Cristina Romero is a Spanish blogger and I catch up with her and discuss life.

Cristina, a pleasure to interview a fellow blogger. Tell my audience something important about you?

Thank you very much, Jerry. I could be compared with the hands of a clock. In other words, I am always “functioning”. I am a very active person and I don’t stay put. I do not think there are enough hours in a day to do everything I would want to do. I am very human; my heart drives me. I like to help people around me. As a result, I find it worthwhile because that shapes the person I am. In conclusion, I am a woman that is very independent, very devoted to others, with clear ideas on her mind and who doesn’t settle.

Tell me a little about your blog and why did you decide to blog?

My blog is the start of a new phase in my life. After having worked in media and communications, I stopped working full time to take care of a family member.

After two years, I created the trademark “by Tina” and designed a handbag collection of different types of material, which were made in Spain. The fixed costs were high and I did not have any financial backing. I, therefore, decided to pursue something that I liked which is writing and having my own blog.

It was challenging at the beginning and a new world for me. I thought through the whole process and designed the website by myself. I am a perfectionist by nature. I took courses on blogging and www.elblogdetina.es was born.

The blog is about my thoughts, reflections, and state of mind on various topics like a visit to a restaurant, my kids, or just cooking. It is a journey.

What kind of journalism do you specialize in? What do you like about journalism?

I have worked in the press and radio.  I did not like what I saw when I started working for different media companies. To my mind ethics are a key feature of individuals, and this should be even more highlighted when you work in the “fourth power”. When I was faced with the truth about journalism, I was hugely disappointed. My ideas around journalism pictured the great reporter investigating for news but the reality is very different.  The news is delivered to you by the big press agencies and that is a debacle for your ideas.

What does female empowerment mean to you?

I believe women need to have their own dignity, be independent, and have their rights acknowledged. I further think that Spain where I live,  men and women have the same rights and opportunities (at least from a legal perspective, which sometimes plays out differently in practice).

When I was born, I had the same opportunities as my brother and the same is true for my friends. Maybe if you look back two generations it was odd to see the same number of men and women study, but nowadays any child born, be it a boy or a girl, will go to school and have the opportunity to go to university and have a future. I don’t see women as a prejudiced social group in Spain because of being born female.

I think that the word empowerment is fully compatible with women, as the word indicates, gain control over their own lives and circumstances. Maybe it is actually the circumstances each of them faces in her life that makes that woman give up on her professional life (be it because she has kids she wants to raise so that she can be independent in the future or because she has a disabled relative who she needs to take care of or due to other reasons…). And it is here where I see that laws don’t work properly: both a woman and a man should be able to take care of their families and home without giving up on financial independence, but there is no government help for this.

How has social media changed your society?

Social media has allowed people to have a broader view of life.  In other words, not everything is controlled by the same media. Therefore, the freedom to express yourself has substantially increased. It is a great tool to exchange information and has led nowadays to a steep change in mass media.

Spanish society has evolved positively in a lot of ways on the back of social media as it has given everyone a voice. The flipside of this is that it gives rise to abuse, to people manipulating social media to achieve their goals or to professional haters hiding behind the anonymous status a profile gives them, but that can be mitigated by the right of every individual to choose what he wants to read, follow or do.

Help me understand some of the challenges you have faced in life and how did you overcome it?

The first was in the workplace. In order to move up in the media world, I faced, as we say in Spain,  “pasar por la piedra”, It means as a woman if your boss comes and tells you that in order to progress you have to have dinner with him (or do anything, as we have recently seen in the cinema world) and when you say no he makes your professional life unbearable until you quit.

Another tougher challenge was when the CEO of my company told all female employees that he didn’t want any of us to get pregnant and that if we did no one could in “his” company (which wasn’t actually his) apply for a part-time job as is set out by Spanish law. When my second child was born, I decided to focus more on my family, and therefore against the will of my boss I notified HR that I applied for the reduced working hours that I was entitled to. They couldn’t obviously object but they made life difficult until I voluntarily left. That challenge has been very important and thanks to the fact that I actually sent that notice to HR and subsequently left women can (and do) now have different options of working hours in that company and can find a work-life balance.

The third challenge was that I was in a relationship with a male chauvinist. When I wore a skirt, it was too short and he wanted me to wear pants. He did not want me to drive and was emotionally abusive.

He was very controlling, negative and it had a deep impact on my personality. He was very aggressive in his character. I became aware of his negative impact on me and mentioned that I wanted to end the relationship. He became manipulative, by threatening to jump out of the window, screaming, and even broken a door to get into the room I had locked myself in.

However, I decided to quit this toxic relationship, as I would never be happy and called it off. We should be free in a relationship and not be subdued and unhappy. I still have to see him because of certain issues but I have learned to forgive and have pity on him.

Talk to me about Spanish society and is it still patriarchal or an equal society?

Spanish society is undergoing constant change. In the last few years, it has changed significantly and there is a long way to go. Spain has a constitution since 1978. We were coming from a completely patriarchal society, where women’s role was basically to be the wife of someone and raise the kids whilst staying at home (with some exceptions). Women gained the right to vote in the 30s, notably 1933 and it was strange to find women studying in university and having a job linked to their career thereafter. The change was accelerated in 1978 and since then boosted, and it has only been 41 years! It is amazing to see how everything has changed since now we live in an equal society.

As I said, most women are free to decide what they want to do in life and if they want to continue with their career or prefer to devote more time to their family and give up a professional career. But there is still a lot to improve regarding maternity leave and the way back to work once it is finished. Rejoining your job isn’t easy and sometimes your salary is not worth it. A lot has to change. You can of course always decide to start your own business and try to balance family life and work that way, but not everyone has the financial capacity to be able to do that and the government doesn’t, unfortunately, help much. On top of that, not everyone has the personality you need to start your own business and prefers to settle for a company or, if you are a woman after maternity leave, stay at home.

Walk me through some of the best restaurants in your city?

The restaurant scene has exploded in Madrid in the last decade.

There is a choice for every palate and wallet. From eating fantastic pinchos in the San Antón market to a nice plate of pasta in an Italian restaurant such as Don Giovanni, Mediterranean food as in La Ancha or El Qüenco de Pepa, nice fish in el Barril or go to restaurants that are more trendy where fusion food or Japanese food are growing such as Amazonico, Bibo, Sushi 99, Inari and many others…. you can also have a great piece of Brazilian meat in Rubaiyat. This is all on top of your classic paella or other rice dishes like in St. James restaurant, but Spanish food goes way beyond paella.  A very welcoming restaurant where you have great food is La Buena Vida, with one of the best cheesecakes in town. Another one of my favorites is Taberna Laredo. I could go on forever…

What is your city famous for and why should we visit it?

Madrid is 1000 years old, historic and one of the greatest European capitals. It is a thriving, cosmopolitan city with a dynamic cultural scene and amazing weather.

Food is an obsession (not least the Mediterranean diet has been considered the most healthy diet worldwide) and there is plenty to choose from as madrileños tend to go out a lot…

On top of that, if you have enough of Madrid, which is very difficult to happen, you have amazing places nearby, including several world heritage sites like Toledo, or the Roman aqueduct in Segovia, or the walls of Avila…all within less than an hour drive.

How do you find balance in modern-day society and what are your priorities?

I think we have gone very quickly from one extreme to the other, from not having the technology available to having access to everything. New technologies bring with them a lot of good things but also give rise to something that is very bad: social isolation. It is very sad when for example I am having dinner in a restaurant and look around me and see most people with their mobile phones, teenagers meeting their friends and each of them just looks at their mobile, rather than speaking to each other, playing cards… there should be more education on the bad use of technology in order to foster healthy, natural and true relationships.

If when you raise kids you should impose time limitations on the use of technology. At home we have rules for the use of technology (including the fact that when we have lunch or gather with our family or friends we can’t use technological devices) and, to be honest, life is good that way because at the end of the day we are people and personal relationships should still be channeled through conversations and face to face instead of through phones or screens.

Balance in modern life would to me be complete equality of rights between men and women, that we were all free people with the ability to think for ourselves, without being conditioned by anyone and that we could all study and work to be truly independent.

The post Cristina Romero: Spain’s Modern Clara Campoamor appeared first on Four Columns of a Balanced Life.

Heather Donohue is a Certified Holistic Nutritionist passionate about teaching busy women how to create a healthy routine and nutrition that fits their lifestyle. Heather solves common concerns such as low energy levels, brain fog, weight gain, moodiness, bloating, and embarrassing excess gas through nutrition. She is a ‘busy empty-nester wife, who loves to cook, eat, and live life.’ The thing I like about her is that ‘having a healthy lifestyle doesn’t mean tough restrictions. It is about balance and learning new ways to get and stay healthy.’

I believe in a holistic and balanced approach to life. The older I get, I am convinced the mental, spiritual, physical, psychological, and emotional parts of our life have to be aligned properly. You can work in one area but if you do not focus on other aspects, the body does not perform at its optimum. Nutrition is so important to us and that is what I talk to Heather about.

Heather, help me understand what is holistic nutrition?

To understand holistic nutrition, you first have to understand the current medical system in the United States. When we go to a doctor, we select a specialist. We have cardiologists for heart health and disease. We go to gastroenterologists for digestive tract issues. We go to cancer specialists for specific parts of our bodies. Our medical system views the body in parts. When treating one part, medical doctors do not think about how it affects other parts. This is the foundation of holistic nutrition. Practitioners of holistic nutrition think about the entire body, including the mind and the soul. We know that if we are focusing on one area of the body, such as gut health, it will provide great benefits to the entire body, mind, and spirit. It can also cause distress in other parts of the body if we are using treatment methods that do not agree with the body. For example, if a person wants to go on a plant-based diet but is following a low sodium diet for heart health. There is a conflict in the two diets because plant-based eating results in a lot of potassium going into the body. If the potassium sodium ratio in the diet is not 2:1, the person could have heart palpitations.

Walk me through your passion for helping busy women? How do you do it?

There is a perception that focusing on health is hard. It can’t fit into our routines. This is just not true! When I start working with a client, I don’t just ask about the physical symptoms they have or are trying to prevent. I ask about what is going on in their lives. Do they have children? Do they work? Own a business? Married or divorced? Taking care of older parents? Empty nesters? Learning about their lives helps me identify tactics that work for them. For example, I worked with a woman in her late 60’s who was trying to lose weight. Most people think that losing weight is about diet, making food villains, and exercise. While those components help, one other reason people can’t lose weight is they are holding onto an emotional trauma. Two years ago, she lost her brother-in-law. She became very involved in helping her sister take care of all those things you have to take care of when a spouse dies. Once she felt that her sister was in a good place, she started to step back and let her sister get adjusted to her new normal. My client was holding onto what we call heart pain, which was keeping the weight on. As we discussed the situation, she told me she has a friend that performs reiki massages. Her friend was always telling her she should try it. It was the perfect release for her heart! She is down about 30 pounds now.

Can you please break it down in detail for me about dietary supplements, movement, eating organic plant-based foods, practicing self-care, and indulging smartly?

First, I am passionate about dietary supplements. I worked in the supplement industry for 8 years and take a lot of supplements every day. In spite of what people think, supplements are regulated by the FDA and there are clinical studies showing the efficacy of supplements. The problem becomes that there are bad actors. The bad actors may claim to heal a specific condition or create a formula that is not up to label claim. They usually are small manufacturers or individuals having an unreputable company making the product for them. Depending on the health situation, specific supplements can bring the body back into balance. For example, if a person has Chron’s disease, they need to be taking Saccharomyces Boulardii, which has been studied specifically to alleviate Chron’s disease symptoms. Here is a link to an NIH study. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10961730/

I’ve used Saccharomyces Boulardii as part of a protocol for a client and she had great results. Of course, all bodies are different so results will vary.

Movement is very important for the body. Our bodies were not meant to sit in cars or at desks for 8 to 12 hours a day. Our bodies want to be in motion. When we move our bodies, our internal systems benefit. One example, the abdomen becomes stronger which makes bowel movements easier. Also, stress is reduced which helps our immune system get stronger. Movement allows our heart to work a little harder helping to reduce cardiovascular disease. The movement also helps fight obesity which leads to a host of diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. The movement does not mean you have to belong to an expensive gym, hire a trainer, or take expensive classes. The most underrated form of exercise is walking! A brisk walk for 30 minutes, 5 days a week can be enough to keep a person healthy. Of course, if someone has an underlying medical condition, they need to check with their doctor to ensure they can pursue some form of movement. The key to staying motivated is to find something you like to do. That will keep you doing it.

Eating organic plant-based foods is key for a healthy body. It is all about pesticide and chemical avoidance. Foods grown with pesticides become endocrine disrupters in the body. That means the body views the chemicals as an enemy and tries to fight them. When the body is fighting chemicals, it gets tired and cannot focus on keeping the body in balance. Being mostly plant-based helps to feed the body nutrients it needs in a very simple way. The closer to the original form of food, such as a baked or boiled potato, the more nutrients it will have. The further away from the original form of food, such as instant mashed potatoes in a box, the fewer nutrients and more chemicals it will have. Being plant-based does not mean a person has to give up meat, chicken, or fish! I am plant-based 4 days a week. The other 3 days I will eat meat, chicken or fish. When I do eat meat, I buy the best quality I can afford. Wild-caught fish. Organic beef and chicken. I also make the meat, chicken, or fish, the smallest portion on my plate. I fill the plate with vegetables and whole grains.

Self-care is critical for mental health. In order to take care of others, we have to be calm and rational. We have to be able to deal with others’ negative energy, especially right now amid the pandemic and protests. It is very draining. Self-care means different things to different people. Meditation, journaling, sitting in a sauna, taking a walk, sitting in the sun for 15 minutes, reading a book, taking a bath – there is no wrong way to do it. It just needs to be something where a person can take time to enjoy themselves.

Indulgent – no one is perfect 100% of the time! Indulging smartly means simply, once a client gets their body back to balance, indulging once or twice a month. It’s actually really interesting because I do it myself. I will eat something deep-fried or some ice cream and I can immediately recognize that what I thought was going to be an indulgent meal or snack, actually made me feel not so good. But I do it anyway! That is human nature. When our bodies get back to balance, we can tell how indulgent foods don’t agree with us! After being in balance for years, people tend to change what indulgent treats means to them.

You have been helping women for a while. What have you learned through the process? Are women hard on themselves?

The biggest issue in working with anyone to reclaim their health is a lack of confidence that they can do it! Most people don’t have faith in their ability to make meaningful changes in their life. That is why it is so important that actions to improve their health are provided in small steps, that fit their lifestyle and allow them to see improvements quickly. That keeps them motivated to keep following and building on their new routine.

What does women empowerment mean to you? In your opinion how can women empower themselves?

Women empowerment means we are able to speak our minds and be respected for our opinions. Being educated on topics we are passionate about is how women can empower themselves. Simply taking an online class or learning a new skill via YouTube. Education has always been the core of being empowered. Education has been the key to my success. It doesn’t have to be formal. We can learn from others just by being observant or having conversations with them.

Talk to me a little about your city and the food scene?

I live in a relatively small town in NJ, about 85,000 residents. The food scene is heavily fast food and casual, fast food! We rarely eat out because we don’t like that kind of food. We’d rather have a nice meal with quality ingredients. We have to travel out of our town for food like that! But this is a great point. To live a healthy plant-based lifestyle, I often can’t shop at just one store in my town. I have to go to multiple because each carries a different variety of organic foods. But it is worth it to me so I can maintain my health as long as possible. Sometimes for our health to improve, changes in routine must happen over time.

We can lead healthy lives but emotionally and mentally we need to be strong and healthy also.

How important is mental health in our lives?

Mental health is a top priority for any overall health and wellness plan. Anxiety and stress are awful to our bodies. It weakens our immune system making us more susceptible to colds, viruses, and flu. Plus, over the long term, poor mental health contributes to promoting illness and disease in the body. Mental health afflicts more and more people in the United States. I see people constantly struggling with mental health issues on social media.

Our gut health is key to reducing mental health issues, not pharmaceuticals. Don’t get me wrong. Pharmaceuticals have their place as a temporary way to get back to normal. The problem is we have been trained that we need them to live. That is a very different message versus making short term progress. There are a lot of studies about how the gut has direct contact with our emotions and our brain. There are pathways that are in constant communication between the gut and the brain. Food can either make you feel good or bad because 90% of the serotonin (the happy hormone) in our bodies is produced by our gut!

Eating processed foods promotes feelings of sadness, worry, anger, feeling worthless, anxiety, panic, fear, and unable to do anything right, just to name a few. But eating organic, plant-based foods helps your brain to heal,  to be more positive,  to connect with our emotions. It makes it easier for us to have a positive outlook and know that today we will do our best. Today we will be able to laugh and feel good about our future. We will be joyful and know that life is going to be kind to us now and in the future. Food is medicine in so many ways!

Photo Credit: LikeMeat

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What is for lunch is the common question asked around my home. Lunch is the meal that is eaten in the middle of the day and is lighter.

It is always exciting to get your children involved in activities that you like. I always look forward to cooking lunch with my daughter, watching a movie with her, swimming before lunch, traveling, or just going for a walk. It is a time to bond, have fun but also to pass down some of the skills you have.

Food does not have to be expensive or fancy ingredients for it to be tasty. I like comfort food during lunch. It reminds me of love and spending time with my family.

I talk to Cindy about her love of food and how she is passing that down to her children. Cindy grew up in a small mining town in Northern Ontario, Canada, and now lives near Toronto, Ontario. She a single Mom of 2, and before the pandemic hit, was a high school cafeteria manager. This is where she got the inspiration for her blog. Being a “lunch lady”, she tries to create comforting wholesome foods. That has become her motto over the years- simple foods, that are good for you and delicious.

She is French-Canadian Metis, which means she grew up fishing, hunting, and enjoying several dishes from both her heritages.

Cindy, a pleasure to interview a food and recipe expert. I want to know something important about you?

Hi, my name is Cindy Lefebvre and I am the voice and creator behind Mom, the Lunch Lady. Mom, the Lunch Lady is a food blog centering around simple, wholesome recipes; ranging from healthy, to indulgent. In 2007, I started my first blog which became quite popular. Unfortunately, 11 years later, I found myself as a single working mom, so my first blog was put on hold. I missed blogging over the last 4 years, so when I was laid off during the pandemic, I took the opportunity to get back to it.

I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease when I was 15 and have been in remission for almost 11 yrs. Living with IBD has been a struggle and I am still learning what foods my body will tolerate. It sometimes makes eating healthy difficult, but I am learning that when I find something that works, to stick with it.

I like your IG handle. It is comfortable and rustic food. Talk to me about your love of food?

I have always loved food and being in the kitchen, thanks to my mom. She was your typical stay-at-home mom and some of my fondest childhood memories are of watching her create homemade bread, desserts, and meals in our kitchen. The love she would put in all her creations has been passed down to me and one of my favorite things to do is feed people. It is my way of showing others that I care about them.

What are some of your favorite ingredients and least favorite in the kitchen?

Having a huge sweet tooth, I’ve always loved baking. Some of my favorite ingredients to work with are flour, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon. When I am feeling creative, that is when I turn to cooking and making dishes that make everyone moan in appreciation. When cooking, I use quite a bit of garlic, onion, and thyme. I also seem to gravitate to Asian ingredients such as soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, and sesame oil.

We get used to eating steak with potatoes and get very set in our thinking. Give me some out-of-the-box ideas and recipes we can try?

My dad is your typical meat and potatoes eater. He isn’t very adventurous when it comes to food; for him, simple is best. It wasn’t until I moved out on my own that I became more adventurous in my tastes and my cooking. I get my inspiration from everything around me. From TV shows, which is where I got the idea to create Sloppy Waffles, to my love of combining flavors and simplifying meals, like in this Chili Corn Dog Casserole. While I still enjoy classic meals such as Tuna Noodle Casserole, I always want to add my twist to everything I make.

Talk to me about the self-care goals for 2021?

The pandemic has been very difficult for me. Being out of work for so long has given me a lot of time on my hands. However, it has also opened my eyes to the fact that I care for everyone else, and neglect taking care of myself. 2021 has brought me on a path towards self-care, weight loss, and a fitness journey that I am sure never would have happened if the world hadn’t changed the way it did. I am now more mindful about how I fuel my body and have fallen in love with exercise. I also make certain to take the time to recharge, by addressing my mental health needs and practicing gratitude.

How has marriage and motherhood changed your life? Any surprises?

Becoming a single Mom 6 yrs. ago was one of the most difficult and lowest points in my life. I felt like I had failed in my 15 yr. marriage and my children. Thanks to them, I worked hard to become self-sufficient and take care of them, as both Mom and Dad. Being a mom is my greatest accomplishment and despite all my trials and tribulations, I am a better human being for them. I hope that I am teaching them how to be strong, independent, and hard-working. Both my children have become foodies and love being in the kitchen with me, learning to create delicious meals. I am glad to be teaching them a much-needed life skill.

Walk me through the city you live in?  What is the food scene? Why should we visit it?

As much as I love cooking, I also love eating out. After cooking for every one day after day, sometimes a meal out is a delicious way to get inspired to get back into the kitchen. Living in Barrie Ontario for the last 13 yrs., we’ve found a few favorite bakeries, and restaurants that are a total must, if visiting. Most of these businesses are centered around our downtown core, which is host to the beautiful waterfront of Lake Simcoe. A walk along the lake is a wonderful way to work up an appetite and downtown Barrie is not short on restaurants and eateries.

We have a host of restaurants to cater to every taste, from Korean BBQ, Italian, Indian, and traditional North American food. We also have several pizzerias, craft breweries, and possibly the best Pho in Simcoe County. With so many people wanting to eat more sustainably, we’ve also seen the addition of Vegan bakeries and restaurants over the last few years.

If in the mood for something simpler, or delicious additions to meals at home, we have wonderful bakeries to visit. Pre pandemic, city hall would host a fantastic Farmer’s Market every Saturday. Barrie is also home to many farms, perfect for those farm-fresh eggs, free-range meats, veggies, berries, and honey.

I come to your home with my wife and daughter. My wife loves seafood, my daughter loves steak and I am a vegan. What will you cook and why?

A few years ago, my daughter asked me if she could start eating vegan. When I asked her what that meant to her, she described a Pescatarian diet. She is not a big fan of meat but will eat chicken or turkey, and the occasional pork dish. This means dinner time at our house is sometimes tricky. My significant other is a HUGE meat eater and he, along with my son, loves steak. I on the other hand do not. This means some nights I am preparing 3 different options for dinner. This is why I love summer and grilling. Last weekend the boys wanted steak, so I decided on a surf and turf menu. Grilled steaks and grilled shrimp were paired with boy scout potatoes and asparagus. I also grilled some eggplant, which was topped with tomato sauce and vegan cheese, to create the most delicious eggplant parm sandwiches. This way everyone could eat to their preferred tastes and we could still enjoy a meal together. Food is so important in our lives, not only as fuel, but it brings people together and creates memories. That is why I try to please everyone when in the kitchen. 

I love desserts…I want to know about your favorite recipe?

Growing up, my mom was always baking. My dad has a big sweet tooth, which he passed on to me. Even now, Dad is always asking my mom to bake something every week. While I love any kind of dessert imaginable, my favorite still remains a popular French-Canadian dessert- Pouding Chomeur. It translates to Poor Man’s Pudding and is made with minimal ingredients found in any household. It basically is a cake, baked in the most amazing brown sugar syrup. It reminds me of my grandparents, and of my childhood. I think it will always be the one recipe from my heritage that I will continue making for years to come.

Being a foodie has become such an important part of my life. It has formed who I am today, by guiding me in my professional career. It is my escape, my way of decompressing and relaxing. After a long day, you can find me in the kitchen baking something delicious for my family. Food will always be a pivotal force in everyday life and my hope is that thanks to Mom, the Lunch Lady, I can help people fall in love with cooking, give them the confidence to become more creative in the kitchen and help them think outside of the box. Food should not only be nutritious; it should be fun and enjoyable.

The post Healthy Lunch Ideas appeared first on Four Columns of a Balanced Life.

I was a vegetarian until the age of 13. A few years of boarding school and then the hotel school really exposed me to many foods. There was not much variety offered in terms of vegetarian food. I tried many different kinds of food from various countries. After backpacking and traveling to more than thirty countries, I am convinced that every country has offered something unique to cuisine.  In this series, I will talk to vegetarians and vegans from all over the world. Abdourahamane Ly is from Africa, has a British wife, and lives in China. I talk to him about his path to becoming vegan.

Fulanivegan, welcome to my series on vegans, please tell me a little about you?

I am from Guinea Conakry in West Africa. I left at the age of 19 and moved to China. I have spent the last 13 years living in Shanghai. I have recently come to Rwanda for work. I studied International Trade and Economics at the University in Shanghai and now operate an import/export business.

How did you become a vegan and what are the advantages of being a vegan?

My wife was a vegetarian and made me read Peter Singer’s book “Animal Liberation”. I initially converted to vegetarianism but once we learned more about the horrors of the dairy and egg industry we both became vegan. There are so many benefits to being a vegan, starting with the fact that you no longer have blood on your hands and can look an animal in the eye. After adopting a completely plant-based diet, my energy levels improved and I developed more stamina at the Gym. My digestion also improved greatly.

Talk to me about where you live, the culture, food, vegan restaurants, and why we should visit?

While I am currently in Rwanda, my China is my home in the long-term. China has some of the most delicious and diverse cuisines in the world. The food can be made vegan as there are so many plant-based dishes. My favorite are vegan Jiaozi (dumplings) and Suan la tu dou si (shredded hot and sour potatoes). Vegan restaurants are popular in Shanghai due to the Buddhist population. I highly recommend you visit them!

From your IG pics, it looks like you like traveling and culture. talk to me about that aspect of your life?

I love to travel. Leaving my native country at an early age taught me the importance of embracing different cultures and learning new languages. It is important to try and understand different viewpoints and be tolerant. Despite growing up a Muslim in Africa, I have been exposed to all sorts of ideas across the globe – it really makes you a better person. My wife is British and we like to travel together and are constantly learning new things.

Talk to me about your favorite and least favorite vegetables?

I love courgette, recently I seem to include it in most of my cooking! I am really not a fan of white eggplant; they use it a lot in Rwanda.

Indian food is known to have a huge variety of food for vegans. What other food has that kind of variety?

 I love Indian food, but Chinese food has a better variety of vegan dishes! Follow @vegansofshanghai on Instagram for some amazing vegan Chinese recipes.

Do you only eat organic or also GMO plants?

I eat GMO plants.  I prefer to eat organic most of the time, however, in China, this is very difficult. Even things labeled ‘organic’ are not necessarily organic.

If someone wants to transition into becoming vegan what would you say to them?

If you are thinking about transitioning to become a vegan, I recommend you do your research before. Explore the ethical reasons for being vegan. This will make you less likely to quit when you know the consequences for the victims of the animal agriculture industry. Follow some vegan bloggers on Instagram – they will give you great ideas for recipes and nutrition and help you remain excited about the transition. Also, buy B12 vitamins!

Vegans are sexy… please comment?

There is nothing sexier than compassion

The post Vegan in China appeared first on Four Columns of a Balanced Life.

Jessica, talk to me about what is a Certified Master Nutrition Therapist?

Please help me understand a little bit about functional medicine, sports nutrition, and yoga and how do they all complement each other?

Weight loss is a multi-billion dollar business in the West. I like how you describe that you went from one school where you meditated and swam to another school where everyone went to the mall and ate fast food. Walk me through our present fast-food diet and how it is harming us?

I love food. However, so much of eating food is linked to metabolism, energy, mental clarity, and mood. I consider myself disciplined, but even I give into chips, ice cream, and snacks. Is there anything wrong with that?

I specialize in weight loss, digestion, and detoxification and have created programs centered on these areas.

The 30-Day Natural Weight Loss Course allows individuals to lose weight naturally and sustainably while learning the how’s and why’s. Throughout the program, I train individuals in understanding their specific biochemistry, habits, goals, and challenges. There are plenty of resources including webinars, an interactive eBook, a yoga video, weekly menu plans, grocery lists, and recipes included in it.

Food sensitivities can be challenging to identify because symptoms are delayed from 30 minutes to 72 hours. Due to this delay, it is very hard to isolate and identify the food that is causing inflammatory symptoms. There are two primary options for food sensitivity testing that I provide in my practice.

If I am eating healthy, and consuming my fruits and vegetables, do I still need supplements?

Stress is a part of our lives. Talk to me about how social media has messed us even more?

The post Jessica Reader: Master Nutrition Therapist appeared first on Four Columns of a Balanced Life.

In a restaurant landscape, filled with box chain restaurants that are boring, similar menus, taste, and frozen food, comes something exciting, new, fresh, and avant-garde.

Brothers Chris and Vangel have brought Mexican food to Pickering. They are third-generation restaurateurs. Their grandfather Angelo opened a burger joint in the same spot in 1965. Their father, Don, ran Massey’s from 1978 to 2008.

Chuuk, in the Mayan language, means wood embers. Some of the starters, sandwiches, and all the main courses at dinner are cooked over a wood fire.

I have had lunch and dinner twice so will be reviewing my experience at lunch and dinner.

As you enter the restaurant, the minimalist classic look reminds me of restaurants in Merida. I am having lunch with a good friend. I order the Citrus and Honey and he has the Tamarindo juice. The juices are fresh and delicious.

At Chuuk, everything is fresh. You can taste it.

I order the Chicken Torta and my friend orders the Cancun Burger. We split the sandwiches. The flavor from the wood is mesmerizing.

After I finish the sandwiches, I order a mezcal flight. I tell Chris, I also want to taste a tequila. I get two mezcal’s served with orange slices and insect salt.

The Clase Azul Tequila is out of this world. It is exquisite in a handmade decanter, made from organic agave and aged in American oak barrels. My tongue is excited with how smooth it is. The caramel notes, the pineapple flavor makes me want to have another shot.

The Del Maguey Chichicapa and Leyenda Mezcal’s along with orange slices are the perfect combination.

I am so impressed with my lunch experience, that I take my wife for dinner for our 17^th wedding anniversary.

We order the guacamole. The fresh chips with the lime and habanero are the perfect marriage in my mouth.

I order a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and Debbie has the Chuuk Margarita. The white wine is a perfect combination with the Guacamole. Debbie loves cocktails. She tells me this is the best Margarita she has ever had.

For dinner we try the fish and pork tacos. Everything here is made fresh in the restaurant. The tacos are also made by hand. The various flavors hit your senses. The fish is light, delicious with the perfect crunch. The pork is a perfect balance of all the ingredients.

Debbie has heard so much about the Pink Jaguar Margarita that she orders one and I try the Hemingway daiquiri. James the bartender has made me rethink my view of a cocktail. The flavors are in harmony, dancing to the perfect orchestra led by maestro James.

Debbie has a soft spot for desserts. We split the Cassava Cake. It is gluten and dairy free. I give in to my Swiss schooling by having the Kalani coconut liquor. You want a marriage made in heaven. This is the perfect combo.

Chris finds out it is our anniversary. He brings out two glasses of champagne for us on the house.

I have had an amazing experience. The menu except for the fish tacos and Cancun Burger is gluten-free.

Chuuk recycles approximately 90% of all waste. Chuuk uses the best purveyors to source their food.

Updated May 1, 2026

Seven years ago, I stumbled upon Chuuk in Pickering while looking for something different—something that wasn’t just another predictable dining experience. What I found back then felt like a hidden gem: bold Mexican flavors, wood-fire cooking, and a dining atmosphere that felt intentional rather than ordinary.

Fast forward to 2026, and I wanted to revisit that memory—not just in my mind, but with fresh perspective. Has Chuuk stayed true to what made it special? Or has time changed the experience?

Here’s my honest, updated take.

First Impressions: Still Stylish, Still Intentional

Walking into Chuuk today still feels like stepping into a curated experience rather than just a restaurant. The space leans modern and minimal, with warm tones and clean lines. It doesn’t scream traditional Mexican—it whispers upscale dining with a Latin influence.

It’s the kind of place that feels just right for a date night, a celebration, or even a reflective evening out. The ambiance hasn’t lost its charm.

The Food: Elevated Mexican with a Wood-Fire Soul

Chuuk’s identity has always centered around wood-fire cooking, and that still defines the experience today.

The tacos remain one of the highlights—simple in structure but layered in flavor. You can taste the intention behind each ingredient. Nothing feels rushed or careless.

The guacamole continues to be a strong starter—fresh, balanced, and well-seasoned. It’s not trying to reinvent anything, but it executes what it does extremely well.

That said, the menu leans more toward elevated Mexican cuisine rather than traditional comfort food. If you’re expecting large, overflowing plates, you might be surprised. This is more about quality than quantity.

Drinks: Where Chuuk Still Shines

If there’s one area where Chuuk consistently stands out, it’s the drinks.

Their cocktail menu feels curated, not just assembled. Whether it’s tequila-based or mezcal-forward, each drink carries depth and balance. You can tell the bar program isn’t an afterthought—it’s part of the experience.

If you enjoy exploring flavors through drinks, this alone makes Chuuk worth visiting.

What’s Changed Over Time

Here’s where the 2026 perspective matters.

Chuuk is no longer a “hidden gem.” It’s established—and with that comes higher expectations.

What Still Stands Out

Unique wood-fire Mexican concept

Strong, well-crafted cocktails

Great ambiance for special occasions

Thoughtful presentation and flavor balance

This doesn’t make it bad—it just makes it more important to know what you’re walking into.

Final Thoughts: Is It Still Worth It?

Chuuk hasn’t lost what made it special—but it has evolved into something more defined.

It’s no longer just a discovery. It’s a destination.

The question isn’t whether Chuuk is good—it is.
The real question is whether it aligns with what you’re looking for.

If you value experience, ambiance, and thoughtfully crafted food and drinks, Chuuk still delivers.

But if you’re chasing large portions or a traditional Mexican feel, it might not hit the same note.

For me, revisiting Chuuk felt like reconnecting with an old memory—familiar, but seen through wiser eyes.

And sometimes, that’s exactly what a good restaurant should be.

The post Chuuk Restaurant Pickering Review (2026): Is It Still Worth It? appeared first on Four Columns of a Balanced Life.