Jasmine Mangalaseril 🧁
@cardamomaddict.bsky.social
food columnist for CBC-KW | freelancer elsewhere | Canadian | promiscuous eater | effervescent | cat pillow | equal opportunity buttertartist and apple fritterian with an art history degree.
Views: mine. Yes, I'm greedy that way.
Views: mine. Yes, I'm greedy that way.
Pinned
Welcome, my lovelies. I've misplaced my welcome post (prolly under a cat or a pile of books), so, here's a new one.
I'm a food writer, omnivorously rambling here in Waterloo Region (Canada).
My posts are disparate, and range from current affairs to art to food to whatever's happening in my life.
I'm a food writer, omnivorously rambling here in Waterloo Region (Canada).
My posts are disparate, and range from current affairs to art to food to whatever's happening in my life.
A sneak peek at tomorrow's column -- it would be crumby if you missed it!
Tomorrow at 7:40 am EST (GMT-5)
89.1 FM in Waterloo Region, Guelph, & Wellington County
Or online: buff.ly/2TEPmBp (set region to Kitchener-Waterloo)
📸 Jennifer Pallian
Tomorrow at 7:40 am EST (GMT-5)
89.1 FM in Waterloo Region, Guelph, & Wellington County
Or online: buff.ly/2TEPmBp (set region to Kitchener-Waterloo)
📸 Jennifer Pallian
November 27, 2025 at 11:00 PM
A sneak peek at tomorrow's column -- it would be crumby if you missed it!
Tomorrow at 7:40 am EST (GMT-5)
89.1 FM in Waterloo Region, Guelph, & Wellington County
Or online: buff.ly/2TEPmBp (set region to Kitchener-Waterloo)
📸 Jennifer Pallian
Tomorrow at 7:40 am EST (GMT-5)
89.1 FM in Waterloo Region, Guelph, & Wellington County
Or online: buff.ly/2TEPmBp (set region to Kitchener-Waterloo)
📸 Jennifer Pallian
When you’re recipe testing and have leftover sanding sugars, they go into the next coffee. Unicorn coffee, here I come.
November 27, 2025 at 8:03 PM
When you’re recipe testing and have leftover sanding sugars, they go into the next coffee. Unicorn coffee, here I come.
November 27, 2025 at 5:11 AM
Reposted by Jasmine Mangalaseril 🧁
Roses are redde
Noble are the manatees
For a bettir future
We neede artes and humanityes
artshumanities.berkeley.edu/news/humanit...
Noble are the manatees
For a bettir future
We neede artes and humanityes
artshumanities.berkeley.edu/news/humanit...
"The humanities really are a resource — a confidence for living in our times.” Dean Sara Guyer on the modern utility of humanities degrees | Division of Arts & Humanities
artshumanities.berkeley.edu
November 27, 2025 at 2:34 AM
Roses are redde
Noble are the manatees
For a bettir future
We neede artes and humanityes
artshumanities.berkeley.edu/news/humanit...
Noble are the manatees
For a bettir future
We neede artes and humanityes
artshumanities.berkeley.edu/news/humanit...
Meet the mystery man who visits a Kitchener home every Remembrance Day
#RemembranceDay #WaterlooRegion
www.cbc.ca/player/play/...
#RemembranceDay #WaterlooRegion
www.cbc.ca/player/play/...
Meet the mystery man who visits a Kitchener home every Remembrance Day
Reg Kirby says growing up in the St. Mary's neighbourhood of Kitchener in the 40s and 50s was his safe place. That's why every Remembrance Day he takes a stroll "through his old haunts" to remember hi...
www.cbc.ca
November 27, 2025 at 2:23 AM
Meet the mystery man who visits a Kitchener home every Remembrance Day
#RemembranceDay #WaterlooRegion
www.cbc.ca/player/play/...
#RemembranceDay #WaterlooRegion
www.cbc.ca/player/play/...
Reposted by Jasmine Mangalaseril 🧁
12 Grammys
3 Grammy Hall of Fame awards
Grammy Lifetime Achievement
The first Black artist and the first female to be on the cover of Rolling Stone
In the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Twice.
Had her biggest hit when she was in her 40s
Tina Turner was born on this day in 1939.
3 Grammy Hall of Fame awards
Grammy Lifetime Achievement
The first Black artist and the first female to be on the cover of Rolling Stone
In the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Twice.
Had her biggest hit when she was in her 40s
Tina Turner was born on this day in 1939.
November 27, 2025 at 1:45 AM
12 Grammys
3 Grammy Hall of Fame awards
Grammy Lifetime Achievement
The first Black artist and the first female to be on the cover of Rolling Stone
In the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Twice.
Had her biggest hit when she was in her 40s
Tina Turner was born on this day in 1939.
3 Grammy Hall of Fame awards
Grammy Lifetime Achievement
The first Black artist and the first female to be on the cover of Rolling Stone
In the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Twice.
Had her biggest hit when she was in her 40s
Tina Turner was born on this day in 1939.
Reposted by Jasmine Mangalaseril 🧁
About 99.9% of you who pirate books live in an area with a public library, and that library almost certainly has some sort of digital ebook platform. Go get a library card and a Libby account and just wait your six weeks for your free copy to borrow like the rest of us.
I see some book piracy discourse, and, to make a positive argument in favor of buying books, your marginal ability to influence what books get published and support the careers of writers you like is massive compared to most other forms of media.
November 25, 2025 at 11:37 PM
About 99.9% of you who pirate books live in an area with a public library, and that library almost certainly has some sort of digital ebook platform. Go get a library card and a Libby account and just wait your six weeks for your free copy to borrow like the rest of us.
Reposted by Jasmine Mangalaseril 🧁
Don’t pirate books! And if you do, stfu about it and stop pretending it’s some kind of moral or Marxist or revolutionary stance. Just be brave and own the fact that you don’t care that you are a thief who doesn’t care about artists.
I see some book piracy discourse, and, to make a positive argument in favor of buying books, your marginal ability to influence what books get published and support the careers of writers you like is massive compared to most other forms of media.
November 26, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Don’t pirate books! And if you do, stfu about it and stop pretending it’s some kind of moral or Marxist or revolutionary stance. Just be brave and own the fact that you don’t care that you are a thief who doesn’t care about artists.
Reposted by Jasmine Mangalaseril 🧁
The images are apocalyptic
Dozens killed in Hong Kong high-rise residential fire
www.npr.org/2025/11/26/n...
Dozens killed in Hong Kong high-rise residential fire
www.npr.org/2025/11/26/n...
Death toll in Hong Kong high-rise fire rises to 36, with 279 reported missing
Hong Kong leader John Lee has said 36 people were reported killed in the fire that spread through a dense high-rise residential housing complex Wednesday. He said another 279 people were reported miss...
www.npr.org
November 26, 2025 at 8:47 PM
The images are apocalyptic
Dozens killed in Hong Kong high-rise residential fire
www.npr.org/2025/11/26/n...
Dozens killed in Hong Kong high-rise residential fire
www.npr.org/2025/11/26/n...
Reposted by Jasmine Mangalaseril 🧁
Fortunately, <strike>standing on tables, yelling about</strike> recommending books is one of my favorite hobbies😁
FWIW: Mention books you like or you think others might like. You never know what'll happen:
I saw The Sad Bastard Cookbook here so I mentioned it on Masto (in a "in case you need this" sense). It kinda went viral (1K shares). It jumped to a high ranking on Amazon and then they got media attention.
I saw The Sad Bastard Cookbook here so I mentioned it on Masto (in a "in case you need this" sense). It kinda went viral (1K shares). It jumped to a high ranking on Amazon and then they got media attention.
I see some book piracy discourse, and, to make a positive argument in favor of buying books, your marginal ability to influence what books get published and support the careers of writers you like is massive compared to most other forms of media.
November 26, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Fortunately, <strike>standing on tables, yelling about</strike> recommending books is one of my favorite hobbies😁
Reposted by Jasmine Mangalaseril 🧁
Deep breath, sticking to recent reads:
--The Everlasting by @alixeharrow.bsky.social!
--In This House of Brede by Rumer Godden!
--Root Magic by @edenroyce.bsky.social!
--Slayers of Old by @jimchines.com!
--Mirage City by @levacrosen.bsky.social!
--Steel & Spellfire by @lauraeweymouth.bsky.social!
--The Everlasting by @alixeharrow.bsky.social!
--In This House of Brede by Rumer Godden!
--Root Magic by @edenroyce.bsky.social!
--Slayers of Old by @jimchines.com!
--Mirage City by @levacrosen.bsky.social!
--Steel & Spellfire by @lauraeweymouth.bsky.social!
FWIW: Mention books you like or you think others might like. You never know what'll happen:
I saw The Sad Bastard Cookbook here so I mentioned it on Masto (in a "in case you need this" sense). It kinda went viral (1K shares). It jumped to a high ranking on Amazon and then they got media attention.
I saw The Sad Bastard Cookbook here so I mentioned it on Masto (in a "in case you need this" sense). It kinda went viral (1K shares). It jumped to a high ranking on Amazon and then they got media attention.
I see some book piracy discourse, and, to make a positive argument in favor of buying books, your marginal ability to influence what books get published and support the careers of writers you like is massive compared to most other forms of media.
November 26, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Deep breath, sticking to recent reads:
--The Everlasting by @alixeharrow.bsky.social!
--In This House of Brede by Rumer Godden!
--Root Magic by @edenroyce.bsky.social!
--Slayers of Old by @jimchines.com!
--Mirage City by @levacrosen.bsky.social!
--Steel & Spellfire by @lauraeweymouth.bsky.social!
--The Everlasting by @alixeharrow.bsky.social!
--In This House of Brede by Rumer Godden!
--Root Magic by @edenroyce.bsky.social!
--Slayers of Old by @jimchines.com!
--Mirage City by @levacrosen.bsky.social!
--Steel & Spellfire by @lauraeweymouth.bsky.social!
Reposted by Jasmine Mangalaseril 🧁
The absolute worst thing that will happen is you’ll get some brain space for the next awesome thing. Every outcome of this is great. Go enthuse about a book.
Case in point; I finished the first collection of the Ram V scripted New Gods! LOVED it! Feels like the first time I got the characters!
Case in point; I finished the first collection of the Ram V scripted New Gods! LOVED it! Feels like the first time I got the characters!
FWIW: Mention books you like or you think others might like. You never know what'll happen:
I saw The Sad Bastard Cookbook here so I mentioned it on Masto (in a "in case you need this" sense). It kinda went viral (1K shares). It jumped to a high ranking on Amazon and then they got media attention.
I saw The Sad Bastard Cookbook here so I mentioned it on Masto (in a "in case you need this" sense). It kinda went viral (1K shares). It jumped to a high ranking on Amazon and then they got media attention.
I see some book piracy discourse, and, to make a positive argument in favor of buying books, your marginal ability to influence what books get published and support the careers of writers you like is massive compared to most other forms of media.
November 26, 2025 at 6:16 PM
The absolute worst thing that will happen is you’ll get some brain space for the next awesome thing. Every outcome of this is great. Go enthuse about a book.
Case in point; I finished the first collection of the Ram V scripted New Gods! LOVED it! Feels like the first time I got the characters!
Case in point; I finished the first collection of the Ram V scripted New Gods! LOVED it! Feels like the first time I got the characters!
Reposted by Jasmine Mangalaseril 🧁
I don't have the same reach as Jasmine, but I find myself raving often about The Chicken Soup Manifesto by Jenn Louis.
If you like chicken soup, it's a must. I've made many, many of the recipes and not a single one has let me down.
If you like chicken soup, it's a must. I've made many, many of the recipes and not a single one has let me down.
FWIW: Mention books you like or you think others might like. You never know what'll happen:
I saw The Sad Bastard Cookbook here so I mentioned it on Masto (in a "in case you need this" sense). It kinda went viral (1K shares). It jumped to a high ranking on Amazon and then they got media attention.
I saw The Sad Bastard Cookbook here so I mentioned it on Masto (in a "in case you need this" sense). It kinda went viral (1K shares). It jumped to a high ranking on Amazon and then they got media attention.
I see some book piracy discourse, and, to make a positive argument in favor of buying books, your marginal ability to influence what books get published and support the careers of writers you like is massive compared to most other forms of media.
November 26, 2025 at 6:13 PM
I don't have the same reach as Jasmine, but I find myself raving often about The Chicken Soup Manifesto by Jenn Louis.
If you like chicken soup, it's a must. I've made many, many of the recipes and not a single one has let me down.
If you like chicken soup, it's a must. I've made many, many of the recipes and not a single one has let me down.
Reposted by Jasmine Mangalaseril 🧁
this is how Donut got our entire friend group (30+ people) to start reading Dungeon Crawler Carl, the system works
FWIW: Mention books you like or you think others might like. You never know what'll happen:
I saw The Sad Bastard Cookbook here so I mentioned it on Masto (in a "in case you need this" sense). It kinda went viral (1K shares). It jumped to a high ranking on Amazon and then they got media attention.
I saw The Sad Bastard Cookbook here so I mentioned it on Masto (in a "in case you need this" sense). It kinda went viral (1K shares). It jumped to a high ranking on Amazon and then they got media attention.
I see some book piracy discourse, and, to make a positive argument in favor of buying books, your marginal ability to influence what books get published and support the careers of writers you like is massive compared to most other forms of media.
November 26, 2025 at 6:08 PM
this is how Donut got our entire friend group (30+ people) to start reading Dungeon Crawler Carl, the system works
Reposted by Jasmine Mangalaseril 🧁
be the bigolas dickolas you wish to see in the world.
FWIW: Mention books you like or you think others might like. You never know what'll happen:
I saw The Sad Bastard Cookbook here so I mentioned it on Masto (in a "in case you need this" sense). It kinda went viral (1K shares). It jumped to a high ranking on Amazon and then they got media attention.
I saw The Sad Bastard Cookbook here so I mentioned it on Masto (in a "in case you need this" sense). It kinda went viral (1K shares). It jumped to a high ranking on Amazon and then they got media attention.
I see some book piracy discourse, and, to make a positive argument in favor of buying books, your marginal ability to influence what books get published and support the careers of writers you like is massive compared to most other forms of media.
November 26, 2025 at 5:45 PM
be the bigolas dickolas you wish to see in the world.
Reposted by Jasmine Mangalaseril 🧁
Good morning to Brazilian reporter Manuela Borges, who’s been waiting eleven years for this petty moment. ❤️ 🇧🇷
November 26, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Good morning to Brazilian reporter Manuela Borges, who’s been waiting eleven years for this petty moment. ❤️ 🇧🇷
Waterloo-Wellington peeps. You know this. But in case you don't.
#OnStorm #WaterlooRegion #WellingtonCounty #SNOW
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
#OnStorm #WaterlooRegion #WellingtonCounty #SNOW
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Up to 50 cm of snow expected in Waterloo region, Guelph and Wellington County | CBC News
Heavy snow and strong winds are expected across Waterloo region, Guelph and Wellington County, creating hazardous travel and near-zero visibility.
www.cbc.ca
November 26, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Waterloo-Wellington peeps. You know this. But in case you don't.
#OnStorm #WaterlooRegion #WellingtonCounty #SNOW
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
#OnStorm #WaterlooRegion #WellingtonCounty #SNOW
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Jasmine Mangalaseril 🧁
Stuff like this is why I do my birthday HEY LOOK AT ALL MY FRIENDS STUFF thread every year. And try to talk about their work as much as I can. I've never had an audience before here. So many people I know deserve success so much more than me. I want them to have it.
bsky.app/profile/anot...
bsky.app/profile/anot...
FWIW: Mention books you like or you think others might like. You never know what'll happen:
I saw The Sad Bastard Cookbook here so I mentioned it on Masto (in a "in case you need this" sense). It kinda went viral (1K shares). It jumped to a high ranking on Amazon and then they got media attention.
I saw The Sad Bastard Cookbook here so I mentioned it on Masto (in a "in case you need this" sense). It kinda went viral (1K shares). It jumped to a high ranking on Amazon and then they got media attention.
I see some book piracy discourse, and, to make a positive argument in favor of buying books, your marginal ability to influence what books get published and support the careers of writers you like is massive compared to most other forms of media.
November 26, 2025 at 3:42 AM
Stuff like this is why I do my birthday HEY LOOK AT ALL MY FRIENDS STUFF thread every year. And try to talk about their work as much as I can. I've never had an audience before here. So many people I know deserve success so much more than me. I want them to have it.
bsky.app/profile/anot...
bsky.app/profile/anot...
Reposted by Jasmine Mangalaseril 🧁
You talking about my books, or the books of any author you love, goes exponentially further than that author talking about their own books, especially on social media where your posts can go viral
I mean. Remember Bigolas Dickolas?
I mean. Remember Bigolas Dickolas?
FWIW: Mention books you like or you think others might like. You never know what'll happen:
I saw The Sad Bastard Cookbook here so I mentioned it on Masto (in a "in case you need this" sense). It kinda went viral (1K shares). It jumped to a high ranking on Amazon and then they got media attention.
I saw The Sad Bastard Cookbook here so I mentioned it on Masto (in a "in case you need this" sense). It kinda went viral (1K shares). It jumped to a high ranking on Amazon and then they got media attention.
I see some book piracy discourse, and, to make a positive argument in favor of buying books, your marginal ability to influence what books get published and support the careers of writers you like is massive compared to most other forms of media.
November 26, 2025 at 3:40 AM
You talking about my books, or the books of any author you love, goes exponentially further than that author talking about their own books, especially on social media where your posts can go viral
I mean. Remember Bigolas Dickolas?
I mean. Remember Bigolas Dickolas?
Reposted by Jasmine Mangalaseril 🧁
Here's a free Thanksgiving-adjacent cookbook that helps you reduce food waste, created completely without AI: ivacheung.com/2025/09/afte...
Print copies support a food sovereignty charity!
Print copies support a food sovereignty charity!
November 25, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Here's a free Thanksgiving-adjacent cookbook that helps you reduce food waste, created completely without AI: ivacheung.com/2025/09/afte...
Print copies support a food sovereignty charity!
Print copies support a food sovereignty charity!
Reposted by Jasmine Mangalaseril 🧁
I was told that this list of books on tor dot com measurably altered their Amazon standings...
reactormag.com/100-sf-f-boo...
reactormag.com/100-sf-f-boo...
November 26, 2025 at 3:06 AM
I was told that this list of books on tor dot com measurably altered their Amazon standings...
reactormag.com/100-sf-f-boo...
reactormag.com/100-sf-f-boo...
Reposted by Jasmine Mangalaseril 🧁
almost every novelist you read who's not from the airport fiction or bestseller sections is working a full on day job, including multi-award winners and absolute legends, or they have a spouse or trust that supports them. virtually across the board. just normalize in your mind that's how it works.
I know we know this, but authors need to get better at talking about how they actually make their money. Stop pretending it's from the books.
November 25, 2025 at 10:35 PM
almost every novelist you read who's not from the airport fiction or bestseller sections is working a full on day job, including multi-award winners and absolute legends, or they have a spouse or trust that supports them. virtually across the board. just normalize in your mind that's how it works.
FWIW: Mention books you like or you think others might like. You never know what'll happen:
I saw The Sad Bastard Cookbook here so I mentioned it on Masto (in a "in case you need this" sense). It kinda went viral (1K shares). It jumped to a high ranking on Amazon and then they got media attention.
I saw The Sad Bastard Cookbook here so I mentioned it on Masto (in a "in case you need this" sense). It kinda went viral (1K shares). It jumped to a high ranking on Amazon and then they got media attention.
I see some book piracy discourse, and, to make a positive argument in favor of buying books, your marginal ability to influence what books get published and support the careers of writers you like is massive compared to most other forms of media.
November 26, 2025 at 2:46 AM
FWIW: Mention books you like or you think others might like. You never know what'll happen:
I saw The Sad Bastard Cookbook here so I mentioned it on Masto (in a "in case you need this" sense). It kinda went viral (1K shares). It jumped to a high ranking on Amazon and then they got media attention.
I saw The Sad Bastard Cookbook here so I mentioned it on Masto (in a "in case you need this" sense). It kinda went viral (1K shares). It jumped to a high ranking on Amazon and then they got media attention.
Reposted by Jasmine Mangalaseril 🧁
My mother once had a cake-tastrophe. Result: a cake with the texture of a cinder block. My father thought it was hilarious and demonstrated to his parents how indestructible the cake was, put it in a paper grocery bag and dropped it on the floor. The cake did not break.
(con't)
(con't)
yes, hello, I would like to place an order for everyone’s funniest stories of holiday food-related family grudges / drama / chaotic incidents / lore
I feel like we need this
I feel like we need this
November 26, 2025 at 1:26 AM
My mother once had a cake-tastrophe. Result: a cake with the texture of a cinder block. My father thought it was hilarious and demonstrated to his parents how indestructible the cake was, put it in a paper grocery bag and dropped it on the floor. The cake did not break.
(con't)
(con't)
I went to get a dehumidifier and ended up helping a sales clerk explain KitchenAid mixers & attachments to a senior couple (replacing their 40yo Braun countertop mixer! (I MISS BRAUN)). The couple was so happy and the clerk (computer guy) said he was out of his depth and appreciated my stepping in.
November 26, 2025 at 1:28 AM
I went to get a dehumidifier and ended up helping a sales clerk explain KitchenAid mixers & attachments to a senior couple (replacing their 40yo Braun countertop mixer! (I MISS BRAUN)). The couple was so happy and the clerk (computer guy) said he was out of his depth and appreciated my stepping in.