Picnic Summer
how to use cooking to get your attention back
Hey Pot Heads,
I know that with everything going on in the world right now it can feel dumb as hell that you still have to cook dinner, but you do. It’s an easy chore to get annoyed with because dinner is relentless, but it doesn’t have to be so rough. Your perspective just needs to change a little bit. Cooking is a great counterbalance for this moment in history. So much bullshit is headed our way from the moment we wake. Companies are spending billions of dollars to steal our attention and then our money. But if you’re cooking, your attention stays with you. You aren’t being sold shit you don’t need, being lied to, or being radicalized by manosphere talking points. You’re making your life better, one meal at a time. This summer is for cooking and picnics.
Cooking for yourself is a great way to save money, be creative, and stay off your phone. You can’t be scrolling and cooking without eventually burning the shit out of yourself so it’s a fun, high-stakes way to stay present. I don’t know why this isn’t a bigger sell point. You don’t have to spend a ton of money on a mindfulness class, meditation seminar, or get a book on how to stay in the present moment; you just need to cook. Even making something as basic as a sandwich is a great way to stop your mind from darting back and forth between worrying about the future and ruminating on the past. That mustard isn’t going to spread itself. You have to engage with reality to cook. That’s how we should all think of it. Cooking isn’t a chore. It’s a mindfulness exercise that ends with a meal. How chic is that?
The weather is warming up which means you can take your little meal outside and keep the reality check going. Invite some friends to a picnic in a park and have everyone bring a little something they made. It’s not a big deal. You don’t need coordinated plateware or a vintage French wicker basket to make it a vibe. Let the food, drinks, and great gossip do that for you. It doesn’t matter how it looks because nothing is more important than how being with loved ones and sharing a meal feels. Stop letting doubt and the fear of being cringe get in the way of you living your damn life. Go have a picnic. Now you’re social, you’re present, you’re building community, getting some vitamin D, and staying the fuck off your phone. It will help, I promise. If you don’t know what to make, I’ve attached the recipe for my Tomato Tamari Noodles which are always a hit. They’re not your typical summer pasta salad but that’s what makes them such a delight. They’re unique without being unfamiliar, and they’re easy as hell to make. Just a delicious mindfulness exercise that keeps well in the fridge.
Not sure what else to make the rest of the time? Well, I’ve got a little sale going on my Meal Managers to help you game plan your meals for most of the summer. If you’re new to the concept, I create menus and include all the recipes to help you figure out what to make for dinner each night, building on what you’ve bought, and utilizing all the leftovers. I know that nobody wants to eat the same meal three days in a row, so I show you how to transform leftovers into something brand new. Each Meal Manager includes at least two weeks of recipes to get you from Sunday-Friday so that you can worry about the thousands of other things on your to-do list. They’re like a meal prep guide, weekly menu, and recipe booklet all rolled into one. Every week comes with a grocery list and a pantry essentials list to make shopping easier. Each week stands alone, so you can use these week-long cooking guides in different orders based on what you’re feeling. I’ve got two Meal Managers that are perfect for these warm months, labeled July and August on my site, which combined will give you 5 weeks of meals with plenty of leftovers. If you’re struggling to plan out dinners, let me help. All you have to do is cook. Use code MINDFULNESS to get 30% on any and all Meal Managers on my site. And yes, plenty of these recipes would make great picnic food like my Summer Tomato Tart or Bahn Mis. You have no excuses left.
No matter how you do it, start cooking more and eating with friends outside. These are the first steps to getting back to reality. We need you rested and ready to raise hell. This world isn’t going to save itself.
Tomorrow, paid subscribers are getting the recipe for these killer Romesco Chickpea Bowls with Roasted Veggies. You can switch out the veggies and remix the recipe a ton of different ways to get you through this summer. I’ve got it all planned out for you. Not on the list? Come on babe.
Are you planning on spending more of your days eating outside with friend or family this summer? Hot picnic tips we should all know? Let me know in the comments!
xoxo,
Michelle
Cooking for yourself is a great way to save money, be creative, and stay off your phone. You can’t be scrolling and cooking without eventually burning the shit out of yourself so it’s a fun, high-stakes way to stay present.
Love this line and can I also add, without burning the shit out of your food 😂.
Perfect timing, Michelle. I'm coming off an autistic burnout bender after a project that had me spending way too much time around energy suck people, so I've been rehabbing with cooking. As the first PNW false summer has already turned back to second spring, I've been able to fall back on my go to comfort foods like sourdough, soups, stews, and curries. I've always struggled with salads, as they often seem to consist mostly of lettuce and vinegar. With real summer coming soon, I'm eager to up my game. It seems like I'm in the right place!