Change in Garbage Collection

Hi! We are still in the 86F (30C) with lots of humidity! But while it's hot, we don't have to wear heavy clothes, which is good!!!

Anyway, how do you throw out your garbage?

We recently had a change in garbage collection. We used to throw plastics and rubber as noncombustible garbage, but from October, those are collected as combustible garbage! (I translated the image.)

The reason for the change is landfill shortage. They say there gonna be full after 30 years, so they need to burn up plastics and rubber. However, some people say that they have actually started to burn up those recently... so we've been meaninglessly separating those for a while... :( Anyway, I hated to separate plastics and rubber from combustible garbage because it's too detailed, so this change reduces my housework!!!

In our area (depending on the cities) garbage should be divided into 7 groups before you put them out. Some items will be recycled. The collection days vary according to the groups and the areas.

*Recyclable*
1. Paper (newspapers, cardboard and magazines)
2. Glass Bottles
3. Cans
4. Plastic Bottles

*Non-Recyclable*
5. Combustible Garbage (kitchen scraps, fallen leaves & branches, clothing, diapers, paper scraps, plastics, rubber, etc.)
6. Noncombustible Garbage (Metals, glassware, etc.)

*Large-Sized Items*
7. Items with any side 30 cm (12 inches) or larger.

We should put out our garbage by 8:00 a.m. on the collection day! Regarding the kitchen scraps, we need to cover garbage bags with fine-mesh nets to keep crows from pecking them open!

I now got used to this garbage rules, but when I first came back from NY, it was a pain in the neck!!!

Okay, I gotta see my orthodontist!
See you again next week!
Have a good weekend :)

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Mango Yogurt Soy Milk Mousse

Hi! Hace mucho calor today again!!! We keep high temperatures of 86F (30C) daily :( I hope cleaners won't start the summer clothing sale now. Because in winter, they started while it was still cold in April!

Anyway, before this hot weather ends, I will translate my "Mango Yogurt Soy Milk Mousse" which was introduced at the very bottom of this page on 8/29.

The recipe is very easy and healthy! You can substitute mango with any other fruit of your choice ;)

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Mango Yogurt Soy Milk Mousse

Difficulty: Easy
Time: 10min + 60min refrigeration time
Number of servings: 4

Necessary Equipment:
blender / mixer

Ingredients:
A
* 100cc soy milk
* 100g (3.5oz.) plain yogurt (unsweetened)
* 100cc fresh cream
* 3 tbsp. honey
5g (0.18oz.) unflavored granular gelatin
50cc water
1 fresh mango or any other fruit of your choice

Directions:
1. In a heat-proof small bowl, combine gelatin and 50cc water. Let sit 5 minutes until gelatin is softened. Microwave, uncovered, on Medium 500 W (50-60%) for about 40 seconds until dissolved. Do not boil. Otherwise you have to discard it.
2. Mix A and 1. in blender until smooth.
3. In a container, place bite-size cut fresh mango, pour 2., cover, and refrigerate for about an hour.
4. To serve, scoop 3. into a serving dish.
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Again, I'm drowsy now :(
Good night!

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The Premium Calpis

Hello! Today's high is 86F (30C) again! This steamy weather makes me very drowsy :( I couldn't stay up to finish my post last night...

Last week, I had Calpis after a long time! Actually, my co-worker gave me the premium one, "The Premium Calpis", to try it out.

Calpis (in carton) is a non-carbonated beverage concentrate. You simply add as much water as you like to suit your personal taste. (Bottles are ready-to-drink!) Calpis holds the top market share in lactic acid beverages in Japan. It is made from high quality non-fat milk with which is fermented with lactobacilli and yeast and then left to naturally mature resulting in a distinct and refreshing taste. It is all natural and doesn't contain any artificial colorants or preservatives.

As you may know or not, export version of Calpis is called "CALPICO" because in English-speaking countries Calpis may sound like "Cow Piss" :(

I used to drink Calpis almost daily when I was small because my mom kept it in the fridge, but I didn't like it that much... It is now improved but it used to react with saliva and leave white clump in your mouth, which was annoying.

I knew that "The Premium Calpis" has been out on the market since last year but I didn't even thought of buying it because of that clump dilemma. However, unexpectedly, "The Premium Calpis" was very delicious. It was rich like a yogurt!!! I hope it will be available overseas someday!

By the way, Calpis concentrate can also be used to create a variety of dishes!
2 years ago, Calpis held a contest and my "Calpis Banana Roll" using buckwheat flour and soy milk won the dessert prize!
Also, I have some more recipes using Calpis! I will list few of them here :)
- Calpis Lettuce Coleslaw
- Calpis Fried Bananas
- Calpis Blueberry Cookies

Next time you go to Asian or import grocery store, look for Calpis and try it out ;)

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