The air in the Ronald McDonald House was thick with more than just the aroma of our cooking last Saturday, August 30th, 2025. It was filled with a palpable sense of shared understanding—a quiet resilience that only families walking the path of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) can truly know.
I had the immense privilege of hosting the “Eat Wise, Glow Arise” renal cooking demo workshop supported by the incredible Hong Kong Children’s Hospital and sponsored by the Children’s Kidney Fund.
To see over 30 attendees—14 beautiful families—all connected by the shared journey of raising a child with Chronic Kidney Disease, filled the room with an undeniable strength. Some of our little warriors have already undergone transplants, and their resilience is a true inspiration.
As I shared my story in both Mandarin and English (please bear with my Cantonese!), I saw my own initial fears and hopes reflected in your eyes. I remember the day my son Marcus was diagnosed with CKD at just one year old. The world stopped. The overwhelming wave of questions, fear, and the desperate need to do something is a feeling I know many of the families share.
A Shared Starting Point: My Story
The Day My World Split in Two
I often think back to the first year of my son Marcus’s life. He was a chubby, happy baby, full of life and energy. Yet, he was small. So small that at his one-year check-up, the pediatrician wrote three words that would make me question myself as a mother: “Fail to thrive.”
I’ll never forget the chill that ran through me. The subsequent blood test, the urgent call from the doctor, and the moment in the clinic when the specialist delivered the news. My vibrant, beautiful boy had Chronic Kidney Disease. The words “kidney transplant” hung in the air.
In that moment, the intense emotions came in waves—disbelief, fear, a crushing sense of helplessness. I remember holding my baby boy, feeling the weight of his small body in my arms, and feeling utterly lost. I believe every parent in that workshop room knows exactly what that feels like. It’s a club none of us asked to join.
Finding My Footing in the Kitchen
In the storm of that diagnosis, I desperately searched for an anchor. I found it in the wisdom of the Stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius, who wrote,
You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.
I couldn’t change the fact of Marcus’s CKD. That was outside my control. But I could control how I showed up for him. What I put on his plate became my act of love, my war against the progression of his disease. Under the incredible guidance of the nephrologists and dietitians at the Hong Kong Children’s Hospital, my kitchen transformed from a place of routine to one of purpose. I learned that a renal diet isn’t just about restrictions—it’s about creative, loving nourishment.
It requires navigating a minefield of potassium and phosphorus while carefully measuring every gram of precious protein. But I refused to let his diet be a sentence of bland monotony. I spent countless hours researching, testing, and tasting. I became a detective, deciphering food labels and a scientist, experimenting with renal-friendly swaps. I was an artist, trying to make a plate of limited ingredients look appealing to a toddler. Marcus, my ever-patient “guinea pig,” was my inspiration. Through trial and error, and with unwavering support from his medical team, we saw him begin to thrive—not just physically, but developmentally, his joyful spirit undimmed by his condition.
Transforming the Renal Diet from Restriction to Creation
The challenges we faced—the meticulous planning, the fear of making a mistake, and the deep desire to see my child not just nourished, but joyful around food—became my training ground. It taught me that managing a complex condition isn’t just about the science in the lab report; it’s about the art of weaving that science into the fabric of daily life, into meals that bring comfort and create happy memories.
We started the workshop by tackling a universal pain point—the daily stress of preparing limited protein—because I’ve lived the relief that comes with a simple system like batch cooking. It’s more than a technique; it’s a tool to reclaim a moment of peace in a demanding day.
This practical approach flowed into our cooking session, where we made:
- Everything Dumplings: Putting our pre-portioned proteins to use, along with practical tips on how to calculate intake.
- Renal-Friendly Mac & Cheese: A classic comfort food, reimagined to prove that flavour doesn’t have to be sacrificed.
- Mini Carrot Cupcakes: Because every child deserves a treat, and every parent deserves to see the joy on their face while eating one.
My goal was to provide not just a demo, but a lasting toolkit. As we chopped, mixed, and laughed together, I was so inspired by the dedication in the room. It was that shared spirit I hoped to capture in the recipe booklet I created for each family—a collection of our dishes meant to bring inspiration and practical support to their own kitchens. I know all too well how challenging a renal diet can be, and my greatest hope is that these recipes help these families discover a new joy in food.
Why I Do This Work
This intensely personal journey is the very reason I am standing here today as a Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach. It didn’t just begin from a place of expertise, but also from a place of maternal love and sheer necessity in my own kitchen, with Marcus as my inspiration.
My practice is built on the belief that managing a complex condition requires more than just clinical knowledge; it requires a partner who understands the emotional weight of every meal prepared. It’s about combining science with soul, and strategy with support.
If this resonates with you, and you are seeking a partner to help you navigate your health journey with more confidence and less stress, I invite you to connect with me.
Remember, you don’t have to walk this path alone. We are in this together.