sources of joy, ketchup is apparently Asian, and how to embrace impulsivity as a superpower
067 | ANEWWITHHUE: A monthly Saturday listicle to spark joy, creativity, and curiosity.
Joy is what’s been on my mind. Specifically, finding joy your way. While trends may spark ideas, don’t follow them if they don’t genuinely light you up. Because isn’t that what life is about? Living for the things that authentically spark joy in your soul, like pop-rock candy on the tongue? (Does everyone remember those?)
Channeling our sense of play and leaning into joy has been my exploration this month. Like an overly excited puppy with an earth-shaking wag, did you know joy serves an evolutionary purpose? Otherwise, evolution would’ve thrown it away.
The capacity for joy is universal, but to cultivate more, we must first understand what ignites that joy within us. What brings you joy? Here’s a curation to remind you to chase joy like a dog hunting a treat!
[Also this will be the only edition you’ll receive from me this week ;)! Enjoy.]
Music. Bleu Clair. Bleu Clair’s sets have been one of my sources of joy this week. Melting classic house with Jakarta’s distinct breakbeat style, inspired from sampling drum breaks from funk and jazz, the theatrics are unnecessary when the music is the star of the show. Bleu Clair is globalizing the Jakarta sound by keeping things at hundred twenty five BPM (beats per minute). His setup on the second video is a display of his musical prowess and a window into how seamlessly he honors a myriad of genres.
Podcast. Zoe Science + Nutrition. Listen for practical insights for feeding kids and nurturing their “belly bugs” (inspired by the popular children’s book Your Belly Bugs Guide to Happy Eating). The central question: how do we build healthier habits for children and guide them away from processed foods? Even non-parents can benefit from these tips for maintaining a healthy relationship with food in our current food environment. UK children face 15 billion junk food ads annually, with misleading packaging, targeted at kids, making healthy choices harder. The solution isn’t to demonize ultra-processed foods but promoting independence through education. Create a supportive food environment at home where healthier choices are easier is key. Consider what’s at eye level and within reach. Reframe nutrition as self-care by teaching children how to keep their “belly bugs” happy rather than on restriction. Since our food landscape isn’t designed for success, we must architect environments that support us instead.
Podcast. Zoe Science + Nutrition. It’s not about willpower or crash diets—Alan Aragon explains why flexible dieting is the most effective method for sustainable weight management. Moving beyond one-size-fits-all solution, Aragon addresses the disconnect between mainstream weight loss misconception and how the body actually works. The secret to maintaining healthy weight is “imposing a net caloric deficit over time” versus quick fixes that promote “magic foods” or rapid fat-burning diets. This conversation explores why we’re becoming more overweight: shift to sedentary lifestyle due to modern conveniences, weight loss misconceptions, using food for self-medication, and our unsupportive food environment hijacking our brains. If you’ve struggled with weight and are seeking for a sustainable solution beyond the yo-yo dieting train, listen to this episode because it may forever change how you relate to food and eating.
