What I Eat In A Week: Prepping for My Girls Trip
Here’s what I eat in a week as I’m getting ready for a weekend Girls Trip to Las Vegas, USA! Lately, I’ve been focusing on living in the moment—smiling more, savoring delicious food, and cherishing time with loved ones. This week, I’m spending some quality time with my girlfriends, and reminding myself that it’s okay to smile and have fun even if you’re grieving or having a tough time. To get ready for my trip, I’m cleaning out my fridge, packing, and getting myself a haircut and some pho. Here’s a peek into a week of healing, learning, and simply living.
Beef Udon Noodle Soup
I started my week off feeling a little bit under the weather but it was the perfect opportunity for this hearty, warming Beef Udon Noodle Soup. Around this time, it gets chilly here in Vancouver. Let’s be real, hot noodle soup makes everything better. This Beef Udon is so flavorful and rich, and helps you feel instantly better, while taking less than 20 minutes to whip up. It’s an easy freezer meal! On a cold, winter day nothing beats a nice, warm bowl of soup. With a girl’s trip to Vegas ahead of me, I had to stay healthy and warm.
Honey Garlic Chicken
I recently had an epiphany: my ultimate comfort food is, without question, chicken and rice. There are just so many options: Hainanese chicken and rice, Taiwanese Shredded Chicken Rice, Soy Glazed Chicken Rice Bowl, and more. Honestly, name a better duo.
Tonight, I made this super simple honey garlic chicken and rice for dinner using kai dong sauces. The best part? It comes together in just 20 minutes! This crispy chicken paired with a rich, fragrant sauce over soft white rice was so comforting and satisfying. It was such a filling, flavorful dinner for my solo evening watching Gilmore Girls while Dom went out with friends. It’s dishes like these that remind me why simple food is often the most enjoyable.
- 4 pieces chicken thigh, boneless skin-on
- Salt and pepper
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1 tbsp Every Day Garlic Oil
- 2.5 tbsp Four Season Scallion Sauce
- 2.5 tbsp of Honey
- 1 tbsp of Soy Sauce
For the sauce, I combined soy sauce, honey, everyday garlic oil, and a splash of scallion oil for an aromatic twist.
I’ve got a new addition to my kitchen and I love it so far! This Flip It Cap helps me empty out the last bits of honey without squeezing hard at all. It’s a small cap, but it’s saving me so much more effort than i realized.
Spam and Kimchi Fried Rice
There’s something magical about fried rice – it really is the ultimate solution to turn leftovers into something so delicious. Back in college, when groceries were low, fried rice was my go-to meal. It always hit the spot and it’s so satisfying to turn random ingredients into something so satisfying. It’s quick, flavorful, and incredibly versatile. Today, I’m sharing one of my all-time favorites: Kimchi Fried Rice.
The secret to amazing kimchi fried rice lies in the kimchi itself. Did you know that the fermented cabbage actually improves with age? As it ferments, its flavor deepens, becoming tangier and more robust, making it a perfect base for this dish.
- 3 cups of cold, day-old rice
- 1.5 cups of chopped Kimchi
- 2 Green onion, chopped
- 1.5 tablespoon Korean Red Chili Paste
- 2 tsp of Korean Chilli Flakes (Optional)
- 1 tbsp of Soy Sauce
- 1 tbsp of Sesame Oil
- 1 Large Egg (Optional)
My Prep Day For Vegas
One of my lovely friends gifted Dom and I concert tickets for tonight, so I spent my day packing for Vegas while getting ready. I’m so so excited for this weekend with my girlfriends, it’s going to be so much fun!
Before we left for the concert, we stopped at my mom’s house to drop our two fur babies off with Grandma. It’s a vacation for them too after all. I wanted to have one last dinner with my mom before I left for Vegas so we ordered our go-to, sushi. We debated going out for dinner, but nothing beats staying comfy at home.
Usher Concert
After dinner, we went to see USHER at Rogers Arena! It was so much fun dancing and singing to all the throwback songs. Honestly, he put on such a great show, it was one of the best concerts I’ve been to in a long time. Thank you so much Jerry! It was definitely a night to remember. We even had a run in with our neighborhood cat, Ramone. Thankfully my cats weren’t home or else they would have been so mad!
Vegas Travel Day
Matchstick Yaletown Coffee Break
Before my hair appointment, I grabbed a matcha from Matchstick Yaletown, a cute coffee shop near my salon. They carry a range of local vegan toasts and pastries that are not only delicious – they’re also beautifully decorated. Today, I got one of the Earl Grey Donuts, decorated with crushed rose petals. Their bright packaging is fun and lighthearted, but the cafe itself is relaxing and open. It’s a great spot to drop by for a quick coffee, tea, or matcha!
Haircut at Beau Salon
I decided to sneak in a haircut before my flight – my first one in about 6 months or so! But, sometimes you just need a bit of a change. Does anyone else feel like they need a haircut when they’re feeling overwhelmed? Sometimes such a small change can make you feel lighter and refreshed and make a big difference with lifting your mood. This one certainly did since it might be my favorite haircut ever!
Pho Lunch at Lin Café
Before every trip, I have a tradition—a bowl of warm, comforting Asian noodle soup. My friends and I joke that it’s a sign of getting older because nothing hits quite like a steaming bowl of broth before embarking on an adventure. Today, I visited Lin Café, a charming spot I hadn’t been to in years, yet it felt just as welcoming as ever. Lin Café combines traditional Vietnamese flavors with a French-inspired twist, creating dishes that are both familiar and elevated.
My personal favorite? Their pho, with a broth that has been simmering for hours. It’s rich, savory, and somehow still light and refreshing. Every spoonful feels like a warm hug, and honestly, it’s a culinary experience I would call unPHOgettable. As I sat there, savoring the perfect blend of flavors, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of calm—a brief moment of pause before the chaos of travel. It’s funny how food can do that—nourish not just your body but also your soul.
Our Weekend Vegas Girls Trip
Finally, I’m ready for my Weekend Las Vegas Girls Trip that finally made it out of the group chat! My girlfriends and I united at the airport, excited for the weekend to come. We booked this girls’ trip months ago, and it finally happened! This Vegas trip was my first trip away from my family and Dom and honestly, I was a little bit nervous. I can’t believe I almost cancelled the trip the night before, it ended up being one of my most cherished core memories to date.
From trying caviar for the first time and ordering room service congee at Resort World Las Vegas with your closest girl friends after clubbing, girls trips in your 30’s feels extra special. Between the incredible restaurants, caviar, handcrafted drinks, and the lively atmosphere – we had the best time. Now, don’t get me wrong, there were plenty of tears on the trip, but I also laughed so hard my stomach hurt. That’s the thing – joy and sadness aren’t enemies, they can coexist.
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