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Healthy Food Healthy Living

Blue Zones

Will be going back to Japan for a very short time to celebrate my mother’s birthday …she’s been feeling rather low having lost her dear one and only sister (my lovely auntie…) 3 months ago so … need to cheer her up or at the very least spend time with her. currently putting together gifts to bring there to all the people we owe thanks to … and then, making a list of what I may want to bring back from there …. ah… this might be one. Yes, I realize Tumeric is available here too but it’s a bit different… in fine degrees of refinement since it’s tea country there or actually, it’s a “water” country, there. Japan is all about the element of … water. It’s surrounded by water and it’s veins are rivers of water covering all over the islands. It’s lush; my mother country is almost like a … womb to me. Going home. To a place of juxtaposition where the East meets West, the modern with the classics; the random with the neat organized and the orderly; the rude and the wild with the very polite and imploring. Yet all steeped in aged old tradition. It’s grounded there like Mt. Fuji; Centered like Tokyo Tower glowing red at night amidst the inebriated, young and old.

tumeric tea“Spring season tea”

Did you know that tiny Island of Okinawa, Japan, boasts one of highest longevity rate in the world? The island belongs to what’s known as “Blue Zones” as explained in THIS article.

Dr. Weil noted in addition to copious amount of pork consumption and sake, the island’s signature tea is made from “Ukon” or turmeric.
Okinawans drink copious quantities of turmeric tea. Some brew it fresh, but others simply buy cans or powdered instant versions of unsweetened tea from their local stores.
tumericautumn This is “Autumn season tea”
If you would like to try it,

Here’s a recipe you can play around with. You can experiment with the ingredients and flavorings to your liking:

Bring three cups of water to a boil.
Add one teaspoon of ground turmeric and reduce to a simmer for 10 minutes.
Strain the tea through a fine sieve into a cup, add honey and/or lemon to taste.
I add a teaspoon of ginger along with the turmeric. Sometimes, I mix with roasted green tea and submerge, salted plum.
Of course the ground versions are more convenient, if you could get freshly grated turmeric from fresh roots, that would be even better.
I have yet to see one but perhaps I need to check out either health foods store or Asian grocery stores to locate them.

I have also heard of Golden Milk which is essentially replacing Cooca or Cacao powder with Turmeric powder and whisking that into milk for a golden creamy brew.
If there’s time, froth in blender or whip like a latte and sweeten with HONEY:) It’s golden:)

It’s rather interesting to find out that there are different kinds of turmeric, learned some 50 kinds worldwide. To see some types, this website that sells Okinawa Turmeric is quite educational. If you need it translate it, no problem.

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Uncategorized

Sunday Funday

I have realized that the past and future are real illusions, that they exist in the present, which is what there is and all there is.

– Alan Watts

Categories
Anything Cute Healthy Food

Year of the Monkey

At a friends’ beautiful new abode … being welcomed by the lucky monkeys.
IMG_1652
IMG_1655_01IMG_1657_01 Some of New Year’s dishes from earlier this month: Chirashi Sushi made by me – should have taken the photo before serving … ; and Kumquat marinade I need to find out how to make by a lovely health-conscious friend … It’s Year of the Monkey ! Is this your year?

Monkey is the ninth in the 12-year cycle of Chinese zodiac. The Years of the Monkey include 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028…
Monkey’s basic characteristics:
Imagine that monkey jumping from one tree to another – life too is like that for monkeys, as they move from one experience to the other. They relish momentum and change. They will of course stop at anything that excites them and holds their attention Which can bring at times, great achievement or the opposite experience of great loss or that of a lesson, a learning experience.
In that sense, they tend to maintain a younger outlook but as they transition to adulthood, they begin to readdress the lifestyle and choices and reevaluate. While such mid-life reflection can be difficult, the momentum to seek out action after action will persist.

It’s a study in contrast to say, an Ox … like “Nandi”, an ox or bull, a cow that Shiva rides on (The Sanskrit word “Nandi” also translates to “Happy, Joyous Person”:).
According to the Chinese Zodiac guide for “Ox”, it reads:

“The Ox is a person who will often find themselves in the same place or situation for longer periods than others. Whether it is in a relationship, a job, or just a phase of their life, the Ox is built to both endure and succeed. Part of this is that they will tend to favor those things that they are already familiar with. This allows them to make the most of what they can do, and in many ways to eliminate the chaos from their own world that seems to control so many others.

As someone who holds out for what they want, the Ox is also someone for whom discipline is second nature. They can maintain a level of work and a state of mind far beyond many of their peers, both in their personal and professional lives. It can be hard, however, to endure sudden changes in their life, at least for the first few days. As the Ox slowly refocuses their mind, though, they will soon return to a more stable and happy state. It simply takes them a little longer than others to figure out what is the best path for them. Though once they do, they are strong and determined.
 
As someone who takes their time with change and must feel before they can act, the Ox is prone to follow the same sort of pattern in all of their relationships. They are quick to be friendly with others, but slow to transition into a deeper relationship. Some signs struggle as a result of this to get to know the Ox, though it is never impossible to break through that initial barrier. For those born under the sign of the Ox care for others with great force. Should a partner be patient and allow an Ox the time they need to adjust, the end result will be a relationship that will stand up to all the tests of time.”

A bit of a contrast to those born the year of Monkey. It is quite interesting as all ancient culture has a tradition of using animal personifications (example in Japan would be that of foxes vs. badgers.) Fun references as I make my millimeter gains towards Hanumanasana (Monkey pose) with a block – have about 4 inches to go and even if I never get there, it’s “the process”, the journey, I am enjoying not so much the destination … while Bitilasana (Cow pose) comes with ease – feels good when there’s absolutely no pain, no strain, whilst much to gain. Sometimes, it’s not the full expression of the pose but that millimeter, nano-meter at a time progress that we can relish when zapped with one-pointed focus:)