Oh, to be well...
In Sickness and in Health
Hi Friends,
Long time no Resto! 2026 has been a tough year for me, and it’s affected not only how I’m feeling but also what I’ve been nibbling on. My apologies for the gap.
In somewhat recent news, someone attempted to bully me by giving out some free Resto promo at the law school (really the cherry on top of an amalgam of school-related qualms), so I figured I’d hop on here to say hello and update you all on where I’ve been and what I’ve been up to.
In January, I started dealing with symptoms of indigestion and extreme bloating from H.pylori. I started consuming an elimination diet before and over the course of two weeks of quadruple therapy treatment (antibiotics and some other stuff), which took a pretty hefty toll on my physical and mental health at the start of the year. I’ve since been able to reclaim coffee, alliums and dairy in my diet, but gluten is still a tricky little gremlin to my digestive system. While the elimination diet was fine for my stomach problems, I fell victim to potato chip addiction. Currently in curbing snack addiction hell.
I was dealing with some menstrual cycle issues, perhaps related to stress and hormone levels, diet changes, or some other force of the gods, shortly after I sorted out my diet and into much of March. It’s still ongoing, but I’m hoping my cycle will regulate as my stress levels continue to subside.
Towards the end of March, I caught the flu, despite getting my flu shot last December. I’m finally getting over the lingering cough, but I’m otherwise doing alright in the physical health department.
I’ve also been dealing with a mishmash of social changes from the end of 2025 through now, which has been a stressor on the back of my mind throughout these months. It’s been a big time of reflecting on my role in the social world and feeling out the waves of sadness that comes with change, but I am finding so much gratitude and joy for the loved ones who have stuck by my side through many iterations of sickness and health (and life stages).
As one could imagine, all these physical changes have taken a toll on my mental health. The bullying incident could have been my literal last straw, but I also have to give them kudos for the free shoutout. Between a rock and a hard place, I’m grateful that my physical health is doing a little better these days.
I’m putting all of this out there to say that this heavy year has affected my relationship with food, my opportunities to explore the local culinary arena, and the sort of content I want to put out on Resto.
I think it’s worthwhile to talk about some of the highs during this time though, many of which have translated into good gustatory memories as well.
Two things of note:
I’ve met a new partner (aka started dating the athlete), which has been a big highlight in this season of life. I cannot imagine how difficult it has been for him to navigate the early stages of a relationship with a partner who is getting whiplash every month (and is now subsequently depressed), but I am so grateful for his unwavering support and the ways in which we’ve grown our relationship through the deeper valleys. I’ve started running leisurely thanks to this one, so that’s a huge win for the program.
I also went to New York(!) over spring break with my partner to enjoy the city we both once called home and catch up with my nearest and dearest city pals. To be back in my old stomping grounds and catch up with friends from various periods of my life (quite literally: high school friends, college friends, post-grad friends, and my kindergarten bestie) vis-a-vis a new partner was such a special feeling.
Between dating and visiting the Resto mecca, I did some good eating despite the dietary restrictions. (I sacrificed my stomach a few times, but more on that later.)
I’ve also had lots of changes in my life beyond my health: I secured a summer internship, I moved out, and I’m learning the importance of moving my body! I’m happy to put the 1L job stress to rest, I’ve been really enjoying this new era of roomie life with a friend I’ve known since early adulthood, and I don’t think I’ll ever love exercise, but it’s been fun going out for a run from time to time.
A quick update on some of culinary highlights from New York:
This trip was a lot of repeats, half to enjoy my favourite bites, and half to show my partner some of my favourite digs from my years in the city.
We had a lovely meal at Fish Cheeks with a couple friend of my partner (our first official double date!), where I reunited with the steamed branzino and corn salad I adorn my table with at every visit. My partner took me to Sushi Nakazawa for an early birthday dinner, which was such a special treat. I also picked out Frenchette as our last dinner; while I was quite sad that they were out of the Duck Frites, we enjoyed a lovely spread of shared plates and ended our night with a few drinks and a shot courtesy of the sweet bartender at Bar Belly who sent us over to Swift Hibernian Lounge for our nightcap pints of Guinness (yes, it was worth the gluten).
We also had quite the froyo tour on this trip to keep up with the latest food trends despite the cold. Mimi’s and Birdie’s were the newcomers, but we still had to pay a visit to good old Culture, which remains my favourite froyo of all time.
There are a couple of newer bites that I enjoyed on one particular visit to Los Angeles that are worth keeping in your pocket (or front-of-mind before date night) that I’ll share for the paid subscribers interested in my restaurant recs and date night itineraries:
(If you’re not paid, I’ll catch up with you again soon!
With Love,
Anna)
