My recipes are a blend of my entire life experience and the experiences that came before me. The people I’ve met, the places I’ve been, and the places my ancestors have been shape me as a whole and bring me to where I am today. How beautiful is that?

As I sit on my porch in the most majestic of canyons, the very special place I get to call home, Topanga Canyon, listening to the birds sing into my ears and gazing at the hawk soaring over the mountaintop, I bring to you a recipe of where I am today. This creation is a tribute to one of the canyon’s many radiant and extraordinary souls, Dr. Isabella Gucci-Ruffalo of the INNATA Institute, whose sacred healing work and deep passion touch the world in the most profound and beautiful ways.

As a student of many philosophies and ancient teachings, I have always regarded Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as a gold-star standout system. And how could it not be? It is one of the world’s two oldest healing systems, originating over 3,000 to 5,000 years ago in ancient China. Rooted in the principle of balance, it focuses on harmonizing the body's natural energy (Qi) to maintain health and prevent disease. 

If you're curious to learn more, Dr. Isabella shares her deeply studied and dedicated teachings of TCM at her learning institute and primary care clinic in Pine Tree Circle or through her online membership at https://innatainstitute.com.

As I was making my way back home from one of my long rotations as a private flight attendant, yearning for a nutrient-dense, home-cooked meal, the timing aligned perfectly as Dr. Isabella inspired me through one of her audios titled Gut Health, Probiotics & Fermented Foods.

Life feels like a constant cycle of remembering, forgetting, and then remembering again, a continuous process of consciously waking up, if we so choose. Her words reignited my passion for the power of prebiotic-rich, nutrient-dense foods that nourish beneficial gut bacteria and create a thriving, balanced ecosystem inside our bodies. Not to mention, the wisdom of viewing food through the lens of TCM, where each unique ingredient holds the power to regenerate our cells from the inside out.

Listening to Dr. Isabella reaffirmed what I’ve always believed, true wellness is about the basics. It doesn’t have to be as complicated as we often make it. The latest fads, the newest supplements, the endless search for the next big health fix, so much of it only adds what we don’t need: stress. In my book, the simpler, the richer. And at the core of that simplicity is gut health, the foundation of our well-being.

Gut inflammation and dysbiosis are at the root of many chronic illnesses, autoimmune diseases, and other health conditions. Keeping gut health at the forefront of our minds when nourishing our bodies is absolutely essential, especially for our little ones.

This is why I love creating recipes that honor both tradition and simplicity, meals that heal, nourish, and remind us of the power of the basics. I hope you and your little one enjoy this recipe as much as I do. It’s a beautiful dish for the transition from winter to spring, keeping our bodies warm and nourished.

Note: If your little one is sensitive to spice, as many are, feel free to reduce the ginger or omit it entirely. If they’re not interested in pears, substitute them with apples. Every little body is bio-individual, with its own unique needs and preferences. Let us not force our little ones into health, but instead, guide them joyfully along the way.