The Sunday Edit: Dinner Salads, Jazz Flats, and Copper Peptides

Sunday, August 9th, 2026

I was talking to a client this week, a working mom trying to get her energy back, feel good in her body, and, you know, get dinner on the table.

It really isn’t too much to ask, but some weeks, I know, it feels like a Herculean effort. And when you’re getting a hundred inputs about what “healthy” is supposed to look like, taste and ease are the first things to fall off the list. We get it in our heads that it has to be perfect, and perfect takes time we don't have (and doesn’t sound good in the moment). What a great excuse to just…not.

This is literally my job, and I also find it hard to think of what to cook sometimes.

This week was total chaos at my house. I had a fridge full of food but there was a lot going on. I was seconds from ordering takeout one night when I thought, no. There’s got to be something I can make.

So I let my kids watch a show (sometimes that just needs to happen) and got the chicken breast out of the fridge. I pounded it thin so it would cook in six minutes, threw it on the grill pan, and started pulling things out of the fridge: spinach, a cucumber, green olives, sun-dried tomatoes, a ball of mozzarella, and store bought pesto. I sliced the chicken over the top and spooned the pesto on in dollops.

It was delicious. It also completely turned my day around, which I did not see coming from a bowl of spinach.

Let this be your reminder that cooking your own food is always going to be healthier and more satisfying than takeout. And it doesn’t have to be a big production.

Also on the menu this week: salmon with tricolor quinoa, Thai turkey patties, spiced beef kebabs (pictured), and a seafood pasta.

Don’t forget to let me know what you make!

Nutrition news, cultural discussions, and new discoveries.

• I’ve been trying out some products from Allies of Skin and I’m really impressed. After my facial last week, I was recommended the hydrating serum and copper peptides. I use the hydrating serum morning and night and the copper peptides every other night. I alternate with retinol—IS Clinical 1%, which I don’t think you can buy online, but here’s a similar product (discount MIAR). Hydrating serum goes on top, followed by this moisturizer (I know a lot, but I’m into it).

• I was interviewed by The Cut for a piece on my favorite jazz shoes (I know, so fun). I have these from Jamie Haller (sold out in white, but the black and red are cute!), but the piece has some other similar options as well.

• As I’m writing this, I’m eating Fishwife’s smoked salmon with Chef’s Kiss lupin pasta and it’s so good I had to share. Going to have to turn this into a recipe for you all (maybe next week). The pasta has over 20g of protein and 20g of fiber per serving (plus it’s gluten free and organic).

• A new Science paper makes the case that fruit and honey fueled a lot of human evolution, possibly including our brains. Which is a long way of saying: your sweet tooth is real, and a ripe August peach is the best possible answer to it.

In case you missed Friday's post—I got into the low protein and longevity headlines, and whether they mean anything for you specifically. There are also sample meal plans because I can’t help myself.

Alright, let’s cook!