Monday, March 18, 2024

Brain Health

Honolulu Aunty's recent blog post talks about the four things that your brain needs to thrive.  I thought it was so interesting.  I watched it three times and took notes.  I know that my brain has slowed down and isn't as sharp as it used to be.

In short, your brain needs:

1.  Clear vessels
2.  Omega 3 fats (for neuron tentacles to wrap around)
3.  Exercise
4.  Challenge

According to brain surgeon Dr. Rahul Jandial, the fourth and most important thing our brain needs is to be challenged.  He says that thinking is the ultimate cultivator of the mind and prevents it from becoming dormant. 

So now I'm gonna try playing my kalimba again.  My eye/hand/brain coordination totally sucked at it even though I practiced and practiced.  I eventually lost interest.

But now my intention is not necessarily to get good at it but to challenge my brain trying.  Well, we'll see how it goes anyway . . . 

IMG_6672

Saturday, March 16, 2024

Corned Beef Hash Patties


I got an email from Foodland with a link to this recipe.  Corned beef hash patties somehow slipped off my what-to-make-for-dinner list, and I was happy for the reminder.

I like this version.  It's simple and the addition of flour makes the patties easy to handle.  I'll probably use this recipe from now on.  

For "2 ounces" of green onion, I used 2 stalks, for "3 ounces" of flour I used 1/3 cup, and for "5 ounces" small potato I just used a small potato 😁.  Also, I microwaved the potato for around 5 minutes, cooled it for a little bit and then skinned and diced it.

Mine came out to 11 small-ish patties.

IMG_6663

 

  • 1 can Libby's Corned Beef
  • 1 Egg
  • 2 ounces Green onion, sliced
  • 3 ounces All-purpose flour
  • 5 ounces Small potato, diced

INSTRUCTIONS 

  • Slice green onions and dice the potato.
  • Steam diced potatoes for 10 minutes and set aside to cool.
  • In a medium sized bowl, combine corned beef, egg, all-purpose flour, green onion, and potatoes. Mix well until everything is incorporated.
  • Portion your mix into seven balls, about 3 ounces each.
  • Heat a large pan.
  • Place hash balls into the heated pan and press down to form the patty shape.
  • Sear for 2 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
  • Serve with your preferred egg.

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Where's Fred?

There's a bully lizard in our yard that's taken over Fred's territory and has been chasing Fred away from the area where I feed him.  

So Fred doesn't come around as much as before, and he's skittish now.

Yesterday, Landon spotted Fred in a unique hiding place.  Click on the photo below to see a video of it.

Where's Fred?

Here's Bully hanging out in Fred's favorite corner.
IMG_6264

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Wendell Shopping in Japan

Here are a few photos of Wendell shopping in Japan. 

Luckily, when he went to get a massage a few times I was able to do my own thing and check out cosmetics and art supplies.

IMG_6381 2 

IMG_6448 2   

  IMG_6487 2 

IMG_6486 2   

  IMG_6490 2 

IMG_6489 
IMG_6484

Sunday, March 10, 2024

Cy's Ceviche

Cy made this for his wife.  Looks really yummy.

He said:   Tomato, jalapeños, red onions, cilantro, lemon and lime juice, shrimp and scallops, salt.  Sprinkle seasoned salt and chili pepper on top for bonus.  You can also add in some kind of white fish if you like.

Resized_20240221_174816_1708575579333

Friday, March 8, 2024

Uni-like Tofu

Leslie brought this back from Japan.  It's Beyond Tofu's version of uni-like tofu.  I've never eaten uni so I can't compare, but it was super ono to me. 

Thanks Les!

IMG_6573 

IMG_6569   


IMG_6574
 

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Dd's Thai-Style Fish Cakes

Didi made three different dishes with her fish cakes!!

THAI-STYLE FISH CAKES

 

1 lb. white fish, ground

4 shrimp-21/25 size, peeled, deveined, chopped

¼ c. green onion, chopped

¼ c. cilantro stems and leaves, chopped

¼ c. string beans, chopped

2 medium shishito peppers, thinly sliced

½ medium carrot, peeled, minced

1 Thai chile, thinly sliced

2 large kaffir lime leaves, stemmed, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 TB patis

4 TB cornstarch

2 tsp. green curry paste

1 tsp. agave nectar

1/2 tsp. white pepper

1 egg, beaten

Oil as needed, for frying

 

In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients. Refrigerate 1 hour.  Shape into desired size patties. 


In a skillet over medium heat fry in oil until golden brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels.


Options: 

1) Drop by teaspoon-size balls into broth/dashi.

2) Wrap in plastic wrap. Shape into 1 ½-inch x  4-5-inch logs.

Steam over boiling water 4-5 minutes. Slice for service. Serves 6-8

fishcake 

fishcake1   

fishcake2 

Monday, March 4, 2024

Lord Stow's Custard Tart

If you're ever in the Dotonbori area of Osaka, make sure you stop by Lord Stow's Bakery to get some custard tarts.  It's located on the left hand side of the beginning of Shinsaibashi-Suji Shopping Street.

Wendell liked it so much that we waited in line in the rain so that we could buy 16 pieces boxed in 4 separate boxes for him to bring back for his friends.  I highly doubted that even one would make it back to Hawaii intact, but Wendell packed them really well and we hand carried it, and guess what .  .  .  they all survived. 

IMG_6436

Saturday, March 2, 2024

Kuromon Market

 We liked Kuromon Market so much that we went there twice.

Friday, March 1, 2024

Omiyage Winnah

C.C.A.!!  You won!!  Can you email me with your mailing address?

Congratulations!

IMG_6553