225: The Art of Imperfections with Candice Kumai

I’m so happy to have the amazing Candice Kumai on the show today! A former model turned culinary chef and celebrity, she has now tapped back into who she truly feels called to be and that’s as a writer. Today, we’re talking about her new book, Kintsugi Wellness, and her journey and Japanese heritage that called her to write it.

 

Kintsugi is the beautiful Japanese practice of taking a broken item and sealing or mending the cracks with golden repair. Candice uses this as an analogy in everyone’s life as she feels that our struggles or challenges are what make us more beautiful. We are all imperfect and she whole-heartedly hopes we all can see the goodness in our flaws and celebrate them in ourselves – and in others.

 

There are so many fascinating components to both Candice and her new book – particularly the deep dive into her heritage’s practices and philosophies – and I can’t wait to read it in its entirety. Be sure to pick up your copy, too and let me know what you think!

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Question Highlights:

• Can you tell me what Kintsugi means, where it came from and where it came up throughout your journey?
• Do you think it was important for you to go through your rough times?
• What means the most in the world to you right now?
• What are some of the most exciting things you’ve learned in your research?
• What do you think were the core Japanese practices that shaped you?
• What’s something wise you’ve heard lately?
• What is resonating for people in your book?
• How do you incorporate mindfulness into the food you make?
• What are you most excited about right now?

 

In This Episode We Talk about:

• What Kintsugi means and how Candice came to write her new book, Kintsugi Wellness
• The importance of connection and sharing our stories and pasts
• What Candice’s Japanese heritage means to her
• Wabi Sabi and what it means
• Letting go of expectations
• Accepting your imperfections and seeing the beauty in them
• Being unapologetically who you are
• Resilience
• Learning to let go
• And much more…

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Candice Kumai is known as “the golden girl of the wellness world” (Elle Magazine) and one of the “top 20 new role models” (Arianna Huffington). She is a classically trained chef, wellness writer, and author of five books. She contributes to lifestyle outlets such as Cosmopolitan, Yoga Journal, Elle, Shape, Bob Appétit, Byrdie, Girlboss, and Well + Good (where she also sits on their Wellness Council). Candice is a former judge on Iron Chef America and Beat Bobby Flay, she is a regular contributor on Dr. Oz. and E! News.

Resources:

FB: facebook.com/candicekumai

IG: @candicekumai

Twitter: @candicekumai

 

Kintsugi Wellness by Candice Kumai

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Check out my website at loriharder.com. Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook.