Drawn image of three line figures eating/drinking on a beige background. They all have squiggly hands, short hair with bangs, and are wearing T-shirts. 

First figure on the left is green and is chewing with a pizza in their hand. In front of them sits a beverage with a straw.  Second figure is coloured in pink, holding onto a drink with both hands, sipping through a straw.  The third figure is coloured in orange, smiling in front of a bowl of soup, holding a chopstick-full of noodles in one hand and holding a spoon in the other.
Drawn image of three line figures eating/drinking on a beige background. They all have squiggly hands, short hair with bangs, and are wearing T-shirts. 

First figure on the left is green and is chewing with a pizza in their hand. In front of them sits a beverage with a straw.  Second figure is coloured in pink, holding onto a drink with both hands, sipping through a straw.  The third figure is coloured in orange, smiling in front of a bowl of soup, holding a chopstick-full of noodles in one hand and holding a spoon in the other.


Food x Therapy Blog

Queer immigrant relationships, told through food.

5 Environments to Cultivate Fulfillment in Friendships and Family Tiesnewunread messages

Building deep, meaningful connections with friends and family is a vital part of leading a fulfilled life.

Here are five environments where you can cultivate self fulfillment and fulfillment in your friendships and family ties.

5 Spots to Recharge and Find Fulfillment in Your Job

Feeling creatively stifled or overwhelmed by the demands of your job? It's essential to find ways to recharge and reconnect with yourself.

Whether you're seeking solace in nature, community connections, or artistic inspiration, Ontario offers a plethora of locations to help you feel self fulfillment and inspired.

5 Places to Gain Inspiration on Your Journey to Fulfillment

Moving to Ontario can be a significant change, especially if you’re used to a different cultural landscape.

Ontario offers a wealth of inspiring and exciting places to cultivate a sense of community and self fulfillment. Below are five places that have brought me joy and inspiration.

How to be Creative at Work

Rediscovering your creativity at work is a journey of self fulfillment that brings new energy and satisfaction to your professional life.

This process involves adopting a creative mindset, setting intentional goals, exploring fresh ideas, and engaging actively in your tasks.

How to Rebuild Creativity

Rebuilding creativity is a deeply enriching journey. Seeking answers to overarching equations like “How can we live creatively?” invites you to create an inspiring environment, explore your interests, practice mindfulness, and connect with others.

How Can We Live Creatively?

Living creatively involves embracing curiosity, challenging your assumptions, seeking inspiration, and exploring your creative potential.

This journey invites you to see the world through fresh eyes, engage in new experiences, and express yourself in ways that resonate deeply with your true self.

How to Be Creatively Fulfilled

Discovering creative self fulfillment is a deeply personal and enriching journey. It’s about exploring various styles and mediums of art, dedicating time to your creative passions, finding inspiration in everyday moments, and fostering a sense of curiosity.

By challenging yourself, connecting with other creators, reflecting on your creative process, and handling criticism constructively, you can cultivate a fulfilling creative life. Here’s how you can nurture your creativity and enrich your life with it.

Why Am I Feeling Unfulfilled in My Relationship?

Feeling unfulfilled in a relationship is a common experience that can leave you feeling disconnected, seeking self fulfillment, and unsure about the future.

Understanding the root causes of this unfulfillment can help you and your partner navigate through the challenges and find a path to a more satisfying, meaningful, and fulfilling connection.

Four Characteristics of Soul Fulfilling Relationships

Building a soul-fulfilling relationship involves more than just surface-level interactions. It requires a deep connection where both partners feel seen, understood, and cherished.

To create such a bond that can cultivate self-fulfillment, focus on authenticity and vulnerability, mutual respect and appreciation, emotional connection, and shared values and goals.

How to Build a Fulfilling Relationship

Building a fulfilling relationship requires intentional effort and a deep understanding of both yourself and your partner.

It’s about creating a nurturing environment where both individuals can flourish, grow, and feel genuinely valued. This journey involves patience, empathy, and a commitment to continuous growth.

What is Fulfillment in a Relationship?

As you navigate the complexities of your relationships, it’s essential to understand what makes them truly fulfilling. These connections aren’t just a part of your life—they are the foundation of your emotional health, offering the support, companionship, and sense of belonging you crave.

In this blog, we’ll explore the unique elements that contribute to a deeply satisfying relationship, uncover signs of true emotional fulfillment, and provide practical advice to help you cultivate and maintain these meaningful connections in your life.

5 Ways to Achieve Fulfillment

Finding fulfillment in life can sometimes feel elusive, but it's an essential part of living a meaningful and happy life.

Whether you’re seeking personal growth, better relationships, or a more satisfying career, understanding how to achieve fulfillment can transform your life.

How to Achieve Career Fulfillment

Finding true fulfillment in your career extends beyond mere job satisfaction—it's about discovering a path that resonates deeply with your values, passions, and ambitions.

A fulfilling career not only brings happiness and contentment but also allows you to thrive personally and contribute meaningfully to the world around you.

How Do I Find My Fulfillment?

When we talk about finding fulfillment, it's about much more than just being happy—it's about feeling deeply satisfied and purposeful in our lives.

It's that sense of contentment that comes when our actions align with what truly matters to us, whether it's our relationships, our career paths, or the way we spend our time.

Why Can't I Find Fulfillment in Life?

Feeling unfulfilled in life can be a deeply frustrating experience. Despite our best efforts and accomplishments, there are times when we still feel like something essential is missing. Understanding the roots of this lack of fulfillment is the first step towards finding clarity and making positive changes.

When Moving On led to Moving Apart

When the pattern amongst my clients’ partnerships became clear, I was shocked.

With pandemic lockdown being an event of the past (so far), I find it shocking how quickly people are trying to move on, but neglect one of their most important relationships—that with their partner.

How Couples Therapy Works, as told in a Kitchen Fight

In a brightly lit home, a couple is at a standstill in their kitchen.

One is leaning against the doorway while the other stands by the counter, an arm on his hip. The humming of the fridge can be clearly heard.

Both seem frozen and afraid of what’s lingering between them as if any wrong move can ignite a catastrophe.

And it all started with the simple question of “Are you cooking tonight?”

Alone in Community with Shrimp Étouffée

I didn’t know it at the time, but growing up in a conservative community meant loneliness was frequently present in my social experiences.

I was always paying attention to what the norms and etiquettes were, for fear of being found out that I didn’t belong.

Looking back, I knew I wanted to be amongst people who I didn’t have to wear a mask with, watch everything I say, and always thinking if I’ve misspoken. I wanted an accepting community.

From Sad to Fab, the Lessons I Learned through Salads.

Salad in my childhood was understood as Western food that repulsed many East Asian palettes.

My first introduction was at a restaurant doing a Japanese/Taiwanese take on American cuisine.

The appetizer was a sad bowl of chunky cold iceberg lettuce and tomatoes sitting in a puddle of Thousand Island dressing.

There will always be flatbread.

It was a summer night. After a soul-sapping work meeting, me and a coworker walked our way through the thick evening air in search of food.

We passed a Trinidadian / Caribbean restaurant, a neighbourhood institution for over 30 years.

I’ve never set foot inside because I knew nothing of the cuisine and dreaded looking silly in the restaurant.

Meat as Love, The Remix.

I grew up with eating meat as a love language.

My childhood story books tell centuries-old tales of parents feeding meat to their kids as rewards for good grades, gestures of love, and bribes for tantrums.

Growing up, my Mom’s face would be glowing with pride putting meat on our plates, telling us this was a luxury item in her childhood.

Hello, I’m just here for the food.

The event would always start with music.

I would hear the rustling sound of foil being unwrapped, Tupperware tops being opened, and ceramic lids being lifted from casserole dishes. This would be followed by the percussion of serving spoons, tongs, and ladles brandished against the dishes, altogether making a song heralding what’s to come.

We are about to eat.