Fall and the Yellow Dutch Oven

✨ Featuring Ari Lake

Oct 15, 2022

Hello, and welcome new subscribers. ✨

Today I am thrilled to feature a writer friend, Ari Lake.

I asked for submissions to this newsletter because I want to learn from other people. How do you slow down and celebrate life?

Ari really delivered. She even included a link to guiso, a South American stew, which looks incredible. So, let's get into it.

Fall and the Yellow Dutch Oven

Fall is one of my favorite seasons. It's chock-full of vibrant colors as Mother Nature does her thing. Bright orange pumpkins. Brown leaves falling from the trees. Luscious red apples begging to be made into pie. Still, for me, one color stands out from the crowd - yellow.

Every fall, I bring out my grandma's yellow Dutch oven. It's a nice way to kick off the season and remember my grandma. Even though she isn't here, she gave me a beautiful gift.

This well-loved Dutch oven reminds me to slow down. It encourages me to do something I absolutely love to do but don't always have time for - cooking! And it helps me bring my husband's culture into our home through food.

This mighty pot is perfect for fall stews. Since having it, my husband was inspired to show me a South American guiso(stew) recipe from his home country of Argentina. Even though he moved to the U.S. 4 years ago, I know it will never fully feel like home. This recipe lets him feel close to home and share his culture with me through food.

The uniqueness of the guiso is that it can be made in multiple ways depending on what country, city, or even family you're from. Each recipe is different, which reflects the diversity of the region. In South America, no two countries are the same.

The beauty of this recipe is that we make it every year. We spend time together with no phones, no TV, no work calls, and just cook in our tiny kitchen. We always have Spanish music in the background while we chop vegetables and argue over counter space.

The stew includes a long list of ingredients like peas, bell pepper, carrots, and potatoes. It also includes three types of meat - bacon, sausage, and beef. The final touch is throwing in a cup of rice that soaks up the broth and tomato sauce as the guiso simmers on low.

As the sweet aromas fill our apartment, we sit on the couch and enjoy a nice show. I love this tradition because it gets us off our phones, out of our heads, and makes us mindful of the cooking process.

I love to see my husband enjoy a piece of Argentina right in the United States. Each year it is a sweet reminder of the diversity of our household and the importance of slowing down to spend time with family.

Even though she can't be here, I know that the memories and recipes created by this yellow Dutch oven are gifts from my grandma.

Ari Lake is a Miami-based freelance writer on all things alternative health. You can connect with her on Medium (here) or check out her entire portfolio (here). Find her on Twitter @ariiwrites

October Playlist

It's time for your October Playlist. 🙌

This one has a funky tilt with some rock and even some '90s hip-hop. I can't explain it - you gotta hear it.

Enjoy!

October Playlist

Take a Break

It's mid-October, and although there are no significant holidays in October (besides Halloween), this time of year usually feels a little wild. There's so much planning and arranging to prepare for the rest of the year - it can feel overwhelming.

This is your permission slip: sleep in, rest, drink some tea, and chill out.

Whatever you're up to this weekend, find a little moment of peace.

Pour your favorite drink, put your feet up, and pet your pets. You're doing great.

Until next time -

Peace,

Kit

📣 Calling for Submissions

If you would like to contribute to this newsletter, please let me know. I’d love to hear your story. How do you slow down? What are some of your favorite family traditions? Do you love walking your dog? Is coffee your favorite morning ritual? Whatever! Let’s hear it.

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