Good bye Cable TV!

We canceled our Cable TV from Time Warner Cable (Now called Spectrum) a month ago.

We were paying about $160 a month for Internet, Cable TV with HD Recorder, and home phone (which we didn't even use)

My husband watch some basket ball games and some racing and I used to record Japanese news show that airs in the morning, but otherwise, we would watch Netflix or Amazon Prime TV for kids show.

One month after cutting off cable TV, My husband (who watches TV the most) doesn't seem like bothered by not having Cable TV. I guess there's lots of options in this digital world.

I don't miss Japanese TV show since I can read yahoo news in Japanese. Its better for me that I don't  have to waste an hour to watch it.

We only pay for the internet and saved about $100 a month.

Honestly, there were hundreds of channels on the cable but I didn't find shows that I was interested.

In Japan, there are 6 major channels and not many people subscribe to Cable TV, we would use HD recorder to record shows and I wish there's something similar in here too. (for the antenna TVs) There might be one but I don't have knowledge or energy to research.




I watch lots of shows from Netflix.



Good old TV Antenna.

Using Cloth Napkins (Moon Cycle)

I'm using cloth napkins for my period.

I started using them about 3 years ago because I heard that's good for your body. Usual paper (or plastic) napkins uses toxic chemicals and female delicate zone will absorb toxic chemicals inside and will affect on your PMS or bad menopause later.

Some of my friends in Japan had already using cloth napkins and they say it really improved their PMS or other unpleasant conditions such as : too much discharge.

From my experience,  I used have long period, continued like 10 days! or a little off cycle like sometimes every 29 or 32 or 35. but after I started using cloth napkins, my period shortened to 7 days and it came around 30 days. I wish it shortened to 5 days though.

Yes It's pretty disgusting to wash it. You need to deal with a lot of blood, and you need to wash it by hand. You can't just throw it in a washing machine, but I don't want to deal with bad menopause later and I want healthy body so I have to bear it.

For some times I need to go out when it's heavy flow, I am using organic cotton disposable ones. Maybe thats good for anybody who doesn't want to deal with washing cloth napkins or toxic chemicals.

For the sleepless night - Valerian - Passion Flower - Oat Seed - Extract

I have trouble sleeping every now and then. Thinking about relationships, money, future, kids, or vague anxiety. I need to sleep because I have to wake up at a certain time for work, fix kids lunch box, prepare breakfast, do this and that tomorrow.

Whenever I feel that I usually use this Valerian extract (ease anxiety and let you sleep well), Passion Flower extract, (to stop endless thought) and Oat Seed extract (for stress)

I used these 3 herb extract mixture to my son who couldn't sleep well because of fear, nightmare, anxiety. I use Passion Flower and Oat seed mixture to him in the morning. Seems like it works for him too.

I drop about 10 drops each to a small amount of water and drink. For my son (10) I gave 5 drops each.

1) Valerian Extract (ease anxiety and let you sleep well)



2) Passion Flower Extract (to stop endless thought)

 
3) Oat Seed extract (to help with stress)

Pain Pain Go Away - Arnica -

What are you gonna do if you have a back pain or neck pain all the sudden?

I am 44 years old so like other people my age, I get back pain or shoulder pain every now and then. I put on Arnica gel and suck on arnica remedy few times a day. It always works for me!

I see these Arnica everywhere now at super market and drug store. I saw Sunday paper coupon too! It works good on me, and can use them with ease since they are not using harsh chemical.




Above is Arnica gel.





You put this under the tongue and melt. taste just like a candy.

This worked for my allergy!

We finally had a good rainy season after 5 years (?) of drought in California. The flowers are blooming and trees are green, its very beautiful right now, but at the same time, its the season of suffering for people with pollen allergy.

I have an asthma and severe allergy with dust / pollen. I always had hard time breathing at this time. I had better year because I saw a homeopath 2 years in a row to help with my asthma. This year though, I had itchy skin instead. 

At first, I thought this eczema looking bumps will disappear soon, but the bumps spread around my abdomen area and around neck more than 2 weeks and getting worse!

I went to Sprouts (natural super market) and tried out this homeopathic remedy spray that I have been curious about. Over night, I felt my bumps got less itchy and by the next day, It seemed not red (I wish I took some picture! I didn't expect that I could improve this fast.) It's been less than 1 month since I got the first one and I gave it to my son and daughter that suffer from allergy like me (mostly with sneezing and itchy eye) I went to Sprouts again but its all gone. (I recommended to my friends)

For pacific coast They have products that covers all U.S.A area. (East coast, south east and so on)

For West Coast

Crunchy and yummy Pork Katsu (Cutlet)

Today is my son's basket ball game. In Japanese, "Katsu" sounds same as "Winning".  So, it's popular to eat cutlet (katsu) before you are going to important tests, games. It is very good and has a nice texture as a food. Everybody would like as a nice lunch/dinner.

You can use tenderloin, (above) or loin, or chicken.

Pepper and salt the meat, and coat with flour on about 1/4 inch thick meat.

beat an egg in a bowl,  coat the meat in the egg, then put in a bowl with bread crumbs (sold as panko)

heat oil. I use just a little more than to cover. after heating up on the pan, put breadcrumbs coated meat, cook each side until golden brown. (about 2 minutes each)

I put Tonkatsu sauce (sold at asian store) on top.

Tender Meat! European Style Beef Stew

I made "European Style Beef Stew" with slow cooker last week.
My friend gave me this"William Sonoma" cook book (this certain book isn't available anymore), and this is the only recipe that I tried in the book. I changed here and there to fit our family size.

I used,

Half onion, finely chopped,
2 stems of celery, finely chopped,
3 or so garlic cloves, finely chopped,
1 lbs beef
2 slices of bacon
2 table spoon of flour
one or two tomatoes
Red Wine, (10 fl oz / 300 ml)
Beef Stock 16 fl oz / 500ml)
1or 2 Bay leaves
Thyme (dried herb)
1potato, 1 or 2 carrots, turnips as you like
salt and pepper
One table spoon of ketchup and Worcestershire sauce

1) Cut veggies,

About 1 lbs and half beef, (this time was sirloin tip roast) salt and peppered.

2 slices of bacon, cut like this and sautéed until oil come out and slightly crunchy.

Add onion and celery, sauté until the onions are soft.

Using a slotted spoon, transfer the onions and bacon to a plate and set aside.

add the beef to a pan until golden brown, (I didn't cut up the beef this time, but I usually cut the beef) add 2 table spoon of flour, coat the meat, return the onions, celery & bacon to the pan, add the garlic.

raise the heat to high, pour in the red wine, (10 fl oz / 300 ml), stirring to scrape up any browned bits from the pot bottom. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is reduced, (3-5 min) Add some tomato (I used two small, cut up)

You can use the big pot from the beginning, or transfer to the slow cooker, add the beef stock (16 fl oz / 500ml)

Add some potatoes, carrots, turnips, anything goes with the stew, put bay leaves, some herbs like thyme, sage, etc..

cook for 4 hours high with slow cooker, or if you are using stove top, one hour and half or so in low heat.

Season with salt and pepper and one table spoon of ketchup and Worcestershire sauce. (if you like)

The meat will be tender, and very sophisticated taste!

Too bad that I forgot to take a serving photo.