Pasta has a million calories and nearly zero nutrition. I used to be sad about this. But then I learned how to make daikon noodles. As a pasta substitute, daikon is a super-appealing superfood. For an Asian touch, I like daikon broad noodles, with stir-fried asparagus and black bean sauce. Visually, they could pass for rice noodles — with a …
5 reasons why I love Madrid
Last November, a 10-day vacation in Madrid made me a fan for life. The city was so welcoming and filled with surprises. The art, the cultural immersion — I was totally enchanted. I also learned a few things about the immigrant experience. Here are some of my favorite photos from the trip. To be honest, visiting Spain was never on …
Planting my 1st vegetable garden, thinking of Dad
Once upon a time, gorgeous yellow lillies bloomed in my front yard. Then, I ripped them out to grow veggies instead. The urge to try farming in some small way brought a surprising bonus. Of all things, I’m making peace with my control freak dad. More on that in a minute. First there’s the tale of the kale… I kept …
The price of freedom: My $9k dream vacation
Running away from home for a 10-day painting vacation in France came with a price — $9,079.80, to be exact. But it’s what I wanted to do. I had a great time. Plus, I learned the value of letting go. “Me first” is my new mantra! Everything was new. I’d never gone on a vacation by myself before. Never went …
Shopping for memories from my French painting vacation
Oh, this French vacation is zooming by, making me feel nostalgic. So I went shopping for souvenirs — memories to take home as I explored Honfleur during a very rainy day. Weather-wise, we’ve been lucky during this 10-day painting trip in northern France. It’s been sunny until now. The downpour started last night and it was crazy noisy. This morning, …
How to make more money in 2015
In 2015, I plan to be powerful in managing my finances. It’s time to retire the wishy-washy worried woman act. Let’s go into the new year with confidence! I’m feeling inspired because I just read Suze Orman’s Women & Money: Owning the Power to Control Your Destiny. She said she finds that way too many women feel insecure about their finances and …