
THE BABY IS HERE! Natashia recounts how she almost gave birth in the car speeding down Fairfax with Eddie and they cook from Guy Fieri's Diners Drive-ins and Dives Cookbook starting with American Chop Suey from the Red Arrow Diner.
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A
We vibe too hard.
B
So we're doing something special and different. This week. We will be cooking out of the illustrious Guy Fieri's Diners Drive Ins and Dives cookbook. Specifically this week, the American chop suey recipe from Red arrow Diner on 61 Lowell Street. We're gonna. I think we're gonna be cooking out of a lot of chef cookbooks now. So if you guys have any chefs recipes books you want us to try out, check out, you know?
A
Yeah, we want to try more chef's recipes. I think we're interested in getting. Yeah, getting into that also seeing what.
B
The rock is cooking out there.
A
So Guy Fieri plays a big role in our relationship. Also in your life.
B
Huge. Huge.
A
You should tell that story.
B
My first. First appearance. My first appearance, actually, the first time I was in a film or a show was as an extra in the Waterboy. But my first time on a television show.
A
Incredible.
B
Was Guy Fieri's ultimate recipe showdown. And Guy Fieri actually was the one that came up to me, was like, yo, you got chops. And he, like, pounded me mad times with mad rings and was like, yo, you should fucking open a restaurant. And like, about three weeks later, five weeks later, I did. So shouts to Guy Fieri. Very meaningful in my life. Also, one of our first dates was with Guy Fieri in Boston. In Boston at the Encore.
A
Yeah. And we went to dinner and we went out, we poured tequila all over.
B
Everyone sprayed Guy Fieri tequila everywhere.
A
He signed a bobblehead for me. I was very starstruck.
B
We'll have to insert Natasha's foot pics that she took with Guy Fieri.
A
Yeah. Before there was a separate bedrooms logo, there was just my foot in photos with Guy, and he just, like, looks at my foot and he's like, bitch.
B
But we're really burying the lead. The baby has arrived. The baby is downstairs.
A
We had the baby.
B
We had the baby.
A
So as you're watching this podcast. This podcast, okay. We're filming this September 12th. My due date was September 11th.
B
Yep.
A
We had scheduled to film this episode last Friday.
B
Yes. You were shopping for the ingredients.
A
I was shopping at Trader Joe's for American chop suey. For American chop suey ingredients. And I was walking through Trader Joe's and I started feeling things. And people tell you what labor feels like, but they never tell you what labor feels like. They're like, could feel like cramps. It could feel like period cramps. Whatever. I thought I might have diarrhea. I was like, maybe I had too much coffee. I don't know. And so I came home and I started telling everyone, like, I think I'm in labor. I was honestly a little embarrassed to.
B
Tell you that you texted me from Trader Joe's and you're like, yo, I'm going to labor.
A
I was a little embarrassed. I was with my mom at Trader Joe's, and she was looking at me and she was like, are you okay? Because typically when you go to Trader Joe's, it's such a fun experience. I'm always, like, looking for new stuff. Like, they have, like, the different. They'll have, like, a little seasonal. They'll always have a new thing. Like, there's the UBE season, there's whatever. And I was like, you, are you okay? You're just, like, not into this at all. And I was like, I'm kind of embarrassed. Like, I think I'm in labor. I was like, I just didn't want to be the person who, like, had the false labor. I didn't want to, like, rile everyone up and get the day all fucked up. Like, Eddie had so many meetings that day. My mom was here. I was like, if I tell somebody and this is not real, I feel like I'm gonna get everyone so excited and they're gonna, like, stop their day. And what if it's not? When we got back to the house, it got just, like, more aggressive throughout the day. I was definitely in labor.
B
I will tell you. I knew you were in labor, cuz you did not complain the entire pregnancy about, like, the contractions, the fake. The Braxton Hicks.
A
Is that what it called?
B
You would never, like, bug out. There was no, you know, calling wolf. There was no panic. So when you were like, yo, I think so. I'm like, it's game time. Yeah, it's game time.
A
I think I was in a little bit of denial too, because once it starts, like something in your brain, you just know, you're like, I'm in this crazy race now to the finish line. And this finishes one way with a baby coming out of me.
B
It was crazy.
A
It's just crazy. Like, you know that the whole time you're pregnant, of course. But when you're doing it, it's very different. It's almost primal. Your body, like, takes over and you have to just let it go. You have to just surrender in the moment.
B
And also your training, I have to say, man, like, I didn't really understand what the hell she was doing for nine months, like, training. And she'd, like, snap at me sometimes if I'd Be like, recommending some food that's, like, just gonna make us rot on the couch. And she was always like, I'm gonna go for a hike. I'm gonna go for a walk. I'm training. I'm like, what do you. What do you mean training? But, like, this woman pushed this baby out so fast. And it was like, when we got home, you'd been in labor. I. I think you went into labor at 2:00 clock.
A
Yes, it was about 2:00 clock. Yeah, it was about 2:00 Clock. I got home probably, like, three.
B
Yeah.
A
Cause I did still go to Sephora and pick up skincare. Cause I was like, I'm not pushing this baby out without a moisturizer, bitch. Like, I need that, tatcha. So I went to Sephora and just, like, powered through. Like, felt like I was dying in Sephora, but came home. We called the doula.
B
Yup.
A
And I was like, hey, I think I'm in labor. Everyone tells you your doula, your doctor, everyone tells you your first baby, it's a marathon. You could be in labor for 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours. There's women that have labored for four days. So.
B
And I have to say, this doula was at another delivery. All right, so we call this doula.
A
Which is normal.
B
Which is normal.
A
Well, she's in demand. She's a good.
B
She's in demand.
A
She's busy. She's booked and busy.
B
Yo. But I. I have a different. I have a slightly different opinion about the doula's advice. Because the doula. We told her, we're like, yo, she's in labor. And you started to keep track of the time between contractions.
A
Yes.
B
And she was like, yo, I'm a. You're early. I'm gonna go home. I'm gonna eat, food, shower, change. And I'm like, I get that. I get it. But I was like, yo, her contractions were between a minute and a half and three minutes apart for about.
A
No, they were. They were three to five. Three to five? Yeah, it was three to five. At that point, I feel like you're.
B
Covering for the doula.
A
I'm not covering for her, but I was doing, like. I was doing three to five minutes apart, and they were like, 45 seconds each. And for me, it just progressed from that point extraordinarily fast.
B
Yeah.
A
Because I do feel like if that's where you're at in your contractions and in your labor, you have time, like, for. I understood. Even Dr. Rad was like, okay. Like, there's time. He didn't realize. He. He ended up, like, coming to the hospital in his pajamas. But everyone thought there was so much time because it's my first baby. Because of the contractions. Because it was like 2pm to 8pm was just.
B
I will say I knew there was not that much time. Cause I was watching you, and I was like, yo, this. She's in pain.
A
I didn't know. I thought that maybe I was just. My pain tolerance was very low, that I was maybe just not. I had expectations that I had a high pain tolerance and that I would be okay. And I was like, I would be able to body this. But I was like, man, like, nobody people tell you. And I was like, this is some shit, though. This is not what I was expecting. I think it's just the frequency at which my contractions started happening. If they were happening seven minutes apart, 10 minutes apart, I could have done it all day.
B
Full disclosure. I think I was just also tight with the doula because we were going into, like, active labor, and she was like, hey, do you mind if I use your car charger? Do you mind, like, moving your car? I was like, yo, you should have fucking charged your goddamn car before you. I don't have fucking time for this shit.
A
Well, it's high stress. High pressure.
B
It was high stress.
A
I'm literally going through a checklist with my mom on, like, an Excel spreadsheet. I'm like. I'm like, the candles, my maternity underwear. Like, get my pajamas. Like, they're over here, like, packing my bag last minute. Because I straight up was at the doctor's the night before.
B
Your mom, at one point, turned to me and goes, eddie, we need 24 AA batteries and 16 AA's. But what are you talking about? She goes, if you don't want to get them, I can go get them. I'm like, no, no, no, no.
A
We can call doordash. Everyone tells you. They're like. When. You're like, the shit that you pack in your bag for labor is hilarious. Now that I've been through it. Unless you're getting induced or, like, you're scheduling a C section or something. Like, don't fucking bother with the flameless candles, okay? Like, setting the ambiance in your room. The flameless candles, the playlist, the this, the that. Like, we got there. There was no time to set up a flameless candle. I was under fluorescent lights because I got there, I was pushing. When I got there, my body, like. And they don't tell you this either. The pushing, you don't have control over it.
B
You again, though. You're. You're. She's. She's saving the doula here.
A
So the doula comes, okay, backtrack, go, backtrack, go back.
B
The doula goes, oh, look, your contractions are now not three to five minutes, they're seven minutes in between contractions. That's because your doulas here and your body's relaxing now and you're not stressed.
A
We're so early, which makes sense. Of course. I relax when the professional came. You know what I mean? Like, I'm a hypothetical.
B
I have a different theory about this. I really feel.
A
Do you think that I'm just like, here's the thing.
B
It's like, you know when you're like. Because I was watching you. She was laying down, trying to thug it out with these contractions, really? And focusing. And then when the doula came, the doula's talking to her. You're like thinking about other things. So you're not as in tune with your body.
A
No, it's like true.
B
When someone comes over, you're just like, oh, you perk up. And like things that you would feel quietly alone on a bed, you're not feeling in the presence.
A
No, for sure. Because I said that to her too. I was like. We had been watching My Best Friend's Wedding for I don't know how long. It was a 90 minute movie. So for 90 minutes, I was in the bath, we got on the bed and we were watching My Best Friend's Wedding. And through that I was okay. It was funny. Like, you were making jokes. Every time I was in between a contraction, you feel euphoric, you feel great. Like you don't feel any pain between them. So like, there would be. I'm laughing at the movie. I'm having a good time. And when she got there, I remember telling her, I was like, now that we're talking, I feel so much better. Like, now that I'm sitting and talking, it's taking me my mind off of it. And she did say that. She was like, distraction is a huge part of labor. So that's happening. She was like, I told you that weeks ago that, you know, part of this is distracting yourself and acting like everything's normal and just going about your day.
B
So here's what I will say then. So the contract that all happened, we have a. And. And I disagreed with the analysis. And the duo was like, you're so early in this. We have so much time. Go sleep, everybody. Sleep Everybody relax. We're all good. And maybe 45 minutes later, we laid down to watch Planet Earth. David Attenborough. Because I was like, David Attenborough, very relaxed out, for sure. Super calming, super, like, family vibes. So I was like, let's Dave it. Attenborough it up. 45 minutes into an episode of Planet Earth, I just see you crying.
A
Yeah.
B
Just tears streaming down and shaking like this crime. Like, yo, yo, yo, yo, yo. I told his doula.
A
Yeah.
B
So I run upstairs. I'm like, yo, she's shaking. And she goes, oh, she's transitioning to the next phase. I was like, I know this. Like, I read the order of operations online and, like, yeah, it was about. From the minute I told the doula, we were in the car within 15 to 20 minutes.
A
Yeah.
B
Because once she checked on you, she even knew, like, oh, it's go time.
A
Well, she came downstairs. So I had been laying in bed, and I had, like, a pillow between my legs and just tmi. There's. They, like, your mucus plug breaks, right? Which is just, like, a little bit of fluid comes out of you, and that's not your water. And everyone told me your water breaking is very rare. That doesn't. That rarely happens. So I'm laying in bed, and I get up when the doula comes back down after he got her, and she was like, I want you to go to the bathroom and put a finger inside you and tell me what you feel. And at this point, I'm, like, in so much pain. I'm shaking. She's like, no, it's good that you're shaking. I'm literally shaking. I'm, like, freaking out at this point. I'm like, am I having a panic attack or is this normal? And so I go to the bathroom, and I'm like, oh, my God, my water broke. There's just, like, water everywhere. And I was like, at this point, I can feel my body, like, pushing. It's just a reflex that takes over. And I think in my case, I just progressed very quickly. This isn't normal. I don't think that that's normally how fast things go, but. So she's like, put a finger inside. And I'm like, I'm putting a finger inside of me. And she's like, what do you feel? And I'm like, I don't know. Like, I don't hear the void. I was like, I don't know what I'm supposed to feel like. It doesn't feel normal. It feels very, like, swollen. And so I Like, she's like, literally just picking out clothes from my closet. She's like, where are your sweatpants? Like, do you have a dress? Do you have. I was like, I don't care. Like, just give me something to wear. We get in the car and you know when like. Actually, I have no idea how to even explain this. I literally couldn't sit. I, like, was, like, holding. I was like, bracing myself in the car. And the whole time, it was a 18 minute drive to the hospital. I remember looking at the gps.
B
Yeah.
A
And I was like, I don't know if I'm gonna make it. This baby. Like, the pressure, my body was pushing him out.
B
You started yelling about five minutes. We got about halfway down the canyon and you started yelling, he's coming, he's coming. It was so funny because it was like, you know, like, when you're panicked, you just try to use every language you can. And you go, he's coming. I'm like, bitch, I know where he's coming out of.
A
Like, I don't even remember this. I just remember you were playing. We made a birthing playlist. And it's like, we made a. I did play Dipset.
B
I'm ready. I played I'm ready. Rick Ross, Push it. And when it got to fabulous green, you were so pissed.
A
I was like, this is pissing me off now. And so we pull up to the hospital. He like, you. There was like red lights. At some. At one point, you started stopping at the red lights. And I was like, you need to go. I was like, this is the. I was like, I don't care if you get a ticket. I don't care if we get pulled over. They can deal with it at the valet. Like, we need to go.
B
Then I just ran all the shits. Like, yo, big shout out to Porsche Takan. Honestly, incredible vehicle. If you're driving your wife to the hospital.
A
Got us down the hill.
B
Really highly recommend the Porsche Takan. So.
A
So got to the hospital.
B
If you're a doula, I highly recommend charging your goddamn car before you come to somebody's house who's in active labor.
A
Whatever.
B
It may just be too ornery to put your car on the fucking charger.
A
Yeah, you were having a bit of, like, an attitude. And I was like, you need to chill the fuck out. Cause it's stressing me out. Like, you can't be beeping too low.
B
It's unprofessional.
A
And I'm just like, literally trying to eat, like, chicken and rice. Everyone's like, have a Meal. I'm like, okay. Like, in so much pain.
B
And I'm over here. You really should have charged your car before you came over here.
A
So we get to the hospital, I'm literally. I don't even know what's going on. We're like. They walk you through the emergency waiting room, and I was like, you can't. I was like, don't leave me here. I'm gonna start screaming. I'm gonna push a baby out in front of a bunch of people in a waiting room. So at this point, I'm like, telling them. I'm like, no, no, no. I'm not checking in. You need to just get the fucking room ready and you can check me in later. We go upstairs to labor and delivery.
B
At this point, this is how fast we went. I drove the car into fucking valet. I just give the key. I'm like, yo, whatever it is, homie. And then I grabbed five bags out of the car because you were, like, the most prepared person to ever go into labor.
A
But I didn't even know that you were behind me while we were on the wheelchair. I didn't even know you were there, let alone you had the bag.
B
Because I just told the nurse in the front of the emergency room. I was like, she's going and she's pushing. Baby's coming. And she got the wheelchair, got you in. I grabbed all the bags and just started running with you. And I looked back, and your mom was still arranging her purse in the car. And I was like, paula, it's too late. I'll see you fucking after. And we just went in the elevator.
A
Yeah. And so we get up there, we get into a room.
B
We can never do anything. Just chill. Like, it's never fucking chill.
A
It's never normal. It's never, like, a chill experience. We get into the room, and I'm like, I, like, rip my clothes off.
B
Also, I was bugging out because it was room number four.
A
And I was just like, yeah, very super.
B
But my mom said it's cool. My mom said it's cool.
A
I get on the table, and they look at me. And this. The way this works. Women know, I'm sure, but men might not know. You can be 1-10 cm dilated. And what that basically means is, like, how much the baby is like. Like, if you're 10 centimeters dilated, you're all the way ready to push. If you're 1cm dilated, you're not. You're not even starting labor.
B
You got on the table, and they just said, Nine. And everyone's face just started going.
A
And I was like, oh, nine's big.
B
That's a big number.
A
They were like, yeah, you're. You're ready to push. And so. And I was like, my body is pushing. I can't help it. And they asked me if I wanted the epidural. They were like, technically, you have time. You can get an epidural whenever, but you're already pushing, so. And at that point, I was blacked out.
B
You were blacked out? You started going. You were. Then you go, somebody just made the decision.
A
Cause I was like, I don't know. I was like, I literally don't know. What would you guys do? Like, you're the professionals. Like, if I'm already pushing, do I just continue to push? Like, what's going on? And we're calling my doctor, and they're like, you don't have time. Like, you need to get here. He shows up in his pajamas. He's literally running through the hospital in his pajamas. He's like, I'm here. And then he got there. And I think, honestly, to me, time was sped up and slowed down simultaneously. It made no sense. I might as well have entered a black hole. And I think within, like, 10 pushes, the baby was here. It was fucking insane. Eddie literally was like, eyes on the scenario the entire time. Like, there was three people. My legs are open here. There's three people. And Eddie was one of them. And I was so impressed. I was just like, damn. Like, you're good. You were in it. You were, like, talking to me. You were coaching me. You're like, push. And I was just like, you're. I did not expect that.
B
Not that I had time to turn to the doctor and go, do you concur? Like, catch me if you can?
A
Yeah, you straight up. Like, you were Leo in Catch Me if youf Can.
B
We're gonna send all the photos. We're gonna include the Dr. Ed photos. The Dr. Rad photos. Shouts to our doula. She was actually phenomenal in the emergency room. I highly recommend her.
A
Incredible. She was incredible. I would not have been able to get through it without her. The way that she coached me through pushing, the way that she just had me focus and breathe, because it really is something else that takes over you when you're in that moment, especially if you don't have meds, if you've never done this before, and it happens that fast. She held the fort down for us.
B
She did a great job. I will give this doula immense credit. In a few Aspects. Her coaching of the pushing was incredible.
A
Like, she had her preparing us for birth.
B
Yeah. And her, like, she was, like, feeding you ice.
A
Yeah.
B
To, like, help you chill out.
A
Yeah. She had, like, a cold compress on me.
B
Yeah. Once it was game time, it was fly. You know, once her car got charged up, she was phenomenal.
A
Well, I think it was just high stress for everybody.
B
Yeah.
A
If I were to have another child, this would be my team for sure. I wouldn't change anyone. I would keep everyone.
B
And I hope you wouldn't change the husband.
A
No. At all. You were amazing.
B
Thank you, babe.
A
Like, you really were amazing. I've seen videos of dads, like, passing out. Not even watching, just being in the room and passing out. And you were like, you caught the baby.
B
Yeah.
A
You, like, took him out of me and handed him to me. And I was just like.
B
It was game time.
A
Shit. But, yeah, now baby's here, and it's like, the most incredible thing I've ever experienced in my life. I'm so in love and, like, I could cry thinking about, like, he's downstairs and I miss him.
B
It was the most athletic I've seen. This one pushed the baby out in 55 minutes with no epidural. I was like, the Knicks have never done anything this good.
A
You're right, they haven't.
B
I watched the knicks for, like, 40 years. Never seen anything this athletic from the Knicks.
A
Women are just incredible.
B
Yeah.
A
Like, shout out to women in general.
B
Athletic.
A
That is wild. Like, it is so humbling, and it really shakes you to your core. I think about it now that it's over, like, I'll just, like, be awake in bed or whatever. And I'm like, that is just.
B
It's crazy business.
A
Craziest thing that could ever happen.
B
Can I talk about this dish for two seconds?
A
Absolutely.
B
Okay. This, this, I, what's it called? I, I, I, I freaked out. Only two things, all right? It said to stir fry the onions, the peppers, the garlic, and the meat all together. I didn't do that. I stir fried the onions, the peppers, the garlic together, set it on the side, then did the meat. So the meat juices were undry and they don't get picked up by the aromatics. Because I don't like when, like, soggy beef juice is all up in the onions. That's the only change I made. They also told us to put this tomato paste in. This is very, very tomatoey. I don't know if I would make something this tomatoey, but we'll see. Like, Guy Ferry could really Surprise us, because it is. It is Guy Fairy. He doesn't miss.
A
He truly doesn't miss.
B
You know, contrary to what the New York Times said about Guy Ferry's Times Square restaurants, for me, he doesn't miss.
A
Yeah. You know, but he really does his thing, especially, I feel like, with this type of food. This is his pocket.
B
This is his pocket. And meeting him in person, he's one of the funniest. Like, he's really just a good time.
A
Yeah.
B
Like, you would think that some of the other, like, chefs on TV are bigger party boys. I think Guy Fieri is Guy Fieri, and Emeril is probably the number one chefs that I would want to party with.
A
Emerald surprises. Like, I don't know if he is a huge party guy, but it would surprise me if he was Guy. I feel I'm getting what I expected.
B
Yeah.
A
I'm like, you. Yeah, you can party.
B
Yeah. Yeah. A lot of cocaine, a lot of tequila, a lot of fist bumps. Yeah.
A
Yeah. Like, he just brings good energy. He's, like a good. He's on. He's a good time.
B
He's happy.
A
It's, like, fun to be around. His energy.
B
I love Guy F. I met Emerald on Top Chef New Orleans, and that dude, he's just. Emerald's ill. Yeah, he's just like an og. Very, very fun to be around. I'm a huge Emerald fan.
A
I feel like he just. He is the best at what he does. Like, tv, chef vibes. Like, there's no one better to watch. He just is entertaining. I can watch him cook anything. You first, Emerald second.
B
Thank you, baby.
A
I would like to watch you.
B
I appreciate that, but. Yeah, baby, wait, wait. We've had a baby for what, four days now? Five days.
A
Four full days. Because he came at 2 in the morning.
B
So incredible.
A
Four full days. It's crazy. I mean, I. There's nothing I can say. Besides, it's the best thing that I've ever done, and this is the most fun I've ever had. And I'm, like, so happy. It's insane. I didn't think I could be this high. Like, everything is so fun to me. I, like, love LA now. We were driving from our pediatrician appointment, and I was looking around, and I'm like, this place is beautiful. It's amazing here. Like, let's go sit somewhere. It's stunning. What a beautiful day.
B
We don't regret telling Charlotte Dubuque to have a baby at all.
A
No, Charlotte, please have a baby. Like, I love la. I'm so excited instantly. The sun comes out and I'm like, oh, an amazing time. It's stunning here.
B
Incredible. Incredible. What a lovely place, Los Angeles.
A
What do you think? Like, do you think. And I guess it's really only been four days. And I don't know how I would even answer this question, but do you think this has changed you already at all? Because I feel like it has changed me, and I. But I don't know how to articulate it yet.
B
Okay.
A
It's just a deep.
B
I would, like. I really would like to know. Yeah, sorry. Sorry. To talk over you. Like, I would love to know how you feel changed.
A
I just feel, like, so much purpose. Like, there's just nothing I wouldn't do for this baby.
B
Yeah.
A
And everything is fun to me. I'm, like, having the best time. And I just feel like I. It's not about me anymore. I think it's that shift. It's selflessness versus selfishness. Like, maybe I would have cared that I, like, I'm missing out on something. I just don't feel that at all. Like, there's literally nothing that I could be missing out on that is more interesting or important to me ever in the world.
B
I'm gonna respond to this. Cause I love what you just said. I'm about to butter this pasta like I saw Ralph Cifaretto do on the Sopranos. When you make pasta and you got red sauce to butter it, do the Ralph Forto. Butter up that pasta.
A
I love butter pasta.
B
I. I would. I really have in. I was. I really mean it when I say it was first the most athletic thing I've seen. But, like, it has been really ill to watch your arc as a person, an individual. From the day on New Year's when we found out you were pregnant.
A
Oh, my God.
B
Yeah. Like, you were literally out till, like, I passed out at, like, 2:00am that night.
A
Yeah.
B
And you stayed out till, like, 4:35.
A
Which I never do. And I did because my New Year's resolution was to, like, be more social and, like, give LA more of a chance and, like, really try. And so that was, like, the first time I went out and, like, partied in la.
B
Yeah.
A
And then came home and found out I was pregnant.
B
Yeah. And I'll say this, is that, you know, I'm 41 and I chose to move to LA, and my work is here. And, you know, I got homies here. It's not New York, you know, But I have felt bad for a while because you moved out here for me. And let's be honest. It's a struggle for both of us. This is a really different mode of socializing, of being. For all the reasons we've complained about this city and the way it is and, you know, the social strata. But I will say, for me, it has been very, very satisfying. Like, it makes me happy to see, because I came to LA because I was like, this is a better place to have a family.
A
Yeah.
B
And so I've thought about it for several years, and then you came in. I don't know if you were in the same spot. And then over the course of the nine months, like, we've arrived, but when I watched you do it, I didn't really have time to be excited. I didn't cry, I wasn't scared. I was like, I have a job to do, so I gotta do this. But as soon as it happened, my internal vibe, the best example of it is, like, when a football player scores a touchdown and it's just like, on one knee, like, not even being funny. It's just like, not.
A
Not the celebratory, like, dance. It's just like the.
B
Yeah. There was no, like, spiking of the bolt. Like, there's that. That boy in me kind of left the building. Because watching you deliver the baby, you'll there. It looked like alien shit. And you look like you were in so much pain and you were fighting through, and all I could think about was how grateful I was for you and how humbled I was by nature.
A
Yeah. It is very humbling.
B
This is truly a gift that, like, I will be thankful my entire life existence for.
A
Yeah, same.
B
That's the way I think I've changed. It's like, you know, certain little things. I think for a large part of my life, I've been distracted by how people move. I'm always like, why are you doing that? That's not fair. This is weird. That's whack.
A
You know?
B
And honestly, since the babies come, it's not that I don't have time to, like, stare at Instagram and dislike everything. I'm more just like, yo, we all move the way we move. Our lessons come when they come. And, like, there are very universal things about life.
A
Yes.
B
Like, that's the thing about the baby thing. I'm just like, yo, I don't care if I don't feel this need to explain or tell people shit anymore. I'm just like, yo, you'll see it when you see it.
A
Yeah.
B
This undeniable shit.
A
There's definitely. I feel more present and grounded because I'm Just. There's no distractions. And this could just be that. It's the first four days of parenthood for me, and I'm, like, just feeding, rocking, changing diapers, doing that on repeat. But, yeah, I'm so present. I'm not distracted. I'm not thinking about other things. I'm not scrolling my phone. I'm not doing any of that. I'm, like, in the moment in my body, trying to soak in. Oh, my God, that smells amazing.
B
Yeah.
A
Soaking every minute of him being this size because it changes so fast. Like, it's four days, and I'm like, he's bigger. He's changed. Like, I can see his face is changing. Like. Yeah, it's just crazy.
B
It's. It's going to go fast.
A
Yeah.
B
And, like, I'm just grateful, humble, appreciative, and if you told me even three years ago that I would be doing a podcast with my wife that masquerades as a cooking show, but is actually about, like, our journey together and this baby journey, like, parenting. Like, who knew I would do, like, a parenting podcast? I know, but, like, what matters in life? Like, all y' all cool motherfuckers out there. I'm just telling you, this is. This is the important. This is a fulfilling, like, go out there, have the fucking fun, do all the things, be the greatest at whatever you want to be the greatest at. But just remember, like, come home. Like, you got to come home. You got, like, you don't have to have kids, but, like, yeah, whatever. Your family, great, you know, makes you grateful and humble.
A
Yeah, I agree.
B
Family is important, however you do. Family.
A
Yeah. You know, there's a million ways to do it. Yeah. But it is transformative, for sure. And I think it's just. It's gonna be cool. Like, we're so. This is so new for us. I'm so excited to see how it all progresses and, like, the journey we go on and. Yeah, just, like, month to month.
B
Yeah. You know, I'll caveat this for anyone who, like, can't have kids, doesn't want to have kids, whatever. Like, throw everything we say out the window. This. This just applies to us. It applies to our lives in this pot.
A
Yeah. But, like, we wanted this, though, for a really long time. Like, we've wanted a family and kids. So for us, it's something we've sought out.
B
This is what we sought out. Whatever makes you feel whole and feel like family, do that shit.
A
For sure.
B
That's. That's what I would say, you know, and without any further ado, Guy Fieri's American chop suey.
A
Let's get into it.
B
Yeah.
A
I mean, this looks insane.
B
Let's try. We had news, but honestly, I think this episode is going to be chop suey. Talk about pregnancy. This is. This is fire. I was gonna get some parmesan and hot sauce, but I feel like after going to Dr. Molly and Dr. Ed, we're going to keep it just to this recipe.
A
Yeah. So we're trying to eat super, super healthy right now.
B
We've been eating all the bone broths, like my parents and your mom has made.
A
Yeah. So Eddie's parents came through with the most amazing soup, beef noodle soup. To the hospital for me.
B
They did a clear broth. Beef noodle soup.
A
That's probably the good.
B
Was incredible. With oxtail and shank.
A
Mm.
B
It was fire.
A
Yep. My mom's been making avo lemono, like, Greek soup. We've just been eating. Yeah, we've been eating super, super healthy. Cause you're not sleeping when you have a baby. So we're like, let's prioritize food. And we've been heavy on the erewhon juice, heavy on the bone broths and soups. I haven't even had, like a late night ice cream moment.
B
We haven't eaten no ice cream. I thought I would be like, celebrating, you know, and doing.
A
Yeah, like eating crazy. We did order, so I gave birth at 2am and then everything happens. They get you in, like, your room and you're finally settled. That was around like 5am and we ordered just like chocolate chip pancakes and all this crazy.
B
Yeah, we ordered Cancers.
A
Yeah, we went. We went in. But, like, much deserved, and you should. And then we shut it down and we were like, health is wealth. And now we're eating this, which is like a little bit naughty, but not even really.
B
Like, Guy Fieri kind of came through with this. The only thing naughty in here for me is, like, macaroni, which is fine. It's not gluten free. But I'm feeling this dish. I had one taste of it.
A
Okay.
B
Needs a little more salt. That's all I would say. Oh, they did say this. This one I forgot. They said to add a hint of sugar, which we will add through agave.
A
Okay.
B
Just a touch. There you go.
A
Yeah, I feel like that might set it off.
B
That's gonna set it off.
A
All right. Let's mix that in.
B
Touch of agave. This is my first time seasoning this, so I maybe had under seed, but.
A
The agave did it yeah. Like, I would even add maybe a little bit more. I'm not going to personally, just, like, I'm breastfeeding, you know.
B
Yeah.
A
But if you make this, definitely, I would go a little harder on the agave because it really does set it off.
B
Yeah. And if. If you're, you know, not breastfeeding, you don't give a. I would throw some jalapenos in this. I would chop up some jalapenos.
A
Parm, for sure.
B
Yeah, I would do. I would do the parm.
A
This is good, though. This is good. Otherwise, I'm still enjoying it. This feels like you're, like, dope. Auntie made this and came through to, like, your backyard function. And, like, made it hot. It came in hot, served immediately. It just reminds me of, like, being outside, being by a pool. Like, maybe, like, mild Fourth of July vibes, maybe. Because it's, like, very American.
B
Yeah, this is. This is fly. Honestly, Guy fairy, don't miss. When it says an American chop suey, I was like, this is a joke. Like, this is crazy. But when you taste, you're like, oh, I get what they're saying. This is like an American twist on chop suey. It's very much like if you go to Memphis and you get barbecue spaghetti.
A
Yes. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
B
Or like, Cincinnati, you get Skyline chili. This is better than Cincinnati chili.
A
I have to say that I've never had Cincinnati chili, but it does feel like if there was more of, like, a broth to this, it would be a chili. Like, it's like chili without, like, soup, I guess.
B
Like, when we go to mayor's house, I'm bringing this because it's very, like, an offshoot of Coney Island Chile. Now he. Like a coney dog.
A
Yeah.
B
This. This is kind of, like, too similar.
A
Would that just be meat sauce on the hot dog? That's so fire. I like this, though.
B
Yeah, I'm into this.
A
It's not something we would, like, eat usually, but it's fun.
B
And in a way, they call it American chop suey. But the way my mom made spaghetti was kind of like this. Like, she just put it on spaghetti.
A
Yeah, just like a meat sauce with veggies. Like on spaghetti. Yeah, there's. I mean, yeah, I guess it's like everyone has their own version of Bolognese, like, their own meat sauce that they use on their spaghetti in their family. I feel like families have specific recipes that they do. Like, we did one, and I don't even know what it would be comped to.
B
All right, you know what? I would do with this dish. I would add some jalapenos to make it naughtier and dirtier. Then I would mix it all up with shaved. Big, shaved chunks of Parmesan and then bake it in the oven.
A
Yeah.
B
Shaved Parmesan on top. So it's like a baked ziti with baked American chop suey. That would go crazy.
A
Yeah, I would make. Yeah. Cheesy. As I like cheese, I like a cheese pull. I like a cheesy nacho. I would want to cheese this out, and then that would be incredible to me. But I really like this. This reminds. It's kind of, like, refreshing without the cheese and the jalapeno. Like, in a weird way, it's a meat sauce. It is heavy, but it's like, again, like, it reminds me of summer.
B
I fuck with that.
A
But I like your Leon vibe. You came through looking like Leon from Curb. We're about to be living in bathrobes. So if you have, like, a baller bathrobe recommendation, my main priority right now for, like, shopping is baby stuff. And I want to find the most luxurious, incredible bathrobe to live out the next month in.
B
Speaking of product, I almost forgot. This product has changed my life. And they're the new advertiser on the pod. Magic mind. All right, so I'll tell you guys this. I haven't been getting much rest since the third trimester. I had a lot of work to do. Been working on some stuff, and coffee was getting me too dehydrated and cracked out and also activates my ibs. So I was drinking, like, three to five espressos a day.
A
Yeah. Crazy.
B
I got sent this Magic mind, and Magic mind doesn't replace your caffeine. It, like, help. It's almost like, helps your caffeine do better for you.
A
It's like a supplement. I feel like you, like, digest your caffeine better and it, like. You know how you have spikes with coffee where you, like, have a coffee, then you're shaking, and then you crash? I feel like with the Magic Minds, it's like you have your coffee and you have a steady flow of energy throughout the day? Yeah, it's very steady.
B
This is crazy. I don't know if the company wants me to say this, but I will. This is the best analogy I could give you. If coffee is Molly, Magic Mind is acid. So you candy flip it, and it's like, you know how, like, when you on Molly and sometimes it's a little too speedy and you get lock jaw, you start fucking Grinding your teeth. Like, I lost a canine, like, part of my canine once. But then if you do, like, a tab or you do some shrooms, your vibe starts to chill out and now you're on cruise control. That's what Magic Mind has literally been doing for me. I'm more focused. I don't have caffeine spikes.
A
Yeah.
B
Not dehydrated. This thing has matcha in it. Ashwagandha. And also this, like, really popular herb.
A
Yeah. It's like Rhodelius rosea. And then there's also lion's mane, which is just great for cognitive function. I take lion's mane all the time if I really need to focus and, like, get a lot of work done, because I have add and it's the natural answer. Instead of taking something like Adderall, take lion's mane. And it's in there. And it really does help you focus. For me. You relate it to drugs? I relate it to just having, like, the most amazing matcha I've ever had. That just perfect dose of caffeine where you're just riding the nicest way of no spikes, no dips, just like, mad adaptogens. Yeah.
B
But I was like, it is the thing that levels out your caffeine.
A
Yeah.
B
Keeps you focused and relieves a lot of stress and anxiety.
A
Yeah. It's great for us too. Like new parents. I feel like it's perfect. I'm breastfeeding. I probably shouldn't be having that much coffee. And I love a ritual in the morning. So it's kind of nice to just have something and pour in a glass to replace coffee. And you still get a good feeling.
B
Yeah. I want to say this. It's for me, it replaces two thirds of my caffeine usage. This is how I use it. It replaces two thirds of my caffeine usage because it keeps me from spiking, it keeps me from falling, and it keeps me centered. And I highly recommend this product. The best part is there's a money back guarantee. And with our code, separate bedrooms, 20. You get 56% off. So try this shit. Support the pod support. Magic mind. But honestly, support yourself. I really, really think you're gonna love this product. We get a lot of offers for ads. We don't do them all. We try the product first.
A
Yeah.
B
Magic Mind. I fuck with it.
A
It's incredible.
B
Is there any. Any. Give me, like, 1, 1 or 2, 3 news.
A
There's actually, like, some news we can talk about.
B
I don't really have much to say. I will say congrats, Nelly. And Ashanti are back together. I love that for them. Ashanti Bin Fly. All right. Ashanti was one of those shorties back in the day that you knew she was thick just from looking at the knees. I was like, yo, her knees are thick.
A
Yeah.
B
Like, I remember going to MTV because my boy worked there, and Ashanti was on one day, and we were just like, yo, Ashanti is crazy.
A
But she's like, she's aged it together. Yes, she's aged incredibly. I'm not sure how old she is. I saw a photo of her and I was like, damn. I was like, she looks good.
B
Ashanti Bad Nelly came back.
A
Yeah. Like, I love a reunion.
B
Love it.
A
Especially after summer breakups. I feel like every celebrity couple has broken up this summer. But Timothee Chalamet and Kylie Jenner stepped out at the US Open looking, I think, cute as. I think they're cute. I'm into it.
B
And I. I do like that Kylie is, like, off her whatever fashion. She's been doing, like, the Balenciaga. The. The. How do you pronounce the? Marcenier, you know?
A
Yeah, yeah, she's doing, like, a lot of, like, mugler. And she's been doing a lot of, like. She always kept it, like, kind of turbo. Yeah. Like, she was giving. Yeah, she was giving the most elevated IMG a girl you could possibly be. Yeah, like, she was doing, like, couture IMG or img.
B
And now she's, like, taking a page out of Chris's playbook, and I'm like, this is a better look for you.
A
In her cottagecore era, it's kind of fly. Yeah, she's like, flowy dresses. Yeah, I think she looks good. Everyone was like, she looks like his mom. And I'm like, she looks like a hot, fudgeing stepmom.
B
Oh, you're saying cottage. No, when they were at the US Open, she looked like she was in, like, a Kris Jenner, like, turtleneck and sunglasses kind of thing.
A
Oh, yeah, yeah, she was doing that. But she's been like, I've been, like, creeping her Instagram and she's been doing, like, do in floral dresses. She's, like, having picnics in France, like, making pizza in Italy. It's really cute. I'm into it. She's a hot. She's a hot mom. And everyone's like, she looks like a stepmom. And I'm like, yeah, because he looks 12. That's not her. She's hot. He looks 12. They're cute.
B
I just like when celebrities aren't Doing exactly what is hot and popping. And every stylist is trying to do, like, be idiosyncratic, do your own thing. And I'm like, I kind of like this. She's just, like, in her mom's bag. Cottage core is, like, unexpected for her. I like that.
A
Yeah, I'm into it.
B
I'd rather some unexpected fashion.
A
I'm into it.
B
Yeah.
A
Yeah. Other than that, Paper straws, horrible for you. Stop using them. Let's go back to plastic. There's, like, forever chemicals and paper straws that are horrible for you. You shouldn't be. You shouldn't be using them. I don't know if we've resolved the plastic straw issue. They said paper straws and bamboo straws are. They're out. They're bad.
B
You're not gonna like this. I don't with straws. I just don't need straws. Unless I'm drinking boba tea and then, like, I would gladly give up boba to save the planet. I'm just not a straw person. But, like, that's more dudish.
A
I'm a glass straw at home. Like, I. I enjoy a glass. I like a straw. I do. There's certain drinks. There's certain drinks that I want to drink out of a straw. Like, if I'm out and I get a nice coffee, I want a strawberry, a matcha. I want a straw. A Diet Coke with, like, in a fountain soda cup. I want a straw. Like, movie. I'm not going to be up in a movie, like, not having a straw. It's just not going to happen. Like, I want to save the planet. I really want to save the planet. But I do feel like we should have technology that we can just, like, make a straw that's not plastic, that is environmentally safe and doesn't have forever chemicals in it. Like, I feel like we're at that point. It's a little disappointing that we're not.
B
I'm convinced we have the tech to clean up the earth, everything the right way, but because these companies make a ton of money selling us trash, they're just gonna keep doing it.
A
It's the same old shit, you know?
B
You know, I feel like there was some other news.
A
There's a lot of other news. I mean, Danny Masterson. God.
B
Oh, my God.
A
Sentence to. I think it's 30 years to life potentially, in his rape case, which is insane that that happened. It's incredibly hard to take a case like that to trial because there needs to be an overwhelming amount of evidence so it doesn't turn into a he said, she said with these things. So I think it's clear what has happened. There's a lot of controversy right now. I think Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis stepped out and they wrote a letter in his defense just claiming that he's a good guy. They had an amazing experience working with him on that 70s show and that he's just a good guy. And I mean, the Internet is tearing them apart. Rightfully so. Kind of fucked up. Like, you can be a good. You can know somebody as a good person, and they can still be horrible in their life to other people, and they can still be a rapist or an abusive person or. You know what I mean? Like, everyone gets a different side, and I don't think.
B
Yeah, and usually you do get another side. Like, most people aren't gonna show that side.
A
Right.
B
To every bad man. Like, they're not gonna show it.
A
Yeah.
B
Funny enough, he showed it to Conan o' Brien, you know, like.
A
Yeah.
B
When he's on the Conan o' Brien show, he tells a joke about balls, and Conan is like, yo, dude, like, you're gonna get in trouble for that. You're gonna get caught one day. And that's been circulating. That's been very interesting. I'll say this. As a former attorney who worked at the Innocence Project, my job there was to try to locate DNA evidence through kits, like rape kits, to get people, you know, to reopen the case and see if they were innocent. That is a great program. It has to exist. There are so many wrongful convictions. Convictions, yeah. On the other side, I will say to convict someone of this standing with this sort of financial backing is quite hard to convict.
A
Yeah.
B
You have to have quite a bit of evidence.
A
Right. That's what I had always thought. It's like, the evidence needs to be overwhelming to get it to the point to which you're in trial. Right.
B
Yeah. And I will also say most. Not I won't say most. A lot of women who are victims of sexual assault do not want to talk about it. You don't want to participate in the trial.
A
So it also takes time. Some people don't realize in the moment, or there's an element of. I don't want to say denial, but it takes time to kind of realize what happened to you and like, that it. It was a situation where abuse was had.
B
Yeah. Like, I know, like, a lot of people is frustrated with, like, cancellation in the, like, woke school universe we live in. But I will say this, man. When there are multiple Women and someone's convicted through our court system. That is not an easy thing to do. There's quite a bit of evidence.
A
Yeah.
B
So, you know, that's all I got to say on it.
A
What a lighter note. Aaron Rodgers.
B
Oh, my God.
A
His shit up, guys.
B
Yo, he's praying for shit up. Pray for all the Jet fans. This dude lasted four snaps. All right.
A
What's a snap for, like, the people like me?
B
Hike. You know, like four literal four plays.
A
Got it.
B
The dude got zero yards. His Achilles exploded, and now that's, you know.
A
So explain to me, like, I know when Achilles. That's pretty serious. Is he out for the season?
B
Out for the season.
A
Done.
B
And it can be like, your career.
A
That's crazy.
B
That can be your career. Like, Kobe never really got back to Kobe after the Achilles.
A
When did he snap his Achilles?
B
At what point in his career he's out? I believe two years before his final year.
A
Damn.
B
So I think Colby had two years after the Achilles. Aaron Rodgers is a quarterback. You can make it back. But, yo, the jets season is on life support right now. And like, Jet fans, like, my man Raph has been waiting 30, 40 years to be this excited for a Jet season.
A
Oh, no.
B
And then I believe he had some chores to do in the house. Missed the first quarter of the game. By the time he turned it on, Aaron Rodgers was dead.
A
That's devastating.
B
The jets season was basically over. I gotta say, yo, Raph, I love you, dawg. You should have watched the game. You should have watched the game.
A
That's devastating. Like, I couldn't imagine if one of my girls got taken out of the Real Housewives, like, new season episode one, and I was like, she's that bitch. And then she got, like, arrested. And I wasn't watching or some shit. I'd be like, fuck.
B
Like, bro, you. You kind of needed to be there for your team.
A
That's wild. So, okay, he's out. What does this mean? Like, is there a backup? Is there?
B
Like, what happens Wilson, who's just a straight Bumingtonian, like, damn. Terrible. Terrible.
A
Yeah.
B
The jets are looking at some of the old Commanders quarterbacks like Carson Wentz. It's that dark.
A
I don't know who remember last.
B
The quarterback for the Commanders last year. I was yelling at and throwing at the television.
A
Sure, for sure. But, like, in the most incredible situation. The Commanders played Sunday. The Raiders played Sunday. Commanders is his team. Raiders is our Dr. Drew. Dr. Drew.
B
The Raiders is my second third team because my friends like them.
A
Yeah, but the Commanders and the Raiders Came through. Back to back wins on Sunday. We had our first football Sunday at the house with our baby. It was amazing. We just hung out and watched football.
B
Both Senna's.
A
Good luck. Both our teams won. It was amazing.
B
Senna's also an IBS baby. We got to announce. Senna came out. He pooped on himself.
A
Yes, he pooped on himself. Also, my mom just texted me. He pooped. Oh, we were waiting for him to poop.
B
Big poop. He pooped on the pod. Like father, like son.
A
Yeah. And he has this. The stinkiest farts. And he'd just be farting all the time. I'm like, damn, you really your dad? Like, yeah. He just said, like, I'm my dad. He's cute.
B
He got explosive. Far, too. He farts and you feel it through the diaper. I'm like.
A
You hear it? It's like. And I'm like, whoa. Yeah. I was, like, shook a little bit at the pediatrician because he was farting. And I was like, oh, my God, they're gonna think I'm farting. Like, it sounds. It sounds like an adult fart. It sounds like I was ripping ass. And I was like, like, whatever. I don't care. It's fine. It could be me. It could be me.
B
That was him.
A
Yeah. I don't know, man. American chop suey. This might be a new hitter in our house. This would be fire cold, too, you know, leave it in the fridge. Have, like a cold pasta salad moment with it. I would do a lot with this.
B
So good. That is our episode this week. We love you guys. Thank you for all your support.
A
There will be more Senna updates, more baby updates.
C
Hi, I'm Chris Gethard, and I'm very excited to tell you about Beautiful Anonymous, a podcast where I talk to random people on the phone. I tweet out a phone number. Thousands of people try to call you talk to one of them. They stay anonymous. I can't hang up. That's all the rules. I never know what's gonna happen. We get serious ones. I've talked with meth dealers on their way to prison. I've talked to people who survived mass shootings. Crazy funny ones. I talked to a guy with a goose laugh, somebody who dresses up as a pirate on the weekends. I never know what's going to happen. It's a great show. Subscribe today. Beautiful Anonymous.
Canal Street Dreams – Episode 25: Our Birthing Story and Guy Fieri's American Chop Suey!!!
Release Date: September 20, 2023
In Episode 25 of Canal Street Dreams, hosts Eddie Huang and Natashia Perrotti take listeners on an intimate journey through the arrival of their first child while seamlessly blending in their passion for culinary adventures. This episode masterfully balances personal storytelling with creative cooking, offering a heartfelt and engaging experience for both new and longtime fans.
The episode opens with Eddie and Natashia sharing the emotional and chaotic moments surrounding the birth of their baby. Filmed on September 12th, just one day after Eddie's due date, the couple recounts the unexpected onset of labor while shopping for ingredients at Trader Joe’s.
Natashia (00:42): "The Rock is cooking out there."
Eddie details his initial confusion and embarrassment upon feeling the first contractions, unsure whether it was true labor or a false alarm. Natashia provides insights into his demeanor, highlighting his composed reaction despite the pain.
Eddie (02:03): "We had the baby."
Natashia empathizes, noting Eddie's lack of complaints throughout the pregnancy, which led her to sense that it was truly labor.
Natashia (03:45): "I knew you were in labor, cause you did not complain the entire pregnancy about, like, the contractions, the fake. The Braxton Hicks."
As labor progresses rapidly, the couple describes their frantic rush to the hospital, showcasing the supportive role Natashia plays throughout the ordeal. They highlight the critical assistance provided by their doula, whose expertise was pivotal during the intense delivery process.
Eddie (19:05): "She was phenomenal in the emergency room. I highly recommend her."
Eddie praises Natashia for her unwavering support and composure, emphasizing the deep bond strengthened through this life-changing event.
Post-delivery, Eddie and Natashia delve into how becoming parents has transformed their lives. They discuss the profound sense of purpose and the shift from self-centeredness to selflessness that comes with nurturing a new life.
Eddie (25:05): "It's not about me anymore. I think it's that shift. It's selflessness versus selfishness."
Natashia adds her perspective, reflecting on how parenthood has made her more present and grounded, appreciating the simple moments with their newborn son, Senna.
Natashia (29:00): "I'm more just like, yo, we all move the way we move. Our lessons come when they come."
Their conversation underscores the emotional and psychological adjustments required when welcoming a child, highlighting the joy and humility that come with parenthood.
Transitioning from their personal story, Eddie and Natashia engage in a lively cooking segment featuring Guy Fieri's American Chop Suey recipe from the Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives cookbook. They prepare the dish live, sharing their adaptations and culinary insights.
Natashia (32:03): "We're trying to eat super, super healthy right now."
Eddie explains slight modifications to the recipe to suit their taste preferences, such as adjusting the stir-frying process to maintain the integrity of the meat juices.
Eddie (36:17): "I feel like families have specific recipes that they do."
Their tasting session reveals a mutual appreciation for Guy Fieri's culinary flair, though they suggest adding personal touches like extra salt or jalapeños to enhance the dish's flavor.
Natashia (37:15): "I would add some jalapeños to make it naughtier and dirtier. Then I would mix it all up with shaved big, shaved chunks of Parmesan and then bake it in the oven."
The hosts compare the dish to regional American favorites, illustrating its versatility and comfort-food appeal.
Eddie (35:12): "This is good, though. This is good. Otherwise, I'm still enjoying it."
Their cooking segment not only showcases their love for food but also serves as a creative outlet amidst the challenges of new parenthood.
Throughout the episode, Eddie and Natashia share candid reflections on how their relationship and individual identities have evolved since becoming parents. They discuss the balance between pursuing creative dreams and embracing their roles as caregivers.
Eddie (24:29): "I just feel, like, so much purpose. Like, there's just nothing I wouldn't do for this baby."
Natashia echoes this sentiment, relating her personal growth to the newfound responsibilities and joys of parenthood.
Natashia (28:32): "This is truly a gift that, like, I will be thankful my entire life existence for."
Their heartfelt conversation provides listeners with a genuine glimpse into the transformative journey of expanding their family while maintaining their artistic endeavors.
Wrapping up the cooking segment, Eddie and Natashia evaluate the success of the American Chop Suey, discussing potential future tweaks and how the dish fits into their current healthy eating regimen.
Natashia (34:07): "Needs a little more salt. That's all I would say."
They express enthusiasm for future culinary projects, hinting at continued collaborations with chefs' recipes to explore diverse flavors and cooking techniques.
Conclusion
Episode 25 of Canal Street Dreams beautifully intertwines the profound personal experience of becoming parents with the hosts' enduring passion for food and creativity. Eddie Huang and Natashia Perrotti offer a relatable and inspiring narrative, celebrating both the joys and challenges of parenthood while maintaining their unique artistic spirits. This episode is a testament to their ability to navigate life’s significant milestones with authenticity and warmth, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in the harmonious blend of family life and creative pursuits.
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