While it may be easy to assume I’m an early adopter or a trend setter, the truth is that I’m the type that hangs back, waiting and watching—maybe a little shy, even—to see what happens when others try out the hot new thing. It took convincing from a few close friends for me to join Instagram a decade ago, and I have yet to fully embrace the streaming frenzy of TikTok.

The iPhone? When the first version was released in 2007, I fiercely debated its arrival with my ex-boyfriend, contending that the device was a gimmick and it was the Prada phone—which I had seen in sleek paper magazine ads—that was set to create a revolution. We know the end of that story.

When it comes to food trends, I’m even more of a traditionalist. Give me fried chicken over fried seitan, whole wheat over gluten free, and sweet, refined sugar over the saccharine sting of Stevia. I’m happy to embrace trends when I see value in new innovations, but when I’m not convinced, I stick to what I know.

That brings us to milk. In my opinion, whole milk is simply tastier than the myriad alt versions that appear in the marketplace, like soy, almond, coconut, oat, and pistachio. While any of these alternatives might be interesting on their own, the flavor and texture fall flat when compared to the original bovine variety. And in the quantities I drink it—primarily in espresso-based coffee beverages—the full, fatty version is exactly what I want. I personally have never had an issue with negative effects of lactose, so when each trendy milk had its moment, I never considered swapping regular whole milk for another—until now.

New to the market is A2 milk, which is purportedly more beneficial to your overall health because it lacks A1 beta-casein, which are said to be the bloat-inducing, inflammation-triggering component of lactose-based milk. Though most cows produce a combination of A1 and A2 beta-casein, which is what you can find in most whole milk on the market, some cows naturally produce only A2 beta-casein due to a genetic mutation. Milk these cows, and you get A2 milk. It’s easier to digest, yet tastes the same as the milk I’m used to.

A2 milk is upgrading ice cream, too. Alec’s Ice Cream is an organic ice cream that’s gut-friendly. I’ve tried the ice cream (delicious—I’m especially a fan of the Salted Caramel Latte), and I aim to test out a full carton of the milk itself soon, too.

I may not be the earliest of adopters, but I’m always happy to give any new trend a try. I’ll keep you posted on whether or not this milk innovation is a true revolution.

Favorite links this week

UNSUNG FOOD DESTINATIONS

Of course, cities like Paris and Tokyo will always boast some of the world’s best restaurants, but the experts at CN Traveler know that the most delicious bites can be found in less-renowned culinary destinations like Cádiz, Spain, Southeast Taiwan, and the Great Lakes.

DATING A FRIEND

Everyone says you should marry your best friend, and according to The Atlantic, that also means you should probably start dating someone you’re already friends with. A Bradshaw-ian question emerges: though it can be scary to move out of the friend zone, might romance with a buddy lead to a long, happy relationship?

A CRYPTO HEIST

With a nickname like “baby Al Capone” in the headline, this Rolling Stone piece was sure to be juicy. Featuring a 21st-century heist with a Gen-Z twist, this is the true story of a 15-year-old who pulled off a $23.8 million cryptocurrency theft.

A YEAR OF JUNE

Follow @biography_nyc to win a year’s supply of Long June Everyday Drops face oil

Natural skincare brand Biography, known for its active face oils, creates harmonious products that give your skin the power to change: to alter the narrative, to add a chapter, or to revise history for the better.

Biography oils are composed of the finest natural ingredients, with actives featuring in operative roles — here for effect, not for show. Every element has been sustainably sourced, harvested, rendered, and their oils are now staples in my medicine cabinet.

I’m partnering with Biography to give away “A Year of June” — one year’s supply of their Long June Everyday Drops. All you have to do is follow @biography_nyc on Instagram before the end of the month, and a summery, dewy, glow-up could be yours all year long.

LA’S NEWEST RESTAURANTS

Now that I’m pretty much bi-coastal, I’m doing my best to stay up to date with the LA restaurant scene. I’ve recently dined at buzzy new hotspots like Horses, Mother Wolf, and Greekman’s—all of which deliver on both cooking and ambience. The following recent openings are where I’ll be headed next.

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