Hello,

Keeping the letter short this week, because my son and husband went to the beach and I sorta want to really cherish all the extra minutes I have alone. And by cherish, I mean watch Good Girls while drinking a green juice all by myself. Gonna do it!

The fun stuff is below.
Stay safe.
See you in August!

Love,
Jessica

Lemongrass Spring Rolls with Tempeh from Root & Nourish: An Herbal Cookbook For Women’s Wellness

This recipe comes from the new book Root & Nourish by Abbey Rodriguez and Jennifer Kurdyla. The book is plant-based with herbalism and Ayurveda at its core and is organized into three areas: digestion, mental health, and hormonal health. Jennifer was kind enough to send a copy my way and to let me share a recipe from it here!

Jennifer says about the recipe…
Lemongrass releases a fragrance that helps us feel cheery, even as it provides a sense of calm and well-being, due to its nervine and relaxant herbal properties. The process of making the rolls is a practice of mindfulness in and of itself, giving the entire meal from start to finish a zen, yet invigorating, vibe.

I definitely need mindful, zen vibes right now and cannot wait to make this!
You can see more of the recipes from this book and order it here.

Lemongrass Spring Rolls with Tempeh

MARINATED TEMPEH
1 lemongrass stalk
8 ounces tempeh, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
1 garlic clove, peeled
1/2 cup coconut aminos
¼ cup apple cider vinegar

SPRING ROLLS
8 rice paper wrappers
1 mango, peeled and cut into matchsticks
1/2 red bell pepper, cut into matchsticks
¼ cup cucumber, cut into matchsticks
1 small bunch green leaf lettuce
Leaves from 1 small bunch basil (about 12)

PEANUT SAUCE
3/4 cup natural organic chunky peanut butter
2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
1 tablespoon white miso paste
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 to 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup, to taste
1/2 teaspoon reishi powder (I think this can be optional and I don’t have any, so will be making without. I’ll report back!)

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Line a baking sheet with reusable parchment.

2. Remove the tough outer layers of the lemongrass stalk and cut off the bottom bulb. Trim off and discard the tougher top portion of the stalk, leaving just the softer white bottom. Mince the lemongrass and transfer to a food processor.

3. Add the garlic, coconut aminos, and vinegar and process on high until smooth.

4. Arrange the sliced tempeh in a single layer in a wide shallow bowl or a rectangular container. Pour the lemongrass marinade over the tempeh. Flip the tempeh until all the slices are thoroughly coated. Set aside to marinate for 20 minutes, flipping the tempeh two or three times to coat in the marinade.

5. Place the marinated tempeh in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, reserving the marinade remaining in the container. Bake the tempeh for 10 minutes, then flip and bake for another 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool on the pan.

6. Make the spring rolls: Fill a large shallow bowl with warm water, about ½-inch deep. Quickly dip 2 rice paper wrappers in the water just to wet. Remove them, letting the excess water drip off, then lay them flat on a clean work surface with a slight overlap (think of a Venn diagram with a very large middle overlapped section).

7. Place 2 or 3 slices of mango, bell pepper, and cucumber in the center of the wrapper. Add 1 leaf of lettuce and 3 or 4 basil leaves, then top with a slice of tempeh. Make sure to keep 1 to 2 inches of the wrapper uncovered around the edges so they can be folded in. Gently pull the bottom edge of the wrapper up and tuck it over the filling, rolling away from you. Next, fold in the sides so the filling is enclosed. Continue to roll the wrapper away from you, pulling and tucking tightly until it is completely rolled. Place the spring roll on a plate and repeat to assemble the remaining rolls.

8. Make the peanut sauce: Combine the peanut butter, ginger, miso, avocado oil, vinegar, maple syrup, and reishi in a food processor and process until smooth, about 5 minutes (or combine the ingredients in a bowl and whisk vigorously with a fork until smooth). Whisk in hot water 1 tablespoon at a time (about 2 tablespoons total), until the desired consistency is achieved. The sauce should be thick but runny enough to pour.

9. Serve the spring rolls with peanut sauce for dipping.

Things That Freaked My Week!

A bunch of things I want to eat, have watched/read, and am currently loving…

• As I began this section, my friend Al text me a link to a site with “Thoughts? What do we know?” It was a link to Stacy London’s brand, State Of. Which is an entire product line for people going through menopause. I had never heard of the brand, so my thoughts were “Wow! I’m intrigued!” Because while I am still in perimenopause land, I love investigating and being ready when the full-on pause hits. It’s so cool that people are talking about this topic more and in such a chic way! Check it out here.

• Every couple of weeks, I wonder if I should join TikTok. It’s not that I really want to be on another social media platform…but could it help me sell more books? Could I raise more awareness for endo there? A lot of authors have had great success on the platform. Yes! Yes, I could! So I download the app, get to the login page, and think “Do you really want to figure out a new app?” and “Will you be consistent with it?” Blerg. No! And delete it. Again. I just can’t commit right now. Until I can finally pull the trigger, please enjoy my friend Morgan’s latest video. She created a recipe from Know Your Endo in her signature empowering and sultry way. I love everything she does and think you will, too.

• My favorite Good Food Cooking School has a new dairy-free ice cream mini-course! 18 recipes for dairy-free (and gluten-free) ice cream, fold-ins, and toppings. Head here to see it all. And as always, founder Heather Crosby has a course tour to make sure it’s right for you + so many ooey, gooey photos! Plus, you can use code GIMMEICECREAM for 15% off.

• I have so many questions/thoughts about the new Gossip Girl. Is the acting really bad or just campy? How do they look even older than the original cast, who were also supposed to be playing high schoolers? Is it just me, or does the Audrey Hope character look just like a blonde Blaire? And does the Max Wolfe character look like a combination of Ryan Seacrest and Chuck? And is he hot? I can’t tell. Is it completely inappropriate what the teachers are doing or sort of amazing? Do I actually like this show?! I can’t tell. But the outfits, NY vibes, and surprise full frontal (a man!) are gonna keep me watching, for now.

CHARLESTON ENDO MEETUP!

I had one of these planned for last March and then you know what happened. I’d really love to plan another one of these (outside) for late August or September. If you live in Charleston, SC, or close by, and want to join, please reply to this email! I’ll find a place where we can all hang, have snacks, talk endo (or not talk endo), and just be with other people who get it. And you don’t have to buy or even read my book to join (I just really liked that photo).

Let me know if you’re down, and I’m going to start planning!

This newsletter is supported by Sakara. I order it once a month to help my brain and stomach relax. There’s something about these meals that helps my gut chill - and not having to think about what to cook makes my brain chill, too. Order it once a week, once a month, or once a year. It’s customizable, so you can do whatever works for you!
It’s totally plant-based and gluten-free, too.

If you want to try it, you can use code XOJESS for 20% off your order, too!

If you’ve read Know Your Endo loved it, please leave a review! It really helps more people discover the book and raise more awareness for endo, too. You can head here to leave one (and you can still leave one on Amazon, even if you bought it someplace else). It helps out authors so much.

And if you haven’t bought Know Your Endo, you can do that here!

I make a commission on some of the links in this newsletter.

Hi!

Popping in here real quick to tell you about two events I have coming up this week. Both are free and virtual! Feel free to forward to a friend - and hope to see you there.

Also included a few Freak My Weeks at the end, if these events aren’t your thing.

Love,
Jessica

Empowering Teens/Caregivers To Take Control Of Their Health Through Knowledge, Self-advocacy, and Community • Thursday, July 15th!

Learning to advocate for my health and body was something that took a lot of time and painful lessons to achieve. And it’s why I’m so passionate about helping the next generation learn to do this way sooner, so they don’t suffer the way I had to. SO I am beyond excited to partner with Boogie Down Books on this event. Boogie Down specializes in events/books for kids, teens, families, and educators.

From Boogie Down Books about our event:
We're gathering together an intergenerational group of panelists to talk about their health and healing journeys through the empowering experience of becoming deeply knowledgeable about their own bodies, what they wish they knew as teens, and the tools that have helped them find healing and hope through knowledge, self-advocacy, and community. This event is for anyone who's looking to feel more connected to and empowered around their physical health and is designed especially for teens, parents, caregivers, school nurses, and other healthcare professionals who support young people. All are welcome!

You can register here!

Snacks + Chat with Everything Endometriosis • Saturday, July 17th

Every month, Everything Endometriosis has a Snacks & Chat where friendos (friends with endo) come together to talk endo and not endo…basically some time to hang with people who get it. I’m so excited to be the guest of honor this July!

They’ll be sending out some snack recipes before the event (from me) and will be doing a book giveaway. You can send in any questions you have when you register.

It’s free, virtual, and on the weekend (pajamas are encouraged!).

You can RSVP here!

• Love the Exit Scam podcast! It’s a true story about Gerald Cotten, who was the founder of Canada's biggest Bitcoin exchange. He died under mysterious circumstances and his customers were told that the $215 million they put in his exchange was lost, because Gerald had forgot to leave behind his passwords. BUT did he? Not everyone thinks he’s dead. Such a fascinating listen.

• I went to Greenhouse Canteen in Columbus, Ohio while visiting family last week and it was one of the best meals I’ve had in a very long time. Such a pretty space, too!

• Good Girls is so good this season. If you’re not watching it, past seasons are on Netflix and the current one is on Hulu. It just got cancelled and rumor is it’s because of Rio. Nooooo!

• Cosmic Peace Studio’s Do No Harm, Take No Shit shirts are back! You can pre-order here. They’ll go fast! I have one and love it so much.

This newsletter is supported by Sakara. I’ve been ordering Sakara once a month for a nice break from cooking and to get some DIFFERENT flavors in my life (I’ve seem to make the same thing over and over again lately). This month, I’ll be skipping the breakfast and just doing lunch and dinner. You can really customize to your budget and week (you can even sub in meals now too, if you don’t like what they’re offering!).

If you want to try Sakara, you can use code XOJESS for 20% off your order.

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If you’re reading/read Know Your Endo and love it, please do me a big favor and leave a review! It really helps more people discover the book and raise more awareness for endo, too. You can head here to leave one (and you can still leave one on Amazon, even if you bought it someplace else). Really, really appreciate it.

And if you haven’t bought Know Your Endo, you can do that here!

I make a commission on some of the links in this newsletter.

Hi!

I feel like 80 months have passed since the last newsletter, but then when I logged in to send this, turns out it’s only been 1.5 months! So much has happened in those those 1.5 months. I put out a book, did approximately 30 podcasts/Instagram Lives (aka can barely hear the own sound of my voice anymore), sold our house, packed and put everything in storage, and have been living with friends/in hotels for the last few weeks. It’s been wild times. So much so, I didn’t get a chance to share the finale of One Part Podcast. Yes, the finale finale.

For seven years, the podcast was one my most favorite things I’ve ever had the chance to do. I got to interview big heroes of mine, learned so much about producing a show (I edited and did everything myself for the whole seven years), and so many of the guests and One Part Podcast community became great friends of mine. But last year, I felt like it might be time to move on. I’m not even sure why. Maybe I feel like we covered it all or maybe the podcast space felt really crowded, I just felt like it was time for a new adventure.

I didn’t make a big deal out of the last episode or do a “best-of” style recap show, because I thought we’d go out just like we started – with a big, deep, feely conversation with someone I thought we could learn something from. Plus, I hate big goodbyes. I feel like it shuts the door, instead of leaving it cracked open a bit to come back again and connect in a new way.

So here we are. Door cracked open and excited for what’s next.

Just because the podcast is over, my love of sharing TV/book/food/inspiring finds is still going strong (see lots of goodies below!). THANK YOU for listening to one or all the episodes. You truly made these past seven years a dream come true.

Hope you’re having a good start to the summer.

Love,
Jessica

Ginger Cabbage Slaw from Know Your Endo

I make a version of this recipe every single week. I’ve layered this slaw on veggie burgers, used it as a topping for baked sweet potatoes, paired it with some hummus and roasted potatoes, or just thrown it on top of some greens to make a quick salad. I share this recipe and why this dish is so significant to managing my endo over on The Kitchn. Get the recipe here!

My friend, Laura Wright of The First Mess, took this beautiful shot of the slaw.

Things That Freaked My Week!

A bunch of things I want to eat, have watched/read, and am currently loving…

• I started watching The Challenge again after about 15 years. And it’s become a problem, how much I’m watching and talking about it. I find a way to reference it in about every conversation I have. Hulu has three of the newer seasons, and I highly recommend watching all three (in order). I finished them all and just downloaded a free trial of Paramount+ to watch more. Like I said, it’s a problem. Also, CT FOREVER!

• Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (and favorite OPP guest), Giselle Wasfie, launched her own line of tools for facial gua sha, reflexology, and acupressure. There is one for the face and body and she also has a special video tutorial on how to use them! She gave me a special code for you: JESSICASREMIX to get 15% off the tools. This is not an affiliate thing, it’s a friend-of-a-friend discount thing. Use it!

• I bought these books for my summer reads. Chill and fun books only.
Resting Beach Face
A Special Place For Women
The Break Up Book Club
The Summer Job

• OBSESSED with Minna sparkling teas. They’re not cheap…but still less than a kombucha (which feels like a win). All the flavors are so good! I was worried that the Cherry Cacao might be too chocolate-vibes, but it’s not. It has a light Cherry Dr. Pepper energy, but is way more refreshing. I found them at Whole Foods, but looks like you can buy on Amazon, too.

One Part Podcast Finale! Episode 172: The Body Is Not An Apology + Unlearning with Sonya Renee Taylor

I couldn’t have picked a more incredible finale guest. Sonya is a force and a true teacher. I hope you take away as much as I did from this one. Thanks again for listening all these years.

Listen here!

If you’re loving Know Your Endo.

If you’re reading Know Your Endo and loving it, please do me a big favor and leave a review! It really helps more people discover the book and raise more awareness for endo, too. You can head here to leave one (and you can still leave one on Amazon, even if you bought it someplace else). Really, really appreciate it.

And if you haven’t bought Know Your Endo, you can do that here!

To celebrate my book launch, my sister gave me a choice of a present: a week of Sakara or a new dress. I chose Sakara and now I’ve fallen in love with them all over again. Not that I fell out of love, it’s just that with being inside for the last year and homeschooling, I got so in the zone of cooking all the time that I didn’t place an order. And if I’m being totally honest, it felt weird treating myself when things felt so uncertain.

I am ready to treat myself again! And with not having a proper kitchen right now, these meals are making my life way easier. Since last year, Sakara has a new plan where you can order the amount of meals you want each day (aka you can skip breakfast if it’s not your thing or skip the dinner if you prefer eating with your family). I’m back to getting it once a month (my sister gets every single week) and go for the three meals. But do your thing!

Putting it back on your radar, cause it’s been making me so happy.
If you want to try it, you can use code XOJESS for 20% off your order, too!

I make a commission on some of the links in this newsletter.

Popping in here real quick (big May email coming next weekend!) to share about my event with the great Jill Blakeway, founder of Yinova Center. The event is tomorrow night at 6pm EST. It’s free. It’s virtual. It’s gonna be cool. And you can RSVP here!

Love,
Jessica

Hey!

So, I have a new book coming out in about a week. And one of the most fun things about writing a book is doing a book tour and connecting with new people (especially meeting internet friends in real life). This is isn’t happening this time around…but I wasn’t going to let that stop me from connecting and sharing and having fun.

So I lined up a bunch of fun things for the launch (which you can find below). And if you’re not into book events, I made a big Freak My Week List for you…also below (because if you opened up this newsletter, you should still get something from it!).

Love you lots,
Jessica

P.S. April’s podcast is coming soon! It’s already recorded, and I know you’re really going to like it.

BOOK EVENTS!

April 27th • Ache Magazine

A free virtual event! I’ll be talking with fellow authors Karen Havelin (Please Read This Leaflet Carefully) and Lucia Osborne-Crawley (I Choose Elena) about writing and endometriosis. Panel lead by Ache editor Kirstie Millar.

You can register here!
Please note the time on the invite is UK time (7:00pm). In the US, it will be 3pm.

April 30th • Drop By Book Signing At Huriyali

I’ll be sitting outside in Hurilyali’s back garden in Charleston, SC from noon-6pm signing books. They’re doing a special veggie burrito bowl for the day and have the best smoothies (and wine, too). I’ll be wearing a mask! Huriyali is at 401 Huger Street.

IG LIVES…

April 26th at 12:00pm with This Endo Life
April 28th at 12:30pm with Semaine
April 29th at 1:00pm with Cleban & Daughters
May 3rd at 7pm with Whole 30 (hosted by pod-guest favorite Kholi)

And coming soon…

May 3rd-7th
Basic Kitchen in Charleston, SC is doing a weeklong salad/juice special in honor of the book, and is giving away one copy a day for seven days to a lucky diner.

May 12th
A special virtual event with Yinova Center: How to Build Your Endo Toolkit. RSVP details to come.

More talks and book events in the works (definitely one with Daphne Javitch)!

Last days to enter Know Your Endo Giveaway!

If you pre-ordered the Know Your Endo book, make sure to enter the giveaway by April 26th! Super easy to do: head here, scroll down, enter your email address and where you bought the book. Done!

Here’s what’s in the Ultimate Endo Care Package:
A luxe, organic sheet set from Ettitude • CBD products, including an herbal bath soak, golden milk powder, and more from Supergood • A meditative-without-mediating jigsaw puzzle from Inner Piece • Plant-based skincare spa kit, including a serum, facial roller, mask set, and more from Franklin + Whitman • Four-Week Pilates Jumpstart program with Jessica Vallant • A signed copy of the One Part Plant cookbook.

It’s a lot of good stuff!
You can pre-order up until April 26th to enter.

Things That Freaked My Week!

A bunch of things I want to eat, have watched/read, and currently loving…

• These cookies. Need.

• There is a new season of Younger. I CANNOT WAIT.
(it’s on Hulu even though they act like it’s only on Parmount+)

• My friend Rose changing her company name to Cosmic Peace Studios. She’s the coolest. I’ve talked about her a million times here…but if you haven’t yet, CHECK OUT her stuff!

• Podcasts I’ve been loving:
Gee Thanks, Just Bought it
Natch Beaut
Bachelor Party
Bitch Sesh (still)

• My friend Meg just released her documentary, Blood and Guts, and it’s incredible.

• Getting in all my water, because of this guy.

• Books / Cookbooks I’ve read the past couple of months (and liked):
The Au Pair
Mr. Nobody
The Body Is Not An Apology
Spicebox Kitchen
Hot For Food All Day

First person to email me that you read this whole newsletter…I will send you a bookmark from Cosmic Peace Studios (they made them for the Know Your Endo launch). Since I still haven’t made a real footer yet, this seems like a fun one.

You can follow my personal/podcast IG here and the Know Your Endo one here.