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And it's about time too! The site has been totally redone from the bones up. It should finally look and work like a mid-2015 site rather than a mid-2005 one!

Here are some highlights:

Filed under:  site news
Keep reading New site design →
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Weight loss shows on TV show cultural differences.

Filed under:  essays tv usa health and weight loss japanese culture

Yesterday I spent New Years Day with my mother, stepfather, middle sister, her husband and kids. It's the first time in years that I've spent New Years with my mother. It's still hard to get all my family into one place - my husband had to stay back home in France, and my other sister is in Ohio - but it was still a lovely day.

Our osechi (New Years feast) was a mix of Japan, France, England and America - besides traditional food like nishime (simmered winter vegetables), namasu, ozouni and a whole roasted tai (sea bream), we had chicken karaage, meatloaf, brownies, galettes bretonnes (butter cookies) and a Christmas pudding! Whew. It's fun to enjoy tiny morsels of so many different dishes though.

Filed under:  japan personal
Keep reading Happy New Year! →

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Butter shortages in post-modern Japan.

Filed under:  essays ingredients japan japanese culture

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This month's Japan Times column is about the basics of nabe, or hot pots that are usually cooked at the table, with everyone taking what they like from the pot as it cooks.

Filed under:  japanese washoku nabe writing elsewhere japantimes

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A brief history of the hambaagu in Japan.

Filed under:  beef japan writing elsewhere yoshoku japantimes
Japanese kids' favorite foods ranking

What do Japanese kids like to eat? The answer may surprise you.

Filed under:  japanese japan washoku japanese culture yoshoku

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Eggs, plus the history of ranking restaurants and food in Japan.

Filed under:  eggs japan washoku writing elsewhere japanese culture food history japantimes

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My latest article in the Japan Times is about the history of corn (maize) in Japan, and includes a recipe for chilled corn soup that's really easy to make.

Filed under:  summer writing elsewhere food history japantimes

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Filed under:  essays france japan personal

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