Order a box of crab (2kg) on Amazon.
These are frozen and pre-cut.
Defrost them.
Cook them in a pot; we call it, Nabe (pot).
This is Kani Nabe (crab pot).
At last, cook rice with this crab soup: Zosui.
Category: Shopping
My New Customs
About a month ago, I consulted how to lose weight with my physical therapist.
He advised me to cycle for 20 minutes 2 – 3 times in a week.
Before exercising or starting a day/waking up, I was advised to take amino acid to recover from muscle fatigue quickly or prevent from any muscle fatigue.
I searched for the product and started taking Ajinomoto’s Amino Vital Pro which contains 3600 mg of amino acid.
I regularly take one sachet in the morning and before exercise; sometimes even in the evening because I can take as many as three sachets in a day.
It is recommended to take amino acid because our body cannot produce it; we need to obtain it from food.
After exercise, I was advised to take a lot of protein.
The quickest way to obtain protein is by drinking a protein drink.
Again, I searched for it; then start taking Meiji’s SAVAS Whey Protein 100.
This is my first protein to try and image of protein wasn’t good then.
I picked Meiji brand because Meiji is a major confectionery manufacturer in Japan and good in making chocolates.
This SAVAS Whey Protein 100 is a chocolate flavor.
When I start going to gym regularly for 20 mins bicycle ride, I became very hungry, and I mean, VERY hungry.
I was scared about my huge appetite which I couldn’t control at that time.
Well, I found out about a week later that I need to make a protein drink with three scopes of protein powder.
Since a scope is big, I thought it requires only one scope to make a protein drink.
Actually, I was making a watery protein drink then.
Now I don’t mind to replace my breakfast with a protein drink and I am fine with it.
Today, I finished my first pack of protein.
There are some days that I had a difficulty to control the appetite, but now I’m doing better.
I bought a new package: Meiji’s SAVAS Soy Protein with a yogurt flavor.
According to the package, it states “Weight Down” and “for Losing Weight”.
It also contains Garcinia, a popular weight-loss supplement.
It supposed to help me controlling my appetite and prevent from making fat – sound absolutely great!
I hope I would experience these effects.
Furniture Hunting with Mom
My parents plan to move to a new condo.
Mom is looking for new furniture and so as I.
We plan to go for furniture hunting today; that’s why Mom spent night at my place last night.
I excused myself to go to gym and quickly got ready to go out.
Of course, before we go for a good exercise, we went to get a nice brunch at my favorite Italian Restaurant: Il Ritrovo, Roppongi Hills.
This restaurant is famous for pizza.
The chef won the pizza contest in Italy.
Food is delicious; price is reasonable; staffs are nice.
I highly recommend this restaurant if you are looking for an Italian.
We took enough fuel, then went to IDC Otsuka (International Design Center Otsuka) Ariake Show Room, Ariake, Tokyo.
Otsuka Kagu Ltd. is the first furniture retailer implementing direct import of furniture from overseas.
Yes, this company had an issue with furniture industrial people by breaking the Japanese tradition of multi-layered distribution system in Japan.
This is my favorite furniture store because I can find about 50,000 items in 75,000 sqm.
I can compare many styles, concepts and brands at once.
Yes, it is a good exercise because I walk back and forth to compare furniture.
Yes, this shop ables to see the actual products.
Mom found a dining table and chair set and lace.
I’m considering a bed and light.
We plan to visit few more shops.
I love furniture hunting!
Trip to Nikko (Day 2)
Akemashite Omedetogozaimasu (Happy New Year)
This is the view from a room.
I had a buffet breakfast; hotel serves New Year dishes, too.
It’s New Year so decide to go to Nikko Toshogu (Shrine) for prayer.
At Kinugawa Onsen (Hot Spring) Station, Station staffs and local people are serving sake and Amazake (sweet non-alcohol sake).
SL train stops this Station.
Then I see the real SL train: Taiju. Yeah!
Today, I took this train to reach Tobu Nikko Station.
Two trains were connected; it has double faces.
The road was crowded with cars to visit the shrine.
We took a bus till Shinkyo (God’s Bridge) then walked to Nikko Toshogu.
Shinkyo (God’s Bridge) is beautiful.
Nikko Toshogu is the World Heritage.
We walked to the entrance of Nikko Toshogu.
This is the first gate, need to show a ticket to enter the premises.
Toshogu is in the process of repairing.
Some buildings are reborn in bright colours.
This place is famous for THREE WISE MONKEYS: See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil.
Yomeimon (Yomei Gate)
This gate is so colourful.
This dragon is drawn at the ceiling of this gate, beautiful and powerful.
This Nemuri Neko (Sleeping Cat) is also famous.
This cat looks as if she can wake up anytime.
The main building of shrine is still under the repair.
We managed to pray and visit places before the place gets crowded with more visitors to arrive.
We catch a bus back to Tobu Nikko Station.
We went to collect our free souvenirs, Castella (cakes) and Yuba (tofu), at Nikko Castella Honpo (Main Store).
Then we changed a train to return to Kinugawa Onsen Station to hotel before it gets dark.
We enjoyed dinner after a good exercise, walking at Shrine.
We had a voucher to get another dessert after dinner.
We did dessert hopping tonight. fufufu
Tully’s Crush Caramel Matcha Latte
I stayed back after meeting for further discussion at Tully’s.
I tried Tully’s seasonal drink: Crush Caramel Matcha Latte.
It’s nice in Matcha.
It was nice so I finished my drink fast.
My cup was empty during postmortem meeting.
hahaha
Do you have this drink at your Tully’s?
Or is this Japanese exclusive menu?
Nail Polish Remover
Last night, I was flat to redo my nails.
I supposed to receive visitors at 2 pm; therefore, at least, I had to remove them because colour was out on tips.
It’s shameful to exchange business cards.
I went to a convenient store, 7-Eleven, before office hour, and found this interesting nail polish remover.
I expected to get individual pack nail polish remover sheets.
However, this one, I place a nail at sponge and turn the bottle to remove nail polish one by one so I won’t mess up other fingers.
Japanese are good at new inventions.
Interesting!
Foodie Trip (Day 3)
I started my day with Japanese breakfast at Toraya, the Sunroute Hotel Wadayama, Hyogo.
We are near to the Ruins of Takeda Castle, Asagoshi city, Hyogo.
The only thing I didn’t know is I need to walk 2.2 km to reach the summit and the ruins of castle.
It was a nice walk to the summit.
We are greeted by the rainbow; that’s encouraging.
We finally reached the ruins of Takeda Castle.
Today, there are only castle’s stone foundation is available to visit.
The view is nice from the summit.
This is the ruin of Tenshukaku (the main building of the castle).
This ruins of Takeda Castle is famous and also called, Tenku no Shiro (the Castle above the Sky).
It is not the season now, but when the time is right, I can see a magnificent view like in a photo.
I would like to come back again for this scenery.
After a good excessive, I had Miso Nabe Udon (Miso Claypot Udon), together with snacks, Himeji Oden (Himeji Style is to eat oden with ginger sauce) and Oinari san (vinegared rice with tofu) at Wataya, Himeji, Hyogo.
Now left for a dessert.
This is Himeji’s casual dessert: Gozasoro.
It has two flavors: Koshian (red beans) and shiroan (white beans).
This would be my last Foodie Report for this trip.
This wasn’t a typical way of celebrating Christmas with turkey and cakes, but I enjoyed it greatly!
Merry Christmas!
Foodie Trip (Day 2)
I started my day with taking a hot spring.
Then enjoyed a Japanese breakfast.
We decided to visit Tachikui Sue no Sato (Tachikui Pottery Town).
Tachikui Sue no Sato Area
I tried to make a pottery for first time at Yume Kobo (Dream Factory).
Sensei (teacher) is very kind and knows how to lead students.
Tachikui-Yaki is one of six greatest pottery in Japan.
If you want to try making pottery for the first time, Yume-Kobo is highly recommended!
It was fun.
It requires discipline and it brought me peace in my mind.
I now consider learning pottery.
Sensei taught me the process.
I made four things: beer cup, Japanese tea cup, Matcha green tea bowl for tea ceremony and rice bowl (from left).
Sensei helped me greatly with beer cup and Japanese tea cup.
I made by myself rice bowl (first thing that I made) and Matcha green tea bowl (the last thing I made).
To make tall glass/cup shape is difficult compared with a bowl.
I want to make a beer cup and green tea cup alone one day.
With happy feeling, I had a happy ramen at Ohashi Ramen, Nishiwaki, Hyogo.
Then proceeded to next destination: Wadayama.
We plan to stay at normal business hotel; therefore, we stopped by at hot spring spa, Ouka no Yu, before reaching to a hotel.
There are so many different baths to try here.
I enjoyed staying here greatly.
This is a sign for women bath.
I enjoyed watching the Year-End horse race, Arima Kinen at the bath because there is a big screen TV at open air bath and sauna.
I watched the race at open air spa.
This is the replay at the lobby of spa.
I bought two bottles of Tajima Tennensui (Tajima Natural Spring Water).
I love to try local products to get energy from local area.
Hotel is located nearby this spa: Hotel Sunroute Wadayama
Again, this is Foodie Trip; Hotel is simple and comfortable.
Tonight’s main event is crab dinner at Kutaro, Wadayama, Hyogo.
Yeahhhh
Every crab dish was niceeeee: sashimi (raw), grilled, pot and last dish is porridge with crab stock.
And drink is also nice.
This is Asahi Super Dry Beer bottle with crab on the label.
And this Kani Zake (grilled crab with Japanese sake) is nice and smoky!!!
This is my Christmas 2017.
Merry Christmas!
Trying Out New Mascara: Mote Mascara
I periodically open a mascara every three months, even before finishing it to avoid getting eye infection from bacteria growing from mascara.
This time, I’m trying Mote Mascara Natural (Black) and Impact (Navy).
According to women and beauty magazines, this series is very popular.
Hummm, not bad.
Music
I’ve been listening to Amazon Music and I enjoy listening to their play lists.
My earphones are working excellent and now I can enjoy music with better quality sound.
I decided to try Apple Music.
Currently, Apple provides three months trial for free.
Let’s check out Radio Stations.
sonokotchi 