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.
Regardless of whether one is on a diet, food labels are a necessity to being knowledgeable about our food choices. For example, how do we discern between the value of two cans of soup when the serving sizes for each are so different? For busy AU students, deriving health value from nutrients can be a… Read more »
As an AU student, we may have priorities ranging from working part-time to completing our degrees while supporting a dependent. And one of the largest housekeeping chores is grocery shopping to maintain a healthy and varied diet. However, certain times of the year, including midterm and final exam season, many students may not have the… Read more »
The association between increased salt in our diet and cardiovascular problems like high blood pressure is well-documented in literature (He, 2013). Yet, with processed and intensely flavorful foods being a highlight in many people’s diet, is it possible to move away from it? Salt is an addicting flavor enhancer. As we use more in our… Read more »
Dim Sum is one of the most iconic Chinese food traditions, and has become a social necessity; not only in ethnic Asian culture, but also becoming a trendy way to brunch all across North America. Some dim-sum goers are less aware of the origins and history of dim sum, they are drawn by the complex… Read more »
There’s a reason why Portland, Oregon, is known as food truck city. Even in the coldest months of winter, the food trucks have lines that bend around the corner. Coming from Edmonton, where food trucks are only associated with the hottest days of summer, it was a refreshing experience to sample some delicious local cuisine… Read more »
With 2018 drawing to a close, I took some time to reflect on my own education and career path—from starting my Bachelor of Science to a specialized clinical specialization. For many AU students, their journeys may be far from traditional. Some may be upgrading their credentials, others may be aiming to learn to keep their… Read more »
It’s spring time, the time for gardening, the time for getting outdoors will be soon upon us (give or take a month for Canadians). Fortunately, for those with allergies or who are less outdoorsy, such as myself, gardening can be less taxing when done in the comfort of your kitchen. Yes, that’s right. I’m talking… Read more »
The post-Christmas dinner hours can be either blissful or dreaded, depending on how you and your family make use of this time. For many, this means long-winded conversations about politics or mediocre small talk about your college classes. Instead, to make your time fruitful and memorable, we recommend some activities that could spice your evening… Read more »
For me, the end of the year always brings about some deep self-reflection. I like to glance back at the year and consider the major changes, the obstacles, the struggles, and the successes that helped me grow as an individual. Specifically, I related back to some of the worthwhile tools that helped me in a… Read more »
The end to Halloween starts a new season that lasts approximately 1 month and 25 days. That’s right—it’s the season of shopping. For decades corporations have encouraged us to spend frivolously every day of the year, but particularly as the year draws to a close. But it’s never a bad thing when we’re shopping for… Read more »