Japanese Dish # 1 : Tempura and Cold Soba

SOBA is Japanese noodle that made from buckwheat flour. 

Soba contains all eight essential amino acids, antioxidants, and other essential nutrients. 

We eat soba either hot or cold. 

Today, I made cold soba that dip into sauce with Shrimp Tempra and Veggie Tempra. 

First, you need to cool noodle.
It's basically same as cooking pasta, but NO SALT in the water.
And you need to wash noodle after cooking, so that extra flour can be washed out, and you get clean taste :)
As noodles cool down, I made Tempura.

TEMPURA is some of you know, if you go to Japanese restaurant, battered and deep fried food.
You can get this kind of batter at Asian stores or maybe any grocery stores near by.

You get direction on the back of the box or bag, so I don't really need to go into detail.
But the key to make crispy tempura is to keep batter COLD!!
Some restaurant in Japan, put some ice cubes to keep it cold.

Just mix powder and water (don't mix too well otherwise you get thick fritter like tempura...)


Then just deep fry them.

Don't put too many veggies and seafood at a same time, the temperature of the oil get lowered.






Today I just julienne some veggies, sweet potatoes, onions, carrots, and mushroom, and mix them into the batter.

This is more like veggie cakes.

And of course deep fry them.










Ta-Da!!

Easy!!

Oh, and I use store-bought sauce for dipping sauce, like this.

I think you can get this at any grocery stores... yea I've seen this before.
Sometime you need to water down a bit, and sometime you just use straight, I think you get directions on the back of the bottle.







The veggie cakes are great with just salt.
My hubby loved them.
He said it's better than chips :)

I hope you will try this dish!!

Turkey leftover meal : Mario Batali's Turkey Tortellini

Since it started, I've been watching the ABC show "The Chew" religiously.
And before Thanksgiving day, they introduced Mario Batali's Turkey Tortellini using leftover turkey.

Of course we had a ton of leftover from Thanksgiving dinner...

So for next lunch which was on Friday and my hubby were off, we made "Turkey Tortellini" that Mario Batali introduced.
   FYI, I love Mario Matali!!

First we made pasta dough with flour, egg, and little bit of water.

***After having made the dough, he decided we need pasta roller that goes to the KitchenAid mixer. And we are planning to get one Dec :)

Anyway, then I cut leftover turkey and stuffing into small pieces and mixed with mush potatoes.
Mario mixed with some hams and something, but we didn't have those fancy stuff, so I just mixed whatever leftover we had...

 Well..it worked :)

Spread bit of water onto the pasta.
Then put just a teaspoon of stuffing onto the pasta, and fold it shaping triangle.
And fold two sides toward the center and stick them together.
.......well I'm not good at explaining thing at all, so you might just want to check the video... here  hahaha....




Use turkey dripping or gravy to make soup... just water down till it tastes your liking.
And cook the pasta until tender.

Well... we handrolled the pasta dough and couldn't rolled it thin enough, the pasta was too thick for my liking.... but tasted excellent!!

Maybe we will be able to make better one next year with pasta roller accessory for KitchenAid.

Handmade knit scarf

I'm currently knitting a infinity scarf for my hubby.

I've thought about what I should get him as a Christmas present, and I couldn't come up anything at all.....
Since he has pretty much everything he wants, except expensive ones that I cannot buy without getting his approval.

And as a house wife whose jobs are just cooking and doing laundry, I am free pretty much always except doing those chores and working on my store...which if you don't know already Hee103 Jewelry

In addition to those reasons, we are going to Japan in the coldest time of the year, so I thought he needs scarf to warm him up.

This Simply Soft yarn is so soft!!
I was going to buy some yarn online but I couldn't buy any because I had to feel them.
So I went to Micheal's and got softest yarn I could get.
These are those!
So soft!!

I hope he loves it!!!

Please let me know if you know any other yarns that soft, I wanna make something for my friends and me, too :)

Holiday 15%OFF!!!

Hi, everyone!

I'm having holiday deal on my Hee103 Jewelry store!!!
Enter coupon code HOLIDAY15 and get 15% off!!!!!!!
Expires December 18, 2011

I'm behind on updating my new creations in my store.
And I've been working on adding them in my store.
So please keep checking on my store as I add new products every night.

There will be more Holiday theme Jewelry coming!!!

Check here ==> Hee103 Jewelry


HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Eco Emi Box: November

Overall, I love what I got for this month Eco Emi Box!!

This is a Holiday box that came with a reusable makeup bag.

*Ooh La La organic Lip Shimmer by. Keeki Pure and Simple (0.15oz $6.99)

       Full size
"It can provide so much moisture and just the right amount of color and shimmer creating an ideal balm to grab anytime for any occasion. This organic shimmer stick is infused with natural minerals and a hint of vanilla and mint."

***I love it!! This is great for the occasions, like when I just go grocery shopping, go on some errands, or I just don't wanna wear lipstick.

*ECOEMI* for 20% ff your order (expires 12/15/2011)

*Sunlight Eye Shadow by. Earth's Beauty (0.75oz $9.95)

     
         Sample size: 0.10oz
"Earth's Beauty line is the purest of makeup you will find. All products are carefully made using clean ingredients from the earth!"

*eco10* to save 10%off your order (expires 12/31/11)




*Candy Mint Foot Cream by. Deep Steep & Royal Labs Inc. (6oz $9.95)

     Sample size: 0.25oz
"This amazing foot cream is soothing for tired feet. Peppermint reduces redness, cools the skin, and reduces irritation and promotes circulation while shea butter softens and moisturizes. Breathe it in deep to stimulate your mind, improve mental ability and focus."





*Refine face mask by. Blissoma (2oz $26.75)

 
       Sample size: N/A
"Refine face mask is a simply amazing creamy clay formula that perfects, smooths, detoxifies, and evens any skin tone. Soft and calming and delicate enough for even the most sensitive skin this is a must have addition to your weekly regimen."




*Dark Chocolate by. Sweetriot (12(1.34oz) bars per case. $9.99)

   
        Sample size: 1 bar
"Yum Bar Flavor 70 filled with cacao nibs and raisins. It is delectable, healthy, dark chocolate, all natural, kosher, VEGAN and do not contain gluten or dairy ingredients. These bars are low in sugar and are only 45-50 calories per 'mega peace'!"

***I love dark chocolate, so I am happy!!



*Wild Mint Shampoo&Conditioner by. Organic Excellence (16oz bottle $15.95)

   
        Sample size: 1oz bottle
"The Wild Mint shampoo is specially formulated to moisturize, maintain a healthy pH balance, prevent hair loss, stimulate growth, and protect against ultra-violet rays and air pollution."
"The Wild Mint Conditioner moisturizes without coating your hair, building up or creating a heavy feeling. It prevents split ends and hair loss, promotes growth, and calms frizz and static electricity."

***Smells minty!!




*Vanilla & Sweet Orange Essential Mist by. Hugo (8oz. $12.99)

   Sample size: 2oz
"Spray linens or clothes to scent them lightly. Give your skin a re-hydrating mid-day treat. Mist your hair lightly to revive and freshen your style. Wear it a a soft, easy fragrance on those days when perfume is just too much. Use it as an exceptionally lovely and subtle room freshener. Just one spray can instantly lift up your mood and re-charge your day! Handcrafted with a blend of purified water and essential oils to revive and refresh"


***Oooh, I love this scent!!
     Sweet, slightly citrusy, and vanilla-y  :)




*Shea Butter Cream by Planet Botanicals (2oz $10.00, 4oz $16.00)

 
    Sample size: N/A
"Made with 20% Ugandan shea butter, a rare light shea butter made by women's co-ops in Uganda, this hand cream deeply conditions and readily absorbs to hydrate dry skin, leaving hands soft and velvety smooth. Especially effective for dry or chapped hands.Lightly scented with pure organic essential oils from South Africa"

***I'm not really fond of this scent...


*Buttons from Soul Flower

 "Soul Flower is an eco friendly retailer that focuses on offering funky boho styles and accessories made from organic cotton, hemp, and recycled fabrics.

http://soul-flower.com/ 
*ECOEMI* for 20% off your order (expires 12/24/11)

THE peanut butter!!

My husband once tried peanut butter that his co-worker brought at work.
As soon as he came home from work, he told me about the peanut butter.
He was so excited telling about it.

We had three jars of normal peanut butter in stock then, so we decided when we use them up, we will get the peanut butter.

Now we used up all the stock, and he got IT!!

This is it!!

Valencia Peanut Butter with Roasted Flaxseeds/TRADER JOE'S

I don't really like peanut butter, to be honest.
So I usually spread it with nutella on a slice of bread.
But this is soooo good!!
It is crunchy, salty, and nutty.
The roasted flexseeds make it wonderful!!!

This is what I ate for breakfast this morning.

Oh, I love this peanut butter!!!!
Try it :)

Fish and Chips @ Mr. Peabody's Bar & Grill

Yesterday, my friend and I went to Mr. Peabody's Bar &Grill

My friend took me there and I was so excited to eat fish and chips there!
Because she told me it was good and huge!!

This is what I mean it's huge!!!

The fish is huge!!
It's almost the size of my friend's baby girl's face...

here she is again!
Cute little girl :)




*I blogged about her yesterday, if you wanna check it out,
Click here :)

The fish was good, crunchy and meaty.
I love their tartar sauce, that was the best tartar sauce I've ever eaten... not that I've eaten various kinds of tartar sauce before..

My favorite girl!!

I went to my friend's house today.

And here she is !!

My precious little baby....ok, she is not my baby, she's my friend's baby, but for me she is as precious as my future baby who will be joining with us next year.

She's just turn 1 and half years old.
She is still skinny for her age but she's growing so fast!!

She kept moving, focus didn't work..

She got shy in front of the camera!! 

She is so cute!!!

Just looking at her smile, my pregnant fatigue went away.

What a wonderful power she has :) 

My new creation!

I just made these two snowflake motifs.

These are made from Swarovski crystal beads and some seed beads and few glass beads.
So shinny and pretty!!
I don't know what I'm going to do with these yet, probably I will make necklaces with these...

They will be on my Etsy store sometime soon!!

**BIRCHBOX** November 2011

Birchbox time!!

This month's theme is "Getting Gifty".
"Try them and let them inspire your own present plans"

1. Atelier Cologne/ Vanille Insensee Cologne Absolue

"Warm notes of vanilla, oak wood, and amber anchor this autumn-ready perfume"

**This scent is definitely warm, and smells like old man...in a good way..lol
 



2. BORGHESE/ Fango Active Mud

"This classic Italian treatment has mineral-rich mud from Tuscany, plus nourishing avocado and sweet almond oils, to smooth skin on face and body."

Usage: Pack on thickly. Rest for 2-5 minutes, and remove with wet sponge and rinse with cool water.






3. LaROCCA Skincare/ Champagne & Shimmer Supreme Creme

"Shea butter and olive oil join forces to leave skin firm, supple, and ready to set off your favorite party dress."

**This smells good.




4. Zoya/ Nail Polish in Izzy

"The perfect party polish, this bold pink shade from Zoya's holiday 2011 collection has a touch of look-at-me sparkle."

**I wouldn't pick this color for myself, so this would be the chance to try this bold color.






TREAT. Two Paper Dolls/ Ampersand Coasters

"Our favorite letterpress studio adds a hip, playful touch to everything they do, from notecards to coasters."

Hot Pot Party~!

Saturday night, my friends and I had a hot pot party at my friend's house.

Ishigari Nabe ( Ishigari is the the name of the city in Hokkaido, Japan and Nabe is hot pot)

Check here if you want more about Ishigari Nabe!! 

Ishigari City

Food.com

we just cut veggies, variety of mushrooms, fresh salmon, and make broth which is combination of miso paste and sake( Japanese rice wine), dashi stock.

You can make as the Food.com directs but you don't really need other ingredient for taste. 

Just miso, sake, and dashi stock will do great!!

I had so much fun cooking and eating, it's a family style dish, you cook all the ingredient in a big pot, and bring it to your dinning table.

And just serve whatever you want to eat for yourself. 

It is supper healthy with a lot of veggies.

It's getting cold and heavy rain made it colder here, in San Diego, so the dish was perfect for us to eat.

The dish warmed me up and filled me up.

That was great hot pot party!!!

Full and happy, 

Hitomi

Don't do anything until doctor tell you to do...

Yesterday was my second prenatal visit!!
I was so excited, and my husband came along with me this time hopping he can see our baby.

I had no idea this would be the most embarrassing doctor visit I'd ever done until later...＝(￣□￣;)⇒

So they checked my weight....yes, I've lost one pound since last visit.
And we entered a room and a doctor came.
She gave me the result of last blood tests and cervix test.
Then she reached her hand to the small device and ordered me to lay down.
It had been going fine until now.....!!

I was wearing a skirt and just took off my underwear assuming that the doctor would do the same way to do the ultrasound as last time, which she put small stick kind of device into my under part..(sorry I don't want to say v....)

But she just started putting gel onto my tummy and using the small device to listen to the sound.....

Eventually, I didn't have to take off my underwear!!!!  ｡･ﾟﾟ '゜(*/□＼*) '゜ﾟﾟ･｡
How embarrassing!!!!!
The doctor just said "Oh you don't have to take it off since your baby is now big enough..." with straight face.....
I was just listening the sound of baby beating holding my underwear tight.....

After the visit, my husband laughed out loud saying that was embarrassing and hilarious.
You know what!
Who would know that they don't do the same ultrasound as the first visit!
I was assumed that they would check the inside every visit, you know?
Nobody told me that they do that at only first visit.....
If I would have known it, I didn't have to take off my underwear without the doctor telling me to do so.
I was just trying to be smooth... you know...

I learned that you don't take off your underwear or whatever, until doctor tell you to do so.

I just wanted to share with you guys, my embarrassing story, so that no one would experience the same embarrassing and shameful moment....


!(*≧ｍ≦)=3

My Pregnancy 9~12 weeks

It's been 3 months since I conceived my baby.

Time seems to fly by fast.
But then sometime I feel time flies very slow since I'm so keen to hold my baby in my arm.

Oct 19, I went to the first prenatal visit at West Coast.The doctors and stuff are nice people there I liked it.
At the doctor visit, the doctor did some pelvic exams (pap smear, and so on) and took urine sample.

And they took blood, a lot of blood for some blood tests.--They took 6 or 7 cylinders of blood.

I heard my baby's heart beats!!!
That was the most amazing thing I've ever experienced. 
I couldn't stop crying....which was a bit embarrassing crying in front of a doctor.

Yes, that is the heart beats of my baby!!

The doctor assured that the baby was healthily growing!  

In my last pregnancy blog, I blogged about morning sickness that lasted about 10 days.

From 9th through 12th week, I had hurt burns constantly that I couldn't eat as much as I wanted to.
According to a website, average pregnant women gain one pound or more, but I haven't gain any weight at all, sometime I lost one pound instead...
But it's just one pound, I hope it's not a big deal.

The first of 12th week was the hardest for me, because I was suffering from severe allergy and hurt burns.

That I couldn't eat almost anything at all, and couldn't do anything. 

I got better in the last few days of 12 week. 

And I started eating more and more. 

9 weeks of pregnancy (about the size of a grape)

12 weeks of pregnancy (about the size of a lime)

My tummy is getting bigger little by little!!

How exciting!!