These aren’t exactly “helpful” per se, but are still cool. I’m embarrassed to admit that a simple “Google” here would have worked better. Tut, tut.

Social Causes and Politics

https://joycearthur.com/abortion/the-only-moral-abortion-is-my-abortion/ –> Joyce is a great author and essayist, and a lot of her work centers around reproductive feminism. “The Only Moral Abortion Is My Abortion” is from 2000 (so more than 20 years ago) and is a good collection of stories that detail how galvanizing of an issue we make abortion out to be and the hypocrisy of its perception within the modern Pro-Life movement.

https://spot.colorado.edu/~heathwoo/Phil160,Fall02/thomson.htm –> A Defense of Abortion, written by Philosopher Judith Jarvis Thomson in 1971 (2 years before Roe was passed and 51 years before it was overturned). I really admire Judith’s use of logic throughout her arguments (she was a philosopher, after all) and how she calls out multiple exceptions and solutions for all of them. Her assumptions hold water to this day, and many in the community agree that this is a seminal work on women’s reproductive rights.

http://www.politifact.com/ –> It’s just fun to look at this, but depressing.

http://fivethirtyeight.com/ –> Trying not to think about the 2016 elections here, but great for seeing the statistics behind what seems like routine news/events.

https://www.scientificamerican.com/ –> I admit I should read more, but Scientific American really came into the picture for me re: COVID-19 news. There’s something calming about reading the written word from epidemiologists and doctors. Plus, the site is really cool and runs a wide gamut. I recommend.

https://www.theatlantic.com/ –> It’s the east coaster in me, but I read some of their articles from time to time. WaPo used to be my main squeeze (I was a huge All The President’s Men fan and The Washington Post was the news organization that leaked the Watergate findings back in the 70s) but it became a bit…shticky. If that’s a word. 

https://www.cbsnews.com/latest/60-minutes/full-episodes/ –> I used to watch the 60 minutes broadcast every Sunday with my dad when I was over at his house. Honestly thinking about buying Paramount+ just to watch old episodes from the 60s and 70s. To me, it’s always interesting to see how the state of reporting in the US has evolved over the past few decades.

Food

https://www.bonappetit.com/ –> Caution because of the scandal, the recipes are tight. I LOVE Claire Saffitz (Claire, if you’re reading this and looking for someone who will never be able to cook as well as you but can offer mildly witty background commentary, I’m your gal) and Andy Baraghani’s recipes.

https://cooking.nytimes.com/ –> You need a subscription to access this site past a few free articles, but I think it’s worth it. Not sure how I feel about all of the Alison Roman recipes, but she has a few hitters…this site has a recipe for the best tomato soup I’ve made (the tricks are: irregularly smashed garlic, white beans, emulsify, baby). So good. Also their tiramisu is *chefs kiss*. Could eat it straight out of the glass 8” x 8” it’s made in (and I’ve done that on multiple occasions).

https://www.seriouseats.com/ –> A lot less of the controversy of Bon Appetit, and J. Kenji is so easy to love. The site has a lot of great vegan recipes, which is sorely-needed in the culinary landscape (just don’t read the comments for the vegan carbonara, I guess some people really like pig). The site covers most of the world, with a slight leaning towards Asiatic countries, and I’m here for it.

https://www.tarladalal.com/ –> Tarla was a HUGE influence in the world of Indian cookery before her death in 2013 (RIP) and her site continues to remain active and regularly updated with new recipes. If you’re Indian and missing home-cooked food, or just want to try out some new spice combinations, this is a low-frills, low-pressure way to immerse yourself in a new culture.

You might have noticed that I shied away from posting any food YouTubers. Well, uh…it’s not that they’re not good, it’s just that they kind of become caricatures eventually. I’ll always have a place in my heart for Chef John from Foodwishes, though. But not u, Adam.

Personal Stuff (ew)

You know I had to add that “ew” at the end! ‘Cause feelings, right? I am the world’s most uncoordinated runner; and yet, I will Usain Bolt away from these chest pangs called feelings. If COVID has taught me anything, it’s that a) Generally speaking, my feelings were bound to catch up with me, b) It’s ok to feel things and be human, c) You’re not half-Vulcan, half-human, you’re literally just human so stop pretending otherwise, and d) Hot Girl Summer also means getting hot girl therapy under your belt. So…

betterhelp.com –> I got my start here, transitioned with my therapist to another platform. It’s probably one of the lowest-costing telehealth services out there, and it was my first step to addressing my concerns and anxieties.

https://samhin.org/ –> South Asian Mental Health Initiative & Network. For when your therapist/tribe “just doesn’t get it”.

https://happiful.com/ –> This site has a good mix of stories that help destigmatize mental health issues. Everything feels very cozy, very personable, and inclusive.