Eat, Recycle, Repeat

Yes, it did. I failed once. I bought a mechanical pencil because I wanted it. Before I would have said I “needed” it for new kanji study, but that just isn’t true. One thing about this experiment is that it helped me recognize my true wants and needs, and also the reasons, justifications, or excuses [...]

Today I’d like to introduce a new series: The Whole Foods Ladder. There are things that are missing in our life that we don’t even realize – optimal health, uplifting energy, natural positivity, invigorated spirit. These are things that we deserve as human beings. And once you’ve opened the door to finding these life-altering necessities, [...]

I’m sitting here listening to the Nutcracker Suite, since it is the start of December. And I can’t help think of “Trepak” as a metaphor for the holiday season – lots of fun but a total whirlwind, leaving you dizzy and exhausted at the end. I’m so thankful to be part of the December Sanity [...]

I’ve mentioned how I absolutely can not stand food waste, and linked to some excellent resources to help you avoid it. But perhaps all the articles and common sense won’t have as much impact as this. I’m starting a new experiment. I will photograph all the food that I waste each month, tally how much [...]

I’m really into the holidays this year, and I’m not sure why. Maybe last year, my first year in Japan, I didn’t let myself get so excited for fear of becoming homesick. Also, I didn’t have a blog during Halloween of last year, and I wasn’t on Pinterest! So maybe the internet world is influencing [...]

While it might not take you three seconds to clean your entire shower, especially if you are as frenetic about it as I am, it will take you three seconds to grab the ingredients needed for an easy scrub. Ready? Lemon, salt, baking soda. Done. I had a lemon sitting in my fridge that was [...]

Friends, I am in need of a mea culpa. I’m going to do my best and go for brevity. I sent people junk food. Packaged, junk food. It may be from Japan, and it may be super cute, but this was the final wake up call. I like to send care packages, and Japan is [...]

Green tip? Life tip? One and the same? Isn’t that the whole point Kate??? So this tip has no stats about how much money or energy you will save, but I’ll leave  that to the magazines and books and smart people. I can tell you that the lack of clutter in my life is real, [...]

So I went rice planting, and I  came home and made….carrot cake. Not the most logical conclusion, until you realize the secret ingredient: sumo wrestling in a rice paddy. I live in a relatively rural community, surrounded by gentle, rolling fields of sprightly green rice shoots and plenty of opportunities to buy fresh, seasonal vegetables [...]

I have many reasons for eating the way I do. I have food allergies. I care deeply about preserving the environment. I’ve struggled with depression, weight issues, and health concerns. But the most important reasons? 1. So I can be happy and 2. Because it tastes so damn good. A whole foods diet comes down [...]