Artist Statement

It was nice and cool last night because the rain cooled down the temperature! However, we have high 90F (32C) again!!! I need to be careful not to catch a cold.

Today, my boyfriend came nearby, so I had a lunch with him at my favorite restaurant! I had taco rice and tomato + carrot smoothie. Having lots of vegetables makes me happy :) Yes, of course I am happy because I saw him, too ;)

Anyway, last week I said I am thinking of taking a food related class, but I changed my mind. The class was pretty expensive, and I found many pros and cons, which made me suspicious about it.

Then I asked myself: why I wanted to take the class? and realized that I care how people see me! I knew that before, but I reconfirmed it. It is a popular qualification, so maybe I made a rash decision!

Cooking is my daily work. At the same time, it's my artwork. I believe it is an economical art because you can eat! If I have an appetite, I can create. I never run out of ideas, at least I can eat normally. Every meal, I try to keep my own way to express my feelings and thoughts. I hope people see that in my dishes and enjoy :)

I know I might change my idea someday, but this can be my artist statement as of today!

So, I thought what I need now is not a class, but something for a change! Last Saturday, my boyfriend and I toured 3 gyms. I might start to go to gym. I used to go when I was a student and I know that I can cheer myself up and improve my work by getting some exercise!

Will see...

Oops. I was writing this last night but again posting this in the next morning. I'm not a night person!

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Healthy Shredded Chicken Salad

We have high 95F (35C) again today!

Last night, I had a good time with my friends. I got ambitious!!! I thought I need to try something new when I have time. Now I am thinking of signing up for a course that I wanted to take for a long time. I'm going to attend an orientation session the week after next... will see!


Today I will translate my gorgeous award-winning chicken salad recipe :) I won a prize at Pietro dressing - green (tasty soy sauce and grated onion based dressing that contains less oil and calories) contest before.

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Healthy Shredded Chicken Salad

Difficulty: Easy
Time: 15min
Number of servings: 2-3

Ingredients:
200g (7oz.) boneless, skinless chicken breast
A
* a pinch of salt
* 1 tbsp. sake
100g (3.5oz.) cabbage
40g (1.5oz.) cucumber
25g (1oz.) carrot
5 aojiso (perilla)
1 tomato
thin onion slices
toasted black sesame seeds
fat-free dressing of your choice

Directions:
1. In a heat-resistant container, rub A on chicken breast. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave on Medium 500 W (50-60%) for about 3 minutes. Allow to cool slightly, then shred.
2. Cut cabbage, cucumber, carrot, and aojiso into thin strips, immerse them in ice water to make them crisp.
3. Slice tomato and place on a plate, put vegetable strips (2.) and shredded chicken (1.) on top, then sprinkle thin onion slices and toasted black sesame seeds.
4. Serve with fat-free dressing of your choice.

My original recipe in Japanese is here.
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You know what!? I just searched about the course I said I wanna take and found that it is extremely expensive compared to the other similar qualifications. Some people say that this association gathers the money for their operational costs :(
I think I need to search more before I decide...

Okay, have a good weekend ;)

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Pretz Limited Flavors

We have high 95F (35C) again today.
Very tiring weather almost daily :(

This week some people at my workplace are taking summer vacation. Many people take summer vacation during the Bon period and go back to their hometowns. Obon or just Bon is a Japanese Buddhist custom to honor the departed spirits of one's ancestors. It takes place every year from August 13th to 16th.
I took my summer vacation already in the end of June (to NY), so I have to go to work, but it is not that bad because the train is not packed and I don't have a lot of work to do :)

One of my co-workers went to Nagano prefecture and bought us Nozawana flavored Pretz for a souvenir!
Nozawana is a Japanese pickled leaf vegetable. It is one of the most typical souvenirs in Nagano prefecture!
Pretz is a popular Japanese long-selling stick-shaped snack. I think some of you know this because I saw it at Asian grocery stores in NY when I lived there. It mostly comes in savory flavors: roast, salad, tomato, pizza, and many others. In Japan, in addition to the standard flavors, Ezaki Glico (the manufacturer) sells Pretz exclusively in specific regions.
My co-worker found one in Nagano, which is Nozawana, and bought for us! It uses 5% of Nozawana and small amount of chili pepper. Hmm... I can hardly taste them...
Anyway, we sure had a fun time ;)

Changing my story... do I carry a heavy bag?! My left shoulder hurts :( I feel like getting old, hurting many parts of my body so easily once in a while...

Tonight, I am seeing my friend who opened a cafe restaurant 2 years ago. She was my co-worker! I believe we will have a stimulating talk ;)

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