It’s Lisa Nguyen!
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Good morning everyone!
As you may have noticed (hopefully noticed?), I was absent from your inboxes last week. I was in Seattle and then in DC, meeting with incredible people and developing new recipes! As a result, Anthony and I took a mini-vacation from newsletter writing and podcast producing, knowing that you all would be here when we got back.
Who did we meet with?
Dr. Robynne Chutkan, for one.
I’ve been a MASSIVE fan of Dr. Chutkan since I read her book, The Microbiome Solution, back in 2016, when I first went vegan. I was, as a result, a bit nervous at the prospect of not just eating lunch at her house, but getting to interview her for the podcast. But, of course, I was nervous for no reason. Dr. Chutkan is as charming in person as she is in her book and the press (more so!) and her food was absolutely delicious!
Make sure to subscribe to Are You Ready with Joanne Molinaro so you don’t miss our RIVETING discussion on the gut, immune system, and the overall pursuit of health!
In addition to meeting with Dr. Chutkan, I also got to hang with a bunch of food bloggers or, as they’re now called, food creators. We arrived at the door of ChefSteps in Seattle (right inside Pike Place) to do what we do–create food. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet with food creators I’ve admired for a long time (like Chef Chris Cho–one of the creators who inspired me to start a TikTok!!), as well as reconnect with old friends.
One of those friends?
Lisa Nguyen.
Lisa is a content creator and YouTuber who shot to viral fame during the pandemic by making short videos of the food she made and shared with her neighbor. Like many folks who transitioned into more creative jobs during or as a result of the pandemic, Lisa had a 9 to 5–she was a paralegal. But she decided to put that part of her life behind her and double down (as she likes to say) on a career in food.
She started her YouTube channel, “Lisa Nguyen,” in 2020 and now has over 4.5 million subscribers–something that usually takes well over a decade to achieve. At first, you might wonder what all the fuss is about–Lisa’s videos are often shot using her iphone and she doesn’t feature difficult recipes. Some of her most viral videos are of instant ramen. But as you’ll soon discover, Lisa’s super power is her vulnerability, her innate talent for making us all feel a little less alone, especially when the world feels powerfully lonesome. Through her journey, as both a content creator and a daughter, Lisa uncovers a profound truth: that healing is most effective when we do it together.
So, without further ado, let’s get into it.
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Connect with Lisa
This Week’s Recipe Inspo.
This week’s recipe inspiration is this Watermelon and Grilled Cabbage Salad. My friend, Jon Kung, and I developed it together while in Seattle. We were both shocked at how good it came out! It’s refreshing, tasty, and very satisfying. The secret is undoubtedly grilling the cabbage. TRUST ME.
Ingredients
1 head of cabbage, quartered
Cooking spray
2 cups watermelon, cut into chunks
1/4 cup julienned red onion
2 tbsp chopped pistachio
Perilla leaves, julienned (can substitute mint leaves)
2 tbsp mustard
Juice of 1 lime
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Salt & pepper
Method
Spray the cabbage pieces with cooking spray and grill until you see grill marks (about 15 to 20 minutes). Cut into smaller pieces and add to plate, together with watermelon, red onion, nuts, and perilla leaves. Mix together mustard, lime juice, and EVOO for the dressing and drizzle over the salad. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and drizzle with a little more EVOO to finish.
Spice Up Your Life.
Spicy Ramen Salt
A spicy, umami packed blend of seasonings that’ll enrich your broths, pop your popcorn, and heat up your pasta sauce!
What I’m…
Watching. I can think of no better way to break my “movie theater fast” than with another Mission: Impossible flick. Dead Reckoning delivered! Fun, thrilling, and best to watch on the big screen. Watch –>
Reading. I absolutely devoured this crime novel. Centered in a small town in Virginia, it follows the story of the first Black sheriff in Charon County as he attempts to capture a serial killer. Read –>
Using a Lot. If you watch my Instagram stories, you know what I mean by “Coffee time!” This is the espresso machine so many of you have asked about–a bit pricey, but we use it every day when we are at home! Shop –>
The Korean Vegan Kollective
“My coaching session with TKV (Kollective food coach) was fantastic—my coach was very understanding, knowledgeable and helpful—I was pleasantly surprised. I recommend members take advantage of this resource.” ~ Michelle
Want instant access to thousands of plant-based recipes plus expert food and lifestyle coaching? Check out The Korean Vegan Kollective, a downloadable web-app that unlocks:
- 2,000+ delicious and personalized plant-based recipes
- complete nutritional information for every recipe
- integrated grocery shopping lists and grocery delivery in select areas
- access to one-on-one food coaching
- live cooking demonstrations
- exclusive articles and videos from me and my team
And that’s a wrap!
Until next week, I hope you have a lovely and wonderful day!!
-Joanne
