A Piece of My Mind - January
Wrapping Up January with Connection, Creativity, and February’s Cookbook Pick
Welcome to the Michelle Seguin MD newsletter! I’m Dr. Michelle, and I’m so grateful to have you here. This week, we’re wrapping up an inspiring first month of our Savor the Seasons Cookbook Club. We’re reflecting on the connections we’ve made and the creativity we’ve shared in the kitchen. I’m also excited to reveal February’s cookbook club pick later in this newsletter!
Hello friends,
What a wonderful start to the new year! I’m thrilled to welcome so many new faces to the newsletter. If you’ve joined us after reading Dr. Annie Fenn’s generous shoutout in her Brain Health Kitchen newsletter, thank you for being here. Dr. Annie’s thoughtful words about this space were such a gift, and I feel incredibly grateful for her support. If you missed it, you can read her newsletter here:
’s Brain Health Kitchen Newsletter.Whether you’re a long-time subscriber or just finding your way here, I hope this newsletter feels like a cozy corner where we can explore the rhythms of the seasons and food as medicine together.
With gratitude,
Dr. Michelle
A Piece of My Mind
Welcome to this space, where I share quick updates on what I’m learning, doing, and loving as we close out each month together. As the newsletter has evolved, this section has become a reader favorite—a playful nod to the beloved JAMA series, which explores the joys, challenges, and hidden truths of practicing medicine. While inspired by those stories, my version leans into the lighter side, celebrating the small, meaningful moments and practices that shape our everyday lives.
What I’m Drinking:
I’ve been savoring matcha lattes lately, inspired by
’s nut milk latte recipe here. Matcha is high in L-theanine, a naturally occurring amino acid in green tea that promotes relaxation and focus. It’s a wonderful companion during times of stress or when I’m easing into a quieter afternoon. Since I was gifted a nut milk maker for Christmas, the process has become even more seamless and enjoyable. If you’re curious, this is the one I use: nut milk maker. Each cup feels like a little moment of nourishment for my body and spirit.What I’m Cooking
After the holidays, I’ve resumed my weekday meal prep routine, thanks to a fun January challenge at our practice. While we usually do a good job prepping weeknight dinners at home, I often find myself winging it when it comes to breakfasts and lunches. This experience has been a game-changer, helping me approach meal prep with a fresh perspective.
One tool I’ve been loving is this handy meal prep planning pad, which makes organizing meals for the week so much easier. My new go-to snack? Blueberry cardamom chia pudding—it’s quick, delicious, and perfect for a mid afternoon pick-me-up. Yum!
What I’m Excited About:
I’m eagerly anticipating the launch of Routes of Healing: Wholeness in Integrative Medicine, a new podcast by my friend and mentor,
. A visionary in the field of integrative medicine for over 20 years, Dr. Siri Chand has a profound way of weaving together science, tradition, and personal experience to explore the path to wholeness and wellness. One of the many things we share is a love of colorful, seasonal vegetables and the vibrancy of farmer’s markets, which always seem to spark such joy. I can’t wait to tune in and see how she brings her wisdom to this exciting new project launching in February. If you’d like to follow along, you can find her newsletter here.What I’m Practicing:
Inspired by a patient, I’ve reconnected with the beautiful work of Tara Brach and am practicing more lovingkindness meditations. This practice, also known as metta, is centered around cultivating compassion, kindness, and goodwill—toward ourselves and others.
A lovingkindness meditation typically involves silently repeating phrases like:
May I be happy.
May I be healthy.
May I be safe.
May I live with ease.
You then extend these wishes outward—to loved ones, acquaintances, even people with whom you’ve had difficulty, and eventually to all beings. It’s a deeply grounding and heart-opening practice, and I’m finding it to be such a gift in these quiet winter weeks.
What I’m Watching:
Like many of you, I’ve noticed a shift in how we interact online—a rise in what some are calling "slow media." It’s a movement toward more intentional, meaningful content and connection, and I feel this shift in my bones. During my seasonal sabbatical from Instagram this Fall, I had space to reflect on how much I value slower, deeper engagement. I recently discussed this with a colleague, and we both agreed it feels like a collective turning point—a move toward something more nourishing and sustainable.
As I shift my focus to Substack in the coming weeks, I’m deeply grateful for the connections I’ve made during my years on Instagram. That community has been a source of inspiration and joy, and I hope those relationships will continue to grow and deepen here.
To embrace this slower approach, I included a Kitchen Conversation audio segment with our first cookbook club feature, allowing you to cook along at your own pace. It’s an invitation to slow down, savor the process, and connect in a way that feels intentional and grounded. I hope you enjoy this monthly segment with each cookbook club release.
What a fantastic start to our Savor the Seasons Cookbook Club! January’s feature, True Food by Dr. Andrew Weil, brought so much inspiration to our tables. One standout recipe for me was the Butternut Squash, Apple, Pomegranate Salad—bright, flavorful, and perfect for the season. One lesson I took away this month was just how much joy can come from slowing down and embracing simple, nourishing ingredients. It’s a reminder that healthful eating doesn’t have to feel complicated to be satisfying.
**Reader Feature**
Thank you to Margaret H. and family for sharing their experience with the inaugural Savor the Seasons Cookbook Club this month!
Here’s what they had to say about the Quinoa Tabbouleh:
“So inspiring! Thank you!
We swapped the arugula for beet greens, and pumpkin seeds for the almonds.
We have amaranth from the garden still left and used that instead of quinoa.”
It’s been such a joy to see how each of you has made these recipes your own. Your creativity and resourcefulness are truly inspiring. Thank you for being part of this community and bringing these dishes to life as a family experience, Margaret!
I’ll continue to share reader features at the end of each month as a way to celebrate the creativity and connection within our Savor the Seasons Cookbook Club community. I’d love to hear how you enjoy February’s book—share your photos, reflections, or even your own creative twists on the recipes.
***Your stories make this community vibrant!***
Here’s what we will be cooking from next month…
February 2025
Cookbook: My New Roots by Sarah Britton
Sarah Britton’s My New Roots is a beautiful celebration of seasonal, plant-forward cooking. This book inspires creativity in the kitchen while reminding us of the deep connection between food and well-being. I think you’ll love the winter-focused dishes we’ll be exploring together next month.
To help you get started, I’ve created a guide highlighting selected recipes and ways to participate in the club. The full Savor the Seasons Cookbook Club post, featuring more details, reflections, and Kitchen Conversation audio, will be shared in the Week 3 newsletter later next month.
I’m so excited to explore this book with you and see the joy and inspiration it brings to our tables!
In Closing
As we close out January, I find myself reflecting on the themes that have carried us through this month: connection, seasonal rhythms, and creativity. From exploring the vibrant, global recipes in True Food to the inspiring conversations we’ve had about slowing down and savoring the process, it’s been a joy to see how this community is growing and coming together in such meaningful ways.
Thank you for being here and for sharing your journey with me. Your photos, comments, and stories are what make this community such a special space. I’d love to hear more about what’s inspiring you, the recipes you’re trying, or even what you’d like to see in future newsletters—so don’t hesitate to reach out or leave a comment!
Here’s to another season of connection, creativity, and savoring what matters most.
With love and care,
Dr. Michelle
Physician, Gardener, Home Cook, and Forever Curious
P.S. Spread the word! If you know someone who would enjoy reconnecting with the seasons and cooking along with us, please share this newsletter. Thank you for being part of this journey!
Here are my most recent Substack sharings:
I think our cookbook collections must be very similar. Another fave, and one I haven’t picked up in a while.
Delightful experience for all of the family while we ride out Deep Winter in Northern Michigan. We're all looking forward to the next fun adventure!