Eat, Read, Go: Butternut Squash Couscous Bowls, “It Girl: The Life and Legacy of Jane Birkin,” and Healdsburg

EDITOR’S NOTE

Happy Saturday. There’s no way to sugarcoat it: NYC is expensive, which means I’m always on the hunt for ways to save, like swapping my weekly Trader Joe’s runs for this viral “pantry challenge” (a genius way to clear my overstuffed cabinets), only buying surprisingly expensive-looking Old Navy handbags (even Emily Blunt approves), or picking up one of the “grandma hobbies” currently flooding my feeds. That said, the spending gods are really testing me this week, between the Gap designer collab of my Cool Girl dreams (I don’t know what’s more shocking: the affordable prices or that it’s still in stock) and the reviews for Starbucks’s protein coffee drinks (I might have to break my anti-$7 coffee stance). The one consolation? I can probably cancel my upcoming salon appointment, since my natural hair color, which I’ve always thought was basic, is actually making me look…sophisticated? Fine by me. 

— Jamie Feldman / Writer, Culture & Lifestyle / Brooklyn, NY

Consider Lunch and Dinner Handled — Thanks to This Butternut Squash Couscous Bowl 

theSkimm

Welcome to the culinary purgatory that is early October — when it’s not really Salad Season anymore, but it’s not quite Soup Season yet, either. One solution for this deeply confusing time? How Sweet Eats’s Butternut Couscous Bowls with Maple Vinaigrette. In the weeknight-friendly recipe, spiced butternut squash and chickpeas are roasted until they’re perfectly caramelized and shatteringly crispy (respectively), then tossed with massaged kale, creamy goat cheese, salty pepitas, and the only couscous that matters (yeah, we said it). Top it with a sweet and tangy dressing, and eat it however you want: hot or cold, for lunch or dinner, with protein or on its own. Or, who are we kidding, all of the above.

The Time Commitment: About 50 minutes. But to save energy, use precut squash from the store. We promise, no one will know. 

Key Tips: This recipe is endlessly adaptable, so think of it as a choose-your-own-adventure template that can be customized to your taste or what’s about to go bad: Swap butternut squash for honeynut or sweet potatoes; use spinach or Swiss chard instead of kale; replace couscous with quinoa, farro, or your go-to grain; and if you don’t have goat cheese, consider feta or Parmesan, which work just as well. 

Other Takes: For more shoulder-season dinners that you’ll also want for lunch the next day, try…

• Moroccan-Inspired Cauliflower and Couscous Salad — essentially a brilliant answer to the age-old question, “What can I meal prep on Sunday that’ll taste just as good on Thursday?”  

• Roasted Cabbage Slaw with Sweet Sesame Onions. We promise, few things will bring you as much joy as digging into this colorful, fiber-rich salad with a spoon. 

• Tofu Broccoli Bowls with Carrot Ginger Dressing. We’d drink (sorry, eat) this obsessively good dressing with anything, but especially on top of golden brown, crispy tofu.

It Girl: The Life and Legacy of Jane Birkin by Marisa Meltzer

theSkimm

We know the bag. We know the bangs. But how much do we really know about Jane Birkin? Not nearly enough — at least, according to Marisa Meltzer’s new book, It Girl: The Life and Legacy of Jane Birkin. Using diary entries, interviews, and other archival research, Meltzer chronicles the life of the style icon, including her early childhood in England, her three famously tumultuous relationships (one of which ended after a phone call from her father), her lesser-known film and music career (like the duet so steamy, it was banned from the radio in parts of Europe), her somewhat unconventional approach to motherhood, and her indelible influence on fashion. (Yes, if you’ve ever carried a basket bag, you can thank Birkin.) We asked Meltzer — whose previous book traced the rise and fall of Glossier — a few questions. Here’s what she had to say…

Q: What’s one thing you can’t stop listening to?

Meltzer: I feel very vulnerable admitting this, but lately I’ve been listening to a playlist called, like, “Dark Academia Jazz.”

Q: What’s one recipe everyone should make?

Meltzer: Homemade salad dressing. I hate cooking, but I always make my own vinaigrettes. They’re a gazillion times better and cheaper than [store-bought] ones. Olive oil, mustard, lemon, salt, pepper, and a little garlic or shallot or herb of your choice in a blender, and adjust for taste.

Q: What’s one thing that’s made you 10% happier?

Meltzer: Always having Diet Coke in my refrigerator. 

This Charming Sonoma County Town Is Napa’s Rustic, More Affordable Neighbor 

theSkimm

It’s no secret: Everyone (except Carrie Bradshaw) loves Napa. But what if you could drink more wine, for less money, in a more laid-back setting? Enter Healdsburg, the crown jewel of California’s Sonoma County. Nestled at the intersection of three separate wine regions, this charming town offers endless tasting opportunities, without Napa’s stuffiness or crowds. And when you’re ready to pretend this isn’t just a wine trip, there’s plenty else to do: wander the picturesque town square, browse cute boutiques (don’t miss A/Muse’s vibrant home decor or Christy Lynn’s chic clothes), eat your way through farm-to-table spots like Barndiva, hike or bike amid stunning scenery, and relax at a historic mansion turned hotel. Oh, and did we mention it’s basically always sunny?

🍷 Whether you have an encyclopedic knowledge of wine or are still Googling “what are tannins?” prepare to spend at least a day swirling, sniffing, and sipping at local wineries. A few must-visits: Reeve Wines, a husband-and-wife-run operation popular for its small-batch rieslings and pinot noirs; Jordan Vineyard & Winery, where you can tour the 1,200-acre French-inspired château and taste award-winning chardonnays and cabernet sauvignons with a side of downward dog; and Flowers Vineyards & Winery, which, as the name suggests, is nestled among tranquil gardens and majestic redwood trees. Want to skip the driving? Head to Healdsburg’s Plaza, home to dozens of tasting rooms, including Marine Layer, known for its cool-climate, mineral-driven pours.

⛰️ We fully support a vacation dedicated entirely to eating and drinking — but at some point, you’re going to need to touch grass. When you do, Healdsburg’s outdoor activities won’t disappoint. Kayakers can paddle down the Russian River on a guided tour, bikers will love winding past renowned vineyards, and hikers should hit Foothill Regional Park for nearly seven miles of trails featuring oak woodlands, rolling hillsides, and ridgetop views. Prefer something gentler? The 155-acre Healdsburg Ridge Open Space Preserve offers spectacular vistas and a potential wildlife sighting or two. And if you want to go full wine country, book a horseback riding tour that overlooks Dry Creek Valley’s lush vineyards — and thankfully, keeps the drinking and riding separate. 

🍴 If you’re visiting while the Healdsburg Farmers’ Market is in season, make a beeline to stock up on cheese, bread, and charcuterie — aka the holy trinity of wine-tasting provisions. For the perfect picnic sandwich, swing by Troubadour and order a jambon au beurre, muffuletta, or turkey pesto, all of which come on exceptional house-made sourdough. In the evening, snag a reservation at The Matheson, known for inventive seasonal dishes (think: birria tortellini, tomato with chili crunch) paired with an impressive 80-plus wines by the glass. Or, for something more casual, try Lo & Behold, a local favorite serving Almost Famous Chicken Tendies, matcha fries, and other elevated comfort food. 

The lead-up to vacation can feel like a full-time job. But Booking.com makes it easier to find budget-friendly flights that make sense for your schedule, with a comprehensive search that lets you compare prices across airlines. So you’ll have more time to do your laundry, plan your outfits, get your nails done, go to the dry cleaner, etc.

We asked you to vote on an etiquette question you’d like answered. The winner was:

Q: I’ve always gone home for the holidays, but this year, I want to do something different. My family is very serious about celebrations and traditions, so how do I break the news to them — without hurting their feelings?

“You’re allowed to want a new experience without staging a family coup. Deliver the message with love and clarity, and do it early. Start by honoring your history: ‘I know how much our holiday traditions mean to the family, and I’m grateful we’ve had so many years of doing them together.’ Then, tell the truth without apologizing: ‘This year, I’m feeling pulled to do something different. I want to travel/rest/switch it up. It’s not about getting away from you — it’s about trying something new.’ To soften the landing, you could also offer to do an early celebration or something else you’re comfortable committing to. The hardest part of this is increasing your tolerance for their discomfort and decreasing your tolerance for your own. If you give them enough notice and say it with warmth and certainty, they will adjust. You might even give them quiet permission to want something new, too.”

Unleash your competitive side with today’s games and puzzles. Choose from an anagram word search, digital jigsaw puzzle, or crossword (with a twist). Better yet: Try them all.