Picture-Illustration: Margalit Cutler
Within the early 2000s, Monica Lewinsky retreated into personal life — at the very least to the extent it was doable. Within the decade-ish since re-entering the general public eye, she’s been energetic as an anti-bullying advocate and public speaker as a way of exerting company over the narrative that outlined a part of her life. Reclaiming With Monica Lewinsky, her new podcast from Wondery Media, explores public disgrace, with early friends like Olivia Munn and her shut good friend of over 20 years, Alan Cumming. After two weeks in New York, Lewinsky spent final week again dwelling in L.A., juggling a handful of TV initiatives, whipping up her signature Bizarre Salad, comfort-eating Woman Scout cookies, and sneaking bites of potato gratin in between glamming up for the Self-importance Honest Oscars celebration.
Wednesday, February 26
I used to be fortunate that my maternal grandma lived in our visitor home for a lot of of my youth. I might pop over to her place for an additional hug — or an additional snack — each time I needed. Two issues she all the time had on the prepared for me and my brother: Starbursts and mini-bagels. Every time I eat a mini-bagel (all the time toasted darkish), I consider her. As we speak, that’s breakfast — a mini-bagel with whipped cream cheese. What’s even the purpose of normal non-whipped cream cheese?
I acquired dwelling late the evening earlier than, again from a flurry of TV interviews and podcast recordings over in New York. Espresso is required intravenously.
I’m fussy about my espresso, however not in a bougie manner. I like to combine two completely different Starbucks VIAs: the particular Christmas mix and decaf. (Sure, this implies I need to replenish on the next 12 months’s espresso in the course of the holidays.) I add heavy cream and, typically, a sprinkle of pumpkin spice or, if I’m needing just a little cheering up, some canned whipped cream — and sprinkles.
I have to floor myself a bit from all of the journey and a focus — that’s onerous for me to deal with typically — so I’m going for a stroll round my neighborhood. Whereas out, I get an oat-milk chai latte from just a little café down the road. I cease by my nook marketplace for my favourite ice cream: Baskin Robbins Peanut Butter ’N Chocolate. I’ve cherished this ice cream since at the very least the fifth grade. It has large chunks of frozen peanut butter and an ideal salty-to-sweet ratio.
I’m going out for lunch with a good friend at Pizzana, one in all my favourite pizza locations in L.A. I down some salad, heavy on the dressing, and a slice of pepperoni pizza. Pepperoni pizza has been my favourite ever since I used to be a baby. In truth, I wrote a silly poem about it in first grade and it discovered its solution to the web in 1998 or quickly after. Mary Oliver I’m not.
To assist me get via my Zooms prepping for the following day’s podcast interview, I’ve some chili-lime chips and Skinny Mints. Placing that into phrases, I can’t think about a extra disgusting mixture, however right here we’re.
I’m thrilled to remain in for the evening. I whip up a elaborate dinner for myself, consisting of Dealer Joe’s pad see ew. (I’ve mad microwave expertise.) And clearly, for dessert, I’ve some peanut-butter-and-chocolate ice cream.
Thursday, February 27
I’ve an early begin, each from jet lag and nerves concerning the day’s interview. I’ve solely been conducting podcast interviews for just a few months, and belief me once I say it’s tougher than it seems to be! It’s been very rewarding, however it has additionally challenged me a superb quantity.
I’ve my common espresso, after which, for some cause, resolve that much more caffeine will assist my nerves. Fortunately, I’ve a Cosmic Crisp apple — my very favourite type of apple — leftover within the fridge from earlier than I left for New York, which I’ve with just a little peanut butter.
I’ve been going to Amazon Studios in Culver Metropolis to tape the entire interviews. The inexperienced rooms have a wonderful snack choice, so I bookend the recordings with strawberries and pineapple, and salt-and-vinegar kettle chips. Sadly, they don’t have Butterfingers right now.
By the point I go away the studio, I’m ravenous. Typically, after doing an interview or giving a chat, I expertise an power surge that makes going dwelling and being alone really feel bizarre. So, as a substitute, I park myself at San Vicente Bungalows and work on notes for a TV mission I’m growing, together with some housekeeping for the podcast. I order the Bungalows’ scrumptious buffalo cauliflower and an Asian hen salad. (I’m as soon as once more realizing I are inclined to go for some very unusual meals combos.) On my manner out, I steal some Starbursts from the sweet part.
I run calls and errands for the remainder of the day earlier than popping into Zinqué for his or her broccoli green-curry soup. It’s a hair too spicy for me, however I prefer it anyway. And, after all, many spoonfuls of peanut-butter-and-chocolate ice cream once I get dwelling.
Friday, February 28
I make myself an omelet with tomatoes and avocado. Egg dishes, lemon pasta, wok-sautéed hen and broccoli, and Rice Krispy treats are concerning the extent of my cooking repertoire. I even have some espresso, and mainly earn a living from home for a lot of the day. Alongside Reclaiming, I’m engaged on a restricted collection for Hulu about Amanda Knox, so I’ve been balancing initiatives and time zones as we wrap up taking pictures in Europe.
The primary deal with of the day comes at noon, throughout lunch with my 9-year-old nephew. I’ve a green-goddess salad with avocado and inexperienced apple, which is scrumptious. I even have an oat-milk chai latte and attempt to not snack additional as I do know I’ve a yummy dinner in retailer for me on the Chook Streets Membership with my associates Jane Buckingham and Lindsay Sloane.
Sadly, I’m not a membership member, however I’m an enormous fan. We share sushi, hen littles, Caesar salad (chopped, with additional dressing and croutons on the facet), brick hen, and a yummy sweet-potato factor. For dessert, we’ve got heat, gluten-free chocolate-chip cookies and milk. The bonus: In my sweet bag, I take dwelling Swedish Fish, bitter rainbows, and Bitter Patch Children.
Saturday, March 1
How is it March? I begin my Saturday late for an appointment with my sound resonance healer, who I’ve been working with for over a decade and a half. Working out the door, I make my espresso and seize 4 breakfast Tagalongs. Hey, it’s Woman Scout cookie season.
I forgot so as to add to my above cooking repertoire: Bizarre Salad. It’s grilled asparagus with oil and soy sauce, and a thick balsamic-vinegar drizzle on cut-up strawberries. I began making this salad in 2018. Sooner or later, when a good friend was internet hosting me for lunch, she made an enormous salad and unintentionally drizzled soy sauce on it as a substitute of balsamic … So then she additionally added the balsamic. After that, I’m going out and get my mani-pedi for Oscars evening.
For dinner, I keep in and have leftover broccoli green-curry soup, together with potatoes au gratin. (And peanut-butter-and-chocolate ice cream.)
Sunday, March 2
I ask my brother to return over to attempt to repair one thing that occurred to the under-sink drawer early that morning. I’m often fairly useful, however right now I’m at a loss. My niece comes with him, and we’ve got mini-bagels and whipped cream cheese.
I’m usually a complete bitch the half hour earlier than I go away for an enormous occasion. I make sure that to apologize to everybody upfront — I simply get nervous from the social anxiousness. I’ve a few cups of my particular espresso concoction, and fairly quickly after that, I’ve lunch. The Oscars-party invite requires a 3:30 p.m. arrival, so I’m attempting to strategize when and what to eat. In the end, I land on leftover potatoes au gratin at round 11 a.m., partially as a result of my glam begins at 11:30. Not desirous to be a impolite host to the stunning folks coming to doll me up, I set out some crudités and guacamole. Additionally not desirous to be a impolite host, I attempt just a little to ensure it tastes okay.
After lunch, I stick my Crest white strips on and, as soon as I’m in my gown (and Spanx), I’ve just a few bites of a banana. Ever since I used to be child, I might usually have a banana earlier than going to a celebration, as a result of my mother advised me that they make you glow. Due to the, er, potassium, I assume?
My tummy begins to harm from nerves on my drive over to the celebration. I don’t drink, and I noticed final 12 months that it was a lot simpler to simply drive myself and valet than Uber. (I’m just a little cautious of getting in an Uber all dolled up, since my account is below a unique title.)
I lastly make it previous probably the most tough a part of the evening: the pink carpet. My anxiousness amped up earlier than doing the carpet and dropped as soon as I walked into the celebration. I’m fortunate that I’ve now been attending this occasion for a few years, and that there are associates I get to meet up with right here. I really feel like I actually know folks now.
On the celebration, I’ve a few hors d’oeuvres: just a little artichoke thingy and a squash blossom. Evan Funke is catering the dinner and it’s all scrumptious. After schmoozing and watching the present for just a little over an hour, we go into dinner. We feast on salad with lasagna and steak. The latter is a mistake for me, as a result of it means I’m nonetheless full when the In-N-Out burgers begin making the rounds.
I sip on a Coke the entire evening. I attempt to not drink an excessive amount of soda — I personally don’t depend ginger ale as a soda (nobody smash this for me!) — however at events if there aren’t froufrou mocktails, Coke is a bit more enjoyable. (Not that sort.)
EAT LIKE THE EXPERTS.
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