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.
August is the perfect time to binge watch Netflix shows, lay back and get inspired before the Fall term. For foodies, there’s always room to grow in learning about cuisines, appreciating the meticulous detail behind each culinary masterpiece or simply watching celebrity chefs scream at rookie chefs which never seems to lose its entertainment value. … Read more »
“Guacamole for extra?” is the phrase I hear the most at the local fast food chain or burger joint. But why pay extra for guacamole when you can do it yourself? Moreover, many fast food chains’ guacamole is heavily watered down and loses the richness and nutrients that homemade guacamole contains. Guacamole is simple to… Read more »
As I was casually browsing Amazon for nifty kitchen appliances to add to my stash (and to deal with my chef’s block—the equivalent of writer’s block except one grumbles over the next meal to create), I found a surprising number of highly rated tools to reignite my love for cooking. I decided to buckle down… Read more »
If you’re reading this, you must be an adventurer. You must be craving for something to awaken the taste buds and carry you on a journey. And sampling Korean food is an adventurous journey that comes in many little steps, with small portion sizes that each hold a unique flavor. Unlike the feeling of gulping… Read more »
As Canadian weather reaches the peak of its summer highs, many students are taking it to the mountains to relish in the breathtaking views of national parks such as Banff or Jasper. For Albertans like myself, summer road trips to the mountains are a must do in the upcoming months. But for hikers, eating can… Read more »
When it comes to barbecue season, Canadians only have about four months of the year to truly enjoy feasting in the lush green carpet of our backyard. For students, hosting barbecues can be a fantastic way to entertain family and friends. Backyard barbecues don’t have to be a big fuss when you plan ahead and… Read more »
Are you someone who adds hot sauce to everything from fried chicken to sweet potato fries? Do you brave the heat of the chili pepper and pick the menu item seasoned with jalapeno peppers? If you’re like me, you are loyal to spicy food around the world. While some avoid it like the plague, you… Read more »
Since starting to adopt stray budgies into my home three years ago, I have had the blessing of witnessing the growth of these feathery creatures over time, including, recently, the death of a beloved budgie as well as the birth of eight newborns chicks. Their existence has provided me with much joy and taught me… Read more »
Being a student is hard, especially when many students today are drowning in student loans. How do we make the most of our lives and make every penny count? Here are five tips that might change your financial strategy and boost your savings. Stock up on everyday items while they are on sale. For items… Read more »
At some point you may have heard of the enormous waste associated with producing agriculture. While plant products drain resources such as water, land and fertilizer, livestock require an exhaustive list of resources from nutrients to a heated barn in the winter. The energy consumption doesn’t stop there. The production of livestock is only part… Read more »