Current Mood

Currently, Life Update

Reading...
Anthony Bourdain's life of experience is collected into a travel guide that introduces some of his favorite places in his own words. It also includes essential advice on how to get there, what to eat, where to stay and, in some cases, what to avoid. As a big fan of Anthony Bourdain and his work, I mostly got this to  reminisce about his favorite locations as well as use it as a guide for new travel plans.

Watching...
We're not usually into medical dramas but this show which focuses on five doctors, who formed friendships in medical school and are reunited when they all begin working at the same hospital is such a gem. Once we started watching it, we could understand why it had such high ratings and critical acclaim. While they do feature cases, the crux of the show lies in the stories and the humanity of the main characters and those who surround them. It's a feel good drama that is a bit of an emotional rollercoaster filled with heart and humor. The soundtrack is amazing too. I highly recommend this if you're looking for a feel good watch and am looking forward to Hospital Playlist 2 in June. 

Listening to...
This award-winning podcast from the South China Morning Post deep dives into the forgotten history of some of Asia's most popular dishes that have gone global. A few of my favorite episodes include one about the medieval English origins of Hong Kong egg tarts, how tofu made it's way to the West and sushi did not actually originate in Japan. Fascinating stuff!

Eating...
Salad for breakfast
I've never been a fan of traditional breakfast foods because alot are not that healthy so I just eat what I like for breakfast when I'm not on an intermittent fast. I actually really like vegetables any time of the day. A simple one I enjoy is lightly sautéed kale with white beans and a lemon vinaigrette.

Enjoying...
Made from a flower native to Southeast Asia called clitoria ternatea, this antioxidant and flavonoid rich tea has mood and skin-boosting benefits. When I first started drinking it, I was amazed at how mellow it made me feel so I gave some to my husband and he felt the same. Aside from the wellness benefits, it's also aesthetically pleasing and fun. The natural color is blue and if you add a little lemon, it changes the pH so it turns bright pink. 

Indulging in...
I rarely crave sweets ever since I gave up sugar but I do like good chocolate every now and then. Hu Dark Chocolate is high quality and delicious while made without any refined sugar, cane sugar, sugar alcohols, dairy, palm oil, gluten, or soy. I'm partial to the Hazelnut Butter and Vanilla Crunch. I actively avoid sugar especially processed sugars because it increases inflammation which weakens the immune system plus it's terrible for aging.

Enjoying...
Cherry blossoms
I swear the flowers and trees seem to bloom earlier every year. We are very fortunate to have some lovely cherry blossom trees in the garden downstairs which I like to sometimes just revel under or do photo studies o0.

Finally trying...
I've been wanting to try the Augustinus Bader Rich Cream which has been touted as "the best skincare in the world" and recently came across a really good discount on The Tandem Set which also includes the body cream. I haven't started the face cream yet but I've been using the body cream for a little over a week and it has made my skin so incredibly soft.

Personal news: I'm now fully vaccinated. Felt the effects a little more with my second vaccine which included fatigue and a low grade fever but I was fine and quite energetic the next day. I feel a better sense of protection from Covid now but I'm not doing anything different and still wear masks and observe social distancing. The only things I'm going forward with is scheduling my medical screenings that I previously pushed back and getting my teeth cleaned. You definitely won't catch me dining out. With the attacks on Asian people getting worse, staying home is the safe bet. My husband has started running errands for me because he fears for my safety. Just this week two women got attacked with a hammer in NYC, two women were beat with a brick in Baltimore and two women were stabbed while waiting for the bus in broad daylight in San Francisco. 

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15 comments

FashionRadi said...

Love the cherry blossoms and dark chocolate. Two of my favorite things!
Happy weekend!

Unknown said...

I would like to watch Hospital Playlist!
Kisses, Paola.

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Pilar said...

I used to watch Anthony Bourdain's show on CNN. It was pretty interesting. My mom is also a big fan of his. She would probably like this book.

R's Rue said...

Stay safe my friend

Doctor Anne said...

A blue tea that turns bright pink? I need to see if I can get that one around here.

Lauren said...

I love your blog. Stay safe friend <3

Emmylou said...

Yay for being fully vaccinated, chingu! I am getting my first tomorrow....fingers crossed. Our vaccination has been crazy...like Hunger Games, but now, we are getting more supplies so yay. It is sad though, what I've been reading about the attacks on Asian people. It's so scary out there:( The kids and I don't go out much so thank God for that.
And Hospital I think is on my to-watch list. Great to know it's a good show.

Hena Tayeb said...

Yay on being fully vaccinate.
It's is sad, frustrating, aggravating to hear all the continued attacks.. it sucks that you have to hear for your safety and can't even leave your house.

Unknown said...

I would like to eat salad for breakfast!
Happy new week Rowena, Kisses, Paola.

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Lovely said...

The tea sounds wonderful and how fun will it be to have a color changing tea!
xoxo
Lovely
www.mynameislovely.com

Ivana Split said...

I have been reading about the increased attacks on Asian people in USA and it seems like everyday it's just getting worse. I don't understand what is happening or why something isn't being done. I'm so sorry to hear you are so unsafe and exposed to attacks in your own country. It is brave of your husband to offer to run errands for you. Women are always more vulnerable to attacks of all sorts.
It's good news that you are at least fully vaccinated so you can feel safer against the COVID.
Anthony Burdain's book sounds interesting and I will look it up. My husband and I liked to watch his shows together. I started watching Anthony's shows because he resembled my late grandfather and I kept watching because he was so funny (and I'm sure he was a very decent person under his sarcasm and irony).
Take care!

Unknown said...

Happy WEd sweetheart!
Kisses, Paola.

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Mica said...

It's such good news that you're vaccinated, but so sad that it isn't safe enough for you to go out and enjoy that - how scary there is so much violence in the US :(

Hope you are having a good day :) It's a stormy one here!

Away From The Blue

Jackie Harrison said...

Awesome you are vaccinated. I like asparagus, mushroom, spinach and yams for breakfast nothing wrong with having a veggie salad for breakfast.

Evi Erlinda said...

Glad you are vaccinated!
Cherry blossoms are lovely!
It is very sad to hear about these violence.