sushiandpassion

A new restaurant is coming soon! Again?

2012-01-26T22:20:00.000-08:00

This is just across the street. Olde Towne is coming very soon.
What is this restaurant?
Tavern and Grille in Metro Atlanta. They have Suwanee, Kennesaw and Lawrenceville.
And Buckhead will be 4th location.

But I just wonder, do they make it?
I think this restaurant is 4th tenant at this place.
Life is not easy and restaurant business is also not easy.
We will see.

After cooking

2012-01-26T22:09:00.000-08:00

I showed you pork belly and chicken gizzard the other day.
And this picture is after that.
It takes 2 days to make perfect slow cooked pork belly.
I cooked chicken gizzard about 5 hours to make soft.
Then, I made tempura style.

It is hard to sell this kind of food at sushi restaurants. I just made these because of convention demand.

And I like these foods personally.

Origami Expert Makoto Yamaguchi to Give Workshop

2012-01-26T05:20:00.000-08:00

The Consulate General of Japan and Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) Atlanta are partnering to present a demonstration and workshop by renowned origami expert Makoto Yamaguchi and his assistants, Eiko Matsuura and Kyohei Katsuta. Born in Tokyo in 1944, Mr. Yamaguchi has been a professional origami artist since 1973, when he worked at the Nippon Origami Association. In 1989, he established a gallery called "Origami House," which has become a headquarters for the training of young origami artists and a showcase for the work of Japanese and international origami creators. He is the head of the Japanese Origami Academic Society secretariat, a member of the Nippon Origami Association, a life member of OrigamiUSA, and a member of the British Origami Society. He is the editor-in-chief of "Origami Tanteidan" magazine, which he created in 1990, and the author of more than 80 origami books in both Japanese and English. Mr. Yamaguchi is also the creator of "Origami Caravan," a humanitarian effort for the children in the Sendai area affected by the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

Date: Friday, February 3, 2012 7 pm - 9 pm (doors open at 6:30 pm)

Location: Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) Atlanta

Rooms 256, 257 (two rooms are joined together) 1600 Peachtree Street Northwest Atlanta, GA

(404) 253-3100

Free parking is available. The parking deck is in the rear of the building, accessible through the Peachtree Street entrance or the 18th Street entrance. The entrance to the building from the parking deck is on the 3rd floor - it's a big lighted doorway. Additional parking is available on the sides of the building, but the front of the building will be locked after 7 pm.

RSVP Required. Limited to the first 50 people. Click here to RSVP.

This event is co-organized by Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) Atlanta, the Japan Foundation, and the Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta.

Chicken Gizzard and Pork Belly

2012-01-25T12:39:00.000-08:00

I was Watching Food Channel last night. And I saw come restaurants cooked chicken gizzard. I thought this is only for Asian. I have chicken Gizzard ponzu sauce, means fried and ponzu sauce. But I cook it this first and make tempura.

And how about pork belly. We love this but too fat to eat for American? We call it But Kakuni. Most of Japanese restaurants carry this item on the menu.

It is simple and just take a time to make it. It's kind of slow cooked food.

Taka Update January 25, 2012

2012-01-25T06:49:00.001-08:00

Taka Update January 25 , 2012

Fish delivery and more

Bad weather in Japan effects some fish delivery. Seki Aji is no coming this week. Sayori, Iwashi are not available so far. I am not sure tomorrow delivery.

Tokyo got 1 inch of snow yesterday and the city was panicked. It is same as Atlanta. People in Tokyo are not familiar with snow and a few inches of snow makes everything bad.

Tuna supply is back to normal, means bad normal. Toro is also same.

Weight Control and Golf

I am trying to lose weight but am keeping same weight. Our business is really good and hard find the time to work out.

Golf? I shot 97 last Sunday. Can I excuse? Bad weather, bad condition, I will go back to revenge this Sunday. It will be 55F high and sunny. I expect sunny in my golf mind.

Good business in January

Our business in January is really good. I expect the new sales record in January. 6 more days and need to make it. Making number is XTC.

10 years Anniversary night is coming in a month.

I opened TAKA Sushi on February 19th 2002. Yes, this is our 10 years anniversary is coming very soon.

Of course, we do crazy specials as usual. Let's celebrate our 10 years anniversary.

Actually 19th is Sunday this year, I need to play golf on Sunday and do this on Monday. I name it Monday Night Anniversary. I show you more detail later.

Taka sushiandpassion

375 Pharr Rd. Atlanta GA 30305 Reservation 404-869-2802

F-35B Great landing and departing

2012-01-23T23:26:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=Ki86x1WKPmE

I do not know well about military aircraft. But this is great.
Anyway, this is our TAX, right?

New Pinot Grigio

2012-01-20T12:20:00.000-08:00

It is new Year and I am switching many wines.

Grandi & Gabana Pinot Grigio

Bright golden yellow in colour with green hues. Strong floreal bouquet with hints of green apple. Pairs well with appetizers, shellfish, fish, soup, poultry.

Tangent Pinot Gris

This wine shows vibrant minerality and traditional hints of a pine-resin character. Tropical and stone fruits jump from the glass, but are well balanced by a bit of lemon and a nice acid backbone. My aim here was to keep to the pure Alsatian style. It pairs nicely with many foods, especially fried calamari and classic risotto.”

Kohada, Gizzars Shad

2012-01-20T06:05:00.000-08:00

Kohada is must item of Edomae Sushi, authentic Japanese sushi.
Ko means child and hada means skin.
This fish is very soft and meat is just like child skin, so they started to say kohada.
This is a group of herring.
The size is very small and hard to cut because the meat is very soft.
The big fish bottom is kodai, small size sea bream.
I juts display for size comparison.

Kohada is marinated fish like saba,
I normally don't carry. It was a gift from our fish company.
I thought it was disorders or over orders. Anyway free is good.

Japanese curry rice

2012-01-19T21:57:00.000-08:00

If you have Japanese friends, ask them.
"Do you like curry rice?'"
I think 99% of them say YES,
Curry rice is national food in Japan.
Our Curry is from India originally and thicker than Thai curry.
You should try it, you might like it.
It comes with steamed rice or fried rice.
And we can do katsu curry rice, crispy fried pork cutlet over the curry rice.
High calorie ? Yes, it is. But great taste beats healthy issue sometimes. We do not eat this everyday just like some Americans eat McDonald everyday.
We have some Japanese curry fun.

The Picture? I was heating up curry.

Bento Box

2012-01-19T21:51:00.000-08:00

This is bento box. I made this fro a Japanese company.
They do lunch meeting at the office.
This assortment comes with miso soup, salad and steamed rice. Price? around $15.00

Bule fin Tuna, Very surprised!

2012-01-19T12:18:00.000-08:00

I received blue fin tuna this morning. It was fresh one.

My supplier called me 7am today. He did not expect fat in this tuna. But he found after cut it.
So, he woke me up and I ordered.
I ate it , not bad.
It is available until Saturday.

Guess when was the last time I had food tuna. I think October in 2011.

We need to share this natural art. Sushi is very simple food, good fish and good rice.

This is the scene.

2012-01-19T04:58:00.001-08:00

It was beautiful night with full of customers. We had a 9 people reservation last night. It was someones birthday party. All of them are beautiful white ladies.This is TAKA, This is my target, this is Buckhead and this is the scene. I just took a picture.And I thought it was my happy moment.Busy is good but good busy is better than anything.

Taka Update January 18, 2012

2012-01-18T07:09:00.000-08:00

Taka Update January 18 , 2012

Fish delivery and more

Some fishes are not available. Flounder was out of stock for a couple of days. But it comes today.

Japanese fish are almost available.

Please do not ask me about tuna, nothing is changed.

Weight Control

Did you gain weight? I did. I was 162 lbs before holidays and 167 lbs after holidays. That's really bad, One of reasons was gifts, several people gave me sweets like cookies and chocolates. These were really good and I ate them accidentally. It was temptation obviously.

So, I decided to lose weight as usual. And my weight was 165 lbs this morning. I ate salad with nuts and raisins last night. I take a coffee but no sugar for a while. I eat rice but take brown rice for a while.

Golf game is doing good. I shot 40-42- 82 last Sunday. One of par 3 was almost hole in 1, just one ball distance from the cup. A week ago was 39-54-93. I will play this Sunday again.

Study Suggests New Benefits of Eating Nuts for Patients With Metabolic Syndrome

The article, published in the Journal of Proteome Research, is authored by Cristina Andrés-Lacueva, Sara Tulipani (first author), Rafael Llorach and Mar Garcia-Aloy, from the University of Barcelona's Department of Nutrition and Bromatology, Olga Jaúregui, from the Scientific and Technical Services (CCiTUB), and the experts Jordi Salas Salvadó, Patricia López-Uriarte and Mónica Bullo, from Rovira i Virgili University (URV) and the Spanish Biomedical Research Centre in Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERobn), which is part of the Carlos III Health Institute in Madrid.

The study reports the first application of metabolomic techniques to analyse the effects of diet on metabolic syndrome patients. The disease, estimated by the World Health Organization to affect 20% of the adult population, is related to inflammation and oxidative stress and increases the risk of type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In Catalonia, as in the United States, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome is close to 25% in adults. In Spain as a whole, in children with moderate obesity the prevalence is 17% (compared to 33% for the same population group in the UK).

The clinical part of the study, carried out by the URV's Human Nutrition research group, used two patient groups: one given a diet rich in nuts (specifically, walnuts, almonds and hazelnuts), the other given a diet containing no nuts at all.

As noted by Cristina Andrés-Lacueva, head of the UB's Biomarkers and Nutritional and Food Metabolomics research group and coordinator of the experimental work for the study, "Metabolomics involves the quantitative, multiparametric measurement of human response to a pathophysiological stimulus. It enables us to take a new approach to biochemical and biomedical research, as it is not tied to restricted hypotheses. Metabolomics allows us to identify small alterations in metabolism and homeostasis and broadens the range of possible results thanks to the capacity to detect new markers that could indicate the risk of certain diseases and overall changes in the patient's state of health." Health benefits of a nut-rich diet The scientists behind the study analysed the wide spectrum of compounds excreted in urine and found evidence of various significant changes following nut consumption.

Patients given the nut-rich diet produced a higher level of metabolites derived from the metabolism of tryptophan and serotonin, fatty acids and polyphenols, giving more weight to the hypothesis that these molecules could be at the root of certain health benefits observed in other studies. "It we look at the results for the two patient groups," says researcher Sara Tulipani, "we find significant differences in the levels of these biomarkers. What we do not yet know is the percentage of the metabolite level detected in urine that is stimulated endogenously or exogenously by the patients' metabolism, and whether these metabolites have a direct or indirect role in the health benefits of nut consumption." Improve dietary habits to prevent disease In the field of food science, many studies focus on the importance of dietary changes in preventing metabolic alterations.

The new article provides the first results outlining the health benefits of nut consumption through the reduction of substances associated with inflammatory processes and other cardiovascular risk factors in patients with metabolic syndrome. This area of research could be extended in future work to include other nut varieties and a broader population sample (for example, subjects with diabetes, obesity, etc). "In food and dietary studies, the focus is always prevention. If we look specifically at this new research, we are not talking about a particular drug or introducing dietary supplements but simply replacing once source of fats with another, in this case nuts," explains Dr. Jordi Salas-Salvadó.

The UB's Biomarkers and Nutritional and Food Metabolomics research group, which contributes to the Fun-C-Food Consolider Project and is a member of the Food-Omics Network, works primarily with metabolomics, a key technique in the area of systems biology. The group, an active participant in international collaborations, focuses its research on the search for new robust, safe and sensitive biomarkers, based on analysis of their bioavailability and activity and the consumption of specific foodstuffs (consumption markers), and the simultaneous examination of different metabolic routes to determine their association with obesity, aging and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease (disease risk markers).

10 years Anniversary night is coming in a month.

I opened TAKA Sushi on February 19th 2002. Yes, this is our 10 years anniversary is coming very soon.

Of course, we do crazy specials as usual. Let's celebrate our 10 years anniversary.

Actually 19th is Sunday this year, I need to play golf on Sunday and do this on Monday. I name it Monday Night Anniversary. I show you more detail later.

CA highend Cab for speacial occasion

2012-01-18T06:42:00.000-08:00

My investment, drinking good wines. It is simple. I think many people are making money because economy is coming back slowly.
But do you spend money or invest to somewhere.
Stock market is very difficult right now. Commodity is also hard to do that.
So, I assume many people just carry cash and wait enxt movement.

But someone needs to spend money otherwise money does not move around.

Drink wines, drink domestic wines and invest by yourself.

Jarvis Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Napa
100% Cabernet has a deeply intense, ruby red color. After fermentation, an extended period of skin contact moderated the tannins in the wine achieving a smooth, approachable character at an early age. This Cabernet was cave fermented, aged 2 years in new French Nevers oak barrels and was bottled unfiltered and unfined. This wine has gone through extended cave aging and released when our winemaker felt it was ready for you and your friends to enjoy. Best to consume within ten years.

Hewitt Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 Rutherford Napa

According to the Wine Spectator: Intense and full-blown, rich and concentrated, with a rustic, earthy edge to the dried currant, sage and underbrush notes. The depth and dimension of the flavors are cloaked in chewy tannins, requiring time to unfold. Best from 2010 through 2016. Winemaker Notes - Hewitt Cabernet Sauvignon opens with an entrancing violet aroma, then unfolds its richness in the mouth, with juicy ripe plum, rich olive, and round tobacco fruit, graced by just a hint of oak graham, which serves to further frame the fruit and push it forward. The wine is fleshy and well integrated, and thus a bit on the subtle side.

B To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 Napa
To Kalon is seductive and elegant offering the best in Napa Cabernet. A heady display of black fruits, exotic spice box and coffee house aromas leading to a generous mouthful of currants, black cherry and hints of licorice. A perfect choice for the collector’s cellar this wine will age well over the next 10-12 years. Only 100 cases produced.

I love this "only 100 cases produced". Limited is always good. Cheers!

Tamago, Japanese egg omlets

2012-01-18T06:20:00.000-08:00

This is process of making tamago.
It is just like Baumkuchen, famous germany cake.
Watch this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qM4PnK7vS4c

And making tamago, watach this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTIcJ_tdEJM&feature=related

Tamago is very important factor of Sushi restaurant.
I always say to our customers.
Good sushi restaurants have good tamago.
So, it is very easy to judge sushi restaurants grade.
Here in Atlanta, guess how many sushi restaurants make tamago in store? I guess less than 10 or around 10.
I hired many non-Japanese sushi chefs, all of them could not make tamago. Even I hired Japanese chefs, they could not make it sometimes.
If they can make tamago, they can cut fish and do good job. This is my simple judgement.

If you go out of town, states and try to eat sushi, go check tamago first. If tamago is cooked on same day and not frozen, you can go ahead order sushi otherwise just leave. Just say " Family emergency".

Amaebi and Uni Special

2012-01-18T05:55:00.000-08:00

How about this? It was slow last night because of bad weather and I had nothing to do.
One of customers ordered Omakase and I made this. It took 4 minutes to make it.
Greenland Sweet shrimp with Uni and chopped wasabi, sliced cucumber with mentaiko, spicy cod's roe.

Need to play sometimes.

Do you need this?

2012-01-15T23:24:00.000-08:00

I was surprised with this. YP? It is almost same like VHS tape? Or Walkman?

Who needs this? Maybe old people who cannot use Internet.

I will dump this for recycle this week.

Barcelona Best Tapas in town!

2012-01-15T23:20:00.000-08:00

We went to Barcelona tapas wine bar on Sunday.
It was packed.

This is 11th weeks after they opened.
They had 200 people reservations tonight.
All foods are excellent and wine is bottle 50% of on Sundays.

We ordered Rioha wine and very good.

We will be back very soon. AJC gave 3 stars but I gave 4 stars.
This is real tapas. All tastes were not heavy and right.
Some people might say not much flavor, but very enough for me. Atlanta people need to escape from strong salt and pepper and spiciness.

Chiliean Sea Bass Marinating process

2012-01-15T23:12:00.000-08:00

I cut fillet of Chilean Sea Bass. The total was 180.
Then, I made Saikyo Miso which is Sake, sugar mirin ,miso and yuzu juice mix.
I put Chilean Sea bass Fillet and leave 2 days.

It is easy to make this.

Calamari legs

2012-01-12T22:50:00.000-08:00

I like this part.
It is hard to sell but I like. Fresh one is good but grilled one is also good.

I think Japanese eat 70% of al caramari consumption in the world.

Thiscalamari is called yari-ika from Indonesia. I make sushi and okonomiyaki with this.
If I do not sell it, I grill with salt and eat.

Real Ama-Ebi from Greenland

2012-01-12T22:46:00.000-08:00

Believe or not this is from Greenland.

Many people think Ama-ebi means a big one. But the truth is small one is Ama-ebi.
The big shrimp is called Botan-ebi in Japan and called prawn.
This prawn comes from British Colombia, Canada.
Ama means sweet and ebi means shrimp.
The taste is not like sugar sweet but it is sweet taste.
My opinion? It's good, Just think it is from Greenland, there is not factory, no contaminated water.
It is just clean place and the taste should be good.
But many people expect fried head, right? This ama-ebi comes with no head.
I hate to fry shrimp head, It makes oil dirty.
We do not charge for fried head and gets oil dirty right? I just lose money. Or I can say this is good customer services.

Short Rib Stew

2012-01-12T21:58:00.000-08:00

I make this in winter. I make OX tail soup, Beef tongue stew and short rib stew.
These are our winter dishes.

Sushi is good all year around. But do you think you would like to eat cold sushi in cold winter?

It will be 25F this morning.

I prefer something hot.

This stew is very tasty and good with cabernet sauvignon.

What is in it? Bone is short rib but take bone after make broth. Potato, cabbage, carrot, celery and onion.
And red wine and tomato sauce are the keys to make good.

This Chilean Sea bass $1300

2012-01-12T21:53:00.000-08:00

This is really Oh My God! We just finished our stock and I ordered to the supplier.
They said this Chilean sea bass was huge and need to cut in half.
And this was the only one they carried.
So, I decided to get this fish.
It was 77 lbs and $1300.
I never paid $1300 for tuna and never ordered more than 40 lbs of fish.

By the way, this fish in in danger. It is hard to get.
But the taste is really good. So I just buy if they have it,

I use miso sauce and grill. We have black cod like this but Chilean sea bass is the best. We are facing food crisis and we will face more bad situation. We have to eat to survive anyway.

By the way, do you know the real name of Chilean Sea bass? It is Patagonia Tooth fish. This name is very ugly and hard to sell with this name. So someone named Chilean Sea Bass. Marketing is always available everywhere.

It is almost same story as White Tuna. It is not white tuna and there is no white tuna in the world.
I heard Gwinnett County or Dekalb County forced to Sushi reataurants put real name on fish. No more fake names on th emenu.
It is good for everybody. Cunsumers don't know anything. Sometimes supplier sell black thinngs as white. Black is black but if we say more than 3 times it is white, people believe it is white.We need to be honest.

Our new Cabernet Sauvignon

2012-01-12T05:51:00.000-08:00

Cab with SUSHI? Why not? That's a personal choice.
One of our customers drinks Cab all the time.
He must be a full body guy.

Anyway, we always buy new wines and change menus.

Halter Ranch, Paso Nobles CA 2007
80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec
Blended with small amounts of Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec, our 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon boasts a dark ruby color and deeply concentrated aromas of ripe blackcurrant, blackberry and black plum fruit interwoven with scents of earth, sage, and herbal spice. Big, ripe and juicy on the palate, its mouth-filling blackcurrant and dark plum flavors are supported by round, supple tannins that guide the wine through its long, rich and smooth finish. Delicious now with grilled steak and lamb, prime rib, venison stew and other hearty repasts, it will age beautifully for another 7-10 years.

Counterpoint, Sonoma Mountain CA 2007
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
2007 was a great vintage for all wine growing regions in California from Napa to Sonoma down to the Central Coast. It was especially good for Cabernet Sauvignon. Bright ruby-red. Aromas of red berries, tobacco, mocha and smoky minerals, with suave notes of spicecake and rose adding complexity. Juicy, penetrating red fruit flavors become sweeter in the mid-palate and repeat the floral note. There's good minerality here, which adds a nervy underpinning, but the fruit is to the fore right now. Finishes with good juicy cling and echoes of rose and cherry. The wine's sneaky tannins bode well for aging.
There’s been much talk about how well Napa Cabernet faired in 2007, but very little on how Sonoma Cabs performed. We discovered one recently while visiting in California. It is a small production wine from the Sonoma Mountain appellation, the Laurel Glen Counterpoint Cabernet Sauvignon.
The 2007 Laurel Glen Counterpoint Cabernet Sauvignon is delicious with very ripe black currant and cassis fruit with a nice tannic structure on the finish.

So many wines are in the world and need to studay more and more.

I drink these wines on 29th.

2012-01-11T12:46:00.000-08:00

My friend;s birthday is coming soon. And I ordered these wines for him.
But I got Stags Leap Fay from my friend with some conditions.

Anyway, we open these wines on 29th and I cook roasted rib eye for him.

Looking forward to taste them.

Life is short and cannot bring wines to heaven.
Just open them whenever we are ready.

Makiing money and saving money are fun but spending money is also fun. I like the process of making money, like struggling with troubles. And pain turn to be happiness, right?

Saba, Mackerel

2012-01-11T12:38:00.000-08:00

I just wonder how many % of Americans like saba.
I assume less than 5%.
The reason is they say , " I don't like. I don't like fishy. I don't like salty."
But do they know how saba is tasty when it is cooked?
Most of people don't know.
I always make saba special and serve as omakase orders.
They love it.

This saba is from Norway. It was very reasonable price but not any more.
Now, the price is 2 times higher than 5 years ago. But is is still cheaper than other fishes.
And saba contains DHA and EPA as all blue skin fish.
I make saba misoni, braised saba with miso broth. And I make saba steak with onion sauce. I have more dishes with saba.
This guy is really good for your body, don't say just "I don't like." Eat first and say it.

Taka Update January 11, 2011

2012-01-11T06:51:00.000-08:00

Taka Update January 11 , 2012

Fish delivery and more

Tokyo Fish Market started from January 3rd but we could not get enough fish for this week.

We do not have Kinmedai, Seki Aji, Iwashi. And Flounder is also not available.

We received big eye tuna on Monday but it was very small and no fat was in it.

I tasted it and was OK for red meat tuna. And this tuna will be gone at the end of tonight business.

And I will go back to O2 tuna from Philippine again. Toro is same situation, I buy Australian frozen oh-toro. This was the only deal I could get toro.

Fabric softeners contain toxic chemicals

This is from natural news.

Fabric softener ads often portray an image of comfort, freshness and sweetness. Yet most fabric softeners contain a grim list of known toxins which can enter your body through the skin and by inhalation, causing a wide range of health problems, particularly for young children.
Some of the harmful ingredients commonly found in liquid or sheet fabric softeners include:

• Chloroform: This substance was used as an anesthesia in the 1800s up through the early 1900s when its potential for causing fatal cardiac arrhythmia was discovered. A carcinogenic neurotoxin, it is on the EPA's Hazardous Waste list. Inhaling its vapors may cause loss of consciousness, nausea, headache, vomiting, and/or dizziness, drowsiness. It may aggravate disorders of the heart, kidneys or liver. Its effects worsen when subjected to heat.
• A-Terpineol: Causes Central Nervous System (CNS) disorders, meaning problems relating to the brain and spine such as Alzheimer's disease, ADD, dementia, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, seizures, strokes, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Early symptoms of CNS problems include aphasia, blurred vision, disorientation, dizziness, headaches, hunger, memory loss, numbness in face, pain in neck and spine. A-Terpineol also irritates the mucous membranes and, if aspirated into the lungs, can cause respiratory depression, pneumonia or fatal edema.
• Benzyl Alcohol: This upper respiratory tract irritant can cause central nervous system (CNS) disorders, headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and dramatic drops in blood pressure.
• Benzyl Acetate: This substances has been linked to pancreatic cancer. Its vapors can be irritating to eyes and respiratory passages and it can also be absorbed through the skin.
• Ethanol: Another fabric softener ingredient which is on the EPA's Hazardous Waste list and linked to CNS disorders.
• Pentane: A chemical known to be harmful if inhaled.
• Ethyl Acetate: This substance, which is on the EPA's Hazardous Waste list, can be irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract. It may also cause severe headaches and loss of consciousness, as well as damage to the liver and kidneys.
• Camphor: Another substance on the EPA's Hazardous Waste list. It is easily absorbed through body tissue, causing irritation of eyes, nose and throat. Camphor can also cause dizziness, confusion, nausea, twitching muscles and convulsions.
• Linalool: A narcotic known to cause respiratory problems and CNS disorders. In animal testing, exposure to linalool has resulted in death.
• Phthalates: Used in scented products to help the scent last longer, phthlates have been linked to breast cancer and reproductive system problems.
• Limonene: This known carcinogen can cause irritation to eyes and skin.
• Also, if you follow a vegan lifestyle, you should be aware that many fabric softener sheets are made using tallow, a form of animal fat.

Manufacturers are aware that the products contain toxic chemicals. The packaging on many brands include a warning that the product should not be used on children's sleepwear. Since some of the same brands also have large images of children and toys, however, consumers may miss the small print message.

If you use fabric softener, these toxic chemicals coat your towels, sheets and clothing so that you absorb toxins through your skin, the largest organ of the body. When you wear chemically "softened" clothes, you inhale these chemicals with every breath. Even if you do not use fabric softener, you can ingest these chemicals through dryer exhaust sending them into the air or simply by working with someone whose clothes have been chemically treated in this way. Fabric softeners are designed to remain in fabric for a long period of time, slowly releasing into the air.

Fabric softeners were invented to hide the unpleasant smells of synthetic fabrics, whose odors tend to become stronger when heated, whether on a sweating, active body or in the dryer. The chemicals in fabric softeners include those meant to eliminate static cling, as well as perfumes to disguise both the other chemicals and the odor of synthetic fabrics.

Fabrics air dried outside on a line do not develop static cling and are more likely to have a natural pleasant smell. If weather or other factors make natural line drying of your clothes an impractical choice, try using more other natural means to eliminate static cling and impart a fresh smell to your laundry.

If possible, install a water softener. You can also eliminate many clothing odors by thoroughly dissolving a cup of baking soda in the water before putting your clothes in the washing machine.

There are several types of dryer ball products on the market. The ones made of rubber may not be the most eco-conscious means of reducing static as these may off-gas. Instead, try the variety made of felted wool. Some natural retailers offer dryer bags, like large tea bags, containing dried lavender. You can also make your own version of these bags by sewing laundry sachets using cotton muslin and filling them with your favorite dried herbs.

In part two of this series, we will look at the listed ingredients and warnings for mainstream fabric softeners, as well as some product lines which are both vegan and environmentally friendly.

Taka sushiandpassion

375 Pharr Rd. Atlanta GA 30305 Reservation 404-869-2802

Taka Update January 5, 2011

2012-01-04T22:54:00.000-08:00

Taka Update January 5 , 2012

Fish delivery and more

Happy New Year, Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market was just opened 2 days ago. They had the first tuna auction of year. And the highest price tuna was 593 lbs and $743,289. This price is higher than my house price. They had 754 lbs and $427,500 last year. This tuna was fresh blue fin from Ohma, Aomori.

We received some fish from Japan but all of them were farm raised fish.

It was New Year and fishermen wanted to stay home with family.

So, we have Hamachi , Shima Aji, madai from Japan. And we have Kona kanpachi, live scallop, mirugai , aoyagi and sole from domestic.

I think normal delivery starts from next Tuesday.

How to raise a smarter, healthier child

Nothing says cute like a pudgy baby. And now researchers have found evidence that what babies drink may make them grow up smarter and healthier.

One study shows that male babies fed breast milk for at least six months performed better academically when they reached middle school than kids breast-fed for less time.

Breast-feeding for at least half a year boosted male babies' brains, the study by Telethon Institute for Child Health Research in Australia found. Researchers studied more than 1,000 children. Reading scores for females improved, but not enough to be statistically significant.

"We've always known that breast milk is the best thing to feed babies. There have been studies out for a while showing higher IQ in babies who are breast-fed," said Dr. Amie Prough, a pediatrician with Integris Family Care Edmond Renaissance.

Infants breast-fed longer were also less likely to have mental health issues as teens, according to lead researcher Wendy Oddy's previous study. And a 2008 McGill University study of 14,000 children shows that prolonged and exclusive breast-feeding raises kids' IQs and improves their academic performance.

While milk does a mind good, a common baby formula may do a body almost too much good.

Babies on cow's-milk-based formula gain weight much faster than babies on a protein hydrolysate formula, other researchers found. The predigested protein formula is used by a fraction of parents because it's expensive, the taste is inferior and it's typically given just to infants with allergy or digestive tract problems. Even after 3-1/2 months of age, the cow's-milk-formula-fed babies weighed significantly more for their age. And the cow's-milk-fed kids remained heavier throughout the study.

Experts say it is worrisome that children are sent down a pathway toward obesity even before they start solid foods. And almost one-third of 9-month-olds nationally are overweight or obese. Data show that a fat baby is likely to grow into an overweight adult.

Few parents are concerned about their youngsters' weight, according to observations by Dr. Brooke Nida, a pediatrician with Renaissance.

"In fact, with older kids, sometimes their parents are surprised when we tell them their child is overweight," Nida said. "As a society we are larger than we used to be. So they're comparing their children with classmates."

Nida, Prough and The American Academy of Pediatricians recommend breast-feeding because it is protective against future risk of obesity, among numerous other pluses.

"I think there is a trend toward obesity in formula-fed babies that we don't see in breast-fed babies," said Tanya Shamblin, program administrator for the Oklahoma City-County Health Department's Children First, pairing nurses and expectant or new mothers, to help with nursing and nutrition.

She said breast-fed babies also get the benefit of a change in flavor depending on the mom's diet, while formula babies get the same flavor each day.

Jennifer Like, the new mom who also is a dietitian, said she'll offer her baby the benefits against obesity, allergies, diabetes and many illnesses by following pediatricians' advice to breast-feed even after daughter gets solid food and past her first birthday. Oftentimes, babies continue getting breast milk into their second year.

"Breast-feeding teaches the baby to feed on demand ... rather than being concerned with how many ounces they're drinking," she said. "Breast-feeding starts instilling good habits from the beginning."

"If we prevent the weight gain from happening in early childhood, we wouldn't be having this problem with obesity as adults."

Taka sushiandpassion

375 Pharr Rd. Atlanta GA 30305 Reservation 404-869-2802

New items from Tokyo Tsukuji Fish market

2012-01-02T08:19:00.000-08:00

We just received 3 new items from Tokyo fish market.

Many people think fish only there but so many side dish things around there.

Karashina-zuke ~ Green vegetable pickle. Karashi means pepper but this is not spicy.

Akakabu zuke ~ Red radish pickle is a kin dof good luck and red color is happiness.

Shishamo Kikurage ~ Shishamo is smelt and they use roes from it and mix with kikurage, Auricularia auricula (Hook.)Underw or Auricularia auricula-judae. Do you understand?

It is a kind of mushroom grow on tree. It looks like seaweed but not from the ocean.

I gave to some customer last week and they loved.

Soba, we eat this at the end of year.

2011-12-31T08:03:00.000-08:00

Yes, this is our tradition, Toshi Koshi Soba, means getting over the year soba.

There are many reasons.
In Japan, we call the last day of the year "Oh-misoka" and typically follow a tradition to eat soba (=Japanese noodle made from buckwheat) and listen to the striking bell at the temple to see the old year out. Each custom is called "Toshikoshi soba" and "Joya no kane", respectively.

Even people who do not eat soba( = Japanese noodle) often are tempted to eat soba during the last days of the year, based on our unique customary thoughts from the ancient times that we cannot finish up the old year without eating soba. There are some reasons why we choose soba and not any other kind of food:

(1)It is thought that soba is a bringer of good luck, family fortunes, and longevity because soba is physically long.

(2) On the contrary, since soba is easy to bite, it is also considered to forget and sever any carryover of hardship and disaster that may have happened during the year.

(3)The third opinion is believed that soba collects fortunes; During the Edo period , a gold and silver craftsmen used balls made of kneaded buckwheat (=soba) to collect splattered gold and silver pieces in the working area, and burned the ball over hibachi (= Japanese heating appliance using charcoal as fuel) to catch residue gold and silver pieces.

While soba maybe a Japanese style fast-food, it seems to have an additional value during the new year period.

By the way, SOBA is a great food for your health.
Soba Noodles are Gluten Free – People who are allergic to gluten, or who plan to avoid it for health reasons, can rejoice in soba noodles. Buckwheat is actually a fruit seed, rather than a cereal grain like wheat, and is free of gluten, but contains all the essential amino acids (protein), including lysine, which is absent in wheat. Soba noodles can be purchased in dried form, and cooked at home, just like other wheat noodles.

Buckwheat is Good for the Heart – It has been found that buckwheat contains a flavonoid called “Rutin” which helps reduce LDL cholesterol (linked with heart disease conditions) and promotes the generation of HDL cholesterol which improves your cardio health. Buckwheat also helps lower your lipid levels thanks to the activity of rutin.

Soba Noodles are Rich in Magnesium – One of the major minerals found in buckwheat is magnesium. Eating soba noodles can help enrich the magnesium reserves in your body. Magnesium helps improve blood flow by relaxing the blood vessels. It also helps in nutrient delivery by lowering blood pressure. So magnesium in combination with rutin can help improve your cardiovascular health significantly, that really makes soba noodles healthy for you.

Buckwheat helps Control Blood Sugar – It’s been found that the nutrients present in buckwheat can help control your blood sugar and also improve the insulin response of the cells. Hence soba noodles are a healthy alternative, to wheat noodles, for people suffering from diabetes. It has also been found that foods rich in magnesium lower your risk of diabetes by about 24 percent, soba noodles are rich in magnesium and hence can help protect you against conditions like diabetes.

Buckwheat can Help Protect Against Gallstones – Buckwheat is high in insoluble fiber, which makes it a great asset for preventing conditions like gallstones. Insoluble fiber is known to help move food quickly through the intestines, reduce the secretion of bile acids and lower blood fats. High secretions of bile acids is mostly responsible for the formation of gallstones.

Soba Noodles are Not Fattening – Since buckwheat is high in insoluble fiber, it contributes towards reducing the “digestible calories” in the noodles. So soba noodles actually has less digestible calories as compared to rice or wheat noodles. The insoluble fiber present in soba noodles also helps create a feeling of fullness in the stomach which keeps you from being hungry from a good period of time, hence you need consume less food and thus gain less weight.

Soba Noodles are Rich Sources of Thiamine – In ancient Japan, the rich classes used to eat white rice, and rice noodles, while the farmers, or rural population, consumed soba noodles. It was found that the instances of “beri beri” (a skin disease related to deficiency of thiamine) was on the rise among the rich class while it was absent in the rural population. This prompted the rich class to start eating soba noodles, which help prevent the onset of beri beri. Buckwheat is a rich source of thiamine and other essential vitamins like Riboflavin and choline.

Soba noodles are very good for your health and are gluten-free, making it a great alternative to wheat noodles. You can eat soba noodles boiled in a broth or fried with vegetables or meat, it makes for a tasty meal and it’s highly nutritious to boot.

How to make soba from soba flour? Go to below.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2341.html

Do I like Soba? Very much. I can eat it every day. No question, it is just good and feel healthy and you know I am on diet all the time exceptt Sundays.

We have hot soba, cold soba and soba salad on the menu. Please try one of them.

A good gift for golfers

2011-12-29T06:23:00.000-08:00

This deal is not bad. It is $129.90 and can play 3 diffrent golf courses in Metro Atlanta.
And any time any day are good.
It is from Costco.
I just bought one for try.

Cooking Show and Health Inspection and more

2011-12-26T07:32:00.000-08:00

Do you watch Iron Chef on Food Network? What do you think? Too much to show? Over reacting?
If you see them from Health Inspection points, you see some funny things.
Morimoto never used gloves when he cuts fresh fish.
Same as other chefs when they cut fresh meat.
All of chefs never used cap of chef hat. They might drop their hairs on the foods.

I thought when I watched Japanese Iron Chef, Ryori no Tastujin, All chefs used hats. I think it is manners to show viewers. Believe or not, Morimoto used the hat at Japanese version.

At the restaurants, many of executive chefs stand in the kitchen and they work there. Most of them don't use hats.
Why they do not use it? Is this ugly? It does not matter whatever, food safety comes first. We get a few complains about hairs even we wear hats all the times.
I think cooking shows need show the viewers the right information.

By the way, do you watch " Restaurant Impossible". I watch this and always feel something.
What is bad restaurants? Bad food, bad decor and bad services.
And what is good restaurants? Good food, good decor and good services.
So, making good restaurants are easy, right?
But so many restaurants are bad.

It is same as in Japan. Do you think all sushi restaurants are good in Japan? No, only 10-20% are good. The others are really bad or just OK.
It is impossible all restaurants are good.
I think this is same as all the people of this country cannot be rich. The only 10-20% people can be.
If everybody becomes rich, no one pick up trash, no one work at factories.
So, 10-20% is good numbers. I try to join this 10-20%.

Add Gold accent in the bathroom

2011-12-26T07:16:00.000-08:00

This is my holiday's project at restaurant.
I do not stay there all day, I take some off.
This accent is good, isn't it?

Is this tasty?: Trader's Joe Mousse.

2011-12-26T07:10:00.000-08:00

My friend gave me this, She likes Trader's Joe products.
They have some Asian influence foods and Japanese people like them.
Is this good? It is not bad.

I feel Tlader's Joe is from California and they make better products than other states, especially sweetness is perfect.

Shiso still grows in winter.

2011-12-26T07:05:00.000-08:00

This is unusual. Shiso still grows in winter.
Most of them died in September,
But this one is still growing,
Is this because of global warming?

Kagami Mochi

2011-12-23T23:32:00.000-08:00

Displaying kagami Mochi is Japanese New Year Tradition.

Mochi is made from sweet rice, but sugar like sweet. We steam sweet rice and pound and make this.
I displayed after health inspection to avoid another minus point.
I think we can not display naked foods, right?
But we do like this in Japan.

Kagami mochi, literally mirror rice cake, is a traditional Japanese New Year decoration. It usually consists of two or three round mochi (rice cakes), the smaller placed atop the larger, and a daidai (a Japanese bitter orange) with an attached leaf on top. In addition, it may have a sheet of konbu and a skewer of dried persimmons under the mochi. It sits on a stand called a sanpō over a sheet called a shihōbeni , which is supposed to ward off fires from the house for the following years. Sheets of paper called gohei folded into lightning shapes similar to those seen on sumo wrestler's belts are also attached.

The kagami mochi first appeared in the Muromachi period (14th-16th century). The name kagami ("mirror") is said to have originated from its resemblance to an old-fashioned kind of round copper mirror, which also had a religious significance. The reason for it is not clear. Explanations include mochi being a food for sunny days, the 'spirit' of the rice plant being found in the mochi,and the mochi being a food which gives strength.

The two mochi discs are variously said to symbolize the going and coming years, the human heart,"yin" and "yang", or the moon and the sun. The "daidai", whose name means "generations",is said to symbolize the continuation of a family from generation to generation.

Traditionally the kagami mochi was placed in various locations throughout the house.Nowadays it is usually placed in a household Shinto altar, or kamidana. It has also been placed in the tokonoma, a small decorated alcove in the main room of the home.

Contemporary kagami mochi are often pre-moulded into the shape of stacked discs and sold in plastic packages in the supermarket. A mikan or a plastic imitation daidai is often substituted for the original daidai.

Variations in the shape of kagami mochi are also seen. In some regions, three layered kagami mochi are also used. The three layered kagami mochi are placed on the butsudan or on the kamidana. There is also a variant decoration called an okudokazari placed in the centre of the kitchen or by the window which has three layers of mochi.

It is traditionally broken and eaten in a Shinto ritual called kagami biraki (mirror opening) on the second Saturday or Sunday of January. This is an important ritual in Japanese martial arts dojos. It was first adopted into Japanese martial arts when Jigoro Kano, the founder of judo, adopted it in 1884, and since then the practice has spread to aikido, karate and jujutsu studios

Then, we have to eat kagami mochi on January 11th.
It is called Kagami Biraki.
Kagami Biraki is a Japanese traditional ceremony which literally translates to "Opening the Mirror" (from an abstinence) or, also, "Breaking of the Mochi." It traditionally falls on January 11 (odd numbers are associated with being good luck in Japan) It refers to the opening of a Kagami mochi, or to the opening of a cask of Sake at a party or ceremony.

We fixed, Health Inspection

2011-12-23T23:16:00.000-08:00

The first inspection was December 15th and they came back on 21st.
99 was not bad.
But the biggest point was bare hand contact with ready to use food items, -9.
We fixed 8 items total.
They come once a year. But I ask them every 6 month. Actually they need to come every 6 month but shortage of the budget disturbs this.

Anyway, we are doing well.

Taka Update December 21 2011

2011-12-21T06:00:00.000-08:00

Taka Update December 21 , 2011

Fish delivery and more

Bad weather at north east area in US. We could not get flounder for a couple days. But it will come today. And live scallop and clam are not available because of same reason.

Tuna ? There is no hope this year. This is the true story. Let's say they had 100 of big eye tuna before. 40 went to NY, 20 went to and there 5 came to Atlanta. But the total amount of tuna is not much now. Let's say they have 30 of big eye tuna. 20 go to NY, 5 go to LA and we can get less than 1. And the price is high and restaurants owners don't want to buy. We do not want blue fin tuna because of high price. But we can buy big eye tuna.

Which restaurant can buy these kind of good tuna? Taka, Tomo, MF and maybe Nakato. only 4 restaurants can buy. And if they get a large size tuna, they cannot sell all of them. And they do not want to take a risk.

I buy O2 tuna from Philippine and buy farm raised and frozen blue fin oh toro from Australia. This buying will continue for a while.

More Manilow this Spring!

This just in... Barry is headed to St. Louis and Grand Rapids this Spring!

And...BMIFC members can get their tickets on Thursday (before the general public)!

Here are the details:

March 1 and 2 -St. Louis,MO- Fox Theatre

April 26 -Grand Rapids,MI- Van Andel Arena

Drinking good water is good prevention for flu.

Do you know 60% of our body is water? Baby is 80%. small child is 70%. Water in the body is adjusting to the cellular nutrition and elimination, physiological functions are activated, it is important to enhance the immune system.

Compared to adults, children large amounts of water, the chemical reactions in the body is active. In terms of human growth, to become an important period that feed the immune system from birth to 10 years, it is important to good water to drink during this period.

Vitamin E Supplements Increase Incidence of Prostate Cancer

A vitamin E supplement significantly increased the incidence of prostate cancer in healthy men, according to a report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The findings are from an updated analysis from the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT)—a study of more than 35,000 relatively healthy men aged 50 or older. SELECT was funded by the National Cancer Institute, NCCAM, and other components of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

In the SELECT study, researchers randomly assigned participants into four treatment groups to receive daily doses of selenium (200 micrograms), vitamin E (400 international units [IU]), both selenium and vitamin E, or placebo. The initial study report stated that selenium and vitamin E taken alone or together did not prevent prostate cancer. Because of these findings, in 2008 participants were instructed to discontinue their study supplements. At that time, the researchers also noted that there was a slight increase in prostate cancer incidence in men who took vitamin E. However, the increase was not statistically significant, meaning there was a strong possibility that it could have been due to chance. Since 2008, researchers have continued to monitor the health of the study participants; this update is based on that continued monitoring.

At a median followup of 7 years, the researchers observed that the incidence of prostate cancer was increased by 17 percent in men who received the vitamin E supplement alone compared with those who received placebo. There was no increased incidence of prostate cancer when vitamin E and selenium were taken together.

The researchers noted that a biological explanation for the increased incidence of prostate cancer in the vitamin E group was not apparent from these data, but that the increased incidence became evident only after a longer period of monitoring. According to the researchers, this suggested that effects from these supplements may continue after treatment has ended. They also noted that these findings underscore the need for consumers to be skeptical of health claims in the absence of strong evidence of health benefits from clinical trials.

Holiday Season Oparation.

December 24th Saturday :Open but close at 10pm or before 10pm

December 26th Monday: Close Lunch and Open Dinner

December 25th Sunday :Close

December 31st Saturday :Open but closed at 10pm

January 1st Sunday : Close

January 2nd Monday : Close lunch and open Dinner

Taka sushiandpassion

375 Pharr Rd. Atlanta GA 30305 Reservation 404-869-2802

A gift from my older sister in DC

2011-12-19T21:49:00.000-08:00

My American older sister came from DC. She and her husband comes to Atlanta 2 times a year to see their son and daughter in law.

They used to live in Okinawa. I used to call her Okinawa mama.
But she did not like that I called mother and I changed the way of calling.

They gave me golf shirts this time. She said Obama played this course.
Yes, this is AFB golf course in DC and I cannot play. It opens for DoD ad military related people, federal government workers only.

They know I like playing golf.

Zenzai, our winter dessert

2011-12-19T21:35:00.000-08:00

Zenzai? I do not think many Japanese restaurants here in the US serve this.
It is mochi with hot & sweet red bean soup.
Mochi? It is made from sweet rice and is steamed, pounded,.
It is very sticky and good match with red bean.

Mochi is a kind of good luck and that is the reason we give this to our regular customers for their happiness of 2012.

Funny TV CM, some are banned.

2011-12-18T18:40:00.001-08:00

This is really good.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBS_7-EqqMk&feature=related

More?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_hwMtG2xCs&feature=endscreen&NR=1

How about this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yXthdWtU-A&feature=fvwrel

And this is also funny.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHxwTs4Fm3U&feature=related

This is a kind of beauty.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtNndVomxcs&feature=fvwrel

I have more but that's it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAsVTSZTV0w&feature=fvwp&NR=1

Thank you for watching.
We need pleasure without risk.

Wearing glove to make sushi but,,,.

2011-12-17T06:55:00.000-08:00

We had health Department inspection on Thursday.
That was a big minus. I just got a order and made sushi.
She was watching me. And gave us -9 points because of not wearing glove when I made sushi.
I thought Fulton County was OK without glove.
It sounds like national regulation, maybe. It is from FDA order, maybe.

We need to wear glove all the time when we touch raw fish.
But, is it sounds clean? We tried Friday, next day and realized that making sushi with glove is not easy.
Rice stick on glove and can not make right size of nigiri sushi.

Have you seen sushi places like this picture? I see fast food sushi in supermarket.
They do all the time.
I think most of sushi chefs wear glove just for inspection.
Some chefs do not wear cap or hat during making sushi. This posture, I do not agree. hairs might lose from head and might drop on food. I wear cap all the time.

But we do not wear glove when make sushi in Japan. A human being skin is really useful. And I understand sushi is popular food and everybody makes sushi and very dangerous items.

She will come back on Wednesday again. If we wear glove, we pass the inspection.
So, there is no choice. Maybe just wear glove for lunch, this is my solution.
We wash hands all the time and keep clean. We never had accidents.

Think about SEX. Do you wear condom? And which one is better, A: wearing condom or B: naked.
I think 99% of people like naked, And this is same as men and women.
Sushi is same as SEX?, no I do no think so but I just want to say the feeling is important factor to make sushi.

Give me your $40 for the future environment protection.

2011-12-16T21:59:00.000-08:00

This is from Seacology.

Coral reefs and tropical rainforests are home to the planet's greatest biodiversity, but are disappearing at an alarming rate. Every acre we save makes a world of difference. Now you can help protect these ecosystems with Seacology's Save an Acre program.

Your gift of $40 will save one acre

For every tax-deductible $40 donation to the Save an Acre program, you can choose to directly support either a coral reef or rainforest conservation area.* You can learn more about the projects your donation will support at our rainforest or coral reef pages.

In a world full of consumer gadgets, Seacology's Save an Acre program is a gift that will last a lifetime. Celebrate any special occasion (birthday, wedding, anniversary, bar or bat mitzvah, or holiday) by protecting a pristine coral reef or tropical rainforest from development and exploitation. Honor your family, friends, or the passing of a loved one with this simple and meaningful gift. Or make your own commitment to protect our natural world.

You or your honoree will receive a personalized card of appreciation with a beautiful color photograph, as well as exclusive information about the location they helped to preserve.

*Ownership of the ecosystems will remain with local indigenous communities. Up to 10% of your gift may be applied to cover costs of the Save an Acre program.

Save an acre now! Go to below and donate $40.

https://www.seacology.org/save-rainforest-coral-reefs/index.cfm

I support this environmental organization. I started this in 2007,maybe.
I donate $500 from Taka Sushi, $50 from my pocket every month.

Thank you for your support and this will be a good gift for our mother, the Earth.

You Tube, A Flying man?

2011-12-16T06:40:00.001-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWfph3iNC-k

This is great. I always get this kind of video from friends.
Enjoy.
Hey, Tylor I forgot to post condom CM. I will do that this weekend.

Ms. Sandy, my 2nd student

2011-12-15T12:33:00.000-08:00

We did cooking class yesterday.
Ms. Sandy is my Wednesday student.
We made bonito & kelp broth, udon soup and tempura sauce.
She would like to do more and we will make gyoza next week.
And Jakie contacted me for making sushi and dumpling.
I think i will take this offer and do it on Tuesday.
Busy Busy Busy, but it's good for me. Knowing new people is fun.

Fish ball from Iwashi

2011-12-14T12:38:00.000-08:00

Fresh sashimi is good but we can do like this, too.
We have meat balls, and can make fish balls, too.
I just cut fish and put into a food processor. Minced fish, small bone with some vegetables and pepper, salt can make good fish balls.
We car fry with starch and eat with lemon. Simple is the best and can take calcium naturally.

Shima Aji is back with low price.

2011-12-14T12:33:00.000-08:00

It was high price. But it is low price now.
Our fish company asked me to buy it.
Shima Aji, Striped Jack is a group of Aji, Jack fish.

Taka Update December 13th 2011

2011-12-13T12:30:00.001-08:00

Taka Update December 13 , 2011

Fish delivery and more

Kona Kanpachi is back. It is available every day.

Tuna supply is almost same last 8 weeks. There is no big eye tuna, yellow fin tuna is available.

Japanese fish delivery is fine. It looks good, we can get all fishes from Japan.

Barry Manilow hospitalized for hip muscle repair

Barry Manilow has been shaking his hips on stage for decades, and now he has to have those muscles repaired.

A spokeswoman for Manilow says the 68-year-old entertainer was hospitalized Monday for surgery to remove fluid and repair torn muscles in his hips.

Manilow waited until he performed his 1,000th Las Vegas concert and ended his seven-year run at two resorts there before having the surgery.

Publicist Annie Jeeves says Manilow will be in recovery for six weeks before performing in Chicago on Feb. 2.

Use of Some Supplements May Be Risky for Older Women

Older women who use some vitamin or dietary supplements may be increasing their risk of death, according to a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine today as part of the journal’s Less is More series.

Use of dietary supplements has grown substantially among women in the United States. About 85% of US women reported use of at least 1 such product in 2004 compared with 66% in 1986, according results from the Iowa Women’s Health Study, a survey of more than 40 000 women aged 55 to 66 years. Additionally, use of multiple supplements has become common, with 27% of women reporting using 4 or more such products in 2004.

The new study, which also analyzed data from the Iowa study, suggests there may be harms associated with some dietary supplements. The study found that several supplements were associated with an increased risk of mortality, including multivitamins (increased absolute risk [IAR] of 2.4%), folic acid (IAR of 5.9%), iron (IAR of 3.9%), and copper (IAR of 18%). It also found that calcium supplementation was associated with a reduced risk of death.

Study author Jaakko Mursu, PhD, of the University of Eastern Finland in Kuopio and the School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, spoke with JAMA about the study’s results.

news@JAMA: Were you surprised to see an increased risk of death among women using certain supplements?

Dr Mursu: I was a bit surprised to see such a large increase in the risk of mortality, as in most previous studies supplement use has not been associated with increased risk.

news@JAMA: What do you think might be driving an increased risk of death associated with these supplements?

Dr Mursu: We could not address the mechanisms in this study, but it could be related to the fact that most compounds are harmful in high amounts. We doubt that they were driven by behavior, as supplement users tended to have healthier lifestyles.

news@JAMA: You documented a beneficial effect of calcium supplementation. Is there a plausible explanation for such an effect?

Dr Mursu: In previous cohort studies or clinical trials, calcium supplementation has not been found to be beneficial in regard to total or [cardiovascular disease–associated] mortality. We have no good explanation for why, in our study, calcium was related with a reduced risk. We noticed that out of different supplements, calcium use was among the most strongly related with healthy behavior. Another option is that it could be good for bone health and prevented severe fractures. However, we did not address this issue in this study.

news@JAMA: Alternatively, you found an association between iron supplementation and increased mortality, including a dose-dependent response. What might be the mechanism?

Dr Mursu: In some studies, high iron stores have been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, although evidence is not consistent. Iron itself could be toxic and increase oxidative stress. In this study, we could not, however, address this issue.

news@JAMA: What do you think is the main take-home message for women and their physicians?

Dr Mursu: We feel that instead of taking supplements, women should put more emphasis on a healthy diet. At the moment, there is a very little evidence that supplement use would protect against major chronic diseases.

Holiday Season Oparation.

December 24th Saturday :Open but close at 10pm

December 26th Monday: Close Lunch and Open Dinner

December 25th Sunday :Close

December 31st Saturday :Open but closed at 10pm

January 1st Sunday : Close

January 2nd Monday : Close lunch and open Dinner

Taka sushiandpassion

375 Pharr Rd. Atlanta GA 30305 Reservation 404-869-2802

Ms. Leigh, a student of my cooking class

2011-12-12T21:16:00.000-08:00

This is Leigh, a student of my cooking class.
She asked me to teach Japanese cooking.
So, I decided to teach every day from 5;30pm- 6pm.
We normally do not have many customers and I can do that.

We did bonito and kelp broth, miso soup, tempura sauce, noodle soup for 1st class.

And we did something with miso for 2nd class.
This evening was 3rd class. We did gyoza and rolled cabbage.

I am thinking natto next class.
She bought some Japanese soy sauce, mirin, dashi soy sauce at Buford Hwy Farmers Market.

I am not sure how long we do this but I want to do that at least 10 classes.

She is Monday student. I will get Sandy this Wednesday. She is really new and this Wednesday is the first class.

Women form the Island

2011-12-09T12:33:00.001-08:00

My friend went to Hawaii during Thanksgiving holiday.
She gave me this, actually 2012 calendar.
Which girl do you like?
I like March, February and November.

I cannot bring to the restaurant, right?
This is sexsual harrasment?
It is very common in Japan, maybe. We see so many girls calendars in Japan and it is OK.

How to Tonkatsu

2011-12-09T12:25:00.001-08:00

Tonkatsu, Crispy fried Pork is very popular dish in Japan. We do at least once a week for lunch special.
I do not say "deep fried", and "crispy fried" is soft and fancy.

Buy pork like a picture and 10-20% cut both side like cross words.
Then, use a kitchen hummer?, mush it like a middle picture.
And apply pepper, salt and apply tempura flour, egg and go to panko.
Just fry about 4 minutes and can make delicious tonkatsu.
Do not forget to buy tonkatsu sauce, Japanese steak sauce. It is good for any kinds of crispy fried dishes.

Make something with Saba

2011-12-08T00:09:00.001-08:00

I marine saba with sake, grated garlic and sea salt.
So, what do I make from this?
I make Saba Shalyapin Steak. What is Sharyapin?
This is Japanese cooking.
Sharyapin was opera singer. She came to Japan and ask chef to make soft and chewable steak.
And Japanese chef made it with sauteed onion.
Onion makes beef soft and she could eat easily.
It is popular way of cooking in Japan. But this way is only in Japan.

A grill saba first and cook onion with butter, soy sauce. Then add saba and cook together.
It is simple and tasty.

New Beers from Japan

2011-12-08T00:03:00.001-08:00

We have a couple of unique beers.

Indo no Ao Oni, Indian pale ale is very smooth and tasty. This is 7% of alcohol and feels good.

Yona Yona Ale received Gold medal in 2007 Monde Selection. 5.5 % of alcohol is easy drink.

This is great, from Youtube

2011-12-07T23:12:00.001-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/v/EEu42L0ufBY%26rel%3d0%26hl%3den_US%26feature%3dplayer_embedded%26version%3d3

My friend sent me this video. It is great and beautiful.

Taka Update December 7th 2011

2011-12-07T06:46:00.001-08:00

Taka Update December 07 , 2011

Fish delivery and more

We had a bad weather in Japan last week and could not some fish from there.

Sekiaji, Kodai, Sayori, Iwashi are not available today.

They might come tomorrow delivery.

Japanese fish delivery dates will change from next week. The dates are Tuesday and Thursday so far. But Tuesday and Friday are new dates.

Kona Kanpachi was out of stock. They had a problem with management in Hawaii. But it will comeback from next week.

MY Golf

I played 2 round on Sunday. I was not intended but my fellow asked me and I said "Why not?".

I shot 85 for 1st round and 86 for 2nd round . My games are getting steady like business. Am I happy? Yes, I am. We have 16 people tournament this Sunday with cold weather. Anyway I will play. I normally play 365 days all year unless golf courses are closed.

Holiday Season Oparation.

December 24th Saturday :Open but close at 10pm

December 25th Sunday :Close

December 31st Saturday :Open but closed at 10pm

January 1st Sunday : Close

January 2nd Monday : Open as back to normal

Simple Cooking Class at TAKA with TAKA

Now, I am teaching 2 students in the evening. A new girl starts from this evening.

It is 30minutes simple cooling class. I can take 1 more person and that's it.

Ask me if you would like to know Japanese cooking.

Health Benefits of Black Vinegar

Popular in China and Japan as a health tonic or drink, black rice vinegar is reputed to have an array of health benefits, similar to apple cider vinegar and other vinegars. Black vinegar has a deep color and a full, rich flavor, making it a tasty ingredient for dipping sauces and braised dishes. The vinegar can also be used as a fat- and cholesterol-free alternative to balsamic vinegar. Black rice vinegar is most often made from unpolished rice, millet, wheat or sorghum.

Lisa Solieri and Paolo Giudici, in the book "Vinegars of the World," explain that black rice vinegars have long been used in China and Japan as natural cardiovascular treatments. They say that black vinegar contains acetic acid, an organic acid that might help your body reduce glucose levels. As a result, black vinegar can have a long-term, preventative effect with an array of cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease and stroke.

Black rice vinegar has been credited with helping to boost a body's energy production and, as a result, benefit a number of body systems. Dr. James Heffley, in the Austin Chronicle article "To Your Health," explains that black vinegar contains high levels of citric acid, which serves as one of your body's key organic acids. Heffley says that citric acid assists with the metabolic processes in which your body converts food into energy. Citric acid, in fact, helps to boost your body's energy production over and above normal levels. Many body systems benefit from the increased energy, including your digestion, immune system and cognitive functions.

Black rice vinegar contains high levels of antioxidants, which might help aid in cancer prevention. Solieri and Giudici explain that black rice vinegar may have the potential to combat the activity of damaging free radicals, which contribute to the development of cancer. They say that vinegar might be able to combat the development of tumors as well.

Cal Orey, in :The Healing Powers of Vinegar: A Complete Guide to Nature's Most Remarkable Remedy," explains that black rice vinegar contains many essential amino acids, which your body uses for everything from repairing muscle tissue to growing your nails. Orey says that the amino acids contained in black vinegar may help to balance your body's pH, both neutralizing lactic acid and alkalizing the blood, as well as to heal everyday ailments ranging from congestion to constipation.

Taka sushiandpassion

375 Pharr Rd. Atlanta GA 30305 Reservation 404-869-2802

Shirako Seaason is also started.

2011-12-05T05:11:00.001-08:00

I introduced this last year. Shirako is typical winter dish.
It is not brain, is ovary of Cod.
We eat it in winter.
Taste and texture? It is silky milky tofu.
I ate Blow fish Shirako one time in my life.
That was the best.
It comes every Thursday, try it. Don't be shy.
The picture is fresh one and we do not eat as raw.
We cook it.

Beef tongue stew

2011-12-05T05:05:00.001-08:00

It is the season for stew. I make beef tongue stew every year.
Of course, this is not Japanese dish but Japanese people like this.
So why not?

I cooks almost 2 days with red wine and my special tomato sauce.
You will not feel like animal tongue when you eat.
Take your prejudice away, and just try, just do it.
Open your new doors and windows.
And you will see new world and views.

Salad California

2011-12-05T05:00:00.001-08:00

This is Salad California.
I made this for just a little with joke.
Yes, Hotel California and Salad California is similar.
Organic green salad with tofu, fresh tomato, pine nuts, craisin, edamame are great combinations.
We do not sell much but I just want to keep this item on the menu.
I do not think Salad california is available in California.

Avia Toning shoes

2011-12-05T04:49:00.001-08:00

I bought toning shoes first time in my life.
I did not want to pay high and waited for a while.
This Avia is $19.99 at Marshalls.
Guess how much is in Japan?
I checked Rakuten webside, the biggest net market in Japan.
It was 12,600 yen, meant about $163???
People come from Japan, they can buy this shoes at $14.40 in the US.

Japan is 3rd largest country (GDP means) but people are still poor because of this kind of crazy prices.The cost of living in Japan is really high.

Taka Update November 29th 2011

2011-11-29T11:56:00.001-08:00

Taka Update November 29th , 2011

Fish delivery and more

Sounds like everything is back to normal. We will get Japanese fish delivery today.

Kona Kanpachi is not available because of bad weather in Hawaii.

MY Golf

I played golf 5 days in last 8 days. I was very happy. My dream? Play golf everyday when I retire.

It is very simple dream. The score on last Sunday was 44-44. I never lost money last 8 days, but got only $14. I cannot be a pro.

No More vacation this year.

It is very bad calendar this year, Christmas is Sunday and New Year is also Sunday.

So we do not have any extra day off. We open Christmas Eve, Non-Christian people welcome to TAKA.

Anyway 30% of our customers are Jewish people and they are very nice.

Simple Cooking Class at TAKA

A lady sent me an e-mail for asking cooking class. I sent her back it. We did the first Class on Monday evening. We are not busy at 5:30pm and can do easy one.

I taught her bonito broth, ,miso soup, noodle soup, tempura sauce and tosazu, vinegar soy sauce. We will do with more next Monday.

If you are interested in simple Japanese cooking class, let me know.

NSAIDs in Early Pregnancy Linked to Risk for Miscarriage

This is from Canadian medicine Association Journal.

Use of nonaspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in early pregnancy is linked to twice the risk for miscarriage, according to the results of a nested case-control study reported online September 6 in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

"The association between the use of ...NSAIDs during pregnancy and the risk of spontaneous abortion remains unclear because of inconsistent research results and the lack of evidence for an effect due to specific types or dosages of nonaspirin NSAIDs," write Hamid Reza Nakhai-Pour, MD, PhD, from the University of Montreal and CHU Ste-Justine in Quebec, Canada, and colleagues. "We aimed to quantify the association between having a spontaneous abortion and types and dosages of nonaspirin NSAIDs in a cohort of pregnant women."

Case patients consisted of 4705 women who were identified from the Quebec Pregnancy Registry and who had a spontaneous abortion. For each case patient, the investigators randomly selected 10 control participants from other women in the registry, matching by index date, defined as the date of the spontaneous abortion, and by gestational age. Case patients and control participants were compared in use of nonaspirin NSAIDs, as reflected in filled prescriptions. The investigators analyzed associations between different types and dosages of nonaspirin NSAIDs and spontaneous abortion using conditional logistic regression, with adjustment for confounding variables.

Of the 4705 patients with spontaneous abortion, 352 (7.5%) had NSAID exposure, as did 1213 (2.6%) of 47,050 control participants. The use of nonaspirin NSAIDs during pregnancy was significantly associated with the risk for spontaneous abortion, after adjustment for potential confounders. There was no apparent dose-response effect.

The odds ratio (OR) for spontaneous abortion was 2.43 with any NSAID (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.12 - 2.79), 3.09 with diclofenac (95% CI, 1.96 - 4.87), 2.64 with naproxen (OR, 95% CI, 2.13 - 3.28), 2.21 with celecoxib (95% CI, 1.42 - 3.45), 2.19 with ibuprofen (95% CI, 1.61 - 2.96), 1.83 with rofecoxib (95% CI, 1.24 - 2.70) alone, and 2.64 for combinations of these NSAIDs (95% CI, 1.59 - 4.39).

"Gestational exposure to any type or dosage of nonaspirin NSAIDs may increase the risk of spontaneous abortion," the study authors write.

Limitations of this study include the lack of data on exposure to over-the-counter formulations of nonaspirin NSAIDs during pregnancy, and lack of information on the indications for which nonaspirin NSAIDs were used and on covariables such as smoking and body mass index. In addition, the investigators could not exclude the possibility of chance findings for 5.0% of the statistically significant associations because of the number of comparisons, and the study population covered only 36% of pregnant women in Quebec.

"Given that the use of nonaspirin NSAIDs during early pregnancy has been shown to increase the risk of major congenital malformations and that our results suggest a class effect on the risk of clinically detected spontaneous abortion, nonaspirin NSAIDs should be used with caution during pregnancy," the study authors conclude. "Future research should focus on determining exact mechanisms of action."

The Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec and the Réseau Québécois de recherche sur l'usage des médicaments supported this study. The study authors have disclosed no relevant financial relationships.

Are you too clean?

This is from U .S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Good hygiene has saved millions of lives, protecting people from countless bacterial and viral infections, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

But there is growing concern that strict adherence to good hygiene, though a valuable means of protecting health, has left humans open to other forms of illness.

Proponents of the "hygiene hypothesis" believe that reduced exposure to bacteria, viruses and parasites have impaired the immune system's ability to properly respond to environmental challenges.

Researchers have identified the hygiene hypothesis as a possible cause or exacerbating factor in a number of illnesses and medical problems, said Dr. Graham A.W. Rook, a professor in the department of infection at Centre for Clinical Microbiology at the University College London. These include:

Severe allergic reactions.

Gastrointestinal disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease and Crohn's disease.

Autoimmune disorders, such as type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis.

"The evidence for all this is very, very powerful," Rook said. "It's very easy to show if you live on a farm or keep a dog, you're less likely to have these disorders. If you are the youngest child in a big family, you're less likely to have these disorders."

The hygiene hypothesis has its roots in the theory of evolution, he said.

"The bottom line is organisms that were present in mud, untreated water and feces were with us right from the start of humanity," Rook explained. Proponents of the hygiene hypothesis believe that the human body adapted to these organisms and began using them as a means of training the immune system.

"What has happened over the course of evolution is, because these bugs had to be tolerated, they came to activate the tolerance of the immune system," Rook said. "They are the police force that keeps the immune system from becoming trigger-happy. Basically, the immune system is now attacking things it shouldn't be attacking."

Dr. Mitchell H. Grayson, an associate professor of pediatrics at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, said that the hygiene hypothesis is most strongly linked to an increase in allergic diseases and asthma.

"It's thought to have something to do with the way your immune system develops and is programmed," Grayson said. Bacteria in the environment teach an immune response to allergens that is more moderate and less severe. "In the absence of these bacteria, the immune system is thought to become more prone to allergic disease," he said.

Rook said that other researchers have used the hygiene hypothesis to show that parasitic infections can aid in the treatment of such conditions as multiple sclerosis and Crohn's disease.

Argentinean researchers, for instance, have shown that the presence of intestinal parasites can moderate the progression of multiple sclerosis. Follow-up studies indicated that, when people were treated for their parasitic infection, they had a relapse of MS.

A research team at the University of Iowa found similar results related to Crohn's disease, showing that intestinal parasites helped regulate the autoimmune reaction that causes the intestinal disorder. On the flip side, such revelations carry risks. Doctors are concerned that some might use the hygiene hypothesis as an excuse to abandon good hygiene, causing a surge in diseases such as dysentery and cholera.

"Public health and sanitation has been the single greatest improvement in our life expectancy," Grayson said. "I would not recommend living less cleanly."

On the other hand, tolerance of a little dirt here and there won't hurt.

"If your kids come back from the garden with a little mud on their hands, it's not a bad thing," Rook said. "They don't necessarily have to wash their hands before picking up a sandwich."

In general, though, it's wise to maintain good overall hygiene, he said, and wait for the scientists to figure all this out. Larger studies are underway to determine the exact mechanism by which bacteria and parasites are causing the immune system to moderate its response, Rook said.

"We need to figure out how to replace what is good from the microbiological environment while maintaining the advances of good hygiene so we can get the best of both worlds," Rook said.

Taka sushiandpassion

375 Pharr Rd. Atlanta GA 30305 Reservation 404-869-2802

New wall painting for holidays

2011-11-26T22:27:00.001-08:00

I just finished new wall painting for holidays.
Gold, red and green show holiday color, right?
And sparkling wines are good matching.

I cooked this on Thanksgiving.

2011-11-25T07:29:00.001-08:00

We are Japanese and we do not eat turkey.
So we decide to eat beef.

I bought block of prime rib eye at Costco.
Then, I cu it 4 inches and apply sea salt, rosemary, pepper, spices.
Then I left 1 night.
Cooking is most important.
350F for 14 minutes,
300F for 40 minutes, then up side down
another 300F for 40 minutes.
That's it. Slice and eat with no adding like soy sauce, Al.
It was delicious.

Kimnedai from Choshi-ko

2011-11-10T22:47:00.001-08:00

This is kinme-dai and from Choshi.
Where is Choshi?
It is in Chiba near by Narita Tokyo Airport and faces to Pacific Ocean,
It is located just south of Fukushima.
We could not get any fish from those area for a while because of contaminated water went into the ocean.
And more than 6 months passed and they said OK?

Yeah, I think it is OK because contaminated water is very very thin now. But I still do not like to deal with this kind of fish.

Sashimi

2011-11-10T22:41:00.001-08:00

I like sashimi. I did not eat much sushi when I was child.
I was born at coast area and seafood is just like everyday dish.
We did not buy much fish, someone always gave us when they caught.
And simple is the best, means wasabi and soy sauce.
I can eat sashimi every day but cannot eat steak every day.

Rolled Cabbage

2011-11-10T22:35:00.001-08:00

I like this kind of food in winter.
We are Japanese restaurant but so what?
I do OX tail soup, curry rice, lamb chop.
It is easy to make.
Ground beef and some chopped vegetables like onion, carrot, gobo.
Then, rolled with cabbage and cook it. Add tomato sauce and ready to eat.
I also make tomato sauce. I cannot eat American tomato sauce on shelves in supermarkets.
What are they thinking of taste? They are not tasty.

Taka Update November 9th 2011

2011-11-09T05:58:00.001-08:00

Taka Update November 9sh , 2011

Fish delivery and more

We have very good condition except tuna.

Business in November is not bad, but it will be slow on Thursday night because of GA tech home game.

I feel like giving up good tuna for a while. Our supplier said they did not have much frozen tuna. The reason of shortage are coming from FDA inspection and more.\

We see more easy on the land but we do not see much under the ocean. But so many things happen there because of global warming.

Closed Information

We will be closed from November 20th to 24th (Sunday- Thursday). I was thinking to fly to Japan but canceled it.
And I wanted to go to SC beach but canceled it.
So I decided to stay in town and play golf. 2 of my friends family will come from Japan and they would love to play golf.
Do you know why? Golf fee is very cheap here in GA.
Black Friday? Oh no, I will be in bed. I never joined this kind of crazy event. I like Marshalls but I am not bargain hunter. I hate to make lines. Target and Macy will be opened the door at midnight on 25th.

My golf game is getting better but almost same as business. It is very very up and down. I shot 38 front 9 but shot 52 back 9 last Sunday. Our business is sometimes very good but sometimes dead. We will have 80 people competition this Sunday. This is Japanese chamber of commerce final cup. I will see my score. I practice more this week and need to get confident mind.

Buy the way, stock market is also up and down. It's been bad for a while because of Greek issue. And we saw some future and was up. I thought it would be fine. But Italian bond rate suddenly up to 7.13% last night. They say more than 7% is red signal. So, today's market will be very bad. Dow will be down more than 200-250 points today.

Sounds like ever thing is up and down. So, what we have to do? Prepare for the future. Be nice and have a happy life. Do not expect big, ordinary life is better than bad. This must be the best.

Girls With No Father at Home Undergo Sexual Development Sooner, Study Finds

Sexual development is more likely to occur earlier when a girl’s father doesn’t live in the home, but only in higher-income families, according to new study findings reported by a research team led by scientists from the University of California and Kaiser Permanente Northern California.

The overall aim of their ongoing study is to identify factors that contribute to the onset of puberty in young girls. The possible contributors to early sexual development that are under investigation include not only exposure to chemicals in the environment, but also dietary and even behavioral and social factors.

The study, called the Cohort study of Young Girls’ Nutrition, Environment and Transitions, or CYGNET, has enrolled 444 girls, aged six to eight, and will track their development, lifestyle factors and environmental exposures for at least 10 years. This latest finding, reported on Sept. 17 in the Journal of Adolescent Heath, is based on the analysis of the first two years of data.

The research is part of a broader program undertaken by a consortium called the Breast Cancer and the Environment Research Center (BCERC), which is funded primarily by the National Institutes of Health.

Consortium researchers last year helped bolster earlier scientific evidence indicating that girls now are undergoing sexual development sooner compared to girls in prior decades. Early sexual development – more specifically, early age of first menstruation – is associated with an increased risk for developing breast cancer later in life.

BCERC research findings also have bolstered evidence that girls who are overweight or obese are likely to develop sexually at an earlier age.

The link between family factors, including a father’s absence, and a girl’s sexual development also has been observed in previous epidemiological studies and in animal studies, according to the leading author of the report, Julianna Deardorff, PhD, an assistant professor of maternal and child health at UC Berkeley and an adjunct assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at UCSF.

However, Deardorff notes, the new study is the first to separate out the effect of a father’s absence from the influence of body mass index (BMI), confirming that the influence of having an absent father remains as an independent factor after taking a girl’s weight into account. Researchers had earlier speculated that the absence of a father might plausibly lead to a less stable home environment, or to less attention at home, which in turn might lead to stress-related overeating. However, BMI did not act as a causal mechanism.

“A strength of our study is in the ongoing monitoring of breast and pubic hair development in the clinic as it relates to other information we have been collecting related to social environment and behaviors,” Deardorff says.

The association between a father’s absence and early sexual development was only statistically significant in families earning $50,000 yearly or more.

Why would the absence of a father independently hasten a girl’s sexual development, and why would the effect only appear significant in higher-income families? There are several ideas that may be worth investigating further, according to Deardorff.

University of London researcher Jay Belsky, PhD, has proposed that mammals have evolved to mature and reproduce early in the absence of optimal parental protection. If parents cannot be present or attentive, individuals may be more likely to live long enough to pass on their genes if they form their own families early. The presence of a father may exert an influence through molecules called pheromones that signal via olfactory glands.

Deardorff notes that the effect of an absent father on girls’ sexual development might relate more directly to added pressure on single mothers to work and provide for their families, which increases the stress level in the home and potentially takes away from parent-child interaction.

The association with higher income may be due to mothers also being less available in these families due to increased work hours, Deardorff suggests. Girls in lower-income families might also be more likely to be closer to other relatives or to rely on alternative caregivers.

In addition, in related animal studies it has been observed that exposure to artificial light causes earlier sexual maturation. In higher-income families girls may be spending more time in front of computers or television screens, Deardorff suggests.

The causal pathway for the new results essentially remains unexplained, she adds. Deardorff is interested in learning whether the observed associations are more directly due to stress.

“Until now, we have not examined data related to other interesting family factors, such as maternal depression, other stressful events, and biological stress mechanisms,” she says.

Deardorff and her colleagues plan to investigate stress levels and girls’ responses to stress in another long-term study of young children.

.Taka sushiandpassion

375 Pharr Rd. Atlanta GA 30305 Reservation 404-869-2802

Maguro Nuta, new version

2011-11-07T23:30:00.000-08:00

I like thi skind of design.
It is colorful and looks good.
Nuta is same as sumiso which is miso vinegar mustard.
But I add kizami wasabi, chopped wasabi from Japan.

163.8 but still over weight.

2011-11-05T09:20:00.000-07:00

It took 2 week to make this weight.
It was from 186.8 lbs.
I ate California Roll for lunch and got ice cream for snack. It was busy afternoon and no time to eat. I grabbed an ice cream bar and ate in my car.
I ate green salad and a banana for dinner. I drunk 1 bottle of light beer after I got home.
It was 154.0 yesterday morning.
I am looking for 160.00 lbs in another 2 weeks.

I go out tomorrow night with friends.So, I drink wine and some heavy food, maybe.

Why I say so much do diet? I feel we just need to keep same weight all the time. " I gain weight because I am old." This is not excuse.
Just think, our to legs need to hold upper body everyday. If we gain weight, our leg's burden get higher and higher. And it goes to knees, maybe. Then we get troubles there eventually.
I see so many over weight old people and have troubles to walk or run. I don't want to be like those people.

I checked Japanese version of weight watcher. I put my data, height 175cm and my proper weight is only 66.6kg, 146.8 lbs.
They say plus minus 5 kg is OK, so I can say 157.9 lbs is still fine. So, my goal 160 lbs is good number.

You can check your proper weight here.
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/proper-weight-for-height-and-age.html

I just checked and almost same. My height is 5.74ft and if I say medium, my proper weight is maximum 157 lbs.
So I am fat and overweight, anyway.
Life in America is good but there are so many temptations around here. We have to watch them.

Hirame Special

2011-11-04T04:27:00.000-07:00

Simple Sashimi Appetizer is the best.
I do not know why this dish sells very well.
Sliced flounder and crawfish salad with shiso leaf and Yuzu pepper, sliced grape tomato, served with ponzu sauce.

Is this good?: Korean Black vinegar

2011-11-01T06:34:00.000-07:00

Black Vinegar, have you heard of it?
It is getting popular in Japan.
Regular vinegar contains about 0.5% of amino acid but black vinegar does 2%.
So, black vinegar is healthier than regular vinegar.
Can you drink vinegar? Many people say "Hell No."
I hate to drink it. Why do I have to drink sour vinegar?
But this black vinegar is made from brown rice and prune. And the taste is sweeter than other black vinegar.
We normally don't drink straight. We normally do 1:1 with water or 1:2.
The effect of black vinegar is below.
1, Good for high blood pressure
2, Make your blood clean
3, Antioxidant
4, Good prevention of colorectal cancer

Not bad? You can try it. You can buy at Buford Hwy, Farmers Market. I think you normally buy just vegetables and fruits there. Go to Asian grocery place and find something fun foods.

Tomato Soup

2011-10-31T23:09:00.000-07:00

I made this OX tail broth tomato and vegetables soup for my friends on Sunday.
I started to cook on Thursday. I repeated cook and rest for 4 times to get meat soft.
So, Ox tail meat came off very easily and it was tender.
I like this kind of dish in winter. It is warm and can get all good things one time.
I normally use garlic, celery, onion, zucchini, cabbage, tomato and cabbage,
Adding taste is very simple, I use pepper, salt, soy sauce and my special tomato sauce.
And I add red wine.
I brought this left over pot to the restaurant and add more vegetables and extra garlic.
One of my customers is sick for a while. I normally give him OX tail healthy body soup. he had 2 times already and thought it was boring. So I will give him this special soup next time.
OX tail contains a lot of collagen. garlic is good for body, Tomato is also good, And eating warm vegetables are really good, I think.

Taka Update

2011-10-31T22:53:00.000-07:00

Taka Update November 1st , 2011

Fish delivery and more

This is a good surprise. We will get blue fin tuna on Tuesday. It will be the best Sushi Day.

I think this blue fin tuna is the first one of this year and also the last one, maybe.

All other Japanese fishes are coming tomorrow.

Occupy Taka on Tuesday.

World Population

The world population has grown tremendously over the past two thousand years. In 1999, the world population passed the 6 billion mark. And at the end of October, we hit 7 billion. It will be 8 billion in 2025, 9 billion in 2043 and 10 billion in 2083.

The biggest population is China (1.354 billion) and 2nd is India (1.214 billion) , 3rd is US (318million), 4th is Indonesia (233 million), 5th is Brazil (195 million), 6th is Pakistan (185 million), 7th is Bangladesh (164 million), 8th is Nigeria (158 million), 9th is Russia (140 million) and 10th is Japan(127 million).

The biggest number of animal in the world is ant and about 10,000 trillion. Believe or not, we eat 52 billions of chicken, 293 million of cow, and 1.3 million of pork every year.

Fathers' Presence Linked to Enhanced Intellect, Well-Being Among Children

Fathers who actively engage in raising their children can help make their offspring smarter and better behaved, according to new research from Concordia University.

Published in the Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science, the long-term study examined how fathers can positively influence the development of their kids through hands-on parenting.

"Fathers make important contributions in the development of their children's behaviour and intelligence," says Erin Pougnet, a PhD candidate in the Concordia University Department of Psychology and a member of the Centre for Research in Human Development (CRDH).

"Compared with other children with absentee dads, kids whose fathers were active parents in early and middle childhood had fewer behaviour problems and higher intellectual abilities as they grew older -- even among socio-economically at-risk families."

A patriarch's influence

"Regardless of whether fathers lived with their children, their ability to set appropriate limits and structure their children's behaviour positively influenced problem-solving and decreased emotional problems, such as sadness, social withdrawal and anxiety," continues Pougnet.

A total of 138 children and their parents took part in the study and were assessed by researchers in three separate sessions.

Kids were evaluated between the ages of three- to five-years-old and again from nine to 13-years-old. They completed intelligence tests, while their mothers completed questionnaires on home environment and couple conflict. All children were recruited as part of the larger Concordia Longitudinal Risk Research Project, an intergenerational study launched in 1976.

School teachers were also recruited as observers of child behaviours outside homes. "Teachers were a somewhat more independent source of information than mothers, fathers or children themselves," says Pougnet, "because a father's absence can result in home conflict, maternal distress and child distress."

Greater impact on girls

The study found girls to be most affected by absentee dads, although the researchers caution that paternal absence can foster other problems such as lack of support or discipline.

"Girls whose fathers were absent during their middle childhood had significantly higher levels of emotional problems at school than girls whose fathers were present," says Pougnet.

Mothers, caregivers equally important

According to 2007 Statistics Canada figures, there are an increasing number of single-parent homes across the country. The agency estimates some 13 per cent of Canadian families and 22 per cent of Quebec families are composed of households where biological fathers are absent.

"While our study examined the important role dads play in the development of their children, kids don't necessarily do poorly without their fathers," stresses co-author Lisa A. Serbin, a professor in the Concordia Department of Psychology and a CRDH member. "Mothers and other caregivers are also important. No doubt fathers have a major impact, but there are definitely many alternative ways to raise a healthy child. Some kids with no contact with fathers, or with distant dads, do well intellectually and emotionally."

The findings, however, should encourage governments to formulate policies that encourage increased and positive forms of contact between children and their fathers. "Initiatives such as parental leave for men and parenting classes that emphasize the role of fathers could help to maximize children's development from early childhood to preadolescence," says Serbin.

This work was supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

Taka sushiandpassion

375 Pharr Rd. Atlanta GA 30305 Reservation 404-869-2802

Oden , Must try!

2011-10-27T12:36:00.000-07:00

Oden, Japanese hot pot.
We like this food but Americans don't like much.
I think because of color of food. And our customer prefer fish dishes to meat dishes.
But this food is good in winter.
We have a few ode favorite people.
I do not make this weekend. Just imagine cold days and this food.

Oden is a Japanese one-pot dish in which ingredients are slowly simmered in soy sauce based soup. It's a typical Japanese winter dish. Try making oden at home, using your favorite ingredients. This is from Allabout.

Salmon Tartar

2011-10-27T12:30:00.000-07:00

Same as NOBU? Don't say that.
I arranged my way.
I do not make same dish as someone does.
I learn from them but I do like make same dishes.
I do more tartars on the menu, Tuna tartar, Salmon tartar, Hamachi tartar and Blue shrimp tartar.

165.6lbs

2011-10-27T06:53:00.000-07:00

Diet is not easy. I have been eating salad for 6 days and made this number.
I am looking for 160 which is my best weight.
I was 170.08 a month ago and decided to lose weight.
Gaining weight is easy, just eat.
But losing weight is not easy, need to weight but good one.

Taka's Update October 27th 2011

2011-10-27T05:57:00.001-07:00

Taka Update October 27th, 2011

Fish delivery and more

Tuna situation is same as usual. I received big eye tuna but just red meat only.

Other fish are pretty good. I have Kona Knapachi for this weekend. But there is no Seki-Aji. I am not sure for today's delivery.

I have some new appetizers now. There are Salmon Tartar with Wasabi Soy sauce, Kona Kanpachi Carpaccio and more.

Business is very tough this month. It is just like a roller coaster every day. This Monday was terrible night but Tuesday was good. The last night was slow again but OK. So, tonight will be busy hopefully.

The good thing is EU issue has some gains and stock is going up gradually.

US has 2 big issues, housing price and unemployment.

U.S. gross domestic product expanded at a 2.5 percent annual rate in the third quarter, the Commerce Department said in its first estimate on Thursday. That was a big acceleration from the 1.3 percent pace in the April-June quarter and matched economists' expectations.

The Labor Department says weekly applications for unemployment benefits declined 2,000 to a seasonally adjusted 402,000. That's the fourth drop in six weeks. Still, the four-week average, a less volatile measure, rose to 405,500. The average had fallen to a six-month low two weeks ago. Despite the recent declines, applications are stuck above 400,000, where they have been for all but two weeks since March. Applications need to fall consistently below 375,000 to signal sustainable job growth. That was from CNBC.

I am not an economist but good numbers makes everybody happy, that I know.

Occupy TAKA.

Yes, this is our tradition. November 1st is SUSHI DAY in Japan. And I give our customers good deals.

I can give you a 30% of coupon from your bill on that day. This is One Day Special offer.

If you are interested in this event, please make your seat right now.

Let's celebrate Sushi Day! and Occupy TAKA.

Closed Information

We will be closed the business from November 20th to November 27th. This is Sunday - Sunday.

Taka sushiandpassion

375 Pharr Rd. Atlanta GA 30305 Reservation 404-869-2802

Sashimi with Uni

2011-10-25T23:05:00.000-07:00

Our regular customers asked me for making sashimi with uni.
This dish is for 4 people.
Uni with flounder
Uni with live scallop
Uni with sweet shrimp
Uni with calamari
Uni with toro, sounds good?

I also made Yaki uni, toasted uni with portabella mushroom, mirugai and crab meat.

I personally like to make special orders.
I also like to make Omakase when business is slow.

Diet Salad, must try!

2011-10-24T22:28:00.000-07:00

This is my diet salad.
I have been eating this salad for lunch and dinner for 4 day.
My weight was not bad. It was 166.2 lbs. It was 168.00 lbs a week ago.,
My goal is 160 lbs.
160lbs. is the best and top limit it 165lbs.
This salad is very simple.
I add edamame and celery on top of green salad.
Am I hungry? No, I do not think so.
I sometimes add boiled asparagus.
It is fun to see the weight every morning.
Why do I have to lose weight? It is because I am over weight.
It is easy to gain weight Holiday season. I need to lose weight before Holiday,

This tuna is not bad.

2011-10-19T12:29:00.000-07:00

I received this big eye tuna today.
I did not expected much because of last week's situation.
And this is almost same size as last time, around 15lbs. for 1/4 size.
But this tun has fat, toro even the size is small.
I try to get same one for weekend but not any more.
You can eat this next 2-3 days.
To be honest, I do not sell much blue fin oh toro.
This wild caught fresh big eye tuna is better and can sell low price.

Kona Kanpachi, Long time no see.

2011-10-19T12:22:00.000-07:00

I did not remember when was the last time we sold kona kanpachi, young yellow tail.
This fish comes form Kona, Hawaii but there were some business trouble of something, we could not get for a while.
Our customers loved this fish and I made a lots of carpaccio with this fish.
But it came back now and available.

2011-10-18T12:24:00.000-07:00

Taka Update October 18th, 2011

Fish delivery and more

We received Japanese fish this morning. There were no Seki Aji. It is hard to get wild caught fish every time. It depends on weather, I think this is a big factor.

I am thinking of tuna but there is no hope for a while.

I posted a picture of big eye tuna last week, there was no toro at all because of baby tuna.

Closed Information

We will be closed the business from November 20th to November 27th. This is Sunday - Sunday.

FREE JAPANESE TRADITIONAL ART WORKSHOPS SPONSORED BY THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF JAPAN

Do you like Japanese culture? Do you like free? Please join these events.

The Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta will be hosting two free art workshops at its offices on November 9 and 16. The workshops are free and open to the public, but they will be limited to 20 guests each. RSVP is required, so please either reply to this email or call (404) 926-3021 to reserve a space!

Our office is located a t:One Alliance Center,

16th Floor 3500 Lenox Road, Atlanta GA 30326

1)November 9th 12pm-1pm Ikebana, The Japanese Art of Flower Arranging
As one of the traditional arts of Japan, ikebana has developed a symbolic language as well as decorative concepts, and the use of natural, ephemeral flowers and branches makes the dimension of time an integral part of the creation. In its 500-year history, there have been a wide range of forms, from modest pieces for home decoration to vast landscapes and innovative sculptural works that can fill an entire exhibition hall.

2)November 16th 12pm-1pm Chigirie, Japanese Torn-Paper Collage
Chigiri-e is a technique using colored paper torn to create images (which often give an effect of water color). The technique dates from the Heian period of Japanese history when it was often used in conjunction with calligraphy. Chigiri-e has become a popular art form, and its use in Japan is often decorative, using flowers and landscapes as subject matter.

About the Workshop Leader: Elaine Jo is a flower arranging teacher, demonstrator, and exhibitor of the Ichiyo School of Ikebana. She lived in Tokyo, Japan, for 25 years and received her Master Degree from the Ichiyo School of Ikebana during that period

Sushi Day is coming soon.

Yes, this is our tradition. November 1st is SUSHI DAY in Japan. And I give our customers good deals.

I can give you a 30% of coupon from your bill on that day. This is One Day Special offer.

If you are interested in this event, please make your seat right now.

Let's celebrate Sushi Day!

Taka sushiandpassion

375 Pharr Rd. Atlanta GA 30305 Reservation 404-869-2802

The Value of my used car

2011-10-16T22:13:00.000-07:00

I was selling my Camry Hybrid but no one bought so far.
I already ordered a new car and need to sell this car.

I asked Hennessy Lexus through e-mail. Their answer was $13,000.
It was too low to sell.
So, I posted Cars.com and I got scam.
Then, I posted Craig's List.
I had some questions and that's it.
The last person asked me about rear view camera and navigation.
Just buy a navigation, it is only $100 right now.
Rear view camera? What does he expect less than $20,000 car?
They expect really high standard and don't want to pay much. I think they are cheap people.
I went to Car max last Saturday. Car Max judged my car very fair. The appraisal price was $15500.
So, I decide to sell my car to Car Max.
My final price on the market was $17000. I think Car max sells my car around $19000.

What is this???

2011-10-13T12:40:00.000-07:00

I did not buy this.
Someone gave me this.
What is this?
Halloween Cookie???
Oh my God!
What is this colors???

I tried to give this cookie to employees. They said, NO.
And I tried to give this to next door, Sprong shoe store.
They said NO.
So, I need to dump this.

I am not happy with this tuna.

2011-10-13T11:57:00.000-07:00

Our supplier had a big eye tuna and I bought.
You can see there is not toro, chu-toro.
This is just a small tuna and sorry for catching it.
Sounds like all this weekend is same, means no big eye tuna is available.

2011-10-11T12:32:00.001-07:00

Taka Update October 11th, 2011

Fish delivery and more
Japanese fish delivery is not as usual because of holidays in US and Japan. The delivery is on Wednesday only this week.
Tuna supply is not great, I can say terrible. Our supplier is the biggest fresh fish supplier in the US but they had 2 times no stock last week.
Is this the end of sushi business? Do I have to change my business? I think we are facing fresh fish crisis day by day and year by year. Over taken of fish makes retail price high and shortage.
All the costs are high right now, anyway.

Closed Information
We will be closed the business from November 20th to November 27th. This is Sunday - Sunday.

New law makes tanning beds off-limits to most California teens
This is from CNN.
California Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law Sunday a bill that prohibits most teenagers from getting bronzed in tanning beds, making the Golden State the first to do so.
State Sen. Ted Lieu said he first tried, and failed, in 2007 to make it illegal for people between the ages of 14 and 18 to walk into a facility and use ultraviolet beds to tan. Four years later, his effort finally paid off.
"I feel great," Lieu told CNN of the bill's passage. "I believe it will help save lives and prevent unnecessary suffering."

Previously, those between 14 and 18 could use tanning beds if they had a parent or legal guardian's permission. That is no longer allowed, though the use of "a phototherapy device ... used by or under the direct supervision of a qualified physician or surgeon" and certain services offered at tanning facilities, like spray tans, are still legal for young people.

While most states regulate how minors can use tanning facilities, California's recently enacted restrictions go further than any other state, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Some counties also address the issue, with the same organization noting that Howard County, Maryland, was the first jurisdiction to ban indoor tanning for all under age 18.
Governments in other countries have taken similar actions, with Brazil banning tanning beds altogether.

Such steps come after the International Agency for Research on Cancer, which is part of the World Health Organization, in 2009 classified "UV-emitting tanning devices as 'carcinogenic to humans.'"

The determination was made after reviews of more than 20 epidemiological studies found that one's skin cancer risk increases 75% when a person starts using a tanning device before they turn 30, the agency noted on its website.

Lieu explained that excessive tanning at an early age can be especially perilous because tanning and its negative effects are "cumulative." But he said that one concern is how tanning salons market such services.

"They often say come in (and get) the package deal, where you can tan a lot over a (relatively) short period of time and do intense damage," said the Democrat from Torrance.

Still, he said that at least in some circles -- including the MTV reality show "Jersey Shore," where "gym, tanning and laundry" is a way of life -- he believes the message about the danger of tanning beds may be getting through.

"I know that Snooki on the 'Jersey Shore' has changed to spray tanning," Lieu said. "Spray tanning has no known harmful effects, and you can get tans from lotions or cream. There are safe ways to get that brown look."

Spices: A Wealth of Health Benefits that Make Food Taste Great
This is from Natural News.
Spices do more than make food taste great. Recent research is showing that spices can promote health and well being through a series of actions that are anti-aging and inhibiting of degenerative disease. The vegetarian diet so often associated with good health and lack of disease relies heavily on the use of spice. But you don't have to be a vegetarian to gain the amazing health benefits these inexpensive flavor enhancers have to offer.

The addition of spices can turn up the taste of almost any food. Add some chili pepper, cumin or turmeric to mashed potatoes or rice. Sprinkle marjoram or rosemary on your salads, and dress up cottage cheese with whatever spicy flavor appeals to you. Add spice to vegetable dishes and sprinkle it on meats, poultry or fish before cooking. Spice up your veggie juices and smoothies. Any way you do it, adding spice means adding a wealth of health benefits.

Recent research continues to show the power of these natural medicines
Spices have more antioxidant power, measure for measure, than fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants help prevent cancer, Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, and premature aging. In a study reported in the British Journal of Nutrition, fifteen aromatic herbs and spices consumed in Central Italy as part of the Mediterranean diet were studied to reveal total phenolic, flavonoid and flavanol content as well as their antioxidant potential as measured by oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). Comparison was made between salads to which aromatic herbs had been added. The addition of lemon balm and marjoram increased by 150% and 200% respectively the antioxidant capacity of a salad portion, corresponding to an intake of 200 mg. of phenolics and 4000 ORAC units. Among other spices tested, cumin and fresh ginger made the most significant contribution to antioxidant capacity.

Another study reported in the Journal of Medicine and Food examined the effects of a spice mixture on oxidative stress markers and antioxidant potential in tissues of insulin-resistant rats. Addition of the spice mixture reduced the levels of lipid peroxidation (break down of fats resulting in free radical formation) markers in tissues and improved glucose metabolism and antioxidant status of the rats even though they continued to be fed their fructose diet.

A study in Prostaglandins Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids reported that spices possess antioxidant activity that can preserve the integrity of lipids and reduce lipid peroxidation. Researchers investigated the antioxidant activities of selected spice extracts on peroxidation. The spices tested were garlic, ginger, onion, mint, cloves, cinnamon and pepper. Cloves exhibited the highest and onion showed the least antioxidant activity. The relative antioxidant activities decreased in the order of cloves, cinnamon, pepper, ginger, garlic, mint and onion. Spices mixes of ginger, onion and garlic; onion and ginger; and ginger and garlic showed cumulative inhibition of lipid peroxidation, exhibiting synergistic antioxidant activity. The antioxidant activity of the spice extracts was retained even after boiling for 30 minutes, indicating that the spice constituents were resistant to thermal denaturing.

The Journal of Medicine and Food also reported an investigation in which researchers bought 24 herbs and spices at a local supermarket. After testing them they found that many appeared to have the power to inhibit tissue damage and inflammation brought on by high blood-sugar levels in the body. They inhibited the glycation process which has been linked to inflammation and tissue damage in diabetics. The spices with the greatest effects were cloves, cinnamon, allspice, apple pie spice, and pumpkin pie spice. Top herbs included marjoram, sage and thyme.

Another study from the Journal of Medicine and Food investigated the effects of red chili, cumin, and black pepper on colon cancer induced in rats. They found that cumin and black pepper suppressed the onset of colon cancer.

Aspergillus parasiticus, commonly known as aflatoxin, is a carginogenic mold that is found on improperly stored grains and peanuts. In a study reported in the Journal of Medicine and Food, the inhibitory effects of 16 spice hydrosols (anise, basil, cumin, dill, Aegean sage, fennel, laurel, mint, oregano, pickling herb, rosemary, sage, savory, sea fennel, sumac and thyme) on the aflatoxin strain were investigated in vitro. The hydrosols of anise, cumin, fennel, mint, pickling herb, oregano, savory, and thyme showed a strong inhibitory effect, while sumac, sea fennel, rosemary, sage, Aegean saage, laural, basil and rosemary were unable to totally inhibit the growth.

These researchers also studied the effects essential oils from of black thyme, cumin, fennel, laurel, marjoram, mint, oregano, pickling herb, sage, savory and thyme against Bacillus species of bacteria. All of the tested oils except laurel showed antibacterial activity against one or more of the Bacillus species used in the study. Researchers concluded that essential oils of some spices may be used as antimicrobial agents to prevent the spoilage of food products. Foods that will be left standing out for a period of time without refrigeration can be made safe with the addition of some of these spices and herbs.

Spices that stand out for their health benefits
All spices confer a list of health benefits. The addition of any of them to a prepared dish, drink, or in a supplement form will help to reduce free radical damage and combat the effects of aging. Here are a few spices that offer outstanding benefits.

Cinnamon – Three key proteins are highly important in insulin signaling, glucose transport and inflammatory response, according to Richard Anderson, researcher with the U.S.D.A. Cinnamon has insulin-like qualities that come from the release of these proteins. His and other studies have shown that just 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon a day can help lower the risk of the constellation of factors associated with metabolic syndrome – high blood cholesterol, triglyceride and glucose levels – by as much as 10 to 30 percent.

A study in Hormone Metabolism Research found that cinnamon prevents insulin resistance even in animals eating a high-fructose diet.

Cinnamon is anti-microbial and can stop the growth of bacteria, fungi and yeast. A study in the International Journal of Food Microbiology found that a few drops of cinnamon essential oil added to carrot broth were able to preserve it and fight pathogens.

Cinnamon has anti-clotting and anti-inflammatory properties, which reduce clumping of blood platelets. It is suspected that cinnamon boosts brain function. Of all the spices, cinnamon is one of the richest sources of antioxidants.

Ginger – Gingerol, the active ingredient in ginger, has been shown to significantly help with nausea, vomiting, and morning sickness. It was found to be as twice as effective as Dramamine in preventing motion sickness. It is a powerful antioxidant, and is thought to relax blood vessels, stimulate blood flow and relieve pain. It is a common digestive aid and useful for people suffering the side effects of chemotherapy. Its anti-inflammatory abilities make it useful in fighting heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and arthritis.

Oregano – Thymol and carvacrol are two of oregano's potent antibacterial properties. A study in Mexico found oregano to be more effective against an amoeba than a common prescription drug called tinidazol. Oregano works in the intestinal tract to kill unfriendly bacteria without damage to the friendly bacteria. It is a effective against candida albicans overgrowth throughout the body, and particularly in the sinus cavities. It has 4 times the antioxidant activity of blueberries.

Rosemary – In winter, a rosemary bush inside the house in acts as a natural air cleaner and freshener, along with being a source for the herb to use in cooking. Rosemary stops gene mutations that could lead to cancer, and may help prevent damage to the blood vessels, thereby reducing heart attack risk.

Turmeric – This bright yellow spice of Indian cuisine is one of nature's most powerful healers. It is a potent anti-inflammatory that acts as effectively as drugs like hydrocortisone, phenylbutazone and Motrin. It is helpful with inflammatory bowel diseases, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, cystic fibrosis, cancer and Alzheimer's disease. Recent research shows it as positive for cardiovascular and liver protection.

When combined with cruciferous vegetables, turmeric has shown to prevent prostate cancer and stop the growth of existing prostate tumors. It prevented breast cancer from spreading to the lungs in mice. It may prevent melanoma and cause existing melanoma cells to die. Turmeric may also prevent metastasis from occurring in many different forms of cancer.

Turmeric has been shown to reduce the risk of childhood leukemia, and shows promise in slowing the progression of multiple sclerosis. It is a natural liver detoxifier and one of nature's most effective pain relievers through inhibition of COX-2.

Garlic – This wonder drug of nature destroys cancer cells and may disrupt the metabolism of tumor cells. Studies show that two cloves of garlic weekly provide cancer-protective benefits. A recent study showed that eating garlic boosts the body's supply of hydrogen sulfide, which acts as an antioxidant and transmits cellular signals that relax blood vessels and increase blood flow.

In another recent study, researchers extracted juice from supermarket garlic and added small amounts to human red blood cells. The cells immediately began emitting hydrogen sulfide. This ability to increase hydrogen sulfide production may explain why a garlic rich diet is so protective against various cancers, including breast, prostate and colon cancer. It may also explain why garlic appears to protect the heart. A recent study found that injecting hydrogen sulfide into mice almost completely prevented the damage to heart muscle cause by a heart attack.

Garlic has a reputation as preventative and treatment for the common cold. It's used to treat the symptoms of acne and there is evidence that it can assist in managing high cholesterol levels. It even appears to be a natural mosquito repellent.

Sage – This herb contains flavonoids, phenolic acids and oxygen handling enzymes. This results in its ability to prevent oxygen-based damage to cells. Sage may fight rheumatoid arthritis, bronchial asthma and atherosclerosis. It appears to promote better brain function. A study showed that people given sage essential oil had significantly improved recall abilities compared to those given a placebo.

Red chili peppers – These peppers contain capsaicin, a powerful anti-inflammatory compound that helps relieve pain. They ease congestion and clear mucus from the lungs and nose, boost immunity, prevent stomach ulcers by killing bacteria, assist in weight loss, reduce blood cholesterol, manage triglyceride levels, and prevent cancer including stomach cancer.

Coriander – This herb is effective against swelling, high cholesterol levels, diarrhea, mouth ulcers, anemia, digestion, menstrual disorders, conjunctivitis, and skin disorders. It is antioxidant rich and contains vitamins A and C, and minerals. It is protective of the eye by preventing macular degeneration and soothing the eye against stress. It has a stimulating effect on the endocrine system which in turn stimulates the production of insulin, resulting in increased insulin in the blood to aid in proper assimilation and absorption of sugar and lower the sugar level in the blood.

Parsley – Chief among the abilities of parsley is cancer fighting. Animal studies have shown that parsley inhibits tumor formation, particularly in the lungs. It neutralizes carcinogens including those found in cigarette smoke. It is a good source of antioxidants and heart-healthy nutrients such as beta-carotene, folic acid, and vitamins A and C.

Sushi Day is coming soon.
Yes, this is our tradition. November 1st is SUSHI DAY in Japan. And I give our customers good deals.
I can give you a 30% of coupon from your bill on that day. This is One Day Special offer.
If you are interested in this event, please make your seat right now.
Let's celebrate Sushi Day!

Taka sushiandpassion
375 Pharr Rd. Atlanta GA 30305 Reservation 404-869-2802

Grain Rice

2011-10-10T12:18:00.000-07:00

I use grain for steam rice sometimes.
It is good for your health and tasty. But it is not good for sushi rice.

Everybody wants to be healthy but hard to maintain.
I found Korean grain rice at Buford Hwy. Farmers Market.
I think both packages are almost same and they have 15 different grains with rice.
You can cook same as steamed rice.
If you eat cereal in the morning, this is night time rice cereal, maybe.
You can try them.

Taka Update

2011-10-04T12:39:00.001-07:00

Taka Update October 4th, 2011

Fish delivery and more

I received most of fish today from Japan.

Tuna has a huge problem. Our supplier sent me a fax about this. They did not have any fresh tuna for today's delivery.

We normally use No.1 grade tuna but no inventory. How about Wednesday? I just got the fax. They have a few for tomorrow.

All these tuna are yellow fin tuna and there is no big eye tuna.

Closed Information

We will be closed the business from November 20th to November 27th. This is Sunday - Sunday.

Recession Chance 40% in 2012, Jobless Rate to 9.5%: Goldman

This is from CNBC.

Odds that the U.S. economy will enter recession are now close to 50-50 as unemployment heads on a path higher and pressures from Europe intensify, Goldman Sachs economists said. Jan Hatzius, Goldman's chief US economist, pegged recession chances at 40 percent and said the jobless rate is likely to surge to the mid-9 percent range in 2012.

While that still jibes with the firm's forecast that a recession — or two consecutive quarters of negative growth — is not the most likely scenario, the warning signs flashed Tuesday underscore concerns about European debt contagion on an already fragile US economy.

"Ultimately, it's a judgment call," Hatzius said during a conference call. "We're basically indicating that we think the risk is sizeable and elevated, especially given the already underway deterioration in the labor market, although it's a gradual one. Historically, U.S. business cycles have been quite vulnerable to rising unemployment and deteriorating dynamics in the labor market."

On the bright side, the forecast also correlates to others in the recession camp that the downturn is likely to be relatively brief and shallow, even if the ensuing recovery is likely to be slow.

Cyclical parts of the U.S. economy, which typically suffer the most during recessions, already are at weakened levels, so they don't have as much room to fall, Hatzius said.

At the same time, consumers also have spent the past three years since the apex of the financial crisis reducing their debt, meaning they, too, are less prone to severe shocks.

"The private sector has already made quite a lot of progress in increasing the resilience of its balance sheet," Hatzius said. "The household sector has paid down a lot of debt. The banking system has accumulated a large amount of equity especially relative to where it was five years ago."

Even if the U.S. doesn't actually see a recession, its prospects are limited.

Goldman's growth forecast is 0.5 percent for the first quarter of 2012, even though it has raised its expectations for the remainder of 2011. Hatzius said three pressures emanating from the euro zone—exports, financial conditions and credit availability—will hit the U.S.

"The obvious risk with our (non-recession) forecast is that the slowdown in growth and the associated deterioration in the labor market is going to start feeding on itself and pushes the economy into recession via the stall-speed dynamic," he said.

That would take unemployment up to 9.5 percent and "if that comes without recession it would be the first time in history that the unemployment rate has risen by more than (0.35 percentage points) without a...recession."

Elsewhere in the global economy, Goldman's forecast is mixed.

The euro zone also could enter recession or be close to it, but emerging markets should experience growth next year, Goldman economists said.

I match the price.

Bad economy? Yes, it is. Blame Obama? Nothing you can gain. So, what is my solution? I match the price for recession.

I dropped the most of sushi nigiri and roll prices. Oil price had a huge drop recently. I need to feel it and acted something nice.

Sushi Day is coming soon.

Yes, this is our tradition. November 1st is SUSHI DAY in Japan. And I give our customers good deals.

I can give you a 30% of coupon from your bill on that day. This is One Day Special offer.

If you are interested in this event, please make your seat right now.

Let's celebrate Sushi Day!

Taka sushiandpassion

375 Pharr Rd. Atlanta GA 30305 Reservation 404-869-2802

Nama Soba, fresh soba noodle

2011-09-29T12:12:00.000-07:00

We got nama soba from West Coast.
This company makes fresh ramen noodle and starts to make soba noodle.

If you eat hot soba with broth, you do not feel much diffrent. But zaru soba, dipping way of cold soba, you feel it.
I put this on Japanese menu. You can order it if you are interested in.

Is this tasty? : Naked

2011-09-29T12:07:00.000-07:00

I like this. And I like all of them.
It is similar like odwalla smoothies.
And you can take $4.00 off at Costco until October 9th with coupons.

I will buy againb this products.

Taka Update September 28, 2011

2011-09-28T06:39:00.000-07:00

Taka Update September 28, 2011

Fish delivery and more

Typhoon makes Japanese fish delivery difficult.

Kinme-dai did not come on Tuesday. But it will come on Thursday. Kochi did not come either.

We get good tuna today but not sure how much fat.

Uni quality is really good, it is sweet and not watery. If you like uni, your season is right here.

Closed Information

We will be closed the business from November 20th to November 27th. This is Sunday - Sunday.

Japanese Couples go to Thailand for sex selection for their babies

Japanese couple wants children to go to Thailand, check the chromosomes of the fertilized egg to male and female sex selection cases is increasing.　Turns out that was at least 30 couples use in one year. Be something done to determine presence or absence of inherited disease preimplantation originally. Eggs fertilized in vitro was divided into 4-8 cell stage, taking one or two cells, gene and chromosome abnormalities or check back to the womb. In the male and female sex selection can be used for genetic diseases, as well as be able to determine than gender.

　
Bonito broth is good for your body.

We use bonito broth for many cooking but it is good for our body. It is research by Kyoto University.　 This delicious ingredients that promote movement of the stomach, enhances the feeling of fullness.　Essential Japan cuisine along with kelp and dried small sardines and bonito flakes much lactic acid or bitter, umami ingredients of inosinic acid include effects such as fatigue and improving blood flow have reported so far.

Too Much Salt, Too Little Exercise Is Recipe for Dementia

This is from Neurobiology of Aging

Eating too many salty foods and getting little exercise is a recipe for more than heart disease in older adults. According to a Canadian study, it can also raise your risk for dementia.

The study, which appears online in the journal Neurobiology of Aging, followed the sodium consumption and physical activity levels of 1,262 healthy older Canadian men and women (ages 67 – 84), over three years. The adults were recruited from a large pool of participants in the Quebec Longitudinal Study on Nutrition and Successful Aging (NuAge).

While low sodium intake is associated with reduced blood pressure and risk of heart disease, this is believed to be the first study to extend the benefits of a low-sodium diet to brain health in healthy older adults.

"We have generated important evidence that sodium intake not only impacts heart health, but brain health as well," said Dr. Alexandra Fiocco, a scientist with Toronto's Baycrest's Kunin-Lunenfeld Applied and Evaluative Research Unit (KLAERU) and the study's lead investigator.

Health Canada recommends that people 14 years of age and older consume no more than 2,300 mg of sodium per day in their diet. (In the United States, the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend no more than 2,300 mg daily for adults, but no more than 1,500 mg daily for people more than 51 years old or if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or kidney disease.)

In the Baycrest study, senior participants were assessed as low-, mid-, or high-level sodium consumers based on a food frequency questionnaire they each completed. Low-sodium intake was defined as not exceeding 2,263 mg/day; mid-sodium intake 3,090 mg/day; and high-sodium intake 3,091 and greater (this went as high as 8,098)

Researchers used a modified Mini-Mental State Examination to measure cognitive function in participants at year one (baseline) and annually for three additional years. Physical activity levels were measured using the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly.

"The results of our study showed that a diet high in sodium, combined with little exercise, was especially detrimental to the cognitive performance of older adults," said Dr. Fiocco.

"But the good news is that sedentary older adults showed no cognitive decline over the three years that we followed them if they had low sodium intake."

"These data are especially relevant as we know that munching on high-salt processed snacks when engaged in sedentary activities, such as watching TV or playing in front of the computer, is a frequent pastime for many adults," said Dr. Carol Greenwood, a senior author on the study and internationally renowned scientist in the field of nutrition and cognitive function in late life.

"This study addresses an additional risk associated with lifestyles that are highly apparent in North American populations."

With senior populations soaring, adopting a healthier lifestyle may help delay or prevent age-related cognitive decline, and is a way to give people some control over their brain function in later years, Greenwood said.

Taka sushiandpassion

375 Pharr Rd. Atlanta GA 30305 Reservation 404-869-2802

Fluke from Korea

2011-09-25T17:58:00.000-07:00

I worte you before about FDA's New rule, wild fluke needs to be freeze for parasite.

But this Korean fluke is farm raised and can sell it as raw.

So the choices were wild and frozen or farm raised and fresh.
And my answer was fresh one.

The picture is stomach side and can tell this is farm raised.
This fish has algae or moss on the body.
Wild one does not have it at all.
And farm raised fluke has fat because they get food and not much excercise.
Meat is also clean and white, I think this is better than wild caught.
I sometimes return fluke to our supplier because of dirty meat.

Taka's Update September 21 2011

2011-09-21T05:32:00.000-07:00

Taka Update September 21, 2011

Fish delivery and more

We have all fishes right now. The delivery of Japanese fish was Tuesday only this week. Japan had Old people Day on Monday.

The only thing I concern is Tuna. But it comes today, it is big eye with a few fat.

Soup is Back!

I have many fans of my Healthy Body soup. It is back for the season. This is OX tail broth and 8 vegetables soup. I make a little bit spicy. Collagen from OX tail makes your skin beautiful.

Closed Information

We will be closed the business from November 20th to November 27th. This is Sunday - Sunday.

Healthy Lifestyle Leads To Increased Age

The online published research "Low Risk Behaviors and All-Cause Mortality: Findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III Mortality Study" has found if a person follows the path with four things called no smoking, eating a healthy diet, limiting alcohol, and getting regular physical activity reduces death risk by 66%.

The report that got published on the American Journal of Public Health took all possible mortality factors and discovered that if a person full fills all four guidelines then he reduces his 66% risk to death from cancer, 65% from any heart disease and 57% from any other diseases.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted the study and its researchers analyzed the data from the CDC's National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III Mortality Study. CDC Director Thomas R. Frieden said, "If you want to lead a longer life and feel better, you should adopt healthy behaviors- not smoking, getting regular physical activity, eating healthy and avoiding excessive alcohol use".

While conducting the research, researchers also found Mexican-Americans had more healthy behaviors compared to whites and African-Americans.

The motto is simple: Follow healthy lifestyle. But researchers fear that there are a very few people who follow all four instructions.

Taka sushiandpassion

375 Pharr Rd. Atlanta GA 30305 Reservation 404-869-2802

Hollywood Movie shooting comes to near TAKA

2011-09-14T05:09:00.000-07:00

We have a movie shooting on Friday.
It will start at 5:30pm. The mobvie is "What to expect when you are expecting", romance comedy.
Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Lopez, Elizabeth Banks might show up.
The location place is on Grandview Ave. at the edge of Pharr Rd. We were noticed that customer parking apace would be small a little bit.
Am I interested in? I am inside of the restaurant and need to make sushi.

Frozen Yogurt, Healthy?

2011-09-13T21:42:00.000-07:00

Frozen yogurt is getting popular and we see the stores many places in town.
But this is same like ice cream and healthy or unhealthy.
So I bought KEMS Brand at Kroger and checked it.

1, Low fat type, this is 120cal. and American low fat products are really bad taste. But this KEMS is not bad.

2, Regular frozen yogurt type, this is 190cal. I do not know what is the difference of low fat and regular. Maybe, low fat type remove fat from it.
If yo do not know, ice cream is around 230cal.
So, frozen yogurt is healthier than ice cream but the difference is only 40kcal. We have to eat low fat frozen yogurt. And we might lose weight or can keep good shape.

Taka's Update September 13th 2011

2011-09-13T12:31:00.001-07:00

Taka Update September 13, 2011

Fish delivery and more

We finally received Japanese fish this morning. Now we have Kinmedai, kochi, aji, madai. Uni is also available.

Tuna? We carry O2 tuna, yellow fin from Philippine for a while and toro is blue fin oh-toro only.

Closed Information

We will be closed the business from November 20th to November 27th. This is Sunday - Sunday.

Tickets for Japan Fest

I have some tickets for Japan Fest. If you need it, contact me. The event ticket is $8.00 but I can give you for free. The number is limited, fast come fast serve.

Positive Attitude

1, Keep a gratitude journal.

2, Think of relaxing images. For example, imagine loading your worries into a hot air balloon.

3, Pamper yourself. Treat yourself to a salon ans spa treatment to help boost your self-esteem.

4, Decide to be happy today, no matter what!

Taka sushiandpassion

375 Pharr Rd. Atlanta GA 30305 Reservation 404-869-2802

Taka Update September 07 2011

2011-09-07T06:55:00.001-07:00

Taka Update September 07, 2011

Fish delivery and more

If you are looking for Japanese fish, do not come today. It always happens like this after holiday.

Japanese fish is coming tomorrow but maybe not much.

Uni is also not available. We open the business from today but today is our warming up.

After Labor Day is the slowest week of the year in restaurant business.

I am busy always actually. Japan Fest is coming on 17th and 18th at Gwinnett Center as usual.

Japanese Chamber of commerce Golf tournament is coming on this Sunday at heritage. PGA Play off Championship is coming in 2 weeks at East Lake GC.

See? I am very busy in September.

Closed Information

We will be closed the business from November 20th to November 27th. This is Sunday - Sunday.

Relaxing Exercise

1, Go for a pre-breakfast walk, to enjoy the sight and sound of early morning.

2, Exercise outside if possible. Take a walk. Join your kids on the playground. Ride your bike.

3, Do a cat stretch- a yoga posture that release tension from the spine.

4, Practice origami, the Japanese art of paper folding to clear your mind.

Building Muscle Mass Decreases Risk of Type 2 Diabetes through Decreased Insulin Resistance

Diet and exercise have long been known to improve and even reverse diabetes type 2 through improvements of insulin sensitivity and decreased insulin resistance. Decreased muscle mass (sarcopenia) has been shown to be a risk factor for diabetes type 2 by causing insulin resistance. Recently, researchers lead by Dr. Preethi Srikanthan from the University of California at Los Angeles have shown that increased muscle mass decreases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by decreasing insulin resistance. Their research results were published online ahead of print in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. For their investigation, the researchers performed a cross-sectional study of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III (NHANES III). Data from 13,644 participants was evaluated for blood glycosylated hemoglobin level (HA1C), prevalence of transitional diabetes, pre-diabetes, or overt diabetes. In addition, they measured the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Skeletal muscle mass was measured by bioelectrical impedance and then used to calculate the skeletal muscle index (SMI). The researchers adjusted for confounding factors such as age, ethnicity, sex, generalized obesity, and central obesity. It was found that for each 10% increase in SMI there was an 11% relative reduction in the HOMA-IR and a 12% relative reduction in the pre-diabetes prevalence. The authors wrote, “skeletal muscle mass relative to body weight was found to be inversely associated with insulin resistance and the risk of prediabetes. This inverse relationship was not limited to the lower, sarcopenic end of the muscle mass distribution in the population, but was seen over the whole range so that increases in muscle mass above even average levels were associated with additional protection against insulin resistance and prediabetes… This underscores the public health importance of monitoring muscle mass (relative to body size) in addition to BMI and waist circumference in assessing an individual’s metabolic health, and it suggests a potential role for muscle-building exercises in preventing metabolic dysfunction”. Future studies will need to focus on the extent of muscle building exercises needed to decrease insulin resistance and improve insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism in individuals with diabetes and pre-diabetes.

Read more: http://drsamgirgis.com/tag/dr-preethi-srikanthan/#ixzz1XH5TK1Fk

Taka sushiandpassion

375 Pharr Rd. Atlanta GA 30305 Reservation 404-869-2802

Table & Main in Roswell

2011-09-06T19:47:00.000-07:00

I had a day off after Labor Day and went out for my friend's birthday.
The reason I chose this place was my friend sold bread to this restaurant.

Table & Main is southerns cuisine. They have okra, hush puppies, pork chop and more.

I brought Piper Heidscieck Rose and did not order any wine but thy had full bar.

Taste? It was not bad. We ordered red snapper, Veal fried, Pork Chop for entrees.

1028 Canton Street Roswell, GA 30075 678-869-5178
dinner

tue-thu: 5pm – 10:00pm, fri-sat: 5pm – 10:30pm, sun: 5pm – 9:30pm, mon: closed
brunch
(Opening Date TBD) sat-sun: 10:30am – 2:30pm

Yujimo, Moment seared fish

2011-09-03T22:01:00.000-07:00

This is Kodai, sea bream.It is small size madai.
I normally take skin off and make sushi or sashimi.
But I tried Yujimo way this time.
Yu means hot water and Jimo, shimo means frost.
The color of fish change After apply hot water and looks like frost on fish. So we say yujimo.

But this method is not good for al fish, I normally see sea bream or Suzuki, Japanese sea bass.

Especially, kodai 's meat is very tender and skin is also soft. And it is easy to eat.
It also makes fish a little bit sweet and tasty,

I do this for a while when I get kodai.

Is this good? Hand Massage

2011-09-03T21:54:00.000-07:00

I do not know how to call this product. So I say hand massage.
It is very good. I found this at Koreans cosmetic store next to Raku Restaurant in H Mart Shopping center in Duluth.

I use it for hand and arm massage.
I feel this massage reduce my pain on hand and elbow.
I use many hours finger, hand and feel like carpal tunnel syndrome.

FDA New Edition of the Fish and Fishey Products Hazard and Control Guidance

2011-09-02T23:02:00.000-07:00

Oh my God, finally we have to freeze some fishes. We know fresh fish is tasty and good but not any more in the future.
FDA advises that those seafood products known to be susceptible to parasites can present a human health hazard if consumed uncooked or undercooked.
Certain freezing method, as detailed in FDA's guidance document, are required in order to eliminate parasites from these specis when intended for raw or undercooked consumption.
Those fish are Cobia, Flounder, Grouper, Herring, Jack, Job fish,m mackerel, Mullet, Octopus, Rockfish, Salmon, Scadm Sea bass, Sea trout, Skipjack and Squid.

So, What I have to do is below.
A: Freezing and storing at an ambient temperature of -4F or below for 7 days or
B: Freezing at an ambient temperature of -31F or below until solid and storing at an ambient temperature of -31F or below for 15 hours or
C: Freezing at an ambient temperature of -31F or below until solid and storing at an ambient temperature of -4F or below for 24 hours.

I just checked our freezer's temperature. It is -4F and this si maximum. So, I have to freeze flounder for 1 week. That means the taste of fish are gone. It will be same as white fish for deep fry, maybe.
This is very bad,
I think FDA will force us all fish freezing at least 1 day just like EU.