Weekend Reading, 10.17.15
October 17, 2015

weekend_reading

Happy Saturday!

And thank you for all of the wonderfully supportive comments about the name change of this site. I was definitely feeling some jitters before the announcement, but everyone has been so kind and so cool. If you’re still not getting redirected to The Full Helping, try clearing the cache or temporary files on your computer and iPhone. And if that doesn’t work, feel free to shoot me an email (gena@thefullhelping.com) or track me down on social media to let me know!

And, now that the big reveal is complete, it’s back to business as usual around here. Starting with Weekend Reading.

greens-and-grains-soup-recipe

I love this recipe because it’s a shining example of how two simple ingredients, grains and greens, can create an entirely satisfying and complete meal. Molly Watson’s notes on using the recipe as a template for experimentation are also lovely.

Harissa-Miso-Delicata-Squash-Tacos-7

Delicata squash is one of my favorite winter squashes, yet I don’t usually do much other than baking it and serving it as a side dish. I love these inspired harissa miso delicata squash tacos, via Healthy Nibbles and Bitssuch a great and different way to use the ingredient.

broccoli-rabe-sandwich-featured

My lord, this hot garlicky broccoli rabe sandwich with smoky tahini cheese sauce. I can’t imagine a more perfect dish of vegan comfort food!

kale-salad-cannellini-lemon-chia-dressing-gluten-free-vegan-ourfourforks

This kale salad with spicy cannellini beans and lemon chia seed dressing from Our Four Forks is so colorful and vibrant–a beautiful recipe to bring to holiday gatherings or whip up for a simple lunch.

8075123201_27a6cfb27b_z

And finally, dessert. As usual, the oh-so-talented Ashlae hits it out of the park with her raw fig cheesecake. Look at that color!

Reads

1. I’m sure many of you saw Sherry Turkle’s article, “Stop Googling, Let’s Talk,” already. I liked her points about the value of conversation, and I thought that she was able to make them without devaluing technology. I particularly liked her point about how solitude actually enhances one’s capacity to connect:

One start toward reclaiming conversation is to reclaim solitude. Some of the most crucial conversations you will ever have will be with yourself. Slow down sufficiently to make this possible. And make a practice of doing one thing at a time. Think of unitasking as the next big thing. In every domain of life, it will increase performance and decrease stress.”

2. A really incredible visualization of pathogens hopping between species, via Wired.

3. Back to the topic of technology and culture, I enjoyed Jordan Rosenfeld’s ruminations on the outsourcing of jobs that have traditionally been filled by humans to robots, and the automation of society in general.

4. An interesting article, via Scientific American, which presents the idea that intelligence is not a static entity. The author presents strategies for enhancing cognitive potential, as well as ongoing research into the the topic.

5. Finally, the ever impressive Ginny Messina tackles the complex topic of vegan diets and depression. Without ever suggesting that diet can “cure” depression, Ginny lists foods–including olive oil, soy foods, and beans–that may help to make depression symptoms less pronounced. I think it’s a really important read for vegan and vegetarian eaters.

On that note, I’m off to explore Austin and hit the Texas Book Fair. Have a great weekend!

xo

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    9 Comments
  1. That is the most creative way I have ever seen delicata squash used – looks so yummy. And the raw cake!! Drooling over here.
    I’m interested in the Stop Googling article – will definitely check that out. And the vegan diets & depression (I think diet definitely helps alleviate depression!).
    Have fun in Austin!

  2. I just DEVOURED the spicy kale salad for my dinner. The roasted julienned sweet potato. I can’t even!

  3. Gena, thank you so much for including my tacos recipe in this lovely round-up! I’m so glad you found me, and I can’t wait to follow your blog. Congrats on the branding change, and I like the new name! Hope you have a great day!

  4. Thank you Gena! I really enjoyed the panoply of “green” reipes this time–especially the simple soup and the broccoli rabe sandwich (must find a way to make that one!)–and that fig cake is a beautiful work of art! Thanks, too, for the article about conversation and phones. Living in the old fashioned world view, I never take my phone with me everywhere or look at it all the time or do everything on it, so I appreciate someone younger talking about the need for this perspective. So true you have to be able to be with yourself to really talk to people too. Others are always saying to me I should take my phone with me when I go on walks–“just in case”–, but I hardly ever do that–first of all, it ruins the whole concept of walking to explore and discover and be in the moment, and second of all, i want to be present where I am. I meet lots of people, flowers, weather, all kinds of everything, on its own terms this way. 🙂 Also thought the article on healthy vegan foods for depression was really good. Have fun in Austin! xo

  5. I am slack for 1 week on my blog reading and then – suddenly – I have missed the name change. Read up on why and think it’s FAB. Well done for being so brave.

    The kale salad is SO lovely. Got my name on it. Thanks for sharing this lovely list of beautiful recipes and lovely read :).

  6. totally love the name change – I felt for a while as if your site’s name wasn’t covering the wide range of topics covered, your balanced approach to food and eating healthy yet fulfilling. i like the little word game and totally agree about the ‘helping’ part! I will enjoy my visits to your site even more now it doesn’t have any connotations with restriction or strictness (what, for me personnaly raw food still had) and i keep on following! (btw, love your book as well 🙂 )

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