5SR - October 24, 2023

Today’s curator is the founder of #5SmartReads, Hitha Palepu. She’s a consummate multihyphenate - CEO of Rhoshan Pharmaceuticals, author of WE’RE SPEAKING: The Life Lessons of Kamala Harris and How to Pack: Travel Smart for Any Trip, and professional speaker. Hitha is an unabashed fan of Taco Bell, Philadelphia sports teams & F1, romance novels, and is a mediocre crafter. She lives in NYC with her husband and two sons.

These strange underwater animals could save our lives. If we don’t destroy them first. (Vox)

The active molecule in aspirin - acetylsalicyclic acid - was discovered from the bark of a birch tree.

Paclitaxel - a chemotherapy drug used to treat multiple forms of cancer - was discovered in the bark of a Pacific Yew tree.

The active molecules of AZT, Halaven, and Remdesivir was discovered in sea sponges.

Other forms of life on the planet may very well be our salvation. But the future of human life - renewable energy requiring nickel and cobalt, which are found in the sea depths where these sponges also live - could put them at risk.

Everything is intersectional, despite the news forcing us into making a binary choice. I have to believe we can find a path forward that protects these important habitats out of the respect for other life and to learn more about them, and find a way to scale battery manufacturing with other materials.

Without This Woman, I Would Be Less Brave (Bustle)

If you have a friend (or friends) that you feel this way about, send them a text and tell them. In dark times like these, my friendships are keeping me on my feet and supported, and I hope my friends feel me lifting them up in return.

The 19th Explains: What to know about Ohio Issue 1 (The 19th*)

Ohio - do you have your voting plan in place for Issue 1 yet?

Issue 1 is the constitutional amendment that would create a right to abortion, trumping whatever the state legislature would pass. There’s been a lot of confusion about the proposed language, but The 19th* has you covered on what you need to know and how to vote (aka vote yes, and vote early if you are able).

South Asian Pizza is (Finally) Having Its Moment (The Juggernaut)

Pizza is perfect. There’s no such thing as bad pizza.

But have you had South Asian pizza?

Naan pizza is our Wednesday night staple - the kids have the traditional cheese, and I’ll sprinkle chiles, ajwain, chaat masala on the tikka masala sauce base before topping with cheese and baking. Mmm.

My generation of South Asians (the first generation to be born or raised here) grew up with our parents making American classics with a South Asian spin, which many of us have continued making for our own families.

My macaroni and cheese is mixed with cottage cheese (to sneak in extra protein) and magai (a sweet, tangy South Asian mango pickle). The boys enjoy quesadillas filled with two kinds of cheese and corn seasoned with chaat masala.

Naan pizzas, however, are their favorite - and mine too.

One of the American values I hold dear is our ability to change and evolve, from sweeping laws to trying new things. Finding ourselves in food that is both new and familiar is a big part of my American experience, and it brings me so much joy and belonging when others enjoy our fusion recipes as well.

My friend Palak’s cookbook, The Chutney Life, is filled with so many incredible recipes that brings an Indian twist to the dishes you know (and is also a great primer for learning how to cook Indian food). It’s out today - get your copy and get a couple more to get a head start on your holiday shopping!

Rite Aid's bankruptcy plan stirs worries of new 'pharmacy deserts' (ABC News)

When we think about health equity, we largely think about hospitals or doctor’s offices.

Pharmacies are a major factor in healthcare access and equity in this country. And when a pharmacy closes, it makes it that much harder to get refills on their prescriptions, thus making it less likely that they continue with their prescribed regimen. Which means poorer health outcomes.

These are often not a factor when a large pharmacy chain closes a store, as Rite Aid will likely do as a part of their bankruptcy plan. The irony is that the presence of a large brand pharmacy likely displaced an independently owned pharmacy, where the pharmacist and team knew their community members well and would offer them an additional level of care.