Cơm Gà Ướp Sả from Pho Japolo

It was another busy Saturday. Papa invited us to join one of his important business meetings, then we picked up my youngest sister from her work, and finally, we headed to IKEA. We walked and shopped for essential items we needed for our new home.

Phở tái, gân, and sách from Pho Japolo
Noodle soup with eye round steak, soft tendon, and beef tripe

Afterward, I wanted something comforting. My sister suggested LA Chicken, and the "non-dieting" me would have probably said yes. However, the disciplined 2026 me said no and suggested Pho Japolo instead. I ordered the Cơm Gà Ướp Sả, which is marinated lemongrass grilled chicken. I ate all of the tender chicken and fresh salad, but I only finished half of the fluffy rice.

Cơm Gà Ướp Sả from Pho Japolo
Marinated, grilled lemon grass chicken

Admittedly, my strong willpower wavered slightly when I snacked on the Chả Giò, those deep-fried shrimp spring rolls that Mama did not finish. I regretted it only a bit because they were excellent and crispy. It was a satisfying meal to end a productive day!

Ice Cream for Dinner from Earnest Ice Cream

Ice cream for dinner? Yes, please! I realized that I am an adult who has been trying hard to stick to my disciplined diet and make better health choices, but today is a special day. It is our first night in our new home, and we actually own this one!

Tahitian Vanilla Ice Cream from Earnest

After running around Costco like mad people, hubby and I decided to just grab ice cream at Earnest for dinner. I chose the Tahitian Vanilla, which was creamy and floral. Hubby went for the Rocky Road, which was filled with crunchy nuts and soft marshmallows.

Rocky Road from Earnest Ice Cream

We licked our chilled treats while walking around the industrial area of Mount Pleasant. It was a simple and sweet way to celebrate this huge milestone.

Phở Gà from Pho Quynh Express

All our things are officially in our new home! A huge shout-out to Go Truck Go for providing such a wonderful moving experience. In between the chaotic unpacking and organizing, we decided to step out for a quick lunch at Pho.

Phở Gà from Pho Quynh Express
Chicken and rice noodle in soup

Phở Tái Sách from Pho Quynh Express
Rare steak & tripe rice noodle in soup

I ordered the Phở Gà, and it truly felt like a warm hug in a bowl. The clear broth was fragrant, and the tender chicken pieces were perfectly cooked. Mama kept feeding me bites of her savory rice with charred grilled chicken, which was a sweet delicious gesture. We also shared the shrimp salad rolls, which were crisp and fresh. To finish, I enjoyed a chilled and refreshing coconut juice.

Gỏi cuốn from Pho Quynh Express 
Shrimp salad roll

I am feeling satisfied and energized. Now, we are heading to Costco to buy even more essential things for our new home!

Veggie Patty Wrap and Bacon Egg Wrap from Blenz

It is finally THE big day! Before the move officially started, we needed to fuel up with breakfast. We originally wanted to try Kathy’s Sandwich along West Broadway, but they were not open yet, which was a bit of a bummer. We ended up across the street at Blenz Coffee instead.

Veggie Patty Wrap from Blenz

I enjoyed a warm Veggie Patty Wrap and a cup of hot Hibiscus tea. The wrap was filled with savory vegetables and a soft plant-based patty, making it a light but nutritious choice for a busy morning. Hubby went for the more filling Bacon Egg Wrap and a creamy mocha. His wrap was packed with salty bacon and fluffy eggs, providing plenty of energy for the move.

Bacon Egg Wrap from Blenz

I will definitely miss this specific Blenz once we move. It has been our reliable go-to spot during the summer when we needed a cool place to hang out whenever the apartment became unbearable. It is time to start the next chapter!

For future me, below is a list of drinks and foods we've tried from Blenz:

Drinks

Blue Latte Caramel Sundae Chocochillo Coco-Ube Chillo Cranberry Dark Hot Chocolate Eggnog Latte Gingerbread Latte Hazelnut Crisp Hot Chocolate Holly Jolly Pistachio Lemon Shaken Iced Tea London Fog Latte Pumpkin Spice Latte Matchachillo Matcha White Hot Chocolate Mochachillo Sticky Toffee Twinkle Thai Iced Tea Toffee Nut Latte Wintermint Cream Cold Brew

Food

Bacon Egg Wrap Bacon English Muffin Beef Roll Beignets Breakfast Bagel Butter Chicken Wrap Chicken Sun-Dried Pesto Wrap Chocolate Brownie Dacaron: Double Chocolate Dacaron: Japanese Matcha Dream Dacaron: Tahitian Vanilla Bean Just Cakes: Eggless Red Velvet Cake in a Jar Lemon Poppyseed Muffin Lumberjack Breakfast Wrap Nanaimo Bar Tiramisu Tuna Sandwich Turkey & Bacon Sandwich Veggie Patty Wrap

Assorted Sashimi at Masa Japanese Restaurant

It has been such a long Monday. I had a full day at work, then hubby and I walked to Canadian Tire before walking over to our new home to drop off and assemble several things we bought. We did all of this without having any dinner! We finally got to sit down at the closest sushi spot to our current home, Masa Japanese Restaurant, which was thankfully still open late.

I ordered their Assorted Sashimi Platter, and it was incredibly satisfying. The fresh salmon, buttery tuna, and chilled red snapper were exactly what I needed. 

Assorted Sashimi at Masa Japanese Restaurant 

Hubby, however, was a little traitor; he ordered my absolute favorite, the Assorted Katsu Curry. He did give me one bite, which was so comforting to say the least. The crispy breaded pork and rich savory curry sauce were delicious.

Assorted Katsu Curry from Masa Japanese Restaurant

Moving is so stressful, and tomorrow is finally THE Big Day. I pray that everything goes smoothly as we officially transition into our new home. To God be the glory! 

For future reference, below is a list of menu items we've tried from Masa.

Bento Box

• Teriaki (Beef) Bento Box
• Veggie Bento

Donburi (Rice Bowl)

• Chicken Katsu
• Unagi Don

Japanese Curry

• Assorted Katsu Curry
• Beef Curry
• Chicken Curry
• Shrimp Curry
• Veggie Curry

K-Meal (Korean Food)

• Bulgogi Jeongol
• Kimchi Fried Rice
• Deep Fried Chicken
• Korean Yangnyeom Chicken
• Soy Garlic Korean Boneless Chicken

Platter

• Salmon Teriyaki
• Tofu Teriyaki Platter
• Tonkatsu

Ramen

• Kara Miso Ramen
• Miso Ramen
• Shio Ramen
• Tonkatsu Ramen
• Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen

Sashimi

• Assorted Sashimi

Special Roll

• Aburi Cheese Monster Roll
• Atlantic Salmon Oshi Sushi
• Crispy Jumbo Dynamite Roll
• Devil's Kiss
• Double Dragon
• Double Spicy Tuna Special Roll
• Grouse Mountain
• Juliet Roll
• Knights of the Round Table
• Romeo Roll
• Sake Bomb Roll
• Secret Garden Roll
• Tekka Bomb Roll
• Tuna Tataki Roll
• Volcano Roll (Salmon)

Starters

• Agedashi Tofu: Original and Diavolo
• Chicken Karaage
• Chicken Wings (salt and pepper with sweet chilli sauce)
• Creamy Prawn
• Croquette
• Ebi Katsu
• Gyoza (Pork)
• Gyoza (Veggie)
• Sushi Pizza: Original
• Takoyaki

Sweets

• Green Tea Mochi

Tempura

• Appetizer Tempura
• Assorted Tempura

U-Don

• Nabeyaki U-Don

Salmon Steak Teriyaki from Manna Sushi

Happy Sunday! We are moving more of our things to our new home today with the help of my parents.

For dinner, we walked to the nearby Manna Sushi. I really enjoyed their succulent Salmon Steak Teriyaki, though I made sure to eat only half of the wholesome brown rice to stay on track with my goals.

Salmon Steak Teriyaki from Manna Sushi
Stir-fried veggies with brown rice served on a hot griddle

Ton Katsu from Manna Sushi
2 pieces of deep-fried pork cutlet, salad, rice and miso

I also had their assorted tempura and focused mostly on the crispy vegetables. The flaky salmon was glazed in a savory sauce, and the nutty rice was the perfect accompaniment. 

Assorted Tempura from Manna Sushi
4 prawns and 8 pieces veggies

They serve such excellent food at reasonable prices, which is why it is such a shame to learn that they are closing soon.

A Family Feast from Italian Tomato Restaurant

We visited my parents today to celebrate their anniversary a bit late. Mama had a specific craving for seafood pasta, so we ended up ordering a large pickup from Italian Tomato Restaurant.

Pescatore from Italian Tomato Restaurant
Baby clams, baby shrimps, baby scallops, mushrooms in tomato sauce

The food was absolutely glorious. We ordered two pizzas and three different pastas to ensure everyone had their favorites. Mom got her wish with the Pescatore, which arrived covered in a tangy tomato sauce and loaded with succulent clams, tender shrimps, sweet scallops, and earthy mushrooms. 

Papa chose his favorite, the extremely comforting Penne alla Carbonara. It featured smoky Italian bacon in a traditional cream sauce reduced with a rich egg and sharp parmesan cheese.

Alla Carbonara from Italian Tomao Restaurant
Italian bacon in traditional cream sauce, reduced with an egg and parmesan cheese

Meanwhile, "dieting me" opted for the Michaelangela with nutty whole wheat spaghetti. This dish was a lighter but flavorful mix of lean chicken breast, crunchy broccoli, vibrant red peppers, and fragrant herbs in a pungent garlic, olive oil, and white wine clear sauce. It was great to have all three bases covered: cream sauce, tomato sauce, and olive oil.

Michaelangelo from Italian Tomato Restaurant
Diced chicken breast, broccoli, red peppers, mushrooms, ginger in a garlic olive oil white wine clear sauce

For our pizza, my sister chose the classic Margherita, while I went for the Ortolana. It was topped with healthy artichokes, savory mushrooms, roasted red peppers, and sharp red onions. The servings here are truly meant for sharing and are so delicious. I cannot wait to order here again and hopefully have a few leftover bites to take home!

Ortolana from Italian Tomato Restaurant 
Artichokes, mushrooms, roasted red peppers, and red onions

Margherita Classic Italian from Italian Tomato Restaurant
Tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese

We enjoyed our meal with the Veuve Clicquot Brut Rosé which was a thoughtful gift from our realtor to congratulate us on buying our first home. If you are looking to buy a home in the area, I highly recommend our realtor, Donald McDougall. To God be the glory for these family moments!

Samgyetang and Jjajangmyeon from H-Kitchen

We had our new home blessed by Father Ignacy today. I asked my workplace for an extended lunch break so we could complete the blessing and enjoy a meal together. My parents and two sisters joined us for lunch at H-Mart in Downtown Vancouver.

10. Scorched Rice Ginseng Chicken Soup from H-Kitchen
Made with scorched rice, Ginseng, chicken, and jujube

For the first time, I ordered the Scorched Rice Ginseng Chicken Soup (Samgyetang). It arrived in a heavy stone bowl and was piping hot. The meal was comforting and felt like a loose congee with tender chicken. Choosing this nutritious soup over the salty Korean ramen was another attempt to make better health choices, especially with the earthy ginseng.

Noodle in Black Bean Sauce from H-Kitchen
Black bean sauce, pork, sweet onions & zucchini + roasted dumplings (3 pieces)

Hubby, meanwhile, ordered the Noodles in Black Bean Sauce (Jjajangmyeon), which is a popular dish we always see in Korean dramas. We both thought their version was a bit too sugary, which is saying a lot coming from a Filipino family that enjoys sweet spaghetti! Despite that, it was a lovely afternoon spent with family.

Seasonal Vegetables and Crispy Tofu from Peaceful Restaurant

We are moving the first batch of our things today with the help of my parents. In between picking up items from our current place and dropping them off at our new home, we grabbed a quick lunch at Peaceful Restaurant.

Seasonal Vegetables and Crispy Tofu from Peaceful Restaurant

In my attempt to stay mindful of my health goals, I ordered the silky tofu and vibrant stir-fried vegetables. However, I decided to pair them with their delicious and high-calorie Peaceful Fried Rice. 

Below is a list of everything we've tried from Peaceful so far:

Dim Sum 

• A01. Xiao Long Bao Steamed Buns
• A02. Steamed Soft Pork Buns
• A03. Pan-Fried Pork Buns
• A04. Peaceful Beef Rolls
• A06. Cumin Beef and Flatbread
• A12. Pan-Fried Chicken Dumplings
• A17. Deep Fry Sesame Ball

Soups

• C03. Minced Chickwn with Corn Soup

Seafood

• D03. Salted and Pepper Squid

Chicken

• E08. General Tso's Chicken

Beef

• G05. Beef and Broccoli

Vegetables

• H02. Seasonal Vegetables and Crispy Tofu

Sauce Noodles

• K02. Dan-Dan Noodles

Stir-Fried Noodles

• L01. Mu-Shu Stir-Fried Noodles
• L05. Shanghai Stir-Fried Noodles

Rice Dishes

• M01. Peaceful House Stir-Fried Rice
• M02. Yang-Zhou Stir-Fried Rice

Peaceful House Rice from Peaceful Restaurant
Stir-fried with diced pork, shrimp, vegetables, & cilantro

The rice was savory, smoky, and filled with crispy bits that made it impossible to resist. It was so satisfying and comforting that I ate every bite with absolutely no regrets. Sometimes, you just need that extra energy to get through a move!

Avocado Toast from Glory Juice

Happy Sunday! We woke up early today to ensure the cleaner could enter our new home and work her magic. Afterward, we headed over to the nearby Glory Juice for a healthy start to the day.

Breakfast at Glory Juice

I ordered the Avocado Toast on tangy sourdough bread, which I paired with Juice Number 17. Since I had been fasting, I was absolutely starved and could not wait to dig in. The creamy avocado was topped with crunchy seeds and fresh microgreens, making every bite feel nourishing. Hubby chose the Glory Granola Bowl, which were excellent too; they were warm, filling, and topped with banana.

Avocado Toast from Glory Juice

Glory Granola Bowl from Glory Juice

The morning staff member was the absolute friendliest and even gave us samples of their savory hummus spread and their rich nutty butter. I liked both, but that smooth hummus is definitely something I will choose next time I am back. It was the perfect, vibrant meal to kick off a busy day of homeownership!

Roast Beef Sandwich from Forecast Coffee Roasters

My husband had his Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Exemplification at Our Lady of Sorrows today. It was located in a different neighborhood, and while I am not entirely sure what all the formalities mean, I am always happy to be there to support him!

Roast Beef Sandwich from Forecast Coffee Roasters
Roast beef, arugula, Parmesan, garlic & horseradish aioli, lemon vinaigrette, and ciabatta

Afterward, I was quite hungry, so we ended up at Forecast Coffee Roasters. I ordered the Roast Beef Sandwich, and the garlic aioli was the bomb! It was truly amazing. The soft ciabatta bread was filled with fresh lettuce, tender beef, and sharp red onions. It was the perfect savory bridge to get me from lunch until dinner.

Bento Boxes from River Sushi

We spent our first full day (a total of 11 hours) at our new place. After Chad the handyman finished his work, we finally headed back home, but not before stopping to buy more supplies from Canadian Tire and Home Depot.

Sashimi Bento Box from River Sushi
2 piece salmon sashimi, 2 piece tuna sashimi, dynamite roll, tempura, salad, and miso soup

I was absolutely starving at this point, so we decided to stop by River Sushi for a quick dinner. We both ordered bento boxes, and they were quite good. My box featured fresh sashimi, crispy tempura, tender teriyaki chicken, and fluffy white rice. It was a filling and satisfying meal that hit the spot after such a long day.

Nagiri Bento Box from River Sushi
Dynamite roll, 3 piece nigiri (salmon, tuna, and ebi), tempura, salad, and miso soup

I am so glad we were able to check off another restaurant on our West Broadway checklist before we move!

Brekkie Sandwich from Aidan's Cafe

It is our first full day as homeowners, and our first order of business was having Chad the handyman fix several little maintenance things in our condo. The work took a bit longer than expected, so we ended up having a very late combined breakfast and lunch at 1:00 PM at Aidan’s. We always see this shop in a plaza along West Broadway, but since it is only open from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday to Friday, this was finally our first time visiting!

Brekkie Sandwich from Aidan's Cafe

I ordered the Brekkie Sandwich while hubby went for the Brekkie Bagel. I was so hungry that this felt like the best meal ever! My velvety egg was amazingly fluffy inside the crusty toasted sourdough, topped with creamy sliced avocado and peppery arugula. Yes, we are staying focused on the healthy choices here! Hubby’s sandwich featured the same soft egg and savory ham tucked inside a toasted everything bagel.

Brekkie Bagel from Aidan's Cafe

He also tried a tropical coconut banana latte. I did not try it myself, but he mentioned that he could definitely taste the rich coconut milk, even if the sweet banana flavor was a bit missing. 

Coconut Banana Latte from Aidan's Cafe

It was exactly the fuel we needed to get back to our new home!

Mixed Grill Feast at Mazahr Lebanese Kitchen

It is a big day! We finally got the keys to our first home. Yes, we are officially homeowners in Vancouver! I am feeling overwhelmed and extremely grateful to our Lord Jesus Christ for this blessing and to all the wonderful people who helped us along the way. To celebrate this momentous occasion, we finally had dinner at Mazahr Lebanese Kitchen. It is one of the closest restaurants to our current rental, yet we had not been there since they opened.

We ordered a lot to mark the occasion. We started with the drinks; I chose the floral hibiscus cinnamon, which is great for managing my blood pressure, while Hubby enjoyed the bold Lebanese coffee. 

Hibiscus Cinnamon from Mazahr Lebanese Kitchen

The first dish to arrive was the vibrant tabbouli salad, which was so refreshing. 

Tabbouli Salad from Mazahr Lebanese Kitchen 

Then came two cold mezzas: the smoky baba ghannouj and the zesty muhammara. I loved the crisp red peppers and the subtle sweetness from the tart pomegranate molasses. It was delicious and paired perfectly with the fluffy pita bread and golden fried potatoes. The eggplant was great too, offering a completely different flavor profile.

Baba Ghannouj from Mazahr Lebanese Kitchen
Char-grilled eggplants, diced green and red peppers, garlic, parsley, and pomegranate molasses
Muhammara from Mazahr Lebanese Kitchen
Fresh red peppers, walnuts, tahini, and pomegranate molasses

Then came the main event! We ordered the Mixed Grill Value Feast, which included all three charred meats: Shish Tawouk, Kafta, and Lahm Mishwi. The succulent chicken was far superior to the savory beef and tender lamb; it wasn't even close! 

Mixed Grill Value Feast from Mazahr Lebanese Kitchen
One order of each grilled mezza (lahm mishwi, kafta, and shish tawouk) served with fried potatoes and two choices of any cold mezza

To end this amazing meal, we ordered the Osmalieh, which was absolutely delicious. It was crunchy and not overly sugary, making it the perfect final bite. 

Osmalieh from Mazahr Lebanese Kitchen
Two layers of crispy kataifi pastry, a creah ashta filling, and a generous drizzle of orange blossom syrup

Osmalieh from Mazahr Lebanese Kitchen

This was the perfect meal for our celebration. To God be the glory!

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies from Tim Hortons

This is a standard oatmeal raisin cookie that hits the spot when you need a quick treat. If you are trying to lose weight, this cookie comes in at 290 calories. It is a smart way to satisfy a persistent sweet tooth without consuming an excessive amount of sugar, all while getting some beneficial fiber from the hearty oats.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies from Tim Hortons

The chewy texture and plump raisins make it a reliable snack. It is definitely good enough to be paired with a hot coffee for a balanced midday break.

Tacos and Churros from Tequila Cocina | Mexican Restaurant, Cantina & Brunch.

Happy Thursday! Like many others, my New Year's goal is to lose weight and manage my health more effectively. I decided to ask Gemini for help with my choices. For dinner tonight, I mentioned we were eating at Taco and asked for suggestions that would be heart-friendly, liver-friendly, and high in iron.

Tacos from Tequila Cocina | Mexican Restaurant, Cantina & Brunch.

The recommendation was to order the Carne Asada and Frijoles tacos. They were both so good! I was surprisingly impressed by the creamy mashed beans, and the tender top sirloin topped with sharp raw onions and fresh cilantro was truly top-notch. Hubby wanted the Al Pastor, which we also ordered. I checked if this was okay to try, and since I had only finished half of my lunch earlier, it fit into my plan. The marinated pork was good, though it wasn't quite at that authentic Mexico City level.

Frijoles Taco from Tequila Cocina
Mashed beans topped with feta cheese served on a 4" corn tortilla

Pastor Taco from Tequila Cocina
Marinated pork and pineapple. Topped with onion and cilantro served on a 4" corn tortilla

Carne Asada from Tequila Cocina | Mexican Restaurant, Cantina & Brunch.
Top sirloin. Topped with onion and cilantro.

The restaurant provides crunchy free chips and spicy salsa to start the meal. While the advice was to enjoy them in moderation, I honestly ate a bit too many because I have zero control when chips are right in front of me!

First bowl of chips and salsa from Tequila Cocina | Mexican Restaurant, Cantina & Brunch. 

Jamaica from Tequila Cocina | Mexican Restaurant, Cantina & Brunch.

To end the night, we shared warm churros with cold ice cream. The suggestion was to take just a small bite and brush off the sweet sugar. Instead, I enjoyed two of the mini churros dipped in silky caramel and rich leches sauce, though I did manage to resist the ice cream entirely! 

Churros with Ice Cream from Tequila Cocina | Mexican Restaurant, Cantina & Brunch.

Churros with Ice Cream from Tequila Cocina | Mexican Restaurant, Cantina & Brunch.

Churros dipped in caramel from Tequila Cocina | Mexican Restaurant, Cantina & Brunch.

Churros from Tequila Cocina | Mexican Restaurant, Cantina & Brunch.

We walked home feeling satisfied, especially knowing I made an informed decision about my order.

Rigatoni Arrabbiata with Meatballs from Casereccio Foods

Happy Thursday! It was our first team lunch for 2026, and we decided on Italian cuisine. We ordered from Casereccio Foods. Last night, I actually started asking Gemini to help me eat more healthily based on my specific health conditions, and it suggested I order the Rigatoni Arrabbiata with Meatballs as a satisfying but balanced option.

Rigatoni and Meatballs on Arrabiata from Casereccio Foods
5-hour slow cooked tomatoes with dried chilies, garlic, parsley, and parmigiana  

The ridged rigatoni was perfectly al dente, and I made a conscious effort to eat it all very slowly. The fiery Arrabbiata sauce was made with spicy chili flakes and tangy tomatoes, which paired so well with the savory meatballs. Taking my time to enjoy each bite really made a difference in how I felt after the meal.

Below is a running list of the pasta dishes I’ve tried from Casereccio so far:

• Rigatoni Arrabbiata with Meatballs
• Spaghetti Pesto Verde