Issue #26: Beach Reads & Signs of Spring
…plus McDonald’s Coke really does taste better
Flashback/technology: “Katie Couric, Bryant Gumbel and Elizabeth Vargas discover what the internet is in hilarious 1994 clip” from TODAY (read/watch it here)
This clip of TODAY anchors discussing the internet 30 years ago is so interesting. In the grand scheme of things 30 years is nothing and the internet really isn’t that old. It’s amazing how in such a short period of time the internet somehow managed to go from a newfangled confusing thing to an essential part of how the world functions. Their confusion around the “at” symbol and how to pronounce email addresses and websites is so funny to watch now. I wonder what will be commonplace 30 years from now that confuses us today!
Food/drinks: “Why Does Coca-Cola Taste Better at McDonald's? The Fast Food Chain Answers” on People (read it here)
For those who are new here, my house is currently for sale. The very brief summary is that it’s been a long and stressful road. I’ve started to find little ways of rewarding myself and celebrating whenever we survive another showing. Strangers in my house, especially when I’m not also there, judging every aspect of it is an absolutely nightmare for me. I recently spent a very chaotic morning preparing for two showings that afternoon and evening. When we left the house for the first showing I felt like a Diet Coke. I’m normally not a big pop drinker, so to me having one always feels like a treat. This time though I was very specific: not just any Coke. I wanted a Coke from McDonald’s because it just tastes better. Turns out I’m not the only one who thinks this way. According to this article, the way McDonald’s handles their Coca-Cola products is quite an involved process, so it’s not just a myth or a happy accident. As an added bonus, the cups that day weren’t the usual white ones but were a mix of colours promoting the Remix menu. It added a fun little sparkle to my day!
Food/cooking: “9 Tiny Changes That Will Massively Speed Up Your Cooking” by Rainbow Plant Life (watch it here)
As I watched this video from Rainbow Plant Life on strategies to save time in the kitchen I found myself nodding along and saying “yep, yep, yep, preach it Nisha!”. As someone who cooks frequently and has also had to teach cooking and kitchen skills as a job, I’m always interested in hearing other people’s strategies.
Out of all the strategies, the one I find the most useful is mise en place (i.e. preparing all the ingredients ahead of time). Depending on the recipe, I will even do what Nisha suggested and put all the ingredients that go in at the same time on the same plate once they’re prepped. I usually even take it a step farther and line them up in the order they get used too (so first plate or bowl gets used first in the recipe, second plate goes in next, etc). Like the video says, mise en place also applies to equipment and utensils. We created a pantry in our basement where bigger appliances and less used ingredients live, so getting that all out ahead of time means I can avoid running to the basement in the middle of a recipe.
Most of all, I like Nisha’s suggestion to be present while cooking. Sometimes the day or week is too rushed to embrace the whole experience. Days where I have the time to dedicate to cooking or baking something more involved really do feel like a treat.
I do my best but am by no means perfect in the kitchen (is anyone?). I’m usually pretty on top of our meal planning and monitoring grocery sales. I’ve mentioned before that one of the things I’ve had to let go of lately is making a lot of meals from scratch. I’m buying way more premade meals than normal, but it’s just the season of life we’re in. I try to follow strategies like the ones in this video to stay on top of cooking as much as I can, but I’m also working on showing myself some grace when it doesn’t always happen. However life is for you right now in the kitchen, I hope this video gives you a new strategy to try and/or reminds you that what you’re already doing is awesome!
Gratitude/happy moment: Spring has (almost) sprung!
One of my favourite moments of the year happened this week! I get excited every year when I spot the first few plants pushing their way up through the dirt. I always make a point to stop and appreciate the sight. I was looking at our gardens earlier this week and spotted some plants growing back! I snapped some pictures and while they’re not the most beautiful pictures since we’re still in the mainly brown spring phase, their purpose right now isn’t to be beautiful. I know that in actuality the plants starting to re-grow is just the natural cycle of plant life, but I like to think it’s a bit more meaningful than that. Somehow, despite the cold, rainy, windy weather we’ve been having, these plants have managed to survive and start growing again. I think those first few green pieces that make their way above the dirt bring with them a message of hope. It’s like they’re saying to us “congratulations, you made it through another winter! Spring is almost here, and soon the world will be filled with beautiful colours. The days will be warmer and longer. You’ll get to work in the garden and eat dinner outside. Good moments are headed your way!”. Here’s to the brighter days ahead, both literal and figurative.
Reading/book suggestions: “Beachy Mysteries: Life, Death and Baked Goods on the Coast” by Maggie Blackburn, Crime Reads (read the article here).
Reading/book suggestions: “Beachy Mysteries: Life, Death and Baked Goods on the Coast” by Maggie Blackburn, Crime Reads
If you’re ready for summer vibes in your books too, this list should help. It has some recommendations for mystery books, all of which have a beach setting. I haven’t read any of them but have added them all to my “books to look into” list. Right now my favourite mystery series that involves a beach is still the Lighthouse Library series (which I mentioned in Issue #02- more info here).
Wishing you a wonderful week and I’ll be back in your inbox next Sunday!
Lauren