Ask Digestivo: This & That

A cursory cataloging of recent discoveries, future landings, and just some stuff we like

If you’ve been with us for a while (thank you), this is not so familiar. In 2020, as Digestivo was growing up, we turned time and time again to the internet’s first and foremost celebrity-helmed editorial-turned-ecommerce-platform*  for inspiration, drive, ambition…and, actually, yoga. This week we’re paying homage once again with a little this & that of our own, in the style of our favorite She-E-O. We hope you enjoy it and let us know if you find out what a “Boyfriend Breakfast” is. 

*(“It’s not an empire” - Gwynnie to Julia Roberts, shortly after asking “what the fuck is mahjong?”)

IN MY LAST GROCERY CART:

(JS) In an effort to put a dent in my wildly overstocked pantry I’ve tried my hardest to only buy perishables lately – Cocojune has been a constant. My uncle Michael generously gifted me a sizable fish haul from his Sitka Salmon Shares subscription, so expect a fair share of wild-caught-and-sustainably-harvested-from-responsibly-managed-fisheries content in the coming weeks. 

(SB) I just made a rare Trader Joe’s trip to stock up on things that one can microwave when no one wants to cook. So, basically many frozen Indian dinners.  I’ve had a taste for yogurt and mushrooms this week, go figure. 

STANDOUT BOYFRIEND BREAKFASTS: (what…?)

(JS) Is this supposed to be a breakfast prepared by my boyfriend? For my boyfriend? Is breakfast my boyfriend? David makes a lot of eggs. I’ll let you decide what part of that sentence stands out.

(SB) I am the coffee maker in my partnership.

DRINK STATUS:

(JS) I had the loveliest vermouth from Partida Creus earlier this week at Cervo’s. Much as I love me a martini, it’s nice to enjoy a little something pon de rocks from time to time.

(SB) I really enjoyed a bubbly red on the bottle menu at Glou last week, but failed to take a picture or remember the name…! Guess I’ll have to go back, let me know if you want to come o:) 

ON DOING THE G.TOX 7 DAY RESET KIT AGAIN FOR SPRING:

(SB) Absolutely not.

(JS) I’m good luv, enjoy 💕

THE LAST HEALER I WORKED WITH:

(SB) Mona. The healing power of animals… powerful. More metaphorically? Michelle Yeoh, Kris Jenner, the Taco Bell in Pacifica. 

(JS) Does Jazmine Sullivan count because that show 100% breathed life into me. Otherwise like… my dentist?

LAST FRIENDS TRIP:

(JS) LA over President’s Day Weekend for a little Kacey Musgraves (literally the second to worst seats in the entire Crypto.com Arena FKA the Staples Center) and a lot of eating (a few faves included Sapp Coffee Shop, Hangari Kalguksu, Messob, Quarter Sheets, and Doubting Thomas). 

Memorable, save for the name

(SB) An AAFC retreat to Chapel Hill, North Carolina. I’m ashamed to say that I forget where we ate, but did eat a lot, including some truly memorable biscuits. 

NEXT TRIP:

(JS) Porto. Like, imminently. Lusophile readers, please send recs!

(SB) Readers, I need a vacation really badly. I am going to a conference in Charlottesville, VA in May and another in…. West Lafayette, IN. This is my reward for trying to ingratiate myself with the political historians. Please send recommendations for things to eat, if you have ‘em! 

RESTAURANT I LOVED:

(JS) I’m obsessed with Agi’s Counter – it’s truly the only place I’m excited to go for br*nch, and the fact that it’s very comfortably walking distance from my apartment is icing on the cake. Also I’m constantly craving De Hot Pot and Deluxe Green Bo.

Haunting photo but amazing XLB

(SB) I’m dying to go back to Cha Kee, which was delicious and special. I also finally went to Risbo a several weeks ago and was thoroughly charmed. 

BROOKLYN RESTAURANTS TO TRY NEXT:

(JS) Wenwen, Dept. of Culture, Place de Fêtes.

(SB) I’m ballin’ on a budget for the next little while but I’m eager to expand my knowledge of the local Trini food scene with trips to A&A Bake and Doubles & Ali’s Roti Shop. Schnitzi, and Spumoni Gardens are on my list. 

THE GOOP PRODUCTS WE’RE USING MOST OFTEN:

(SB) The Sleep Chews. They Have No Rival.

(JS) I’m running dangerously low on G.Day ginger and ashwaganda energy body wash (aur naur!). Praying for another shady FastAF sale, unless the kind team over Goop HQ wants to help me out 🥺👉👈

CURRENTLY WATCHING:

(JS) Top Chef, which – no offense to our illustrious Substack colleague Padma Lakshmi – is not exactly scratching the itch I expect it to. How/why is Luke still in the game? And what the fuck was that Jurassic Park challenge? Between this and those verkakte winter Olympics ads, I think this might actually have replaced Talenti as the show’s most tasteless partnership.

(SB) Winning Time, which I am basically always in the mood to watch and breathlessly wait for each week. I just finished the first season of Ultimatum (and do want to talk about it.) The Kardashians on Hulu, obviously. I cannot wait to begin Selling Sunset Season 5. 

READING:

(JS) Not many people know this but I actually can’t read :(

(SB) I am Desperately Seeking My Next Novel. Right now I’m reading a lot of edited anthologies about governance, liberalism, the welfare state…etc. 

PODCAST ROTATION:

(SB) Brian Lehrer, every day, obviously. On the Media, which I love. Sometimes a little Death, Sex, and Money. Also, after a long hiatus, I am sad to report that my latest brush with depression has led me back around a long winding path directly to true crime once again. I need murder! Maybe I’ll try Nancy Solomon’s new one about a political murder in Jerz? Keep it the WNYC family? I like what I like, and it’s on 93.9 FM. 

(JS) Straightiolab, Midnight Snack with Michelle Collins, and The Read – to put it in Love Island terms, I’m here for good banter.

PLAYLIST FROM THE LAST DIGESTIVO PARTY:

(JS) This was my Q1 all purpose (chaotic) playlist (I’m shamefully behind on the Q2 update).

(SB) This is my Q1 playlist, I’m starting Q2, and Willis just made a fun playlist for Spring I’m into. 

SAVED POSTS ON INSTAGRAM ARE FROM:

(JS) Mostly cakes and quirky restored boutique hotels – it’s giving Petit Trianon.

(SB) Did you guys hear that I’m *still off Instagram*? I’ve been on Tik Tok pretty hard but I’m gearing up to… slowly divest myself of each platform soon? I’m not sure. Feels scary.

IPHONE LOCK SCREEN:

As it turns out one of us is actually a serial killer

LAST HOME PURCHASE:

(SB) Sconces from Article. 

(JS) They weren’t actually my last home purchase, but undoubtedly my most meaningful recent investment was metal chopsticks. Absolute game changer for cooking and eating.

CAREER ADVICE WE TOOK RECENTLY:

(JS) Get your fucking ass up and work. It seems like nobody wants to work these days.

(SB) I honestly think it came from Chani Nicholas? Which should perhaps explain a lot to you about my choice to get a PhD in American History. Something, something, some people have a winding path…but you gotta walk it? I guess? 

WORKOUT:

(JS) After far too many weeks of not working out (s/o my shrimp-like spine), I very much enjoyed some IRL yoga with friend of the newsletter Faye.

(SB) I need yoga! I feel it! I’ve been watching old Pilates with Devika videos and walking a lot in the park. I just bought a bike helmet! So, I think I’m going to cautiously give the old CitiBike a try for the first time.