DK Chronicles: Visit ICELAND with me + Recipes + Life Updates

DK Chronicles #12

Happy Friday!

It has been a minute since I’ve published something here. I started Substack with the intention of building a more intimate community where I can share my thoughts, my blog, and a different side of my creativity. I’ve fallen a bit behind, as life has gotten in the way, burnout and existential crisis (after crisis after crisis) has hit me once again, and I needed a minute to ask myself, “WTF are you doing with your life?”

I shared this in a recent IG Story / TikTok post, but I’ve been thinking deeply about what I want my next steps in life to be. Not just in life, but my career. I quit my full-time job back in October 2022 because I was able to rely on income from social media to pay my bills, but that money isn’t consistent, and it certainly won’t last forever (for transparency’s sake, my income has dipped 36% since 2023, according to my taxes this year, which is kinda scary to me). I’m certainly not going to retire as the lady who cooks and smokes weed on the Internet. So, wtf is next?!

When I quit my job, I was in a state of burnout from my “corporate” career (technically, I worked for more of a “startup” vibe, but sitting at a desk and answering emails using corporate jargon is very much “corporate culture” to me, no matter the company size or structure). While I really miss the health insurance benefits, I don’t miss the “circling back” and “synergizing” that I had to do for 9+ hours a day. I never really quit my job to become a full time creator, but I saw it as an opportunity for me to take some time to myself, to do the things I’ve always wanted to do but didn’t have the time or money to do it (e.g., traveling), and to figure out what’s next.

So, what’s next? I’ll still be making content for the time being and finding the time to put effort into this Substack community, but I am still working on figuring out how to structure my weeks a bit better, which is something I’ve really struggled to do in my solopreneur journey. No two days look the same, my schedule is chaotic, and with my PMDD, I’ve learned to try to work in a way that supports my cycle, meaning I get a lot of shit done around ovulation, and I bury my face into my pillow and cry during my luteal phase.

But what else is next? Since Dope Kitchen won’t be the career I retire with, and I cannot bring myself to go back to my “corporate” career in marketing, I’ve decided that it’s time I go back to school. I’m still weighing my options and figuring out a timeline, but I hope to start taking some classes later this year.

I just turned 34 years old, and if you had asked me 10 years ago when I was graduating with my masters if I could ever see myself going back to school, I would have said fuck no. But here I am, 10 years after being enrolled in school, and I am itching to get back into academia. I want to learn something new so badly. I want to be around people again. I want to find a career that feels like a meaningful contribution to society. And I want stability again.

I’ll share more of my “back to school” journey as time passes. I was comforted by the fact that so many people in my community were feeling the same burnout I felt in corporate America and looking for a change. So just remember, it’s never too late to change what you’re doing, whether you’re 34 or 64. No matter your age, you don’t owe another year of your life to something that doesn’t fulfill you, even if you’ve already given 5, 10, or 20+ years.

I’ve published a lot of recipes to my blog since I last wrote on Substack, so here are a few of my favorites! Be sure to visit dopekitchen.com for all of the new posts and updates!

Drunken Noodles (aka pad kee mao): This dish is so good, I literally made it multiple nights in a row because Meg and I couldn’t get enough! Thai basil is one of my favorite herbs on the planet, and this sauce is simply to die for. This recipe calls for a trip to your local Asian grocery store, but if you don’t live near one, be sure to read through my blog for substitutions with average grocery store equivalents or substitutions for each ingredient. GET THE FULL RECIPE HERE!

Sausage and Burrata Sheet Pan Gnocchi: The perfect sheet pan meal that takes MINIMAL effort to cook (and clean!) and tastes insanely good. It’s just four ingredients: shelf-stable gnocchi, Italian sausage, tomatoes, and burrata. The gnocchi magically bake perfectly in the oven (no need to pre-boil), the sausage gets crispy, and the tomatoes burst to create a luscious sauce in combination with the creamy burrata. It’s truly my favorite lazy meal. GET THE FULL RECIPE HERE!

Garlic Parmesan Turkey Meatballs and Zoodles: A lower-carb meal that is so incredibly delicious! I originally made these meatballs back in 2021 or 2022, inspired by my favorite flavor of chicken wing (garlic parmesan). Instead of pairing with pasta, these pair perfectly with zucchini noodles for a lighter, low-carb-friendly meal. GET THE FULL RECIPE HERE!

TRAVEL TO ICELAND WITH ME!

I have been hosting trips for women to get out in nature and experience some of the coolest places in the world since 2022! It’s also how I met MEG, and many other close friends that I still travel and hang out with every year! These group trips have been SO special to me, to watch friendships form and to be part of a group of women who wholeheartedly lift up and support each other.

It has been a dream of mine to go to Iceland, and I’m so excited to make it happen this summer by bringing a group of 14 women from this community together for a week of camping, hiking, and exploring!

I have ONE spot left on my trip to Iceland this summer! SIGN UP HERE and read below for more details! Comment or send me a direct message if you have any questions!

The last day to book is May 8!

📆 July 7-13, 2025

💳 The $2649 price includes double occupancy in tents, transportation, knowledgable local guides, all camping equipment (except keeping bag and pillow), most meals (with a few exceptions). The price does NOT include the cost of flights, travel insurance (highly recommended), airport transfers, and visas.

🏕 This is a CAMPING trip! We will NOT be BACKPACKING (carrying your shelter and all supplies on your back). We will move to a few different campsites throughout the week. No camping experience required, we will teach you how to set up your tent!

🥾 Activities range from beginner to moderately challenging, and we may decide on hiking trails as a group (also, weather-dependent). There are only 2.5 days of hiking, plus several days of sight-seeing. You do not have to be a very experienced hiker! All fitness levels welcome, as long as you are willing to hike for 5-7+ hours on our longer days.

I have been getting rid of a lot of old clothing because it doesn’t fit me or feel good on my body anymore. My workout clothes are OLD. Like, I haven’t really purchased anything new in a few years, and my body has changed a lot in the last two years, so these tight leggings feel awful on my body, and I don’t have any non-cotton shirts to wear to the gym.

Since I’m overhauling a lot of my wardrobe right now, I’m trying to buy things that are more affordable (i.e., I can’t afford three new pairs of $110 Lululemon pants), so I’ve found some great dupes that I love. Here are a few of my recent finds, whether for workouts or wardrobe staples.

Blue light glasses: I love blue light glasses, and I have another pair from Quay, but I just bought these and they’re SO cute. I love the shape, how thick the frames are, and how many colors are available. I bought the blue, but might need to get some other colors to match my outfits!

CRZ Yoga Butterluxe Crossover Biker Short: I just wore these to my workout class this morning for the first time and I love them. I actually like the fabric even more than my Lululemon or Girlfriend Collective shorts. They’re a bit thinner (sometimes thick spandex fabric feels awful on my body), but they’re super soft, they didn’t really ride up on my thighs during my class, and I love the crossed look in the front.

CRZ Yoga Butterlift Shorts: I LOVEEEE these. I love wearing shorts that aren’t skin-tight. These are high-waisted shorts with a really thick band so it isn’t uncomfortably cutting into my stomach. The shorts are short but they’re perfect for lounging around the house, wearing to a workout class, or going for a walk. The fabric is really soft, too.

CRZ Yoga Pima Cotton Workout Tank: I bought several tanks from Amazon and didn’t like most of them, but I did keep this one. I like the fabric, it’s very lightweight, and I like the large armpit holes. I’m still searching for workout tops that I love, but so far this one is the only one worth sharing. I ordered a large and it’s maybe a bit big and boxy, but I don’t mind wearing it just for workouts.

CRZ Yoga Spaghetti Strap Adjustable Sports Bra: A bra so nice, I bought it thrice 😂 Seriously, I love this sports bra so much, I had originally purchased just one, and I loved the look of it and how soft the fabric is, so I bought two more and am still thinking of buying more to replace all of my old sports bras! I bought a medium, but honestly, my tits have gotten so big with a little bit of weight gain that I should probably get a large, but I’d say these are pretty true to size!

MyProtein Impact Whey: Okay, since I’ve been sharing mostly workout items of clothing I’ve purchased, I may as well share the protein I’m getting to go along with all of the activity you’ll do in your new workout clothes. I used to get a different protein brand that has since changed their formula and now they taste super chalky and gross, so I went back to MyProtein (a company I purchased from back in 2019 and prior). I’m buying MyProtein again because their price point is pretty good for the quality and taste.

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