ONE OF YOU IS WINNING A TRIP TO CARMEL!!!!

I promise I’ll stop yapping about pre-orders soon, because the book will BE IN YOUR HANDS IN LESS THAN A MONTH! But until pub day on August 13th, it’s pre-order city, baby.

And to show you just how SERIOUSLY, UNENDINGLY GRATEFUL I am to all of you for pre-ordering, I’ve been working really hard on a truly massive giveaway…

CARO’S PERFECT WEEKEND IN CARMEL GIVEAWAY!!!!!

**TWO NIGHT STAY AT CARMEL VALLEY RANCH**

**$100 GIFT CARD TO STATIONAERY**

**A PICNIC BOX + CRACKERS FROM LADY & LARDER**

**A WINE TASTING FOR TWO AT PELIO ESTATE WINES**

**A WINE TASTING FOR TWO AT HOLMAN RANCH**

**$100 GIFT CARD TO WINE HOUSE**

**A WINE TASTING FOR TWO AT JOYCE WINE CO.**

**$100 GIFT CARD TO CELLA RESTAURANT**

**PLUS… A SIGN SLAP HIKE OR GLASS OF WINE WITH LITTLE OLE ME!!!! (if you want to lol)**

If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll know and recognize all of these spots as places I frequent with my fam, friends, and on dates with George. Bring your whole fam (all of these tasting rooms are kid-friendly, trust me, I’d know), bring a friend, come with just your significant other, or bring your grandma…! No matter who you bring, I’m just so excited for one of you to get to get to experience the beautiful part of the world where we live.

TO ENTER:

* If you already entered to join the cooking class, you’re already entered!

* Otherwise, preorder the book, then head to this link to enter! FYI it says nothing about the giveaway right now, but don’t worry, this is how you enter!!

* If you can’t remember if you already entered to join the cooking class, just do it again!

* Winner will be announced on August 14th, 2024.

**Carmel Valley Ranch disclaimer: Accommodations based on availability. During holidays and special events, blackout dates apply. Valid Sunday - Thursday.

**Flights not included.

Get this week’s full So Into That newsletter here! https://whattocook.substack.com/p/author-annabel-monaghan-on-getting

It’s summertime, and that means it’s Annabel Monaghan time!

Annabel’s one of my favorite authors, and lucky for us she cranks out a delightful new book seemingly every June.

This year is no different, so today we talk about Summer Romance and a whole lot more: from kids and smartphones (she’s also mom of 3 boys/young men), to sneaking away from her family to write her first adult novel during the pandemic (“it felt like a love affair”) to her recent embrace of getting rid of old stuff – and the existential questions that pop up when you’re deciding whether to let go of a 15-year-old shirt.

Plus, Annabel’s fascinating writing process: part art, part science, part voodoo. And bribing her sons to read her (not even that steamy) books: “They’re like, ‘Gross!’”

Links: 

* Annabel’s new book, Summer Romance - https://amzn.to/3R5GYc1

* Her debut (adult) novel, Nora Goes Off Script - https://amzn.to/3wVtadi

* Same Time Next Summer - https://amzn.to/3R0DHuo

* Annabel’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/annabelmonaghan/?hl=en

* Our new cabin! - https://www.instagram.com/p/C7hGmo_xKSM/?hl=en&img_index=1

Get this week's full So Into That newsletter here! https://whattocook.substack.com/p/the-idea-of-you-author-robinne-lee

The Idea of You was a book that changed the way I read. 

I absolutely loved it. I recommend it all the time. And it was my gateway drug into the romance genre… although, as its author Robinne Lee shares in this episode, she never intended to write a romance novel (nor does she consider it to be one).

The Idea of You really is about much more than meets the eye. As Robinne wrote in this Time article, the book grapples with themes including “ageism, sexism, the double standard, motherhood, female friendship, agency, and the dark side of celebrity.” And now that it’s been turned into a hit movie starring Anne Hathaway, it’s the perfect time to hear from Robinne herself.

If you haven’t read the book or seen the movie yet (BTW, I really recommend reading the book first!), it follows the relationship between a 40-year-old single mom and art gallery owner (Solène) and a boy-band lead singer 16 years her junior (Hayes). In the podcast, we talk about the inspiration for the book (it’s not Harry Styles and Olivia Wilde, y’all); the tension between motherhood, romantic love, and career; what she wishes was different about the movie; and much more.

We also get into:

* Her hustling for 7 years to sell the book, copy by copy

* Why she ended the story the way she did

* Writing sex scenes and why she doesn’t see TIOY as a romance novel

* Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine’s performances in the movie

* A tantalizing tease about her next book

Whether you’re a fan of The Idea of You or not (yet!), I’m so excited for you to get to know Robinne, who is also a talented actor and overall smart and fascinating woman.

PS: I know I said So Into That episodes are going to air every other week now, but the world is currently *loving* The Idea of You, so I didn’t want to sit on this interview!!

Get this week’s full So Into That newsletter here! https://whattocook.substack.com/p/how-to-get-rich-af-with-vivian-tu

Vivian Tu (Your Rich BFF) is here, and she’s here to make us smarter about personal finance like we’re out for margaritas.

No condescension. No jargon. Just tons of actionable tips, no matter your income or family situation.

You might know Vivian from Instagram, where her personal finance videos go viral on the reg. But not everything can fit into a 60-second clip… so she’s written a new book called Rich AF. 

Today, we tackle everything from negotiating a raise, to “the talk” she recommends stay-at-home parents have with their income-earning partner, to the website that could reunite you with hundreds or thousands of dollars that are rightfully yours (really!).

Get ready to learn more about making and managing money in an hour than you did in 20 years of school!

We also get into:

• What to do when it feels like bachelorette parties and weddings are bankrupting you

• Why talking about money more usually makes you richer

• Why she doesn’t believe in splitting rent 50/50

• Advice for stay-at-home moms who feel left in the dark about money

• Step-by-step salary negotiation tactics

• High-yield savings accounts

• Hiring your kids (!) to lower your taxable income

• And much more

Links: 

• Vivian’s new book, Rich AF: The Winning Money Mindset That Will Change Your Life - https://www.yourrichbff.com/richaf

• Vivian’s website: https://www.yourrichbff.com/

• Vivian’s Substack, Enriched - https://yourrichbff.substack.com/

• Vivian’s podcast, Networth and Chill

• Vivian’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/your.richbff/?hl=en

• Vivian’s TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@yourrichbff?lang=en

• MissingMoney.com - https://www.missingmoney.com/

Get this week’s full So Into That newsletter here! https://whattocook.substack.com/p/so-into-that-ask-me-anything

If you follow me on Instagram, you know I do the occasional “question box” style Ask Me Anything there. Well, today I’m bringing that format to the pod – and you sent in some juicy ones.

This Q&A gets into:

• Workout motivation with young kids

• How do I deal with “mom guilt” as a working mom?

• Toddler tantrums

• Deciding whether to have another child?!

• Will we stay in California forever?

• Ghostwriting cookbooks 

• My brother? (yes, I have one!)

• And more!

Links: 

• Emma Lovewell on So Into That - https://whattocook.substack.com/p/pelotons-emma-lovewell-is-so-into

• Cameron Rogers episode - https://whattocook.substack.com/p/efficiency-hacks-the-transition-from

• Gaby Dalkin episode - https://whattocook.substack.com/p/gaby-dalkin-is-so-into-mastering

• Eat to Beat Depression and Anxiety by Drew Ramsey, MD - https://www.amazon.com/Eat-Beat-Depression-Anxiety-Nourish/dp/006303171X

• Expecting Better by Emily Oster - https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/310896/expecting-better-by-emily-oster/

• Final scene of Mad Men (spoilers, obv) - https://youtu.be/Exf63KPXF6w?si=5J3nO7dPQTZcda3s

Get this week’s full So Into That newsletter here! https://whattocook.substack.com/p/angela-santomero-the-creator-of-blues

As the creator of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood on PBS, Angela Santomero may be the person most responsible for getting my family through the pandemic with our sanity intact. The show was (and still is) a lifesaver in moments when George or I needed a break from hands-on parenting, and its musical life lessons have become part of our toddlers’ lexicon.

Today, I get the chance to thank Angela in person! And you get to hear about the early childhood development principles behind her Emmy award-winning work. Plus, her take on screen time for kids; working with the real-life Mr. Rogers; and two wise pieces of advice for parents of young kids.

We also get into:

• Why Daniel Tiger doesn’t wear pants (but Mom Tiger does)

• How Angela developed the show (and Blue’s Clues before that)

• How music and repetition help kids learn

• Advice she’d give to her younger self (now that her daughters are in their 20s)

Links: 

• Angela’s new book, Life Clues - https://angelasclues.com/

• Her Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/angelasclues/?hl=en

• Her TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@angelasclues

• Her new show, Dee & Friends in Oz on Netflix - https://www.netflix.com/title/81223055

Get this week’s full So Into That newsletter here! https://whattocook.substack.com/p/carly-duguid-on-building-the-brand

Carly Phillips Duguid is my former college classmate, a What to Cook subscriber, and… oh yeah, the co-founder of the sports agency Evolve, along with her husband and 4-time grand slam winner Naomi Osaka.

Today, Carly shares how she’s “embracing the pure chaos” of parenting a 4-year-old and a 4-month-old while serving as Naomi’s right hand woman – from helping design her Nike apparel, to laying the groundwork for a post-tennis career in fashion, to crafting the look of Naomi’s recent historic baby formula commercial.

We also get into:

- How Carly’s second kid changed her mind about work-from-home “interruptions”

- The story of meeting her husband, Stu (it’s romance novel material)

- What Naomi’s like off the court and how that’s changed since she became a mom

- How Carly structures her day and her childcare setup 

- What she cooks when she doesn’t feel like cooking

Links: 

- Evolve - https://www.instagram.com/thisisevolve/?hl=en

- Carly’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/carlsterthebalster/

- Silver Spring hot pilates - https://silverspringsla.com/

- Naomi’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/carlsterthebalster/

- Naomi’s Bobbie Formula commercial - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jkCrOea3aA

- Her Nike apparel line - https://www.nike.com/w/naomi-osaka-tennis-clothing-4an2mz6ymx6zed1q

- mango peanut chicken salad recipe - https://whattocook.substack.com/p/mango-peanut-chicken-salad-635

Get this week’s full So Into That newsletter here! https://whattocook.substack.com/p/i-found-the-perfect-reading-for-a

Today I share what I’ve been so into lately: entertaining versus having people over, a great new lipstick, etc.

Plus, the insane story of how I heard a beautiful poem read at a wedding and immediately knew who the author was (it's not someone famous, and I'd never heard the poem before!).

I also get into:

PMS getting way worse with age, kids, or both (my “so out on”)

Traveling to Austin for my mom’s 70th birthday (but missing the solar eclipse!)

My IRL LOL of the week involving my son, high off Easter candy sugar, and the word “dragon”

What I’ve been cooking lately and my trick for getting my kids to eat it

Links: 

Merit Matte Lipstick

The Need by Helen Phillips

beef enchilada casserole recipe

Dinner party tips. Healthy meals with Trader Joe’s ingredients. Stories involving Martha Stewart, Sufjan Stevens, and Sia?

This conversation with Jess Damuck has all of the above and more, and I’m bringing it to you a day after the launch of her gorgeous new book, Health Nut: A Feel-Good Cookbook.

If you’ve seen Salad Freak, you know how beautiful Jess’ work is. Which makes sense considering she spent years working directly with – and learning from – Martha Stewart.

Amazingly, Jess wrote not one but two cookbooks in the past year. And when we caught up in Los Angeles a couple weeks ago, we talked about both of them, plus:

* Making 47 plaster sculptures for Sia (really!)

* What she learned working for Martha Stewart and Bon Appétit

* Minimizing the number of dishes we use in meals

* Embracing living in L.A. and hosting artists and entertainers

* Why “health” can be a loaded word and what it means to her

* The tofu stir fry she cooks when she doesn’t feel like cooking

Links:

* Health Nut: A Feel-Good Cookbook

* Salad Freak: Recipes to Feed a Healthy Obsession

* Open Wide: A Cookbook for Friends (Benny Blanco book out April 2024)

* Jess’ Instagram

* Smoked soy sauce

* Kettle Soba Cha buckwheat tea

* High Maintenance, the HBO show Jess’ partner Ben created and starred in

* Dave, the FX show Ben directed

* Ram Dass’ spiritual sanctuary in Maui

Get full access to What To Cook When You Don't Feel Like Cooking at whattocook.substack.com/subscribe

I love each and every guest we’ve had on this show, but I’m just gonna say it: for me at least, this episode is probably the most important and relevant one we’ve done yet. 

Today we have Eve Rodsky, the Harvard-trained author of Fair Play: A Game-Changing Solution for When You Have Too Much to Do (and More Life to Live).

I personally credit Eve’s ideas – and the playing cards that help you implement them – with making the “invisible work” of running my own household visible, and equitably dividing that work with my husband.

As you’ll hear today, Eve embarked on this journey to find answers to her own problem. After becoming a mom of two, she watched as she became the default doer of the things, all while feeling sidelined in her career and “abandoned” by her husband (whom she still loved).

In other words, her “Sh*t I Do” list grew longer and longer without any real discussion of who should actually do what.

Fair Play is the antidote to that problem, and this episode breaks down the method in detail. You’ll come away equipped to start a conversation with your partner; identify and fairly divide responsibilities; create space for yourself; and ultimately live a happier, healthier life.

Eve and I also get into:

* Why household labor tends to be so unequal

* Men over-reporting and women under-reporting their contributions

* How to raise this topic with your partner

* What Fair Play looks like in action in my own marriage

* “He’s the income earner. So shouldn’t I handle everything in the home?”

* Understanding the different types of labor (daily grind vs. on your own time)

* Hard-to-define responsibilities like spirituality and “magic” (tooth fairy, etc.)

* Why it’s so important to own a task completely

* Eve’s key to staying happy even as you shoulder more responsibility in life

Links: 

* Fair Play book

* Fair Play cards

* Fair Play documentary

* Eve’s second book, Find Your Unicorn Space

* Eve’s podcast with Dr. Aditi Nerurkar

Subscribe to my weekly recipe newsletter here: https://whattocook.substack.com

I am a longtime Gaby Dalkin lover, and you will soon be, too! She is charming, hard-working, smart, and just a good, kind human.

Trigger warning: like the title says, Gaby has experienced 9 miscarriages. She copes with this with humor and levity, so if that's not something you wish to hear right now, skip this one.

We also get into:

* How Gaby structures her typical day

* Dividing responsibilities with her husband

* Her IVF journey and miscarriages

* Why grilling is seen as a man’s game and why it’s actually so enjoyable

* Why she loves the Netflix show Formula 1: Drive to Survive and how she landed a bougie AF trip to Italy to watch a race!

* The tacos she makes when she doesn’t feel like cooking

Links: 

* What’s Gaby Cooking

* Formula 1: Drive to Survive

Sign up for my weekly recipe newsletter here: https://whattocook.substack.com/