Sticky Orange Tofu Bowls and why I can't go to Title boxing

it's not for lack of trying!!

sticky orange tofu bowls

Starting today’s newsletter off with a chaotic stream of consciousness, followed by a fun way to make sense of it—and then some very good food. If you’re new here…. wahoo.

Trying to comprehend time

Isn’t time crazy? Sometimes it moves fast, other times excruciatingly slow. Time flies when you’re having fun — but does it actually? Would it not move slower because you’re so present? When I’m stressed and busy my day flies by but I’m not having fun, per se. Not as much fun as I would be having sipping a crispy white and chatting with my friends on a patio but then would that go fast? Or slow because we have nowhere to be! I literally was just 26 and now I’m 31…but also me being 26 was sooooo long ago. Who even was I back then? Covid was 5 years ago. That feels both wildly inaccurate and spot on. Okay, I know I sound insane, but that is time’s fault. Really hoping this is relatable. Otherwise… call the authorities.

How to feel ALIVE

Anyway, that got away from me. But time is slippery and elusive, so how do we make it feel rooted? Like we’re actually in it. Livin’.

You know how people always say, ‘Try new things, switch up your routine, brush your teeth with your left hand’? Sure, it sounds nice. But do I actually listen to any of this? Not really. (I brush with my left for 3 consecutive days, once a year).

But now I have a layer of context that might actually make us heed this advice. When you do the same things every day (same routine, same environment), your brain doesn’t create distinct new memories. So in retrospect, time feels like it flew by, and everything blends together. This is often why adult life (no idea when this starts?) can feel like a blur compared to childhood or travel — those periods are rich with novelty.

By trying new things — even little things like taking a different route to work, trying a new hobby, or going somewhere new — your brain takes more notice, and time feels fuller and more meaningful.

Maybe time isn’t crazy — maybe it’s just our routines dulling the memory reel. If you don’t add a little spice to your life, a little texture to your days, a little switch up to schedule, your memories just blob together. Break the memory merge, feel more alive.

How do we break free? There are more fun ways to do it than the lefty tooth brush. I’ve actually been trying for YEARS to switch up my workout routine and go to a Title Boxing class. They make the process of signing up for a class so insane that every time I reach out, I end up losing my mind and giving up. You can’t just sign up online, no way. You end up with missed calls, voicemails, and green text messages from an employee who gaslights you into thinking you’re insane for trying to go to a class. I kid you not, this has happened at least three times — and now the manager knows me and my phone number, so I have to wait for her to retire. I could be working on my uppercut!!!

While I bide my time, there are other ways to infuse my life with pizzazz. It’s helpful to have a list of unserious goals to commit to — for the month, the season, or whatever timetable speaks to you. Here is an example list of my own creation. Take what you will!

Life Accessories:

• wear interesting sunglasses to get a coffee

• walk a different route than your usual

• swap Spotify playlists with a friend

For The Bit (and mental stimulation):

• learn to play one song on the piano (great party trick)

• read a Substack article you wouldn’t normally be interested in then talk about it with someone

• rip the beginning of “Piano Man” on the harmonica (working on this one)

• give a fake name when you go out with your friends for a night (a classic)

Romanticize It:

• get a bagel or egg sandwich on a weekday (or another treat you wouldn’t normally)

• wake up early just to watch the sunrise

• send someone a voice note instead of a text

• make your dinner a theme—Italian summer, breakfast for dinner, Mediterranean tapas

• go to a new workout class (IM TRYING)

• get whipped cream on your iced coffee one day (shoutout to

  Nick Widmer
  for this one)

• listen to a full album from start to finish while you cook or clean (no skips!)

• have a Monday movie night

• actually make one of those recipes you saved (you know the one 👀)

This also got me thinking about the random little rules we make for ourselves without even realizing it. Like reserving certain things for the weekend, saving your “good” outfit for a night that may never come, or only lighting a candle when your apartment is clean. Let’s ditch those! Or at least be aware of them and defy them sometimes. You have free will, babe. Don’t waste it on arbitrary rules or productivity culture.

Let’s eat something memorable

This Sticky Orange Tofu Bowl is guaranteed to earn a spot in your memory reel. It has three main components: lightly pickled cucumber and red onion for a fresh crunch, sticky orange tofu with pineapple — sweet, savory, a little tangy, and perfectly caramelized. And finally, steamy jasmine rice as a base. It somehow tastes like way more effort than it actually takes to make. So forget about Title Boxing and make this!

Sticky Orange Tofu Bowls

Serves 2-3

For the tofu:

• 1 block extra-firm tofu, pressed and torn into bite-sized chunks

• 1 tbsp neutral oil (for pan)

• 1 tsp cornstarch (for coating)

• 1 cup fresh pineapple, diced

For the sauce:

• 1/4 cup soy sauce or tamari

• 2 tbsp rice vinegar

• 2 tbsp maple syrup or honey

• Juice and zest of 1 orange

• 1 tbsp chili crisp or sriracha (use less if sensitive to heat)

• 1–2 tsp grated ginger

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• Splash of sesame oil (optional)

• 1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water (mixed to form a slurry)

For the pickled veg:

• 1 English cucumber, thinly sliced

• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced

• Handful of cilantro, chopped

• 1/4 cup white vinegar

• 2 tbsp soy sauce

• 1–2 tsp chili crisp

• 1 tsp sugar

• Pinch of salt

For serving:

• Jasmine or sushi rice

• Scallions or chives, sliced

• Sesame seeds

• Fresh cilantro or mint

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Method:

1. Pickle the veg: In a bowl or jar, combine vinegar, soy sauce, chili crisp, sugar, and salt. Stir to dissolve. Add sliced cucumber, red onion, and cilantro. Let sit while you prep everything else (10–15 minutes is plenty).

2. Tear & coat tofu: Tear pressed tofu into craggly chunks. Pat dry again if needed, then toss with cornstarch to lightly coat.

3. Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together all sauce ingredients except the cornstarch slurry. Add the slurry last and stir to combine. Set aside.

4. Sear the tofu: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add tofu in a single layer and cook undisturbed for 3–4 minutes per side, until golden and crispy all over.

5. Add the pineapple: Add diced pineapple to the pan. Sauté for 2–3 minutes, until it begins to caramelize.

6. Finish with sauce: Pour in the sauce and stir to coat. Let it simmer for 3–4 minutes, until thickened and glossy.

7. Assemble the bowls: Spoon jasmine rice into bowls. Top with sticky tofu and pineapple, pickled veggies, and your choice of fresh herbs, scallions, and sesame seeds.