cookbook proof arrived + a tofu saag recipe + recharging my batteries ✨

Phoebe Thorburn -

Happy Friday friends! A lot of good things came out of this month (on a personal level) – I did the final cookbook touch-ups, got my NDIS plan up and running and spent quality time with friends 💞

I thought July would involve more rest, but I had more work than I envisaged. I jumped at some freelance opportunities that came my way — having not had much writing work while dedicating myself to the cookbook — and although I had a rocky start (how do I string words together again?...) I think I made the right call taking it on. It's good to remind yourself of your other parts and capabilities, ya know? I'm determined to avoid the post-massive-project-slump that I've heard many creatives talk about. And I reckon engaging with other interests/forms of work is helping.

The proof of I Want Dopamine for Dinner came this month, which was surreal! I don't know what I was thinking, but it's such a BOOK–book! Real-sized hardcovers really evoke that I guess! I'm over the moon with how the colour-grading came out! It's such a joy to look at.

I made a few small changes to the design to slick it up a bit and now it's onto production eek!

As I mentioned in the last newsletter, I wanted to GET OUT OF THE HOUSE MORE and I can report I've definitely done that! I went into the city (see this month's vlog), Japanese cafe hopped, watched some movies (saw 13 going on 30 last night, so sweet!), went op shopping and cooked my cravings.

I feel like I'm entering a new chapter. My mind is interested in other things for the first time in a while, I can sense lots of 'out growing' on the horizon and being open to new things. All of which are pretty small and subtle to the average person but it feels good for me 😊

YOUTUBE.

Here's my latest youtube video, full of the things I did to feel myself after reaching my big cookbook deadline!

EATS.

L–R: Thai-inspired lemongrass and coconut tofu rice bowl (in this cookbook), some rice paper dumplings (ramen and samosa varieties) – the samosa variety is in this cookbook and the ramen variety is in I Want Dopamine for Dinner

L–R: pesto veggie & tofu bowl with herbed raita and a delicious Japanese spread I made using this Char Siu tofu from Tofu Shoten (Brunswick)

L–R: the best breakfast burrito I've ever had (with this scrambled tofu), some new gluten-free ramen noodles I'd recommend (spotted in health food stores) and some baking I did (thumbprint cookies and quinoa banana bread cookies)

L–R: thought the new SunRice gluten-free two minute noodles had a good chew (8/10), a delicious bowl of pesto tofu leftovers and my standard sushi bowl

L–R: yukari onigiri from Chooka's (Brunswick) and peanut palm sugar tofu pudding from the immaculate selection of homemade tofu goods at Tofu Shoten (Brunswick), it which tasted like flan it was so good

L–R: leftover tofu hofan, rainbow rolls and self-serve froyo with all the mini mochi and Taiwanese jelly fixings

WATCHED & READ.

I absolutely LOVED Matt and Mara – a slice of life, indie Canadian film about two close friends who reconnect after their lives go in different directions. They need each other in different ways, while not exactly being sure of what it is they're after. It's wholesome, (welcomingly) not-sexual and just really funny and touching. Reminded me of Eighth Grade but like 15 years on.

Bulk Nuts is the latest graphic novel from Mandy Ord who I raved about in my last newsletter. It's a series of fable-like short stories. I loved When One Person Dies the Whole World is Over more, but I enjoyed getting to savour more of Ord's work.

RECIPE.

This month's recipe is my super simple Tofu Saag recipe (originally published in my first cookbook). You dump everything in a blender to make it and then get to eat a bowl of greens which taste like a big hug!

Thank you for reading,

Phoebe x

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