For a long time, I thought it was just the heat. Every late summer, I’d slow down. Sluggish, foggy, heavy in a way that didn’t match how I was eating or sleeping. Even simple tasks felt like they took more effort than they should. It wasn’t until I learned about Dampness in Traditional Chinese Medicine…
Category: Food and Mental Health
Exploring the relationship between food and mental well-being. Discuss recipes and dietary choices that may positively impact mental health, stress reduction, and overall well-being.
Feeling Bloated After Meals? FODMAPs Might Be Why
You eat a meal and then shortly after your stomach feels tight, puffy, uncomfortable. Maybe there’s gas, cramping, or your digestion is just off in a way you can’t quite explain. You’re not imagining it and it might not even be about eating too much. It could be about what your body is struggling to…
Proof That Salads Don’t Have to Suck
I first had a salad like this at a restaurant a while back, and I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Light, fresh, that sweet and savoury balance, and it actually felt satisfying without that heavy after-feeling. So I went home and tried to recreate it. I used what I had in the fridge, added a…
Breaking Free from Food Rules
I used to think eating healthy meant following a long list of strict rules. No carbs after 6 pm. Drink this before that. No more than 1200 calories. Count every gram. No dessert unless it was made with dates and almond flour. I tried almost everything. Some of it worked, for a little while. But…
A Year of Letting Go and Finding Balance
Honestly last year got away from me a bit. We had lots of things going on…baseball tournaments, family travel, a big trip to Japan which was incredible. I’ll be honest, I also ate whatever, didn’t sleep enough, and just kept going without really stopping to check in with myself. I told myself it was fine. It…
Eating Well in Winter: TCM’s Guide to Staying Warm and Nourished
Winter’s officially here, and let’s be honest – who doesn’t crave a cozy, warm bowl of something comforting? But it’s about more than just satisfying a craving. What we eat this time of year has a massive impact on how we feel. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), winter is about conserving energy, supporting the immune…
When It’s More Than “Just a Phase”
My Experience with Postpartum Depressio, and What I Wish More People Knew Motherhood is often talked about in a very specific way, the soft moments, the connection, the love you’re supposed to feel right away. And sometimes that is part of it. But there’s another side that doesn’t get talked about as much. The heaviness. The fog….
Embrace the Dark Side
We always hear about “eating the rainbow,” but today I want to talk about a part of the spectrum that doesn’t get enough credit: Black Foods. These darker, richer foods don’t always get as much attention, but they quietly offer a lot. I tend to think of them as the underdogs of the produce aisle, full…
Healthy New Year’s Resolutions for 2024!
As we head into a new year, I’m focusing more on what genuinely helps me feel better, without jumping into an extreme diet or trying to live at the gym. Because realistically, I’ve got kids, a home to run, work, responsibilities, and a million things going on at once. I’m not looking for a complete…
Plant-Based Nutrition for Beginners
Thinking about adding more plants to your plate? You’re not the only one. A lot of people have been leaning this way lately, and honestly, it makes sense. It doesn’t have to be complicated or restrictive as it sounds. It can be simple, flexible, and still feel really satisfying day to day. What Is Plant-Based…
My Go-To Miso Soba Noodle Salad
Soba noodles are a traditional Japanese noodle made primarily from buckwheat flour, often blended with wheat flour. They have a mild nutty flavour and a pleasantly firm texture, which makes them a great base for all kinds of dishes. While soba is often served hot in soup, cold soba dishes are also traditional in Japan….
Tiny Wonders, Big Flavour
Ever notice those tiny little nuts in pesto or sprinkled over salads? Yep, pine nuts. They’re small, but they carry a lot of flavour. Slightly buttery, a little sweet, and they just have a way of making everything taste a bit more complete.They actually come from pine cones, which still feels a little surprising when…
The Sweet Truth: Is Dark Chocolate Actually “Healthy”?
Ever wondered if that dark chocolate you keep reaching for is actually doing anything for you… or if it’s just wishful thinking? You’re not alone. Dark chocolate has been talked about a lot over the years, sometimes it’s a “superfood,” sometimes it’s just sugar in disguise. The truth is, it’s kind of somewhere in the…
The Nourishing Power of Food: Feeding Your Brain, Mind, and Emotions
Happy World Mental Health Day! Something we don’t always think about is how much the food we eat can influence how we feel. Those colourful, balanced meals on your plate don’t just support your body, they can also play a role in supporting your mood and overall mental well-being. It’s not the whole picture, of…
The Vibrant World of Green Juice
Lately, I’ve been trying to find small ways to make better choices without overcomplicating things—especially on busy days when it’s easy to just grab whatever’s convenient. One thing I’ve been leaning into a bit more is green juice. It’s simple, it’s quick, and it’s an easy way to get a mix of greens and fruits…