I’ll admit: I’ve been avoiding Nonna Tina’s minestrone for years. It never looked appetizing. While its visual appeal hasn’t changed, I gave it a try last week and understood why everyone else loves it so much. It’s grounding and comforting, easy to make, and easy to clean up. You have your carbs, protein, veg, and… Continue reading Nonna Tina’s Sure Hits: Minestrone (GF + V)
Author: Kayla
Qigong @ the Met: Merging Meditation with Art
This Sunday, I had the beautiful opportunity of leading a qigong experience for the Hope and Heroes staff and participants at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (NYC). Qigong is an ancient meditative movement practice based on the flow of qi, or energy, to restore balance to the body. To learn more about past experiences with… Continue reading Qigong @ the Met: Merging Meditation with Art
Try This: Stream of Consciousness Writing
I’m not quite sure where I heard this, all I know is that it stuck with me: “Embrace the consciousness that is trying to make its way into your life.” This year has brought its fair share of twists and turns. At least it has felt like a twisty-turny year, when compared to the plans… Continue reading Try This: Stream of Consciousness Writing
These are Sevilla’s Best Cafe con Leche
When I saw patients at my medical office who spoke Spanish, I wanted to be able to connect with them in their mother tongue. So, last October, I took my first Spanish class and fell in love with the language. As I improved, I saw patients feel more at ease in my presence and content… Continue reading These are Sevilla’s Best Cafe con Leche
My Favorite Frittata Bagel (GF + DF)
I’m a sucker for a New York Sunday morning. A nice walk alongside the Hudson river, with a bagel to finish it off. Except … I like the idea of getting a bagel, more than the bagel itself. The long lines, confusion, and sometimes bland bagel don’t tempt me. And somehow, I always end up… Continue reading My Favorite Frittata Bagel (GF + DF)
Italian Sauce-venture: Vegan Bolognese (GF + V) [ESP translation]
Since my goal is to be fluent in Spanish, all my posts will be translated to Spanish by me! This past year, I’ve been blessed by living with my grandparents – who are super cooks. In college, I didn’t eat as much Italian food, but now that I’m back in my nonna’s culinary embrace, I’m… Continue reading Italian Sauce-venture: Vegan Bolognese (GF + V) [ESP translation]
Sweet Summer Tips: Supporting Digestion Through Traditional Chinese Medicine
In 2023, I felt a pull to deepen my qigong practice by becoming a Dragon’s Way Qigong Instructor. All health issues, including stress and chronic pain, are signs that the body is off balance. The meditative movement practice of qigong aims to realign the body back into balance by restoring your energy. It is based… Continue reading Sweet Summer Tips: Supporting Digestion Through Traditional Chinese Medicine
Making Magic and Hope: How Art Transforms a Pediatric Oncology Waiting Room
What does it mean to “hope” in a space that is typically associated with great suffering? This is the question that came to mind when Nitza Danieli, Arts Director of Art in Medicine, invited me to volunteer at Robert Wood Johnson’s (RWJ) Pediatric Oncology unit. A year ago, when I was exploring the possibility of… Continue reading Making Magic and Hope: How Art Transforms a Pediatric Oncology Waiting Room
Nonna Tina’s Budino di Mandorle (GF + V)
This Easter, I finally tried my nonna’s budino di mandorle. Budino di mandorla, or almond pudding, is a naturally gluten-free and vegan dessert in Italy. And it happens to be one of my grandma’s specialties. Admittedly, the gooey texture of it never tempted me when I was young. But this time, I tried it, and… Continue reading Nonna Tina’s Budino di Mandorle (GF + V)
Snazzy Shaved Salad (GF + V)
For Christmas day, I was tasked with making a vegetable dish for my family’s dinner. Post-Christmas Eve, I anticipated that I would be slightly in a coma still. I wanted something that was a fun accompaniment – light, seasonal, and just a bit snazzy. Protein wise, this salad pairs amazingly with poached chicken, turkey, white… Continue reading Snazzy Shaved Salad (GF + V)