Posts By: Xin Xu

Xine Wang

Xine Wang hails from Edmonton, Alberta. But before settling in, she lived in Shanghai for the first 7 years of her life. That’s where she grew up and got her taste of the vibrant food culture. Since moving to Edmonton, she has fallen in love with international cuisine. If there’s a new restaurant in town, she would be the first to line up outside the door. At home, you can find her experimenting with recipes around the world. She hopes to share these experiences with all who care to listen.

In her spare time, Xin cares for 6 rescue budgies. Many of which she found stranded in parks or her backyard. On weekends, she drives out to Banff or Jasper where she can be found hiking new trails. She’s thankful Athabasca University has allowed her to work full-time as a researcher while taking courses that interest her such as abnormal psychology.

Puppy Therapy and How to Get it Without Owning a Dog

Before owning my dog, I spent a few hours every weekend in pet stores playing with puppies.  I found it an incredibly energizing and therapeutic process that I decided to get my own dog.  In an increasingly fast-paced and stressful world, many people seek solace and relief from the demands of daily life, and sometimes… Read more »

Three Quick and Healthy DIY Breakfasts for Busy Mornings

Quick oats with flax and goji berries: This is my personal go-to for when I need a quick breakfast that’s done in under 5 minutes.  Not only is it healthy but it is also delicious.  For busy AU students, this can turn into an excellent morning routine.  While oats and flaxseed add dietary fibre, the… Read more »

Three Different Types of Hotpot

One of my favorite ways to warm up in the winter months is hot pot.  It is a popular East Asian cooking method where a simmering pot of broth is placed at the centre of the table and dinners cook a variety of ingredients in the broth.  There are many different regional variations across East… Read more »

The Rest of the Rests

Recently I’ve been learning more about our own bodies and minds and how rest doesn’t always mean sleeping or physical rest.  Rest goes beyond the traditional sense, but with the ongoing bombardment of social media, educational commitments, work commitments, and more, it’s no wonder that we’re not just tired in the traditional sense, we’re tired… Read more »

What I Ate on my Four Day China Trip

As per my article from last week, I had a quick visit to see my grandma who was recently hospitalized.  Despite the slightly somber atmosphere, I did get the chance to change my Canadian palate and try some locally beloved dishes. There were so many things I craved that I was ecstatic to try again. … Read more »

Have You Tried this Exotic Fruit?

Originating from Southeast Asia and abundant in countries like Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia durian is a popular tropical fruit that many North Americans have never seen before.  With its odd, spiky appearance, it looks almost alien to us.  Its taste and looks are as strange as they come, and while some revere it as the… Read more »

Is it Safe to Eat Seafood?

I’ve always been a huge fan of seafood with its flavor and health benefits.  Fish are vitamin-rich and contain fewer calories and saturated fat than red meat.  When I’m cooking soups or brothy dishes, seafood adds an umami flavour that brings a complex flavor profile to everything I make.  However, as concerns about pollution, contaminants,… Read more »

The Secret to Growing Plants Faster at Home

We all know that healthy plants need sunlight, water, and fertilizer.  However, what if you don’t have the time to purchase topsoil and fertilizer to help the plants grow at a faster rate? I had this struggle as I was growing a number of indoor plants at home.  From herbs to non-flowering plants, one thing… Read more »