January's Six
Image credits: upper-middle via Samin Nosrat’s Instagram; lower-middle via photographer Scott Preston.
The aim of this series is to corral some favorite things and share them in a short and sweet post. Whether it’s a favorite song, book, recipe, tip, or product, hopefully you will find some inspiration in this list.
1. It feels almost obligatory to acknowledge that it is the beginning of a new year. In the season of resolution-making—and often disappointingly, resolution-breaking—the late Professor Schelling’s “The Intimate Contest for Self-Command” is a terrific read. Find it here. His training in economics is manifest in his treatment of the divided self, but it is a treatment accessible to those without such training. This is the self that desires to manage itself in a way contrary to its passions and pleasures (for example, think smoking, excessive drinking, or over-eating). As a student of political theory, I can’t help but think about Plato’s more poetic account of this same problem in his beautiful depiction of the divided soul. I hope no matter your interests and inclinations, you find this piece to be fitting for the new year.
2. “Master these four elements, master the kitchen” is the tagline of Samin Nosrat’s cookbook, and Netflix series of the same name, Salt Fat Acid Heat. She is a delightful host and distills good cooking to four simple things. Despite Nosrat’s many accolades and professional accomplishments, she is so down-to-earth, with not even the tiniest bit of pretension. She is a breath of fresh air and such an appealing contrast to many of the critic and chef personalities showcased on Chef’s Table (another Netflix food series). In each episode, Nosrat explores recipes/cuisines that particularly embody salt, fat, acid, and heat. In the final episode, she brings you back to her home in California where she makes tahdig under the watchful eyes of her mom. I thoroughly enjoyed her Netflix series and suspect that her book (linked here) is just as enlightening and fun.
3. Making a sharp turn, I want to share a new favorite beauty product: Weleda Skin Food. It’s about $10 (here) and it is absolutely game-changing. Apparently, I am late to discovering this cult cream as its praises have been sung time and again by supermodels and makeup artists alike (read about here, here, and here). I use it on my face as a moisturizer, and also under makeup as a primer because it creates such a dewy finish. In addition, Weleda is an extra-hydrating alternative to body lotion. PS: the formula is extremely rich (for some, too greasy) so it may cause acne-prone skin to breakout.
4. Another favorite drugstore beauty item is Burt’s Bees tinted lip balm in the shade “red dahlia.” Find it here for $5. Believe me when I say that it is the perfect sheer red. Just barely visible once applied, it will leave your lips looking hydrated and full with a healthy flush of color.
5. I promise you, it will be impossible to listen to “Feathered Indians” by Tyler Childers just once. Find it here. The slight tremor of Childers’ voice singing the lyrics copied below makes the song irresistible. Check out his Tiny Desk Concert too (here).
“Well my buckle makes impressions
On the inside of her thigh
There are little feathered Indians
Where we tussled through the night
If I'd known she was religious
Then I wouldn't have came stoned
To the house of such an angel
Too fucked up to get back home
Lookin' over West Virginia
Smoking Spirits on the roof
She asked ain't anybody told ya
That them things are bad for you
I said many folks have warned me
There's been several people try
But up till now, there ain't been nothing
That I couldn't leave behind
Hold me close my dear
Sing your whispering song
Softly in my ear
And I will sing along
Honey tell me how your love runs true
And how I can always count on you
To be there when the bullets fly
I'd run across the river just to hold you tonight
Well my heart is sweating bullets
From the circles it has raced
Like a little feathered Indian
Callin' out the clouds for rain
I'd go runnin' through the thicket
I'd go careless through the thorns
Just to hold her for a minute
Though it'd leave me wanting more
Hold me close my dear
Sing your whispering song
Softly in my ear
And I will sing along
Honey tell me how your love runs true
And how I can always count on you
To be there when the bullets fly
I'd run across the river just to hold you tonight”
-Tyler Childers
6. Last month, Six Gardens ran a kind of pilot round of something we are calling the 2 Week Challenge. The idea is to keep each other motivated and accountable (via an Instagram group message) to do something active for at least 30 minutes every day for two weeks. I think the other nine participants would agree with me when I say that it was a great success, so much so that we are doing it again in February. Direct any questions to our Instagram page—we’d love for the “team” to grow for the next round, so join us!
PS: Happy New Year!
Alison