Hello! I’m Peggy, aka This ABC Mom
Welcome to my family recipe box. The This ABC Mom blog is my way of holding on to all my favorite family recipes as well as recipes from friends and recipes I’ve experimented with along the way. I have family members who are sensitive to lactose, and I prefer to eat lighter healthier dishes that are low carb. So most of my recipes – but not all – tend to be paleo, dairy free or dairy light, and gluten free or gluten light. And some recipes are just straight up decadence. I’ve also tried to capture all the wonderful dishes my mom made for us growing up.
Food and Other Life Experiences
I also blog about things I think are awesome, like things I want my kids to learn and remember, events/outings I plan, products I use, and experiences I never want to forget. And then occasionally I blog a rant when I just need to vent.
ABC: American Born Chinese
Did I mention that my parents happen to be of Chinese descent, specifically from Taiwan? By blood I am 100% Taiwanese but having been born in one of the ruralist of towns in West Virginia and growing up in Southern California, I’d say I’m probably closer to 80% American and 20% Chinese in the way I live.
80/20
My husband says I’m closer to 90/10 but I give myself some extra credit for learning Mandarin after my son was born. If I were to break down my Chinese-ness, here’s how I would score myself – because I love metrics.
We make/eat Chinese food like egg rolls and stir fries at Thanksgiving and holiday parties at our parents’ houses. +5%
I have never tasted egg rolls like my mom’s in any store or restaurant. Delicious.
I speak Mandarin +10%
…but only enough for my kids/people to understand simple conversations about babies, food, or speaking Mandarin. Trex’s Mandarin crushes mine every day, though I am a little more carefree with it and am not as afraid to speak.
I’m not a foodie -5%
Unlike many Asians, I am not huge on food. I would eat more Chinese food if it weren’t for the MSG headaches I get. I do love fresh food and knowing what is in my food, so cooking at home is how I primarily get my nutrition.
I’m cheap but love a good bargain +5%
I’ve cut out on a lot of luxuries like nice restaurants, new clothes, shoes, and bags because I like to try to live like a minimalist, but I can’t resist a good bargain. For Asians like me, it’s all about VALUE. When we travel, we typically enjoy three types of vacations:
- Vacation homes like AirBnB or VRBO, because I don’t mind cooking when I have nothing else to plan for the day. And again it’s easy to feed the kids, let them go hang out, and enjoy my travel mates after a meal
- Family-friendly hotels with an eat in kitchen like Residence Inn and Hyatt House, because they usually come with free breakfast and I can’t resist a free buffet
- All inclusive resorts like Hyatt Ziva or Barcelo Maya, even though I’m not a foodie, I love the ease of telling my kids to get their own food
I love finding things to “improve upon” +5%
My poor non-Taiwanese friend really struggles with this with her in-laws. I struggle with it too. The Chinese folks in my life love to find things to comment on. Your refrigerator has no vegetables! Your refrigerator has too much stuff, how are you going to eat it all! You are too hard on the kids! The kids are too wild! Sigh. They do it with the best intentions (just to make conversation, not necessarily to criticize) but to most people it just sounds like criticisms. I’ve gotten a lot better at holding my tongue and just being happy with however things turn out, but when I’m having a bad day the filter doesn’t stay on well and it has gotten me into trouble more than enough times.
Cast and Crew of This ABC Mom Blog
Mr. ABC/This ABC Dad
Hubby. Entrepreneurial free spirit. Loves his kids, photography, basketball. Fiery and passionate about everything he cares about.
Jpeg/Trex/Trevbev
Kid #1. He’s a Golden Pig who loves to read, solve puzzles, deconstruct things, learn… and play video games. Like father like son. His original nickname Jpeg comes from what coworkers and friends called him when I was pregnant.
Pnut
Kid #2. 3 years younger. Loves cuddles, animals, and making people laugh. His hugs have super powers. EQ through the roof.