November's Newsletter
Hello friends and happy holidays! We have officially skated our way from crispy colorful leaves to bright lights and snow-covered evergreens, and I for one am all in. This month’s newsletter arrives in your online deal-filled inbox with even more gift ideas, treats, and ways to spread holiday cheer to yourself and the local community. So amid the wild ride that is this incredible season, cozy up and skate our way forward.
Now I know I’ve been posting updates on Instagram, but has anyone else seen how amazing my website has been looking lately?! That’s right and if you are sitting here shaking your head no to that question then this is your sign to pop over for a peek and see what you’ve been missing out on! If the FOMO wasn’t real enough from that, then maybe I can entice you with promises of a one-stop shop for all my personally tried and true discounted items. Or mouth-watering recipes inspired by local agriculture (Hello, My Metropolitan Kitchen!). And to think these updates will be happening monthly from now on! Well, you certainly didn’t hear it here first, but I’ll plug it again, now’s a good time to check out chefmeganlavigne.com. ;)
Speaking of websites and shopping, it’s peak online shopping season, and have I got just the thing for you. A specifically curated Amazon storefront overflowing with gift ideas. That's right, inspiration just struck and you can find it in the form of gifts made for a variety of individuals ranging from the makeup enthusiast to the chef, the home decorator, the practical, and the health conscious. But don’t just take my word for it, I have on great authority from one fluffy lil boy named Reece that these presents are an absolute hit.
If there is one thing that I love more than a successful shopping day, it’s the amazing meal that follows it. I know the holidays are also short on time, so I’ve pulled some of my coziest and simplest recipes from the vault to make your holiday season full of flavor without the dash of stress. Leading the pack would be my Shakshuka which is an Israeli and Middle Eastern breakfast made up of poached eggs in a simmering tomato sauce with a good helping of spices. This cozy and aromatic dish comes together in 30 minutes total but brings a flavor that seems to say “I’ve been marinating for hours.” Don’t forget to add a crisp, buttery slice of bread for dipping, too! The next dish that may test your luck with the naughty or nice list is my Creamy Orecchiette with Bacon & Peas. Is it just a touch naughty? Maybe. But is it also creamy to perfection and laced with the flavor of fresh lemon juice in every bite? You bet your bottom dollar.
We are absolutely at the time of year when the months are flying by. To think that at the beginning of this month, My Metropolitan Kitchen was still an unknown thing to the world is WILD. It’s even wilder to think of the time spent recipe crafting, visiting, interviewing, and creating these episodes for you is unfolding one episode at a time for the next 3 months. So with that being said, I hope you all enjoyed our debut episode (Emma Acres Farms) as much as the team and I enjoyed making them. If you haven’t had the chance, we’ve got an insightful interview with Farmer Mark, a stunning tour of Emma Acres and a mouth watering recipe of Mangalitsa Pork Chops and freshly harvested roasted vegetables waiting for you under the My Metropolitan Kitchen tab of my website. And keep your eyes peeled for the launch of Episode #2, launching December 6th and in the spirit of sneaking around the house to “stumble upon” presents that just happen to have your name on them, I can tell you that we will be taking a little trip to Bløm Meadworks and chefing up a sweet treat for later. ;)
Now more than ever, we’ve got to prioritize self-love and care. I am as guilty as anyone in getting lost in the hustle of the season, however if this small paragraph can do anything, it’s to remind us to take a nice deep breath in and a moment (or two) for you to find some compassion for yourself. My personal favorites involve a nice steamy bubble bath with a mandatory cup of hot cocoa (marshmallows and whip cream optional). So take what you need, and leave the rest. This season is too stressful to wait for the new year to start prioritizing yourself.
However, in the event that you have some extra time on your hands, I’ve got just the thing to bring a little joy to both your own soul and a whole lot of others in this community. Moonbeams for Sweet Dreams is a cherished tradition started in 2017 by Beaumont Children’s nurses and child life specialists as a way of helping Beaumont’s youngest and bravest patients feel connected to their community during the holiday season. Each December, community members from across Southeast Michigan visit the Beaumont, Royal Oak campus at approximately 8 p.m. to shine flashlights to remind pediatric patients they aren’t alone and wish them sweet dreams. I will be in attendance this year along with some of my best friends and invite you to join us as well. You can find all the event details, registration, and more on their home website right here.
That’s a wrap on this month’s newsletter. Thank you all for tuning in and have a safe and amazing holiday season!
Megan