When Chris and I moved from the city to the suburbs, people asked what I would miss most. My answer was always the same: the food. The city had spoiled me with instant access to endless flavors and cuisines. In the suburbs, I wondered if I would lose that spark—the thrill of tasting something new, something comforting, something that felt like a piece of home.
The first few months were spent unpacking, surrounded by towers of boxes and the endless list of things still undone. But at some point I realized: home isn’t about everything being perfectly in place. Home is about people. So I invited my girlfriends over.
Julie came to help—because she knows me better than anyone and knows I’ve been biting off more than I can chew since I was a kid and she had to help me with my science project poster. Together we filled the table with Korean beef and chicken, japchae, fried rice, a rainbow of sauces and side dishes, and the kale salad everyone ended up asking for the recipe for. One of my friends showed up with decadent flourless brownies, and suddenly my new home smelled like comfort, laughter, and togetherness.
What struck me most wasn’t the food itself, but the care behind it. Half of us are gluten-free, so everything was prepared that way without hesitation. No one had to ask. No one had to feel left out. That simple thoughtfulness reminded me that even with food sensitivities or severe allergies, it’s possible to create a worry-free gathering where everyone feels included.
As we sat together—eating, laughing, sharing stories—I felt the weight of gratitude. Gratitude for friends who carved time out of their busy lives to make me feel welcomed. Gratitude for my sister, who knew I would need her help before I even asked. Gratitude for this new chapter, where I might miss the city’s restaurants, but I don’t miss what matters most: connection.
Food has always been one of the ways I feel most connected to others. And that night, in my half-unpacked home, I was reminded that abundance isn’t about what’s in the pantry. It’s about who’s around your table.
Because food isn’t just about what’s on the table. It’s about who’s around it. That’s what I’ll always come back to—for the love of food.
Do you have a food story or recipe that connects to a special memory? We’d love to hear it. Send yours to info@tinylotustea.com and you might see it featured in a future post.
Of all the dishes on the table that night, it was the kale salad that stole the show. Everyone wanted the recipe—so here it is, straight from Julie’s kitchen to yours.
Julie’s Kale Salad 🥗
Dressing:
- 1/4 cup good quality olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2–3 cloves finely grated garlic
- 1 Tbsp honey
- 2 Tbsp nutritional yeast
- Splash of red wine vinegar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Salad:
- 1 bunch kale, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup cooked quinoa
- 1/2 cucumber, diced
- 2 small tomatoes, diced
- Pumpkin seeds, toasted pine nuts, yellow raisins (as much as you like)
Toss everything together, let the flavors mingle for a few minutes, and enjoy!
