Kobe steak abode (lahaina, Maui)

Japanese chef showing his cooking skills



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6enbsA7zgc&hl=en

The Macrobiotic Approach To Health And Wellness

It may be an ordinary dance studio during the week, but on Sunday mornings this little room in Toronto's west end is transformed by the smells of steamed vegetables, seaweed and miso into Anna Rosenberg's Macro Mornings cooking class. Here Rosenberg provides her students with a basic introduction to macrobiotic cooking.

Many of Rosenberg's students come to her cooking classes to learn how to prepare a wide variety of meals that will help them start the healing process and recover from such diseases as cancer.

"The first factor of health is what you eat. It determines how you react, how you think," says Rosenberg, a macrobiotic chef, teacher, councillor and founder of the Macrobiotic Living Whole Foods Cooking School.

Macrobiotics Defined

In macrobiotics health and longevity is believed to be achieved through theunderstanding of the relationships between ourselves, the food we eat and the lifestyles we choose to live. Sickness is viewed as the body's natural attempt to harmonize itself with its environment.

All foods consumed in macrobiotics help the body achieve this harmony by aiding in the digestion and absorption of nutrients.

"Macrobiotics is basically a whole grain and vegetable diet, it's really simple," Rosenberg says. "It's about looking at an individual and seeing what they need."

In macrobiotics food preparation is just as important to human health as are proper food choices.

"I'm trying to teach day to day cooking," Rosenberg says. "Most people think it (cooking)is just a matter of ingredients but it's also the energy of the food, the pots the food is prepared in and the type of dish. Is it a fast or slow dish?"

By going to fast food restaurants she says we give up our control over what we eat to others who might not be concerned with whether the food they are preparing is healthy.

"By putting order into cooking, you put order into your life," Rosenberg says.

Good Health

Rosenberg first learned about macrobiotics from her ex-husband who told her that when they got married they were going to eat macrobiotic. After seeing her health improve from this diet,
she knew she couldn't go back.

"I though I was in good health but I discovered a whole new sense of health," Rosenberg says.

Little things that she though were just part of life like, menstrual cramps and athlete's foot, completely disappeared.

She says she is amazed when people tell her they are healthy and then tell her they have a health condition like diabetes. She says many people don't truly understand what health is.

Making The Transition

One of the most common mistakes beginners make when starting a macrobiotic diet Rosenberg says, is not eating enough of a variety of foods.

"In a day you should have about 10 different vegetables. Cooked in different ways," she says.

Lidia Kuleshnyk, a licensed holistic practitioner, macrobiotic cook, health consultant and founder of Macrobiotics Plus, recommends beginners start by adding healthy foods to their diets instead of taking away bad ones. This will help stop food cravings and make the transition physiological and biologically easier.

Kuleshnyk says miso soup is a great addition to any diet.

"One bowl of high quality miso soup will cleanse 50 cigarettes from your body," she says.

Miso, a fermented soybean paste, has been a staple of the Japanese diet for centuries

Macrobiotics In Demand

One day Kuleshnyk would love to see rice balls offered along side Tim Horton's donuts and amaske as an alternative to ice cream at Baskin Robbins.

Amaske, a whole-grain sweet brown rice beverage, is just one of the hard-to-find foods that Kuleshnyk's macrobiotic food service currently sells.

"There's never a shortage of demand. There is just a problem with the logistics of meeting it," she says. " I'm busier beyond my capacity."

Six or seven years ago, Kuleshnyk believes society shifted toward a more spiritual and environmental form of thinking.

"Today there is a health food store practically on every corner. It wasn't' like that 10 or 15 years ago," she says.

Alkaline Forming Foods & Their Benefits + Food Chart

To maintain our natural ph balance of 7.4 we need to eat 80% alkaline foods. But to eat alkaline foods we must know what the various alkaline forming foods are. By consuming these alkalizing foods we will be able to carve our road to good health and a long life.

Alkaline forming foods are mostly vegetables and fruits. Green vegetables are higher on the chart of alkaline foods. Broccoli, asparagus, cabbage, lettuce, miso, leeks are all alkaline vegetables. Even vegetables like carrots, tomatoes and potatoes with their peel are alkaline forming foods. Spinach is a tricky one, if uncooked it is an alkaline forming food but if we cook spinach it becomes an acid forming food. So one should try and consume spinach raw. Asparagus tips that are white are acidic and should be snipped away. Fruits like melons, mangoes, apples and bananas are all alkaline forming foods. Even lemons which are acidic in their nature are actually alkalizing foods since the affect that they have on the body is alkaline. Fruits and vegetables are all alkaline forming food but care should be taken that they are cleaned thoroughly before consumption so as not to consume harmful chemicals along with these alkaline forming foods.

Even though vegetables and fruits are alkaline forming foods they are not the only alkaline forming foods. Olive oil is a high alkaline forming food and one should try and cook all their food in it. Other oils such as vegetable oils and fats like butter are bad and acidic foods. Avocado butter is an alkaline forming food and should be substituted for normal butter. In fact milk and milk products are acidic and should be avoided. Almonds are alkaline forming food and are also power houses of energy. People of all ages should have a few almonds everyday. Honey is also an alkaline forming food and has great healing powers. For a sour throat try some honey with lemon and ginger and you will feel the difference instantly. Garlic is a very high alkaline forming food. Try and add garlic to most of your recipes.

For those who like their beverages a word of advice stay away from coffee and tea. These are acidic foods. Alkaline forming beverages are herbal teas, coffee substitutes and fresh lemon water. These can be safely consumed without harming the body or exposing it to diseases. One the other hand sodas and alcoholic drinks are highly acidic foods. One should consume fresh foods as opposed to processed foods since the latter is acidic in nature. Processed foods are all bad for the body and should be avoided completely.

But another very important requirement of the body is water. Normal water does not benefit the body as much as alkalizing water does. Alkalizing water, as the name gives away is alkaline forming and so greatly beneficial to the body. Consuming about 6 to 8 glasses of alkaline water is very healthy for the body and also helps maintain the ph balance so keeping the body away from all the diseases as well preventing cell degeneration.

Alkaline forming foods are the best gifts we can give our bodies. Only they can help the body develop a strong immune system.

Recipes For Kids - Homemade Fish Fingers

Kids can be notoriously hard to cook for. They might love a recipe one week and refuse to eat it the next. They can dislike food because of the way it looks, its color, texture, or shape, even if they have never tasted that particular food before! Before you pull your hair out, there are some easy ways to get kids to eat healthy food. One of the best ways to encourage their appetite is to make something they like.

Homemade fish fingers are the same as, or better than, store-bought fish fingers. Not only do they have a fresher flavor but you are also in full control of the ingredients and what goes into them. Store-bought fish fingers might contain all kinds of preservatives, colorants and unnecessary fillers but homemade fish fingers contain fish and your chosen flavorings only.

What to Serve with Fish Fingers

In order to serve your kids a balanced meal, you should give them some kind of vegetable with the fish treats. If this sounds easier said than done, what about trying something different.

How about boiling some carrots and rutabaga until soft, then mashing them with butter and honey? The butter and honey give the mashed vegetables a creamy, sweet flavor and your kids will love the flavor. They will even overlook the fact that you are serving them something nutritious! Mashed potato is good with this fish treat and if you do want to serve a plain vegetable on the side, what about some broccoli, green peas, or beans?

Onion rings are another good idea for a side dish. Baked beans go well with fish fingers, as does corn on the cob. Your kids are likely to view the fish as a treat so you can probably get away with giving them a sizeable portion of vegetables with the fish, if you are lucky!

Recipes for Easy Fish Fingers

This is a flavorful and well balanced fish recipe. You might like to leave out the mustard powder if you are making this for small children. The breadcrumb coating comes out golden brown and crispy and the fish will be tender and flavorful. This recipe serves four people.

You will need:

1 lb boneless, skinless fish
2 teaspoons all purpose flour
1 egg
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon mustard powder
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
Oil, for deep frying
Fine breadcrumbs, as needed

How to make them:

Cut the fish into finger-shaped pieces and marinade it in the lemon juice, salt and pepper for fifteen minutes in the refrigerator. Combine the egg, mustard powder, and flour to make a paste. Dip each fish finger in the egg mixture, and then roll them in the breadcrumbs.

Dip the fish again in the beaten egg, then again in the breadcrumbs. Heat the oil to 375 degrees F and deep fry the fish fingers until they are golden brown. Serve them with ketchup, mayonnaise, or tartar sauce, as well as whichever side dishes you want to make.

Recipes For an Old Fashion Meal Including a Pizza Casserole

The following old fashion recipes allow you to put a tasty, inexpensive, and easy meal on the table without breaking the bank or needing a lot of time. Your kids will be impressed with Miz Taylor's Pizza Casserole which gives them ground beef, pepperoni, cheese, pasta, etc in this one casserole. Add Jean's Broccoli Salad, an old Indiana recipe, to add the following vegetables to the mix; broccoli, olives, green onions, green bell peppers. Additional protein is added with the chopped, hard boiled eggs. You just might get your kiddos so excited about the pizza casserole that they won't complain about eating their broccoli!

MIZ TAYLOR'S PIZZA CASSEROLE

1 lb ground beef
1/8 lb pepperoni
1 can pizza sauce with cheese
1 small pkg shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
4 oz egg noodles, cooked in salted water until tender
1 small onion, chopped

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Brown ground beef with onion and drain. Grease a 2-quart casserole dish and put meat and onion in dish. Stir the noodles, pepperoni, and pizza sauce together; add to the meat and onion mixture in dish. Stir to blend. Sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese and mozzarella cheese. Bake at 350 degrees until bubbly and cheese is melted, about 20-25 minutes.

Jean's Broccoli Salad

1 bunch fresh broccoli, washed, drained, and chopped
1 cup black olives, sliced
1/2 cup green onions, chopped
1/2 cup green bell peppers, chopped
3/4 cup mayonnaise
4 hard boiled eggs, chopped

In a large bowl, combine broccoli, olives, green onions and bell peppers. Add the mayonnaise and mix to blend. Add the chopped eggs and fold into the salad mixture. Refrigerate until serving time.

Enjoy!

Raspberry Burst French Toast

French toast is the perfect way to use stale bread. The recipe can be traced back to Roman times, and it continues to be popular today. Though you can buy frozen versions, there is nothing like home made.

This centuries-old recipe was enjoyed by all, according to Answers.Com. "Culinary evidence confirms 'French toast' was not just a food for the poor." Ancient recipes use white bread with the crusts removed -- a recipe for the wealthy. French toast has survived for centuries and the recipe has spread world-wide.

Hungarians call it bundas kenyer, notes Answers.Com, which means coated bread. Portugese call it rabanadas or fatias douradas, for golden slices of bread. Dutch call it wentelteefjes, which means turned around britches. Over the years, cooks added other ingredients to the batter, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla.

"Monet's Table: The Cooking Journals of Claude Monet" contains a tantalizing recipe for French toast. Monet loved eating almost as much as he loved painting. Many of the recipes in this cook book are written in his own hand. Monet also considered them part of his family history. Pain Perdu is made with day-old brioche (an egg bread), eggs, milk, confectioner's sugar, and two tablespoons of rum.

An early edition of the "Joy of Cooking," by Irma S. Rombauer and Marion Rombauer Becker, contains a recipe for French Tomato Toast. Bread is dipped in condensed tomato soup, fried, and topped with cheese sauce -- an unusual idea. In case you're wondering, the cook book also contains the classic recipe.

A "New York Times" blog published a recipe for Spanish French toast. According to the writer, it is a "knockout dessert," as moist as bread pudding, and nearly as rich as custard. It, too, uses stale bread -- challah or brioche. The bread is soaked in milk to soften it, then dipped in beaten eggs and sugar. Instead of frying the bread in a skillet, cubes of bread are shallow-fried in a half inch of olive oil. The fried cubes are sprinkled with cinnamon-sugar, honey, or maple syrup.

Though you can make French toast in the oven, the results are more like a souffle than the original dish. I love good, old-fashioned, cooked-on-a-griddle French toast. Raspberries are my favorite fruit, so I put the two together, and created Raspberry Burst French toast. It is made with fat free milk, egg substitute, whole grain white bread, and sugar-free raspberry jam.

Ingredients

3/4 cup fat free milk

1/2 cup egg substitute

1 large egg, room temperature

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

8 slices whole grain white bread

1/2 cup sugar-free raspberry jam

1/2 cup water

2 tablespoons honey

1 pint fresh raspberries

Method

Whisk milk, egg substitute, egg, and almond extract together. (Make sure there are no streaks of egg white in the batter.) Dip bread in batter and cook over medium heat, or in a 350-degree skillet, until brown on both sides. Prepare the sauce while the toast is cooking. Put jam, water, and honey in a heat-proof glass measuring cup. Stir with a spoon and microwave for 30-40 seconds. Place a few fresh raspberries on top of each piece of toast and drizzle with raspberry sauce. Makes 8 one-slice servings.

Copyright 2009 by Harriet Hodgson

RPC Naruto 3 (Zero profile)

Character Info: Name: Zero Enna Gender: male Age:14(Naruto) 16 1/2(Naruto Shippuden) love: Married DOB: Dec. 28th Chakra: Earth,Water,Fire,Wind,Lighting Personality: He is quiet and very calm almost never shows feelings because he cannot trust anyone because of his past,like going to missions alone,A GREAT CHEF¡,like miso soup and almost always alone but he cares much for the few people close to him and he want to keep that bonds with is loved ones forever Background:Well in his past he whas part of the Enna clan (the very first clan in the world)but someone kill is parents and leave him almost blind at the age of 8.He is looking for the person who kill is parents that's the reason he arrive to Konoha where in 6 short years he become an ANBU(Naruto) and discover the full potential of his blood (he had all bloodlines hability in one-o-) (Last picture is his look in Shippuden)



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5Jf8zegUf0&hl=en

GenkiJACS alfresco venture

My Japanese class at GenkiJACS in Fukuoka goes to the local grocery store to look for supplies for Miso soup



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKR12tp4e5I&hl=en

How To Make Salmon & Shrimp Sushi!

I created this the first time I made sushi -- 3/27/09 around 9PM -- Salmon & Shrimp Nigiri-Zushi! I hope you enjoy my video of the process! Coming soon -- more types of sushi including rolls... Camera: Creative Vado Pocket Digital Background Music: Japan Pavilion Area Music from Epcot at Walt Disney World!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VQ-etDf0Z8&hl=en

How to Make an Outrageously Rich Decadent Brownie Recipe Better!

Crunchy Chocolate Brownies.

Ingredients

4 sticks butter
1 pound semisweet chocolate chips
6 ounces dark chocolate (at least 75% cocoa) , chopped
6 large organic eggs
3 tablespoons instant coffee granules
2 tablespoons pure vanilla essence
2 1/4 cups sugar
1 cup plus 1/4 cup flour
50 Oreo cookies chopped into four pieces.

Chef's Tip

Brownies cook better when in the center of the oven. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350°. Butter and flour a rectangle baking tray.

Method

Put a glass bowl over a pan of simmering water, heat butter, chocolate chips and unsweetened chocolate until melted and smooth. Allow to cool slightly. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, coffee, vanilla and sugar. Blend chocolate mixture into egg mixture and cool.

In a medium bowl, sift together one cup flour, baking powder and salt. Add the flour mixture to chocolate. Put the crushed Oreos in a plastic bag with a 1/4 cup flour and shake, this stops them sinking to the bottom of the brownie.The add the Oreos to the chocolate mixture and pour into the baking tray, bang sharply on the counter twice with the tray to settle the mixture.

Bake 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean do not over bake they go dry when over baked. Cool and cut into squares.

If these are being served to an adult a large slug of kirsch or cherry brandy onto the brownies as they come out of the oven give them a fantastic cherry taste. Serve with cherry ice cream or a thick clotted cream or creme fraiche.

Hyaluronic Acid - The Latest Craze In "Natural" Skin Care?

Let's start out by looking at what hyaluronic acid actually is.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring biopolymer, which serves important biological functions in bacteria and higher animals including humans. Naturally occurring, hyaluronic acid may be found in the tissue of higher animals, in particular as intercellular space filler. HA is found in greatest concentrations in the vitreous humour of the eye and in the synovial fluid of articular joints, but is also found in the skin, connective tissue and elsewhere in the body.

Hyaluronic acid was made 'famous' by an ABC News report in which Connie Chung visited a Japanese village by the name of Yuzurihara. She found that the people there were living longer, looked younger, and were more flexible and active than their western counterparts. These Japanese villagers, in their 80s and 90s, have smooth wrinkle-less skin, a full head of hair and apparently no need for glasses.

So what is it, that allows these Japanese to be so much more youthful, lead active, productive lives at their advanced age, where as in western countries most people in their 80s and beyond are in old-age homes?

The conclusion drawn in the ABC report was that these people ate 'sticky vegetables' and that this factor was the secret to their apparent youth. In addition, the oestrogen-like molecules in their diet, fermented forms of soy in miso paste and tofu, seem to play an important role. These molecules, along with natural oestrogen, send a signal to the fibroblast cells to make more hyaluronic acid. But is this the whole answer? - I don't think so, but I'll get to this a little later.

Next, let's look at what Hyaluronic acid does.

According to scientific research by a variety of Universities and researchers, hyaluronic acid is used in the human body to cushion and lubricate joints, eyes, the skin, and heart valves (see http://www.ctds.info/hyaluronic_acid.html for an in-depth look at all the different diseases, syndromes and conditions). Some treatments, which involve the use of hyaluronic acid include: treatment for osteoarthritis and other joint problems, as well as a range of eye disorders, retinal detachment, and some cardiovascular disorders.

However, it is in the anti-aging effect on the skin that we are focusing on in this article and the effect hyaluronic acid seems to have on the skin is at the level of promoting the formation of collagen. These are the fibres that firm the skin. Now, hyaluronidase, an enzyme that breaks down collagen fibres, is produced by free radicals and UV radiation.

These factors breaks down fibres of collagen can cause premature wrinkles and sagging of the skin. Focusing on hyaluronic acid, it would seem reasonable therefore, that reducing the free radicals is a major key to reducing the hyaluronidase enzyme and secondly to promote normal levels of hyaluronic acid in the skin.

Plant substances known as bioflavonoids, contained in foods such as grape seed extract, blueberry, cranberry, citrus bioflavonoids and milk thistle, etc., inhibit the production of hyaluronidase, which helps to achieve the first aim of reducing the free radicals. In addition, reducing processed foods from our diet, increasing the level of exercise and living a more balanced life style will help in promoting natural levels of hyaluronic acid in our system, not just in the skin.

When considering injecting hyaluronic acid into the skin to treat fine lines and wrinkles, we are once again loosing sight of the holistic approach to treating our bodies and thus run a serious risk of introducing factors, which may lead to side effects or other health problems. Further, we also run the risk of creating an imbalance in the chemical composition of the skin and who knows what possible problems await us as a result.

Some known side effects of hyaluronic acid injection therapy for aging skin include:

swelling
infection
redness
tenderness
acne
lumps
tissue hardening
unknown risks when used in combination with collagen

These side effects are serious enough to reconsider using injection therapy of hyaluronic acid as an anti-aging treatment for the skin.

Remember too, that the people in the Japanese village do not use injection therapy... They life an holistic life style incorporating unprocessed foods and physical activity together with a balanced mind-set and life style.

So where can you get a holistic source of hyaluronic acid from?

There are a couple of ways. The first is from "starchy root vegetables" such as the ones mentioned by the village doctor in the ABC report which include: Satsumaimo, a type of sweet potato; Satoimo, a sticky white potato; Konyaku, a gelatinous root vegetable concoction; and Imoji, a potato root.

These vegetables help the cells of the body to thrive and retain moisture. Further, they keep joints lubricated, protect the retina of the eye and keep the skin smooth and elastic by promoting collagen.

Another source of hyaluronic acid, for non-vegetarians, is to eat animal parts known to contain a lot of hyaluronic acid. You could make a broth from fish bones. That is, once you've taken off the fillets, boil the rest of the fish, including their head and make a fish stock. Similarly, you can make a meat broth using animal joints, sinews and tendons, then adding a few root and other vegetables to create a healthy, nourishing soup.

In conclusion, at Wildcrafted Herbal Products we do not believe that adding isolated ingredients in elevated concentrations to our natural skin care products is a preferred option. Rather, using a holistically natural approach to skin care and for that matter health care is a far more preferable option.

Skin care is as much about taking care of your skin as it is taking responsibility and care of your overall health and wellbeing. Your skin is not an isolated part of your body and should not be treated as such.

Again I would like to remind you of the Japanese villagers - they do not inject themselves with hyaluronic acid, they do not use hyaluronic acid in isolation, they do however life a healthy, active and mostly balanced life style.

5 Amazing Super Foods For Nutrients and Energy

1. Unprocessed Cacao beans (beans chocolate is made from)

Unprocessed Cacao beans by themselves or in the form of chocolate that has been cool pressed rather than roasted (so it does not destroy the health properties from heat) are among one of the highest antioxidant rich foods in the world. Believe it or not these types of pure unprocessed chocolates can provide an unparalleled source of antioxidants, minerals and vitamins to your diet. Antioxidants destroy disease-causing free radicals from pollutants in our environment and fight the chemicals in our bodies that stress produces in our fast paced society!

2. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar is usually found in health food stores and sold unfiltered therefore there is a protein enzyme strain called "the mother" which naturally occurs in bottles. "The Father of Medicine" Hippocrates used apple cider vinegar for its energizing and cleansing properties. My favorite way to drink it is by pouring 1-2 tsps. in water with honey hot or cold. It is excellent for balancing PH levels in the body which is also why it is used in facial mask for the skin too.

3. Miso Soup

Miso soup is made from a fermented soy bean paste and dissolved into hot water. If you love sushi like I do you have probably ordered Miso soup at a Japanese restaurant. However few people know that Miso paste can be used to make salad dressings, dips and marinades and has many secret health benefits. Consuming miso soup has been linked to a reduction of the risk of breast cancer, and an even fewer known fact is that it actually draws nicotine out of the blood for people who want to quit smoking. It can be a great substitute for chicken broth for vegetarians when you are not feeling well and is extremely easy to make.

4. Wheatgrass

Wheatgrass is the young grass of the wheat plant that can either be in powder form or preferably juiced from the blades of grass. You can find wheatgrass juice at any health food store or juice counter as it is usually taken in a shot glass in 1 ounce increments or mixed in with other vegetable and fruit juices. Wheatgrass not only gives you a huge boost of energy that can last for hours but is supercharged with amino acids, minerals, vitamins, enzymes and chlorophyll which oxygenates the blood producing a very content feeling. It is like a V-8 times 100! Try it when you need a boost or drink it once a week to help keep your immune system in top shape!

5. Flax Seed/Oil

Flax seed is a natural laxative which is why it is found in high fiber cereals. Besides keeping your colon clean flax seed is highly rich in omega-3 oils which are a "good type of fat" that your body utilizes for healthy skin, hair, and nails and even has disease fighting properties. You can buy flax seed at health food stores and sprinkle it on yogurt, fruit, bake with it, or buy the oil and pour a bit in your morning smoothie!

I invite you try out some of these amazing super foods for yourself and experience the increase in your vitality and overall feeling of well-being. Nature has given us so many gifts to heal our bodies, start reaping the benefits today!

When Miyavi and Tegoshi assignment together

ok this is the betta version im deleting the other later to day this lets u into it longer =P



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCV8DYS_bUQ&hl=en

Re: Re: Re: TheKillaComa Show Ep6 Cookn With TheKilla (Miso Soup)

Video Cam Direct Upload



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XwndE5Vzso&hl=en

Bibimbop Kinpira

Burdock and Carrot Kinpira Bibimbop, Spicy Miso Soup. A Korean and Japanese dish.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hl1sAWW0vUQ&hl=en

Tekka-don @ Sakura, San Diego

Tekka-don. Tororo over marinated maguro tuna, like snowy mountain tops. (Tororo addition is extra to this dish)



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42XpBZM_1Rc&hl=en

Old Fashion Recipe For a Hearty Hamburger Soup That Makes an Easy, Tasty and Inexpensive Meal

There is nothing better, in my opinion, than a hearty bowl of soup. I love soup and would eat it everyday if I didn't have a husband who has to have his meat and potatoes meals! But I especially love soups in the fall and on cold winter days. Now that September has rolled back around, my thoughts are turning more and more to soups. If you are like me, and enjoy a good cup or bowl of soup, here is a recipe from my vintage recipe collection that you might want to try. Hearty Hamburger Soup is easy and inexpensive using ground beef, vegetables, and rice to combine into a very tasty soup. The ground beef takes on a richness when browned in the butter. The soup is chocked full of healthy vegetables including potatoes, celery, tomatoes, corn, carrots, and cabbage. The rice adds a special touch and also adds a grain to the ingredients. Serve this soup with a crusty rolls or hot cornbread for a hearty, inexpensive meal. Add a salad and dessert if you desire.

HEARTY HAMBURGER SOUP

1 tbsp butter
2 lbs ground beef
2 quarts boiling water
2 cups diced potatoes
1 cup diced celery
2 cups tomatoes
1 cup corn
1 cup diced carrots
2 cups shredded cabbage
2 onions, diced
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup rice

Melt butter in a skillet and add ground beef. Brown the beef, drain and pour into a large saucepan or a dutch oven. Add the water and bring to a boil. Add the vegetables and rice then the seasonings. Simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours to cook the vegetables and allow the flavors to mesh.

Enjoy!

Ricetta per la zuppa di miso

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZP2x4wXv8HU&hl=en

Lose Weight and Get Heathy: 5 Shopping List Essentials

Hello to you all,

So what can you do this week to get healthier? Here 5 items for your shopping list, all of which will boost your health and help you shift those extra pounds.

Essential Shopping list:

o 6 pack of mineral water; stock up on a good mineral water, buy the 1.5/2 liter bottles and drink one each day. Carrying the bottle with you will help you self-monitor how much you are drinking, if there is any left at bed time, then finish off the bottle. Most people do not drink enough water, and if you are exercising you will need extra. Being properly hydrated will; give you more energy, promote good skin, aid digestion and absorption of nutrients, help avoid constipation, aid weight-loss, reduce headaches, keep you mentally focused, protect your heart, and support your liver. Drinking 1.5 liters of chilled water will burn off 100 calories each day as your body warms the water to blood temperature- wow in one year that is worth nine pounds of body fat! Make the effort to drink more (water) this year.

o Oats; start each day the best way with a bowl of oats; make porridge or home made muesli with skimmed or Soya milk (muesli- 30 g oats, a few seeds and chopped nuts, a handful of sliced strawberries and blueberries), or have with some natural live yoghurt and some steamed pureed apples- yum! Oats contain plenty of fiber, are full of vitamins and minerals, help reduce cholesterol, and help maintain a steady metabolism; warding off sugar cravings, and making you feel full. I believe that they are the number one breakfast choice to support your body, and they are very cheap to buy. Get a breakfast habit!

o Sprouts, cabbages, purple broccoli, red cabbage and cauliflower are all amazing. These brassicas are some of the healthiest vegetables that you can eat, rich in cancer-fighting ingredients, providing fiber to protect against bowel problems and bowel cancer, and containing high levels of vitamins and minerals to support your organs and immune system- you cannot afford to leave them off your shopping list.

o Get Fruity, with berries; these wonderful fruits are bursting with cancer-busting ingredients, and also contain fiberand many different vitamins and minerals including potassium; thought to keep the heart healthy, and lower blood pressure. Put them in a fruit salad, sprinkle over your breakfast (see below) or turn them into a smoothie.
Swap your usual fatty, salty or sugary snacks for bowls of mixed berries, do yourself a big favour!

o Get spicy! Eating fresh chilies or chili sauce will speed up your metabolism, and help you loose weight. Those clever people at Oxford Brookes University have discovered that eating chili can increase the amount of calories that you burn by up to 8% for two hours after your meal. Chilies also contain cancer-busting ingredients, and are thought to help you sleep. Chop them up fine and add to almost anything. I use them to make salad dressing, or to spice up a miso soup. Making food tasty using herbs and spices means you do not need to use salt to add taste. Cutting down on salt will revive your sense of taste, lower blood pressure, improve your heart health, and banish water retention; you will loose a few pounds, feel better and improve your health.

Until next time, take care and stay healthy!
Vikki.

Do you have any friends and family who could benefit from getting fitter and feeling better? If you do, then treat them to free copy of this newsletter, forward it to them, and get them to e-mail me with a request. E-mail getfitter@yahoo.co.uk subject: newsletter request.

Nine ways to reduce risk of breast cancer

Mutation in the gene BRCA1 or BRCA2, or excessive levels of estrogen in the body, nutrition, obesity, alcohol consumption and smoking are risk factors for breast cancer. While there is almost no way to change the inherited gene mutation, which is in our power to control other factors and protect our breasts.

Maintain a healthy weight

A recent study by the American Cancer Society for more than 62,000 women found that women gain more weight after the age18, the greater their risk of breast cancer diagnosed during menopause. Extra pounds increase the production of estrogen, which can fuel cancer growth. Moreover, even if you are serious regular exercise reduces the risk considerably.

"Physical activity is thought to reduce the amount of estrogen in the body, making breast cancer," said Dr. Debbie Saslow, PhD, director of Breast Cancer Gynecology and the American Cancer Society. So get moving. A lively30 minute walk five days a week may reduce the risk of breast cancer by 18 percent, according to a study of more than 74,000 women aged 50-79.

Eating good fats

High levels of polyunsaturated fat and saturated fat on breast cancer in combination were put in place so limited these fats in the diet. Choose most fats like olive oil and rapeseed oil, monounsaturated oils. A study conducted in Sweden more than 61,000 women aged 40-76 showed that the consumption of an additional 10 grams of monounsaturated fatty acidsreduces the risk of breast cancer by about 45 percent. On the other hand, the study also showed that every additional 5 grams of unsaturated fatty acids consumed, the risk of breast cancer increased by 69 percent. rates of breast cancer among women in Spain, Greece, Italy and low, and the fact that people use in these countries, olive oil as the main source of fat is certainly a factor in this result.

Eating fruits and vegetables

Carotenoids are powerful antioxidants that protectagainst cancer, and these are in a variety of fruits and vegetables. Researchers at New York University compared blood samples from 270 women who later developed breast cancer samples from 270 women who were not taken. They found that women had the lowest carotenoid found double the risk of breast cancer than those with the highest levels. Try, five minutes before eating nine servings (½ cup) per day of fruits and vegetables, especially carrots, tomatoes,Watermelon and spinach.

Add flaxseed to your diet

These seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids to support cardiovascular health and reduce the risk for all cancers. Flaxseed also contains high levels of a substance called lignans that may reduce the activity of estrogen in the body. Studies in rats indicate that lignans actually shrink breast cancers. To eat, sprinkle flax seed corn fifty-two tablespoons of ground flaxseed on the supplement, smoothies, or use linseed oilin salad dressing.

Learn how soy

Women in Asia have one-fifth the rate of breast cancer in Western women. Scientists believe the reason is their diet rich in soy. A Japanese study showed that women who ate less or more than three bowls of miso soup (fermented soybeans), reducing the risk by 50 percent compared to those who had. Soy products contain phytoestrogens, compounds that weak forms of estrogen and may protect against breast cancer. Add 01:59portion per day of soy foods to your diet - a cup of soy milk, half cup of tofu, tempeh or soy nuts.

Limiting alcohol consumption is

Alcohol intake is linked to a higher level of estrogen, which fuels the cancer. It is recommended that if you drink alcohol occasionally, take a daily 400 micrograms of folic acid (the amount in most multivitamins). A study by the Mayo Clinic showed that women with the lowest folate (folic acid found in fruits and vegetables), taking also drank a small amountThe alcohol a day - less than half a drink - had a 59 percent increased risk of breast cancer, but a high intake of folic acid increased the risk in moderate drinkers. How folate reduces the risk is unclear, but experts agree, is not enough for most Americans.

Stop smoking

Studies show that younger women when they start smoking, the greater the risk of developing breast cancer before menopause. Other studies suggest that women with a familycan increase the history of breast cancer and ovarian cancer risk if his smoking. Even smokers and ex who develop breast cancer are twice as likely to be an aggressive form of the disease, do not get the estrogen-dependent. Similar risks apply to second hand smoke.

Limit the use of antibiotics

New evidence that the more often you take antibiotics, the higher the risk of breast cancer. A study of more than 10,000 women showed that the risk of breast cancer is doubled amongthose who had antibiotics for more than 500 days cumulatively (the equivalent of about 25 recipes), averaged 17 years compared to women who have never taken antibiotics. Researchers warn, however, other factors such as underlying disease, the immune system, hormonal imbalance or weak, could explain the increased risk.

Choose to breastfeed

It is not only good for your child, but also suppresses ovulation and lactation in the production of estrogen. ResearcherComparison of birth rates and practices within developed countries among women with women in developing countries in Asia and Africa, and found that the risk of breast cancer in developed countries could be cut in half, if the many women had children and all children breast fed for an average of 30 months for children than women in developing countries. Breastfeeding alone the risk by two thirds. They also found that for each year of breastfeeding, a woman, your risk of breast cancer was reduced by 4Percent.

Source:
American Breast Cancer Association
The Mayo Clinic

Meet Your Monday!!

hahaha sorry bout my horribly bad hairday :(. pretty much my mixture tasted like miso soup with like a orange flavoring and some vanilla...YUCK. btw sorry it like chopped off some of my headd i didnt put the camera high enoughh.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0XxsAtL4ns&hl=en

[Cover] TegoMass - Miso Soup

Kaito and I singing for the Seigaku Project



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnQ5Xu403pM&hl=en

RYOSUKE Ryutaro Yuto / Miso Soup {Live}

涼ちゃんともりもっちゃんと中島くんでデコマスのミソスープです＾＾



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsDWj7OLD78&hl=en

チョコ味噌ラーメン！？麺屋武蔵武骨の限定ラーメン「味噌ガーナ」

溶かしたチョコと豚粗挽肉をトッピング、その上にガーナミルクチョコをひとかけらのせた「味噌ガーナ」。 news.walkerplus.com ピリ辛味噌にチョコを使うことで、香りやコクが増します。 意外と合うのでちょっとびっくり。 しかしその手があったか！！ 1日20食限定 2009年2月15日迄販売は14時から麺屋武蔵武骨台東区上野6-7-3 03 3834-6528 販売時間：14:00～21:30



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gc9EKEwhZfw&hl=en

David's Eating antagonism - Final

My brother attempts to eat a huge bowl of rice and a smaller bowl of miso soup in 15 minutes. This competition is set by the restaurant which is located off of Central and 2nd in Little Tokyo, Downtown Los Angeles.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQH52MiaRGA&hl=en

JAMES BROWN MISO

funky jb miso



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k19Tizlr4FQ&hl=en

Heal Depression and Sadness Naturally

Turn the Lights On!

From fall through winter, we can be impacted by the lower exposure to natural sunlight. During this time of the year, we can be more prone to manifestations of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a condition that can result in:

depression

lethargy

sleep disruptions

weight gain or loss

loss of enjoyment of social interactions

Researchers with the Baker Heart Research Institute in Australia correlated a decline in sunlight with a decline in the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter found in the brain that helps us to regulate moods and body rhythms.

By increasing the amount of full spectrum light (light that mimics sunlight), we can help our bodies to produce more serotonin, which diminishes symptoms of SAD.

Therapeutic full spectrum lights contain at least 10,000 lux (a measurement of the light intensity) and have filtered or eliminated harmful UV rays. These lights range in price from $150 to $300 depending on the manufacturer.

Non-therapeutic full spectrum light bulbs are available at local hardware stores and shops like Ikea. These affordable bulbs are more economical and may provide some benefit for improving symptoms of SAD but with less dramatic results compared to more intense therapeutic lights.

Boost Serotonin with Healthy Foods

You can also increase your serotonin levels by incorporating serotonin-rich foods.

Foods that are high in serotonin include avocado, banana, kiwi, pineapple, plums, eggplant, tomatoes, butternut squash, pecans and walnuts.

Also, herbs such as valerian, and hypericum, also known as St John's Wort, help to rebalance serotonin levels. However, St. John's Wort can cause sun sensitivity particularly in fair-skinned individuals. Be mindful to wear adequate levels of sun screen or wear protective clothing such as hats or long sleeves when exposed to sunlight when taking St. John's Wort.

Did you know that 95% of the serotonin in your body resides in the tissues of the small intestine? Balancing the small intestine with a good source of acidophilus from foods like miso soup and yogurt can also help to maintain healthy levels of serotonin.

Exercise Away the Blues

The Mayo clinic found that exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, three to five times a week, can significantly reduce anxiety and depression. Yet, as we move into cooler fall and winter weather, many people become more sedentary.

Why not incorporate gentle qi gong movements and massage as a loving way to get more exercise and balance your serotonin levels?

Qi Gong Emotional Balancing Movement:

Bend forward slightly and swing arms side to side as if swishing through a pool of water.

Increase the vigor of the movements as you inhale deeply for a count of 3 and exhale for a count of 5.

Qi Gong Self Massage:

Large Intestine Pathway: Massaging this energy pathway (meridian) helps to facilitate release of sadness, grief or disappointment. It also stimulates the metal organ of the large intestine to help build immunity.

To begin the massage, use your right hand to vigorously tap and slap the top side of the left index finger from nail bed along the finger towards the hand and wrist.

Continue tapping and slapping along the top of the wrist to the top side of the elbow. Continue tapping along the top of the upper arm to the shoulder and sides of the neck. Massage the area near your right nostril with small circular motions.

Repeat on the right arm with taps and slaps to the top of the right index finger, along the hand to wrist. Continue up to the elbow and along the top of the upper arm to the neck. Massage the area near your left nostril with small circular motions.

Lung Pathway: Massaging this energy pathway helps to facilitate release of sadness, grief or disappointment. It also stimulates the metal organ of the large intestine to help build immunity.

Vigorously tap the chest on the left side and continue tapping down the inner side of the left arm toward the inner side of the elbow, lower arm, wrist and inside of the thumb.

Repeat on the right side of the chest and down the inner side of the right arm and right thumb.

Small Intestine Pathway: Massaging this energy pathway helps to stimulate the small intestine to help maintain healthy serotonin levels and the ability to separate pure (positive) from impure (negative) experiences. By surrounding ourselves with positive experiences, we can help prevent depression and anxiety.

Massage in circular movements along the outer side of the left hand starting with the smallest finger, moving toward the wrist, along the outer edge of the arm to the elbow, along the outer edge of the shoulder, top of the shoulder and reach back to tap the shoulder blade.

Repeat on the right hand, arm and shoulder.

K'ayum Eats Sushi!

I can't believe it. We went to Miya Sushi and K'ayum ate Yellowtail Roll, Shrimp Tempura, Spicy Fried Calamari, Miso Soup, and Edamame.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIdWLMB2t54&hl=en

Chicken Soup From Scratch, and You Don't Cook

This may as well be instant soup, so little work is involved, but it is 'from scratch.'

Take a FROZEN WHOLE CHICKEN, cut off its shrink wrap packaging with a box cutter. Put it in a large pot of UNHEATED WATER. Turn on high heat (but only medium if you are using a nonstick pot), turn heat down when it reaches a boil. You want some movement to the water, but the surface to be flat.

Go do something else. Peek in to see how frozen it still is.

Come back and attack chicken with kitchen shears. It can still be somewhat frozen when you do this. Be careful, now. Cut it at least in quarters--the more 'parts' the better.

Let it develop a broth with color.

Now do these 4 things one after the other in any order:

(1) Cut a HEAD OF JUMBO GARLIC's base end off, throw the thing in the pot just as it is. When all is done, throw it in the trash. Cut the remainder of the garlic in half the round way, which is making another cut like you just did. Now the peeling has fallen away. Put the garlic pieces in the pot; you don't need to cut it any more than that.

(2) Put in ONE CUPFUL OF DRIED BARLEY. Up to two cups if you like barley a lot.

(3 ) Also put in about HALF A BUNCH OF CELERY, cut up. Size of cut does not matter, medium is advisable.

(4) These are optional. If you have some 'CHICKEN BASE' in the refrigerator, you can put around 4 tablespoons in; or 8 chicken bouillon cubes if you think that much salt is desirable. You can also put around 4 tablespoons of CURRY POWDER in. Curry goes with the chicken flavor and it is very healthful.

Now put this to simmer (very little movement in the broth) and go do something else. If you are hungry, you can have some before it is thoroughly done, once the broth is cooked (color is dark and you are sure no blood is there). You can cook this for a longer time before it is 'overcooked.' Why? Because celery and barley can both take a lot of cooking. That makes this recipe very flexible and very easy. You can also eat some and put more water in: It is that rich, especially if you used chicken base.

This is a good recipe if you are catching a cold or flu, or someone else in the house is.