Gourmeted

Sparks joy. 🖼 Jan Wade’s “Breathe” — embroidery on linen. Jan Wade: Soul Power exhibition at the @vanartgallery until March 13th, 2022 #vancouverartgallery #janwade #janwadeart #soulpower #vancouverartist #canadianartist (at Vancouver Art Gallery) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTRe02on2pW/?utm_medium=tumblr

Mmm...Spanish mandarins! Just seeing them makes me happy. {Citrus obsession ensues...} I love a good dose of citrus in winter, whether for eating, sniffing, or slathering. 😂 It’s just a great mood enhancer. I find myself surrounded by citrus scents, from my @beautycounter neroli hand cream and citrus mimosa body lotion, to body scrub and citrus facial oil. Douse me with zesty goodness, why don’t ya. 🍊🍋😂 The next time you need a quick pick me up, try an orange. Ok, that’s it for sharing my citrus love. Happy Sunday! #citruslove #orangeyouglad #citrusseason #mandarinoranges #winterfruit #pickmeup #moodlifter #eatyourfruits #orangelove https://www.instagram.com/p/CKubz_bh6xQ/?igshid=qr8ae806jbww

About last night...🙂 @jensmh made roast cabbage with tarragon and pecorino from @ottolenghi Simple cookbook. No sweetheart cabbage, just Napa cabbage, but scrumptious all the same. Thankful for the little joys and a partner I love isolating with — that’s important right? 😄 #cookathome #partnerswhocook #cookingathome #healthyeatingideas #ottolenghisimple #cookthebook #kitchentherapy #cookingtherapy https://www.instagram.com/p/B-C5_Emh7eD/?igshid=1100cnymuoayb

Snail mailers gonna mail mail mail. 😄 I would like nothing more than to cheer someone up by mail. If it brings a smile, a glimmer of hope, or a reminder that someone cares, then my cup is filled. 💌 You can sign up to receive a RAM (Random Act of Mail) at betterwithjoy.com/snailmail or click the link on the bio. #snailmail #randomactsofmail #randomactsofkindness #alonetogether #joyofmail 
#SnailMailSunday
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Feeling crafty this Valentine's and celebrating L❤️VE.⁠ I made these origami hearts thanks to Sonja’s @starfolds YouTube tutorials. Click on my bio to go directly to her YouTube video for the cat hearts or visit her IG to get the instructions for the other hearts. The paper heart necklace/organment is incredibly cute, too. And you can make a garland of it!⁠ #lovelovelove #valentinesday #galentines #craftyvalentines #origamihearts #fridayfunday #craftikins #blackcatsofinstagram #catlove #happymeow https://www.instagram.com/p/B8jo1Szgocv/?igshid=ievf0qd5tuiy

Be informed, ask questions, demand change. Watch the 12-minute documentary: https://betterwithjoy.com/mica . We love a good shimmery glow and the ingredient that best achieves this safely is a natural mineral called Mica. Mica, in all its glittery glory, is more than just a pretty mineral. Its unique properties under extreme heat and electricity also make it one of the most essential components of our modern technological world. Sadly, this much-used mineral is rife with illegal sources, corruption, and child labour. These issues are well known. Search for "Illegal Mica Mining in India" online and you'll find hundreds of thousands of hits. ⁠ TODAY, @Beautycounter is taking on these issues head on. Not only are we exposing the truth about mica sources, visiting them, and cooperating with various organizations to get to the bottom of things—Beautycounter is also also committing to make things better. And you can help, too.⁠ Make your choices matter. As consumers, we can make our voices heard with our purchasing power. We can put pressure governments and companies into making sure inhumane and illegal practices are taken out of the supply chain.⁠ ⁠ #nontoxicbeauty #betterbeauty #cleanbeauty #wedeservebetter #saferbeauty #betterbeautyadvocate #micasupply #wecandobetter https://www.instagram.com/p/B8MtvhSpyBh/?igshid=1ueixdp8m6i16

This is my go-to brownie recipe for the past decade. It's gooey and chewy in the centre, and crisp and crunchy along the top and edges. It's perfection in every bite. The baking method of high heat and flash-cooling creates this to-die-for combination. Click the photo link on my bio for the recipe!⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #bakinglife #homebaking #homebakers #igbaking #instabaking #bestbrownies #quickandeasyrecipes #bakingathome #bakersofinstagram #ilovechocolate https://www.instagram.com/p/B8It8C6DC9-/?igshid=22rok5dvj6ga

Our meals have been @ottolenghi-heavy, thanks to @jensmh’s #cookthebook project. This is one of my favourites so far: Trout Tartare with Burnt Butter and Pistachios from the #OttolenghiSimple cookbook. It tastes like something out of a top notch restaurant.😋👌🏼 . . #cookingathome #ottolenghiathome #homecooks #breakfastdreams #eggybrunch #breakfastwins #kitchenexperiments #partnerswhocook #homecooksofinstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/B8GGRHClXG3/?igshid=c9m64wajvlfx

New blog post: https://betterwithjoy.com/explore/better-beauty/switch-to-safer-cleaner-better-beauty/ I decided to switch to safer, cleaner, greener and more sustainable products last year. This big change was initially prompted by my body's increasing sensitivity to, and out of frustration from, products that don't work (even at higher price points). I've cast an even wider net and also try to pick ones that are greener and better-for-the-environment. Because, why not? I'm already spending the time to do the research, I might as well put my money into supporting companies that do better.⁠⠀⠀ .⁠⠀⠀ .⁠⠀⠀ The result? My skin and overall sensitivities are all the better for it. Truly. I RARELY get the random hives I used to get several times a week. [I’ve had allergy testing and nothing came up for food or the environment.] And I'm not just saying this because I am promoting cleaner and safer products. I am promoting better products because they have made a world of difference to me.⁠⠀⠀ .⁠⠀⠀ .⁠⠀⠀ My journey to clean was swift by some standards because I get obsessive and surgical about things I put my heart into. I do a ton of research. I'm always hungry for answers. If you are curious and would like to get ideas on how and where to start, I've posted some tips on the blog. Click on my bio for more info.⠀ .⠀ .⠀ ⠀ #nontoxicbeauty #betterbeauty #cleanbeauty #switchtosafer #switchtocleanbeauty #clean2020 #wedeservebetter #saferbeauty #betterbeautyadvocate #cleanbeautyrevolution #switchtoclean #saferbeautyproducts https://www.instagram.com/p/B77YiY_BYzj/?igshid=35fzg97nqpca

Four years ago we added this to the list of places we visited by bike: e_dehillerin in Paris. It was my first trip to this culinary mecca and that was surely one of the highlights of that summer. If you're and avid cook and/or baker, it's hard to think logically and hold on to your credit card when you're there. Squeal—I can imagine cooking in any and all of them. Tempting as it was, I didn't invest on any of these large, shiny, copper pots. I did ride back with dozen canelé molds, along with a tote bag full of pastries. The pastries have long gone into my lips and hips, and the molds will finally be used this week. Let's see if this is the good luck I need to make Paris happen again this year. 😁⠀ . . #culinarytravel #traveltuesday #takemebacktuesday #edehillerin #eatplaytravelsparkjoy #pastrytrip #exploreparis #parisbybike (at E. Dehillerin) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7mvBe8BBYI/?igshid=1jnkwadt9gsa1

If Mondays started with bites of this Braised Egg with Leeks & Za’atar, we might just make it through the day. Plus coffee, of course. So. Freaking. Good. The flavours just sing to me. . . This is another instalment of @jensmh’s #OttolenghiSimple #cookthebook experiments. I’m just here for the ride...helping prep, eat, and clean.⠀ . .⠀ #cookingathome #ottolenghiathome #homecooks #breakfastdreams #eggybrunch #breakfastwins #kitchenexperiments #partnerswhocook #homecooksofinstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/B7jURLMB9mz/?igshid=59rn32smzfmf

Today is “Blue Monday”, they said. It’s supposedly the “saddest day” of the year. It’s not real. If only we have one really depressing day and be over it at the beginning of the year—wouldn’t that be grand?⠀ .⠀ .⠀ SAD—or Seasonal Affective Disorder—is real, on the other hand. For a lot of people, winter is a really hard time for emotional and mental health. January and February are particularly difficult due to lack of sunlight.⠀ .⠀ .⠀ Having spent more than half my life in North America now, I’ve become used to it. Doing something creative helps beat the blues, and so does meeting up with friends and seeing family. Sure, some “self care” bubble baths and spa time are useful, too. Sometimes the best type of care we can do is to be kinder to ourselves. ❤️⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #bluemonday #beattheblues #beatthewinterblues #creativesselfcare #practicenotperfection #artastherapy #arteveryday #keeppracticing https://www.instagram.com/p/B7jzUKlhLL_/?igshid=jb20cla67w97

Magnolia trees in our neighbourhood are already showing their fuzzy buds amidst the first snow storm of 2020. I can’t wait till the streets are lined with palm-sized soft pink flowers. Reminds me of a painting assignment two years ago. This WIP photo was taken before I ruined the whole piece with background wash, which was the point of the exercise. 😅Talk about failures. Still painting, though. #watercolorpainting #watercolorpractice #magnolias #magnoliaflowers #petalwork #keeppainting #paintinginspiration #watercolorists https://www.instagram.com/p/B7eID39Bt1z/?igshid=1r1hf8hzebagh

It’s been an @ottolenghi week at Chez J&J. My partner @jensmh has been cooking up a storm and going through the #ottolenghisimple cookbook. We might have a cold salad on a chilly night, but I can’t complain—it’s absolutely delicious. This Rice Noodle Salad made me look forward to summer in the middle of a snowstorm😎. We are simply loving all the dishes he’s made so far. Each one is a revelation in flavours, textures and colours. 😍 . . #ottelenghisimple #ottolenghi #homecooking #cookinglove #homemade #salads #divinesalads #flavorexplosion #kitchenadventures https://www.instagram.com/p/B7ZhFlYhS-v/?igshid=1woxdy49q16te

Painting again after an unintended holiday break. I had all intentions to find some downtime and paint after Christmas. The complete opposite happened and it was as chaotic as it could get at the end of year. We went on a short vacation and it still didn’t happen. But here I am now. 👩🏻‍🎨 . . . It’s been a delight to watch @jensmh cook through @ottolenghi’s Simple cookbook. We’ve been enjoying the colourful and tasty results. This was the Roasted Red Onions with Green Beans and Buckwheat. I love that we have been eating some uncommon-to-me flavour combinations. 😋 . . #watercolorpainting #watercolorist #watercolorpractice #paintyourmeal #ottolenghisimple #painthroughthecookbook #painting #paintyourfood https://www.instagram.com/p/B7VMKXTBKIm/?igshid=es514voi55nr

Snow days in January. When the dry, wilting, and rotting come to life. . . Vancouver also shuts down. Kind of. Thankfully, we can work from home, go for a long picturesque walk to lunch and do a few errands. I love snow days. . . #vancouver #vancouverwinters #winter #snowfall #snowday https://www.instagram.com/p/B7SsO96hXtd/?igshid=kfoxcxlpk8zv

Happy forever 21, @rufinachang! . . When your partner makes @bravetart’s Brown Butter Carrot Cake for a dear friend’s birthday feast at @fablekitchen and you get to be a sous. Well done, darling @jensmh. 🥂 . . #homemadecakes #partnerswhobaketogether #bravetartcakes #carrotcake #bakinglife #weekendbaking #weekendprojects #brownbutter (at FABLE) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7Po-29hP6R/?igshid=tm0moj79u1c0