August Coffee Chat
Backstreet Boys at the Sphere, an epic summer hike, a fun quiz, and the quick salmon dinner I can't stop making.
Welcome back to my monthly coffee chat! This is where I share my life in a personal, unfiltered way that you don’t get on my primary recipe site Well Plated, or even on Instagram. No ads, no algorithms, no AI. It’s just me, your friend Erin, and I’m so happy you are here. Let’s catch up!
Latest Whereabouts
Las Vegas, NV
Never have I ever been so happy to act my age as when I saw BSB (that’s Backstreet Boys for those of you who did not come of age during Y2K) at the Sphere in Vegas this last weekend!
I went as a girl group of six elder Millennials, and we proved that 1) age is just a number, and 2) it’s a number that also requires a lot more Diet Cokes, espresso martinis, and Gatorades to power through than it used to.
My Y2K concert look: white eyeliner, butterfly clips, and blue mascara. 1999 Erin would have been proud.
The Sphere is a reflection of Vegas itself: immersive, overstimulating, and (with the right crowd) a lot of fun.
If you ever went to an IMAX planetarium show as a kid, imagine that but in seemingly 55,000 HD, with a best-in-class sound system and 18,000 screaming fans. It was part concert, part thrill ride. I loved every second.
While the Sphere itself is a spectacle, I’d like to take a moment to extend full kudos to the five members of the band.
These 40- and 50-year-old men got out there, rocked their choreography with unabashed boyband flair, sounded great, and seemed to be having a blast doing it.
I wish I could tell teenage them and preteen me that we’d be at a concert together 25 years later.
Minneapolis, MN
GIRLS TRIIIIIP! The same group of 5 ladies and I have gotten together for a weekend of eating, drinking, and laughing until tears flow from our eyes for three summers running, and we have our destinations planned out through 2031.
When you find people who make you feel safe to be your most authentic, freaky self, hold them tight and don’t let them go.
Minneapolis is a perfect city for a summer girls trip. We all were able to fly direct, there’s enough to do (but not so much you feel overwhelmed), and the restaurant scene is fantastic.
Park City, UT
I COMPLETED MY HIKE! (Watch a 24-second recap here).
You may remember that back in June, I mentioned training to hike Mt. Timpaganos, the second-highest peak in the Wasatch (the range of the Rockies where we live in Utah). Well, I DID IT.
I woke up at 4:45 a.m., hit the trailhead at 6:00 a.m., and exactly 14 minutes into my hike, was delayed for nearly 40 minutes by…moose.
I rounded a corner and about walked into a bull moose and his lady friend nuzzling antlers. All moose advice I’ve read is GET OUT, so I hunkered down from a safe distance to wait for them to get a room.
Fortunately, the family of mountain goats I came upon about 8 miles later were much more amenable to my presence.
In total, the 16-mile hike (complete with 5,000 ft. elevation gain (and down again), which is quite a lot) took me nearly 11 hours, including the moose delay and plenty of snack breaks. I was beat at the end, and also very proud of myself.
It wasn’t pretty or perfect, but I set a goal, and I got it done!
Milwaukee, WI
We spent most of August in Milwaukee, and it feels like what I envisioned falling in love would be when I was young: immediate, exhilarating, and the center of your entire world.
For many of us, summer in Wisconsin—a state whose seasons are pre-winter, winter, second winter, summer, and construction—necessitates cramming 12 months of living into an 8-week window. The only way to go about it is head-over-heels.
Wine on the patio Monday through Sunday, outdoor concerts, grilled corn every night, and treating yourself to a stunning bouquet at the farmers market are essential to human existence in the Great Lakes.
Do I sound dramatic? Excellent, it’s intentional.
Summer—especially August with her unbridled bounty and the evenings that grow shorter and shorter—deserves all the hype we can give her.
Speaking of Wine on the Patio…
I published a guide to Napa!
My first visit was in 2008 as a wee babe who couldn’t afford the tastings. Since I have been back with girlfriends, groups of couples, family, and Ben for a romantic weekend.
Every trip has been memorable (and that’s saying something considering how much Cab we consume…).
I’m really enjoying building out the travel guide section of this Substack.
Do you have any city requests? I’ve got a big backlog, and I’d love to know if there’s somewhere you have your eye on, in case I’ve been!
Things I Tried and Liked
Finally, a Bra I Don’t Hate. We’re all friends here, so I can tell you that this underwire-free bra is the most comfortable I’ve ever worn. It’s smooth under t-shirts, and GET THIS: the pads actually stay in place. If you’ve done laundry and cursed the removable pads that end up twisted or scattered all over your dryer, you know that THIS IS A BIG DEAL.
CBD Sleep Gummies. After multiple friends shared how CBD gummies were helping them get better sleep, I tried this brand and am a fan! The dose is light, and I don’t feel groggy in the morning, which happens to me with other over-the-counter options like Unisom and Tylenol PM. Get 20% off with code WELLPLATED20.
Monopoly Deal. Our friends busted this out at their house a few weeks ago, and I loved it so much, I bought it. It’s like Monopoly except, you know, fun.
Refreshment in a Bottle. I thought facial sprays were dumb until I tried this one. I love using it first thing in the morning to wake me up, or anytime my skin is feeling dry.
Hydrating Lip Oil. A cross between a gloss, a lipstick, and a chapstick, it looks natural but elevated and feels so good on your lips. I have it in Marrakesh and am obsessed.
Red Light Face Masks are LEGIT. I’m in my third month of using this LED light therapy face mask, and I’ve never been so happy with how my skin looks. It takes 10 minutes, and I wear it while I’m making my bed, brewing coffee, etc. (If you’re better than me at relaxing for 10 straight minutes, feel free to chill in bed while it works its magic). Get 10% off with code WELLPLATED.
The Briar Club. Other than The God of the Woods, this is by far my favorite read of 2025 so far. (You can see all of my favorite reads here). It has mystery, compelling characters, moments of humor, and the ending left me with a huge smile on my face. There are also some recipes sprinkled throughout, which of course I loved!
I Took a Perfume Quiz. And the scent I ended up with is perfection.
The Perfect Skinny Belt. But not too skinny. I loved the white so much, I ended up getting it in brown too (maybe I also need the black…).
My First Cookbook Turned 5!
I can’t believe it’s been five years since I released The Well Plated Cookbook!
Since, it’s sold more than 170k copies and received 4,000+ 5-star reviews on Amazon.
To everyone who purchased a copy and made it such a success, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
And if you haven’t purchased a copy yet, this is your sign! It’s on sale for $18 on Amazon today and is truly a cookbook you’ll turn to every day (just read the reviews).
Erin’s Random Musings
Every day, I feel like I hear another food is “bad for you.” Seed oils are under fire on Instagram, and my sister texted me that she heard smoked salmon is the latest culprit.
I can’t keep up, and quite frankly, I’m not going to try. Is my glass of wine a health food? NOPE. Am I am going to enjoy it anyway? Absolutely.
Confessional
In my peak early-teen listening years, I did not appreciate Kevin and AJ of the Backstreet Boys the way they deserved.
It was heartthrob Nick and smooth-vocals Brian who commanded the “husband” line of my MASH games. After seeing the band live, however, I have shifted allegiance and am team AJ and Kevin.
AJ has the stage presence; Kevin has the mature, poetic eyes. It makes me wonder: who else didn’t I appreciate properly when I was young?
What I’m Cooking Off the Blog
Grilled 5-Ingredient Dijon Salmon
This recipe is from my first cookbook, which turned 5 this week OH MY! In the book, I call for it to be baked, but we’ve been loving it on the grill.
Ingredients
1 pound skin-on salmon fillet
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
Instructions
Remove the salmon from the refrigerator and let stand at room temperature for 10 minutes. Preheat an outdoor grill to medium-high (about 425°F). Place the salmon on a large piece of aluminum foil. With a paper towel, pat the salmon dry, then sprinkle the salt over the top.
In a small bowl or liquid measuring cup, whisk together the olive oil, maple syrup, and mustard. Pour over the salmon. With a pastry brush or your fingers, rub the mixture over the top of salmon so that the surface is nicely coated.
Carefully lift the foil and salmon together onto the grill. Close the lid and cook the salmon uncovered until it reaches 140°F on an instant read thermometer, about 10 minutes for a thinner fillet (about 1/2 to 3/4 inch at the thickest part), 13 to 19 minutes for a thicker fillet (1-inch to 1 1/2-inches at the thickest part), or 20 to 22 minutes for a very thick fillet (1 3/4 to 2 inches at the thickest part). Let rest 5 minutes, then slice crosswise and serve.
Discounts and Resources
My Amazon Storefront. Ever wonder what products I use in my own kitchen? You can find them all in my easy-to-shop storefront.
CurrentBody. 10% with code WELLPLATED. I’ve been using this LED Mask for 3 months , and it works!
EarlyBird Sleep Gummies. 20% off with code WELLPLATED20.
etúHOME. 20% off with code WELLPLATED20. Makers of the most stunning kitchen and dining products.
Clean Simple Eats.10% off with code WELLPLATED. They make my favorite protein powder.
Caraway. 10% off with code WELLPLATED, which you can stack with any of their other promotions. These pans are a breeze to clean, non-toxic, and very pretty.
Nutrafol. $20 your first shipment with this link. I’ve taken this daily for 2 years and see a noticeable difference in my hair volume.
Rent the Runway. Get 40% off your first month with this link. I am a fan of monthly clothing rentals. I spend less overall, try fun trends risk-free, and always have something fun and new in my closet.
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I love your in/out lists. While not focusing on the past, I'm excited that you have embraced these things now and you didn't wait until your 60's. The one that has made a much bigger upgrade for me than I expected was getting rid of uncomfortable pants. When I wear tight pants, or uncomfortable for any reason, I would have to deal with unwanted shame and self rejection emotions. Who cares what number is on my pants. No One! So now I don't either, and so many negative self-talk emotions are just not there. Thank you for what you create. It all blesses my life greatly.
I love reading your content, Erin. You are fun, real, and beautiful just being you! I have one of your cookbooks and you are always my go-to for recipe searches. I also love your lifestyle recommendations. Great idea with the ins and outs! I could relate to many of yours.:-) Happy New Year to you and your family!