My WHAT? A hero’s journey to discover oneself
Have you ever started something new thinking, “This is it! This is my future!” only to completely lose steam the next week or next month? As a career pivoter past and present, I really appreciate the way Steve Olsher’s book, What is my WHAT? is…
Ichijuusansai for Busy People
Washoku, or Japanese cuisine, Part Two. This is the second part of my initial effort to practice and teach washoku, or traditional Japanese cuisine. Ichijuusansai in stages: Top row – Salmon row, sansai (three dishes, no soup), nisai (two dishes, no soup, with pickles); second…
Bento as dinner
I sprinkled egg furikake over the tuna and potatoes. This salad is the same as above, just mixed. I have given up on making bento from scratch. Instead, I’ve decided to make bento for dinner. This works out since dinner should probably be on the…
New Year, New You: 30+ Plants per Week Challenge
Live Action: New Year’s Day with Two Roots Kendo with burdock root as shinai (stick); lotus root background overlay. Video and photography by me. Kendo practitioner is my 16 year old. Happy New Year! New You! Here’s a laundry list of potential New Year’s Resolutions…
Rice balls and sweet potato ice cream, oh my!
I started my bento journey by reading the instruction manual, so to speak of a couple of Japanese cookbooks that followed health food trends on both sides of the Pacific: This summer I went to Japan for the first time post-quarantine, after five years away,…
Sheep + Big = Beauty
I just recently discovered that the kanji or Chinese character for beauty combines the character for sheep with big. I’ve never connected these dots in my mind: sheep and beauty. But I can make the connection of associating sheep with bliss: of dreaming by counting…
One night in Sonoma with tween and teen
Our one night getaway this summer was Sonoma. With a tween and teenager to please, yummy dining, pool access, and novelty and thrill seeking activities were central on our agenda. Getting out in nature away from screens for all member was another goal. We managed…
Tokyo Olympics, You Will Be Missed!
I will truly miss Tokyo Olympics, for the sports I don’t get to see unless it’s the Olympics. “Other sports,” such as artistic swimming, (aka synchronized swimming), BMX freestyle, skateboarding (with its 13 year-old medalists), triathalon relay involving both genders, shot put, artistic gymnastics, sports…
Landscapes of Fantasy: Disneyland 2021
Disneyland and Tokyo Olympics have definitely been this summer’s vacation highlights. These cultural icons, as well as tennis and pool time with grandparents, have been key antidotes to last summer’s isolation in quarantine. Back then, a well-scheduled day was the only aspect of life chartable…
Creativity DIY: Crochet Beret & Headband for Summer
Create your own exercise friendly crochet beret or headband! Inspired by that ubiquitous unisex 80s/90s colorful headband sported by the likes of Duran Duran, Andre Agassi, and Prince, this month’s theme is DIY headband and beret. But not just any kind of beret. Often associated…