Normally my nurture menus are oriented towards prepping for the coming week. This menu takes an after-the-fact approach: resilience from a crushing week (or a few).

The word ‘resilience’ evokes an elastic, bouncy quality. Webster’s defines it as “an ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change.” Not sure how you want to categorize studying for the bar exam–misfortune or change–either way, this intense event required adjustment and now requires recovery.

After something like the bar exam, a ridiculous work week, or a difficult life event, resilience means recovering the love of life you once had.

I am beyond privileged to revive that love of life with a jaunt on the west coast, starting in Napa. Thus, this menu combines food, lessons, and love to nurture a bounce-back to whole.

recipe for resilience
serves one directly and everyone you come into contact with indirectly

• Unconditional love (Family–the related or the unrelated kind.)
• Food (Not the fueling stuff we require, but the sparkling flavors and colors that remind you why the terms “foodie” and “food porn” exist.)
• Physical activity (You must reconnect with your body awareness, especially if your job requires being in your head.)
• Nature (Remind yourself of the big, beautiful, non-concrete world out there.)
• Laugh, laugh, laugh (No explanation required.)
• Things that make you feel alive (Different for everyone.)

1. Begin with love, food, and fabulous accessories. This is my definition of unconditional love: my mother. Add in some delectable eats from French Blue.  Sprinkle in a fabulous hat, because, well, this is something that I love.
2. Now dive deep into food exploration. Begin with colors and flavors from Farmstead Restaurant…Sorry to disappoint you if you thought I don’t eat meat or dairy. Generally, I don’t. I believe in health and feeling amazing. Simply put, when you’re faced with grilled peaches, ricotta crostini, prosciutto, and a drizzle of honey, you’d be silly not to feel amazing after a bite.Wood grilled jumbo artichoke with sauce gribiche and lemon… and you remember what living tastes like.
3. Blend in physical activity, nature, and laughs. Yes, wine-country is perfect for this, but all of the above are accessible in your own backyard (even if your backyard is Lincoln Park!)Biking, yoga-ing, running, swimming… feel your body, feel your breath–just remember how to feel and not just think!Revive at adorable, outdoor restaurants where a sip of juice brings a smile to your face. Look at the juice bar’s vibrant carrot, orange, tumeric, ginger, and coconut milk juice and the berry antioxidant smoothie. I recommend indulging after being on a bike.Laugh more and keep your helmet on the whole time. Just kidding.And then pick grapes. Or, if you’re not in a vineyard, pick a piece of grass, smell the scents of your city, feel the breeze on your skin.
4. Make sure that all the ingredients are well mixed. Garnish by letting go of the pressure you just experienced and relishing the love of life.
5. Bon Appétit!

xo, S