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I didn’t learn ‘Chinamaxxing’ on TikTok — my Chinese mom taught me. Here are 4 habits I still swear by.

by with No Comment Xpandfy

  • Faye Bradley was born and raised in Hong Kong with a Chinese mom.
  • When she first started seeing “Chinamaxxing” on social media, she felt a surprising sense of pride.
  • Even though these habits are trending now, they’ve been part of her life for years.

When I first saw “Chinamaxxing” on my feed, I was surprised by how happy it made me.

The viral trend — where people share Chinese lifestyle hacks, from wearing red for luck during Lunar New Year to banning outdoor shoes indoors — felt like watching the world embrace the culture I grew up with.

Around the same time, another phrase was everywhere: “You met me at a very Chinese time in my life.” The line went viral after Hong Kong-born stand-up comedian Jimmy O Yang posted a video of himself singing the well-known Chinese song “Yi Jian Mei” on Instagram in November, with those words splashed across the screen. The clip has since drawn more than 6.5 million views.

It was around the same time that New Jersey TikTok creator Sherry Zhu started sharing wellness tips with her “Chinese baddies.”

Summers in Hong Kong get hot, but Bradley’s mom always discouraged cold water.

Proivded by Faye Bradley

Growing up in Hong Kong, I followed these habits long before they had a name. My mom talked constantly about balance: hot versus cold foods, drying your hair before bed, and the little miracles of White Flower Oil.

Watching the internet embrace these traditions made me reflect. Some explanations oversimplify centuries-old practices — feng shui isn’t just moving your desk, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) isn’t just a trendy tea. But the curiosity feels genuine.

Here are four simple things my mom taught me years ago that I still swear by.

1. The herbal ointment is a cure-all


A bottle of White Flower Oil.

Bradley’s mom would use White Flower Oil for aches, pains, and motion sickness; she now does the same.

Provided by Faye Bradley

Growing up, my mom would reach for a tiny bottle of White Flower Oil, a concentrated ointment, whenever my brother or I complained about tummy aches.

A dab of the concentrated herbal ointment — that has a sharp smell that combines menthol, eucalyptus, and a hint of lavender — on my belly, temples, or behind my ears, and relief would follow almost instantly.

Today, I carry a small bottle whenever I travel and keep one at my bedside.

It’s also a staple for motion sickness, muscle aches, or even mild stomach pain.

2. Start every morning with a hot cup of water


An electric kettle and a white mug with warm water.

Hot water helps her with digestion and circulation.

Provided by Faye Bradley

My mom had firm rules about drinks. Hong Kong summers are stifling — often 90 degrees Fahrenheit and humid — yet anything cold in the morning was discouraged.

In TCM, hot water is believed to support digestion and circulation, while cold drinks can “shock” the body and disrupt internal balance.

Switching to hot water first thing in the morning may sound trivial, but it transformed my mornings. My energy feels steadier, my stomach calmer, and I start the day feeling grounded instead of jolted awake.

I used to brush off her advice, but after seeing my friends do the same, I began incorporating it into my routine in my late teens.

To think she was right all along.

3. Never go to bed with wet hair


Woman taking a photo in the mirror at a hair salon.

She avoid going to sleep with wet hair.

Provided by Faye Bradley

“You’ll get sick!” my mom would yell every time I tried to crawl into bed with damp hair.

I used to roll my eyes, but now, decades later, I have to admit she was right. Sleeping with wet hair often leaves me stiff, chilled, and inexplicably irritable — not just uncomfortable, but subtly disruptive to my body’s rhythm and sleep quality.

For me, blow-drying signals closure: a pause at the end of the day and a small act of respect for my body. By keeping warm and dry before bed, I wake up more rested, my muscles looser, and my mind calmer.

4. Don’t underestimate the rice cooker


Black rice cooker plugged in.

Rick cookers can do more than make rice.

Provided by Faye Bradley

I remember heading off to university in the UK and asking my future British flatmates in a group chat whether anyone was bringing a rice cooker. “What’s that?” they replied. “We just boil rice in a pan.” I was stunned. When I moved in, I quickly realized I couldn’t live without one. It makes the rice taste better.

And my rice cooker isn’t just for rice. My mom taught me it’s perfect for complete meals: chicken, vegetables, and rice all in one pot. The magic isn’t just convenience — steaming keeps food tender, flavorful, and healthy, locking in nutrients while reducing oil. It’s practical, too, with fewer pots to scrub.

It’s heartening to see these traditions embraced more widely. For me, they’ve always been simple acts of care; practical, grounding habits shaped by generations before us.




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Men swear by Le Labo fragrances. Here are their 5 favorite scents.

by with No Comment Xpandfy

Micah Ronald, a 19-year-old college student in Arizona, was looking for fragrance recommendations on TikTok about six months ago when he came across rave reviews of Le Labo.

He bought the $135 discovery kit and instantly became a fan of Another 13.

“It’s a fresh, clean scent that doesn’t smell too much like laundry,” he said.

Le Labo describes the perfume on its website as a hypnotizing and “addictive dirty potion.” When I tried it, I smelled jasmine, citrus, vanilla, and musk.

Malcolm Walker-Hendricks, 30, who is based in Quebec and works in sales and content creation, said Another 13 is his favorite scent “without a doubt or hesitation.”

“It reminds me of being in Lisbon, Portugal, because it’s very light, airy, and sweet, with a little twang,” he said. “I probably use it as much as I drink water in a day.”




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As a travel planner, I rarely recommend Paris or Rome. Instead, I swear by these 5 European gems.

by with No Comment Xpandfy

Cinque Terre is one of my favorite cities — or, more accurately, my favorite collection of five villages.

Nestled along the Italian Riviera, Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore are accessible only by train, ferry, or foot.

Each has a distinct style, and hikers flock to this region to enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Vernazza, my favorite village, is the gem of this region. I love wandering the cobbled streets to shop, snack, and explore. You can also visit the Castello Doria or the church of Santa Margherita d’Antiochia.

In the summer months, tourists sunbathe on the beaches of Monterosso or take a dip in the sea. For a history lesson, visit the remains of Castello Fieschi or the Church of St John the Baptist and the Capuchin Monastery.

In Manarola, take some time to watch locals cliff-jump into the marina. I also suggest taking a wine tour through the town to sample some local specialties. Be sure to try Sciacchetrà, a sweet but strong dessert wine produced in Cinque Terre.

Riomaggiore is also home to a castle and churches dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries. The center of the town is great for wandering, shopping, and eating.

Corniglia is probably the quietest of the five villages. There, climb the Lardarina staircase for beautiful views of the coastline or take a boat tour to fully enjoy the area’s beauty.




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I’m a dietitian and mom of 2. I swear by these 7 Costco buys to make nutritious meals for my family in under 30 minutes.

by with No Comment Xpandfy

  • I’m a dietitian and mom who relies on Costco staples to make healthy meals for my family of four.
  • Taylor Farms salad kits and raw veggies help me prep dinner in under 30 minutes.
  • I also use Amylu meatballs and proteins from Kevin’s Natural Foods to make easy weeknight meals.

Even though I’m a registered dietitian, the question “What’s for dinner?” always weighs heavily on my mind.

Getting a decent dinner on the table quickly can be a challenge, particularly when I factor in late work meetings and my two kids’ after-school activities.

No matter how busy I get, though, I always try to prepare a balanced, nutritious dinner with a high-quality protein and at least one vegetable for my family.

Here are seven products I get at Costco to prep flavorful weeknight dinners I feel good about serving my kids.

I rely on Amylu chicken meatballs for quick meals.

Amylu chicken meatballs are versatile enough to eat with a variety of cuisines.

Ana Reisdorf

Amylu chicken meatballs are a versatile option for a weeknight meal, packing about 3 ½ grams of protein per meatball.

I can prepare them on their own or pair them with sides like brown rice and veggies. I’ve also served them over pasta, zoodles, or crusty bread for a filling weeknight dinner.

These meatballs reheat well and don’t require any time-intensive chopping or prep. They’re also great for nights when my kids need something quick and satiating before rushing out the door.

I keep at least one pack in the freezer for backup dinners. They’re reliable, kid-friendly, and take all the pressure off when I need something quick.

Rao’s Homemade marinara sauce is a staple in my house.


Rao's Marinara sauce

Rao’s marinara tastes better than any jarred alternatives I’ve tried from grocery stores.

Ana Reisdorf

A good jar of marinara sauce can actually taste homemade, and Rao’s version is proof. I can’t beat its quality for the price, so I stock up on it whenever I see it at Costco.

I like that it has no added sugar (unlike many jarred marinara sauces). The flavor is also rich enough that I can use it without adding any spices or seasonings.

I often pair this marinara with the Amylu chicken meatballs and spaghetti, but I can also use it in my baked chicken recipe or as a quick pizza sauce.

It’s one of the few items in my pantry that consistently saves me time while still tasting fresh and flavorful.

Heat-and-serve entrées, like Kevin’s Natural Foods’ roasted-garlic chicken, require barely any effort.


Kevin's Roasted Garlic Chicken

The packaging around the roasted-garlic chicken keeps the meat fresh for longer than I expected.

Ana Reisdorf

Costco offers a wide range of heat-and-serve protein options. Kevin’s Natural Foods’ roasted-garlic chicken is always a staple in our fridge, serving up 21 grams of protein per 5-ounce serving.

I find that each package lasts a long time, so I always keep one on hand for a quick weeknight meal. It’s easy to pair with my veggies and other sides of choice.

Cuisine Solutions’ sliced grass-fed beef sirloin makes steak nights a breeze.


Sliced Grass Fed Beef Sirloin from Costco

Cuisine Solutions’ sliced grass-fed beef sirloin comes cooked perfectly.

Ana Reisdorf

My husband loves beef, but I sometimes have trouble preparing it just the way he likes.

Thankfully, Cuisine Solutions’ sliced grass-fed beef sirloin comes fully cooked and feels impossible to mess up.

It has 19 grams of protein per 3-ounce serving, and is versatile enough to add to dishes like tacos, salads, or soups.

Getting my greens in is easy thanks to Taylor Farms salad kits.


Taylor Farms Salad Kit at Costco

Taylor Farms salad kits taste delicious and keep me from having to waste time chopping.

Ana Reisdorf

To get a quick meal on the table, I throw a protein over a Taylor Farms salad kit, which comes with everything I need to make a tasty salad in less than five minutes.

The Costco near me carries a wide variety of kits in the produce section, so I get different ones each week to mix up the flavors and ingredients.

Raw vegetables, such as tomatoes and cucumbers, come together to make delicious side salads.


Cucumber package from Costco

I snag the three-pack of cucumbers from Costco every time I shop at the store.

Ana Reisdorf

My kids prefer their vegetables raw rather than cooked, so a cucumber and tomato salad is a staple side dish on weeknights. Every time I put a batch on the table, my family finishes it.

A three-pack of cucumbers from Costco lasts me the whole week, and I feel good about serving them to my family since they’re a source of fiber and vitamin K, which supports bone health.

The store also tends to sell a wide variety of tomatoes, which I use to add a dose of immunity-boosting vitamin C to the salad.

My tomato and cucumber salad is so easy to throw together. Just chop some cucumbers and halve the tomatoes. Then, mix them with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and vinegar.

I heat up Kirkland Signature’s chicken-tortilla soup on the busiest nights.


Kirkland Chicken Tortilla Soup

The chicken-tortilla soup has white meat and vegetables inside.

Ana Reisdorf

If the week is especially busy, everyone is ravenous, and I have to get dinner on the table in less than 10 minutes, I have premade soups, like the Kirkland Signature chicken-tortilla soup, on standby.

Admittedly, some soups have more sodium than I prefer, but at least the Kirkland Signature chicken-tortilla soup also contains tomatoes, corn, and peppers — and 12 grams of protein per cup.

It’s a nourishing, cozy meal that keeps everyone’s bellies full.




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