I’ll start by saying I’m no coffee snob. Like any American whose teen years were spent reconfiguring their MySpace Top 8 and hanging out in mall food courts, I made my foray into the world of coffee via a sugar-packed caramel Frappuccino. Five years later I moved to New York to go to Parsons School of Design, and quickly learned downtown art school kids were willing to shell out extra cash for a basic cup of joe—all for the aesthetic of boujee cafes where the motto is “Starbucks? We don’t know her.” All-nighters were all too familiar during freshman year, so caffeine soon became a necessity rather than a mere prop for my newly-launched Instagram account—but I couldn’t tell the difference between a Venti medium roast and the sweet nectar of luxe Ethiopian beans if you paid me.
As years went by, I leveled up and ditched the Starbucks mermaid for the cooler, more elevated La Colombe peace dove. Rather than an accessory, caffeine was more like lifeblood in the formative years of my career, mostly spent organizing fashion closets and, you guessed it: fetching trays of coffee for magazine execs. During a summer stint when I was writing style news from my Brooklyn apartment, cold brew was first on the agenda each morning, and lazy Sundays called for oat milk lattes delivered to my bed. I’d come a long way since my intro to the frozen caffeinated treat.
Like thousands of New Yorkers, my ideal weekend involves leisurely strolls to the local cafe, neighborhood pups, and boutique hopping—but that all came to a halt when social distancing put the city into hibernation-mode amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Iced lattes and vintage Levi’s are truly the least of our worries during a global health crisis, and staying home is a must—which is why Jot Ultra Coffee is a true gift. My new love interest, the ingenious beverage I told cold brew not to worry about, comes in an Insta-friendly Italian glass bottle and is 20x stronger than traditional coffee.
The first time I mixed one tablespoon of Jot with Oatly Barista Edition, I was catapulted into the blissful ether where my troubles momentarily drifted away. If you still ride for cow’s milk, Jot co-founder Palo Hawken recommends “stirring one tablespoon of Jot into 3 oz ice cold half-and-half for a sipping coffee that celebrates the intensity of the coffee flavor. The interplay between Ultra Coffee’s earthy, bright flavors against the creamy texture of half-and-half is like nothing else.”
It’s that confidence that Ramakrishnan says she hopes to infuse in Devi, for ideally many seasons to come. “In a later episode, Devi’s trying to figure out her identity because she feels too Indian, but sometimes not Indian enough,” Ramakrishnan says. “When I was Devi’s age, I could relate to that feeling of being the odd one out out.” Because of that, she wants viewers to feel a sense of pride, whether they’re South Asian or a different culture. “There’s really somebody—and something—for everybody.”
Believe me, there is. Never Have I Ever has the resident hottie (get ready to crush on Paxton Hall-Yoshida, played by the charismatic Darren Barnet), a hilarious therapist played by Niecy Nash, and even tennis great John McEnroe appears as the narrator. (I’d tell you why, but that’s kind of a spoiler).
But best of all is Ramakrishnan, who is an absolute delight as the boy-crazy, hot-tempered Devi. In the first few minutes of the pilot, she prays for a few essentials—like being invited to a party with drugs “just so I have the opportunity to say, ‘No cocaine for me, I’m good.'” There’s a boyfriend request, too: “I just want him to be a stone-cold hottie who could rock me all night long.”
Ramakrishnan says unlike Devi, getting a boyfriend and losing her virginity was never something she actively sought out in high school. Where they do align: “We are very similar in terms of academics,” she says. “I was always on top of my game and trying to be the best at everything. I was a perfectionist.” Naturally, she connected with Kaling and Lang—two of the hardest working people in Hollywood—who gave Ramakrishnan valuable advice on her last day of filming: “Stay authentic. And no matter what, don’t try to be anybody else but me.”
Jessica Radloff is the Glamour West Coast editor. You can follow her on Instagram at @jessicaradloff14.
If I found myself cringing every time some shirtless and bikini-clad contestant on Too Hot to Handle kissed, it wasn’t because of their awkward “banter” or even the fact that they were throwing away thousands of dollars for the privilege. It was undoubtedly because I watched the Netflixreality dating series deep into quarantine, where even the idea of shaking someone’s hand was already out of the question.
Despite the almost other-worldly effect this had on my viewing experience, there’s something inherently now and inevitable about this show. Centered around a group of 20-something hots, the Too Hot to Handle retreat is governed by an A.I. cone named LANA who puts the contestants through various challenges, sends them on dates, and punishes them if they fail to remain chaste: that means no kissing, no sex, and no masturbating if they want to win $100,000 at the end of the retreat. When any of the contestants breaks the rules (and yes, they do…a lot) she calls them out in front of everyone and brings the pot down based on the infraction.
“[A.I.] is literally everywhere around us. It’s kind of governing us, it’s taking over,” showrunner and executive producer Viki Kolar tells me over the phone on a group call with Jonno Richards, the show’s executive producer and managing director of Talkback, the production company behind Too Hot To Handle.
“You’re used to hearing A.I. in terms of algorithms and research and listening and advice,” Richards agrees. “It just sort of all kind of fitted together.”
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However, despite the LANA of it all, there’s actually not a lot of proven psychology behind the Too Hot to Handle method of building stronger, healthier relationships by abstaining from sex…but that was never really the main point of the series. In fact, the idea for this social experiment, as Richards repeatedly calls it, started from an episode of Seinfeld called “The Bet,” where each character competes to see if they can avoid masturbating. Spoiler alert: They all fail, not unlike some of Too Hot to Handle’s contestants.
“We wanted to do something that was funny while it was a reality show,” Richards says. “You put obstacles in people’s way and push their buttons in a way that could be comedic, but at the same time are trying to help them come together through that. A sort of romantic comedy, I guess, is what we’re trying to get to.” They definitely got the comedy part down. Aside from the relationships and friendships that form between this group of players—and there is at least one couple that becomes genuinely ship-worthy—this show is just damn funny.
I don’t know if it’s the number of times the word horny was said within each episode, the blinking, judgmental robot, or the socially stunted contestants that make the show so gleefully addictive. Every single confessional with Francesca, Harry, Haley, Matthew, Sharron, Rhonda, Chloe, Kelz, Nicole, and David borders on parody, making it clear they’re at least somewhat in on the joke and it’s okay to laugh. For example, Kolar tells me that Sharron wore a brace on his leg on the flight over to Mexico just to get through security faster. “He’s that type of person that comes up with insane kind of ways of just getting through life,” she says. “I was like, ‘I love him even more.’” Shockingly, you might find yourself rooting for these people too.
Still, maybe it’s narrator Desiree Burch that sets the show apart from similar reality TV series on Netflix and beyond. The voice-over non-host who seems to serve as the audience, chatting throughout the series as if she’s next to you on the couch, is honestly a great perk in the time of social distancing. She’s not always nice about the singles, but she’s always on point.
All I can truly say with conviction is that if Netflix has been using its own algorithm and data to build the most hilarious, binge-able reality dating show, they’ve succeeded with Too Hot to Handle and should probably stop now before they truly go off the rails.
I grew up going to farmer’s markets on weekends with my grandparents, and during summer holidays in the south of Italy where my mom is from, an old grocery truck would drive by our house once a week to sell us fresh fruit and vegetables. I’ve always loved the simple act of grocery shopping—smelling the earthiness of a tomato vine, feeling the firmness of an avocado, breathing in the sweetness of ripe melon (missing the outside, anyone?)—and so if you asked me a month ago whether I’d be okay with letting someone else do my grocery shopping, I would have said “no way.” But that was before the coronavirus pandemic, and well, here we are.
When quarantine first started in New York three weeks ago, I found it so hard to limit the number of trips I take to the grocery store, especially because the inside of my fridge is usually stocked with fresh fruits and veggies. But as things got more and more serious, I decided it was time to try ordering online, and turned to Hungryroot—a weekly food delivery subscription service.
What is Hungryroot?
Of all the healthy food delivery services out there, I was drawn to Hungryroot because the food it sells is the closest thing to what I’d actually buy, and because you can opt-out of the pre-selected ingredients and build your cart from scratch. Hungryroot bills itself as “a personalized grocery service that makes healthy eating easy,” and while I’m not a pescatarian or vegetarian, it caters best to people who eat little to no meat in general. There’s a wide variety of veggies to choose from, and proteins cover the gamut from fish to kale quinoa bites and spicy refried beans and plant-based meat alternatives (like The Beyond Burger and the Beyond Sausage Brat Original). They also have a bunch of vegan-friendly sauces to mix into your recipes—from kale pesto to green chile and thai peanut—and its virtual snack aisle is almost as tempting as an IRL one.
How much does Hungryroot cost?
Hungryroot subscription plans are based on how much food you order: they start at $69, but you can tailor your plan to be bigger or smaller, depending on your needs. You can choose between an ingredient-based plan or a recipe-based plan—either way, both operate on a credit or point system. So, for example, if you’re adding a pack of smoked salmon to cart it might cost four credits, while a bag of snap peas would be about two. If you stick with the recipe suggestions that include all the pre-selected ingredients, it averages at about 8 – 12 credits per meal (around $1.90 per credit).
Since I live with my boyfriend, I had to make sure I was getting enough food for two people, so I opted for grocery deliveries on a weekly basis. My orders came out to around $100 including shipping; or the equivalent of 51 credits. I scheduled my deliveries on Saturday and—despite many companies having issues fulfilling orders—my Hungryroot arrived on time, every time during my three-week test. I was impressed when I got an email from the CEO, Ben, about its response to COVID-19 and assuring me my order would arrive safe and on time.
A note from the founder
How long does Hungryroot food last?
Every order is packed and shipped in an insulated box to make sure your food stays fresh for up to two full days in transit. All the shipping materials are recyclable—from the cardboard divider to the ice packs and the silver bubble cooler. Hungryroot doesn’t have a return recycling program yet (I actually wouldn’t have minded using this if I were to sign up for Hungryroot long-term) but I did appreciate the nifty FAQ section on how to recycle the materials you’re sent.
Other than the snap peas, which lasted me an hour since I didn’t eat the bag so much as inhaled it, most of the fresh produce I ordered—baby broccoli, riced cauliflower, Asian salad mix, seven veggie stir-fry, shaved brussels sprouts—lasted about a week. I will say that I was disappointed on both occasions when the Bowery Spring Mix and the leafy baby spinach from Muzzi Farms arrived wilted and had to be eaten the same day because they were pretty much done for.
Is Hungryroot healthy?
Yes—this is not the service for you if you eat burgers and buffalo wings on the reg, but it is good if you’re looking to eat healthier or already follow a specific dietary need. There are options for vegans, vegetarians, and pescatarians, as well as people who are gluten-free, and dairy-free. Some of the grocery items (like many of its veggies) are paleo and keto-friendly, but it’s working on adding more options. You can also click on each item before adding to cart to learn about the full nutritional value. Selections rotate on a weekly and seasonal basis, so there were some things I peeped in this week’s menu (like butternut squash noodles and mini sweet bell peppers) that weren’t available when I was testing the service.
Aside from its own packaged foods, Hungryroot also carries a ton of vegan-friendly and gluten-free brands you’ve probably seen at your local grocery store—from Banza chickpea pasta to Beyond Meat burgers to Bobo’s oatmeal bars.
My Grocery Deliveries
Below is a snapshot of some of my favorite items from Hungryroot. Though, one thing worth mentioning is that while the food I ordered from Hungryroot made up the majority of my groceries each week, it didn’t include the usual fridge and pantry staples (milk, eggs, bananas, avocadoes, tomatoes, lemons, etc.) which I bought separately.
Breakfast: Ancient Grain Pancake Mix
I be in the kitchen flippin’ pancakes with my baby, yeah baby ?
Courtesy of Talia Abbas
This is not a house of pancakes, so I’m surprised no blood was shed between me and my boyfriend as we tried and failed to make these come out right the first time. I’ve actually never made my own pancakes, so I thought it’d be fun try this Ancient Grain mix. It’s gluten-free and made with quinoa, amaranth, flax, and other grains. We didn’t add sugar so it tasted very “healthy.” (Of course, I drowned them in honey afterward.)
Lunch: Hot Smoked Roasted Salmon + Rainbow Veggie Mix
Not a sad salad.
I’m the self-proclaimed queen of salads so naturally, this was one of my favorite fixings. I think I’ve had hot roasted smoked salmon only once before so I was surprised at how much I liked it. It was a bit salty but I still enjoyed the smokiness. It reminded of me of all the camping trips I never went on. After dressing this lil’ cutie with olive oil and balsamic glaze, I added half an avocado, some spring onion, and a bit of lemon and chili flakes. Chef’s kiss.
This was so good. Tofu has never tasted this good to me, and I actually plan on adding this to my list for my next grocery haul. These were supposed to be spicy tofu bites but they honestly didn’t taste very hot, which made them the perfect canvas for experimenting with other flavors. I combined the bell peppers and onions with half a bag of shaved brussels sprouts because it wasn’t enough for two people, and cooked everything in a single pan with peanut oil. Less dishes? Yes, please.
Another Dinner: Bowery Spring Mix + Everything Else in My Fridge
Look at my “fancy” presentation…who does she think she is?
I had ricotta and shiitake mushrooms lying around in my fridge that I quickly sautéed and threw over this bed of lettuce that I needed to eat STAT. I wanted to share this meal with you because it’s a prime example of how I combined Hungryroot groceries with things already in my fridge.
Is Hungryroot worth it?
I was skeptical at first, but since social distancing went into effect, I’ve become really paranoid about going to the store—and ordering groceries from Amazon Prime has been nearly impossible. Being able to rely on Hungryroot and its brave employees gave me some much-needed peace of mind, and though the average price per dish is higher than some other food delivery services, the quality of the ingredients you’re getting is high. You’re also paying a premium to have everything carefully shipped to your place, which right now is definitely a luxury.
Overall, I found Hungryroot worth it. It’s made me more excited about experimenting with ingredients and flavors outside of my comfort zone, and I really think that if you worked at it, you could stretch the ingredients to more meals and save money. Trust—the recipes are helpful, but there’s also nothing like throwing everything in a single pan and knowing it will come out great no matter what.
PS: Here is the pan and utensils I use, along with the olive oil subscription I swear by.
Material The Coated Pan Skillet
For the person who’s too busy to cook their own meals, get them this coated pan from Material. It’s crafted with a copper core, which means the pan warms up faster, distributes heat evenly, and keeps food hotter for longer. It’s so good, it even makes cooking an omelette sound exciting.
It might be new to some people, but working from home has been my personal “normal” for the past three years as a freelance writer and editor. I like to think that I’ve become something of an expert at creating a comfortable home office—but I’m at a bit of an advantage. I’m lucky enough to have an entire room in my house as a dedicated workspace, so I’m always on the hunt for little (or big) additions to make my home office feel all the more cozy—whether it’s a new lamp, some art to go up on the walls, or a new plant baby. And now that we’re stuck working from home for the foreseeable future, I’ve slowly been making additions to my home office to make it the most productive environment for me, which is why Dyson’s new Pure Humidify+Cool has become a total necessity.
I know, I know. How can an $800 machine be a necessity? I’m already a huge Dyson fan—the company’s vacuums actually make me excited to clean, and I’ve recommended the Airwrap to everyone I know—so I’m inclined to believe that I’ll love every product they launch. For me, it has everything to do with improving my overall quality of life while I’m working at home, which will continue to be the case even after the coronavirus passes.
Kristin Corpuz
To be honest, I never thought much about air quality in my home before I tried out the Dyson Pure Humidify+Cool. Of course, I’m big on wearing sunscreen indoors and am hyper-conscious of the fact that Los Angeles (where I live) doesn’t have the best outdoor air quality—not to mention, it is much too dry for someone with my skin type. But I thought that running a small humidifier on my desk and shutting off our central A/C would be sufficient enough to maintain decent air quality at home, and wow, was I wrong.
The new Dyson machine has seriously changed the way I think about the air in my space. Not only does it purify a room by filtering out particles like allergens, bacteria, pollen, and formaldehyde, but it also blows out cool air (which is perfect for those hot L.A. summers). While it’s filtering and blowing air, it also works as a humidifier to keep your space comfortably moist—a godsend if you have dry skin and hair like me. And the best part is that everything is customizable. I can turn it to just one of the settings (or any combination of the three) and can even adjust how each function works; whether I want more or less humidity, or if I want the fan to feel more like a breeze than a blast of cool air. And if I want to monitor what the air quality is like in my space, all I have to do is check the Dyson Link app to read stats picked up by sensors on the machine.
An issue that I’ve always had with room humidifiers is that I forget to clean them out. The water scales inside, and bacteria collect in the still water—which then gets pumped out into the air when I turn the machine back on. Of course, Dyson thought of everything and built in a one-touch deep-clean cycle that does all the cleaning for you. It keeps my mind at ease knowing that I’m using an appliance that really works to keep my home’s air quality as pure as possible, and it sure doesn’t hurt that it’s one less thing to clean in my house right now.
I tried the Philips Sonicare toothbrush and, to my surprise, it has become one of my most beloved possessions. Let me explain: I’ve never been someone who enjoys oral hygiene. I’d probably rank it at the bottom of my “favorite things to do” list if it wasn’t for the obvious health benefits. As a child, I dreaded going to the dentist, dental floss was Enemy No. 1, and I stubbornly refused to brush my teeth twice a day (because IMHO once was totally enough). Even in my adult years, I always did just enough to have a nice smile and no cavities, but I never truly invested in the health of my teeth—until now.
Here’s how it all went down. I was scheduled to test what felt like hundreds of beauty products and one of them was the Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart 9500. At first glance, it looked super luxurious, but way too high maintenance for my taste. Still, I was curious and ended up taking it home and testing it out that night. As time crept on that evening, my anticipation kept building and I couldn’t wait until my normal wind-down routine started to try it. I tore open the box, found that it was (thankfully) fully-charged, ignored the directions, and put it to the test.
Can I just say, wow. The Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart is like the Superman of all toothbrushes. Instead of rotating like a traditional electric brush, it uses pulses and brushstrokes to clean in between the teeth and along the gum line all at the same time. It makes a whopping 62,000 brush movements per minute which resulted in my teeth feeling squeaky clean after a two-minute brush. The best way to describe it is how I feel when leaving a professional dental cleaning. You know when you run your tongue along the front of your teeth and it feels as smooth as a baby’s bum? Yep, that’s how it felt. And since my dental office won’t be open in the foreseeable future, I’m even more thankful I can achieve professional-feeling results in the comfort of my own bathroom. (It doesn’t hurt that I don’t have to worry about tools resembling a Pirate’s hook coming towards my mouth, either.)
The Philips Sonicare has five cleaning modes—clean, whiten, gum health, deep clean, and tongue care—and each mode has three levels of intensity that you can adjust while you brush. It’s truly a personalized clean. My go-to setting is the standard clean unless my mouth is feeling especially yucky, then I’ll switch to the deep clean. In the beginning, I gave the whitening mode a try and found that it was a bit aggressive on my gums so I’ll only use that mode for my front four teeth if they need a touch-up.
