Hello again!
Notes from Rasti
I hope you're ready for some new recommendations from yours truly. Everything below is light and airy, just like I wish the weather could be! For June, I've put together a list of fun and simple things to enjoy, whether it's media or nutritious food (spoiler alert). I hope you find something you like. As always, if you have any thoughts about the newsletter, just hit reply! Hope you have a great summer ahead, filled with lots of love and joy!
A little bit of listening
I've been listening to the new season of Coke Studio, and one song has been on repeat: Chal Chaliye by Sajjad Ali and Farheen Raza Jaffry. The song has such an infectious and happy tune. Sajjad Ali's nostalgic voice (do you remember the iconic Cinderella?!) pairs perfectly with Jaffry's melodious notes. It's yet another example of how Coke Studio seamlessly blends different musical worlds to create something truly magical.
A little bit of self-care
It's been incredibly hot in my part of the world, and I've found a skincare lifesaver: the Avene facial spray. It's super soothing for irritated or sunburned skin, or even just to freshen up! It's great for all skin types and doesn't have any of those scary ingredients. I've gone through so many bottles recently because it makes me feel instantly refreshed every time I use it.
A little bit of screen time
This past month, my nephew and niece’s visit led me to a children’s cinema for an adorable movie, IF. Amidst the tiny cinema-goers running around, my nephew screaming his sister’s name during a particularly emotional scene, and an unfortunate case of popcorn falling everywhere, I managed to keep up with the story and enjoy it. The movie was so sweet and wholesome. I particularly enjoyed the different depictions of imaginary friends. I highly recommend it if you're looking for something light to watch.
For a fun activity this month, try drawing an imaginary friend. If you feel like sharing, reply to this email with your creations, would love to see them!
A little bit of reading
Foster by Claire Keegan is a novella about a young girl who is sent away to live with a childless couple while her mother prepares to give birth to her younger sibling. In the strangers' house, she feels loved and cared for in a way she isn’t used to. Keegan’s writing is exceptional, drawing readers into the story with a unique blend of simplicity and depth. The novella's ending is one of my favorites. Keegan has a rare talent for transporting readers to new places while making them feel familiar and comforting. Much like the girl in the story, you find yourself feeling right at home in a new environment, a testament to the author’s extraordinary storytelling ability. Keegan is one of my favorite writers and I will read anything she writes!
A little bit of food
Sharing a beloved recipe below, that I’ve made countless times since discovering I could consume anything as long as it was covered in enough parmesan cheese.
Rasti’s Chopped Salad Recipe
Ingredients
For the Salad:
Mixed greens (baby lettuce and spinach)
Grilled chicken (or any meat of your choice)
Cucumbers
Carrots
Bell peppers
Corn
Edamame
Chickpeas
Croutons
Parmesan cheese (lots and lots of it!)
For the Dressing:
¼ cup olive oil
2 tablespoons vinegar (your choice: balsamic, red wine, apple cider, etc.)
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 garlic clove, grated
½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
½ teaspoon thyme
¼ teaspoon sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
Prepare the Salad Ingredients:
Wash and dry the mixed greens, baby lettuce, and spinach.
Chop the grilled chicken into bite-sized pieces.
Dice the cucumbers, carrots, and bell peppers into small, uniform pieces.
If using canned corn and chickpeas, drain and rinse them thoroughly.
Prepare the edamame according to package instructions if using frozen, then cool.
Make the Dressing:
In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, finely chopped parsley, honey, dried oregano, grated garlic, Dijon mustard, thyme, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
Whisk the ingredients together until the dressing is well-blended.
Stir in the 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese to the dressing mixture.
Assemble the Salad:
In a large salad bowl, add the mixed greens, baby lettuce, and spinach.
Add the chopped grilled chicken (or your choice of meat), cucumbers, carrots, bell peppers, corn, edamame, and chickpeas.
Toss in the croutons and sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese.
Dress the Salad:
Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients.
Toss everything together until all the ingredients are well-coated with the dressing.
Serve:
Serve immediately.
If you’re preparing it for later, then add the dressing right before serving to keep the ingredients fresh.
Enjoy!
Feel free to adjust the ingredients to your taste or based on what you have on hand. One of the best things about this salad is that it allows you to include ingredients you might not typically enjoy. Since everything is finely chopped, each forkful is a well-blended and flavorful mix. This versatile salad is perfect as a main dish or a side!
That’s all for now! Thanks for reading, will pop back into your inbox next month!
Lots of love,
Rasti
Wonderful recommendations Rasti! Where did you watch IF? I would love to watch it with my kids!