On the day it came out I picked up, started reading, and promptly finished Hannah Hart’s new book, My Drunk Kitchen: A Guide to Eating, Drinking, & Going with Your Gut, and I absolutely loved it. Hannah made me laugh & smile, and made me think about things that I’m going through in my life currently. And so, because I think everyone should read her book, here are five things Hannah taught me in 226 pages.
Life is Punny.
If you’ve ever seen an episode of My Drunk Kitchen or any other video Hannah has done, you know she likes puns. I’m sorry, did I say likes? I was mistaken – Hannah loves puns, and she doesn’t care who knows it! And maybe you’re not good at puns, or your life doesn’t seem to be ripe for the punning, but I bet you can find something. And that’s sort of what Hannah teaches you – life is about finding the pun in the every day. Even if it means dropping an egg in a glass of scotch and laughing about it.
Life is great – just look around!
Some days are awful. They are like wanting a pizza and coming home to an empty freezer and an empty wallet. Other days are great – they are ‘stack-five-frozen-pizzas-on-top-of-each-other-and-make-a-cake’ great. The thing is, you’re never going to know if a day is going to be great if you don’t try. The only guarantee you get that something will be great is if you try to make it great. So maybe go buy some frozen pizza.
Friends deserve appreciation.
Your friends are beautiful! They are wonderful! They put up with you when you are trying to make up puns that don’t make sense! They think your laugh is cute!! (They don’t mind when you use too many exclamation points.) They think your dance moves are sick, and they probably think your food is okay too. Take some time to make them a meal (or give them beer) to show your appreciation for them. Friends can come and go, so show the ones that are with you now that you love them as much as they seem to love you.
Clean plate. Clean slate.
Everybody has their stuff. Maybe your parents are super great or you’ve got some bad relationships in your past or you struggle with anxiety and depression. Maybe all of those things. Or maybe life is pretty good and you don’t know how to be you around friends who have gone through some serious struggles. Wash your hands, love. Take that mess and shed it. The more you rinse off, the better you’ll be able to use your hands, and the more you’ll be able to help others. Don’t be afraid to get rid of it all – you’ll be better for it.
Follow your Harto.
In her book, Hannah reveals that Harto means “satiated” in Spanish. So when she tells us to follow our Harto, what she really means is to trust your gut. This I am a major fan of (have you met my friend Olivia Pope?), and use it often. My gut – that feeling deep inside me – knows when I should or shouldn’t do something. I’m still learning to trust my gut, and I’m guessing you are too, but Hannah wants us to know that trusting your gut can only bring you good things. Life is unpredictable, but your gut can bring a little peace to your life. I promise.
Hannah’s book is dedicated as follows: “To Reckless Optimists, and all who believe we can do more and better,” and I just wanted to say thanks. Thanks, Hannah, for teaching us to be ourselves, to embrace the food in our lives, and to follow our Hartos. We love you too.
If you’re interested in getting yourself a copy of Hannah’s book (as you should be), visit hannahhart.com/book for all your shopping needs!