We Caught Up With KC Concepcion In An Interview On Kumu's FYE Channel

KC has a little something going on during quarantine: #KitchenCollabsLive! Being under quarantine for weeks on end reignited her passion for food and entertaining guests, and so she took full advantage of the situation. She launched her YouTube-based show and it successfully ran for a season with 12 episodes. The show has KC cooking up feasts, trying out new recipes, learning techniques from friends in the food business, and just sharing joy from her life to yours. Check the episodes out on KC's YouTube channel, "KC Diaries."

Admittedly, KC shares that she wasn't much of a cook before. The most she's done is pasta, filling salads, and tried and tested recipes she copped from her mom, her lola, and her titas, but nothing sophisticated and fancy. It's one way that the health crisis has made her better; being more self-sufficient especially in the kitchen and learning both big and small things about life at home. Whether it's making dishes that are on the same level as fine dining preparations or simply learning how to lift the lid of a pot containing a boiling hot recipe, all 12 #KitchenCollabLive episodes have made KC a lot more confident of her kitchen skills.

She's so far worked with actress and food entrepreneur Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo, Chef Chele of Gallery by Chele, wellness coach Celine Encarnacion, and Chef Jordan Andino to name a few. The YouTube series' second season begins on September 5, Saturday! She's also partnering with one of her favorite organizations for #KitchenCollabsLive's second season but is keeping it as a surprise until then.

She also turned her attention to her closet, aside from her kitchen. After all, quarantine is proving to be the best time to do some much-needed spring cleaning! She went on a mission to purge her closet for pre-loved items she was ready to let go of. She revived KC's Closet, now with close to 45,000 followers, and every week, she releases new items that are up for grabs for anyone who wants them. She posts new items once a week (often Thursday or Sunday noon), and most of what's available are all cared for, luxury items. She's offered anything from YSL sneakers to a Sinequanone blazer, and yes, they've sold out on all items a couple of times, proving that there a ton of people interested in the venture.

Every weekly release on @ThisIsKcsCloset is curated by KC herself, and there's good news for buyers abroad. They ship internationally!

Currently, KC is tucked away in a wellness retreat. She's spending her time at The Farm in San Benito, enjoying all her days reconnecting with nature. There, she's indulging in healthy eats, getting lots and lots of sun, and quiet time, too. She's there with her two adorable Pomeranians, and she's definitely upping her game on the wholesome diet front. She's not only dining on many of The Farm's dishes, but learning how to prepare them, too, to take them back home with her.

KC also talked about embracing her body more and more these days. She's admitted to being challenged by fluctuating weight over the years, but this time, she's finally found the strength to tell herself that she looks okay -- more than okay, in fact! Her afternoons spent poolside during this time have her confidently wearing swimsuits and proudly showing off her curves on Instagram.

But more than the physical aspect of loving one's body, KC delved deeper into the experience of accepting one's self in its entirety. Thinking back to all the times she struggled with her self-image and her size, KC now sees her body as pretty much the vessel that houses life itself; it's not just something to feed or clean or dress up and accessorize, but a living thing that deserves respect and acceptance. She's done with self-consciousness, and she's all about self-empowerment!

She's also started reading up on everything about healthy living. On her reading list are self-help books, cookbooks on wholesome eating, and generally inviting positivity into one's life. She's also been doing her own writing -- by making a recipe book! Or at least, recording her favorite recipes that she came up with herself, and who knows? She could one day release a KC Concepcion cookbook in the future as a remembrance of this time.

With everything that life has given KC and all the places it's led her to, her mom is still her life's number one person. She's thought of her a lot during these times, and she's as sure of it as ever: she's the person in her life that she admires the most. Everything about her mom soothes and inspires her, and there's no one else she can think of who keeps pushing her to be better and better.

It's extremely important to be healthy these days, we don't need to be told that. However, we do need to be reminded that health encompasses two things: physical health, and mental health, too. For KC, she feels that people often neglect the latter or aren't equipped with the knowledge to know how to protect their psychological well-being. Where do you even start? Well, KC advises to reach out to friends or loved ones rather than go through these days alone and on your own. Work on staying calm as well as inner peace isn't only good for your mind, but has immunity-boosting properties that go along with it. Thirdly, go outdoors when you can (and if it's safe!). and by outdoors, she doesn't mean the mall or restaurants; she means the park, your yard, or your front porch, anywhere that allows your mind to take in a bigger space and wider landscapes. It's amazing what getting fresh air can do for your overall wellness.