Today feels extra special, friends. I get to introduce you all to a bona fide Nova Scotian! Please help me warmly welcome Kelly Neil!
Kelly is a talented food stylist, photographer, and columnist (she spent years as a restaurant reviewer for the main Nova Scotian newspaper) who specializes in creating authentic Maritime cuisine. Think: molasses baked beans, hodge podge (pictured top left), blueberry grunt, seafood chowder, strawberry shortcake (middle), beef stew, and lobster rolls (right), among many other delicious things.
Confession: I am adding these recipe links and photos while hungry and it’s starting to feel like self-torture. I hope you all recognize the level of sacrifice on my end.
While Kelly is currently taking a break from social media, she circulates a weekly newsletter packed with thoughtful reflections and three local recipes. (You can sign up here).
She lives in Dartmouth with her partner, Chris, daughter, Elodie, and dog Skipper — which sounds like the perfect name for a pup that lives by the sea.
I invited Kelly to stop by for a virtual interview to chat about gratitude, food, and life in Nova Scotia…which happen to be three of my favourite topics.
Without further ado, welcome Kelly!
Q. Would you consider yourself an optimist, a pessimist, or a realist?
I’m pretty sure I was born an optimist, and underneath, I still am, however, I have a fabricated sense of pessimism due to difficult life experiences. I often don’t have a lot of faith in humanity, but I always have faith in beauty and goodness, so I strive to look for it in my daily life.
Q. What’s something you’re trying to be more grateful for, even if it doesn’t come naturally?
I would say life in general. Just noticing the fortunes I have around me. And I’m not talking about money. The company of my daughter, a snuggle with my dog, the luxury of staying home to create pretty pictures and eat delicious food I’ve created. I think that when you repeatedly experience hard things throughout your life, it can be easy to take the stance of “woe is me”. And I do sometimes take that stance. But I’m working on it.
Q. If gratitude were a flavour, what flavour would it be?
Vanilla with flecks of clementine zest. [This answer is so wonderfully specific and it sounds utterly DIVINE!]
Q. What’s the most oddly specific thing you’re grateful for at this exact moment?
My daughter is 9, and this past weekend she had her first sleepover. It was her friend’s first sleepover, too, and it was extremely chaotic! Plus, my partner Chris was off for the weekend, so it was just busy and loud for two days. I’m sitting here right now on Monday morning, and it’s so quiet and calm and peaceful. I am constantly searching for peace. [It sounds both fun and exhausting. I’m always extra thankful for moments of calm after a busy weekend.]
Q. How do you think living in Nova Scotia might impact your approach to gratitude?
I honestly didn’t think much about gratitude when I was younger, beyond our Thanksgiving family ritual of going around the table. It’s only in the last year or so that I’ve come to see it as something deeper and even essential to my well-being.
About 10 years ago, I was in a situation where I feared for both my physical and mental safety. I thought that once the immediate danger passed, I would feel secure again, but instead, I was left carrying immense fear inside. It silenced the part of me that always looked for the bright side, and it has taken me nearly a decade to slowly claw my way out and rebuild trust in myself and in the world around me. Practicing meditation and gratitude together has helped me recover a sense of safety, but at the same time, my concept of what it means to feel safe has been completely reshaped. Meditation has taught me to breathe and to be present. It has shown me that I don’t have to rely on external resources to feel safe. Gratitude reminds me that even in difficult times, I still have so many reasons to find the light and stay hopeful. [I relate to this so deeply — the way trauma reshapes your sense of safety. I’d love to talk more about this offline someday.]
Living in Nova Scotia strengthens these practices every day. I’d even say living here is crucial to my mental health. I can be at the ocean in less than twenty minutes, breathing in the salt air while my dog Skipper runs free along the sand. For me, the smell of salt, seaweed, and fog is the smell of home, peace, and safety. And within a few hours, I can be on Cape Breton Island, surrounded by family and some of the most breathtaking landscapes I’ve ever seen. The closeness of these places makes gratitude less of an abstract concept and more of a lived, daily experience for me.
Q. Do you tend to express gratitude through words, actions, or quiet reflection?
I am an introvert who is extremely skilled at seeming like an extrovert. I prefer quiet reflection, and I generally practice that through meditation. [Can you spot me all the way from Dartmouth, jumping out of my seat and wildly waving my hand? This is me, too!! People often think I’m an extrovert but I AM NOT. It’s exhausting!]
Q. How does cooking or baking help you slow down and feel more grateful in your day-to-day life?
This probably isn’t the answer you’re looking for, but cooking and baking don’t really help me slow down at all. I think, because it’s my job, I’m always putting pressure on myself to make everything perfect (I’m working on unlearning perfectionism). But that being said, I do feel extremely grateful that I have a job that focuses on bringing nourishment, comfort, and connection to my family and beyond. [There are no wrong answers — this makes total sense! I’m sure other readers will relate to that balance between creativity and pressure.]
Q. Is there a specific recipe that makes you happy every time you prepare it?
I don’t know if I do because if it tastes good, I’m happy! But I guess if I had to choose one, I would say my mum’s beef stew. She passed away suddenly in the fall of 2019. When she was still alive, I asked her permission to publish it on my website, and she said yes. It’s one of my most popular recipes to this day.
Q. When you’re feeling uninspired in the kitchen, what helps you reconnect with a sense of joy or creativity?
Take out! [This is seriously the best answer you could have given and makes you instantly relatable. Often the best form of inspiration is a break.]
Q. Best meal you’ve ever eaten! Tell us all about it!
I can really swing both ways with this question because, as much as I love fine dining and high-end, exquisite surroundings, I also love old-school blue-collar taverns and bars. I reviewed restaurants for The Chronicle Herald for three years, and I’ve also travelled a bit, so I’ve eaten many terrific meals.
One of my favourite dishes in Halifax was the foie gras at the former da Maurizio. They used to change out the sauces here and there based on the season, but it didn’t matter what the sauce was because the golden pan-fried sear that they would get on that foie gras? And the creamy, meaty, savory deliciousness of the liver itself? Absolute perfection.
On the other hand, there used to be a restaurant in Inverness, Cape Breton, where my partner Chris is from, called The Village Grill. They used to do a whistle dog (that’s a hot dog wrapped in bacon on a toasted bun with a cheese slice). I would get that with a side poutine with extra gravy, and it was bliss. So it can really be a toss-up for me. [I’m pretty sure this would immediately become my daughter’s favourite meal. She loooooves poutine.]
Q. How do you find gratitude in the less-glamorous parts of food blogging — like a messy kitchen or the behind-the-scenes tech side?
I just anchor myself with the thought of how many people would love to be in my shoes.
Q. What’s your biggest obstacle when it comes to feeling (and/or expressing) gratitude?
Myself. [Ditto for me.]
Q. When you’re overwhelmed, what’s your most reliable reset?
Being quiet and alone. [Yup. I’ve identified five things that “give me oxygen” and solitude is out in the lead by a mile as my #1 source.]
Last year, I created a peace corner in my home. I have artwork on the walls that I love, a stuffed white recliner, an electric blanket, and a small table filled with treasures like seaglass I found on the beach in Inverness, a couple of pieces of my mum’s jewellery, and a picture of my daughter. [A peace corner! I’d love to see photos of this cozy space.]
When I’m overwhelmed, I will sit there, put on my noise-cancelling headphones, light a candle, and read, listen to music, or watch a film. If I don’t have the option to take the time to sit there, I find even just putting on the noise-cancelling headphones extremely helpful. I always have my AirPods in my purse when I go out, and I also carry Loop earplugs with me everywhere I go.
Q. How do you balance being grateful for the present while still striving toward future goals?
My mum struggled with depression and anxiety, and I’ve also been diagnosed with generalized anxiety and am medicated for it. My mum had a real tendency to ruminate on the future from a place of fear, and I watched it destroy her. I’ve since promised myself I won’t let that happen to me. So, I definitely have goals for the future, but I don’t let them consume me. For the last year, I’ve been working really hard to focus on being present. As I mentioned, I started meditating about a year ago, and deep breathing has been one of the best ways to bring myself back to what I’m doing now instead of worrying about what’s going to happen next week, next month, or next year.
Q. If you could send a thank-you note to someone from your past — a mentor, friend, or family member — who would it be, and what would you thank them for?
I think the biggest thank you would be to my former employer, Stephanie Bertossi. She and her husband, Maurizio, are the original owners of the Bertossi Group of restaurants in Halifax. I worked for them for about 10 years, and Stephanie was such a *****, but damn, she got **** done. I often think of my time with her, not as an employee, but more as a student. I don’t even know if I could communicate how much I learned from that woman. How to run a business, customer service, navigating relationships, and not all from a positive perspective. I saw a lot of **** go down that would probably shock a lot of the general public. But in many ways, I think I still use her as a measuring stick of what to do and what not to do in certain situations.
Q. If you could plan a day based entirely on things you’re grateful for, what would that day look like from start to finish?
This is a bit hard for me because it’s another answer that I can split completely down the middle.
On the one hand, my day would look like hanging out with Chris, our daughter Elodie, and our little dog Skipper, just being together, maybe going for a walk on the beach, cooking a nice meal, then snuggling on the couch watching Harry Potter.
On the other hand, my day would look like complete silence, no one around, a hot cup of coffee and a meditation in my recliner in my peace corner. After that, a hot shower, and take the ferry to the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia in Halifax. Maybe pop into a cafe, have a cappuccino, and read whatever book I have on the go. Walk around the city with my camera, shooting whatever I want for fun. Then home for sushi and a movie. I still have a hard time accepting that showing love and care to myself is something I can be grateful for.
[Both days sound wonderful and, if you’re anything like me, in a perfect world you’d have a mix of both! Days with adventure and time exploring, and days spent in solitude, setting my own pace and not having to worry about anyone or anything else.]
Q. What’s the best item (under $50) you’ve purchased in the last 6 months?
My Musicozy headband. It’s a soft fabric Bluetooth headband with a small flat foam headphone on each side for each ear. After we turn out the lights, I listen to music, podcasts, or anything else I want while I’m in bed, and if I fall asleep, the flat padded headphones don’t hurt my ears.
Q. What’s a controversial but inconsequential opinion (e.g. pumpkin spice is overrated)?
MSG is amazing, and everyone should use it in their cooking. [I swear it gives me headaches. Is that all in my head?]
Q. Are there any foods you hated as a kid but love now?
Fish and seafood. I didn’t eat haddock or salmon until I was 28.
Q. What three items would you bring to a desert island?
A tent, a soft pillow, and a weighted blanket. [How delightfully cozy! And just think of the solitude!]
Q. If you could instantly master any skill (no practice required), what would you pick?
Piano. [One of my biggest regrets in life is complaining about — and subsequently being allowed to drop — piano lessons.]
Q. What’s your most-used kitchen gadget?
Tongs. [In our family, it’s spatulas. I think we have 6 or 7 of different shapes and sizes and they are usually ALL dirty every single dishwasher cycle.]
Q. What’s your go-to meal when you want to impress guests — but secretly know it’s easy?
Risotto. [I think my seafood risotto is my daughter’s current favourite meal. The whole house smells amazing and it looks like it must be complicated. But it’s not and it’s such a peaceful, meditative process with all the stirring and bubbling.]
Q. What’s the most useless piece of trivia you’re secretly proud to know?
As long as it’s tightly sealed, honey never expires. [I know I’ve seen in one of your recipes that your favourite honey is Cosman and Whidden which is from “my neck of the woods.” Fun fact: I studied honeybees in my graduate degree and spent many, many hours collecting honeybees from hives in of Nova Scotia.]
Q. If you had to choose a new name for yourself, what name would you pick (and why!)?
Years ago, I would have said Jane, which is my middle name. I always felt like it suited me more than Kelly, and I even asked my mum a few times if I could change it legally, but I’ve grown to love my name, and I don’t feel that way any more.
Q. If you could teleport anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?
Florence, Italy. [The best meal of my life was in Florence — duck confit penne. Out. of. this. world.. I couldn’t decide what to have and I was debating between two dishes on the menu. I picked one, and the waiter immediately said: No! You should have this one instead and he jabbed his finger at the duck confit and said I had to order that. I was flustered, said Yes, and it was AMAZING.]
Q. What are two things you are objectively terrible at doing — one you wish you were good at, and another you don’t care about?
I wish I were better at keeping up with clutter, but I also kind of don’t care about it. LOL
Q. If your life had a soundtrack, what song would fit your current stage?
I became a Taylor Swift fan after she released The Tortured Poets Department. It seemed like so many of the dark, heavy songs on that album were written for the me of my past, and I related to so many of her sentiments. She just released The Life of a Showgirl album, and I feel like the current me can now relate more to the energetic bops she showcases there. [Showgirl has so many catchy earworms!!]
Q. What’s one compliment someone has given you that you’ve never forgotten?
Someone once said, “Your hair is the colour of the sand, and your eyes are the colour of the ocean”, to me as we were sitting on Queensland Beach on a cloudy autumn day. [Aww. I can see why you’ve never forgotten that compliment!]
Q. Quickfire round:
- Introvert or extrovert? Introvert
- Morning lark or night owl? Morning lark
- Toilet paper: over or under? OVER [Thank goodness!]
- Savoury or sweet? Savoury
- Lobster roll or donair? Donair [That would be my pick, too!]
- Coffee or tea? Coffee
- Bake in silence or with music? Silence
- Breakfast for dinner — yes or no? HECK YES [Who doesn’t like breakfast for dinner, right???!!!]
Kelly, thank you so much for joining me here today. It’s such a treat to share this space with a fellow Nova Scotian!
I loved hearing about how gratitude, food, and creativity intertwine in your life, and I really appreciate your honesty about perfectionism and finding peace after traumatic life experiences.
Your turn.
- Any questions for Kelly?
- What’s your ultimate comfort meal?
- If gratitude were a flavour, what flavour would it be?
- Are there any foods you hated as a kid but love now?
Discover more from The Optimistic Musings of a Pessimist
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Hi Kelly! Your pictures are beautiful. I love that your happy meal is your mom’s stew ( which looks amazing and perfect for a cool autumn day).
I hated broccoli as a kid but like it now ( esp in a bowl of ramen).
Can gratitude be a chocolate chip cookie flavor? No, too sweet. Something a little warm and soothing- ginger? Molasses cookie? Maybe semi-sweet chocolate. I think gratitude color was easier to answer!
Ginger cookies are my favourite and I do think the rich spices, the sweet tang of molasses, and the soft chewiness are sheer perfection. That would be a front-runner for me flavourwise. Though my favourite dessert is unbaked cherry cheesecake and that feels like gratitude to me, too.
A firm base, soft fluffy interior or cream and cream cheese (and sugar, of course), topped with tart, brilliant-red cherries. YES PLEASE!
Hi mbmom11, I love your comment! If you enjoy ginger cookies, I just shared a pretty classic Nova Scotia recipe for ginger sparklers. I thought they might be a little too spicy, but my dad loved them and so did I, so I left them alone. A few days ago, I was actually sitting in my kitchen watching Andrew Scott’s stage performance of Hamlet while the ginger sparklers were in the oven. I had a single candle flickering on my kitchen table and the only other light was the oven light. The darkness of the story and the warm glow of my kitchen combined with the rich, spicy scent of the cookies was visceral. When moments like that happen, I try to pay close attention so I can revisit them later when I need calm.
And YES, unbaked cherry cheesecake is MY CHILDHOOD. The best!!! Thank you for reading. It means so much.
Kelly. ⚓️
I agree, Vanilla with clementine zest sounds perfect for gratitude!
Kelly comes across as a very grounded and thoughtful person, and her comments about trauma, safety, and rebuilding optimism are really interesting.
My ultimate comfort meal right now would be something very simple, like baguette, cheese, and wine – pure, uncomplicated joy.
And yes, now we all need to see Kelly’s “peace corner”!
Hi Catrina, and thank you! Vanilla and clementine zest was the first thing that popped into my head. 💁♀️ I think vanilla is often considered a “boring” flavour, but to me, it’s so warm and soft and gentle. And clementines used to only be available at Christmastime when I was growing up. I can still see my teenage self peeling multiple tiny oranges, releasing their oils into the air as I lay on the couch, reading whatever new book I had gotten, in the living room with the Christmas tree lights on. They always seemed like such a bright little sparkle over the holidays.
I just turned 50 in September, and I think I’ve always been a thoughtful person, but I have never felt truly grounded (and some days, I still don’t). I actually lost my cool with my daughter this morning (I think because she’s just like me?!) and had to leave the room. But now I know it’s okay to walk away, regroup, plus I’m never afraid to apologize and own my mistakes.
Your comfort meal reminds me of when I visited Paris. I was tired and hungry, so I stopped into a supermarket and bought a fresh baguette and a stick of salty French butter to eat on the train. To this day, it’s one of the best “meals” I’ve ever had.
I’ll send Elisabeth a pic of my peace corner!!
Thank you again so much,
Kelly ⚓️
Nom! It’s nice to meet you, Kelly!
Reading this post just makes me want to get on a plane and go back to NS for a very long time. It is such a special place.
I know a house that will be available for a while, Birchie, if you’re keen to visit Nova Scotia in the spring 😉
Hi Birchwood Pie, it’s so nice to meet you too! Nova Scotia owns my heart, and I always love hearing when people have visited and feel that same pull to return. It’s why I don’t think I could ever leave.
Thank you for stopping by,
Kelly. ⚓️
Elisabeth talks about Nova Scotia so frequently, Kelly. I’m curious what your favourite places are to visit in the province?
Hi Stacy! That’s such an interesting question for me because I have to say ALL places. The regions of Nova Scotia are incredibly diverse, both geographically and culturally. Visiting the Annapolis Valley in peak growing or harvest season has a completely different vibe from the low, brushy ocean scapes of the Yarmouth region. And the German influences around the Lunenburg area are noticeably different from the vibrant Scottish heritage of Cape Breton Island. I think our province is a true example of “beauty all around you.”
If I had to pick a top three to start with though:
1. Cape Breton Island, especially in autumn. I’m partial to the western side because that’s where my partner Chris is from, but honestly, it’s ALL good.
2. The Eastern Shore, from Musquodoboit along the coast to Guysborough. It’s rugged and a bit wild, with some of our best beaches (Taylor Head Provincial Park is STUNNING).
3. The Annapolis Valley, taking the Wolfville exit (I think it’s Exit 10). I like to stop at The Tangled Garden because it’s just so pretty, and then wander the back roads with my camera. The landscapes are gorgeous, and because you’re in a literal valley, it’s impossible to get lost.
Thanks so much for your question,
Kelly. ⚓️
Oh, this was lovely! Hi Kelly! I also practice gratitude and meditation together, and they have changed my life. Trauma does stay with us, but being in the moment and not ruminating can be very healing. I loved this: “I would say life in general. Just noticing the fortunes I have around me. ” – that resonates very much!
Vanilla with flecks of clementine – that sounds delicious. I love fruit flavours paired with sweets, but I have never thought of that particular combination.
Hi Nicole, and thank you for the note! Meditation does not come naturally to me, but I guess that’s why it’s called practice. My brain is always so busy with thoughts, usually a mix of existential ones like “What does it really mean to own your truth?” and mundane ones like “What do I need at the grocery store?” 😅 but now that I’ve been practicing almost daily for a year, I’m much better at accessing the calm and stillness inside me.
I’ve always been a “stop and smell the roses” person in the most literal sense. I love the scent of wild roses and they grow everywhere here. I stop to smell them daily on my dog walks and I think being in nature really helps me in general. For me it’s all about noticing. I notice the veins in the leaves as they change colour, or the way sunlight dances between soft and hard shadows as it gleams through the trees. I stop to notice the tadpoles swimming in the shallow water of the lake near my house, or the smell of the ocean as I head down the boardwalk at Conrad’s Beach. Letting my brain focus on these small things brings me more happiness than any amount of money ever could. ⚓️
What is your all-time favorite dessert?
What is your daughter’s favorite meal you make?
I’m also curious about your recipe development process. And what do you do with all the food you make for your blog? Do you share it with friends and family, freeze it, eat it at home?
Oops. More questions!
What is your favorite part of recipe development. Trying things out? Shopping for ingredients? Writing it up? Taking the photos? You have gorgeous food photos, by the way!
Hi Claire! Hmm, fave dessert is probably plain cheesecake or my mum’s chocolate cake (which I’m pretty sure was from a boxed mix) with boiled icing. She made that for me every birthday! I’d say Elodie’s favourite meal is anything hearty, comforting, and meat and potato based. She also loooovvveees chicken wings. LOL
I’m happy to answer any questions you have about recipe development! And yes, all of the food I make is eaten by us and our family. I also often share with neighbours and friends. It never goes to waste unless it’s terrible, but thankfully that doesn’t happen too often.
Photography is 100% my favourite part of the whole process, and is how I got started in this career. I was a photographer before I ever worked with food. And thank you for your kindness! ❤️
This was fun! I usually know, or know of, your gratitude guests. It was fun to meet someone new! It sounds like Kelly had some very hard bumps in the road, and it’s nice to see how she came through it to live a life of gratitude.
I can relate on so many levels- also an introvert here, and as much as I love my family, i have to admit that my ideal day would include a lot of solitude. I also think take out is one of the best inventions ever (wait, Kelly didn’t actually say that- I guess I’m saying it.) AND, my son has been trying to convince us that MSG is a perfectly fine, safe ingredient that adds a ton of flavor.
i’m going to go with mbmom and say that gratitude could be a cookie- I”ll go with molasses!
Aw, thanks jennystancampiano! I’m happy to meet everyone here too! As an introvert who works alone at home, I’ve gotten into the rhythm of hermit-life since Covid. I forget about real people sometimes, oops!
I hate to admit I rely on take-out more often than I should. When you cook or bake all day it’s kind of the last thing you want to do at 5pm.
Oh, and LISTEN TO YOUR SON.😆 I don’t add much MSG. A light sprinkle for a single meal, or 1 teaspoon for a whole pot of say soup, chili, stew, or pasta. It’s SO GOOD.🥰
First, Skipper is absolutely adorable!
Second, all your food looks fantastic!
As someone who always has a mind that’s racing, I’m curious how you slow down with your thoughts? Do you listen to a podcast that leads you through it (like Calm)?
Also, I tend to feel like I have to earn (does that make sense?) rest. How do you fight against that? I see you’re no longer on social media, so perhaps you’ve made changes in your career to pull back from the relentless online world…!!
Hi Rebekah, and thank you so much for your comments! The biggest change for me came from taking an SSRI prescribed by my doctor about 5 years ago. That got me about 70% of the way to a quieter mind. I often wear noise-cancelling headphones around the house, especially when I’m working, and I play various ADHD playlists on low volume on Spotify. I usually keep one earphone off so I can still hear things like Skipper or the doorbell, or I switch them to transparency mode to let in a bit of external sound.
I really like the ADHD playlists, but if I’m doing something like cleaning, I’ll often look for a style of music called stutter house. It’s electronic dance music with these really cool stuttering beats that are amazing for interrupting racing thoughts. I also love the podcast A Zen Mind. The host, Jo, has my absolute favourite voice for guided meditation, and as soon as I hear her speak, I instantly relax. I’ve listened to her so often that my body now recognizes her voice as a cue to settle.
And yes, I completely understand the whole “earning rest” thing. I do that too, turning it into little rewards for myself. “If I clean the kitchen for half an hour, I can sit down and read for ten minutes.” I’m still working on it though, because my brain can swing both ways, either diving into work all day without eating or taking a break, or lying in bed staring at the ceiling because I have zero energy and can’t decide what to do next.
I left social media in July of this year, and it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done for my mental health. The time and effort I was spending there gave me nothing in return, and that’s no longer worth it to me. I’d rather go for a walk, paint, read, or play Nintendo with Chris and Elodie. Literally anything but that! 💙⚓️
Hi Kelly! Your photos are gorgeous and your quiet perfect day sounds absolutely blissful!
Aw, thank you Joy! I think so too, and I love love love your name.💙⚓️
Kelly, your photos incite some pretty serious envy here. Wow, both to the subject matter and the way you have caught it.
Thinking about how many people would love to be in your shoes—this is brilliant. People think my life as an artist is all rainbows and lollipops, which it is most definitely NOT. When I am in those frequent NOT situations, I want to adopt your strategy. Thank you!
Hi Jana, and thank you so much for this lovely note. I COMPLETELY understand what you mean. Creative work is often romanticized, but the truth is it’s usually a mix of beauty and struggle, inspiration and exhaustion. At the same time, I think maybe it wouldn’t carry as much meaning if it wasn’t for that balance between the light and dark. It’s NOT for the faint of heart. And, I’m so glad my words resonated with you. It’s taken me a long time to find small ways to steady myself when my work (or the world) feels heavy. Knowing it might help someone else means a lot.
Kelly. ⚓️
My ultimate comfort food would be chipped beef over toast or creamed chicken over biscuits. One food I hated a child but love now are Brussels sprouts. Back then, they were only served boiled and they were AWFUL!
HAHAHA Bijoux, YES, I totally get this. I live on the East Coast of Canada and hated fish and seafood growing up. Imagine my surprise at the age of 28 when I discovered that haddock and salmon are actually delicious! 😂 I’ve since grown fond of almost all of it, but even the mere thought of it as a child made me gag. 😅
Hi Kelly. I am your twin on the clutter front. I wish I was better with it, but also – I don’t care. I almost always know where everything is. Maybe I like the challenge of finding stuff when no one else can? I don’t like seafood and I’m hoping that even though I’m in my 50s maybe I’ll come around, someday?
If gratitude were a flavor – I’d say mint. It’s light and refreshing.
My favorite comfort food is my chili. I made some that we ate last night. Yum. (If I didn’t have celiac disease I would’ve chosen warm bread with a crunchy crust and butter, but gf bread isn’t really the same).
When I was a kid, I hated yogurt. I love Greek yogurt now. Black cherry flavored. Yum.
Ernie, hi! My clutter twin! One “good” thing about my clutter situation is that I’m not afraid to throw things out. But I also love thrifting, and I have a good eye for it, so a lot of my “stuff” is nice, which makes it much harder to let go of.
And listen, I didn’t eat lobster until I was in my 40s, and I still don’t always love it. But hey, I’m also not going to turn it down if that makes sense?
I also love chili, especially this time of year. My mum used to make it with canned mushrooms, and that’s the only time I ever eat them now. There’s something about canned mushrooms in chili that is pure nostalgia for me.
Kelly.
p.s. My friend Sophie is a recipe blogger based in Vancouver, and she has a recipe for gluten-free sourdough on her blog called Wholehearted Eats. It could be a fun winter project if you want to check it out.🩵💙
My mom always putted canned mushrooms (sliced) in her spaghetti sauce and on homemade pizza. I never, ever buy canned mushrooms (like, not sure if I’ve bought them a single time), but just the thought of them takes me back to my childhood, instantly!
Such a delightful interview and pleasure to meet you, Kelly. You sound like a really deep, sensitive person.
I am trying to imagine what it’s like to be an introvert but extremely skilled at seeming like an extrovert. This must be so exhausting.
When I was a kid, I hated Brussels sprouts but I love them now.
Brussels sprouts, tossed with salt, butter, and brown sugar, are just…*chef’s kiss*