Welcome to the August 2023 edition of RPL at Home, where I share what I’m up to when I’m not in the kitchen or in front of the camera.
Each month I share snippets of what I’m working on, habits I’m cultivating, things bringing me joy, and books, TV shows, and podcasts I’m enjoying. Think of it as part life update, part curated recommendations, and part stream-of-consciousness.
What I’m watching, listening to, and reading
📺 Watching
After finishing season 2 of the British spy thriller Slow Horses, I decided to revisit what many consider one of the greatest spy dramas: The Americans. We started it when it was on the air but stopped for reasons I no longer remember. Picking it back up has been a real treat.
The Americans spans six seasons and follows two deep-cover Soviet KGB agents living as a married couple with children in suburban Washington, D.C., during the 1980s. The show balances spycraft, Cold War politics, and a complicated marriage. The writing, acting, and casting are all excellent, and it draws you in episode after episode. If you like spy TV or rich, character-driven dramas, give it a try.
My only small complaint: where is all the big ’80s hair? Elizabeth and her teen daughter Paige often look perfectly coiffed, and I keep expecting more teased, hyper-permed styles.
We’re currently on season 4 (available on Hulu), though we’ve paused occasionally to watch more timely shows such as The Bear. It can be intense for sensitive viewers, but the directing, acting, and cinematography are outstanding.
📚 Reading
I read a New York Times roundup that recommended The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese, and that led me to finally pick up his earlier novel, Cutting for Stone. It’s a long book, but worth every page.
Cutting for Stone is an expansive family saga spanning three continents and five decades. It opens with twins born in Addis Ababa in the 1950s; their mother, an Indian nun who works at the hospital, dies in childbirth, and their presumed father, a British surgeon, leaves. The twins are raised by two Indian doctors at the hospital and follow parallel but divergent paths through life.
Verghese is a physician in real life, and much of the novel engages with medicine—specific ailments, symptoms, and procedures. Even with a queasy stomach, I found his prose so compelling I never skimmed those parts. His writing is lyrical and deeply human.
After finishing Cutting for Stone, I went straight to my local bookshop and picked up The Covenant of Water.
🎧 Listening
I recently finished a podcast series that shook me: The Retrievals. It recounts dozens of women’s traumatic experiences during egg retrieval procedures at the Yale Fertility Clinic.
The storytelling is powerful and revealing. Beyond the specific cases, the series lays bare how parts of the medical system can trivialize and dismiss women’s pain. It’s infuriating and saddening, especially for anyone who has faced infertility or undergone IVF.
🧘🏾 What I’m working on in life
My main focus lately has been learning to work less. It feels ironic to “work” on working less, but slowing down has been essential. At the end of June I finished writing and photographing my second cookbook, so I’ve been deliberately shifting my schedule and priorities since then.
I used to start the workday as early as 6:30 a.m. and routinely work 12-hour days. Now I start around 9 a.m. and build movement into my mornings. I walk with Max each morning—a minimum of 20 minutes, often closer to 45—listening to podcasts or chatting and enjoying the outdoors in San Diego.
After the walk I exercise. For years I hadn’t exercised consistently, in part due to injuries and overly mobile joints. Over the past couple of months I’ve reintroduced daily or near-daily movement—sometimes just 20 minutes—and the consistency has felt like a major win. My joints and muscles feel stronger, and my mood has improved.
My motivation has shifted from appearance-driven goals in my 20s to exercising for mental health, strength, confidence, and longevity. Any visible “cherry on top” is a bonus.
Most of my workouts have been online classes—Pilates with Move with Nicole and strength and dance workouts with MadFit. Both channels are excellent and have been a huge help in rebuilding consistent movement.
With fewer marathon workdays, I sometimes wrap up earlier to read for fun on the patio. I even bought cute patio chairs to make that habit more likely.
📙 New eBook all about mezze 🫒
Our latest eBook, How to Mezze, is a 40+ page guide to small sharing plates common across the Middle East and Mediterranean. It’s a great option for hot weather or when you want easy, customizable dinners with minimal cooking.
The eBook is pay-what-you-want, and 25% of proceeds go to the Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) Foundation, a global medical relief organization working on the front lines of crisis relief. Given the Syrian origins of muhammara—a favorite dip featured in the book—this felt fitting.
The eBook includes recipes, variations, and ideas for building your own mezze platter.
New recipes you might have missed:
- Charred Green Beans with Herby Lemon Salsa — Green beans are in season and inexpensive; this preparation will make you fall in love with them.
- Tempeh Bacon — A sticky, caramelized plant-based bacon that converts skeptics.
- Banana Bread Muffins — Fluffy and tender; bookmark for cooler weather if it’s too hot to bake now.
- Vegan Egg Salad — Tastes surprisingly like classic egg salad, but is 100% vegan and perfect for make-ahead lunches.
Products I’m enjoying
This section includes affiliate links.
Shiatsu foot massager — I gifted a foot massager to a new parent friend and then bought one for myself. It’s wonderful after long days on my feet and provides deep relief.
Yeti insulated wine glass — I bought an insulated wine glass and now use it frequently for hot tea as well as chilled wine. It keeps beverages at the right temperature and is easy to clean, which is a win for a tea drinker.
Summer produce — Fresh peaches, blueberries, Santa Rosa plums, pluots, and heirloom tomatoes have been highlights. I’ve been making an heirloom tomato salad often—good olive oil, aged balsamic, basil, flaky salt, and pepper—and it’s almost unbearably delicious.
💁🏽 Help Request
We need help managing ongoing and upcoming projects. If you’re a Notion expert or know someone who is, please reach out at [email protected]. We’re also planning to hire an operations manager / general manager soon, so keep an eye out for that job posting.
That’s it for this month. I’ve loved writing these more personal posts and hope you enjoy them. Drop a note below and let me know what you’d like to see in next month’s edition!