I used to think that ‘wellness’ meant doing it all from scratch. But I’ve realized that true health lives at the intersection of Salt and Soul. Salt is the practical reality of my life as a busy mama—the need for efficiency and a break from the mental load. Soul is my desire to sit down to a nourishing, home-cooked meal…
Category: Health & Wellness
Feeling Off-Balance? How the Five Elements Explain Your Energy
Have you ever felt tired, unmotivated, or constantly restless—even after a full night’s sleep? You’re not lazy, and you aren’t broken. Your body is simply sending you a message through a system that has guided humans for thousands of years: the Five Elements (五行). In Traditional Chinese Medicine, your overall health and energy (Qi) are influenced…
Why You Feel “Heavy” (Even When the Scale Doesn’t Move)
The Sticky Truth About Dampness and Your Health For years, I couldn’t figure out why I felt so sluggish and ‘foggy’ every late summer. It wasn’t just heat—it was a heavy, sinking feeling that made even small tasks feel like wading through water. It wasn’t until my TCM practitioner explained the concept of Dampness that the lightbulb…
Feeling Bloated After Meals? FODMAPs Might Be the Culprit
Have you ever finished a meal and suddenly felt like your belly turned into a balloon? Or maybe you’ve had unexpected cramps, gas, or irregular bathroom habits that seem to appear out of nowhere. It might not just be what you’re eating—it could be how your body is digesting it. Let’s talk about FODMAPs. It might…
Proof That Salads Don’t Have to Suck
So, in the past I had a salad at a restaurant that I totally fell in love with. Light, fresh, a little sweet, and a little savoury—the kind of dish that actually fills you up without leaving you feeling heavy. I fell in love with a salad exactly like that a while ago, and naturally,…
The Histamine Bucket: Why “Healthy” Foods Can Sometimes Make You Feel Off
Have you ever finished a “healthy” meal—like a spinach salad with avocado—and suddenly felt itchy, foggy, or just off? Maybe your nose gets stuffy after a glass of wine, or you feel weirdly anxious for no reason. If this sounds familiar, histamine might be playing a bigger role than you think. Let’s break it down. So, What is…
Matcha & Hojicha: Which Tea Fits Your Day?
Most people reach for coffee when they’re overwhelmed, but as a nutritionist, I have a different strategy. I call it the ‘Green & Gold’ routine. As a mom, tea is my anchor. It marks the transition from Doing to Being. My days are often a blur of school drop-offs and “household Tetris,” and in that chaos, tea is…
Light, Sweet, and Healing: Snow Fungus Dessert Soup
We’ve been battling lingering dry coughs in our house lately—the kind that leave your throat feeling scratchy and restless.The weather has been all over the place, so today, I reached for a remedy from my childhood: Snow Fungus Dessert Soup (糖水). What Is Snow Fungus Dessert Soup? It’s a light, slightly sweet Chinese dessert soup (糖水) made with…
Understanding TCM Body Constitutions: A Beginner’s Perspective
I was born and raised in Canada, but growing up in a Chinese household, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) was always present in my life, thanks to my mom. Whenever we were sick, it wasn’t Tylenol or the usual Western remedies. Instead, my mom would brew up some bitter herbal tea that, to be honest, tasted…
A Year of Letting Go and Finding Balance
This past year has been a journey of high highs and some very real lows. Life was beautiful and busy—baseball tournaments, family travel, and a big trip to Japan. I have to admit I let loose with food, didn’t always make the best choices, and definitely didn’t get the rest I needed. Jet lag, travel stress, and…
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 more than just satisfying those cravings. What we eat this time of year can seriously impact how we feel. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), winter is all about holding onto your energy, supercharging your immune system,…
My Journey Back To Me
Sometimes, it takes a change of scenery to truly see yourself again. Our trip to Japan was supposed to be about family time, exploring, and making memories – and it definitely was. But what I didn’t expect was how much it would open my eyes again. Over the years, I’ve had little moments here and…
Fall Wellness: TCM Tips for Nourishing Body and Spirit
Fall is a time of change. The air cools, the leaves turn beautiful shades of orange and gold, and everything feels a little slower and more reflective. In TCM, fall is the season that corresponds with the lungs and metal element and it’s all about nourishing your body, mind, and spirit as we transition from…
Summer Foods to Keep You Cool and Balanced, TCM Style
Summer is officially here, and you can feel it everywhere—longer days, sunshine, and that heat that just screams for ice-cold drinks. But here’s the thing: in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), cooling off isn’t just about chugging ice water. It’s actually about internal balance—using foods that naturally help you feel light, refreshed, and grounded through the summer…
Nourishing Your Body: The Best Foods to Eat in Spring According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
Spring’s that time of year when everything starts to shake off the winter slowdown. Nature wakes up -plants start growing again, animals come out of hibernation, and we feel that shift too. Maybe there’s a bit of winter weight or sluggishness hanging around, but as the days get warmer, we’re naturally pulled outside, craving movement…