* Feed the Malik

Connect with me:

* Instagram

Enjoyed this episode? Learn more at at whattocook.substack.com. That's where you can sign up for my newsletter, What to Cook When You Don't Feel Like Cooking.

It's exactly what it sounds like: one craveable, "complete meal" recipe delivered to your inbox every Sunday morning.

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deb perelman is so into the holidays in nyc and these 3 easy meals Dec 06, 2023

Deb Perelman is the OG queen of food blogging — she started Smitten Kitchen in 2006 and has grown it to the absolute behemoth that it is today.

In this episode, Deb made me giggle my pants off talking about our husbands’ cooking styles, the cheeky comment her 14-year-old son makes when she orders a drink, the food video trend that she wants to end in 2024, and much, much more.

We also get into:

* Deb’s current dirty gin martini kick

* How her content has evolved since starting Smitten Kitchen in 2006 (!)

* Why teaching your kids to cook is better in theory than practice

* The one thing from cooking videos Deb’s “so out on”

* The fact that Black Friday/Cyber Monday lasts a month now

* The wacky documentary that made Deb laugh this past week

* Her go-to meals when she doesn’t feel like cooking

Links:

Enjoyed this episode? Follow So Into That on your favorite podcast app, or watch the video version at whattocook.substack.com.

That's where you can sign up for my newsletter, What to Cook When You Don't Feel Like Cooking.

It's exactly what it sounds like: one craveable, "complete meal" recipe delivered to your inbox every Sunday morning.

Get full access to What To Cook When You Don't Feel Like Cooking at whattocook.substack.com/subscribe

emily oster is so into these soft pants... and helping parents chill the f out Nov 29, 2023

Emily Oster is my motherhood messiah. I consider myself to be a pretty relaxed mom, but I certainly didn’t start out that way. Emily’s data-based parenting approach is to thank for that.

Anytime I’m starting to bug out about whether sleep training is going to mess up my baby for life, or if my kid is going to go to college only eating chicken fingers, or whether letting my kids watch an extra hour of TV is going to turn them into ding dongs — there’s Emily, giving me the data-backed reasons why I should chill the F out and just enjoy the ride.

Emily is the author of three data-based books on pregnancy and parenting as well as the newsletter ParentData, and in the very first episode of So Into That, she teaches us how to pull off soft pants at work, and how to relax as parents.

We also get into:

* Why Emily thinks moms are so anxious about everything these days

* Is sleep training messing up our kids?

* Is baby-led weaning a cure to picky eating?

* Whether the kids enrolled in every single extra-curricular are going to be the most successful

* What Emily’s “so out on” right now

* Our IRL LOLs of the week

* What she cooks when she doesn’t feel like cooking

Links:

* Emily’s newsletter

* Emily’s books

* Emily's Instagram

* The Athleta pants Emily’s so into

* The ones Caro’s so into

* The really nice thing that the cup company that Caro now feels bad about picking on did

Sponsor:

* Skout Organic kids snack bars (Code: CARO for a discount)

If you liked what you heard in this episode, follow So Into That in your favorite podcast app or learn more at whattocook.substack.com.

Get full access to What To Cook When You Don't Feel Like Cooking at whattocook.substack.com/subscribe

introducing: so into that Nov 29, 2023

It’s official y’all… I’m joining the podcast game.

Above, you’ll find a quick rundown of what this show’s going to be all about.

My first episode with special guest Emily Oster drops today at 12p Eastern Time.

I’ll send out an email around then with all the links where you can watch/listen!

Get full access to What To Cook When You Don't Feel Like Cooking at whattocook.substack.com/subscribe

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