When most people think of ADHD in children, they picture a child who is constantly moving, interrupting, or unable to sit still. But a lot of kids don’t look like that at all. Some of them are super quiet. They sit nicely at their desk, they try really hard, and on the outside, everything looks…
Category: Self-Care
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…
The Everyday Mindfulness of Japan
I remember one afternoon in particular. I’d ducked into a tiny café somewhere in Kyoto. It had maybe just a few seats, a handwritten menu, and soft late-afternoon light coming through the window. I ordered an iced matcha and a soft red bean paste sweet with cinnamon, wrapped in mist-warabi dough. They went together better…
The Histamine Bucket: When “Healthy” Foods Don’t Feel So Healthy
Have you ever eaten something you thought was healthy, like a spinach salad with avocado, and then found yourself feeling itchy, foggy, or just not quite right? Maybe wine leaves your nose stuffy, or you suddenly feel anxious and can’t quite explain why. There can be a few reasons for these reactions, and histamine is…
Matcha vs. Hojicha: My Green and Gold Tea Routine
When life gets busy, a lot of people reach for coffee. I reach for tea. Okay, I enjoy coffee, too, but lately, I’ve been switching between two Japanese teas depending on what kind of day I’m having. Matcha when I need a little help getting going, and hojicha when I finally get a chance to…
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…
Motherhood, But Make It Less Irritable
Some days, motherhood feels warm and meaningful…like little moments you wish you could bottle up forever. Other days… it just feels heavy. You wake up already tired.Someone needs something before you’ve even had coffee.You’re touched out.Your to-do list is longer than your patience. And by 3:00 PM, you’re wondering how you went from a calm,…
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 and exploring somewhere new, and it was. But honestly, it also became a bit of a wake-up call for me. For years, I’d been trying to manage my health while still showing…
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….
Fall Wellness: TCM Tips for Nourishing Body and Spirit
Fall is a time of change. The air starts to cool down, the leaves turn those deep shades of orange and gold, and everything just feels a bit slower and more reflective. In TCM, fall is tied to the Lung and the Metal element. It’s a season that’s all about nourishing your body and mind…
Summer Foods to Keep You Cool and Balanced, TCM Style
Summer is officially here. This means longer days, more sunshine, and that heat that has you reaching for something cold pretty much constantly. Traditional Chinese Medicine tends to look at staying cool a little differently. It’s usually less about the actual temperature of the food or drink, and more about choosing foods that are considered…