Category: Health

Posted in Beauty, Choco-chan, Exercise, Feelings, Health, Japanese Culture, Shopping, Work

Walk Walk Walk…

Posted on by sonokotchi

On 4 May 2020, Japanese government announced the extension of the State of Emergency till end of May 2020.

Government requested businesses to continue considering closing its business (especially retailers and services) and working from home if possible.

I’m glad to know that my boss decoded to cooperate to government’s request and to continue working from home.

However, we are still require to return to office once a week to check on office and settle office administrative matters.

And today, we are required to go to the office.

Though Japanese government announced the extension of the State of Emergency and many of us will continue to work From home; I expected a large number of office staffs to go to office today because the long Japanese National Holidays, Golden Week, just ended yesterday.

As I mentioned earlier, I don’t mind to work at the office but I do mind to take a crowded subway.

The weather is getting better (20C – 28C) so I decided to walk to the office today.

It takes 1 hour walk or 4 km or 4 subway stations to the office.

On the way back, I stopped by few stores to look for and buy a battery for thermometer, bulbs and grocery.

Furthermore, today, Choco patiently waited for me so I took him for a walk.

Today I walked a total of 10 km or 18,153 steps.

Now I’m exhausted and ready to hit the bed.

This week, we need to go back to office again tomorrow; and YES, I plan to walk to the office.

I hope the waking would contribute to accelerate my weight loss. hahaha

Posted in Choco-chan, Feelings, Flower, Health, Japanese Culture

Stay Home: Health and Culture (Shobuyu on Kodomo no Hi – Iris Bath on Children’s Day)

Posted on by sonokotchi

It’s Japanese National Holiday, Kodomo no Hi (Children’s Day).

Although the direct translation of Kodomo no Hi is Children,s Day; it is for Boys Day.

We decorate family carps, Kabuto (Japanese Samurai Armor), and etc to wish for health and prosperity.

In addition, we take a bath with Shobu (iris) to wish for winning.

The Iris, Shobu pronounces same as battle.

Taking a bath with Iris brings a health to win the battle.

And I surely want to win against COVID-19!

Choco is a boy so he takes a bath with this, too.

Posted in Beauty, Choco-chan, Experience, Feelings, Health, Shopping, Surprise

Giving Choco a Bath

Posted on by sonokotchi

I regularly take Choco to grooming.

However, due to government’s declaration of the State of Emergency”, his grooming appointment got cancelled.

Choco looks scared of water so I thought he gets wild if I bath him; furthermore, I’m not used to giving a bath.

Nonetheless, I thought I should try it how it goes.

I bought a Shampoo and I already had the conditioner for his additional grooming treatment.

To my surprise, he behaved and looked enjoying taking a bath.

I troubled drying him because my hair dryer can get too hot for him.

I need to adjust the distance, power and switching hot and cool air.

I’m happy to know that he is okay with all processes and he actually looks enjoying it.

He looks so comfortable and looking at him makes me smile.

Let’s take a bath again!

Posted in Experience, Family, Feelings, Health, Japanese Culture

Masks Have Arrived

Posted on by sonokotchi

I received this talk of town masks.

This is one of Prime Minister Abe’s counter measures against COVID-19: to deliver 2 masks per household.

Why 2 masks?

The average size of Japanese household is 2.47 persons.

Yes, our birth rate is low as 1.42 in 2018 (the latest statistics available).

I understand the budget is limited so it’s difficult to provide more; nonetheless, these masks are recyclable/washable.

The size of these masks are suited for women or children so it’s fine for me; however, I’m afraid these could be too small for men.

I still cannot find masks easily in the market so I’m thankful for these masks that I can get for free (well, technically paid by tax).

Posted in Beauty, Choco-chan, Cooking, Daily Life, Exercise, Feelings, Food, Health, Work

Stay Home

Posted on by sonokotchi

It’s my fifth day staying home, not going out at all.

And I’m enjoying it very much.

I’m doing what I wanted to do.

I wake up and soak in a bath tub for 20 mins as if I were at Onsen (Hot Spring).

Followed by foot massage.

Hoping to detox by smoothie

Cleaning house where I haven’t touched for a while: dusting, wiping, etc.

I have enough stock in refrigerator because there were many rumors that Tokyo might lockdown (it’s a request but technically it’s more like lockdown) and enjoy clearing those food.

Stretching with my trainer.

And I realize since I’m working from home, I can play with my nails.

Happy Easter!

I plan to stay home happily tomorrow. fufufu

Posted in Beauty, Choco-chan, Daily Life, Feelings, Flower, Food, Health, Japanese Culture, Shop, Shopping, Tokyo, Travel, Work

Work From Home

Posted on by sonokotchi

Yesterday, Prime Minister Abe announced a plan to declare the State of Emergency for One Month (8 April – 6 May 2020) on today, 7 April 2020 for following prefectures:

Tokyo Kanagawa Saitama Chiba Osaka Hyogo Fukuoka

JPY 108 trillion Economic Measure etc

By reflecting case records.

Tokyo alone recorded as follows:

117 cases (4 April 2020)
145 cases (5 April 2020)
83 cases (6 April 2020)

We cannot identify the source for about 90% of cases.

My office has decided to work from home today and tomorrow.

This declaration is still requesting bases for self-restraint and doesn’t have any legal enforcement such as an arrest or fine.

Essential services will continue to operate.

We can still go out freely to supermarkets, convenient stores, drug stores, even office as need it.

I don’t have any Corona Tsukare (Corona Depression) because I’ve been commuting office every weekdays and I also had few Corona Sokai (Corona Evacuations) on weekends to enjoy fresh air when premises in Tokyo closed for weekends.

In Roppongi alone, two major shopping complex, Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown Roppongi, closed last two weekends.

Events for Ohanami (Sakura viewing) are cancelled not to create the cluster.

I don’t feel suffocated by Jishuku (self-restrain) or no social life (gyms have been closed, flower arrangement classes have been cancelled/rescheduled, of course no dinner/lunch appointments, etc).

However, I’ve been feeling uncomfortable commuting to office by taking public transportation, subway.

These trains/subways cross other state of emergency prectures (states) such as Kanagawa (Yokohama), Chiba and Saitama.

I won’t have enough distance among other passengers.

It’s not crowded as rush hour train but we are about 50 cm apart or even next each other if I take a seat. (Ooops, I didn’t think of this).

And they are all strangers.

Do we need to take a risk…?

I expressed my worries to my boss because my job can be conducted at home.

Though the declaration of the state of emergency is effective 8 April 2020, the situation is serious now.

I’m happy that I’m free from the stress of catching public transportation today and tomorrow.

I’ve been cheering me up by putting springy nail colours.

Mirage & Day Dream

Walk in a park with Choco for his walk and Ohanami.

Nonetheless, I’m excited to work from home.

I woke up as usual.

Since I can save commuting time, I took a bath to increase my body temperature to enhance immune system.

Started detoxing

Two Carrots and One Apple

Brewed coffee for starting work.

My father gave me a voucher for Starbucks which validated till 13 April 2020.

I went to Starbucks last weekend but three Starbucks that I visited were closed.

I believe Starbucks might extend the validation date, but I was hesitated to go through the process or even to request for it.

Starbucks was opened yesterday so I bought a French Roast Coffee beans.

I received complementary drink, Kenya and sample of Columbia.

I brewed Columbia and I should start working. hahaha

Posted in Action, Beauty, Choco-chan, Experience, Feelings, Food, Health, Hotel, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Nature, Place, Restaurants, River, Tokyo, Travel, Waterfalls

Memorable Weekend

Posted on by sonokotchi

First I went to Utsunomiya, Tochigi.

This town is known for Gyoza (fried Chinese dumpling).

In fact, this is my first time to try Utsunomiya Gyoza at Utsunomiya.

There is Gyoza Dori (Gyoza Street).

There are many Gyoza specialized shops and Ramen (Japanized Chinese style noodle) and Gyoza restaurants.

The lamp is also in shape of Gyoza.

I queued and had my Gyoza at Goku, Gyoza Dori, Utsunomiya, Tochigi.

Niku (Meat) Gyoza and Jumbo Gyoza

Then proceeded to Nikko, Tochigi.

In Nikko, visited Kegon no Taki (Kegon Fall).

Today, there is a lift to go down to watch Kegon no Taki in front of it.

It’s very cold there and we can still see some snow.

We drove by Chuzenji-ko (Chuzenji Lake) and enjoyed the view from window.

Recently, we enjoyed warm temperature and suddenly its temperature dropped; therefore, we could see some steam from lake which makes lake look more scenic and mysterious.

We drove through woods on the way to Oku-Nikko, also very scenic.

We drove farther and reached Sengokugahara (wetland) where believed God of Mountain conducted battles.

There is another lake, Yuko (Yu Lake) at the entrance of Oku-Nikko area.

We finally reached Oku-Nikko Kogen Hotel.

We can stay this nice Washitsu (Japanese style room) together with Choco.

I went to dip in onsen (hot spring) before dinner.

There are two sections: Lower (bigger) and Upper (smaller).

Both equipped with indoor and outdoor/open-air bath.

Upper
Lower

It’s cold there; so that dipping in Onsen felt really nice.

I became thirsty after dipping in onsen so I enjoyed drinking cold Wakimizu (spring water).

After getting some rest, we had dinner with local sake made for Oki-Nikko Kogen Hotel.

I went to futon (Japanese style bed) early.

Next morning, I woke up with a surprise.

According to weather forecast, it predicted snow in Kanto region.

However, in few days, we will welcome April – Spring.

There could be some snow but I didn’t expect it to be thick.

Well, I was wrong….

It continued snowing and no sign of weakening.

I became panic because I came with normal tyres, not snow tyres.

To calm myself down, I went for morning dip.

It was still early and there were no one.

I supposed not to take any photos at the bath, but it was so romantic.

Quickly got ready and went to breakfast.

There are many varieties of food and there is an egg and bacons in the pot.

Continued monitoring snow and consulted hotel staffs who are local; well, I had to make a hard decision – abundant my car.

I think we made a wise decision because snow is thick and we surely could not drive through these windy roads: Irohazaka.

Reached Tobu Nikko Eki (Station) by hotel free shuttle bus.

Then Took train, Spacia, back to Asakusa, Tokyo.

Choco behaved his best on train.

I had a rich vanilla ice cream on the train while looking at these sceneries.

It’s scary but breath taking sceneries.

We cannot underestimate nature; I safely returned home.

Posted in Beauty, Feelings, Food, Friends, Gadget, Health, Japan Technology, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Shopping, Travel

Protecting from Flu

Posted on by sonokotchi

I’m not feeling well for nearly a month now.

I start using these to comfort and protect me from flu.

I have sensitive skins so I don’t like to wear a mask.

However, it prevents me from virus and I really need to avoid virus because I’ve been continuously catching it.

First I was diagnosed virus flu followed by virus gastroenteritis.

I’ve been buying masks from various manufacturers.

To my surprise, it doesn’t hurt my ear nor damaging my skin.; the mask has improved I guess.

Some masks are designed face to look smaller.

Looking at my condition, wearing mask will become my daily routine.

I bought a box of mask which has three layers of filter to block house dust, pollen and PM 2.5.

These are in individual pack which allows me to carry one extra in case I need to change it.

I also bought Ryukakusan.

Ryukakusan is name of product as well as company name.

Nowadays I buy their herbal medicated cough drops.

My friend recommended me their original powdered herbal medicines for throat.

According to her, she takes it whenever she feels any irritation at the throat.

I tried it for the first time and I agree it works directly and more effectively.

I have never shown interest in this traditional product which has been aiding throat for 200 years.

I didn’t even know the drugstore sells this traditional medicated powder. hahaha

I bought the smallest size (20 g) for trial and also to carry it if effective.

It so cute that it contains a small spoon.

And my spa beautician made and gave me lavender body milk lotion.

According to her, lavender has sanitation effect.

So sweet of her to add lavender essence to body lotion.

Yes, when I felt worse, I should have massage my body to increase blood flow to fight back virus.

And lastly, I bought this Egyptian mint essential oil when I visited Egypt last year knowing my throat is weak.

I should burn Egyptian mint oil with Egyptian aroma burner to comfort my throat.

I should practice all these to get better or even not to get sick!

Posted in Beauty, Books & Magazines, Cooking, Feelings, Health, Japan Technology, Japanese Food, Shopping

Nagaiki Miso (Super Miso)

Posted on by sonokotchi

I was down for flu for over two weeks.

I had no motivation to do anything including cooking proper food.

Today I would like to introduce Nagaiki Miso – direct translation Miso for Long Life but it is actually Super Miso for health.

This formula is innovated by Dr Hiroyuki Kobayashi.

It’s all explained in his book including functions of each ingredients and recipes.

I need to prepare one onion, red and white Miso (80 g each) and apple vinegar (1 large spoon or 15 cc).

First, grind onion.

Add white and red miso and apple vinegar.

Mix them.

And freeze it in cube using ice cube maker with a cover.

Mom found this at 100 yen shop Daiso.

I use one cube to cook super miso soup (150 cc) with ingredients that I want to cook with at the time such as Negi (leek), Tofu, ninjin (Carrots), buta (Pork) or/and many more combination.

I shall continue drinking Super Miso Soup to keep myself healthy!