What would happen if Santa Cruz County chefs went all-in on plant-based creativity? Writer Liza Monroy, who has been a vegan for almost eight years, got a tiny glimpse of that fantasy last month, when the Vegan Chef Challenge turned dining out into a monthlong celebration of plant-based food. Suddenly she discovered a bounty of choices, and restaurant outings felt less lonely. In faux-crab cakes and tofu bahn mi, she found community, connection and some unforgettable meals. Now she is asking a bigger question: Why shouldn’t every month taste and feel this good?
Liza Monroy
Liza Monroy is the author of “The Distractions” and three previous books. In addition to Lookout, where she wrote about parenting, her work has appeared in The New York Times, The New York Times Magazine, the Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, O (Oprah Magazine), Marie Claire, Longreads, Newsweek and many other publications and anthologies. Find out more on her website, LizaMonroy.com.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Why did I have to surf with a cis man at Capitola’s Women On Waves?
A mean-spirited anti-transgender action undermined my beloved local surf contest, writes local author and surfer Liza Monroy. Here, Monroy unpacks what happened on Oct. 19 and 20 at Capitola Beach when a cisgender man entered the Women On Waves contest to make a political point about perceived advantages trans women have over cisgender women. She calls the act bullying and talks to organizers about what happened and about why and how to move forward.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Santa Cruz surfers: We can do better at calling out racism in the water
Liza Monroy witnessed a racist altercation at Steamer Lane this past week. She intervened to stop it and is saddened that other surfers didn’t join her. She tells her story here.
Posted inCoast Life
On self-care — and date night! — for Santa Cruz parents
More than ever, COVID-beleaguered parents need “Waves of Self Care: It Takes a Village,” the new book by Capitola’s Jaime McFaden. And Lookout parenting columnist Liza Monroy helps out with a half-dozen tips on how to arrange a date night around Santa Cruz County.
Posted inCoast Life
Parenting with Omicron: Santa Cruz families with young kids tell their stories of a ‘lost month’
Farmworkers, teachers, nurses, physical therapists and writers — all parents — had to scramble as the virus upended their lives. Lookout parenting columnist Liza Monroy talks with four local families — from Watsonville to Ben Lomond — about their experience with Omicron.
Posted inCoast Life
The Omicron experience: Families with young children — including mine — still face pandemic purgatories
In the first of a two-part series on parenting through Omicron, Liza Monroy writes about the jarring experience of COVID hitting her Santa Cruz household, the effects of a “lost month” on her family, and the lingering impact.
Posted inCoast Life
MOMuments offers unique Santa Cruz twist on Kondo decluttering
Westside artist Sarah Buckius turns motherhood’s labors into art, and is encouraging Santa Cruz moms and caregivers to share their sculptures of childhood clutter as a community compendium.
Posted inCoast Life, Events
I accidentally married a parenting expert: What my special education-teacher husband taught me about being a mom
He was fun, silly, smart, musical and in possession of a particular expertise in children, and that has made all the difference in learning how to tame tantrums and go positive in correcting undesirable childhood behaviors.
Posted inCoast Life
Nine fun places for kids’ — in-person! — group classes around Santa Cruz County
Who is ready to let the kids out and into summer classes? Parenting columnist Liza Monroy has tracked down the best of what we know is out there, with key info to aid your planning.
Posted inHousing & Development
Westside: Iconic landmarks & can’t-miss institutions
Who are the people and what are the places or things that are immediately identifiable with Santa Cruz County? Our…
