SNACK TIME: May Morsels
recycled fruit bars + eczema magic eraser + a free (but priceless) toddler beach hack
Welcome to Snack Time! A new monthly series that takes a break from the regularly scheduled munch meal planning to share some of the best things I’ve consumed this past month (edible and otherwise).
I’ll also be doing a monthly giveaway of some of my favorite products! This month, since we talked about hero sauces, you can win a bundle of my favorite condiments from Maazah, Omsom and Stonewall Kitchen!
To enter, upgrade to a paid subscription by noon ET on June 13th. Already a paid subscriber? Fab, you’re automatically entered! The winner will be randomly selected, and notified by email. US addresses only!
May was a jam-packed, sometimes emotionally torrid month.
First, it was the first full month of Munch Menus! I’ve now shared 6 different weekly meal plans, which you can reach for again and again. Going forward, I’ll be incorporating more expert interviews (like this week’s kid restaurant strategy round-up) to mix things up.
If you’re lost this week, just grab one of April/May’s menus:
Memorial Day weekend we spent with my parents on Martha’s Vineyard, which gave us some much-needed family time and a window into how much our munchkin has grown up since the last time we were there in August. We also put to use one of my favorite toddler beach hacks (sharing that below).
When we got home, we dove straight into potty training. It was a more emotionally draining process than I expected, at times driving my husband and I to the brink. But we came out of it more or less in awe of how adaptable our little person is. So much more so than we are.
Mostly, I wanted to say a heart-felt thank you to everyone who has become a paid subscriber. We keep hitting the Substack “Rising” List in Food & Drink, and it’s THRILLING. Ego aside, the weekly meal plans take A LOT of time to put together and it will only be sustainable for me to make those available for free going forward if enough people become paid subscribers. So let this be my classy plea: if you have found the weekly menus helpful, consider paying $1.50 a week for them! That’s all it costs with the annual plan.
Happy munching!
Phoebe
ME TIME
(Everything I’m watching and reading)
Dying for Sex – You had me at Michelle Williams and Jenny Slate, and yet it took me a few episodes to get into this series. Based on a non-fiction podcast, this limited series is the story of a woman diagnosed with terminal cancer who decides to leave her marriage in search of her dying wish: a first orgasm with a man. By episode 4, the show really finds its footing, oscillating between hilarious sexual encounters and extremely poignant, tender moments that unpack childhood trauma and the power of female friendship. Highly recommend!
The Better Sister – We are a few episodes into this family thriller from friend of the stack and local mother extraordinaire Olivia Miltch, and it’s fabulous. The writing, the music, the cast. I was pissed that Charlie and I both had such a packed social schedule this week that we could not continue our binge until the weekend.
A Nice Indian Boy – I’ve seen so little written about this delightful queer RomCom and am grateful we stumbled across it. Like the title suggests, the premise is a nice Indian boy looking for another nice Indian boy. Instead, he finds something better—Jonathan Groff, who breaks out into song twice during the movie. It begins and ends with a big Indian wedding. What more could you want?
I See You’ve Called in Dead – As a typical millennial woman raised on the crème de la crème of RomComs, it’s surprising that my taste in movies hasn’t exactly meshed with my taste in books. That is, until last year, when I started devouring medium trashy romances. You so rarely come across RomComs written by men, so I was excited to pick up this hilarious book about an obituary writer who gets fired from his job and must discover what it really means to live.
Don’t Think About Dinner – I can’t stop thinking about my friend Jenn Lueke’s new cookbook! She dropped the cover this week and it’s available for pre-order. Don’t miss this one or her amazing Substack.
MUNCHKIN ESSENTIALS OF THE MONTH
Magic Molecule: I’ve been so lucky thus far to have a pretty healthy kid. The only area we’ve struggled with is some eczema patches that never seem to go away and are a constant source of itching and annoyance for her. A friend recommended I check out this spray made from Hypochlorous Acid, which is naturally antimicrobial. When something is marketed for a laundry list of ailments, I always become a little skeptical. And indeed when I started using this on munchkin, it seemed like snake oil. But after about a week, several of her patches mysteriously vanished and have not returned…like magic.
Toddler Beach Chair: I can’t remember who suggested I buy this – it may have been Cameron Rogers on Instagram – but we purchased a toddler beach chair last summer that was a complete game changer. Another mom friend gave me the beach hack to use a large Tupperware to store beach toys and use it as a portable water table. My daughter just sat in the chair and added rocks and sand to the box while we read in peace. The dream!
Floura bars: Jeni Britton Bauer is a genius when it comes to flavor and branding. We are unworthy of her ice cream. Needless to say, I was thrilled when I saw she turned her palette towards snack bars. Not only are they absolutely delicious with gorgeous design, but they are high fiber and combat food waste at the same time by recycling fruit scraps and veggie skins. Nexus of interests for this low waste CARBIVORE!
ADVICE I’M SNACKING ON
Lunch box hacks and cheat sheets
We haven’t had to play the lunch box game yet, but when my daughter heads to school in the fall, we will be using our Munch Menus for this purpose. I was thrilled when a few substacks I follow offered up advice and inspiration on this front. I’m bookmarking it for September.
The Green Spoon – 10 School Lunches That Fanny Packed
Caroline Chambers – My Lunchbox Packing Cheat Sheet
More Please, by Rachel Mansfield - Feeling lunchbox fatigue? here's how i pack for 3 kids (without losing my mind)
Sarah Copeland – What I’m Feeding My Kids to Survive Two-a-Day Sports Practices
MONTHLY ASK
I’m going to Copenhagen!
We’ve had this city on our bucket list for some time, especially since it sounds so family friendly. If you’ve been, I would love any recommendations on things to do, see, eat – especially for those of us with a toddler in tow.
My latest cookbook is your culinary and dietary road map to reclaim your favorite comfort foods without the consequences (complete with 130 anti-inflammatory gluten free recipes…that are also family friendly!). Ina Garten says “I love this book!”—listen to the queen and order your copy!
Just want to say that I love how you incorporate a practical game plan each week (and some store-bought items)! My newsletter takes a deep dive into what family dinners actually look like, and the hardest part is often HOW it's going to happen. It's so helpful that you take this into account.