One year into studying Holistic Nutrition. Somehow I’m already a third of the way through, which honestly feels a little surreal. I’ve got two years to go, though depending on how life moves, and how many times I have to read the same paragraph before it actually sinks in, who knows. I may finish sooner….
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.
A Nervous System Story (Understanding ADHD Beyond the Brain)
Have you ever watched your child go from calm to completely overwhelmed in what feels like seconds, and had no idea what just happened? I’ve seen this a lot, both as a mom and through my years working as an Early Childhood Educator. What looks like a meltdown or “bad behaviour” on the surface is…
Stuck, Bloated, and Tired? Your Body Might Be Showing Signs of Dampness
Have you ever had days when you feel heavy, bloated, and tired, and you can’t quite figure out why? Your body feels sluggish, your head feels foggy, and even when you haven’t done much, you feel like you could use a nap. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), these are some of the feelings that may…
FODMAPs Explained: Why Some Foods Leave You Bloated
Have you ever finished a meal and, not long afterwards, noticed your stomach feeling tight, bloated, or uncomfortable? Maybe you’re dealing with gas, some cramping, or a change in your bowel movements, and you’re left wondering what you ate that didn’t agree with you. It can be frustrating, especially when you’re trying to eat well…
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 whole list of rules. No carbs after 6 pm. Drink this before that. Stick to 1,200 calories. Count every gram. And dessert? Only if it was made with dates and almond flour. I tried so many of these things, and while some seemed to work for…
Understanding TCM Body Constitutions: Which One Are You?
I grew up in a Chinese household in Canada, where Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) was just part of life. Whenever we got sick, my mom would brew some bitter herbal tea that honestly tasted awful. I didn’t appreciate it much as a kid, but looking back, I’m glad I grew up learning about a different…
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’ve been thinking more about what actually makes me feel good. I’m not interested in going on some extreme diet or spending hours at the gym. Realistically, I have kids, a home to look after, work, and plenty of other things going on. There’s only so much time…
Plant-Based Nutrition for Beginners
Lately, I’ve been trying to add more plant-based meals into my week, and I know a lot of people are doing the same. But I think the term plant-based can sound a little intimidating, like you have to give up meat, dairy, and all the foods you love. That’s really not how I look at it. For…
My Go-To Miso Soba Noodle Salad
Soba noodles are Japanese noodles made mainly from buckwheat flour, sometimes mixed with wheat flour. They have a slightly nutty flavour and a nice firm texture. They’re often served in soup or chilled with a dipping sauce, but I also like using them as the base for a noodle salad. This salad combines soba noodles…
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…