BENEFITS OF COOKING AT HOME
Modern times have changed and the way we live in the present times gives us a very hectic day-to-day schedule. It leaves little time for household chores and preparing food at home. The global food industry is a multi-dollar business with lots of services to choose from, from dining to take-out, drive-thru, and food deliveries in an instant. Surely these methods are very quick and convenient because you don't have the burden to cook food and clean the kitchen for a longer period of time. Photo by Jimmy Dean on Unsplash But did you know that cooking at home has a lot of benefits than you think? Economically, yes it saves you money but on the healthy side, it will prevent you…
PREVENT COMMON DISEASES WITH AN EASY-TO-MAKE CUSTOMIZED VEGETABLE SOUP
With autumn and cold season is nearly approaching, our body is adjusting from the hot climate to cooler temperatures in the morning. This may sound exciting to some people like me who loves the cooler autumn season and its beauty, some people and children experience common colds, cough, and headaches because of this seasonal transition. How can we keep ourselves healthy and be free from diseases that keep us miserable? One of the best ways to do this is to eat homemade foods made of organic vegetables. BASIC VEGETABLE SOUP What is customized vegetable soup? It is prepared by boiling basic colorful vegetables such as red, orange, yellow, green, purple, black, and white. Phytochemicals from these vegetables are dissolved in…
NIKKO, JAPAN’S MAGNIFICENT LAKES
During the summer of 2021, my family decided to visit Nikko City in Japan for the second time. Our usual travel plans overseas are once again put on hold because of the pandemic. And as we are choosing which place to go which are not crowded, we consider the summer's humidity as well. That's why we choose Japan's top tourist destination Nikko City once again for its mild summers and picturesque surroundings. LAKE CHUZENJI Our trip to Nikko is not complete without visiting the city's magnificent lakes located in Okunikko--the center of Nikko National Park. The most popular is Lake Chuzenji which is located at an altitude of 1,269 meters. It was formed during the eruption of Mt.Nantai about 20,000years…
FRENCH AFTERNOON TEA EXPERIENCE
Afternoon Tea or High tea is gaining popularity throughout the world, especially in hotels. What seems to be an ordinary snack time for some people, was once a grand and fashionable social event in the past. Afternoon tea is characterized by sweets and pastries neatly arranged in a three-tiered food tray paired with a pot of hot herbal tea. In some hotels and restaurants, they offered a free welcome drink as a form of service to the guests. The rates are not cheap- usually reasonably priced because of the wide array of pastries and the kinds of tea to be served. Plus the posh venue of the afternoon tea itself makes it a more memorable and relaxing experience. BRIEF HISTORY…
NIKKO’S BRITISH EMBASSY VILLA MEMORIAL PARK
During the summer vacation and Obon yasumi in Japan, my family had a chance to visit Nikko City in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. While the city itself is world-renowned for its natural beauty, there are museums that are worth a visit. For people who are interested in history and foreign affairs, a visit to a foreign embassy memorial is an unforgettable experience. And one place I can recommend is the British Embassy Villa Memorial Park. A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE VILLA This museum is a former summer retreat of the British Embassy that was built in 1896. It has since been restored to preserve its original appearance. Exhibits from inside give visitors a glimpse of British culture. The villa is beautifully…
HOW TO MAKE STOVETOP ESPRESSO AT HOME
POPULARITY OF MOKA POT COFFEE There is growing popularity of Moka pot coffee in the world. But for those who are not familiar with true brewed coffee, it just creates confusion. Some might be confused about French press coffee which I wrote earlier in my post. It is an easier coffee preparation method than Moka pot coffee. Moka pots were introduced in Italy by Alfonso Bialetti. These coffee machines are also commonly known as stovetop or Italian coffee makers. They make very rich cups of coffee and these machines make beautiful kitchen decors. STAINLESS STEEL MOKA POT One of my favorite coffee machines is the stainless steel Moka pot. Stainless steel retains its heat for a longer period of time…
ROSE GARDEN AT IGASHIRA PARK, MOKA, TOCHIGI
IGASHIRA PARK ROSE GARDEN One of the most beautiful attractions in Japan in spring is the flower garden parks. There are lots of flower garden parks scattered all over Japan. Depending on the location, some have free entrances and some are not. These gardens are a refuge to most people seeking stress relief and it is similar to storybook gardens. Different species and colors of roses and peonies are in full bloom. And one of the nearest parks in my place is the Rose and Peony Garden, Igashira Park. BEST TIME TO SEE ROSES The spring flowering season is the most spectacular in the rose garden and is pleasing to the eyes of many visitors. You can also enjoy…
FRENCH PRESS COFFEE PREPARATION
SHORT INTRODUCTION AND HISTORY Enjoyed coffee? You can brew your own coffee at home as it saves you a lot of money and you can do your part in preserving the environment as well. Coffee paper cups are not good for the environment and health because these cups contain microplastics that are harmful to health. If you are a coffee lover then I suggest you invest in a coffee maker such as French press. It is a cylindrical pot with a plunger and built-in filter screen that presses hot water and ground coffee. French press is an easy method of creating a rich taste cup of coffee. The pot is invented in France in the 1800s and has different names…
Kabocha Purin Cake (Caramel Custard with Kabocha squash)
Kabocha purin is one of the most popular desserts in Japan, especially during the Autumn season. It is delicious as well as nutritious. It is widely served in cafes and restaurants as a snack or dessert. You can make this at home too. Kabocha squash is very sweet and it is a perfect addition to the cake. INGREDIENTS NEEDED: 350g mashed squash 4 eggs 1 egg yolk 200ml milk 130g sugar 250ml cream 1tsp rum Dash of cinnamon powder CARAMEL 100g sugar 20ml water PROCEDURE: Grease melted butter on the sides of an 18cm. round baking tin. Prepare the caramel. Combine the sugar and the water in a small pan. Warm it up until it starts to brown. When it…
EXPLORING THE POTTERY TOWN OF MASHIKO, JAPAN
If you are tired of living in the concrete jungles especially in Tokyo and Yokohama, you may head north not far away from the Kanto region. Try exploring Japan's lush countryside without traveling on the road for 24 hours. Just about 2 and a half-hour north of Tokyo, lies Mashiko town, located in the southeast corner of Tochigi Prefecture. This town is not heavily populated and it has spacious greenery that you cannot find in big cities of Japan. It is also known for its pottery called Mashiko yaki. POTTERY MAKING The town relies heavily on tourism from its ceramic crafts industry through the years but now, different products are starting to gain popularity such as strawberry production, coffee beans…
