Exhaling Life

Last summer, I did a dreadful thing. Never say never. Since I had said that I would never do it, it was inevitable that it happened. I went on a diet. It sounds awful, doesn't it? My goal was and remains to lose 40 pounds. I lost nearly 20 pounds in about two months and gained 5 back. The diet was paused, but I've maintained the loss of 15 pounds. Since I don't exercise, my diet plan was all about causing a calorie deficit and I couldn't have done it without the stinking konjac noodles. They stink. I tried different brands and differently processed konjac noodles, and they all smelled very fishy. Just so that we are on the same page, konjac is a root vegetable that naturally emits a fishy odor. Fortunately, a good wash under cold running water and lemon juice easily removes the fishy stench thus making it a great diet food with only 10 calories per serving. While I tried several recipes using konjac noodles, the Tsuyu Konjac Bowl shared here hit the mark in taste and te...

Kicking off 2025's first LookBook with these two words on my mind, timeless statement, after completing the year of change... To be the change rather than expecting it. 2024 was far, very far from perfect. It was filled with disappointments, frustrations, and anxiety. Hopelessness followed after anguish, leading to my infamous dark days at times.  I've been introspecting about me, my life, particularly with the question of who I am. I didn't have one of those "when I grow up" hopes because I lived in survival mode and wanted to escape most of my childhood. I lived aimlessly, seeking to hide flaws far from perfection. It took restless years and another trauma for me to see that those weren't my flaws, but rather wounds left by the cruelty of others. It has been many moons since I realized that perfection is serenity and contentment, at least for me. Each of us has an individual definition of a perfect life, and each of us is responsible for our perfection. No o...

Borrowing from Mr. Tim Gunn's basic wardrobe items, this 10 Essential Wardrobe List was curated with a minimalist approach. It is something that I've been thinking about, especially related to climate change written in Guilt of Disposable Fashion back in 2022. The perspective that our wardrobe pieces should have longevity without losing our sense of style was the core principle as the pieces were selected. That principle of not always new is reflected in my monthly LookBooks , often with pieces from previous months. Fashion has never been about the latest. Style has always been about our sense of identity, an expression of confidence and fervor.  Often, less is more. Rather than cluttering our closets, what would happen with a handful of thought-out pieces that can effortlessly catwalk through the fluidity of time? [BASIC BLACK DRESS] Norma Kamali Mid-Length Strapless Dress [DAY DRESS] Levi's Cielo Georgette Dress [CLASSIC BLAZER] Uma|Raquel Davidowicz Single-Breasted Blaz...

Oily pasta had been on my mind. I wanted to create a rustic pasta dish that wasn't heavy on sauce, yet flavorsome. I craved oily texture on the pasta while not oily in flavor, but with subtle sharpness. It was a tall order, even if it was mine. So, I put on my apron and entered the kitchen without much expectation. I grabbed spicy Italian sausage because the sausage is always the correct choice, Pecorino Romano for its sharpness, and tomato for its tangy acid.  I rarely nail a recipe on its first recipe testing session. You've seen on @foodieExhalingLife  Instagram that it often takes several attempts over months for recipes to be shared here . Sometimes a recipe testing doesn't deliver what I was working towards, but an unexpected new dish that pops with deliciousness. Slow Cooked Gochujang Chicken is one of those dishes. Rare, but it happened. My craving for an oily flavorsome pasta dish that felt rustic was satisfied on the first recipe test of Penne Rigate All'Olio...

It is my word, civility. Merriam-Webster defines it as courtesy, politeness, a polite act or expression, and training in the humanities. Civility for me means exercising humanity with mindfulness towards others and our sphere. It is such a beautiful word, and I miss it. Not the word, but civility among us. I've been thinking about it quite often, even before former President Trump won the election and his return to the White House became inevitable. It was heartbreaking to watch such a hateful man win this nation's presidential election.  Photo by Logan DeBorde on Unsplash I am not concerned about his plan to deport unlawful residents of this nation. I am concerned that I will be targeted in a massive sweep as a Korean so I will be carrying my United States Passport Card, a federal government issued identification, as proof of my U.S. citizenship. Is it inconvenient? Not at all. It is the size of my California Identification card.  Unlawful residents. I rarely use undocumente...

Chic and ferocious are two words I aimed for the last LookBook of the year. Rather than focusing on the holiday season, I wanted to focus on us. Who we are, our expression, our sense of style... None of that should be swift away for commercialized holiday cheers. I also pulled forward two pieces from Style LookBook: November 2024 . Alo Yoga Quilted Perfection Puffer and Teddy Blake Gigi Stampatto 13" are style staples that can effortlessly transition from this winter season to beyond.  Blending everyday chic with urbanista's attitude, below are curated pieces for this month's Style LookBook : [TOP, BOTTOM LAYER] ALO YOGA Ribbed Defined Long Sleeve Bra [VEST, TOP LAYER] MARANT ÉTOILE Alisa Gilet [SKIRT] Farfetch De-Pra-Mini-S3 Skirt [BOOTS] BLONDO Sierra Waterproof Over the Knee Boot [BAG] TEDDY BLAKE Gigi Stampatto 13" [COAT] Grab-and-go on extra cold days... ALO YOGA Quilted Perfection Puffer ps: While all items are curated by me, I earn commissions from retailers ...