Sometimes, the best thing you can do for your creativity (and your sanity) is to step away.
I recently took a little mini vacation — nothing extravagant, just a few days to unplug, breathe, and truly disconnect. How often do you take time off but never really disconnect? A quick glance at Teams, Slack, or email can instantly pull you back in.
Lately, I’ve been making a conscious effort to be more present with friends, family, and myself, and to spend real time offline. As I begin focusing on my next steps and shaping my own plan, I find it exciting… maybe even a little all-consuming (in the best way). But even when you’re deeply inspired, slowing down creates space for new ideas to surface.
That quiet time gave me room to reflect on how I want to bring more intention and joy into my everyday routines, especially when it comes to food.
Cooking has always been one of my favorite ways to reset. It’s creative, grounding, and somehow calming — the smells, the colors, the rhythm of it all. And the best part? You get to enjoy what you’ve made.
Over the past six months, I’ve also found joy (and significant savings) in shopping at Aldi. If you haven’t ventured into one yet, I highly recommend giving it a few tries. While you won’t find every name brand, their store brands are surprisingly comparable — and in some cases, even better. I used to shop primarily at Meijer, but now I save about 20–30% on average. The simplicity, the smaller footprint, and the quality have made it my go-to. So grab your reusable bags and a quarter for the cart — you might be surprised at what you discover!
Starting this month, I’m launching Food Theme Weeks — little culinary adventures that bring global flavors, creativity, and mindfulness to your kitchen.
Each week, I’ll explore a new theme — like Thai Week, Mediterranean Week, Comfort Classics, or Quick & Easy. You’ll see how I reuse ingredients across multiple meals, minimize waste, and make each dish feel like a getaway on a plate.
And because many of us are looking for ways to stretch our budgets (especially around the holidays), I’ll also share how to keep things budget-friendly. Most of my ingredients come from Aldi, and I’ll include cost breakdowns, substitutions, and smart shopping tips so you can enjoy big flavor without a big spend.
Think of it as a mini vacation — for your taste buds and your wallet.
Cooking has always been my way to reset — a simple ritual that reconnects me to creativity, presence, and nourishment.
I want these theme weeks to inspire your version of a reset, too — whether that’s trying a new recipe, taking a walk, or creating a small at-home retreat.
Mindful living doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. With a bit of planning and smart shopping, intentional eating can be both affordable and joyful.
Our first theme week is Thai Week!
I’ll be sharing:
Follow along here or on Instagram @jade_and_oak for daily updates, behind-the-scenes prep, and a little inspiration for staying grounded through food.
If you’ve been craving a little reset of your own — join me.
Subscribe to The 3 R’s: Rest, Relax, Refuel to get each week’s theme, grocery list, cost-saving tips, and recipes delivered straight to your inbox.