<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[TSE]]></title><description><![CDATA[APW]]></description><link>https://www.aplateofwhims.com/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Fri, 10 Jul 2026 01:08:47 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.aplateofwhims.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Introducing: A Plate of Whims]]></title><description><![CDATA[For a long time, The Scared Epicurean held space for me. It told the story of someone curious but cautious, someone who loved food but still approached new experiences with a little hesitation. And that version of me was real. I needed that name. I grew under it. A Plate of Whims came to me after feeling extremely burnt out, overwhelmed and underwhelmed in my life. I thought of how I wanted to feel daily and I wanted to feel like my favorite emoji - a sparkle, making every moment feel whimsical]]></description><link>https://www.aplateofwhims.com/post/introducing-a-plate-of-whims</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a418ec997927fc22c6c651c</guid><category><![CDATA[Notes between Bites]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 09 Jul 2026 01:25:27 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ceaab9_918bf546094d498195c357a1466705c8~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_660,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Vanessa Gonzalez</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Kuyah?! Jamaican Food… Reimagined]]></title><description><![CDATA[Seeing Jamaican cuisine reimagined shouldn’t be shocking. Our food is bold, flavorful, and incredibly versatile — the perfect canvas for creativity.
Still, most of us are used to seeing our favorites served the traditional way. Plates of jerk chicken, ackee and saltfish, or curry goat exactly as we grew up eating them.
But Jamaica Food and Drink Festival: KUYAH Jamaican Food Reimagined challenged that idea completely.]]></description><link>https://www.aplateofwhims.com/post/kuyah-jamaican-food-reimagined</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a4f0cbf9c52b1d753a59162</guid><category><![CDATA[On A Whim]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 12 Mar 2026 15:33:21 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ceaab9_d1dce24de9be46fba94b5e018f36b070~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Vanessa Gonzalez</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[A Soft Girl's Birthday Dinner- Bombay Darbar Review]]></title><description><![CDATA[Birthdays, as a woman, can be surprisingly stressful. There’s an unspoken pressure to make the day perfect — to plan the outfit, curate the vibe, organize the dinner, capture the photos, and still appear effortlessly grateful while doing it all. Somewhere along the way, celebration turns into management. For women with hyper-independent tendencies, especially those rooted in trauma, birthdays can feel even heavier. Hyper independence teaches you that if you don’t plan it, it won’t happen...]]></description><link>https://www.aplateofwhims.com/post/a-soft-girl-s-birthday-dinner-bombay-darbar-review</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a4f0cbf9c52b1d753a59140</guid><category><![CDATA[On A Whim]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 12 Feb 2026 16:05:27 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ceaab9_d6d2a1c29fc34cc087f32aee7f63268e~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Vanessa Gonzalez</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Churches Chicken in Jamaica Review]]></title><description><![CDATA[I did something crazy purely out of curiosity. Some may call it nuffism. I braved the crowd and tried Church’s Chicken for the very first ti]]></description><link>https://www.aplateofwhims.com/post/churches-chicken-in-jamaica-review</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a4f0cbf9c52b1d753a59160</guid><category><![CDATA[Never I Have I Ever...]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 05 Feb 2026 21:09:24 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ceaab9_c2b74dc4ad5845d99dd2a40219aab022~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Vanessa Gonzalez</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Blueberry Ginga Fizz | Mocktail Recipe]]></title><description><![CDATA[This drink was simple, thoughtful, and quietly good. No alcohol. No trends. Just flavor. And maybe that’s why it still holds up.]]></description><link>https://www.aplateofwhims.com/post/blueberry-ginga-fizz-mocktail-recipe</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a4f0cbf9c52b1d753a59161</guid><category><![CDATA[Whim & Tonic]]></category><category><![CDATA[Plated by Me]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 23 Jan 2026 14:48:42 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ceaab9_e84444275ba64b22bb61df41f7d34544~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Vanessa Gonzalez</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Fifty Things I’ve Learnt Writing 50 Blog Posts]]></title><description><![CDATA[I’ve wanted to have a blog since I had a big desktop computer plug in internet in my room.  I started with WordPress, and I was confused because the internet was a new concept and the only thing I was good at tech wise was playing PetVille on Facebook. I failed at building a blog and I would sit and romanticize being a blogger every day after that. Eventually I tried again and so many things scared me. Would people hate my website? Would people read the blog? Would my pictures suck? Would my...]]></description><link>https://www.aplateofwhims.com/post/fifty-things-i-ve-learnt-writing-50-blog-posts</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a4f0cbf9c52b1d753a5913f</guid><pubDate>Thu, 15 Jan 2026 13:48:14 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ceaab9_f4d19fce6c72459a9d9b98e72721b4f5~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Vanessa Gonzalez</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Dry January Challenge - Cherry Berry Mocktail]]></title><description><![CDATA[January has a way of exposing habits we didn’t realize we were leaning on.
So when January 3 rolled around and I found myself itching for a drink, my first thought wasn’t discipline — it was curiosity. Why did my body and mind want it so badly? And what would happen if I didn’t immediately give in?
That’s how I found myself committing to Dry January, not confidently, not perfectly — but doing it scared.]]></description><link>https://www.aplateofwhims.com/post/dry-january-challenge-cherry-berry-mocktail</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a4f0cbf9c52b1d753a5913e</guid><category><![CDATA[Notes between Bites]]></category><category><![CDATA[Whim & Tonic]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 08 Jan 2026 14:35:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ceaab9_e39b85cff08843c5b543fd5f4cf2b5f1~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Vanessa Gonzalez</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How to Make Store-Bought Hot Chocolate Feel Like a Holiday Hug]]></title><description><![CDATA[Somewhere along the way, the holidays convinced us that joy requires twelve ingredients, a specialty whisk, and a minor identity crisis in the kitchen.



 But let me remind you of something radical: store-bought hot chocolate is already doing the heavy lifting.]]></description><link>https://www.aplateofwhims.com/post/how-to-make-store-bought-hot-chocolate-feel-like-a-holiday-hug</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a4f0cbf9c52b1d753a5915f</guid><category><![CDATA[Plated by Me]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 31 Dec 2025 14:15:30 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ceaab9_9da7121ef5b74727803277a7ba4af4de~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Vanessa Gonzalez</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[48 Hours at Ecoscape Jamaica …in the Dark]]></title><description><![CDATA[Turns out that sometimes when life drops trees in your path, stepping out on a limb can lead you straight into something beautiful ]]></description><link>https://www.aplateofwhims.com/post/48-hours-at-ecoscape-jamaica-in-the-dark</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a4f0cbf9c52b1d753a5913d</guid><category><![CDATA[On A Whim]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 19 Dec 2025 18:27:33 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ceaab9_279e938ee184436ba059475092cf6f56~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Vanessa Gonzalez</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Iced Coffee At Home | Ninja Pods &#38; Grounds Single-Serve Coffee Maker Review]]></title><description><![CDATA[Coffee lovers know the struggle — sometimes you want the convenience of a pod, other times you crave the bold flavor of freshly ground beans. The Ninja Pods &#38; Grounds machine promises the best of both worlds. Today, I’m testing it out by making one of my favorite café-style drinks at home: a Brown Sugar Shaken Iced Coffee.

]]></description><link>https://www.aplateofwhims.com/post/iced-coffee-at-home-ninja-pods-grounds-single-serve-coffee-maker-review</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a4f0cbf9c52b1d753a5915d</guid><category><![CDATA[Kitchen Gadgets]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 08 Dec 2025 16:18:51 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ceaab9_fff30b03373c4f76be09efb8e232ddf7~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Vanessa Gonzalez</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The sprint capital's marathon - Jamaica’s Hurricane Melissa Recovery]]></title><description><![CDATA[In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica’s spirit shines brighter than ever, embodying the true meaning of "Jamaica No Problem." Through heartfelt stories and unwavering unity, the island’s resilience and hope guide every step of recovery, reminding us that no storm can break the strength of a community that stands together.]]></description><link>https://www.aplateofwhims.com/post/the-sprint-capital-s-marathon-jamaica-s-hurricane-melissa-recovery</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a4f0cbf9c52b1d753a5915e</guid><category><![CDATA[Notes between Bites]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 01 Dec 2025 16:21:14 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ceaab9_0c1f04296f544f3f873329e4379d9753~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Vanessa Gonzalez</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Date Night at Steakhouse on the Veranda- Lobster 2-4-1]]></title><description><![CDATA[I’ve always wanted to go to Steakhouse on the Veranda to try their steaks, but I guess I wasn’t motivated enough but when I saw their two for one Lobster deal, I quickly dragged on my good clothes and my designated plus one to go. ]]></description><link>https://www.aplateofwhims.com/post/date-night-at-steakhouse-on-the-veranda-lobster-2-4-1</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a4f0cbf9c52b1d753a5911e</guid><category><![CDATA[On A Whim]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 22 Oct 2025 19:21:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ceaab9_6a16b9e9e1f7440c92d5c22350712c15~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Vanessa Gonzalez</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[A Pretty Pink Treat: My Lychee Martini for Pinktober ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Still from Reel - Go check it out for visuals! This month at work, we’re celebrating  Pinktober,  a month dedicated to breast cancer...]]></description><link>https://www.aplateofwhims.com/post/a-pretty-pink-treat-my-lychee-martini-for-pinktober</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a4f0cbf9c52b1d753a5913c</guid><pubDate>Fri, 10 Oct 2025 15:53:16 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ceaab9_8c3812e4252a42df9cac1f6bab6a7795~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Vanessa Gonzalez</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Things to Do This Summer That Involves Your Belly- Night Out With Your Crew]]></title><description><![CDATA[Someone needs to explain to me where the summer is running to so fast!? I made all these grand plans to have a great summer and share...]]></description><link>https://www.aplateofwhims.com/post/things-to-do-this-summer-that-involves-your-belly-night-out-with-your-crew</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a4f0cbf9c52b1d753a5913b</guid><pubDate>Fri, 15 Aug 2025 21:47:41 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ceaab9_9e7b85f07ef143b5af008aa85a4c4391~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Vanessa Gonzalez</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Things to Do This Summer That Involves Your Belly: Camping at Fern Forest Eco Village]]></title><description><![CDATA[Summer has officially started and to kick it off I did something I’ve been wanting to do for a while—camping!  ]]></description><link>https://www.aplateofwhims.com/post/things-to-do-this-summer-that-involves-your-belly-camping-at-fern-forest-eco-village</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a4f0cbf9c52b1d753a5911c</guid><category><![CDATA[Summer Series]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 06 Jul 2025 15:29:04 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ceaab9_01f147676a5a40fd85d8a45fed68184b~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Vanessa Gonzalez</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[What To Eat On Your Summer Trip To Jamaica...]]></title><description><![CDATA[Ready to eat like a true Jamaican? Whether you're visiting for the sun, sea or culture one the best ways to experience my beautiful country ]]></description><link>https://www.aplateofwhims.com/post/what-to-eat-on-your-summer-trip-to-jamaica</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a4f0cbf9c52b1d753a5911d</guid><category><![CDATA[Summer Series]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 23 Jun 2025 02:01:09 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ceaab9_3f53705f0a784a42a157214474978bfd~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Vanessa Gonzalez</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Girls' Day- Murray's Curry Goat + First Time Trying Rabbit]]></title><description><![CDATA[One thing I always dreamed off is Murray's Jerk Hut being closer because the one time I stopped on my way back from Negril has been edged in my memory and that was years ago...]]></description><link>https://www.aplateofwhims.com/post/girl-s-day-murray-s-curry-goat-first-time-trying-rabbit</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a4f0cbf9c52b1d753a5913a</guid><category><![CDATA[On A Whim]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 05 Jun 2025 19:35:40 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ceaab9_9b1127ea4b744d17aad01d502f4a9f0e~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Vanessa Gonzalez</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Yuh Belly Nuh Big... You're Just Bloated- How to De-bloat before Summer 2025]]></title><description><![CDATA[Let’s talk about it, ladies—the bloated belly panic before Summer ! You’ve been prepping to have the summer body for months or maybe not....]]></description><link>https://www.aplateofwhims.com/post/yuh-belly-nuh-big-you-re-just-bloated-how-to-de-bloat-before-summer-2025</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a4f0cbf9c52b1d753a5915b</guid><category><![CDATA[Notes between Bites]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 29 May 2025 18:37:49 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ceaab9_275ad1494fcc4bc7a2ce4bba89cba497~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Vanessa Gonzalez</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Cinco de Mayo in Kingston: Fiesta Vibes &#38; Fire Margaritas]]></title><description><![CDATA[Kingston doesn’t need much of an excuse to turn up—but when Cinco de Mayo  rolls around, we add a little extra  spice to the mix. What...]]></description><link>https://www.aplateofwhims.com/post/cinco-de-mayo-in-kingston-fiesta-vibes-fire-margaritas</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a4f0cbf9c52b1d753a5915c</guid><category><![CDATA[Whim & Tonic]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 05 May 2025 02:00:43 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ceaab9_4452d96ff2be4078a7e98e4740db96f9~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Vanessa Gonzalez</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Zen Bowls: A Cozy Oasis for Açaí Lovers (Even if It Costs a Little More)]]></title><description><![CDATA[The Outside of Zen Bowls If you’re a fan of the vibrant and refreshing world of açaí bowls, then Zen Bowls is a hidden gem worth...]]></description><link>https://www.aplateofwhims.com/post/zen-bowls-a-cozy-oasis-for-a%C3%A7a%C3%AD-lovers-even-if-it-costs-a-little-more</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a4f0cbf9c52b1d753a5911b</guid><pubDate>Thu, 03 Apr 2025 19:31:59 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ceaab9_7ee5c039617d4266948f1fc2985d5d44~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Vanessa Gonzalez</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>