May ☀️🍑🧺
Getting settled, porch picnics, podcast chats, matcha mochi cake and fresh arugula salads, cookbook pickups, cotton clothing, bags of mandarins
Happy (almost) June 1st! On the horizon is warm sunshine, park picnics, kombucha from the farmers market, outdoor concerts, linen/cotton clothing, phasing out turning the oven on unless I have to, stone fruits, fresh herbs, berries, and bike rides.
May was a weird month tbh. There were a lot of ups and downs while we got settled in the new place (aka our busted water heater) and it rained a lot but there were also so many beautiful sunny days. I suppose that’s how life goes.
Finding new ways to work + set myself up for success was the major theme of May. Being self employed and having the business I’ve built is what I’m most proud of but I don’t want it to be all that I am. I put a lot of pressure on myself to be outwardly perfect, which I think is a normal feeling in a professional setting, but it also eats away at your perception of yourself outside of work. This is the month (re: year) of finding true balance or you know, realizing things as Kylie Jenner once said.
What are you looking forward to in June? I’m off to visit my bff in Cincinnati in a few weeks and hopefully have some other weekend trips on the horizon!
I feel so lucky every single time I record a podcast episode. The gratitude only increases every time I think about the fact that people are taking time out of their day to chat with me. Wild.
I chatted with 4 incredible founders this month:
Lauren Corugedo, Head of Marketing at Chef Merito [listen]
Chef Merito has been a trusted name in authentic Latin American flavors, crafting high-quality seasonings, spices, and blends that celebrate the rich culinary traditions of Hispanic cuisine.
Sri Kalapala of Kailo [listen]
Sri Kalapala is a snack lover turned founder. Kailo is a protein bar crafted for those who value real ingredients—no fillers and no artificial additives.
Jana Goodbaum of Happy Wolf [listen]
Jana Goodbaum, a former fast-food marketer turned health-conscious mom, knew there had to be a better option — so she took to her own chaotic kitchen to build it.
Ben Branson of Seedlip & Pollen Projects [listen]
Ben Branson is a British entrepreneur best known for founding Seedlip, the world’s first distilled non-alcoholic spirit, and later Pollen Projects, a studio focused on reimagining moderation.
Spotify | Apple Music | Substack
I’ll be so real with you it was a challenge to figure out how to shoot recipes in the new house. The kitchen is sunny but not till the later afternoon and I like to get content creation done at the beginning of the day. So I had to get creative until I take the time to get my light set up just right. I spent a lot of time shooting on the patio and my neighbors probably thought I was nuts!
It is truly wild how much inspiration seasonal, fresh produce brings me. I found myself experimenting in the kitchen far more than I did all winter. Fresh veggies dressed in olive oil, lemon, and salt were a staple at dinnertime. An arugula salad with dijon dressing, lots of parm, pickled beets, and tinned fish was consistently on the menu.
Though my tried and true meal of a roasted japanese sweet potato, crispy ground beef, sheep’s milk yogurt, avocado, and hot sauce brought me unbridled joy (inspired by Alissa). So while I’m the farmers market’s biggest fan, it important to have a non-seasonal comfort meal always on deck.
Clearly the theme was green & pink for May’s recipes —
Watch: Tess’ series on Food52 brings so much joy into my life [playlist here]
Reading on Substack: grilled steak with strawberries and doubanjiang, The SS '25 Trend Report, field notes: okanagan lake, Express Checkout
Listen: This is TASTE x Wishbone Kitchen (duh)
Cookbook: I picked up The Wishbone Kitchen Cookbook and By Heart by Hailee Catalano — both incredibly fabulous
Most Used Kitchen Items: wide mouth mason jars for matcha, microplane for citrus, a bag of mandarins in the fridge, Heraclea lemon infused olive oil (shop)
Purchase: white cotton parachute pants & a case of Willa’s oat milk from Bubble Goods
Use code CITRUSDIARIES for $10 off any purchase $60+ on Bubble Goods
Thanks for supporting this publication, it truly means the world to me! This month 27 new friends subscribed and readership is steadily increasing. Please like, share, and comment when you feel pulled to do so. 🌞
& don’t forget to check out my other Substack, Wholesome Goods for weekly CPG news updated + trend reports!
Talk soon!
xx,
Lauren (Hodgen)
Dear Citrus Diaries Host | @ citrusdiaries.studio
Citrus Diaries Studio | Creative Director
If you’re interested in working together, drop me a line: hello@citrusdiaries.com 🍊