Eho-Maki

It's time to make a wish again :D

February 3rd is Setsubun. It is the day before the beginning of Risshun (spring season). On Setsubun, we cleanse away all the evil of the former year and drive away disease-bringing evil spirits for the year to come. This special ritual is called Mamemaki (bean scattering). On this day, it is customary now to eat uncut maki-zushi called Eho-Maki ("lucky direction roll") while facing the yearly lucky compass direction, determined by the zodiac symbol of that year.

The lucky direction of the year 2011 is south-southeast. If you eat Eho-Maki facing in that direction it will bring you luck. But just remember you have to eat all without speaking! You can speak after you complete it ;)

This year, since I was busy, I gave up cooking Eho-Maki and bought this gorgeous one last night. Luckily it was at half price!!!

I'm sorry but my darling always must wear the devil mask for the bean scattering. But one year, he was sleeping when I realized...
HEY!!! Wake up!!! LoL.



How to eat Eho-Maki.
He must close his eyes, though!



Good Luck :)

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IH Rice Cooker

After many years, I finally won an IH (Induction Heating) Rice Cooker at the contest!!!



What I currently own is a micom (microcomputer) rice cooker. It is an electric rice cooker using direct heating method calculated by a built-in computer. The heat is delivered to the inner pot by thermal conduction. Thus, the heat applied to the rice is weak compared to the gas, so some people think it is better to cook in a pan than using a micom rice cooker.

In the hope of making electric cookers better than cooking with a gas, IH (induction heating) rice cooker was invented in 1988. An electric current is passed through coils around the pot and the pot's metal itself immediately heats up, so the entire pot quickly rises to a high temperature and cooks the rice evenly. To be sure, you can cook rice perfectly without soaking in water before cooking!



What I won is an IH rice cooker with an additional "pressure cooking" function (Sanyo ECJ-XW100). As seen in the image, the rice is stirred up by the pressure and cooked more evenly just like it cooked in the furnace!



Rice is the staple of Japan. There is no wonder most Japanese have a rice cooker at home. But our budget rice cooker (6 years ago) was micom so I kept on using it, hoping I could win the IH rice cooker someday, and now my dream came true!!! Anyway, I will keep my micom rice cooker because IH consumes a lot of electricity and I might not want to cook flavored rice with it because the flavored rice leaves the smell after cooking.

Anyways, I am happy that I can cook tastier rice at home!!!

Do you have a rice cooker at home?!

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Souvenirs from 広州

During the holiday, my mom and sisters went to see my dad in 広州 (Guangzhou), China. My darling and I had to work and also had to sign mortgage settlement, so we couldn't join, so my mom brought us back some interesting souvenirs :)

High class 鉄観音茶 (Tieh Kwan Yin Tea) from the local store called 华祥苑 (EMPEREUR).



The red box is also the popular 鉄観音茶 (Tieh Kwan Yin Tea). The square can is 茉莉花茶 (Jasmine Tea).



Those teas not only have the comforting fragrance and taste, but also have outstanding health care functions! They lower blood pressure and cholesterol level, regulate aging, reduce stress, prevent certain cancers and strengthen the immune system among other positive impacts.

Also, my mom gave me some dried foods including 大棗 (Chinese dates)!!! It is also good for our health: anemia prophylaxis, tranquilizing property, and anti-stress!



I think I saw 大棗 on jose's post before! I will try to cook it with rice as a starter :D

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Veda Vie Ginger Syrup

Hi there! What good thing(s) do you take for your health?

Last time when I went to the aromatherapy salon (caon), they introduced me a ginger syrup product called "Veda Vie Ginger Syrup". I tried it and I liked it but I wasn't that interested in it... However, later, when I picked up a beauty magazine at the GYM, I found the product is popular among models and actresses!!! Why don't I get one!? I ran back to the salon last Saturday to get one. haha!

Ginger has warming effect, perspiration effect, fat-burning effect (8g-10g of ginger burns your fat!), antioxidant effect, antidotal effect, and body purification effect. It eases up your disorders such as cold limb, shoulder stiffness, and back problem.

A bottle of Veda Vie Ginger Syrup contains 200g of ginger, so it's really thick! You can enjoy spicy-sweetness and feel it's working on your body!

The drink is easy to make. You dilute the syrup with 6 to 8 times the amount of hot water, water, milk, tea, soda, or etc... I love to dilute it with hot water. Simple but luscious delicious!!! Also with plain yogurt or ice cream is my favorite.

Of course, adding ginger to your meals is as good as taking this ginger syrup! I would recommend to try out "Sauteed Pork with Salt Sauce". Now more than 1000 people have tried out and said good, so there is a guarantee :D

The temperature seems to go down from this afternoon. I have to be ready to wear my down jacket and keep warm!

Have a good day :D

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Kegani

Crab is one of my favorite foods!!!

As a prize for Quick Scallop Recipe Contest, I received Kegani (Hairy Crab or Horsehair Crab) from Hokkaido!

My darling peeled it for me since it was picked! Ouch :P How to eat Kegani is HERE. Sorry in Japanese but I hope it gives you an idea!

Change in area of production, you can enjoy crabs all year long in Hokkaido, which is amazing :D Remember it or not, we had our fill of crabs at かに本家 (Kani Honke) in Hokkaido this April. I wish I could have that again someday soon!!!

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Taurine

We only have 3 more days left till our wedding reception.
What I could do the rest of the days is to manage my fatigue!!!
I know it is not good to depend on energy drinks, but I am depending on them these few days.

I am trying out cute packaged ones. He-he!!!
It seems like Taurine makes me energetic :D

Taurine is an amino acid that supports neurological development and helps regulate the level of water and mineral salts in the blood. Up to 3,000mg a day of supplemental taurine is considered safe. Any excess taurine is simply excreted.

For me, the energy drinks that contain 500mg of Taurine is enough to recover!!!

But the review published in 2008 found that "the amounts of guarana, taurine, and ginseng found in popular energy drinks are far below the amounts expected to deliver therapeutic benefits".

Hmm... What do you think?!
Placebo or whatever, I am sure that Taurine makes me energetic!!!

I just finished my first draft of the letter to my parents and my speeches. Whew...

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C1000 Vitamin Lemon + Collagen

Did you know that prolonged stress depletes Vitamin C?

This morning I treated myself with a vitamin drink containing 1,000mg of vitamin C and 1,000mg of collagen peptide!

Vitamin C helps relief stress and helps produce collagen. In addition, it boosts the immune system. It's a great drink to maintain my health and beauty before the wedding :D

Oh btw, I had an aromatherapy massage yesterday and it just worked wonderfully after a day! Thanks God, it just came!!! Ladies know ;)

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Sushi Delivery

How often do you order out for food?

Today we have a nice fall weather but last weekend it rained so hard that we didn't feel like going out, so we ordered out for sushi!!!

My favorite sushi delivery service is "銀のさら(gin no sara)". My favorite menu is Bara Chirashi: a bowl of sushi rice with toppings scattered over. Yummy!!! If you live in Japan, you definitely have to order their sushi!!! Also, the same group runs kamameshi delivery service and that's great, too!!!

I always thank to the deliverer who delivers us food on such a bad weather X(

Have a good day!!!

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Fante Yunker 3B Drink

Have you ever tried an energy drink?

Yesterday, while I took a day off, I tried Fante Yunker 3B Drink! Yeah, it worked on me!!! I really felt restorative!!!

Actually, I once tried this kind of energy drink few years ago but I realized it doesn't eliminate fatigue if I take it every day, so I depend on it once in a very while when I'm really tired.

Sato Pharmaceutical has a lineup for their Yunker energy drinks. What I bought was Yunker for business - fatigue level one (the cheapest one), but it still healed my tiredness :) What if I bought Yunker level three?!

Supplementation of vitamin B1 in the following situations: when physical fatigue, pregnancy and lactation, when the reduction of physical fitness during disease convalescence.
* relief following symptoms: neuralgia, myalgia, joint pain (back pain, stiff neck, stiff shoulder etc.), numbness in limbs, constipation, eye strain.
* beriberi

Let's work hard but there is nothing more valuable than good health!!!

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Kakigori - hôtel de suzuki fruits

Kakigori is a Japanese dessert made from shaved ice flavored with syrup. Usually the syrup is artificially flavored. Since early times, it is sold at food stalls at summer festivals nationwide. I used to eat it when I was small, but nowadays I don't because it sometimes changes the color of my tongue, you know :P

Last Sunday, my darling and I went to have some fruit juice at hôtel de suzuki fruits. They serve fancy fruit juices and desserts. On the menu, we found Kakigori made with fresh fruit juice and fruits!!! It was the last day for this summer to serve the Kakigori, so we ordered it without question!!! Mmm! refreshing and delicious. Of course it won't change the color of my tongue ;P

Now the high is 95F (35C) but it will drop down to 77F (25C) tomorrow. I know Autumn is nice but I somehow miss this hot weather...

Tomorrow we are going to the long-awaited Keali'i Reichel's concert.

Aloha!!!

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Jello de Zero

Jello de Zero (ゼリーdeゼロ) is my recent favorite jello! As the name suggests, it has no calorie but it tastes really delicious. Among several other flavors, melon flavor was unexpectedly delicious! Filling 290 grams (10 ounces). Contains 150mg of L-carnitine (which helps burn fat). It has firm jello cubes with condensed fruit juice and aloe cubes which gives a nice texture to the taste.

Anyway, do you believe in zero calorie foods?

Me, I don't. As it is stated on the package, zero calorie refers to the product which contains under 5kcal per 100ml. Also, some researchers say zero-calorie sweeteners may change the way our body digest food, tricking it into storing more fat. Moreover, if you eat too much, it simply expands your stomach.

However, it is better than fatty foods, you know! Whenever I want to eat something sweet at night, I eat this :D

Have a good weekend!!!

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Taberu La-Yu

La-Yu or Ra-Yu (辣油) is chili-infused sesame oil (a type of chili oil) that we use in Japan as a cooking ingredient or as a condiment. It is usually made by heating a non-volatile oil with spices, let cool, add sesame oil, and store in sterile glass container for few days to mellow.

La-Yu is mostly used for gyoza sauce with soy sauce and vinegar to give a hint of hot taste. It can be used for soups and stir-fries, too!

Taberu La-Yu, which means "Edible La-Yu", is true to it's name EDIBLE! You can eat it as is because it is not as hot as regular La-Yu. Instead, Taberu La-Yu contains shredded or minced savory ingredients, such as leeks, garlic, ginger, and onions.

Now this Taberu La-Yu stormed Japan! In different packaging and ingredients, I see it at stores everywhere. I've tried this Taberu La-Yu lately and was great! Without doubt, it went well with white rice!!! Of course, you can use it as a relish!

Try it out if available :D

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Mister Potato Crisps

Mister Potato Crisps is made from 100% high-grade imported potatoes. It comes in a 160g or 45g package.

The product is manufactured in Malaysia. The finely sliced potatoes are washed in cold water to remove starch from its surface to prevent the potato chips from sticking to each other when fried. These chips are then cooked in trans-fat free oil and lightly flavored. Thus you can enjoy unique crispy texture with non-salty healthy tastes!

I found this potato chips at the drug store. 160g can was sold at 100yen (3.5RM), so I bought only one to try out. Unexpectedly it was pretty good, so I decided to get another one the next day but most were already sold out when I returned.

To tell the truth, it tastes better than PrinXXXX :D

Try out when you find one!!!

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Acai and Raspberry Granita

Açaí and Raspberry Granita is the summer specials at my favorite Ueshima Coffee Shop.

It is a refreshing granita with nutritious açaí and raspberry. Rich in polyphenol, this beverage is effective on health and beauty.

Actually, I got this for free by redeeming my coffee points which I've been building up. However, while I was carrying it upstairs, I fell down and splashed it all over the floor...

Luckily I was wearing rain boots. But depending on how you look at it, rain boots might have made me fell down...

Anyway, I'm kind of sorry for myself having had such an avoidable expected happening... You know what I mean...

The salesclerk's was nice. She made me another granita.

Thank you!!!

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