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…
Sweet Moments in Hokkaido
If you’ve ever been to Hokkaido, or had it sitting on your travel wishlist, you’ve probably heard people go on and on about the food. Especially the ice cream. Honestly, I used to wonder what all the fuss was about. How different could it really be? And then I tried it. So I get it…
A Sweet Summer in Hakodate
This summer we had the chance to visit Hakodate, and it turned out to be such a memorable trip for so many reasons. One of the best parts was getting to try Snaffles cheesecake again! Twelve years ago, I had my first taste of Japanese cheesecake from Snaffles and I instantly fell in love. There’s…
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…
The Best Foods to Eat in Spring According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
Spring has this natural way of pulling everything out of that slower winter pace. You start to see it everywhere, longer days, more light, things growing again, people spending more time outside, and you can feel that shift in your body too. Maybe there’s still a bit of heaviness or sluggishness from winter, but there’s…
Keeping Food Fresh, Simply
Let’s be honest, there’s nothing more frustrating than buying fresh produce at the start of the week and finding it wilted a few days later. I hear about it all the time, not just in my own kitchen, but with friends, family and clients too. You start the week with good intentions, stock up on…
Velvety Leek and Potato Soup
Today is one of those blustery, snowy days that makes staying inside feel like the only reasonable option. So that’s exactly what I’m doing, and honestly, there’s nothing better on a day like this than a pot of homemade leek and potato soup. Creamy, earthy, and genuinely comforting. Making soup from scratch is one of…
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…
Wholesome & Affordable: A Guide to Stress-Free Meal Planning
With how expensive everything feels lately, eating well can start to feel a bit out of reach. I’ve had those weeks too, where groceries add up fast, and you’re trying to figure out how to make everything stretch without feeling like you’re sacrificing quality. Over the past year, I’ve put a bit more intention into…
Hearty Eats: Braised Short Rib Ragù
Braised short ribs might just be one of my all-time favourite comfort meals. They’re rich, hearty, and exactly what you want on a cozy night in. What I love most is that while they feel fancy, the process is actually really simple. You just let them slow-cook on the stove or in the oven, and…
Baked Alaska: A Timeless Classic Dessert
The first time I tasted Baked Alaska was at a restaurant in Hong Kong, and I was hooked instantly. Even though I’ve loved it for a long time, I hadn’t actually tried making it myself until recently. With Valentine’s Day around the corner, I thought it would be a fun surprise for my husband and…
Chinese Turnip Cakes
There’s something about the smell of turnip cakes sizzling in a pan that takes me straight back to my childhood. Every year without fail, my mom would make big batches of these savoury cakes, and they were always a hit — friends, family, neighbours, everyone loved them. In our culture, turnip cakes are more than…
Smashed Potato Bites
Who can resist crispy, creamy smashed potato bites? They are a go-to snack or appetizer in our house, and my kids never get tired of them. You get that golden, crispy outside with a soft, fluffy centre, and then you can top them with whatever you’re craving. My sons are absolutely obsessed with them. The…
Pandan Ice Cream: A Taste of Comfort and Nostalgia
If you’re craving a flavour that feels both unique and deeply comforting, you’re in for a treat. Today, I’m sharing my recipe for homemade Pandan Ice Cream. This is one of my all-time favourite treats. Now, I’ll be honest, pandan can be a bit polarizing because the taste is so distinct. It’s like a blend of rich vanilla and…
Soul-Warming Homemade Kare Udon
Today, I’m excited to share a real family favourite in our house: Kare Udon. To be honest, it’s my husband’s favourite. I’ve been leaning into making things from scratch lately, there’s just something so satisfying about it, don’t you think? One of my recent kitchen projects has been perfecting my own homemade curry roux. Sure, those…