i eat veggies ....

not because "nutritious", but DELICIOUS : )
blanched broccoli rabe with grated jinenjo potato.
isn't this pretty?

Macrobiotic Dessert : )

using some apples from a green market, i made apple crumbles!
still too sweet(too yin), so i added pinch of sea salt and kuzu, now it's super delicious macrobiotic dessert!

sugar free, dairy free, egg free and "guilt free" : )
wanna try?

Green for the Eyes : )

now every morning, when i go for a walk in central park, those beautiful bright green just take my breath away : )

Green is a good color to nurture your eyes.

In spring, liver works so hard to eliminate excess fat accumulated in winter,and easily gets exhausted.(so don't exploit it!)

According to the eastern medicine, eyes are connected to the liver, and if you have any eye problems, that may be a sign of liver problems.

it's amazing how each season offers what we really need!
Go look for greens, and heal your eyes and liver : )

tulips

wonder how many kinds of tulips there are!

bees!

and this garden has a bee hive, harvests some honey, too.
with lots of pretty flowers, bees look happy : )

community garden

a community garden in my neighbourhood is beautiful now : )

Lentil Burger!

who doesn't like a burger!

does anyone know a place that has a good veggie burger?
im always disappointed....
i mean, other than making your own.
please let me know!

chick weed

today, i found this small green called "chick weed" at union sq market.
never heard of it!
toss with micro greens (also from the market), organic sauerkraut, toasted sunflower seed, and ume vinegar.
tastes a bit like spinach, but more dense, i guess.
anyway, quick and fresh delicious spring salad : )

bloom in a dish : )

spring is such an inspirational time to cook.
whatever available in season from the green market, you can create your own dish.

i like broccoli rabe, with a little yellow flower on top.
water saute with daikon, this is like a little flower pot : )

Food Revolution

i support Food Revolution!

and of course....

miso soup!
with daikon and wakame seaweed.

but asparagus contains oxalic acid, which inhibits absorption of calcium.
over eating could cause kidney stones too.
for some people with sensitivity to this acid, it's better to avoid.

everything is in moderation : )

Asparagus and Tofu with kuzu miso sauce

a few more dishes with seasonal, local asparagus : )

saute with sesame oil, ginger, and tofu
add dashi stock, and miso
then add water-dissolved kuzu

simple but delicious dish!

Happy Earth Day : )

every morning, i get up a little before 7, brew kukicha tea and sip, then go for a walk in central park.
before opening emails, text or newspaper, i try to recieve as much information as possible from the nature and universe, with all my senses while walking.

when i come back home, this little breakfast of brown rice, miso soup and pickled veggie is unbelievably delicious : )

with lots of gratitude.
on 40th anniversary of the earth day.
peace, Jin

one more!

love this season!!

and more..

more lilac

more lilac

Asparagus Miso Risotto

For many new yorkers, this is one of the most fun seasons, in terms of cooking.
especially because asparagus are in season!

Macrobiotically, this vegetable is not for everyday use, they are a little too "yin".
but as long as you do not overeat, i think we should just enjoy what the nature offers to us : )

only thing we may want to take into consideration is, "cook well", so you can add some "yang" energy to them.

so, how about risotto with miso?

saute fresh local asparagus with sesame oil, and maitake mushroom, seasalt,
add brown rice (maybe leftover), dashi stock, and miso and cook for a while.

here is a fantastic spring dish!

Azelea!

this morning in central park.
bright color in the chilly sun : )

more dish with clams : )

well, it's saturday evening, why not some italiano!
shallot from green market, and some little neck clams, made some whole wheat pasta.
great with wine!

and flowers....

don't forget the table setting : )
lilac and tulips are also from the market!

broccoli robe & daikon miso soup and adzuki brown rice

these basics complete the perfect lunch : )

dandelion and micro green salad with seaweed

i bought dandelion and micro green at the market, too.
so i made some fresh salad, adding seaweed and sauerkraut.
dash of ume vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce and toasted sunflower seed.
this bitterness of dandelion adds a nice kick to this fresh spring salad, especially since i had lots of wine the previous night.
yes, dandelion is good for the liver : )

sauteed clams and aspargus, soy ginger sauce

every time i go to green market, i'm so inspired by those local fresh produce : )
as soon as i came home, i made this spring dish.

saute onion, aspargus, ginger and garlic, then clams with sesame oil and sea salt.
add some water or dashi stock, simmer until clams open up.
add dash of soy sauce.
super delicious!!

Asparagus!!

First asparagus this year!
ummmm, what should i make with them?

Union Square Green Market : )

my saturday morning hangout, union square market!
and this vender is my new favorite place.
i always buy little neck clams there : )

Dairy and Lungs

i always wanted to know the co-relation between dairy food and lung condition, which Macrobiotics always emphasizes.

this article game me some clear idea.

Milk and Mucus

excerpt from new york times 4/13/2010

"some types of milk contain a protein called beta-CM-7 protein, which has been shown in studies to stimulate mucus glands in the figestive tracts. These glands are also found in respiratory tract, where they are known to over produce mucus in conditions caused by inflammation, like asthma."

"...consuming milk containing beta-CM-7 may stimulate phlegm in the respiratory tract, particularly in people with chronic lung conditions."

"...many symptoms, including asthma, improve on a dairy-elimination diet"

Lilac, already !?

now, every morning in central park, this is my treat : )
smells so beautiful!!
but too early....

hangover? good for liver : )

in japan, when we have hangover, we have this "miso soup with little neck clams".
the shell is said to be good for the liver, and miso's strong detox power, make a great home remedy after drinking too much alcohol.

at the union square green market, i got some fresh, local little neck clams, and ramps (wild leeks), and made a delicious soup : )
yummy!!!

spring, spring : )

most of the cherry bloosoms are gone. too early!!!
one of a few left in the park....

spring, spring : )

can't stop taking photos!

spring, spring : )

love walking in the park in this season : )

and made some lunch : )

made miso soup with broccoli rabe, and saute ramps with onion and leftover chick pea.


also made kimpira gobo & carrot(gobo from the green market). it was delicous, too : )
of course, ate with brown rice. pickled sunchoke(harvested in my organic garden)

somehow, broccoli rabe tastes sweeter in soup, not bitter at all.

and flowers, too : )

tulips, hyacinth, cherry, etc etc.
love this season in the green market!

More Greens!

Spring has arrived in farmer's market in new york, too!
more and more green veggies each week : )
i bought some broccoli rabes and ramps this weekend!

even miso soup

even miso soup can be lighter (more yin) for a warm day like today : )
use lighter colored miso (sweet brown rice miso etc)
and add fresh watercress at the end of cooking.
great spring/summer soup without being a cold soup!

another dish for a summer-like day

fresh salad with dadelion,dried daikon and yuba : )

soak yuba, dry and cut
dried daikon, dandelion leaf, pressed cabbage, and yuba(tofu skin)
cook dried daikon till tender, squeeze liquid
cut dandelion leaf

for dressing
1 tbs of
ume vinegar, brown rice vinegar, soy sauce, fresh lemon juice
and add dashi stock until taste mild
toss all ingredients and add some toasted seeds

very refreshing, and good for liver, too : )

dishes for a warm, spring day...

it's been like summer!
except dry and nice : )
a day like this, have some refreshing spring dishes : )

pressed cabbage with crumble tofu/miso dressing
shred cabbage and press with seasalt, squeeze out excess liquid, set aside
drain organic tofu, pat dry, and crumble in a bowl
add dashi stock, miso, soy sauce to mildly taste, mix
toss pressed cabbage, add lemon zest, toasted seeds

my travel companion : )

unless i can cook while traveling, i know i indulge myself with fatty food, delicious wine and dessert : )
also i know that those "pleasure foods" will make me sick after "fun" ....
to minimize the negative effect of the indulgence, i always bring "super food" with me.
umeboshi! ---guess i have mentioned it before?

this "king of alkaline" balances out after consuming good amount of wine, seafood and gellato: ) --i was in miami, could not help!!
and regulates digestive functions.
** umeboshi is great for hangover, digestive problems etc etc

well, if you have overconsumed "pleasure foods", i cannot guarantee, though...

this time, i made and brought brown rice balls for breakfast, too.
on my next trip, im going to bring daikon radish and grater ---assuming that ill eat fatty food since grated daikon helps digestion and eliminate fat.

Cherry Blossom

Cherry Blossom

as you all know, cherry trees are blossoming in the city : )
seems a bit earlier than usual, though.

In Japan, cherry trees are considered to nurture your spirituality.
so, traditionally this time of the year, we all have fun eating, drinking, singing and dancing under the beautiful trees, to cerebrate the new season, and connect to the spirits.