Great news for locals: Share good, local news with your neighbors on Nextdoor and be entered for a chance to win $500 cash. Now, through Monday, May 8, share a favorite story using the “Share on Nextdoor” icon online, and you’ll be entered to win. Learn more.

💚 Cookin’ up goodness in the City of Oaks

Rachael and Tom (and Sutton) are the family behind Meals She Eats. | Photo by Kelley Jordan Schuyle

Meet Raleighites Tom and Rachael Sullivan, the couple behind Meals She Eats. The feel-good, foodie Instagram page, which boasts more than half a million followers, started after Rachael was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal, metabolic, and reproductive disorder that is one of the leading causes of female infertility.

Tom harnessed his love of cooking to help Rachael balance her hormones through food, and in January 2021, he secretly launched @mealssheeats to document the PCOS-friendly meals. Rachael soon discovered Tom’s virtual recipe book when Instagram recommended the account as someone she may know. Yes, she knew Tom Sullivan.

Meals She Eats went viral, leading to a huge following and the New York Times best-selling lifestyle book, “Meals She Eats.” And to make this story even sweeter — Sutton, the couple’s first child, was born last July.

We caught up with the Sullivans to chat about food, life in Raleigh, and cooking for thousands of local college students (think: NC State, Duke, and UNC).

Tom, why did you decide to start posting meals on Instagram?
I’ve always enjoyed cooking. Whatever I make is just by feel, smell, and what we like — I don’t measure. But as we were going through the PCOS stuff, I needed somewhere to actually write down my recipes. Instagram felt like an easy place to document them because I can post a picture and write a caption with the ingredients and what I did.

Tell me about your book, “Meals She Eats.”
Rachael: It’s a lifestyle book — it’s not technically a cookbook. It’s hard categorizing it because it’s the first of its kind. There’s information on balancing hormones, personal stories, recipes, and basic cooking and shopping tips.

Tom: It’s the book we wish were available when we were trying to figure out what was going on with Rachael’s hormones and her body.

Where is Sutton’s favorite place to go in Raleigh?
Both: Lola’s Beach Bar in Five Points. All the girls know her there.

7 more questions with Tom + Rachael

Events

Thursday, May 4

Burlesque Wars: A Star Wars Tribute by Nerd-Vana Burlesque | Thursday, May 4 | 7:30-10 p.m. | Ruby Deluxe, 415 S. Salisbury St., Raleigh | $10-$50 | This nerd-themed burlesque show celebrates “Star Wars.”
Midtown Beach Music | Thursday, May 4 | Coastal Credit Union Midtown Park, 4011 Cardinal at North Hills St., Raleigh | $5 | Bring a blanket or chair to listen to local party band Liquid Pleasure perform live.
Rosé All May | Thursday, May 4-Wednesday, May 31 | All day | The Willard Rooftop, 9 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh | Price of purchase | Sample rosés from around the world with the Rosé Flight and choose from three cocktails incorporating rosé.

Friday, May 5

NJ Devils vs. Carolina Hurricanes | Friday, May 5 | 8 p.m. | PNC Arena, 1400 Edwards Mill Rd., Raleigh | $75-$475 | Cheer on the Canes in the second round of the NHL playoffs.

Saturday, May 6

Viv’s Fridge Tasting Event | Saturday, May 6 | 12-1:30 p.m. | Taylor’s Wine Shop, 10005 Six Forks Rd., Raleigh | Free | Chef, entrepreneur, and PBS star Vivian Howard will be serving samples of her latest Viv’s Fridge fare.
Derby Days | Saturday, May 6 | 3-8 p.m. | Sports & Social Cary, 301 Fenton Gateway Dr., Ste. 110, Cary | $25-$30 | Dress to the nines for the classiest Derby party in the Triangle — enjoy a Derby Day buffet, mint juleps, $500 best hat prize + more.*

Plan Ahead

Mother’s Day Troop Beverly Hills Movie Party - Crowded Table Club | Saturday, May 13 | 3:30-6:30 p.m. | Alamo Drafthouse, 2116-D New Bern Ave., Raleigh | $65 | Make new female friends during this movie party, complete with themed crafts, champagne, and a real Girl Scout troop coming to sell cookies.

100+ more events

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Community

Get wheelie excited, RAL: Bike Bonanza is coming May 5

Bicycle advocates + businesses, bike decorating, music, a photo booth, and more are all part of this free, family-friendly, social event. | Photo via Unsplash

Kick off National Bike Month at Raleigh Union Station on Friday, May 5 for Bike Bonanza — a free, family-friendly biking event featuring local biking businesses, safety checks, music, food + more.

Hosted by Commute Smart Raleigh as a part of downtown Raleigh’s First Fridays, the event includes:

Bike helmet giveaways from AAA of the Carolinas
Free bike servicing + bike decoration station
Adaptive tandem bike demonstrations (and volunteer sign-ups)
Raleigh Bike Polo demonstrations and a 411 on the sport
Popsicles by Raleigh Popsicle Co.*

See more details + RSVP

News Notes

Civic

The Wake County Board of Education approved the Wake superintendent’s request to increase the school system’s budget to $650 million. The $55.8 million increase would raise minimum wage for employees and raise local salary supplements for other workers. County commissioners will vote on a final budget in June. (WRAL)

Edu

Randy Bridges, a former Orange County Superintendent, was named the interim superintendent of Wake County’s school system on Tuesday. Current superintendent Catty Moore will retire at the end of the school year in June, with Bridges to step in July 1 until Moore’s successor is hired. (The News & Observer)

Cause

Support the opening of Liberation Station’s first brick-and-mortar shop at CAM Raleigh on Thursday, May 18. During the ticketed fundraiser, guests will enjoy tea and dessert from Ora Teahouse + Bakery, eat cotton candy by Wonderpuff, and receive an autographed copy of “The Museum Lives in Me.”
The No Woman, No Girl Initiative — a nonprofit providing everday essentials to women and girls in the Triangle — is moving to the McDowell Building off of Glenwood Avenue. The new Family Distribution Site will be the organization’s primary headquarters, where it plans to serve 3,000 people over the next three years. Sign up to volunteer.

Community

Gizmo Brew Works is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a party on Saturday, May 6 from 12-11 p.m. Come for craft beer, live music by Loose Connection, DJ Heartless, and Shoot to Thrill, and food from The Latin Effect and Rescue Dogs.

Try This

Have you planned your First Friday yet? Head downtown this Friday, May 5 for 12+ unique and fun events like free tastings and classes at The Bittery, a movie and market in Moore Square, and an opening reception at 311 Gallery. Plan your evening.

Home

Spring is here in Raleigh and summer isn’t far behind. Here are 10 things you can do to ensure your AC is running efficiently as the temps start to heat up around the Triangle.*

Drink

Hint is the water that actually makes us want to drink water. Shop from their top sellers + online exclusive flavors and get 45% off three cases for just $36. (That’s $1 per bottle plus free shipping.) Just use code 6AMCITY.*

Number

10 days. That’s how long you have until Mother’s Day. The good news? That gives you just enough time to order a gift from Quince — a brand offering high-end and sustainable products at affordable prices. Think: European linen shorts, silk slip dresses, cashmere crewnecks + Italian leather totes. Shop now.

Try This

🔥 Tom and Rachael’s Pecan-Crusted Salmon

Pecan crusted salmon over a bed of leeks on a white plate.

This dish is easy to make a delicious to eat. | Courtesy of Meals She Eats

We hope you’re hungry, because Tom and Rachael Sullivan shared a mouthwatering recipe for pecan-crusted salmon from their New York Times best-selling cookbook, “Meals She Eats,” with us. Here’s what you need to get started:

1/2 cup chopped raw pecans
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp chipotle powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1 1/2 tbsp pure maple syrup
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp coconut aminos
4 skin-on salmon fillets (about 6 oz/170 g each)
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 tbsp dairy-free butter
Sautéed sliced Brussels sprouts, leeks, or spinach, tossed in a drizzle of maple syrup, for serving

Click below for the directions. Enjoy!

Let's get to it

Try This

Today’s edition by:
Anne

From the editor

The Pecan-Crusted Salmon recipe says you can use a cast-iron or oven-safe skillet. Tom told me that cast-iron is the way to go. “It’s really easy and it tastes great,” he said.

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