3 Good Things with Andrea Xu

1) Fresh summer desk lunches 🍜 🥗

When I go into the office, I’ve been committing to packing my own lunch as a way to build healthier habits. But between wanting something quick to make, easy to eat at my desk, and the intention to have a healthy meal, I had recently been running out of ideas. Then I started making vermicelli salads! They’re easy to prepare and offer endless possibilities.  

I love to use Bun Gao from Asian Best and switch up the toppings so I can enjoy multiple iterations throughout the week. I boil a batch and keep it in my fridge for about 3 days, and then prepare a salad to take to work using it. A few of my favorite combinations are: shrimp, cucumbers and carrots, and shredded chicken and cucumbers. I’ve been enjoying these rice noodle salads with different dressings like Naoshichi Goma (Sesame) Dressing and Kewpie Deep Roasted Sesame Dressing! Healthy, quick and tasty. 

2) An easy way to journal 📔📱

Journaling has been one of my New Year's resolutions for the last 5 years and I’ve struggled to keep up with it every time. I recently came across the 5 Minute Journal App which has made it easy for me to build the habit. I love that the app has consistent daily prompts as well as room to add pictures (which has been a really fun addition!). The app makes it easy to revisit past entries; I’ve really enjoyed looking back at both good and bad days to appreciate positive change in my life as well as reflect on areas for continued growth. 

3) Honing in on a clean beauty routine 🧴✨

Ever since one of my best friends introduced me to clean beauty, I’ve been slowly transitioning my beauty products to more eco-friendly alternatives. As I’ve learned more about the harmful substances that can be found in some beauty products, and the effects of those on our environment, it’s become increasingly more important to me that I vet everything that goes on my body and down my drain. 

One way that I’ve been able to make the change has been through my bath time routine. I will admit that I was pretty set in my ways when it came to my tried and true products, but after trying over 10 different brands of clean shampoos and body washes, I finally found the ones that will have a permanent spot in my shower. For me, the products that really stand out are those that have natural yet subtle scents, and that lather and rinse very similarly to the drug-store shampoos and soaps that I’ve been used to. Here are the ones that have made it to the top of my list: Necessarie’s eucalyptus body wash, John Masters Organics Scalp Stimulating Shampoo and Peppermint Conditioner for Fine Hair. 

This Week's Reads

• How to make your mental health days worthwhile (The New York Times) — From 2021, but especially applicable today!
• The Necessity of Hope (The Cut) —“Find the way to hope, not as feel-good anesthetic but as tactical necessity.”
• Coming Out at Panera (And Other Extremely Heterosexual Restaurants)  (Bon Appetit) — from writer Casey McQuiston.
• Here’s what cookbook author and recipe developer Claire Saffitz makes for dinner. (Eater) — Love this new series that gives us a nosy look into others’ dinner plans.
• Nancy Meyers’ home got the Architectural Digest treatment and every inch looks as dreamy as you might expect. (Architectural Digest)
• “Yes, I’m a Disney adult. Let me explain.” (NPR) — Love to hear about others' quirky passions.

🌀 Resources Roundup: If you're looking for ways to take action and support abortion access in the U.S. in light of the Supreme Court's decision last week, here's what we found helpful:

• A comprehensive Google doc created by activist Alison Turkos on things you can do
• A list of extremely specific political actions you can take
• Check out vote411.org for info on how to register to vote, info on upcoming primaries in your state, important election dates, and more

A Deeee-licious Giveaway!!