Deep breath, friend: you don’t have to come into the New Year raring to go on January 1. In the first episode of the newly-named and slightly-refocused podcast, The Kettle (formerly The Tea’s Made) I take a different, slower approach. I reflect on my holiday celebrations, offer an alternative to the idea of ambitious (or restrictive) New Year’s resolutions and goals, reflect on the impact of small, embodied rituals and rhythms for keeping us grounded and rooted in what’s real, and also read one of my Christmas motherhood essays out loud. And, of course, you’ll get some tea recommendations (we’re exploring rooibos this month; links below.)

Enjoy getting to know the newly ad-free podcast The Kettle in this January Journal episode, and also please consider supporting both the podcast and my writing here with a paid subscription. I appreciate you and I’m glad you’re here!

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Christmas gifts I talked about

* Segretto Cast Iron Enameled Bread Pan - while my old Dutch oven worked just fine for baking bread, I’ve done a few loaves in this one already and it’s definitely a step up. Highly recommend if you are ready to elevate your bread game, or just want to take a new hobby more seriously.

* Bread Scoring Tool - another very-nice-to-have tool; scoring is an important step in sourdough bread baking and while a sharp knife works fine, having a dedicated (and super-sharp) bread lame is a great way to achieve more precise and lovely cuts.

Featured Teas

I’ve been loving rooibos tisanes lately - teas made from this African bush are robust, hearty, and caffeine-free, making them perfect for a cold winter’s evening. Here are four I love:

* Simpson & Vail White Chocolate Peppermint Rooibos. Rooibos pairs really well with both white chocolate and mint, and this blend isn’t too strong - so it’s a beginner-friendly option for the wary rooibos novice.

* Vahdam Chocolate Vanilla Rooibos. Rich chocolate, cocoa, cinnamon and vanilla combine to create a decadent tea fit for dessert. If you like a spiked hot chocolate or cider, try reaching for this instead.

* Mrs. Rooiboson from Flowerhead Teas -

Sarah Powers sent me this tea from California for Christmas and it.is.delightful. The mint and citrus are a fabulous foil for the red rooibos. Plus, look at that cute packaging. Highly recommend!

* Lemongrass Rooibos from Terravita - Sarah also sent me a Swiss lemongrass rooibos after her family’s trip to Europe last winter (she’s like my international tea fairy!) The combination of flavors was such an unexpected pleasure and really helped kick off my deep dive into Rooibos. I can’t find the exact tea Sarah sent me (probably because it wasn’t written in English!) but this blend is a close approximation.

Essays and more

* In this episode I read a recent essay out loud - you can read it here, and I’ve also put together all the posts I wrote about holiday mothering with older kids.

* And, I shared my New Year’s resolution from last year - to eat more beans! - and how it’s influenced a similar mini-challenge I’m embarking on this year; to drink a new-to-me tea every day in January. Here are some of my thoughts on the power of playful, non-restrictive New Year’s goals:

Thanks for coming along on this journey as I transition my podcast and newsletter to The Kettle, friends! I am so excited to continue gathering with you here in 2025 and beyond.

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