Xin Xu 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.
Toronto is a major hub of eastern Canada and arguably a Northern gem on the North American continent. Situated on the banks of Lake Ontario, the city boasts some of the most gorgeous skylines, nightlife and of course, incredible food around every corner. Having wandered around Toronto the past weekend, I had a chance to… Read more »
Frying things in the comfort of your own home, where you can smell the grease wafting through the air for days, if not weeks? Even if you’re fortunate enough to have an air-fryer, the taste of deep-fried deliciousness is simply not the same. I know. So what can AU students do to satisfy that intense… Read more »
As I child, I would talk about the lunar new year instead of Chinese New Year. My father would correct me. “You mean Chinese New Year”. He corrected me not because he wasn’t aware the festivities were shared with many Eastern Asian cultures, but that the way our family celebrated the new year was particular… Read more »
Roses are red. Violets are blue. Some bouquets are best eaten, So here’s one for you (or your special someone). Personally, looking at a fresh bouquet of roses only to know that in less than a week I will have to discard the wilted contents into the trash can be quite depressing. I would much… Read more »
The classic comfort food that has won the hearts of children and adults everywhere is fried chicken. The love for fried chicken is so universal that besides your local fast food chains, fried chicken has appeared on the menu of five-star restaurants. Despite trying to recreate healthier versions of fried chicken in my kitchen using… Read more »
Breakfast is one of the most important meals in a day. Eating an adequate portion early in the day can provide lasting energy to tackle the rest of the day. For AU students, this means more effective studying sessions and a fruitful day spent juggling between academics, personal, and professional lives. Hence, shortly after waking… Read more »
Have you ever been dying to host a dinner party, wanted to impress the guests, but also not to drain your wallet? I realized the crux to hosting an excellent party doesn’t all depend on the food, but it certainly is one of the highlights. So instead of going out of your way to scroll… Read more »
For a caffeine degenerate like me, I always wished there was a natural substitute for caffeine. Although there isn’t any perfect substitute, over the years I’ve found some ways to help me beat the afternoon slump without resorting to Starbucks. As a busy AU student, my philosophy is that caffeine should be a last resort… Read more »
A few years ago, when the first French fondue restaurant opened in Edmonton, I recall the amount of hype it received in the community. Everyone around me was bringing their spouse, children, friends, and relatives to gather around a pot dipping their various entrees into liquified cheese. The sight reminded me of my days in… Read more »
Having grown up overseas in in the bustling city of Shanghai, China, Christmas was always a foreign concept. It symbolized a mysterious yet exciting festival, complete with vibrant LED lights, whipped-cream snow, and, of course, endless days of feasting. I used to equate this exotic festival with the likes of Chinese New Year, where family… Read more »