Home / Andrea Yu – Toronto Freelance Writer

Toronto Star • 10th May 2019

Plant parenthood: Millennial obsession with indoor plant babies

“I heard that naming your plants and talking to your plants like they’re people, and with love, helps them grow,” explains 33-year-old Bianca Osbourne.

Time Out • 10th May 2019

The 15 best cafés in Toronto

Whether you’re a bonafide coffee nerd or a closeted caffeine addict (we know you’re out there), the best cafés in Toronto will delight you while fueling your city explorations.

Escapism Toronto • 3rd May 2019

Room Service: Reykjavik Konsulat Hotel

A historic location and stylish decor makes the Reykjavik Konsulat Hotel an upscale option for your layover in Iceland. It's located in a building that formerly housed a high-end department store in the early 20th century.

Toronto Star • 30th April 2019

Toronto restaurateurs add imperfect produce to dishes, not dumps

The owners of Imperfect Fresh Eats are able to save up to 30 per cent in food costs when procuring carrots that have grown crooked, cucumbers that are a bit small or peppers that are in between colour.

G Adventures Blog • 25th April 2019

6 things you should eat (and drink) in Iceland

There are some pretty unique, homegrown foods in Iceland to help you refuel after an exhausting trek, from salty licorice to skyr and rye bead baked underground using geothermal heat.

Toronto Star • 19th April 2019

For dogs, seeking out smells is like watching a spectacular sunset

“People think ‘I've got to walk my dog three times a day, I've got to feed them’,” says Helen Moore. “ ‘I’ve got to tire them out’ is a big attitude but balancing physical with mental exercise is key to good emotional health.”

Toronto Star • 16th April 2019

How the coffee reward programs in Toronto stack up

Toronto’s most popular chain cafes and coffee joints are making the city a more lucrative place to get caffeinated. Here is a rundown of the top coffee (and tea) rewards programs in the city.

Toronto Star • 1st April 2019

Active recovery can help you rebound from your workout

Daniel Palma always got injured before he could complete training for a full marathon. On the advice of his running club coach, he started incorporating self-massage and stretching into his routine.

Foodism Toronto • 18th March 2019

Tex-Next: San Antonio's food scene

We visit San Antonio, one of the fastest growing cities in the US, to find out how chef-entrepreneurs are replacing the city’s tacos-and-brisket reputation.

MENU Magazine • 8th February 2019

Vegan wine: the vegetarian-friendly tipple

G Adventures Blog • 13th March 2019

How to bring mindfulness into your travels

Travelling can bring moments of stress and anxiety. But mindfulness practises can keep you calm and connect you with your surroundings.

Toronto Star • 10th March 2019

Toronto programs help people connect over a meal

Zenon Godzyk usually eats his meals alone. But on this Thursday evening, he’s in the company of a dozen other diners.

Maclean's • 1st March 2019

The enduring legacy of Canada's racist head tax

On June 22, 2006, Stephen Harper formally apologized for the head tax of up to $500 levied on 81,000 Chinese immigrants to Canada.

Toronto Star • 28th February 2019

Canine vision dogs work harder in the winter

Alison Brown slips on ice-gripping traction cleats to combat the icy streets. But she’s also got another aid to help traverse the snowy walking route — a 2-year-old canine vision dog named Ellis.

Toronto Star • 15th February 2019

ROM curators' tips for keeping collections

Four years ago, the Royal Ontario Museum’s mineralogy department acquired 21,000 gems. But there was a small issue of where to store it.

Escapism Toronto • 4th February 2019

Room Service: Red Sands Hotel

This hidden gem in south-central Utah has the charm of a small hotel with the amenities and standards of big-name chains.

Toronto Star • 2nd February 2019

Feelosophy is yoga with a special touch

With Feelosophy, touch is the central focus of the class. Founder Ashley Brodeur helps students feel relaxed while inspiring openness around touch.

Toronto Star • 29th January 2019

Pop-up sandwich shop employs convicts and ex-cons

Jason Buick isn’t your average restaurant worker. He lives at a halfway house in the west end, serving the remainder of his parole for armed robbery after a 30-year stint in and out of prisons.

Toronto Star • 19th January 2019

Body positive fitness focuses on wellness, not weight loss

Jenna Doak was fixated on achieving a figure that fit her profession as a personal trainer. “I was gung-ho crazy about being thin and having no body fat.”

Chatelaine • 3rd January 2019

Why The Stress Of Dieting Is Making Us Miserable

Sheri Phillips Morrow was seven when she first started feeling anxious about her weight. In her 20s, when her weight climbed to 240 pounds, she joined a dieting centre. “I felt like I had to fix myself,” she says.