October 20, 2025
Hi Friends,
I returned home from Las Vegas on Monday and wanted to use the momentum of that experience to continue my mantra of “having fun no matter what!” The Rich Little show was so nostalgic—an absolutely fabulous walk down memory lane. When I told people I was going to see him, everyone said the same thing: “Is he still alive?” And when the show started, the very first words out of his mouth were “I’m not dead.” At nearly 87, he was as sharp and funny as ever! I haven’t been feeling up to snuff since going back into active cancer treatment, so I seize any opportunity to laugh.
On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday I took improv classes with my guru Patrick Bristow, which have been my lifeline throughout my cancer journey. Many of my friends know how important this is to me and are taking the classes with me, so it’s doubly fun. No matter how tired I feel or how much pain I’m in, I NEVER miss an opportunity to create laughter. Patrick is coming to the Plant Powered Party next year to direct an improvisational comedy show with a troupe that includes many Groundlings alumni.
On Friday I had another CT scan, which is never any fun, but I’ve been having so many pancreatic and GI symptoms (that I won’t bore you with), likely from the Keytruda. Because it was ordered STAT, I’ll have the results sooner, and it will determine whether or not I can go back to Stanford for another infusion tomorrow.
On Saturday, Charles and I had the privilege of speaking on starting a vegan business as part of Victoria Moran’s Main Street Vegan Academy. Our presentation was called “10 Ways to Spread Your Vegan Message Without Going Broke.” We love helping new voices get started. The more plant-powered businesses, the better!
All in all, it was a very busy week for me because other than Monday (a travel day), I did at least one LIVE show a day for a total of seven shows, All the replays are available if you’d like to catch up. I hope you’ll try the recipes I made on the show yesterday. The Polenta Pizzas (pictured below) are my absolute favorite—they’re always a showstopper at every gathering and would be perfect for a Thanksgiving appetizer.
I have had very little energy these days. By most afternoons, I’m spent and because I tire so easily, I am watching more streaming than I normally do. This week we finished Season 3 of The Gilded Age (will George leave Bertha?) and started Season 5 of Only Murders in the Building (will Meryl be back?)
Next week on the show I have Dr. Nicole Avena, one of the world’s leading experts on sugar addiction. With Halloween coming up, it’s a show you won’t want to miss. You can watch it here. I am just a few hundred subscribers short of 1/4 of a million so I would really love it if you would subscribe: Subscribe here.
Until next week, do something that makes you laugh—just for the fun of it!
With love and gratitude,
Love & Kale, Chef AJ.