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E L ITE 時尚精英

Interview With Mei Xu: Zen in Life and Entrepreneurship 企業家徐梅的香氛世界

2026 SUMMER EDITION

A Vietnamese American’s Culinary Awakening 越裔食譜作家：依循傳統再興健康飲食之道

Bunny Mellon: Mastermind of the White House Rose Garden 認識前白宮玫瑰園設計師

GARDEN SERENITY ISSUE 71

The Wisdom and Philosophy of Traditional China 經典中式園林

Best-Selling Cookbook Celebrity Chef CiCi Li

39 Most Popular Dishes Step-by-step recipes to delight you and your loved ones. Exclusive cooking tips from Celebrity Chef CiCi Li. Enchanting stories behind unique and popular Asian dishes.

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PUBLISHER Ellen Wang

EDITORIAL EDITOR IN CHIEF

Astrid Wang

ART & CULTURE EDITOR

Belinda Lin

LIFESTYLE EDITOR

Jennifer Tseng

PEOPLE EDITOR

Cora Wang

BEAUTY EDITOR

Pia Norris

CONTRIBUTORS

Channaly Philipp Ann Lin Jenny Han Amy Denney Tim Johnson

TRANSLATORS

Gigi Tseng Tzuyi Lin

COPY EDITORS

Louise Rothman Huixuan Yang

CREATIVE LEAD DESIGNER

Karen Tang

DESIGNERS

Hsinyu Lo Ziyao Wu

SALES SALES DIRECTOR

Jo Yang

ADDRESS 129 W. 29th St., 10th floor, New York, NY 10001 PHONE 646-862-9930 EMAIL editor@elite-magazine.com advertising@elite-magazine.com subscription@elite-magazine.com www.elite-magazine.com

TRANSLATION STATEMENT Stories that have been translated from English or Chinese have been edited for brevity and clarity.

人氣贈禮

慶賀周歲新生亦賀期頤之壽予己、予子孫，盼這份長久與甜蜜在心間蔓延

美味之餘，更是對一生美滿、福壽綿長的祝願！

招牌之一 Tos en ka 全桃入菓鮮果厚實滋味濃郁

S hi mi zuhakuto 果凍口感細膩絲滑桃香四溢

604 5th Ave, New York, NY 10020

目錄 CONTENTS 5

Editor’s Note

序

Editor’s Pick: A Milestone to Remember

Say Hello to Your Skin’s Superhero

Nature’s Rhythm for Better Health: 24 Hours With TCM Doctor Serene Feng

編輯精選：畢業獻禮

美膚之道——肌膚健康維繫

中醫養生：五臟六腑的時刻表

A Talk With Mei Xu: Decoding the Link Between Fragrance and Holistic Wellbeing 企業家專訪：香氛品牌創辦人徐梅的獨門心法

Finding Poetry and Serenity in Classical Chinese Gardens

探尋中式園林裡的詩意與哲學

The Tale of Bunny Mellon: Inside the Gardens and Legacy of an American Tastemaker

一品美國園藝名家邦尼· 梅隆的傳世之作

The Moon Gate (月門) is a classic element of Chinese garden design. Check out our feature on page 28. Sergii Rudiuk/iStock/Getty Images Plus

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Cooking by Tradition: Meet a Tech Executive Who Left the Boardroom for Homesteading

追尋傳統智慧——從科技業到食譜作家的轉職之旅

36 On the Cover

Your Pocket Compendium of Floral Wonders

別出心裁精選切花指南

A Vietnamese Salad to Beat the Heat

越式清爽沙拉

Five of America’s Top Wildflower Destinations

今夏限定北美野花季

序 EDITOR’S NOTE

五月為亞太裔美國人傳統月，而本刊自創刊以來，便以華人為主要面向，因此本期封面選自華人備感親切且具文化底蘊的園林景緻，特寫的中式園林一隅，帶我們遊歷這道承傳千年的風景，放諸今日的意義。而與封面為對比，本次家居專題聚焦在美國園藝家邦尼 · 梅隆（Bunny Mellon）的故事，看西方園藝世界又有哪些意涵？前陣子有本新書收錄了一系列的插畫作品，其主題皆是梅隆夫人設計的宅邸、庭園空間，畫面有諸多細節，饒富意趣。我們順藤摸瓜，發現它們背後最為人惦念的，是其在戶外庭園的貢獻，其中包括她親自為甘迺迪總統執政時期設計的白宮玫瑰花園，以及她創立的橡泉花園基金會，漫步庭園，那一花一草一木是跨時代的見證，向我們訴說著充滿情感的歲月。人物專訪特寫華裔企業家徐梅的人生經歷，她經手的兩個香氛品牌，不僅展現了移民的美國夢，更看其如何在首次圓夢後，持續耕耘，找到人生使命；生活風格專題也呼應了同樣的精神，食譜作家阮蘇菲亞（Sophia Nguyen Eng）曾在頂尖的科技業擁有亮麗的職涯履歷，但卻為了讓孩子、家人吃得更健康，轉身投入一個截然不同的領域—— 在自家廚房中實驗，調配出營養健康的食譜。在實踐中，她克服難關並且找到自己不懈前行的方向。無論是梅隆夫人，或是當代成功女性徐梅與阮蘇菲亞，其坐擁的成就，並非因為她們放棄了什麼，而在於當下毅然選擇了自己最在乎的課題。她們的故事提醒著我們同一件事——人生並非單選題，不會因為選擇了一條路而只活出一種可能。而每一次的選擇，將帶給我們一道精采的風景。

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

│5

Timeless Timepiece 永不過時

EDITOR'S PICK

自由飛翔 Limitless Flight: May your horizons be boundless. Rise boldly and soar into the open sky.

花若盛開，蝴蝶自來 When flowers bloom, butterflies arrive in their own time: Be true to

yourself, and success will follow.

IF JEWELRY COULD SPEAK

錦上添花——暗藏祝語的珠寶 Honor your graduate with a unique brooch. Available in a variety of shapes and styles, each piece expresses your love and heartfelt wishes. 一抹特殊造型的胸針，尤其適合在畢業典禮上替您心愛之人別上。胸針的特殊造型，蘊含著各自的美好意義。

一帆風順

越飽滿的稻穗，頭垂得越低

With the wind at your sails, Godspeed on the journey ahead: May success follow wherever you go.

學有所成如飽滿的麥穗，然則 When rice ripens, its golden heads bow toward the earth: May you gain knowledge and success, and remain humble at heart.

1 TIFFANY & CO., PARADISE BIRD SPESSARTINE BROOCH FROM THE BLUE BOOK 2026: HIDDEN GARDEN COLLECTION, PRICE UPON REQUEST, TIFFANY.COM | 2 VAN CLEEF & ARPELS, LUCKY SPRING BUTTERFLY CLIP, 18K YELLOW GOLD, AGATE, LAPIS LAZULI, MOTHER-OF-PEARL, $ 9,350, VANCLEEFARPELS.COM | 3 VAN CLEEF & ARPELS, LUCKY SUMMER BOAT CLIP, 18K YELLOW GOLD, LAPIS LAZULI, MOTHER-OF-PEARL, $ 7,850, VANCLEEFARPELS.COM | 4 CHAUMET, L’ÉPI DE BLÉ DE, BROOCH IN YELLOW GOLD SET WITH BRILLIANT-CUT DIAMONDS, $25,100, CHAUMET.COM

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PHOTOS BY CHAUMET, TIFFANY & CO. AND VAN CLEEF & ARPELS

也別忘了以謙卑為懷。

ELITE BEAUTY

Help Your Skin Be Its Own Superhero 贏在起跑點幫助肌膚回到健康狀態

By Pia Norris

rom beauty gurus to dermatologists, everyone is talking about the skin barrier and microbiome these days. So what’s all the buzz about? Traditionally, skin care focused mainly on treatments, relying on active ingredients to correct problem areas. Today, the conversation is increasingly shifting toward building up your body’s natural defense systems: the skin barrier and the microbiome. Often called “beauty’s first line of defense,” the skin barrier is the outermost layer of the skin, known as the stratum corneum. It is a thin but essential structure made up of skin cells held together by a matrix of lipids, including ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids that help protect the skin from environmental stress, irritation, and pollutants, while also maintaining hydration. Closely linked to this barrier is the skin microbiome, a community of beneficial microorganisms that live on the skin’s surface. Healthy skin typically maintains a slightly acidic pH level. When healthy and balanced, this ecosystem helps to defend against harmful microbes while supporting the skin’s natural protective functions and overall vitality. With these strong foundations in place, active ingredients can then be incorporated to address specific skin concerns. │9

In Serene Feng’s practice, lifestyle changes are part of the prescription, so patients have a central role to play in their wellness journey.

ELITE WELLNESS

In Harmony With Nature Dr. Serene Feng’s 24-hour guide to longevity and wellness 養生日程表 By Channaly Philipp Photography by Samira Bouaou

THIS ARTICLE ORIGINALLY APPEARED IN AMERICAN ESSENCE MAGAZINE

raditional Chinese Medicine gives a whole new meaning to the idea that there’s a time for everything under the sun. According to its principles, there is a proper time to conduct daily activities, from waking up in the morning to going to sleep at night. In her own practice, Serene Feng, a New York-based doctor of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), treats night owls. Their energy kicks into high gear later in the day, and they don’t fall asleep till 3 a.m. or 4 a.m. “The reason I’ve met all those people is because they’re sick, and they come to see me,” she said. “They have fatty liver, glaucoma. Some have high blood pressure at a young age—in their 20s or 30s—and they don’t know why. I tell them, ‘Because you didn’t follow nature. Every organ has its time.’”

在傳統中醫裡，「萬事皆有其時」這句話另含深意，依照中醫理論，從清晨起床到夜晚就寢，每一項日常活動都有其最合適的時間。在紐約執業的中醫師馮羅小潔，經常面對一群典型的「夜貓族」病人：他們的精神總是到了傍晚才真正清醒，往往熬到凌晨三、四點才入睡。「我之所以認識這些人，是因為他們身體都出了問題，才會來看診。」她說，「有人脂肪肝，有人青光眼；也有人二、三十歲就罹患高血壓，卻完全不明白為什麼。我告訴他們：『因為你沒有順應自然，每個臟腑都有自己的時間。』」順應自然的節奏古代中醫家細心觀察四時更替、晝夜往復，以及這些自然節律如何與人體相互呼應。「身為人，如果我們願意按照自然的節奏來生活，維持規律的作息，我們就能成為自然的一部分。」馮醫師解釋，「當我們與自然同調、同呼吸，就更容易延年益壽。」

THE PRINCIPLES: FOLLOWING NATURE Ancient Chinese healers closely watched the ebb and f low of nature season by season, the succession of day and night, and how these rhythms were interconnected with the human body. “If as human beings, we follow what nature tells us—a regular routine—then we’re a part of nature. When we’re part of nature, we breathe with nature,

透過長久細緻的觀察，前人發現「氣」在體內循環流動，沿著經絡不斷運行，並以約兩小時為一單位，在十二個主要臟腑間輪流達到高峰。這個所謂的「人體時鐘」，其實已流傳千年。當我們的生活節奏與之對應時，便能接上自然賦予的修復能量。隨著年歲漸長，更需要順勢而行，善用僅存的能量。中醫同時認為，每個臟腑亦對應五行（木、火、土、金、水）與特定情緒，例如肺主水，與悲傷的情緒相關。 │15

ELITE PEOPLE

Scents That Transcend An Entrepreneur’s Insight to Harnessing Fragrance for Better Health 超越五感的香氣企業家徐梅重譯香氛的世界 By Jennifer Tseng Pictures courtesy of Mei Xu

mell is the most elusive of our senses—often overlooked, yet the first to awaken, and functional even before we are born. As we grow, it weaves itself into our memory, in the warm aroma of baking bread and the earthy scent of rain meeting soil. A single familiar note can soothe the body and mind, carrying us back to life’s simplest joys. Blueme, a company founded by Mei Xu, captures this magic perfectly in its candles and diffusers. “Most people think of fragrance as decoration, something that makes a room smell nice. Blueme begins from a completely different place,” Xu told Elite in an interview. “We develop science-for mulated f rag rances mapped to the daily rhythm of the human nervous system. Each scent in our collection is designed to support a specific emotional and physiological state.”

嗅覺是最難以捉摸的一種感官，比起聽覺與視覺，時常被放在相對次要的位置。然而，嗅覺卻是我們最早形塑的感官，甚至早在出生前就具備。隨著成長，它與我們的記憶交織，比如——聞到烘焙坊那剛出爐的麵包香，或雨後大地飄散著清新的氣息，我們對於這些味道有著深刻的共鳴。一縷熟悉的氣味能夠舒緩身心，甚至將我們帶回過往美好的回憶中。香氛品牌 Blueme，由華裔企業家徐梅創辦，擷取生活中這些令人著迷的香氣。「大多數人認為香氛只是點綴，像是讓房間好聞，然而 Blueme 的出發點截然不同。」徐梅接受本刊專訪時分享，「我們所開發的，是依據科學調配，並對應人體神經系統日常節律的香氛。系列中的每一款氣味，都是為了支持某一種特定的情緒與生理狀態而設計。」新舊夢想製作蠟燭其實是徐梅從未想過的人生方向。年輕時她便擁有鮮明的志向，學業出色，12歲考入中國一所極具聲望、採沉浸式全英語教學的學校，想像自己未來將走上

WHERE DREAMS BEGIN ANEW While she has achieved remarkable success today, candle-making was once the furthest thing from Xu’s mind. Ambitious and academically gifted as a young girl growing up in China, she was accepted into a prestigious English-immersive school at the age of 12. While there, she envisioned a clear path toward becoming a diplomat. That path shifted in the wake of the Tiananmen Square Massacre in June 1989, the year she graduated from college. After weeks of pro-democracy protests in Beijing, the Chinese military moved in with force, bringing the movement to a violent end. 22│

外交官之路。但這最初的志願在 1989 年六月發生了劇烈的改變。那一年她剛從大學畢業，也是天安門事件發生的同一年，那時北京已有長達數週的民主抗議行動，最終在軍方強力鎮壓下，暴力地終結了當時的運動。徐梅在其 2021 年出版的自傳書籍《Burn: How Grit, Innovation, and a Dash of Luck Ignited a MultiMillion Dollar Success Story》（中文版為《我是追風人從不等風來》）中寫道，中國當局為防止局勢進一步動盪，當年的畢業生被分派全國各地。加上國際制裁導致部分使館關閉，使其原本的外交夢碎。當時她被派往一處礦物出口倉庫，負責記錄每日卡車的到貨情況。不願就此妥協的她，於 1991 年移居美國，獨自來

Mei Xu, founder of Blueme, is dedicated to exploring the connection between scent and emotion, and how fragrance can support both mental and physical health.

As Xu recounted in her 2021 book Burn: How Grit, Innovation, and a Dash of Luck Ignited a Multi-Million Dollar Success Story, graduates were dispersed across the country to prevent further unrest. With international sanctions leading to embassy closures, her diplomatic aspirations were abruptly put on hold. Xu was instead assigned to a mineral export warehouse, where she logged truck arrivals each day. Unwilling to settle for such a life, Xu moved to the United States in 1991. Alone in New York and disillusioned by a lackluster job, she found solace wandering through Bloomingdale’s. There, she noticed a striking contrast between bold, fashion-forward clothing and a home goods section that felt drab and dated. Within that gap, she saw possibility.

到紐約生活。不過她對當時的工作感到乏味，下班後常在 Bloomingdale’ s 百貨裡閒晃，原先無味的重複場景，卻讓她察覺到一種鮮明的對比：時裝區的布置前衛、亮眼，家居陳列處卻顯得沉悶而陳舊。她從這兩者的落差中看見了可能性。「我當時心想，肯定有方法能把美式時尚那種現代而清新的風格，帶進居家陳設與裝飾之中。這個念頭後來逐漸化為一個夢想，並在我想像未來時變得愈發清晰：這個世界需要的，不是另一位時裝設計師，而是一位能夠幫助人們打造時髦居所的設計師。」她在書中寫道。經過無數研究與試驗後，徐梅最終選擇以蠟燭作為實現夢想的媒介。 1994 年，她創立了 Chesapeake Bay Candle，品牌成功打響名號。她將蠟燭置於霧面玻璃容器中，讓「mind & body」系列跳脫傳統厚重的香調與深色視覺，改以更輕盈、貼近現代美學的設計，與消費者的情緒與記憶創造連結。 │23

ELITE CULTURE

A YEARNING for SERENITY

The Transcendent Beauty of Classical Chinese Gardens

片山有致寸石生情 ─ ─中國園林的空間美學與生命安頓

By Ann Lin

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現代生活的節奏緊湊，在資訊爆炸與繁忙的空隙間，我們總渴望能躲進一個重整身心、自我療癒的空間。這種對心靈居所的渴求，古今皆然。若說現代人是為了逃離都市的喧囂與快節奏，那麼中國古代文人，則是為了在禮教與官場的束縛中，尋得一方精神的淨土。當代建築大師貝聿銘曾形容：「生活便是建築，建築便是生活的鏡子。」（Life is architecture and architecture is the mirror of life.）對古代文人而言，園林正是那面折射他們精神渴求的明鏡。如同東晉陶淵明對桃花源的嚮往，園林是在紅塵鬧市中營造出的「城市山林」。它既免於深山野嶺的荒涼，又能遠離塵俗的羈絆，巧妙化解了「入世」與「出世」之間的兩難。古人渴望在現世中實現抱負，又不願為俗務所困，既然無法真正放逐於山水之間，那便將山水移入眼前，在紅塵之中覓得片刻清寂，養心亦養神。

PHOTO BY SGUOPHOTOGRAPHY

n today’s fast-paced world, time is precious, and productivity is paramount. The digital age has dramatically shortened distances and accelerated daily life. Yet with its conveniences has come an unprecedented level of stress and an endless craving for the next dopamine hit. While people in ancient times didn’t have to contend with the same flood of information, they too longed for refuge from the pressures of work and family life. As contemporary architect Ieoh Ming Pei observed, “Life is architecture and architecture is the mirror of life.” For the people of ancient China, garden design was never merely about aesthetics; it reflected their aspirations and hopes for the future. Amid the bustle of today’s city life, gardens are still sanctuaries for those who cannot fully withdraw from society, yet long for a touch of hermitage.

Mrs. Mellon’s garden on her estate is beloved for its simple elegance and harmony, reflecting her principle that nature should be given free rein. _Durston Saylor/Courtesy Oak Spring Garden Foundation, Upperville, Va.

ELITE HOME

Bunny Mellon’s

THIS ARTICLE ORIGINALLY APPEARED IN AMERICAN ESSENCE MAGAZINE.

Enchanted Gardens The Horticulturalist Behind the White House Rose Garden

綠意設計師 ——認識前白宮玫瑰園幕後推手邦妮·梅隆 By Jennifer Tseng

RANUNCULUS 花毛茛

SNAPDRAGON 金魚草

Also known as Persian buttercup, ranunculus comes in a wide range of colors and is beloved for its roselike, delicately ruffled blooms. In the Victorian era, this cool-season perennial symbolized love, beauty, charm, and attraction. Today, it remains a favorite for wedding bouquets. With its low pollen count and lack of fragrance, it’s a great option for those with allergies. However, both the f lowers and leaves are toxic if ingested, so it’s best to keep them out of reach of children and pets.

These beautiful and distinctive f lowers take their name from their signature shape, which resembles a dragon’s mouth perched along a tall, upright stem. In traditional flower language, snapdragons symbolize strength and grace, but also deception—perhaps reflecting the dragon’s reputation for cunning. In modern times, however, they are loved for their resilience. Able to thrive in poor soil and withstand cold climates, snapdragons have come to represent inner strength and perseverance. They make a thoughtful and encouraging gift for anyone going through a rough time in life.

花毛茛又名陸蓮花，俗稱洋牡丹，它的花色豐富，有圓形牡丹的花型，但相對小巧、細膩。維多利亞時代的洋牡丹，就如同玫瑰，是美好愛情的象徵，尤其是粉紅色

金魚草花形獨特，花朵精緻有褶邊，色彩繽紛，再加上

和紅色花朵。由於沒有花香，對過敏體質的人來講，可

高挑直立的花莖，深受園藝和插花愛好者的喜愛。不同

算是一種友好花材。因其花色多樣且花型美麗，加上象

品種的金魚草花形狀略有差異，但都有龍嘴狀的標誌性

徵愛情的花語，在婚禮花束中十分常見。然而，陸蓮花

特徵，這也是英文名Snapdragon的由來。

的花、葉都含毒素，誤食有危險，家中若有孩童或寵物

在傳統花語中，金魚草被賦予的意義並非完

要多加留意。

全正面，然而到了近代，因為它能夠在貧瘠的土壤中茁壯成長，並抵禦寒冷的氣候，花商則藉此象徵力量與韌性。對於生活正經歷挑戰的人來說，這是一份合適的獻禮。

Snapdragon 金魚草 Antirrhinum majus • Season: spring to early summer, fall

Ranunculus 花毛茛 Campanula medium • Season: late winter to spring • Colors: white, blush, salmon, yellow, coral, apricot, red, plum

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• Colors: white, peach, appleblossom, bronze, yellow, crimson, and burgundy

Brompton Stock 紫羅蘭

BROMPTON STOCK 紫羅蘭

Matthiola incana • Season: spring to early summer

In the Victorian language of f lowers, Brompton stock carries the meaning “you’ll always be beautiful to me.” These low-maintenance biennials typically bloom from late spring to early summer. In Victorian times, gifting a bouquet of stock was a way to express sincere and lasting affection, making them a great choice for any joyful occasion. They bloom abundantly, with fresh green stems and a beautiful range of colors, from soft pinks to creamy neutrals, whites, and deep purples.

• Colors: white, blush, apricot, rose, purple, yellow, and cream

「在我眼裡，你永遠美麗！」這是維多利亞花語詞典中紫羅蘭的花語。春季開花後，繁茂的花朵一直持續到炎熱夏季，花期長達兩個月。在維多利亞時代的英國，送人一束紫羅蘭花聊表真誠而深厚的感情，適合婚禮、週年紀念、生日、喬遷、畢業典禮和新生兒派對等喜慶場合。盛開的紫羅蘭花朵繁茂、莖稈鮮綠，從柔和的粉紅色，到中性的奶油色和白色，再到深沉的紫色，花色豐富，既可作主角，也可作配角。

Peony 牡丹 Paeonia lactiflora • Season: late spring to early summer • Colors: white, cream, soft pink, bold coral, hot pink, and deep burgundy/red

PEONY 牡丹 In traditional Chinese culture, the peony is revered as the “king of f lowers” and symbolizes prosperity, honor, and nobility. In contemporary Western floral traditions, peonies are often chosen to celebrate a couple’s 12th wedding anniversary, representing a happy marriage and romantic love. Their large, breathtaking blooms are a popular choice for bridal bouquets and wedding decorations. These long-lived, hardy perennials bloom from late spring to early summer. Though their vase life is relatively short, peonies are surprisingly easy to care for. They need plenty of space to grow, so are

best planted in the ground rather than in pots. Once their roots are well-established, they require only minimal watering and fertilizing. Peonies can live for several decades, while tree peonies can thrive for well over a hundred years. 華人對牡丹有特殊情感，在中國文化中，牡丹貴為花王，象徵繁榮和尊貴。在英文中，牡丹（Peony）粗分為樹牡丹和草本牡丹，草本牡丹即華人所說的芍藥。在當代西方花禮文化中，牡丹常被視為結婚 12 週年的象徵花，通常與婚姻美滿、浪漫愛情、尊榮等意義相結合。因此，牡丹花也十分適合做婚禮捧花及婚慶佈置。無論哪一種牡丹，它們都在春末夏初開花，花朵碩大且芳香豔麗。雖然作為瓶插花壽命較短，但其盛放之美，讓人無法抗拒。它也是園藝人的心頭好，雖其外型高貴，但卻容易打理，照護成本低、壽命長、回報豐厚。由於牡丹需要足夠的生長空間，因此適合庭院種植，而非盆栽。一株牡丹種植幾年後，基本上不需人工澆水了，每年或隔幾年施加有機肥料即可。牡丹壽命長達數十年，而木本牡丹更能生長百年之久。 │47

ELITE LIFESTYLE

THIS ARTICLE ORIGINALLY APPEARED IN AMERICAN ESSENCE MAGAZINE.

Vietnamese American homesteader Sophia Nguyen Eng with her husband, Tim, and her two daughters, Emily and Natalie, at their farm in eastern Tennessee. _Neeli Brisky

A ncestral Wisdom of the

Kitchen

A First-Generation Vietnamese American's Culinary Journey to Health 緊繫文化之根越裔美籍食譜作家分享飲食之道

By Amy Denney

orn and raised in Silicon Valley, Sophia Nguyen Eng was poised for success in the technology world. She was good at what she did—growth marketing campaigns for startups and Fortune 500 companies—and was well on her way up the corporate ladder. She founded the Women in Growth organization to support other women working in the tech field. Hers was a resume that would make any aspiring professional envious. Then the birth of her oldest daughter, Emily, in 2011 inspired her to reach new heights—not in tech, but in the kitchen. It’s the beginning of this unusual and fascinating tale of how an ambitious American family traded the boardroom for a farm.

fully, from July until the August frost. Many head to the area appropriately named Paradise, on the southern flanks of the mountain, to enjoy red paintbrushes, pink penstemon, and yellow tiger lilies. NEW ENGLAND RETREAT Lupines are simply lovely. Purple and pink, they spread out in Sugar Hill, New Hampshire, in the meadows of the White Mountains, reaching full bloom between mid-May and mid-June. Today, biologists recognize that these plants enrich both soil and air, but farmers once thought they poisoned livestock, and thus their name shares the Latin root for wolf. Visit the White Mountains area in June. If you’re there during the annual Lupine Festival, you’ll be able to fully appreciate the beauty of these flowers. CRISP ALPINE WONDERLAND Visit Montana’s Glacier National Park at any time of year, and you’ll find some of the nation’s most stunning scenery: snow-capped mountains, mighty fields of ice, emerald lakes, and forests big enough to swallow you up. You won’t believe your eyes if you come during the spring wildf lower season, which peaks at lower elevations in April and May, and higher up, stretches through the summer. Marvel at nearly 1,000 species, including fields of beargrass, glacier lilies, purple asters, and more. Those looking to be experts can take a two-day wildf lower workshop, which includes a six-mile guided hike. FLOWERS IN THE DESERT The timing can be a bit tricky, but between February and May, the Mojave Desert grassland near Los Angeles becomes a wonderland of poppies. In California’s Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve, every day can be different. Typically running red to orange, the

rugged hillsides bloom with a kaleidoscope of wildf lowers, including owl’s clover, cream cups, and goldfields. If you’re really lucky, you’ll visit during a “super bloom,” an intense p er io d w hen p oppie s and other plants spring up after a wet winter following several dry years. No matter what, you’ll enjoy this state park, which has eight miles of trails and all sorts of wildlife, including meadowlarks and bobcats.

沙漠花事此地的賞花時機向來有些難以捉摸，但每年二月至五月之間，洛杉磯附近的莫哈維沙漠草原，會化作一片罌粟花的夢幻國度。在加州羚羊谷罌粟保護區，每一天的景色變換不一，是在紅與橙色之間流轉的美麗花海，沿著崎嶇山坡鋪展成萬花筒般的絢麗景緻，其中還點綴著長檐苺葉木、寬蕊罌粟與金田野花等。若運氣夠好，還能遇上「超級花季」——在經歷多年乾旱後，一場溼潤冬季催生出，罌粟與其他植物大規模齊放的壯觀時刻。無論如何，這座州立公園都足以讓人流連：園內設有八英里的步道，並棲息著多種野生動物，包括西草地鷚，以及山貓。

Top: Sugar Hill, New Hampshire. _JROP/iStock/Getty Images Plus Bottom: California’s Antelope Valley Poppy Re. _James Randklev/Getty Images

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