Having been both blessed and cursed with incredibly pale, sensitive Irish skin, I have tried my share of skin care products with a wide range of results and disasters. Finally, I have a set skin care routine that I am happy to share with others who suffer from dry, easily irritated skin!
For those who have never had mochi, or Japanese rice cake, you are missing out on a awesome treat. Mochi is made when rice is pounded into a sticky substance. Daifuku is a variation of mochi in which it is formed into balls, usually containing something inside such as sweet bean paste. Regular mochi is very sticky but I like to eat with a mixture of sugar and soy sauce (don’t knock it till you’ve tried it :P)
Nowadays you can make mochi out of an instant powdered mix or even just buy them at your local Asian grocer’s. Trader Joe’s sells ice cream mochi, with the sticky rice on the outside and a variety of ice cream flavors on the inside (green tea, mango, strawberry–all delicious!) Mochi and mochi-based desserts are usually eaten around New Year’s, but if you’re lucky enough to have good groceries nearby, you can enjoy them all year.
Mochi not only makes for great treats and desserts, but make appearances in savory foods–such as oden–as well. Regardless of the way you eat it, one must be careful because its stickiness may cause you to choke, and elderly people often fall victim to celebrating the New Year’s in this way.
It seems like mochi is becoming more popular in the U.S. as people are being introduced to more international cuisine. It goes great with tea and makes for a filling treat. Chances are a Japanese restaurant nearby offers ice cream mochi for a dessert. Try it!
I had to do a double-take when I read the product description for this:
Ballistic nylon skillfully hand crafted into this bullet proof corsage. For this age of high perceived threat, wear close to your heart or anywhere you may feel need to protect.
A bullet proof corsage?  I guess if you’re planning to re-enact some dramatic ballroom shootout scene, this would be perfect. I love that they say “…or anywhere you may feel need to protect.” Brings up some interesting mental images.
Artist: Björk
Title: Volta
Label: Atlantic
Release Date: May 8, 2007
Rating: 3.5/5
Music Videos: Earth Intruders
This album gives me mixed feelings! Definitely keeping with the experimentation, Björk pushes her talents even further in this new album. However, I found some of the songs bland on the first few times that I listened to them–not usually a good sign since I fell in love with nearly all of her other albums on the first round. Read the rest of this entry »
Startdrawing.org made a post a little while ago featuring Inoue Takehiko, the artist behind the famous manga series Slam Dunk. Here they posted several YouTube links to commercials for Shiseido UNO Anti-Oily Hair Wax that combine Takehiko’s artistry with live action as well. They are simply amazing to watch, and combine elements of humor, design, and funky music in the background.
My two cents:
Just some side notes!
- Shiseido is a famous (and pricey) Japanese make up brand. Your local mall will most likely have them in the cosmetics department.
- In Japan, men love hair wax. I have often seen more men than women in the hair products department–sometimes they bypass the men’s stuff and go straight to the women’s!