Apple Pie @ Cafe Dor

Hi there!

Yay or Jeez! My co-worker bought me a yummy apple pie while I had to watch my weight...

The apple pie was from Cafe Dor, close to my workplace.
It uses an apple called 紅玉(kougyoku: "Jonathan" in English) from Aomori prefecture. Baked slowly for 2 days in an oven, well balanced sweet and sour filling is made. It was really delicious in a crispy pie!

Why sweets in Japan are not sweet! They are too easy to eat, which is dangerous!!!

Anyway, it's already Friday and March is almost over. Time flies!!!

Monday is a holiday, substitute holiday for the Vernal Equinox Day, yay!

Have a good weekend :D

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Fuchsia Pink Nails

I used to keep my nails very short because I cook. But too short nails sometimes dry my skin between the nails and my skin chaps, so I tried not to clip my nails that often.

Then last night, I realized my nails were very long since I was busy recently! I was going to clip them all but they were nicely long without any crack, so I colored them fuchsia pink with sparkles!

Actually, the color is too loud, so I don't like what I have done to my nails... You know those colors look bad when they start to rub off. I should have used only sparkles...

Anyway, I would say to myself just for a change!

See ya!!!

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36 Sweets Factory on the Main Street

My co-workers gave me two huge cakes as a White Day gift! The guy who purchased them told me that he bought them at the same street vendor as last year (36sticks) but there was a different store name on the box (36 SWEETS FACTORY on the MAIN STREET) plus I couldn't find the website, so I have no idea where these are from.

Anyway, they were not that sweet, so I could eat them easily, which is really dangerous!!!

I need to burn the calories!

Leaving for the gym!!!

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How to Apply False Eyelashes

I did eyelash extensions for a year, but I found them very inconvenient since it takes time to wash eye area and need to fix them (go to salon) once in 2 weeks when your lashes came off! Also, they are 100 times expensive than false eyelashes!!!

If you use Daiso's false eyelashes, it costs only a dollar! Of course, you can use them for several times until it broke!

Here I'll explain you how I apply false eyelashes! This is my way, but I hope you find it informative.

Before you start:
Daiso's eyelash adhesive stays well, so I prefer to apply them after the makeup. Be sure to turn off the air conditioner because you don't want to let the adhesive dry too much!

#1. Get your eyelashes:
I think this is the most difficult part! I bought more than 20 different kinds of eyelashes and found this Daiso #16 looks perfect on me.



#2. Cut the eyelashes:
If the lashes are wider than your eyes, cut inner eye side of the lashes. I cut in this way because my eyes look lengthwise bigger. Also, I want to space out a little bit at the inner eye side because my eyelashes tickle my face. (Please see the image of procedure #4.) Remember to test them by holding them on your eyelid and see how well they fit across your lid. Then cut a little at a time.

#3. Put eyelash adhesive:
Squeeze eyelash adhesive a little bit and lightly slide the eyelashes along it. Just a little touch will draw a perfect glue strip. Then let the adhesive become tacky (this only takes about 20 seconds).

#4. Apply false eyelashes:
Over the eyeline you drew, start applying your false eyelashes from the inner eye side, make sure you space out a little bit, press and hold the false eyelashes as close to the eyeline as possible.

To finish up, apply liquid eyeliner over both to fill any gaps between the false lashes and your natural lash line. I don't use mascara but you can use it over the false eyelashes if needed. This will bond the false lashes with yours.

When you remove, gently pull your false eyelashes off. By the end of the day, Daiso's eyelash adhesive gets loose so it won't hurt you!

To use your false eyelashes again, peel off the glue.

Practice makes perfect! You will find your own way soon!

Good luck :D

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Macaroon Chocolate

3/14 was White Day. It's the day men give gifts (used to be candies) to women in return for the chocolate they were given on Valentine's Day. I always think my darling will forget about this day (he forgets Christmas, you know...) but he gave me Grand Four's cute macaroon shaped ganache! (I once purchased macaroon rusk at this store and was really delicious.)

From left to right, passion fruit, vanilla, strawberry, bitter chocolate, and pistachio. They are really cute like jewelry with argent!

Thanks for the small size, I don't have to worry about gaining weight! Actually, I gained 5 pounds since the New Year... I think I lost weight temporarily under the psychical stress of my darling's... you know! Anyway, now I am doing super better than before, so I am steadily gaining weight! To stop getting fat I gotta enjoy them one piece a day ;)

Busy Monday! See ya!

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My Accomplishments

These are my accomplishments in February.

On 2/5, I won the bronze prize at beauty nabe recipe contest. My nabe was "Brown Rice Porridge Shabu-shabu Nabe". Four judges actually sampled the nabe and critiqued. My dad told me that in China, people commonly eat rice porridge nabe. Is that true, jose?




On 2/6, my Creamy Udon Gratin won the milk award at the milk recipe contest organized by Sankei Shinbunkaihatsu (Newspaper Developers). The prize was 2 dozens of milk cartons. Luckily, my darling loves to drink milk! Me?! I don't really like to drink milk...

On 2/24, my Valentine's day recipe "Lovely Dots Crunchy Chocolate" won a prize. I combined hina-arare (pastel colored rice puffs) with pink strawberry chocolate :D





On 2/24, I won the silver award at deco-choco (chocolate decoration) contest. It was a contest to decorate a chocolate bar. I made a 3D picture frame! My darling loved it! I still have it displayed in the hallway ;)






On 2/27, my Mango Chocolate Mousse won a special prize at Yodoran (iodine-enriched egg)'s Valentine's day contest. I just used egg yolk to make it yellow :D





It is rare, but the oyster recipe contest was canceled on 2/20. They say there weren't sufficient number of applicants.

I sometimes question myself. "What am I doing everyday!?" Now it's already mid March... Time flies in routined life!!! Maybe it is time to add or change something. What if I change my stay-at-home life, cooking...

Have a good weekend!!!

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Stuffed Toy Faces

This is something weird but I always pick out a stuffed toy out of bunch! I think their faces are all different, so I take time to select mine! My darling says they are all the same, though... What do you think?!

This morning, I saw on TV that high school girls select their own Shellie May (Duffy's friend) at Tokyo Disney Sea, so they reminded me of myself! BTW, I have been to neither Tokyo Disney Land nor Sea with my darling!!! Maybe I can go there with him for the next date :D

Sleepy Thursday! Coffee time! See ya!!!

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Millet Recipe Contest 2010

3/9 is a millet day. I attended the final of the millet contest organized by Japan Millet Association!

Using foxtail millet and black rice, the theme was to cook the food which you can enjoy with your family at the table. 6 finalists were selected from applicants (certified people, professionals and amateurs). My recipe was "Black Sushi Rolls with Fruity Millet Tuna Curry" (left bottom image).

Unfortunately, what I received was the prize for participation, but the level of presentations were advanced, so I'm glad I could come to the final! (I received a millet book signed by the author - Hisao Nagayama, millet products and other cereal products.)

Cereal grains were once a staple food alongside white rice in the Japanese diet. As rice came to predominate this diet after the Meiji Restoration (1868), however, the cultivation of cereal crops declined. But in light of today’s health-conscious lifestyles and emphasis on nutrition, those same cereal grains are beginning to reclaim consumer notice.

Japan Millet Association was established in 2004. Its members are associated with the production, processing and distribution of cereals and are active in promoting the benefits of cereal grains. The Millet Association has also established a scheme to certify those well-informed about grains and their cooking methods as “cereal sommeliers.” Thus the Japanese palate is evolving from mere appreciation of the nutritional value of cereal grains, to their greater—and more delicious—potential. (Zakkoku: Cereal Grains Return to Japan)

Thanks to their activities, we now eat millet more often than we used to without realizing it! Without a regret, I really enjoyed the contest!!! I will translate my award winning recipe when it is available online :D

Enjoy millet!

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Il Giorno Della Mimosa

On 3/8, I did few hours overtime since I couldn't finish my work! I really wanted to go home early, so I was pretty frustrated about it. However, my darling was waiting for me at the train station, gave me a bunch of mimosa, and thanked me! I wasn't sure what it meant, so I was still feeling emotionally stressed. Then he explained me that in Italy men give the bunch of mimosa to women as a sign of thanks on 3/8!

By the way, 3/9 is thank you day in Japan. We read the number three "san" and nine "kyu", so that is why.

Anyway, my darling reminded me to thank people at any time!

Thank you :D

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Ikanago no Kugini 2010

On Sunday, my mom gave me a box of Ikanago no Kugini which my grandma made. As I wrote before, Ikanago no Kugini is my favorite tsukudani (food boiled in soy sauce). I can't stop myself eating it with white rice! Yummy :P

Do you have any favorite food that has been passed down in your family for generations?!

Anyway, it is cold and busy Monday! I can hardly wait till next Saturday. Saturday is the only day I can rest, you know. Going to my favorite cafe and chat with my darling is my happiest moment :D

Tomorrow, I'm gonna attend the cook-off! Time to wear my new Sweethearts Apron. He-he-he :D

Good luck to me!!!

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Splash!!!

Yesterday evening, I was somehow dizzy and I thought I caught a cold but after taking a cold medicine and dancing hula, I got well and stayed up late till 2 am. Then this morning, I woke up early in high spirits! I thought it's going to be a good day but things happened right after I finished my eye makeup...

I tried to put the glue on my false lashes, but the glue was clogged and it didn't come out. So I squeezed the tube from the bottom... then guess what happened! All the glue popped out from the tube and splashed me in my left eye!

What the heck!!!

My foundation... my eye shadow... my double lines...

I fixed my eye but my mood is gone... you know...

Then another splash in the kitchen. While I was pouring soymilk, it splashed out from the blender... Then another one again! An automatic soap dispenser splashed while washing my hands at work. Hope this is the last one...

BTW, "splash" reminds me of my favorite mermaid movie. Have you ever seen it before?! It's a romantic story. Hope I could have a chance to watch it again.

Anyway, have a safe day!!!

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PEPSI NEX Promotion: Dean & Deluca Magnet Collection

I found an attractive promotion at my friend's post this afternoon.

Now 1.5 litter PEPSI NEX comes with a free Dean & Deluca Magnet! Aren't they adorable!?

PEPSI NEX is a leader product of PEPSI Cola Japan (which Suntory plays a full part). The product was originally made in Japan in 2006. Adapted to the Japanese palate, it's 100% calorie-free with a refreshing lemon flavor.

Now they target women by offering these goodies...

Of course I want the pink ice cream. Yep! Another obsessiveness here! I'm obsessed with fuchsia pink!!! But why PEPSI... why 1.5 litter... I need to ask my co-worker (a guy) to get one! He-he :P

It's raining here in Tokyo and we expect this dizzy weather till next week...

Anyway, hula tonight!!! have a good one :D

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False Eyelashes

This morning, I read jose's blog and I was thinking what my obsessiveness is... Then, jo commented on my blog and realized I am obsessed with false eyelashes!!!

My darling aways stops me of getting new ones, but I feel somewhat relieved to stock them up, you know!

My favorite ones are sold at 100yen (a dollar) shop called Daiso! They are cheap but amazingly useful! #16 is my favorite :) But sometimes they are sold out, so I need to get them whenever they are available. Thus, when I find them, I buy a large amount! BTW, I tried many other brands and expensive ones, but they were not that good, so I'm sure I would still like to use them for a while!

It's a given, so I forgot about recipe contests, but they are my obsessiveness, too!

Time to go! See you :D

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