About Me

Hi! I'm Jaanu

This space is shaped by my lived experiences—by who I have been, who I am becoming, and all the moments in between. Here, I write about personal growth through both joy and grief, about leadership, vulnerability, and what it means to live fully and intentionally.

My stories wander through travel, curiosity, and the quiet lessons the world offers when we are open enough to notice. Food is my anchor—an expression of survival, heritage, and memory. Each meal carries pieces of my past while making room for new beginnings.

I’ve always believed in the power of personal stories to create meaningful connections. This space is an invitation to walk alongside me in moments of reflection, vulnerability, and growth.

What will you find here?

A little of everything—cultural stories, grief and love, personal evolution, travel and curiosity, and recipes rooted in heritage, comfort, and experimentation. All of it guided by honesty, curiosity, and heart.

About Me

I was born in Sri Lanka and, by the age of fourteen, had lived on three continents. Today, I proudly call Ottawa, Canada, home. I move through life as a daughter, sister, wife, mother of two, full-time professional, and devoted caretaker of many roles—each one shaping how I see the world.

Language has always been my bridge between worlds. I speak Tamil, English, and French fluently, with a working knowledge of Spanish. In many ways, cooking is another language—one I use to preserve memory, share culture, and express love when words fall short.

Leadership has always found me. I naturally step in to organize, guide, and make sense of complexity. My family lovingly calls me “the general”—a name earned through strategic thinking, determination, and a deep commitment to leading with purpose and care (often while managing a kitchen, a household, and a thousand moving parts at once).

My parents instilled in me the values of resilience, perseverance, and meaningful connection. Our family story—told through rituals, tables, and shared meals—is one shaped by challenge, love, and unwavering hope. These stories live at the heart of this space, shared with the hope that they resonate and remind others they are not alone.

To honour the privacy of those I love, I use fictional names when sharing certain deeply personal family stories. These narratives are shared with respect, love, and care.

The reflections shared here come from my perspective and lived experience. They are not meant to diminish or erase the voices or truths of others, but rather to offer insight through my own lens.

I hope you enjoy spending time here—finding comfort in the stories, inspiration in the journeys, and maybe even a recipe that becomes part of your own table.