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.
Since researching for my trip to Japan, one of my bucket-list activities included living in a capsule hotel. The capsule hotel is exactly as it sounds – visitors sleep in a bed contained in a space capsule. Even before going, I’ve heard various mixed reviews about the living environment. While some visitors feel claustrophobic, others… Read more »
Turn off distractions We all know those times when it takes us hours to write one sentence of an essay or when we sit down to study but can barely read past the first page. Turning off distractions is a key to working effectively. This includes cell phones, social media, and loud music. Sometimes when… Read more »
A month ago, I had the chance to spend a weekend in San Diego, home to some of the most authentic Mexican cuisines in the United States. My limited knowledge of Mexican cuisine led me to believe that local Mexican restaurants and fast food chains had grasped the Latin American flavors correctly. However, after snacking… Read more »
As the days are becoming cooler and roasted foods take over the dinner menu, I decided to try my hand at roasting. To make things more complex, I opted to roast a whole duck. Initially, I was concerned with my lack of experience in the kitchen to attempt such a feat. Unlike chicken, duck protein… Read more »
Eating healthy is hard sometimes, and having the right tools and reinforcements to aid good habits is a key to success. On Black Friday, I found a manual spiralizer that is easy to use and has helped me try some incredible recipes that would be sure to delight health-conscious AU-students. If you’re looking for a… Read more »
While traditional sit-down restaurants are still standard, a new style of eating has emerged in the last decade that has appealed to many millennials and members of generation Z. Particularly, there is a certain appeal to sitting down at a restaurant and being somehow involved in creating your own food in front of you. Whether… Read more »
Some of my favorite lamb recipes are the ones I’ve compiled from multiple sources, including Gordon Ramsey and Jamie Oliver. Then, by using a mash-up of recipes from celebrity chefs and my grandmother’s traditional recipes, I’ve created something unique for individuals who are a fan of lamb. Lamb is challenging to prepare due to its… Read more »
For many of my close friends, the first item ordered from the appetizer menu is gyoza, or dumplings. These delicious morsels of filling wrapped in a thin dough are one of my favorite items to make for a family dinner. Ever wondered how to make authentic Asian dumplings in your own kitchen? Look no further,… Read more »
While for most AU students, splurging on the perfect slice of steak may seem far-fetched, especially with rising tuitions. However, that doesn’t mean that one day there won’t be an opportunity to test out these succulent gourmet beef options. As a big fan of steak, myself, I’ve found that the perfect slice of steak can… Read more »
One of the most classic comfort foods that come to mind is fried chicken. The juicy chicken legs coated in a layer of light, crunchy batter makes for a savory treat after a long exam season. However the fried chicken business is growing and customers now have many purchasing options. For example, during my pre-exam… Read more »