By Shirin Yadegar
Fleeing Iran with my family was a decision born out of desperation, a leap into the unknown, grasping for safety amidst the rising tide of antisemitism. As a Jewish Iranian woman, my mother sought sanctuary for my brother and I in the United States. Becoming a mother of four daughters, I always thought my girls would always grow free from the shadows of hatred that had darkened my homeland. Yet, the events since October 7 have stirred the embers of old fears, igniting a flame of sorrow and anxiety that wakes me at night. (more…)
Ingredients:
The impact of Perfectionism is like the force of Gravity.
Ready in 20 minutes 
The concept for this dish was inspired by a crudités platter that was served to me at a beach in Italy. Italians just know how to make everything beautiful- especially when it comes to food. Try incorporating a few unpredictable vegetables for your crudités and present them in a natural, primitive style- stems and roots attached for added effect. Remember, we eat with our eyes first. 
As the lazy days of summer wind down, the buzz of back-to-school preparations begins to fill the air. August is a crucial month for ensuring a smooth transition from carefree vacation mode to the structured routines of the school year. Here’s how I tackle the challenge of preparing my kids for the upcoming academic year. 
Before We Held You in Our Arms is a recently released children’s picture book that draws on the love and desire of parenthood long before the baby cuddles and snuggles. Emily Feit, a Los Angeles native and licensed clinical social worker, wrote this book after her long personal journey with infertility. After having her twins through multiple rounds of IVF and her son through surrogacy, she was inspired to write this heartwarming story after she noticed that many children’s books about infertility did not touch on the emotions that go along with the infertility journey. Authoring this book is Emily’s way of helping to open the conversation between parent and child about how much the child was desired before they were born. Gentle and age appropriate, the book is a love story between parent and child. 
This is a super easy marinade that can be blitzed together in just minutes. Orange and sage make a wonderful combo, add the wine and honey, and it becomes next level good! Sometimes, when I’m feeling risky, I throw in the whole orange, unpeeled into the food processor – this adds great, vibrant color and just the right amount of bitterness.