THANK YOU, MY COMMUNITY

A Recipe & Musings From My Heart to Yours

Hello my dearest ones,

For that is truly what you are to me.

When I wrote about losing Buddy two weeks ago, it was both painful and cathartic.

While I often turn to writing for solace, and to help me process, I don’t always choose to share with such vulnerability.

But boy, am I glad I did!

I was blown away by the tidal wave of loving support from you.

Thank you for all your heartfelt messages and thoughts.

Thank you for showing me that this email list is a rich tapestry of people I am blessed to call my family and friends, and who I can call on when in need.

I would return your call in a heartbeat.

The response from you has thrown into question what platforms I use and why, where I feel an authentic connection with my community, and what and how I choose to share from my life.

Since Buddy’s death, I’ve doubled down on writing a daily list of “delights” to help counter the grief (to which I have a dear friend to thank for this ritual).

This has also helped me notice how much I love savoring special moments from my life, rather than impulsively sharing them on social media.

The more I lean into this way of present living, the clearer I become on what I want to model for my children.

And let me tell you, after being in the capital of “girl-in-thong-bikini-selfies,” I am convinced it is not a life where I am always angling to capture and air every spark of magic to the world.

(I realize the irony of sharing this with you now, but giving myself the time to form these words and write them - with slowness and quality - feels more aligned.)

In South Beach, Miami, I had hoped my daughters wouldn’t notice the countless bands of scantily clad girls and women taking selfies and videos of themselves on the beach, balcony, restaurant...

But one morning in our hotel room, my youngest ripped the cover off a pack of gum, which was shaped like a small smart phone, and went over to her sister. She held it above their heads, smiled coyly, and said, “selfie!”

My oldest protested, “we haven’t put on our wedgie-wear yet!”

(We had deep belly laughs over that apt description. And side-note: wouldn’t that be a great name for a thong brand?!)

Let me be clear, scantily clad women isn’t the problem. If I had my druthers, all beaches would be nude (or at least semi, like in Europe). Who wants wet fabric clinging to their skin in the sun and sea salt?

But I digress.

I want to be clear that it’s ok to be an influencer, to take selfies, and so forth - I’m not a stranger to that lifestyle.

And for me, I feel much happier and healthier in mind, body, and spirit when I lead my life off social media. And trust me, it takes real effort.

I want my children to appreciate and inhabit the beautiful life unfolding right before their eyes. To embrace whatever surfaces with the community that surrounds them.

We could have an entire debate about online communities (and selfies), but what I’ve learned - or re-learned - through Buddy’s death is that community, in whatever form it arrives, requires roots.

There is a foundation based on connection. And connection is mutual.

Social media makes it hard to track that. It’s marred by the algorithm, the ads, the reaching for something beyond what you already have right before your eyes.

So while I haven’t sworn off social media (though I’ve been very quiet there), I’m loving this email space where I can write to you and receive responses that feel more like an intimate conversation.

This beautiful experience of community - really, a blessing from Buddy - has also reminded me why I fell in love with food to begin with.

You didn’t think I’d make it to the end without talking about food, did you?!

Food IS community.

After making Hamentaschen for Purim this week, I wrote a note about how food traditions are the bedrock of life. How they anchor us in the year, bring family and friends together around the kitchen table, and are a constant in a sea of change.

While cooking food fosters community in our home, growing and purchasing food from local farmers and producers fosters community in our village, town, city, or bioregion.

And beyond that, foraging for food nurtures our connection with the community of plants, animals, waters, and other natural beings in our ecosystem.

For time immemorial food has brought people together. The dinner table has provided a common space where we can gather around the universal act of eating, sharing windows into each other’s lives, cultures, and perspectives.

And whether things are hard or easy, sad or joyful, it is always a good idea to cook.

Since returning from Miami and easing back into everyday rhythms, I’ve been cooking some of my favorite comfort foods, and also trying new ideas. I’ve been drawing immense delight from the ritual of sourcing food and feeding my family:

• Lamb meatballs with tzatziki sauce and brown rice, inspired by the Zahav Home cookbook

• Marinara pantry pasta (from this meal plan), but baked with green olives (on half of it for those who like them), mozzarella and Parmigiano Reggiano - a healthy cheese layer on top for a bubbly, crispy, cheesy crust

• Crispy roast chicken (spatchcocked) with a smoke paprika and oregano salt rub pounded in my mortar and pestle, and some plain thighs for the kids (note: I rubbed the chicken two hours before cooking and every time I do this, I am always so impressed with how much juicier the chicken is!)

• Roasted, diced rutabaga and parsnips with more herbs and salt ground in the mortar and pestle - determined to use up those winter roots from our CSA

• Crispy cabbage salad with toasted almonds and a mint dressing that was SO delicious (recipe below), tried to recreate a dish from Motek - didn’t taste quite the same but was delish!

• Saffron-Laced Challah Bread, inspired by Molly on the Range cookbook, with gifted saffron from one of my most beloved friends

• Maple Water from our grandmother tree (this is what is boiled down to make maple syrup) infused with mint and lemon balm dried from last summer

• My favorite Broccoli Anchovy pasta - this is SUCH a comforting, easy, superfood, Italian dish (check out my friend Lolly’s recipe!)

And now, I’m off for my weekend espresso treat (I drink a special cocoa the rest of the week).

I appreciate you being here for this Sunday’s ramble.

I appreciate all the ways you inspire me.

And above all, I appreciate your friendship.

♡ Emma

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CRISPY CABBAGE SALAD WITH TOASTE ALMONDS & MINT-YOGURT DRESSING

• 1 head cabbage (or half a green and half a purple cabbage)

• 3/4 cup slivered almonds

• 1/3 packed cup fresh mint leaves

• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

• 2 lemons, squeezed

• 1/2 clove garlic

• 2 Tbsp Greek yogurt

• 1.5Tbsp honey

• 1 tbsp whole grain mustard

• 1 tsp salt

Combine the ingredients in a high-powered blender, and blend until smooth. Set aside.

Finely slice the cabbage as thing as possible (a helpful tool for this is a mandoline). Transfer to a large serving bowl.

Add the slivered almonds to a large pan over medium heat. Keep an eye on them, tossing every minute or so for about 5-7 minutes, until lightly browned and toasted. Transfer to a bowl to cool. Once cool, toss in with the cabbage.

Dress the cabbage before serving.