Food, Fulfilment and the Modern Fix: Reading Johann Hari’s book “Magic Pill” on GLP-1s
With the rise of Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs, conversations about weight and wellbeing have taken on a new urgency — and a new complexity. I downloaded the audiobook of Johann Hari’s Magic Pill (The Extraordinary Benefits and Disturbing Risks of the New Weight-Loss Drugs) after several acquaintances — all women aged between 40 and 70 — asked whether they should try a GLP-1 drug like Ozempic. None of them were obese or diabetic, but many wanted to “lose 10–20 pounds.” Within their social circles, “everyone seems to be taking it.” With online access now so effortless in the U.S.,…
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Why Teff should be your next super grain
Teff, a tiny ancient grain from Ethiopia, offers impressive nutritional benefits, including high protein, fiber, iron, and calcium levels, surpassing quinoa. It’s gluten-free and supports gut health. Teff can be used in various recipes, including as a pasta, where it provides a chewy texture and great flavor, proving a worthy alternative to other gluten-free pastas.
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Nutritional & Health Benefits of Wood Ear Mushrooms (木耳)
If you’ve ever bitten into a cold Chinese salad and wondered, “What is this crunchy, slippery, delicious black fungus?” — congratulations, you’ve met wood ear mushrooms (木耳, Mu Er in Mandarin). They may not win any beauty contests, but what they lack in looks, they make up for in incredible health benefits and culinary versatility. In Japanese cooking (木耳, kikurage in Japanese) it is the “black fungus” commonly used as a ramen topping especially with tonkotsu (pork bone) ramen. Long used in Chinese home cooking and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), these humble mushrooms are having a quiet superfood moment. I’ve…
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Healing Foods for Concussion Recovery in Children
When a child is recovering from a concussion, food can become one of your most important allies. While rest and medical follow-up are vital, the brain also needs specific nutrients to heal from inflammation, support cellular repair, and replenish energy. Here at Weng’s Culinary Adventures, I believe that medicine can be delicious—and healing can start in the kitchen. So what should you cook for a recovering child? Let’s break it down and share some culinary inspiration backed by science. 🧠 Why Nutrition Matters After a Concussion A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that can lead to inflammation, oxidative…
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Back from Asia and Back to Balance: My Post-Holiday Poke Bowl Reset
After three glorious weeks eating my way through Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, and Malaysia, I’ve returned home feeling full—in every sense of the word. Full of memories, full of joy… and let’s be honest, still slightly full from one-too-many bowls of wontons, Cantonese roast meats, dumplings, dim sum, my 94-year-old father’s ten-course Chinese birthday banquet, and not to mention a seven-course Penang durian buffet with cultivar names like Lobster, Lipa, Horlo, Dinosaur, Green Skin, Musang King and Black Thorn ( eaten in that order!) You get the idea – no regrets, but my body did quietly whisper, “Maybe… just maybe……
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Hosting My First Passover Meal: A Journey into Tradition and Flavors
Ever since I moved to New York and found myself surrounded by many wonderful Jewish neighbors, I’ve wanted to learn more about Passover and its rich cultural significance. Passover, or Pesach, is one of the most meaningful celebrations in the Jewish calendar, commemorating the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt and their journey from slavery to freedom. Central to the celebration are the dietary rules that not only honor history but bring symbolic depth to every bite we share at the table. As I prepare to host my first-ever Passover meal, I’ve been diving deep into the traditions, history, and delicious foods…
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The Secret Power of Lentils: What is the “Second Meal Effect”?
Lentils are not just comfort food; they possess a unique “Second Meal Effect” that helps balance blood sugar levels not only during the current meal but also at the next one. This effect arises from their high fiber, slow-digesting carbohydrates, and beneficial gut properties, contributing to better glucose management and overall health.
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Lower the Glycaemic Impact of Rice: Smart Eating Strategies
I have a love-hate relationship with rice. I love eating it. I’m Asian and can’t go too long without having a rice hit. But I hate the sugar peak that comes with eating refined white rice. Frequent blood sugar spikes are detrimental to health. They can lead to long-term complications like insulin resistance, inflammation, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular issues. They can also cause short-term symptoms like fatigue, hunger and mood swings. So what can you do if rice is life? But you also want to minimize the blood sugar spike that can comes with it. Here are a couple…
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Boosting Your Child’s Growth Through Nutrition
I recently hosted a cooking class for a mother and her 7-year-old son. When planning meals for adults, my first step is always to ask about dietary restrictions and preferences. But when leading an individualized nutrition-focused cooking class, I typically start by exploring specific nutritional concerns. In this case, the mother was worried about her son’s height. She asked, “What can he eat to help him grow taller?” Her question made me reflect on a familiar concern among Asian mothers. Height has long been a topic of worry, shaped by cultural, social, and health-related factors. My own mother was convinced…
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Ancient Grains: Health Benefits, Nutritional Facts, and How to Cook Them
Do you know the difference between couscous, quinoa, and millet? Don’t worry—neither did I at first! When I started adding more whole grains to my diet, I kept seeing some of them labeled as “Ancient Grains”—which sounded fancy, but honestly, I had no clue what it really meant. Was there an ancient grain council somewhere handing out these titles? 🤔 For years, I proudly believed couscous was a healthy whole grain and that millet was some kind of wheat. Turns out, I was way off—couscous is basically tiny balls of pasta (yep, mind blown 💥), and millet? Totally gluten-free and…
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