Current Mood

And we're almost at the end of the year. I don't know about you all but I utilized the Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales to stock up on our pantry and home essentials. I just don't have a good feeling about what's to come in the new year and inflation might cause prices to skyrocket on certain items. Besides another pandemic is looming and if you've been paying attention at all, fascism is already in the US. Here is everything else that I've been into lately.

Reading...

Fatal Conveniences

According to author Darin Olien, “fatal conveniences” are the toxic products we routinely use and the unhealthy things we do that our culture and corporations have made us believe are safe and necessary for living well and efficiently. Reading this has been eye opening and not all that surprising given recalls on everyday products have become a regular occurrence. I'm just trying to be more informed as the environmental toxins can create a cascade of problems, including chemical sensitivities, auto-immune issues, obesity, chronic health diseases, and more. I became inexplicably ill a number of years ago and I'm quite convinced that it was due to toxic load so I’ve been very vigilant about potential toxins ever since.

Watching...

Light Shop

Based on a webtoon by Kang Full, Light Shop explores themes of life, death, and the spaces in between. It revolves around a mysterious light shop at the end of a dark alley, where enigmatic customers who are only visible to certain individuals come and go.This drama starts out eerily and evolves into a blend of a supernatural suspense and emotional human stories. Superb storytelling with so much depth and heart and the visuals are amazing. Asian dramas are just on another level than Western dramas which is why I prefer them.

Finished watching....

Dong Jae, the Good or the Bastard

Seo Dong Jae was the most entertaining character from the 2017 crime thriller drama series Stranger which I highly recommend. My husband and I were thrilled to learn he would be getting his own spin-off. What made the character so compelling was his moral ambivalence and how he would size up situations to see who they could work in his favor. Interesting because we all know people like this. In this series, he is still a prosecutor albeit a disgraced one who wears the stigma from his previous corruption and self-serving ways. He starts out still straddling that line but faces a pivotal change when a high-profile murder case causes him to reconsider his actions. His transformation is the core of his character arc and a key element in the show’s exploration of justice, morality, and redemption. Very well done.

Eating...

Mapo Tofu

I make Chinese food regularly because it is easy and it is comfort food for my husband and myself who both grew up with it. It's simple because it involves a vegetable dish, a protein dish and rice. Mapo tofu has been on heavy rotation because it's one of my husband's favorites. Inspired by chef Hooni Kim, I make mine with Korean doenjang (miso) paste and gochujang instead of Sichuan peppers for a dish that hits delicious notes of umami and spicy. I make a vegan version with tofu, zucchini, cabbage and onions and I add pork when I want more protein.

Drinking... 

Collagen Matcha Lattes

Now that it's cold, collagen matcha lattes (recipe here) are a part of my morning routine again. I do play around with it and lately I like it with almond milk and a hit of nutpods Dairy Free Half & Half. I'm off dairy again because of H5N1 bird flu concerns. Always better to be safe than sorry.

Rolling...

My Face Again

I don't know how or why I stopped rolling my face but I'm back to regularly using my ReFa S Carat. The soothing microcurrent generated by a solar panel replicates the gentle point kneading action of an esthetician’s fingers to help tighten and tone the appearance of skin that tends to slacken around the eyes, lips, and forehead. My face has become firmer and more contoured so I plan to keep it up.

Listening to...

Upbeat K-Pop

I don't why I wasn't doing this sooner but I've been lowering the volume on my Youtube workouts and playing my own music instead. It really goes a long way to get more more hyped and energized esepcially during cardio routines. I'm currently obsessed with Generation by tripleS and Tell Me by Fifty Fifty.

Wearing..

18K Cherry Earrings

I love a good cherry motif and these stud earrings are dainty, delicate and add a playful touch of elegance to my outfits. I prefer stud earrings or hoops or anything that dangles during the winter because they won't get caught in my hats or scarves. A friend of mine tore one of her ear lobes that way so I'm just trying to be practical.

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