Jenna Valji

Throwback to a different life 🥃 . #rome #italy #naiscocktailbar @naiscocktailbar

I’ve been thinking: maybe the silence isn’t the problem. It’s the “surface level” performance we default to even when we’re sitting right across from each other. Your body already knows the difference. It knows the exhaustion of a conversation that stays in the “safe” zone of jobs and purchases, and it knows the “ancient medicine” of a conversation that actually lands. True connection isn’t a status update. It’s the relief valve that lets us step out of our roles as professionals, parents, and performers, and just be people. A lot of people think they’re good communicators, when in actuality, they’ve become good performers. We don’t need more words. We need more intention. Are you craving more depth in your daily interactions? How are you practicing “being real” this week? . #prideofgathering #intentionalconnection #presence #yegevents

When you can’t eat sugar yet but mama and papa are eating the best hotcake in the whole world right in front of you 👶🏻 it’s been so special to bring Remy there because their hotcakes were a pregnancy craving of mine 😂 Did you know Barb and Ernie’s is celebrating 50 years this year? Stay tuned for a CBC segment on this community cornerstone 🤍 . #hotcakes #yegfood #yeglocal #remynoorvalji #barbandernies

“Cousins, not sisters” 😂 🥞 . #prideofplating #pancakes #smolpupperolive #blackberries #quietmornings

The Cultural Weight of Girl Dinner 🍽️ . Plate by @beyondumami.pottery . #girldinner #communitybuilding #prideofplating #prideofgathering #friday

GIRL DINNERRRRR, GIRL DINNNERRRR - plates made especially for this 🥰 . The perfect plates with sections for little num-nums of everything, and even a little piece of chocolate :) I love every detail of these, am so grateful for the new additions to my kitchen. Can’t wait to try more combinations! 🙌🏽 @beyondumami.pottery is where you can get yours! 🤍 . #girldinner #prideofplating #yeglocal

PRIDE OF GATHERING - The evening at @araratyeg was a study in intentionality, where the dialogue held as much depth as the provisions. We gathered in a small, intimate group of cultural anchors and food-adjacent voices for an open-ended conversation that lingered over a curated sampling of the menu. Each dish served as a sensory cornerstone, hosting a discussion about the weight of navigating and creating our own balanced version of collectivism. We all seemed to agree that ‘all or nothing’ is a mindset we are actively trying to build away from - as it’s unsustainable in so many aspects. This space we were in was the perfect place to discuss the value of newness and tradition over tea and bites (something we’ve been doing different versions of since the beginning of time). Ararat is beautiful, soft, welcoming - owned by women whose stories and experiences we have so much respect for - I felt a lump in my throat as one of the stories reminded me of my own grandmother. We invited them to join our conversation on the responsibility of existing within ourselves - which made it feel less like a launch and more like a homecoming. At a Pride of Gathering event, the connection goes beyond food - but seated at the table is where it starts. Thank you again to Ararat for hosting us - we wish you all the success 🤍 . #hosted #prideofplating #prideofgathering #yegfood #yegevents

SAVOURY QUINOA FLAX MUFFINS . - 1 cup cooked quinoa (cooled) - 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (preferably full-fat) - 2 large eggs - 1/4 cup milk - 1 tsp chilli powder - 1 cup whole wheat flour (or all-purpose - 1/2 tsp baking soda - 1 1/2 tsp baking powder - 1/4 tsp salt - 1-2 chopped green onion (optional) - 1 tbsp granulated garlic - 1/4 cup shredded cheese - 1/4 cup whole flax seeds . Combine all ingredients and bake at 350F for 20 mins or until toothpick comes out clean. Makes 12! . #quinoa #sunday #prideofplating #yeg

The four of us tried @padmanadi for the first time today (by four I mean Remy’s teddy bestie that he insisted be in the photo, stop jumping to conclusions 😂) We’re not vegan, but I’m definitely meat-ed out - and I’d 100% go back - the dishes were delicious! We had the satay, the coconut rice, ginger beef, crispy chicken and nasi goreng (a bit on the sweet side for my tastebuds) but really nice to have this as an option so close to home! . #yegvegan #yegfood #prideofplatinggoesout #teamabinna

Just a lil’ something I’ve been working on :) (because a baby has not kept me awake/busy enough? 😂) I read that if you don’t see exactly what you want, why aren’t you creating the event you’d want to go to? I’ve taken bits from events I’ve been at over the years, and combined it into a small, intimate experience. The first upcoming event is full, but send an email or DM if you want to be at the next one! . #prideofplating #prideofgathering #yegevents #yegfood #yegcommunity

He knows not to rush me, this is my Sephora more than actual Sephora 😅 . 📸: @avalji1 . #prideofplating #grocerystores #deli #yegfood #mysephora

HOMEMADE VEGAN GRANOLA BARS . 2.5 cups large flake Oats 1/3 cup Peanut butter 1/2 cup Shredded coconut, with some extra for dusting on top 1/4 cup Chia seeds 1/2 cup Dates, soaked in warm water and chopped up 2 ripe Bananas, fork mashed 1 Tbsp Ground cinnamon 1/4 cup Maple syrup Mix everything together in a large bowl, then spread into a parchment lined 9x12 pan. Dust some extra shredded coconut on top :) Bake at 350F for 20 mins. Let cool before cutting into 16 bars! Can stay in the fridge for up to a week! Also freezes well. . #veganrecipes #homemade #granolabars #march #prideofplating