#23: Just Cute Food

"I love to spend time alone. I also like spending time with friends. I spend a lot of time walking."

Health Gossip

Sep 22, 2024

Just Cute Food is a wing of the Lynn collective. Every so often, they post just cute food.

At a glance…

Location: NYC (S), Toronto (M), Vancouver (MP)

Big 3: Aquarius/Pisces/Taurus (S), Virgo/Gemini/Aries (M), Taurus/Sagittarus/Taurus (MP)

What does health, or being healthy, mean to you?

S: It’s measured by my interest in the world, and my proximity to the people around me and what I’m able to give.

M: Usually can be measured by how much attention I give to my body, versus neglecting it. There’s a sweet spot though as it can’t be too much. Less overthinking.

MP: I recently got diagnosed with a chronic pain condition. Being healthy has become a huge focus in my current life. Basically, if my body doesn’t feel good then my brain doesn’t.

How would you describe your current lifestyle?

S: I recently got laid off from my job as an artist’s assistant, so my lifestyle is a bit wonky and requires a certain level of ingenuity each day so I don’t slip. If my calendar is really open, I get uneasy and tend to alternate between extreme rigidity or stagnation. Would love to feel relaxed at this prospect instead. Things I’ve been trying: catching up on sleep, reading, working at the cafe, watching Johnnie To films at moma, pilates/tai chi classes, and some studio time.

M: Feeling stretched thin. Nothing is fixed as I do contract work, so my lifestyle fluctuates. This summer I worked in BC and was outside running around a lot, whereas now I’m spending time working indoors. I prefer flexibility and change, though it’s scary not knowing what’s around the corner. Spend time off walking with friends, the cinema, sewing, and library visits.

MP: My life is pretty dull at the moment. I go to bed at a reasonable hour. I don’t smoke or drink (only once in a blue moon). I am currently looking for work. I crave a more concrete structure. I do freelance graphic design, so a lot of of my time is spent sitting infront of the computer. I have to make sure I get out and walk everyday, so my body doesn’t get stiff. I am thinking of signing up for a kickboxing class. I really crave cardio. I love to spend time alone. I also like spending time with friends. I spend a lot of time walking. I am very grateful that I have time to work on my various projects.

How do you start and end your days?

S: Wake up around 9/10am, drink coffee and record a voice memo to plan out my day. Sometimes I’ll delete it right away. I could just talk to myself without recording but it doesn’t feel right. At night, I'll switch to airplane mode (unless there's a reason I need to keep a line of communication open). My mind has been feeling feral and it’s nice to have that space to roam free without the influence of others. It’s gotten to the point where it’s difficult to zone out and watch something… really affects my sleep. My skincare routine is simple: a light cream and tretinoin.

M: It depends on my job at the moment. If I’m not at work, I often start with eggs fried in butter, toast and black coffee. Shower in the evening, watch a movie, skincare, pick an outfit, and scroll TikTok before falling asleep (something I want to stop). When working it’s usually a 12-hour day, get home, immediately shower and sleep.

MP: Morning: Coffee and breakfast. I have a big window by my kitchen table, with a tree that birds like to hang out on. I enjoy listening to them sing in the morning. It feels so disney. I will usually write or draw as a form of meditation. I try to wash my face as soon as I get up in the morning, but sometimes I get distracted. I have to make a list of things I need to do that day. If I don’t write things down they don’t happen.

Night: I usually take some Omega 3’s, get into bed and watch a movie. Wash my face. I try to read before I fall asleep. Lately I’ve been falling asleep in the middle of films. I often wake up with my lights on and my laptop on my bed. Sometimes I make a list of things I want to do/get done for the next day.

What’s your relationship to self-healing?

S: I haven’t had much luck with doctors but getting blood work done is helpful. It’s a relief to see all the numbers laid out. This is usually the next logical step when something can’t be altered through time, rest, and eating better. Sometimes I’ll turn to self-help material (after a breakup) and leave little sticky note affirmations around my desk or collect fortune cookie paper/Yogi tea bags.

M: I’m used to doctors being dismissive of the health issues I have, to the point that I’ve exhausted searching for answers that way. I lean on online forums, studies, and advice from loved ones. Through it I discovered eating less sugar and sleeping more helps my symptoms. During a neglectful time recently, things got so bad that I was rushed to ER and needed emergency surgery. Trying to be more intuitive again.

MP: I have multiple health conditions, so sometimes it feels like my life revolves around that. Which can be frustrating. A lot of the time I’ll push myself to the limits, even if I’m not feeling physically great. I find if I’m mentally not great, having a walk or reading really helps me change gears. I am definitely guilty of googling symptoms and going full wormhole. I also love researching my conditions and reading about them.

Was there a specific moment in life that made you change your approach to health, or become more conscious generally?

S: It’s been slow going but everyday I learn. My aunt’s approach to health is pretty great. She believes that most symptoms go away through drinking warm water (instead of cold) and that meat makes you stronger, which is unfortunate for me as a vegetarian.

M: I visited family in Greece last summer via student loans after a tough winter. They gave me a hard time about seeming stressed and constantly reminded me to relax. I didn’t even realize I was tense, so it initially annoyed me. They take the importance of relaxation on health seriously/are sensitive to it. By the end of my trip, I became hyper-aware of it. It’s a value that grew on me, though it’s harder to practice in any metro city. Living in Vancouver for 10 years also radicalized me to health-food culture, which was a blind spot growing up in the prairies. It can be so wack but it’s a comfort now.

MP: I’ve suffered from back and neck pain since I was a child. A few years ago, my back pain was getting so bad [that] even carrying groceries felt like a dismaying task. I would wake up everyday like my body had been ran over by a truck. I really had to rethink how I moved, stress levels and diet. I started making sure I got exercise, moved my body as much as possible. I also realized getting proper sleep was extremely crucial to my wellbeing.

Where do you look to for information or advice?

M: Lately I have been using Sun Tzu’s “The Art Of War” to help me overcome daunting tasks.

F*ck, marry, kill: three health trends of your choice.

S: Fuck: eucalyptus lemon bug spray, marry: tart cherry juice, kill: Poppi.

M: Fuck: hydrolyzed grass-fed collagen, marry: at home Pilates, kill: keto.

MP: Fuck: omega 3s, marry: kickboxing, kill: anything that makes me feel bad about myself.

What’s your perfect meal? What foods do you find yourself returning to?

S: My perfect meal is variations of egg on white rice, with soy sauce and a side of vegetables. When I get sick of that, I’ll make tostadas. Or something truly crazy like English Breakfast but for dinner (baked beans, tomatoes, egg). I love fruit, so I’ll make smoothies every day. My kitchen contains more frozen produce than fresh.

M: I miss Vancouver sushi. I find myself returning to chicken thighs and drumsticks as they’re cheap, high-fat/protein, and versatile. In the winter I make a lot of soup with them. I always have wild blueberries in the freezer and like to eat them frozen with raw honey.

MP: My Polish/German heritage draws me to making food with potatoes. Garlic, parsley and olive oil are a cooking staple of mine. I love garlic. When I cook a perfect meal for myself, I usually do something simple. I’ll bake chicken thighs in garlic, olive oil, lemon and parsley. I’ll roast some potatoes and garlic in olive oil/lemon. Make a salad with Romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes and balsamic dressing. When I’m in a hurry, I make a fish filet in my air fryer with (surprise) lemon and garlic, some potatoes and a simple salad. I am also obsessed with pasta and love making it for myself and friends. I find cooking really therapeutic.