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Why did we stop eating gooseberries?
I mean, seriously. Folks as early as the 1300s were enjoying gooseberries, making delicious creations (gooseberry pie! gooseberry jam!), and for some reason, it’s even more unpopular than celery these days. Why is that? Don’t people know how delicious they are?
Gooseberries have become somewhat of a breakfast staple for me. I love to get a fresh package and top them on a bowl of oatmeal, a stack of whole wheat waffles, or even a slice of cake.
They’re also known as golden berries, which completely makes sense. Biting into a gooseberry feels like a burst of golden goodness in your mouth. The taste is slightly sweet, slightly sour, and the texture is resemblant to a grape. They’re relatively high in fiber (over six grams per cup) and are rich in magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, and vitamin C.
Anyways, that’s enough of me rambling about gooseberries. Let’s talk about this month, shall we?
Redemption for January
We all just want to hate January. It’s a cold, dark, depressing month. Lack of sunlight is critical in the development of seasonal depression…and staying inside while it’s frigid (and during a pandemic) doesn’t make it any better.
It’s easy to want to look it over and just think about Spring. To just get through it and wait for the warmer weather, the flowers, and the chance to take off your thermal underwear. Trust me—my favorite season is summer, so I’m pretty much counting down the days till warmer weather.
And yet, I’m not the kind of person who wants to just waste my time. If I’m stuck in the month of January, I don’t want to hate it. I want to make it worth it.
So this month, I decided to dive into the ultimate form of cozy. I would put cozy coffee shop scenes on my television, light a few candles, wrap myself up in a blanket, make a cup of tea, and read. Or write. Or crochet.
I made sure to see my friends multiple times a week. We’ll congregate for dinner and polish off a few bottles of wine. It makes the long dark nights even more bearable.
I also took the time to reflect. To evaluate all the things I’ve achieved in 2021 and the goals I have for 2022. It’s been reinvigorating to see the ways I’ve grown in all aspects of my life (job! blog! relationships! health!), and determine the places that need growth (finances…)
Lastly, I ignored the “norms” that tell me I need to completely change myself with the new year. January is always the month people “try to get healthy.” New year, new you! But…it just isn’t at all encouraging. It makes you think that you have to completely change yourself in order to tackle the new year in the way you want, and that’s just not true. It’s a gimmick from diet culture that will make you want to buy their products and programs.
No wonder people hate January. They’re not letting it be fun at all.
So this next month, let yourself have fun. Get cozy. See friends (safely, of course, we’re still in a pandemic). Cook a recipe you’ve been dying to make. Enjoy all of the loveliness that this season can hold. Even if it’s cold as hell.
Kes ✨
Welcome to my first monthly roundup at Forkful!
Below you will find a list of all the fun things I’ve done this month including articles I’ve written, recipes I’ve cooked, and even some new products that I absolutely loved. We then finish off with a recipe from my blog that you should totally cook this weekend.
Here are all of the lovely articles I published this month. Happy reading!
The Most Common Food Eaten By The Healthiest People In The World: This food seems to be the antithesis of what dieting culture tells you to eat.
The Two Best Supplements To Decrease Disease Risk As You Age, Says New Study: These popular supplements show even more promising effects for your long-term health.
7 Skyrocketing Grocery Prices That Are Outraging Customers Right Now: We asked our readers, and the comments came flooding in.
The #1 Worst Supplement to Take for Colorectal Cancer, Says Study: Recent research links the use of these popular supplements and a higher risk of developing cancer.
The #1 Best Drinking Habit for Your Liver, Says New Study: Even more reason to brew yourself a cup every morning!
Drinking Habits to Avoid If You Have Omicron, Says Doctor: Think you need to reach for the orange juice? Think again!
Eating Habits to Lower Your Heart Disease Risk, Says Dietitian: Incorporate these habits into your life to keep your ticker healthy for a long time.
This Popular Dressing Was Just Freed From FDA Regulations After 72 Years: Here's what the recent ruling means for consumers.
Cooking with Olive Oil Decreases Risk of Deadly Diseases, Says New Study: New research further proves olive oil to be a nutritional powerhouse.
The Surprising Drinking Habit Fit People Live By, Says New Study: Fit people seem to have an increased craving for this popular beverage.
Foods to Boost Your Immunity and Feel Better, Says Doctor: Feeling sick? These foods can help.
The #1 Unexpected Food To Eat If You Have Omicron, Says Doctor: We did not see this one coming…
The Best Foods to Eat for Omicron Symptoms, Says Doctor: They won't fix symptoms, but your body will get the nutrients it needs.
KFC Launches New First-Of-Its-Kind Fried Chicken Menu Item: You’ll get VIP treatment when ordering a bucket of this new chicken!
The #1 Best Workout to Shrink Abdominal Fat, Says Science: Crunches aren't the only solution for trimming down.
Here are some of the delicious recipes I obsessed over this month.
Chile Crisp Dumplings from NY Times Cooking
Pasta with Roasted Delicata Squash and Arugula from Bev Cooks Blog
Skillet-Roasted Chicken and Potatoes from Barefoot Contessa
Spanakopita Stuffed Peppers from Eating Well
Kimchi Bokkeumbap from Cooks Illustrated
I found a new alcoholic bevvie that I love.
I’m usually not a huge hard seltzer person (sorry, White Claw), but I like the idea of a low-sugar drink that won’t make me feel like total crap the day after drinking it. Cool Cat Wine Spritzers fits the bill. Each can is only two grams of sugar but packed with so much delicious flavor. Plus, it has the texture and taste of sparkling wine, which I am all about.
You can snag Cool Cat cans in Original (with elderflower, mint, and lime), Berry, Grapefruit, and Citrus.
For those in the northeast, I hope you’re cozied up nice and good during this snowstorm! And nothing says cozy like a bowl of pasta, a glass of red wine, and a great book.
So, you should make my Chicken Meatballs with Cheesy Pappardelle.
The chicken meatballs are easy to make on a sheet pan as you whisk up the homemade creamy, cheese sauce. Throw in some spinach for extra nutrients and you got yourself a delicious weekend meal. Stay warm!