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5:54 PM Being a tourist in NYC first, I was madly confused about the food offer and what place is the coolest to hang out and eat.

I went with Instagram straight...let influencers infleunce me — so silly. Silly because 80% because of the tips were bullshit.

I decided to explore this world by myself.

Some of my co-workers are Asian and I heard a lot about their special sweet buns and 'desserts'. Being in NYC, I realized that I am in a mecca of cultures and melting pots. Damn, so many Asians. Maybe this is the right moment and time to dive into this Chinese world, exploring their perfect treats.

I researched for good Chinese bakeries and luckily I was living close enough to all of them so I would take romantic morning walks to explore every single one.

I didn't know that I would fall heavily in love with them.

My first experience was at Taipan bakery straight on Canal Street — where else? (It's like a main street straight in the middle of Chinatown). I went there with 10$ and hoped to find something eatable... I came out with 8$ and a taro bun. My heart just dropped into my pants. The taro bun is still one of the coolest things I ever ate!!

I couldn't believe the bakeries' offers are sooo huge and so cheap.

I was intrigued and continued testing Chinese bakery after bakery.

I still couldn't believe what delicious treats I was eating and discovering. Meanwhile my pockets were still full of cash and I found the most delicious way to save money.

Going to Starbucks or certain breakfast spots can be super expensive. I am definitely into the idea of treating myself and of course I buy myself a coffee at Starbucks here and then, but during vacation time I just can't spend my money like crazy. I have to watch what I am getting and if there are places where I can save a little bit, I'm definitely in.

I did not continue exploring Chinatown, because it's so cheap, I just fell in love with their baking goods and enjoyed this culinary wonderland that brought me so much joy.

After almost a week of diverse buns and pastries, I went home, telling everyone what cool and crazy things I enjoyed. This was an experience I knew I could only make in New York which made me enjoy this trip even harder. Those are memories I will never forget and I'm glad to share this with you now - why not?

I'm always looking for cool hang out spots online and people still don't speak about bakeries and great things coming from Chinatown. How come?

I guess this must be my job then.

I am so excited to share this with you and I hope for your next (or first) NYC trip you will enjoy some treats Downtown. If you want to save some bucks, go to Chinatown. If you want to eat things you might not get at home, go to Chinatown. If you want to see authentic New York bakeries which aren't too crowded, go to Chinatown.

Facts over facts.

Let's talk some examples to keep you hungry.

In the pictures you see a lot of bread. Fluffy dough and sexiness! What is all of that? It's basically a small selection which you can get at almost every Chinese bakery. Besides of bubble tea and coffee, you will find a huge selection from sweet buns like taro, milk, sweet potato, pineapple, and matcha, and also savory buns which are filled with pork, shrimps, and anything that makes your breakfast complete. French pastry can often also be found between rice balls and egg tarts. Cakes, desserts, there is so much to choose from - I know everyone will find a special treat.

And again, don't worry about your wallet! You can choose two rich things and still feel like you didn't spend amounts of money.

What do I recommend?

Fay Da Bakery for lemon curd puff pastry. This is so amazing! Sour and sweet at the same time! It's under $3 and you can't even finish this huge thing!

Taipan Bakery got the sexiest selection of egg tarts. One egg tart is $2 and the selection is something you will dream about forever! My favorites are the matcha and papaya egg tart!

Kam Hing Coffee Shop - do you remember my post about the fluffiest cakes? Sponge cakes for $0.75... this is heaven and just too good to be true. Spend all your leftover money there - why not?

Kam Boat Bakery for their sesame rice balls. They are only $1 and such a funny experience! Crunchy and sweet! Not super filling. but I loved trying these since I always wanted to eat them!

Simply Bakery for their delicious ube bread! Make this experience and try things which you don't eat on a daily basis! Egg custard buns are available for $1,10 - something I will always buy at Simply Bakery!

*I also bought this delicious walnut tangerine bread and I'm not sure if it was at Kam Boat Bakery... but this was a heavenly symbiosis! Creations like this can be only found in Chinatown!

I love breakfasts like this.

Of course there are better and healthier options out there, but I want to show you that no one has to be scared of Chinese culture and their food.

There is more to discover than dumplings and fried noodles.

You don't have to go to the places I recommend (again: there's more), but a walk through Chinatown is so worth it!

An unforgettable food experience you will tell your kid's kids.

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11:35 PM Sometimes I ask myself what kind of person I would be if it wasn't for my anxiety or health journey.

My attitude towards life would be completely different.

Sounds weird, huh?

I often admire people who take life just for what it is. Who cares about tomorrow when I can live my fullest self today. Yolo, you only live once. Treat yourself and have a blast.

Good idea. But I just can't.

I grew into this. I don't know if it was the way I was raised, my education, or just curiosity. I grew into that person who studies every tiny thing that can benefit me or bring harm to my body and self.

As a kid I had it all. My nutrition was beyond bad, even though I ate plenty of veggies and fruits. I was chubby and depressed. I never understood body types and why my friends could eat three times more and still look skinny. Sugar was my best friend... I'm so upset that I learned too late that this was feeding my depression even more...

I talked about this far too often.

My lifestyle was unhealthy, a bit messy, no structure. I was a little rebel with my own rules which were either way too naive or I couldn't stick to them. Also my patience never allowed me to take time to really understand procedures and especially development.

My life changing moment was the lowest point that I reached during depression. I began my road to recovery without even noticing it. One thing that woke me up was reading. I understood that my situation is no circumstance, it's a problem, it's a disease and this needs healing.

I'm not crazy.

I felt that my body wanted to talk to me.

Reconnect with me.

I was finally ready to do so.

So I started reading, keeping my mind fit.

I studied depression, anxiety, empathy, sensitive energies, and nutrition.

This was such a good beginning which felt like therapy to me.

One major thing which brought so much spark into my life was running. I ordered two outfits or such, got me a cool running shoe and started lacing up a couple of days later. I sucked. But I kept going.

Soon a day without running didn't feel complete. With this new routine my days totally changed. I enjoyed every step I ran, registered for races, and created a special workout routine which kept me sane.

With being outside so much, I learned to appreciate Mother Nature more and I fell in love with every tree in my neighborhood.

Have you ever stopped and took a look around you feeling so grateful for all this nature and balsam for your soul? Because it truly is.

This transformation in my life was huge and even though I never saw it coming, I was so happy it happened!

It all merged perfectly and all of a sudden I found myself surrounded with tools and equipment that helped me live a healthier daily.

I wasn't telling myself that from now on I needed to be a healthy person, I just realized what influence certain things got in my life. My body knows what feeds me happy and balanced and which energies let me freak the fuck out.

Self-knowledge is something I am so proud I gained over the last years.

Bless this mess.

Yes, my daily can be hectic, beyond chaotic, and filled with heavy anxiety attacks or mood swings, but I don't see it as a threat and I don't ignore it neither. Noticing it is half of my victory.

Treating this makes me feel so much stronger!

And proud.

I learned to communicate with my body.

Read it.

Treat it.

Love it.

This might be too much work for you but I recommend this closer relationship to yourself anyone out there.

You can only benefit from this.

10:15 PM In the last 4 months I was lucky enough to go back home twice to have a refreshing time in my favorite concrete jungle.

Many impressions, ups and downs, and two totally different seasons.

Until now, I still didn't register that I actually did those trips... my mind is continuously busy and distracted. My personal life experienced a lot the last months, so it's hard to enjoy pleasurable things right now.

Luckily, I always got my camera with me to keep special memories forever close.

Finally I managed to cut and create a little something which I will look at the next weeks to keep telling myself to slow down and enjoy off days more! Don't be too hectic with everything — let your mind pause.

Now that it's a bit colder outside, enjoy those warm impressions from NYC in late August.

I can't believe that the Big Apple is already wrapped in all the beautiful colorful lights and the biggest bows you can imagine.

Christmas is coming y'all! And with this last November post, we are welcoming December in a couple of hours...whewww.

11:27 AM It's Thanksgiving and a wonderful day to feast and enjoy all the good food! Thanksgiving is not only about great company and enjoying the most delicious meal of the year, but also it's about being grateful and taking a moment to appreciate the things we got and the health we bring to the table.

I personally want to take a second and express my gratefulness for one special thing this year.

Sorry. But it has to be something food related, haha. I just can't hide it...

Milk Bar, your Flagship opening made me so damn happy and also I can't believe that you guys created the actual best Thanksgiving dinner ever!

Yes, you read that right. If you don't want to cook the next year or you need something ASAP, because everything burned, run to your next Milk Bar and get your hands on the Thanksgiving croissant! Oh My God. Thisssss is life!!!

I went to the newly opened Flagship to just breathe some Milk Bar air and check out their designs and offer! I actually know about their yummy treats, but I was curious to see if the Flagship got anything new new. I wasn't even thinking of seasonal stuff.

When one of the sweet girls told me to go with the Thanksgiving croissant, I was skeptic. The guy at the bar all of a sudden told me how fancy this is and obviously there were only 6 left before they were sold out for the day.

I was going to miss Thanksgiving in th US this year...so why not having an early Thanksgiving by myself?

I decided to go with the flow and ordered my Thanksgiving croissant together with a cereal milk latte. Best combo, yo!

Still, I wasn't sure what I was doing, but my mind was already painting diverse fantasies inside my head and I was really excited to try this damn buttery croissant. You gotta love croissants...

I do. But I think what made me so nervous was the filling: cranberry sauce, gravy, and turkey. Yep, the usual Thanksgiving dinner, kinda...

Don't be scared, this is actually a croissant deluxe ~

I went to Central Park to enjoy the fun.

It started to rain, but guess what, it was just me and my croissant. I gave it all my attention and I couldn't stop eating. No pause. I ate this whole thing in seconds and I felt like an angel in heaven. What the fuck was I eating?

I was smiling. I felt like crying, jumping, and I wanted more.

Now I understand what the staff was talking about!

Woooow. What a sexy Thanksgiving dinner.

Just like I said, don't cook if you don't feel like cooking. Just get your guests a Thanksgiving croissant from Milk Bar and everyone will be beyond happy.

Maybe an idea for next year?

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Enjoy your meals and the beautiful company! Laugh and have a good time!

If your meal is not as perfect as in your dreams, don't worry! It will all be fine!

*A serious note: if you are in New York, though, make sure to visit Milk Bar's latest baby, the Flagship, to not miss on their very special creations, a very own lab - DIYs, y'all!!! And of course a sexy corner where you can get merchandise and things that make baking so much more fun at your own home! This place is really a dream and I am so proud to see Milk Bar doing those major steps! More birthday cakes and crack pies for the whole world ~ btw: Americans can ship their special cakes for free inside the country right from the Flagship! This is truly a wonderland!

Thank you Milk Bar and Christina!!

Milk Bar Flagship NYC 1196 Broadway at 29th (S)

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