my sweet potatoes

I’ve always loved sweet potatoes ever since we were kids and we’d snack on it. Goes without saying that I associate them as well with happy childhood memories. That and the other merienda food that our parents prepare for us for the 3o’clock snacks.

But when I tasted the Japanese sweet potatoes, I was even more hooked! They were just so creamy and sweeter. They’re usually sold around here, roasted, sitting atop very hot stones. Holding hot sweet potatoes on a cold winter (they are more usually sold around here during the cold season) is like a happy thing, making you smile like a kid with his cotton candy.

And oh, did you know that sweet potatoes are considered super food? They’re rich in Vitamin B6, Vitamin C (which is not just for a healthy immune system but also plays an important role in bone and tooth formation, digestion, and blood cell formation; helps accelerate wound healing, produces collagen which helps maintain skin’s youthful elasticity, and is essen­tial to helping us cope with stress), Vitamin D for a happier sun-shinier you, Iron for more energy and better red & white blood cell production, Magnesium the anti-stress and relaxation mineral, Potassium to help regulate heartbeats and nerve signals, Carotenoids for better eyesight.

For the more thorough details on the benefits of sweet potatoes, click here.

Every now and then, I’d buy sweet potatoes when we do our weekly groceries. When earlier, I saw a big pack of small sweet potatoes, I just had to buy even when it was a big pack because the small sizes would make it easier to cook and consume. I don’t have to cook everything all at once.

We were surprised though when we peeled our potatoes after I had it steamed.

It’s violet!

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It being violet, it probably doesn’t have the carotenoids usual in their orange counterparts. But they’re still sweet and creamy alright and probably still contains all the vitamins and minerals sweet potatoes have. Will boil more, tomorrow. 🙂

soybeans galore

I wouldn’t have believed it possible but i lately find natto appetising. Natto, that sticky, a bit stinky, superfood that has been a staple in Japanese breakfast.

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Check this out for the health benefits of natto. And this one as well! (for pregnant women). Or, just type in natto in google search and you’re bound to see lots of references to its healthy goodness.

We love this soybean milk, tōnyu as well! Tried the cocoa and strawberry variants and I just love them.

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strawberry Kiri sticks

Our latest craze – the strawberry cream cheese variant of Kiri.

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Read that as early as the 1970s in France (yes, this originally hailed from France), Kiri has been a favourite of the “epicureans in shorts”. And I’d say, us adults have it as a favourite as well!

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on albums and baskin robbins

First day into our vacation and a long-awaited exciting package has arrived already.

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Our main album,the black one, must have weighed more than five kilos! Dino and team are just amazing. Someday soon, I’ll try to post some, especially those that looked like paintings.

Had a mall outing with my family-in-law. Dropped by Baskin and Robbins. Love Potion #31 and chocolate mint. Love.

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Japanese food

Japanese food – this is why I am gaining weight.

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Ten years back before my first assignment in Yokohama, I was such a picky eater. Picky in the sense that I’d only eat the type of cooking I recognise and if I recognise the ingredients. If it looks weird, I ain’t eating it. But living in Japan and visiting other places taught me to explore. And indeed it is rewarding.

chahan

Thankful for the really delicious chahan (fried rice) that Hubs cooked for breakfast this morning. It was the kind that would really make you eat it slowly so as to savor the taste.

Although actually, the underlying blessing here is that I have a husband who is very understanding with my morning quirks and one who thinks of ways so that we will get to office on time.

Thank you Atsushi. 🙂