I HEART FOOD

Just a few snapshots of my cooking lately...

Filippino Chicken Adobo

Japanese "Omrice" omelet with chicken ketchup rice inside

Cold pasta with tomatoes & avocados in a Japanese style sauce 

Salmon & bak choi cream pasta

Eggplant (&beef) Lasagna

Caprese salad, Steak & mashed potatoes 

I love EATING. Which always is a great motivation for my cooking. And taking pictures... so when I get to do ALL of that at the same time!?? this is when I am the happiest! I've always enjoyed cooking and do it a lot but lately I've been doing even MORE to save money!! Why go out, when you can cook for cheaper and cook whatever you desire!? ;)

On a side note, stop by Violet Bella's blog also for a chance to win a pair of Blowfish Shoes! They are probably the awesomest shoe company around.. they were one of my sponsors for the Japan benefit gig I organized last year.

Don't forget to enter my Boy Meets Girl® Tights giveaway!!!!

Boy Meets Girl® Tights Giveaway!

dress: Japan, shoes: thrifted, tights: Boy Meets Girl®

shirt: Boy Meets Girl®, denim shorts:Japan, tights: Boy Meets Girl®, shoes: Blowfish Shoes

　　　　　　　　

I am so excited today to be hosting a giveaway courtesy of Boy Meets Girl® !!! You may have seen me wearing their clothing here. As you can tell, I am in LOVE with all their clothing... like the Drip Tee that I'm wearing above that is so cute and comfy! The material is so soft! I also own their My City Leggings which I wear ALL THE TIME and constantly get compliments on, the Coco Hoodie, Missing Pieces Romper... And of course, the lovely Tights that you see above!!!

These tights have their cute logo printed all over and are very comfy! I'm happy that I can continue to wear them because it's been a little chilly still here in Southern California!

They work great with practically anything... You just saw above, two ways that I like to style them :)

Dressy and more elegant in the first pic, and more casual in the second pic. 

YOU could own a pair as well!  

How to enter this giveaway (all entries are validated):

1. You must be a public follower of this blog. (To follow, scroll up and click the "Join this site" button on the right)

2. Like Boy Meets Girl® on Facebook OR Follow @BoyMeetsGirlusa on Twitter

3. Comment below with how you would style these tights!! Include your email address so I can contact you if you win!

Please note: ONE comment/entry per person.  You do not need to comment for each thing you do above.

You must be a legal resident of the 50 United States or District of Columbia. 

Giveaway runs until Tuesday, April 3rd. 

Winner announced on April 4th.

Looking forward to seeing how everyone would style these!!

Thank you so much to Boy Meets Girl® for letting me host this awesome giveaway! Don't forget to check out their website!!!

UPDATE: the lucky winner is Summer!! Congrats!!!!

THE childhood book

   

When I was back home in Japan a couple months ago, I had to go through all my stuff.

I brought back my favorite childhood book that I still love 'till this day!

As you can see, I've read it quite a few times ;)

(Gotta love the original movie with Gene Wilder too! no offense to Johnny Depp!)

I've started reading the book again and it always puts a smile on my face :) 

What is your favorite childhood book?

More happy things are ahead of us!

a moment of silence

the tragedy that happened exactly a year ago in the Northern coast of Japan...

I really can't believe it's been a year...
and although I still can not get over how horrifying this massive earthquake and tsunami was,
all I can say is the people of Japan have CONTINUED to be resilient, caring and positive.

Today I want to look back. But look back at what we've DONE to spring back from this event.
Many people volunteered to help clear up towns affected by the tsunami..I know several people who actually went. I wish I could as well... Lots of charity events, concerts happened.
I myself, put together a benefit event last May here in Los Angeles.
I was grateful to be organizing this event and be part of the entertainment as well.
I was so glad to have done it. We were able to raise $1001 which went directly to the Japanese Red Cross. You can read more about it here.

We LOST a lot. But let's also think about what we've GAINED from it.
Our people have learned to appreciate LIFE and PEOPLE more.
Through charity work, people (victims as well as the volunteers) have connected, shared love, and gained HOPE.
And we've come to love our country more, and be proud of who we are.
At least all the above apply to me.


There's not a whole lot I can do from here, but today I took part in a run hosted by NIKE, where anyone in the world could participate, as long as you had the Nike+ GPS app.
For every 1km (0.6 miles) ran (the app would track your distance), NIKE will donate 500 yen (about $6) to Architecture for Humanity for the relief effort. So I ran and walked 6 miles.. donating about $50.
Not a lot, but I believe that any amount can make a difference.

It makes me sad that hardly anyone over here in the States ever talk about this disaster any more, including the media. People may have forgotten, or it's tucked away, way in the back of their brains...
 or perhaps they are being considerate and don't want to bring it up in front of me.
It's not considered a big issue any more.. yet there are still many issues involved.

So please, don't ever forget about this event and please join me in a moment of silence.. to think of the victims and those people still affected by radiation, and still without homes.. on this day, March 11th (Japan time) for one short moment.