Right now, the book is on display alongside other Lunar New Year-themed books and I hope that the stores would do the same around Rosh Hashanah in the fall. After all, there are few books featuring mixed faith families centring Rosh Hashanah and other New Years. EVERYTHING out there is about celebrating Christmas and Chanukkah! I haven’t even seen Eastover books (I may or may not be writing one in the future. I definitely plan on writing more Tory & Andy books!)!

Have you read Our Three New Years! yet? Do you/your kids like it?

The post Get “Our Three New Years!” For Lunar New Year!! appeared first on Cynthia C. Mintz.

And also, what DO I sound like? Do you think the way you speak shows your ethnic heritage, even if you don’t have an accent? Do tell!

The post Cynthia Talks Life: Nordstrom Shuts in Canada & Vocal Identities appeared first on Cynthia C. Mintz.

Can YOUR kids sit through a 75 minute, three course dinner at age four? I don’t think I would have made it back in the day…hahaha…

The post On Her Spin of Prosperity Dinner & More Kid Food Rants appeared first on Cynthia C. Mintz.

Happy Year of the Rabbit to all who celebrate!!! Are you celebrating normally this year?

Find out how WE’RE going to celebrate. And don’t forget to check out my Instagram to see pics!!

The post Cynthia Talks Life Wishes You a Happy Lunar New Year! appeared first on Cynthia C. Mintz.

In the short special above, you’ll get to hear how the Lunar New Year is celebrated in the Cheng Mintz household. And yes, it can be a bit non-traditional! Do you follow traditional customs of your heritage or do you do things YOUR way? Is it important to you that things are done “properly?” Why or why not? I’d love to hear your views!

Image credit: AKSPS/Shutterstock

The post Happy Lunar New Year! appeared first on Cynthia C. Mintz.

This story could easily have been called Samosa, Ravioli, Pierogi or even Chocolate Chip Cookies or Apple Pie. In other words, it could have been about ANY culture. And I like that. There’s a lot of focus on “diversity” these days, but often, it seems really fake. It’s like, you HAVE to have a white character (usually not ethnic-specific…I mean, where are the characters of say, Italian, Polish or Irish heritage? I don’t see a lot of that, especially Italian or Polish. Sorry, I went to Catholic school for a few years), one black character and another, Asian? And why, with the non-white characters, do they have to emphasize the ethnic/cultural heritages of said characters? Maybe it’s just my circle, but Asians with names like Sophie, Jessica and Michael are more common than names from their ancestral heritages. Many people from my generation can barely read/write their ancestral languages, so why would they only use a cultural name for their child? It rings false to write names out phonetically when you can barely write it (if at all) in its original language if it does not use the roman alphabet (it’s different for a non-Spanish or Italian speaker to name their child Maria). That said, my son has both a “western” name and one in Chinese – one in which I can actually read and write. The latter is not on his official documents. Yet, those involved in adding diversity to books, television shows, movies and so forth seem to be adamant in making it that way. Why? Are children REALLY seeing themselves if it’s done that way? Plus they seem to be very focused on first generation – you know, with parents from the old world.

I think universality, a story like Bao, is much more realistic. It might be presented a certain way, with characters of ONE culture, but it’s easy to relate to if you’re NOT from that background. Think (if you’re NOT looking at something focused on children) My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Diversity isn’t only about seeing/reading about characters that LOOK like you, it’s about characters you can RELATE to. It makes zero sense to me if there’s an Asian character in a book or screen, but they are, I don’t know, a punk rocker who is fifth generation Canadian and has lived on her own since she was 15 years old. I wouldn’t get it. I might find her story interesting, but she has nothing to do with what I can relate to. I probably find more to relate to reading A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (one of my favourite books, by the way) – Francie Nolan’s determination and drive is what many girls should strive to be like. I can probably relate MORE to a 1950s boarding school student who is a second or third generation student at his school. The problem is, many people who want more diversity don’t seem to understand that. They dismiss that. I see it everywhere. And I think it’s sad.

I’m not saying that it’s not important to have characters from a wide range of ethno-religious-cultural backgrounds, I’m just saying that they shouldn’t always make it so stereotypical, so CULTURE FOCUSED. I actually think that, if not done carefully (like they did in Bao), can send out the wrong message. The longer people are here, the more integrated they become – while still retaining portions of their own culture. I’m not really understanding WHY it’s necessary to discuss and focus ONLY on the first generation. Not every person of ABC heritage knows how to, say, make dishes from that culture, for example. Rather, even if they DID – to an extent – they might include elements of flavours from cultures they grew up with. Something like that would be more relatable to someone whose parents are children of immigrants. Unfortunately, that’s not what publishers likely want. In fact, some diversity activists would say that the author who wrote that book needs to be “decolonized.” However, I think that story has more universality – which IS important in an increasingly diverse world – than focusing on the first generation’s culture. It eventually won’t be realistic. Cultures evolve, even in the old world.

Universality is important, regardless of what the background of a character is. I really can’t understand why the big focus is ONLY on one’s appearance. The tendency to “over-fix” diversity these days becomes too fake, too idealized, and, honestly, annoying. It’s like how I’ve (along with fans of the original) been rolling my eyes at and hate-watching And Just Like That…(you can read my post on the show here). To be honest, I’ve stopped hate-watching. I’m sure you can guess why.

Maybe I just live in a different world. But people have to understand that my so-called “world” is still a kind of reality. And it’s highly unfair to dismiss that. Of course, I’m pretty much preaching to a choir. Because people who speak from this perspective are few and far between. Mostly because we fear being cancelled.

The post Diversity, Universality and ‘Bao’ appeared first on Cynthia C. Mintz.

However, this is NOT what diversity activists seem to want us to think. If you watch any TV show attempting to be more “diverse,” they often emphasize ONLY the old culture, that of their parents, and do not even WANT to mention that the children (even adult children) may think differently, do things their own way that acknowledges both their ancestral heritage(s) and that of the country they were born/raised in. The so-called DE&I “leadership” will never admit that this happens. In fact, they’ll likely just say that we’re too “colonized” and need to be “reprogrammed.” Okay, maybe not the latter term, but you know what I mean. Do they realize how INSULTING this is? Racist, even? I mean, what’s WRONG with them? If you want diversity and inclusion, you HAVE to note that this happens. Unfortunately, I don’t feel that they do. I’ve been personally insulted ENOUGH by these groups. And it’s sad, because I have a lot to offer them. Don’t they want to hear about different experiences?

Anyway, enough on the diversity rant. You hear/read enough of it from me, both on this site and on my podcast (haha). What I want to say is that this way of cooking is by no means about people turning their backs onto their culture nor is it diluting their ancestry. It’s actually quite the opposite. It IS, in fact, emphasizing one’s culture. No matter what you do, you have to admit that the chef’s culture isn’t ONLY that of their parents, but also the culture they grew up in. So if your parents came from Korea and you were born and raised in, say, Manhattan and you own a bagel shop, why NOT have kimchi flavoured cream cheese as an option (well, once the apparent shortage is no longer an issue)? Or, I don’t know, one of my Christmas Day traditions where I use Hong Kong style coconut pull-apart bread for French toast. It shouldn’t be a problem. In fact, I think it’s pretty cool!

Some of these dishes actually come from our own childhoods. We wanted so-called “Canadian” foods, but our parents wanted to make food from their homelands. Most of us end up eating both. Some of us had nice parents/grandparents who made fusion dishes at home, and sometimes for us to take to school. For example (and I probably mentioned this in a Cynthia Talks Life episode), (leftover) soy sauce roast chicken sandwiches for me. The whole idea of stinky “immigrant kid” lunches is a foreign concept for me. And I really think there are more people like me. But then again, it might just be the circle I grew up with. I don’t think any of us had that so-called “typical narrative” that so many in the diversity space want to emphasize.

We talk about fusion cuisine all the time. It’s usually something “elevated,” so why not start calling it something else? Like, oh, I don’t know, CANADIAN (or American/British/Australian/wherever you’re from) food? That said, I can’t wait to try dishes like, steamed pumpkin pie dumplings, apple pie stuffed naan, linguini tossed with char siu and choy sum (even though this is kind of boring-sounding) and the like. Grilled cheese with Peking duck sounds pretty interesting too. And isn’t this so-called NEW cuisine really part of what diversity/inclusion is all about anyway? If you don’t agree, then it’s kind of sad. Culture is meant to evolve, after all. If it isn’t supposed to, then wouldn’t everyone still be eating whatever people in their ancestral heritage ate thousands of years ago? Heck, I don’t even KNOW what people from the area of China my ancestors are from ate 4,000 years ago (and which part? It’s a big country. Most of my family is from the southeastern area (I think), but some are from the north) unless I went to a food museum and they had some sort of exhibit. This kind of fusion only enhances things and makes things more interesting.

NOTE: I realize I talked about this on an episode of Cynthia Talks Life in October. I just wanted to re-emphasize this issue now that REAL MEDIA has acknowledged it!!!

The post Kids of Immigrants Cook Uniquely… appeared first on Cynthia C. Mintz.

Cynthia not only discusses how her multiethnic/faith family celebrates December holidays, but also how she, as a child of immigrants celebrated when she was younger.

Is your family multi-faith and/or multi-ethnic or cultural? What are YOUR family traditions? Do tell!!!

Image by Sheila Fitzgerald/Shutterstock

The post Holiday Special: Our Big Fat Multi-Faith, Multi-Cultural Holiday Season appeared first on Cynthia C. Mintz.

I feel like the most vocal and powerful in the inclusion and diversity field feel that there can only be one narrative, and if you don’t fit that, you’re “cancelled,” or at least, edited to the point that it’s not even your story anymore (if you want details, see my letter to the editor in the Toronto Star). These days, I just cannot sit through any kind of discussion identity and oppression without having someone criticize me (and not in a constructive way), telling me that I’m “white washed” or “brainwashed” to the point that I need some sort of detoxification (that’s my term, not theirs). What’s wrong with them? Do I really need to lecture them about post-Second World War Hong Kong, how the influx of refugees escaping communism (and closure of the border) not only allowed Hong Kong to become what it is today (or, at least what it WAS before the National Security Law was passed). Do I really have to explain why my parents’ English language education (note: not every child had an English language education back then. Grandparents on both sides made a choice to educate their kids in English. It’s like Anglophone parents sending their kids to French Immersion, or even a school run by the Francophone board (this would be closer to what my parents had in Hong Kong)) made it easier for them to integrate into Canadian society? Goodness! And all of this is stressing me out. Sometimes, it even makes me anxious to say anything because I don’t want to come across as being someone who is not being so-called “inclusive” herself. Sometimes, I don’t think I can even talk about food I make! After all, someone might see me as bastardizing/appropriating SOME culture, right? Or at least, I have to Cynthia-splain everything (like I did for a noodle dish I made in February). And when I DO explain, people tell me I have no self-esteem. WTF? If I don’t, people can (eventually) cancel me, depending on who they are.

As you can see, it’s damned if you do, damned if you don’t. And when you’re part of a “marginalized” (gawd, I hate that term) group, you’re apparently SUPPOSED to be radical. When you’re not and you’re a little more conservative (and especially if you’re English-speaking), you apparently can’t exist (see this situation). No wonder people need therapy. I see a therapist myself, and he’s suggested that I should continue to blog and/or create videos (I’m not bothering with YouTube for myself since these days, you need to have really professional-looking material. I’m just sticking to my phone camera and IGTV)! It’s good release/stress relief for me. And hopefully, I can get the message across. I’m still a little anxious when I post, however. Because you never know if and how you’re going to be attacked. Even this post is good for me. As it’s mental health awareness month, I really want to say everything I want to say. So far, anyway. Plus when someone criticizes how I identify with my heritage because it’s not up to their “standards,” then they have a problem. If I make Chinese style dumplings with apples or fried riced cauliflower (or quinoa), then I should be allowed to. I’m NOT ashamed of my heritage. You don’t HAVE to celebrate your heritage the most “traditional” way. What do people who DO criticize like that have to say about Japanese milk bread, Korean macarons or Hong Kong milk tea.

I do find it sad that many people refuse to understand or accept that this can be part of inclusion and diversity. The diversity of thought, that is. Here in Canada, we have the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which is entrenched in our constitution as of 1982 (when it was patriated back to Canada, meaning we no longer needed British Parliament’s permission to make any changes). So my views are considered “hate?” How? Some people aren’t that bright. And their behaviour and bullying online can be even worse. These are (almost always) adults. Why are they behaving like they’re in Grade 7? Or even two year olds (I have a toddler and I know what a meltdown looks like. Sometimes, activists – ADULTS (or almost adults)!!! – behave exactly like that)? It really needs to stop and we really need to encourage intellectual debate and discussion. Otherwise, there’ll be nothing but stress, leading to everyone’s mental well-being to worsen. Sad. And it’s taking a toll on people’s mental health. What good is it when you stress about what you can/can’t say or whether what you’re doing is honouring or bastardizing your heritage?

Image credits: First image is by OneSideProFoto via Shutterstock; Second is a video I created and posted on IGTV

The post Anxiety, Stress and ‘Identity Politics’ appeared first on Cynthia C. Mintz.

Pumpkin purée mooncakes!

• 1 can of pumpkin purée (348 mL)
• 1/2 cup of cornmeal
• 1/2 cup of chickpea flour
• 1 tablespoon of kefir

(You can also add mix-ins, such as grated cheese, garlic, seeds, etc……This recipe is meant to be savoury)

The moulds I used

Mix the ingredients together and place 1/4 cups of batter in the mooncake-moulded muffin pan I bought online a few years ago (in other words, this can be a regular muffin recipe). Bake for 15 minutes and then flip them over for another 10 minutes.

Bingo, fusion/Canadianized mooncakes!!! Sure, your ancestors will probably turn in their graves, but who cares, right?

The post Mooncakes 2020: Pumpkin Purée, Chickpea Flour & Cornmeal appeared first on Cynthia C. Mintz.