August 4, 2025
Hi Friends,
Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about The Wizard of Oz — maybe because in just a few weeks, more than 400 people are joining me in Las Vegas for the very first Plant Powered Party, and many of us are planning to see the newly remastered version of the movie at The Sphere. Others will be dining at incredible vegan spots like Crossroads or Daikon. But I keep coming back to that yellow brick road.
When I was a kid growing up in Chicago, The Wizard of Oz absolutely terrified me. A house crushing a witch? I lived in Tornado Alley — that seemed entirely possible. And don’t get me started on the flying monkeys. But now, watching it through adult eyes, I see it for what it really is — a timeless story about friendship, courage, and the longing for home.
And that last line from Dorothy? “There’s no place like home.” I couldn’t agree more.
After two weeks of travel — first to speak at a plant-based conference in New York, then to recharge at Rancho La Puerta — I came home to my own cozy bed, my new rescue pup, and for the first time since starting treatment… no pancreas pain at all. Even my lipase levels are finally in the normal range! A small victory, but one I deeply treasure.
Honestly, I hadn’t realized just how unwell I’ve felt since beginning cancer treatment in March. Between infusions every three weeks and the long drives to Stanford, it’s been exhausting. While I’m deeply grateful for the free rooms Extended Stay America offers cancer patients, there’s nothing like waking up in your own bed — especially when it’s a heated California King waterbed!
People often say, “Why stay home when you could travel the world?” But for me, home is the world I want to be in. With the possible exception of the sandwich at Auburn Bodega, which I’ve since recreated for my community, the food at my house is not only more delicious — it’s also abundant and satisfying in a way most restaurants just aren’t. (Except for TrueNorth, of course!)
Lately, I’ve also stepped back from attending cancer support groups. In the beginning, I found them invaluable — hearing from others on this journey helped me feel less alone. But right now, while I’m on a break from treatment, I’m also taking a break from sharing. The heartbreak of watching friends suffer — or worse — has been heavy. And I need to give myself a little room to breathe.
Health Update
Speaking of breathing… I had a CAT scan on Friday. The results won’t be in until next week. If it shows stability or improvement, I’ll be thrilled. If not… well, I honestly don’t know how I’ll feel. Probably discouraged. I don’t want every newsletter or video to center around cancer, and I know not everyone reads every post or watches every clip. But for the record, I’m doing almost everything that’s been recommended to me. At some point, I have to focus less on fixing it and more on living with it — or as they say, “Let go and let God.”
One of the greatest joys in my life is comedy — watching it, writing it, performing it. So of course, I saw The Naked Gun remake on opening night. Liam Neeson was hilarious — who knew?
Love & Kale, Chef AJ.