Hi! I’m Crystal.

Some of my loves in life: Nature, adventuring with my Love, walking in the woods, creating in the kitchen, cozy spaces, the rain, Japan, wildcrafting, foraging, floating in the ocean, prose, the scent of the sea, music, writing, Japanese philosophy, linen, pottery, pigeon pose, shadow, dappled light, exploring the world, and so much more…

On food, a focal point here:

Some of my earliest and sweetest food memories evolved from simple childhood staples as they oftentimes do, mainly my mother’s banana bread and chocolate chip cookies, particularly at Christmastime, and the warm, rich notes of my grandmother’s freshly baked pumpkin and apple pies. In a word, comfort. Growing up, my mom always encouraged me to explore the culinary world, although it wasn’t until I was well into my twenties that I expressed a deeper interest in learning about the origins of our everyday food and the myriad ways in which it impacts both our individual and collective health & well-being. Needless to say, my relationship with food has evolved into a much more intimate and meaningful one over the years - because eating is personal, and it looks vastly different for everyone. 

I’ve found that for me, committing to a mostly plant-based diet and cooking with the seasons is not only good for the body, mind, and soul, but that it also provides an exciting sense of adventure in the kitchen. As I do with most things in life, I like to leave room for a fair amount of flexibility and spontaneity when making and baking, and so for the recipes that I share here, you’ll find that I often try to lend a friendly encouraging to make the recipes your own if you’re so inclined to try them. I hope that you do, and I’d love to hear your thoughts and unique suggestions.

I’m also for shared meals, gathering for the occasion, and for no occasion at all. I’m a firm believer that one of the best gifts we can give ourselves and to others is time spent gathered around the table, or whatever happens to suffice as such. It is in these moments that we find connection, conversation, healing, and presence; and because I think nourishing our bodies is synonymous with nourishing our relationships - with ourselves and with others. That, I think, is the real sustenance of life.