Cena Luna Newsletter #6

Welcome to the Cena Luna Newsletter. Thanks for being here!

HELLO I AM ALIVE

I did warn you that I had no idea how frequently or how consistently this newsletter would arrive in your inboxes, and during a few rough weeks of pregnancy I needed a little brain break. PSA: the adage that all pregnant women immediately feel better upon entering their 2nd trimester is bologna (possibly the best spelled word in the world). Please be nice to the mothers-to-be in your life.

ANYWAYZ I’m so happy to be back with some choice recommendations for your reading pleasure. Proceed!

A much loved, much used recipe

Every Sunday for the past three or so years, I do an assessment of the dying and half used tender stem herbs in my fridge and make a pesto like condiment to use on basically everything for the upcoming week. The pesto, closer to an oily dressing or salsa verde, is dairy free and can be made with any nut you have on hand, though I prefer salted pistachios in mine. It’s good on leftover chicken, cold salmon, warm bread, and pretty much anything else you can think of.

About a year ago, I got the idea to use the pesto in place of actual herbs to brighten up one of my favorite comfort meals: a bowl of savory rice porridge, topped with a poached egg and a heaping spoonful of Fly by Jing chili crisp. This dish is a staple in my house as I almost always have all the ingredients in my fridge/pantry and because it comes together in about 15 minutes. It’s had many iterations over the years, but after eating for lunch 2-3x per week during my current pregnancy, I’ve finally perfected it. When my friend and former nanny requested the recipe I figured it was time to put it into writing.

This is my go to meal especially when I’m feeling under the weather. As the season finally (finally, finally) begins to shift, I hope it will bring comfort and warmth to your stovetops and bellies.

Currently listening

Speaking of ch-ch-changing seasons: while I’m a hard pass on outright declaring IT IS FALL NOW by hitting up Home Goods for Halloween decor or ordering a Pumpkin Spice Latte (gag), the arrival of cooler temperatures does seem to cause a definite shift on my Spotify account, from sparkly, bubblegum pop (until next summer, Sabrina) to some of the moodier, usually man-centric albums of my younger self. What is it about September that makes us so nostalgic? Here are some the albums I’ve got on loop right now:

Hard Candy - Counting Crows

You might remember the lone single from this lesser known Crows album, “American Girls”. But it’s the radio inappropriate piano ballads from this album that really get me: “Black and Blue” and “Holiday in Spain”. And “Up All Night” is probably one of my favorite CC songs of all time.

Hotel Paper - Michelle Branch

Circa 2003, “Are You Happy Now” was very momentarily the breakup anthem of all pop-loving teenage girls. The rest of the album still hits. You’re welcome.

Plans - Death Cab for Cutie

I can distinctly recall many, many late nights racing home from my boyfriend’s house listening to this album on blast while trying to make curfew. Death Cab purists will scoff, but I’m no snob when it comes to la musica. “Soul Meets Body” is a swell little single, but there’s hardly a track here that I don’t like.

Born and Raised- John Mayer

See how not snobby I am? Putting anything by John Mayer on my top fall albums list is a bold move for someone writing a newsletter about supposedly cool stuff. But this record is such a folky delight and will go perfectly with crispy leaves and your PSL, promise.

Gemini - Noah Reid

Noah Reid is known primarily as the darling Patrick Brewster, David Rose’s much beloved romantic interest from Schitt’s Creek. Fans of the show will remember a really special moment when Patrick dedicates an acoustic cover of Tina Turner’s “Simply the Best” to David at an open mic night––and totally crushes it. IRL, Reid is an accomplished and supremely talented musician. Gemini is his sophomore album, which debuted right around the show’s final season. It’s Springsteen meets Jackson Browne, and it’s probably one of my top 10 records of all time.

Health is wealth

In addition to comfort foods and comfort songs, another thing keeping me *afloat* right now is––wait for it––taking baths. I am aware of just how stereotypical the following imagery is, but there is nothing quite like filling the tub, lighting a choice candle and throwing on a Law & Order SVU marathon to calm the nerves.

A few weeks ago (and after many, many targeted ads on IG) I purchased some Flewd bath soaks. They are a mental wellness company that pitches themselves as a more effective epsom salt bath alternative. The primary draw for me was the ingredients list; each soak contains roughly five days worth of magnesium, in addition to other feel good minerals, vitamins and supplements. While I am typically an avid user of Moon Juice’s Magnesi-Om, I’ve been too tired/forgetful to maintain the routine of my nightly mocktail. Taking a bath once a week forces me to slow down, and knowing I’m getting the good stuff my body needs keeps me motivated to continue.

What I didn’t expect was how good the soaks would make me feel. So far I’ve tried the Anxiety Destroying and the Sads Smashing varieties multiple times. After each use, I can feel my cortisol levels have decreased, my sense of well-being has increased, and my capacity for joy and gratitude is higher. Is it a placebo? Who cares! All I can tell you is that I’m now a huge fan and if you’re looking for a magnesium supplement I highly, highly recommend Flewd.

That’s all she wrote.

Thanks for reading, friends. May your spirits be high and your thermostats be low!