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The Cookie Monster prepared a former Japanese boss for his life in America. Sesame Street’s approach to English language basics is fun! My hope is that my Matcha Monster Rice Krispies introduces essentials to successful travel to and business in Japan in a delicious manner. Japanese friends living abroad will also appreciate your awesome awareness of their culture.
Matcha Rice Krispies may look to be a no-brainer treat. Well, that... Read More |
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Enter the Blue Zone at Go Greek Yogurt
ブリュー・ゾーンのゴ・グリーク・ヨーグルト
Iconic filmmaker Frank Capra’s Shangri-La is fiction. His movie depicts a land of harmony and long life. Turns out there are places on planet Earth where health and happiness reign. They are referred to as Blue Zones. Okinawa is one. Ikaria Island in Greece is another. 1 out of 3 Ikaria’s residents live into their 90s. Dementia and depression are rare.
Take... Read More |
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Disney magic weaves itself into Gluten-Free Pumpkin Cupcakes for Sunday Supper!
Pumpkin by itself is, well, pumpkin. Add sugar, spice, everything nice to pumpkin cupcake batter and now we’re talking. The apartment takes on the aroma of cinnamon, nutmeg and pie spice getting cozy with pumpkin.
As all things pumpkin arrive with autumn, I join the pumpkin mania parade. Pumpkin Chocolate Cake, Pumpkin Chocolate Pocky Muffins and M &... Read More |
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Midori Matcha Café’s Sublime Sweets and Power Drinks
みどり抹茶カフェの抹茶デザートと健康的なドリンク
“We (only) hire people who honestly like matcha,” declares Midori Matcha Café owner, Dmitry Steinbuchel. “This brand is about heart.” Indeed a love and a passion for matcha motivates Dmitry to serve only the very best at his café. All matcha drinks are made with ceremonial grade tea and organic ingredients. The... Read More |
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Miracles, magic and moons are the topic of the day in the USA. Talk of the solar eclipse elicits excitement and trepidation. Similar to the emotions I felt when Dunkin’ Donuts opened their doors in Tokyo. Yes, it was a long time ago; during the dinosaur age (aka the ‘70s.) The import of an American donut franchise like Dunkin’ Donuts was a miracle! Tokyo in the 1970s had yet to see the onslaught of American-Japanese marriages... Read More |
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Somi Somi: A Marriage of East and West in an Ice Cream Cone
Somi Somi: 西洋と東洋が結婚したアイスクリームショップ
Somi Somi is aiming to go organic. Organic or not, Somi Somi is an ice cream shop not to be missed. (Unless you have serious food sensitivities.) Flavors familiar to the Japanese and Korean palate are swirled into a pancake cone! Specifically a taiyaki; a fish shaped shell.
Traditionally, taiyaki is filled with red bean paste in both Japan... Read More |
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“Teatime is more than a warming your hands with a mug of matcha.” So says my teatime aficionado friend, Marjorie. She’s right. It’s the heartfelt conversation which teatime seems to encourage. Whether the matcha is in a paper cup or bone China, the act of taking time to pour matcha (or substitute your favorite tea) allows beauty to appear. Even sorrows, when expressed are on their way to healing. Teatime also allows the... Read More |
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Adventures abroad are eye opening and exciting. Even if the desire to travel burns in your bones, don’t you appreciate a taste of home once in a while? Green tea ochazuke rice is what many Japanese turn to when missing home. Matcha ochazuke is the au courant rice bowl. The meal is simple. Thanks to the millions of Chinese restaurants around the world, Japanese travelers can easily make matcha ochazuke rice. All that is required is a... Read More |
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Sushi is a revered art form in Japan. Jiro Dreams of Sushi (a fantastic documentary) reflects the strict standards adhered to by old-school sushi masters. Iron Chef Morimoto, in his latest cookbook, Mastering the Art of Japanese Home Cooking, also speaks of the long training process. Before his knife could touch the fish, Chef Morimoto was required to perfect cooking Japanese rice. (Even amongst home cooks, there is a definite competitive edge... Read More |
