Currently viewing the category: "Inspired"
Seedy Magnolias

Seedy Magnolias

On April 11, 2012 By

Subtle flirtations of spring fleeting;
Magnolias budded and bloomed.
Matured through the darkness of only a few nights;
Their petals shed upon an earth, anxious for heat.

 

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Dinner epiphanies — Empowering relationships

On February 5, 2012 By

While I’ve explored and eaten my way through my past five years in China, I’ve developed more than my palate. Tonight at The Bookworm, as I sat over a plate of ribs and a couple glasses of wine, I chanced upon a realization worth sharing. My journey these past few years has [...]

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Shanti Christensen, Beijing Blue Skies

Beijing Blues of a different beat

On February 1, 2012 By

Great start of the day…

Crisp blue Beijing day, a dash of catharsis, a mixup over a Misto, a trip to Sanyuanli market, Miles Davis blaring through the house, sun pouring through the windows, tidying up the workbench for some cooking in solitude… smiling in anticipation [...]

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Chismis Fried Chicken with Flavorful Filipina

On January 25, 2012 By

Beijing, China — I hadn’t seen my friend Cristina in a while. 2011 was a magically prolific one for her as she zipped about Asia, touching down in Beijing for 24 hours at a time. Somehow, Cristina found time during her jetset lifestyle to start her beautiful food blog FlavorfulFilipina. Even while [...]

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Shanti at Maison Boulud eating steamed ostrich egg topped with caviar

I am not a foodie

On January 10, 2012 By

I just read this article and had to reflect: Is “Foodie” a Put-Down?

 I love food. I may be coerced into trying some challenging bites while keeping an open mind and what I find delicious may be repulsive to most. I’d like to think I have a natural relationship with food in [...]

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My mom (Maribel) with grandfather (Willam Farr Christensen) and grandmother (Florence Christensen)

Grandma, goodbye

On December 30, 2011 By

Today, my grandmother, my last grandparent, passed away.

I have my gratitude and memories to carry with me. As I spend time with family, the more I covet the stories told and wish to know the stories no one remembers. While we step forward into our next days… into 2012… let’s think about the stories [...]

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Ominous shot of North Korean snake liquor

On December 19, 2011 By

Beijing, China — I just posted a blog about Lapsang Souchong and mandarin peel infused Laphroaig scotch whisky entwined with memories each element brings to mind. While beautiful little things inspired my day and danced like sugar plums in my head, news [...]

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Lapsang Souchong / Mandarin peel infused Laphroaig

Lapsang Souchong tea, mandarin peel infused Laphroaig

On December 19, 2011 By

A sip of this infusion might inspire nostalgia. It depends on how far you’ll let your senses reach.

Are you partial to stories that unearth emotions from a ‘simpler time’? Do you weep over a minor key or measure of notes? Have there been passages from books that arrest you with appreciation, [...]

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Five Spice Duck Breast

Culinary creation channels the chef in Cristina

On November 20, 2011 By

Shenzhen, Guandong — It has been awhile since I have contributed to the world of ShowShanti. Work has consumed me in 2011 so I have had to put aside my hobbies such as my creative outlet — guest blogging. Despite the work load I found the time to write from my current location in Shenzhen.  I [...]

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Cup almost empty, ideas brimming full

On November 14, 2011 By

The start of another day in Beijing, a cold day with winter approaching. I’ve been asked recently to whip up my recipe for a simple soup with a few ingredients: pork rib, daikon (white radish), and ginger. I’ve been noticing the popularity of the post written a while back for Continue Reading →

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Bursting Pomelo

On October 27, 2011 By

It’s officially autumn, but here in Beijing the nights have been falling to 0°C — it’s freezing already. Change of climate means pack on the Vitamin C. I bought a beautiful pomelo to do just that. In Chinese, the fruit is known as yòuzi (柚子) which is synonymous to the word ‘blessing’ thus used [...]

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Serving up sand ginger chicken

Sky Light Popup Café at Beijing Design Week; tacos, sand ginger chicken, & more

On October 6, 2011 By

Beijing, China — After catching glimpses of popup cafes in California and New York via Twitter or blogs, I felt inspired to participate in one, but wondered how. Beijing Design Week offered that opportunity. Kupa Studio’s Raina Ho and Wang Wei set up Sky Light [...]

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