Wabi Sabi - The Perfectly Imperfect Podcast with Candice Kumai

Fall is the perfect time to make your food feel warmer, more comforting and more nourishing. In this episode, I'll break down the real benefits of pumpkin, dark cocoa, leafy greens, kabocha squash and warming spices, plus how to use them in easy seasonal recipes like pumpkin spice smoothies, dark chocolate pumpkin smoothies, pumpkin pie pancakes and roasted kabocha.

You’ll learn how these foods can support healthy skin, digestion, satiety, steady energy and overall wellness, without turning fall into another season of restriction. This is about making cozy food work harder for you with more beauty benefits + fiber, carotenoids, polyphenols, vitamins and minerals, while still keeping everything delicious. Thank you for listening xx Candice

7 Japanese Superfoods for Beauty, Energy & Longevity
In this episode of Wabi Sabi, I’m sharing seven Japanese superfoods that have been part of my life, my family, and Japanese food culture for generations.
We’re talking about Japanese sweet potato, matcha, miso, sea vegetables, Japanese citrus, sesame seeds, and sesame oil, and why these traditional foods deserve a place in your everyday diet.
I’ll break down the benefits of each, from fiber, minerals, healthy fats, vitamin C and plant protein to polyphenols, antioxidants and compounds being studied for cardiovascular health, digestion, energy and healthy aging.
But this episode is about more than nutrition.
Before these foods were called “superfoods,” they were simply staple foods in Japan. They nourished our ancestors, supported families through difficult times, and became part of a way of eating built around simplicity, seasonality, balance and nourishment.
And when it comes to beauty, I still believe some of the most powerful tools are not found in a bottle. Healthy skin and healthy aging are supported from the inside out through nutrient-dense food, movement, sleep, hydration and the way we care for ourselves over time. Thank you for listening and please share this with two best friends. x Candice

This episode I interviewed OG Anunoby for ABC News. This is important recap on how to love what you love and stop caring about what others think! Thank you OG & thank you for listening! x Candice

What actually keeps your body fit for decades? In this episode of the Wabi Sabi Podcast, I’m sharing the workouts and wellness practices I have returned to for nearly 30 years, from barre, Pilates, cycling, yoga, surfing, swimming and strength training to the practice I now consider my special sauce: meditation. I break down the science behind what really helps your body stay strong, mobile and resilient over time, why consistency matters more than quick fixes, and why training your nervous system may be just as important as training your muscles. After nearly three decades in modeling, fitness, food and wellness, I have seen trends come and go, but the practices that truly last are usually the simplest ones. This is a candid conversation about movement, longevity, body image, recovery, meditation and what it really means to take care of yourself for the long haul. Thank you for listening! Please share with two best friends. x Candice

In this special Japan episode of Wabi Sabi, I’m sharing the unwritten cultural rules every traveler should know before visiting Japan. Drawing from my Japanese American heritage and a lifetime of traveling throughout the country, I’m opening up the thoughtful customs, quiet gestures, and insider knowledge that can completely transform the way you experience Japan. From showing respect at temples and shrines to supporting local businesses, understanding omamori, honoring elders, and moving through sacred spaces with care, consider this your guide to experiencing Japan with greater depth, beauty, and connection, from your Japanese American best friend. Thank you for listening! Please share this podcast with two friends! xx Candice