uni dread + 3rd print run + sewing cute decor + a nachos recipe !
Hello friends! I hope 2026 has been kind to you so far. Although I want to acknowledge that on a global scale, human rights-wise – things have been nothing short of completely horrific and terrifying.
January was a process of learning some new outlets, (gratefully) returning to a routine, ticking off lots of little life admin things and wondering what the year will bring. I realise now I put a lot of pressure on myself for this month. I had high hopes of engaging with every single one of my hobbies meaningfully, catching up with every friend, making headway on freelance and personal goals that I'm not sure I'll have as much time for when uni starts up again and getting lots of rest in amongst all that so that come Monday (when uni starts up again) – I have a full tank! LOL, how naive that all sounds now.
In reality, I guess I very imperfectly achieved bits of all that, while feeling like I was failing at most of it all at the same time. One of the goals I had for myself moving into this year was to try and be happy with what I'm doing now and not unhelpfully dream about all the other things I want to be doing – at the detriment of enjoying what's in front of me. While I love my creative brain, it can get carried away thinking about all the things I want to cook, sew, craft, write, publish etc. which is fun – but if I do it too much it can leave me feeling impatient and depressed. When there's plenty to be enjoying/grateful for in the present ya-da ya-da.... I'm over-explaining myself. It's hard in practice, but I'll keep working on it (maybe better filed away as a "life-long intention").
I've been deep in teaching myself how to sew this month. It's felt restorative to try a different creative medium outside of cooking, be humbled by it and persist anyway. Like sewing is hard! You look at it and think oh I can do that, but then it's so much more technical than you anticipated, the different variables frustrate you and the skill in making something look neat and professional is (you realise) hours of practise in the making.
It's making me see cooking anew through the eyes of a beginner. Both involve sharp equipment that can be scary and a convoluted method from start to finish. I hope all this learning will make me a better recipe and cookbook writer.
Anyway, I started with the star pillow above, then make these vintage IKEA kids looking patchwork pillows below (the left one's meant to be an apple). I've got like 3 projects in the works currently, but hopefully next month I'll have made my own practical item of clothing!
I was majorly dreading going back to uni on Monday, but as this week's gone on I've (magically) changed my tune and am now looking forward to it. I was just really sad I wouldn't have as much time to do every other outlet / form of work I enjoy. But I guess I've realised in my down-in-the-dumps mood I was probably jumping to conclusions. We'll see what the balance is like, but I'm confident I at least have the planning and time-management skills to make my weeks kind (as they can be) to myself and creatively rewarding – even if that looks a little different.
I WANT DOPAMINE FOR DINNER.
I only have a couple of copies of my second print run left (!) and the third (!!!) is in production as we speak. I had an interview this month with ABC Lifestyle for a cookbook segment they're kicking off with I Want Dopamine for Dinner. While the book is still selling and bookstores have been asking for more copies, that interview was the final push to do another print run. As I didn't think I would have any copies left by the time it comes. Which would be sad!
And as I said (probably, at least I've thought it often), I originally intended to order enough copies to sell over the next 3 years! So I think it's the right choice. Forgive me for continuing to mention it and make content about it. I've never had a cookbook's life-cycle go on for this long so it's uncharted – but exciting – territory.
YOUTUBE.
I posted four videos in December and January – a what I ate in a week, two vlogs and a new accomodations video.
We'll see what posting schedule is sustainable once uni starts up again. My next post will be my 500th video! All going well, it will incorporate my first ever sponsorship (with Skillshare) !!
FOOD.
L–R: tofu rice paper rolls with peanut hoisin dipping sauce (I Want Dopamine for Dinner recipe), pesto cauliflower orecchiette pasta and lemongrass, tofu, pumpkin laksa.
L–R: an impossible sausage involving dinner (sausage was just ok), Aran Goyoaga's gluten-free sandwich loaf (similar recipe) and this month's website recipe – nachos!
L–R: a bowl of vegemite miso noodle rice paper dumplings (I Want Dopamine for Dinner recipe) for comfort, green miso ginger noodles (I Want Dopamine for Dinner recipe) with seasoned tofu and an egg and homemade tuna onigiri shared with a friend – which was 10/10!
L–R: vegan cheese stuffed impossible mince meatballs with spaghetti and salad, zucchini fritters and a white chocolate and pistachio cake for Christmas eve.
L–R: bang bang salmon bowl with miso slaw and buttered jasmine rice, almond plant-based magnums (because they're gluten-free as well now?) and homemade dumplings with rice paper spring rolls (I Want Dopamine for Dinner recipe).
L–R: Minimalist Baker's sugar snap salad (really yum and lasts well), vegan burgers with homemade wedges and lots of protein chocolate chip cookie trials.
WATCHED.
I saw Sentimental Value in that weird week between Christmas and New Year when my own family was staying. I suppose it could have been triggering, but instead I bloomin' loved it! The way it's told, the choppy scene style, every single character, the humour, the fashion, the sister dynamic, aunt-representation, the unanswered questions, Elle Fanning. All of it. Visually it's beautiful too. I found it to be a very nourishing watch.
READ.
Be Ready When the Lucky Happens... more like be ready when the celebrity stops acknowledging their privilege. I was torn reading this. I still like Ina. I find her endearing and wish her all the best, but I was left wanting more. More of a deeper reading into some parts of her life, not just a retelling of the things that happened – like she wasn't in the driver's seat of some of them. I really recommend Bettina Makalintal's review on Eater about it.
Picked up How to Talk to Children About Food on a whim at the library. Ended up learning pivotal context about my eating experience growing up and what's normal food behaviour from 0–16, no matter how frustrating it is to the adults in said children's orbit! Should be compulsory reading for anyone who cares for children!
As expected, I ADORED Ruby Tandoh's new book All Consuming: Why We Eat the Way We Eat Now. I gave my thoughts in this video. What I didn't say though was, it's the perfect blend of research, opinion, historical and relatable current day takes – that will get you off your phone and wanting to underline every second page. It's a book which really engages you! Highly recommend!
Devoured Kay Kerr's Might Cry Later over Christmas – a novel about late-diagnosis, difficult relationships (familial, romantic and platonic), burnout and going home for the holidays. I also gave my thoughts in this video. Kay's one of my favourite authors and she's done it again!
Saw this novella – Dolores – recommended in a short-fiction round up on booktok. It's an Australian author's debut. Didn't know much going into it, but wow! It's punchy, succinct, mysterious and addictively intriguing. Follows a teenager who turns herself in (?) to a convent. She's pregnant, dehydrated and the book pivots between scenes at the convent and the events which brought her there. Super well written. One that stays with you!
I picked up Miranda Hart's wee Christmas adult picture book, The Christmas Tree that Loved to Dance – as I like to support her work. The writing's playful and personable, in true Miranda fashion. It's about a woman who feels sorry for all the Christmas trees cast out on the street in January, after they have brought so much joy to people during the festive season. Since reading, it's been funny how many people I've heard lament the very same thing, so obviously it's a shared feeling (just not one I'd had before)! Anyway, a sweet story none-the-less.
RECIPE.
This month's recipe is for vegan and gluten-free nachos, or my current "formula" for them anyway. I never used to be the biggest nacho-fan growing up, so these must be doing a few things right. They're not 'healthy' tasting and I think that's key. I want full fast-food vibes in this dish, while still being fresh and familiar-tasting! No doubt they're very Australian-ised, so take what serves and leave the rest!
Thank you for reading & supporting my work,
– Phoebe
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