Showing posts with label food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label food. Show all posts

September 13, 2026

Cozy Little Flower Styling: Cute Way to Decorate Broken Flowers

Looking for easy and budget-friendly ways to decorate with flowers? This simple floral styling trick is perfect for rescued broken stems. Turn a small accident into a beautiful, cozy corner. 


Collie prepared a beautiful bouquet for me in the kitchen, but sadly, some of the yellow marguerites had broken off.

So, I took out a tiny creamer and gently floated the flowers in the water. It feels as though these tiny flowers have been given a brand new life ☺️🌼


A casual, solo dinner while Collie is away—sautéed shrimp and bell peppers, brown bread, and a Labatt Blue. I sent this photo to a friend in Michigan, and she replied, “Such a wonderful size 💖”

Also in the photo is the cute box she packed with cookies and fresh zucchini bread for me.


On another solo night, I enjoyed some leftover salad from a restaurant, upgraded with a hard-boiled egg and a drizzle of mayo or Ranch dressing 🤭🥚  To be completely honest, it was actually the salad Collie ordered for himself the night before, and I just ended up finishing it off!

Whether it’s giving a broken flower a second life or turning yesterday’s leftovers into a cozy dinner, I love finding beauty and joy in these little things. It’s all about embracing life’s small accidents and making them a little more special.


August 16, 2026

A Cozy Morning Alone: Sweet Overnight Oats at His Place

So, this is me enjoying my time at his house in Michigan. On mornings without him, this was pretty much my standard breakfast. 

I had brought the oatmeal with me from Japan. He had kindly bought me some Greek yogurt and soy milk at a local supermarket, so the night before, I prepared some overnight oats in the fridge for the next morning.


He also got me some organic frozen blueberries and cut fruits. Blueberries aren't really his thing, but he loves eating these cut fruits with me at home. It seems like picking up fresh cut fruits is just a natural part of his daily life.

This breakfast is a little low on protein, but I make up for it by adding collagen powder to my coffee. 

I highly recommend this iHerb collagen powder because if you pour coffee over it, it dissolves completely without even stirring!  https://iherb.com/c/california-gold-nutrition/collagen
Feel free to use my referral code PKD185 for a little discount on your order. 😉

Currently, I’m taking a break from Greek yogurt and soy milk for SIBO management. This is a snapshot of my time in Michigan last year—a sweet record of how I was doing my best to look after my health back then.

July 12, 2026

Gentle New Start: Cozy Days in Michigan with Founders Mortal Bloom

Today, I’m sharing a few things I picked up at a local grocery store, with a special focus on a regional Michigan beer. As my stay at his place quietly begins, after spending my first few days at a hotel, I wanted to share these little local discoveries that are making the start of our time together feel warm and grounded. Though, truth be told, he was the one who bought everything I needed!

I hope you enjoy a glimpse into my cozy evenings. It’s a gentle fresh start to my trip to Michigan.

A can and a 6-pack box of Founders Brewing Co.'s Mortal Bloom Hazy IPA on a wooden table, featuring a unique black packaging with colorful floral designs.
Delightful grocery store find: Founders Mortal Bloom

About the taste of Mortal Bloom, the Founders Brewing Co. website reads "Citrus and tropical notes of pineapple and mango. Moderately hazy, low bitterness, soft mouthfeel..."

I was thrilled to spot this beer at the grocery store! I first tried it when Collie and I visited a couple we're friends with in Michigan, and I absolutely loved it. Collie doesn’t usually drink much beer, but he told me that Grand Rapids, where this beer is brewed, is famous for its IPAs. I learned that Grand Rapids is even known as 'Beer City, USA'!

This Hazy IPA is packed with juicy hop flavors, but has a beautifully smooth, velvety finish. It instantly became one of my favorite beers. The floral package design is also quite unique, don't you think?


Along with the beer, we got Dave's Killer Bread, pecans, bananas, and mandarins. The frozen organic blueberries and soy milk are already tucked away in the freezer and fridge, but basically, everything was completely tailored to my liking! Haha.


Here is a bonus photo of the little potted plants at the store. Out of all of them, I think the small red roses in the top center are my favorite. I couldn't quite bring myself to ask Collie to put them at his place, so I just admired them from afar. 

I packed a few cans of Mortal Bloom into my suitcase when heading back to Japan. Back home, I treasured those beers, keeping them in my fridge for a long time, to save that special feeling and savor the taste again like I was in Michigan.


June 6, 2026

【Michigan Travelogue Special Reels Vol.4】Papa Joe's, Rochester Hills



This is a special spin-off featuring video reels from my earlier days in Michigan, prior to my ongoing travel blog. I hope it brings back the beautiful atmosphere of that time.


Papa Joe's in Rochester Hills is a true gourmet paradise! I was completely mesmerized by the cakes, pies in the display cases, and the array of baked goods inside😍 We ended up buying some deli foods here and having a lovely dinner on our balcony at the Royal Park Hotel🎵


May 19, 2026

A Gifted Can of Pale Gold: Discovering the Unfiltered Magic of Bavik Super Pils

A Quiet Night in with the Belgian Pilsner Champion

It was my last night at the Holiday Inn Express Birmingham, Michigan. Collie booked this room for me(us), but he ended up never staying here. But looking back, it couldn’t be helped. His mother lives alone and uses a wheelchair, and he was the best-suited person in the family to help her transfer and move around. After walking me to my hotel room, he always went back to her place. Still, I realize we were lucky to see each other as much as we could.

It's already late at night, but I wanted to do something to remember my final night at this hotel. So, I decided to raise a toast by myself with the beer I received from the friend Collie and I went to see.

As a parting gift, the husband of the couple gave me his top-recommended beer, and I had kept it chilling in the fridge. It was a premium pilsner crafted by the Belgian brewery De Brabandere, which seems to be well-known for its high quality among beer lovers even in the US market.

An orange can of Bavik Super Pils Belgian pilsner sitting on a hotel desk next to a clear plastic cup filled with pale golden beer.

Discovering the Taste of Belgium's Finest Pilsner
  • A high-quality Belgian pilsner loved by those in the know.
  • It pours a pale golden color with beautiful clarity.
  • It is unfiltered and unpasteurized, preserving the vibrant, living freshness of the yeast.
  • It has a slightly richer mouthfeel than your average light lager.
  • It delivers a sophisticated blend of floral, herbal, and spicy notes.
This is a pilsner completely new to me! Unlike standard crisp-focused lagers, this overwhelming freshness delivers brilliant clarity combined with a rich body. It’s elegant and incredibly comforting.

It was a beautiful night. A beautiful stay in Michigan. Even though I was spending the night alone, it felt completely different from being back in Japan—knowing he was just a short drive away. We are still together, in our own way. There is nothing wrong with spending a night like this.

The other siblings are advising their mother to move to assisted living. I respect that opinion. On the other hand, I understood Collie's hope to let his mother live as she pleases. That's typical Collie. It must be because he is that kind of person that I have stayed by his side, no matter the distance.



April 23, 2026

Michigan Festive Healthy Snack Reunion: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Egg-Free Platter

These delightful healthy bites made our reunion extra special – all gluten-free, dairy-free, and egg-free, presented with Halloween-themed plates!

Vibrant healthy bites: marinated smoked salmon, shrimp cocktail, fresh veggies, edamame, pistachios, crackers, nachos – served on ceramic plates with Halloween-themed side plates and napkins
All gluten-free, dairy-free, and egg-free!

Fresh veggies🥗, edamame, and organic pistachios vibrantly complemented the marinated smoked salmon and shrimp cocktail. The crackers and nachos also fit seamlessly into this gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free spread – all a thoughtful touch with Halloween-themed side plates and napkins that made our reunion sparkle.

The husband marinated and smoked the salmon himself—such a fantastic touch. Is that really a thing with cauliflower eaten raw in America!? The dip they prepared was made from eggplant—a surprising ingredient. Edamame🫛provided excellent plant-based protein, while the pistachios from Kroger were absolutely delicious. The crackers with the salad were probably rice flour, I bet.

For my Michigan trip, I had the chance to reunite at the home of dear friends. Though I'd reconnected with them during their Tokyo visit, Collie hadn't seen them since we visited their home before the renovation years ago. It had been ages since he last saw the couple. I don't even want to calculate how many years it's been...😅

I arrived hungry🤭with high expectations, and they kindly let me choose from some of Michigan's best local beers and their recommendations. Perfect pairing with these wonderful snacks! 🥂✨

This was our healthy lifestyle moment together. The fit couple inspired me, even as I indulged in the beers (way more than Collie, as always=3).

We're not in regular contact, but there's something truly special about reconnecting with kind, trustworthy people in our lives—ones we can naturally catch up with even after years apart.

With heartfelt thanks, Rose


February 18, 2026

Hot Biscuit Happiness at Holiday Inn Express Birmingham, Michigan.

Personalized “GOOD MORNING” message + breakfast bliss!

During my stay at Holiday Inn Express in Birmingham, Michigan, I noticed a welcome message on the TV screen that said “GOOD MORNING” along with my name. It made me feel kind of happy and appreciated, so I took a photo of it to show Collie, since I’d already told him what a nice touch it was.

A TV screen at the Holiday Inn Express in Birmingham greeting me with a “GOOD MORNING” message and my name.

While it was still a bit dark outside, I headed down to the breakfast area, feeling warmly welcomed — but only after finishing my usual morning workout!

Simple pleasures to begin the morning. Breakfast time at Holiday Inn Express Birmingham, Michigan.

Breakfast time at Holiday Inn Express is a simple pleasure to begin the morning🥰

Simple pleasures to begin the morning. Breakfast time at Holiday Inn Express Birmingham, Michigan.

This morning, I tried my favorite way to eat the hot biscuits again. I split the biscuit and sandwiched a grilled sausage patty inside. I settled at the window-side counter seat to savor my breakfast.

Simple pleasures to begin the morning. Breakfast time at Holiday Inn Express Birmingham, Michigan.

Hehe, it kinda looks like a cute little burger, doesn't it? ^^  And it pairs so well with coffee! ♡

Simple pleasures to begin the morning. Breakfast time at Holiday Inn Express Birmingham, Michigan.

Of course, the biscuit is also delicious with butter and syrup ♪♪♪
The cinnamon rolls, diced potatoes, omelets — everything pairs so well with coffee, making it a morning full of treats!

This time around, I zoomed in on the hot biscuits — one of Holiday Inn Express's warm food highlights.

TV screen at Holiday Inn Express Birmingham, Michigan, showing the personalized GOOD MORNING welcome message with guest name in a comfortable hotel room.

After enjoying breakfast as usual, I returned to my room. The personalized “GOOD MORNING” message is still on the TV screen. Let me take a commemorative photo!

On the upper right side of the wall, you can see the slightly wrinkled wallpaper that I cropped out in my previous room photo post.

As I mentioned in that previous post too, fixing this wallpaper crease would cost almost nothing and dramatically improve the hotel's image. It's such a shame because the room has such a nice, calming atmosphere otherwise.

Little details like this can make such a big difference. Even so, I had a wonderful stay — stay tuned for my Birmingham walking tour next😊
Rose (Eiko)

January 27, 2026

Join me Kroger shopping in Birmingham, MI—then what?

Hello there! :)

Welcome back to Rose’s blog, where I share glimpses of life alternating between Michigan and Tokyo. This time, it’s Michigan’s turn!

Today, I’ll take you along on a little shopping trip to Kroger in Birmingham, Michigan. 

Kroger supermarket exterior in Birmingham, Michigan
Kroger supermarket exterior in Birmingham, Michigan

One of the joys of traveling abroad is checking out local supermarkets. Just seeing what kinds of foods they have gets me so excited and makes it such a fun experience😊♪


Wow! So many organic bananas! They're so vibrant and beautifully fresh. The price is super reasonable too.

Adorable Mini Cinnamon Rolls at Kroger, Michigan
Kroger Mini Cinnamon Rolls so cute I couldn't resist snapping a photo!

Adorable Mini Cinnamon Rolls😍 Just looking at it makes me imagine bringing them to the office and saying, "Enjoy these with your coffee break♪" But since I'm already savoring the Cinnamon Rolls at Holiday Inn Express Birmingham, these little ones are just for admiring today.


Dave's organic bread looks like something I'd definitely buy regularly and use for sandwiches if I were living in America. There are so many varieties, so I'd probably try them one by one. Unlike Japanese shokupan (sliced bread), the thin slices are perfect for me as a sandwich lover.

Holiday Inn Express exterior in Birmingham, Michigan
Holiday Inn Express exterior in Birmingham, Michigan

A brilliantly sunny day—almost dazzling! Having Kroger so close to the hotel is a huge plus. It's so convenient to just pop over whenever I need something.


Kroger-brand sea salt roasted pecans are something I always crave in Michigan—they're absolutely delicious! Plus pistachios that were on sale, and these cute little water bottles for the hotel that I was just drawn to.

Holiday Inn Express Birmingham room: Delta blue slippers perfectly matching the blue wall by happy coincidence.
Holiday Inn Express Birmingham room:
Delta blue slippers perfectly matching the blue wall by happy coincidence.

Back from shopping and unwinding in my serene room. The window lets in gentle sunlight, the white bed looks super comfy, and my Delta blue slippers blend aesthetically with the room.

So, what do you think I should do this afternoon, more exploring or just chilling? Now I'm wondering... The day is still young🌷


January 21, 2026

My Favorite Way to Enjoy Hot Biscuits: Day Two Breakfast at Holiday Inn Express Birmingham

Here’s a look at my Day Two breakfast at the Holiday Inn Express in Birmingham, Michigan!

Holiday Inn Express Birmingham breakfast with a cinnamon roll, biscuit, hash browns, sausage patty, and omelets.

I grabbed a cinnamon roll, a biscuit, hash browns, a sausage patty, and omelets (one egg white veggie, one regular). A banana too! Fresh coffee is a must ❤︎ of course, and a little orange juice.

♪ A plate loaded with all my handpicked favorites ♪

Here’s the post that really focuses on the signature cinnamon roll from Day One.


Right now, let me show you my favorite way to enjoy this breakfast. I love making a little sandwich by putting the sausage patty inside the warm biscuit. The mildly sweet biscuit with a bit of syrup on top plus the savory sausage makes a sweet-and-salty combo absolutely irresistible.

I’ll keep enjoying my style of having a warm biscuit with a sausage patty inside😊

+*+*+* A little side story +*+*+*
I had three different mini chocolates from Whole Foods on the dresser, just for the cuteness, planning to enjoy them one by one… but somehow, one of them mysteriously disappeared.
The one that went missing was the blue coconut milk chocolate, which was such a letdown for me. The only small silver lining is that coconut isn’t really my favorite, but still, coming back to the room and finding it gone was a total shock😳 When I told Collie, he was surprised too and said it might be because I didn’t leave much of a tip—though of course, that still doesn’t make it okay. I even asked AI about it, and it said that small treats sometimes get eaten by the housekeeping staff, so if you don’t want them to disappear, it’s best to put them away… which honestly left me with mixed feelings😔

I once read that in a survey of Americans, about 70% said they don’t leave a pillow tip, so I figured even one dollar would be better than nothing. Still, the next day I decided to leave two dollars. Collie said I really should leave at least three dollars, or even five, but coming from Japan, where there’s no tipping culture, two dollars seemed like all I could manage.


So, I’m off to Kroger now.  Stay tuned for my little exploration report next time!


December 27, 2025

A sweet little lunch, sweet mistakes, and a warm cup of coffee ☕️

A small, happy moment at Holiday Inn Express, Birmingham, Michigan

After my morning exploring downtown, I headed back to the hotel.

Unfortunately, the storage space and shelves were dusty, so I had to wipe off the dust myself before I could put my things away and arrange them on the shelves. Since I’m staying here for six days, I want to arrange my everyday items in a comfortable, convenient way.

Another small letdown was that a certain part of the wallpaper was wrinkled and quite loose (I cropped that part out of the photo). It wouldn’t be an expensive repair, and once fixed, I think future guests could enjoy a much more pleasant and comfortable stay.

Desk area in a Holiday Inn Express Birmingham, Michigan guest room: desk, chair, lamp, flat‑screen TV, and drawer.

Still, I was really happy with the interior of my Holiday Inn Express guest room. Sitting at the desk facing the wall, with sunlight streaming in from the side, felt so open and peaceful. Staying in the hotel room itself also turned into a lovely, refreshing change from my everyday routine.


Like this, I set up my laptop from Japan and studied here too — did lots of searching as well.  
One of the best things about traveling is that just being somewhere different makes everything feel fresh and fun.


Then I came back to the room with fresh coffee from the breakfast area — there’s a coffee machine that’s available 24/7. I pulled out the mixed berries and Greek yogurt from Whole Foods, plus the Danish and muffin I grabbed to go from breakfast (sorry, I just wanted to enjoy it here just once!).


Turns out, the Danish and muffin were super sweet — way too sweet, couldn’t finish them…😅
Lesson learned: from now on, at the breakfast area, I’ll just stick to the freshly made warm items😊

So… at this hotel, I’ll skip the super-sweet stuff and just go for the warm, fresh biscuits and cinnamon rolls "at" the breakfast area😄


December 3, 2025

Holiday Inn Express Breakfast Day One—Plus the Sweet Story Behind the Cinnamon Rolls

Discover the Iconic Cinnamon Roll That’s Delighting Guests Nationwide 

Hello!^^ Continuing my Michigan travel diary.
Today, it's the scene of my first breakfast at the Holiday Inn Express Birmingham where I'm staying.

The Holiday Inn Express offers a free hot breakfast, and among the items, the warm and fresh cinnamon rolls are especially distinctive. Honestly, I was looking forward to the cinnamon rolls ever since I researched the hotel beforehand.

Complimentary Express Start Breakfast Bar at Holiday Inn Express, Birmingham, MI
Complimentary Express Start Breakfast Bar at Holiday Inn Express, Birmingham, MI

The coffee machine brews each cup fresh on the spot, so it's just right to bring additional food while the coffee is being made. There was yogurt available too, so I didn't have to buy it at Whole Foods💦  
I might secretly take the packaged Danish pastry to my room (because I might get too full from the other foods...)

Holiday Inn Express's signature hot & fresh Cinnabon Sweet Roll
Holiday Inn Express's signature hot & fresh Cinnabon Sweet Roll

The cinnamon roll I'd been longing for was absolutely delicious! Savoring delicious cinnamon rolls and fresh coffee makes for such a delightful experience in the morning away from my usual spot.

Here is a wonderful insight you might find surprising:
Holiday Inn Express serves Cinnabon Sweet Rolls as a signature part of their complimentary Express Start Breakfast Bar. These rolls are made with Cinnabon's famous Makara cinnamon, brown sugar, cinnamon schmear, and topped with the brand's iconic cream cheese frosting. However, the version served at Holiday Inn Express is slightly adapted for the hotel setting: the rolls are smaller in size and have a milder sweetness compared to the original Cinnabon rolls sold in stores. This makes them a perfect breakfast item, offering the signature taste with a lighter touch suited for morning dining. This partnership allows guests to enjoy the beloved Cinnabon experience conveniently during their stay.

The coffee was served in a generous size, but I had another cup to enjoy with the lovely cinnamon roll. The breakfast at Holiday Inn Express Birmingham was very satisfying.


+ + +


Before heading out of my hotel room, I left a pillow tip for the housekeeper. I thought 1 dollar might be a little too small with prices going up, but since I am Japanese and not used to tipping culture, even 1 dollar felt like a tip to me.


To be continued...

November 28, 2025

Perfect Soy Milk Find: First Day Shopping at Whole Foods Birmingham, MI

After having dinner at Birmingham Sushi Cafe, Collie suggested we stop by Whole Foods Market to pick up anything I might need.  

Whole Foods Market, Birmingham, Michigan during the Halloween season
2100 E Maple Rd, Birmingham, MI 48009, United States

Since I’ll be staying for six days at the Holiday Inn Express in Birmingham — Collie kindly booked the hotel I picked — he wanted to make sure I’d have something I like from Whole Foods Market.


As the hotel includes breakfast, I thought I wouldn't need much during my stay, but the first thing that came to mind was soy milk.

That said, just wandering around Whole Foods to see what products they have is fun in itself and feels like sightseeing


We browsed around, and here's what Collie bought for me😊: a fresh pack of berries, some organic chocolate I wanted to taste-test, low-sugar yogurt, and soy milk that's perfect for my taste!

The 1 QT (946 ml) size soy milk is just right for my six-day hotel stay. It’s organic and has no sugar added, exactly what I was looking for. I learned that the "365 WHOLE FOODS MARKET" label is Whole Foods Market's private brand, offering high-quality products at more affordable prices. That’s wonderful♡

After he walked me to my hotel room, Collie headed to his mother's house, where he's currently helping care for her. It felt a bit lonely watching him leave after spending the whole day together. Since he booked it for two people, I wondered if he'd join me sometimes? With that hopeful thought, I ended the first night of my stay.

*To be continued...*

November 26, 2025

Tiny Treats, Big Flavor: IKEA Harajuku’s Plant-Based Soft Serve

When you’re in Harajuku, even if you don’t have any particular plans, it’s hard to resist dropping by IKEA. And no matter how chilly the weather gets, it’s easy to feel tempted by their tiny soft serve. Believe it or not, this little treat is PLANT-BASED SOFT SERVE!

It made its debut on October 19, 2023. Until then, IKEA served a regular milk-based soft serve, but after kicking off a plant-based project, the team spent nearly two years perfecting this new version before finally launching it. 

Plant-Based Soft Serve at the Swedish Bistro, IKEA Harajuku
PLANT-BASED SOFT SERVE at IKEA Harajuku

Instead of dairy, it’s made with soy milk. The soy milk used here has hardly any of that distinct bean aroma, and the balance between sweetness and a hint of salt is beautifully tuned. It’s amazing how creamy it tastes—hard to believe it’s soy-based!

You can find this PLANT-BASED SOFT SERVE near the entrance on the first floor of IKEA Harajuku. It’s only 50 yen, which makes it even more delightful♡ The frozen CINNAMON BUN you see in the background of the photo is adorable too. You can easily grab both at the first-floor stand — the Swedish Bistro.  Feel like adding this to your list of Harajuku treats?

November 8, 2025

My First Delta Comfort Experience: Three Meals and Airport Frenzy

Whenever I went to Michigan, I always flew economy to save some money. But this time, I decided to treat myself and booked [Delta Comfort] for the first time. It’s just one step up from [Delta Main](economy class). The legroom is a bit more spacious, and while the meals are pretty much the same, the nice perk is boarding earlier in Zone 3, which means I can settle in and relax a little sooner. 

There’s no more drink & snack service right after boarding like before COVID. These days, the welcome drinks are offered starting from [Delta Premium Select] (one class above [Delta Comfort]) and in [Delta One](the highest business class).

So, when the dinner service started, I asked for sparkling wine🥛as my first drink, enjoying the feeling of a welcome drink♪ The sparkling wine is no longer served in a small, cute bottle like before; instead, it comes in a recyclable can, which I found quite stylish and delicious.

Delta dinner plate

During dinner, I had red wine for my second drink. It was rich and enjoyable.

The seat layout in [Delta Comfort] is 3 (left) - 3 (center) - 3 (right), 
while in [Delta Premium Select] it is 2 (left) - 4 (center) - 2 (right). 

Since I prefer to spend my time as comfortably as possible in my seat, I like the aisle seat in the middle section of [Delta Comfort]’s 3 (center) layout. This is because I believe it has the lowest probability of having to get up when other passengers stand to go to the restroom.

[Delta Premium Select] offers wider seat width and seat pitch, along with adjustable footrests and leg rests, plus perks like welcome drinks and meals served on real dishware. However, for me, sitting in the aisle seat in the middle section of [Delta Comfort] holds more value.

PIZZA TWIST, traditional in-flight snack of Delta Airlines
 PIZZA TWIST, traditional in-flight snack of Delta

This PIZZA TWIST thing was served as a light meal in the late night. I’m impressed with the creative way they made pizza easier to eat! It’s designed to be a convenient, tasty snack that fits well in the limited space of airplane service.

It was cold on the plane, and I felt chilled, so I asked for a warm cup of tea to accompany the midnight snack.

Delta morning plate

As we approached Detroit, it was time for breakfast. Although yakisoba(noodle) was also an option, I deliberately chose an omelet because I wanted to get some protein. For my drink, I had tomato juice, thinking about its beauty benefits.

There were curious sounds of cats meowing—probably someone had smuggled a cat on board—and babies crying, but my first time on [Delta Comfort] was a good flight. As usual, I also enjoyed the movies.

Near the airport exit at Detroit

Having safely passed through customs, I sent a message to Collie saying, "I've arrived ^^♪" 

Calls and SMS are possible with Biglobe Mobile’s international roaming, but data communication is not. (For data, I use GlocalMe’s pocket WiFi.) While I was wondering whether to turn data roaming ON or OFF on my smartphone, Collie appeared quickly! We hugged after a long time apart, but Rose went back to worrying about the data roaming issue.

Collie laughed and said, "Is your smartphone more important than me?" Rose replied, "No, Collie, you’re the most important, and I hugged you first!" Rose returned to checking the data roaming —because setting it wrong could lead to a huge bill...

I later found out that the correct setting was to turn data roaming OFF on my smartphone, and for safety, also turn mobile data OFF.

It was a somewhat rushed reunion (sorry, Collie), but from here, our three weeks together in Michigan begin🌷
See you nest time...  Rose

May 29, 2025

Moderate carbohydrate intake is key to losing weight in a healthy way.

We tend to think that cutting out carbohydrates will help us lose weight, but that seems to be a mistake. Cutting out carbohydrates will make you lose weight temporarily, but you will easily gain it back. Of course, eating too little food is no good, either. 

A diet lacking carbohydrates will result in your body producing more TG(triglycerides): neutral fat!!! That is so horrible, especially after all the effort you've put into trying to lose weight🙀💧💧💧

A colorful one-plate meal with salad, meat, and three types of bread. Moderate carbohydrate intake is key to losing weight in a healthy way.

A balanced diet consists of protein, fiber, and carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are the main source of energy for most people, and they are essential for promoting fat-burning.

If you eat too little, your body doesn't get enough nutrients and you'll end up losing muscle mass. If you can lose weight by eating a reasonable and well-balanced amount of food, you are definitely happier than gaining neutral fat after enduring a hard time by eating too little or without carbohydrates!

When it comes to fiber, seasonal vegetables, fruits, and mushrooms etc. are a fun way to enrich your everyday diet😌🍀

Eating a diet that is conscious of protein, fiber, and moderate carbohydrates will improve your proportions and make you healthier...happier💕 I am also practicing and realizing this.

May you be kind to yourself in a positive way, Rose

May 16, 2025

This is a yummy example of a good noodle that people with SIBO can eat.

I like to enjoy food and basically enjoy anything, but apparently I have symptoms of SIBO. For people with SIBO, a low FODMAP diet is recommended. Also, this diet involves avoiding fermented foods and flour. How can I avoid eating flour when I want to eat noodles🙀?

Thai food is a great solution😊!  


Thai food uses "rice noodles" for a noodle soup.  What do you think about this Thai-style chicken white broth ramen?  Isn't it yummy♡?  The spring rolls on the side are made with rice paper, and the mini fried rice is rice itself, so everything is gluten-free♪✌♪

The following extra photo is near the north exit of Numabukuro Station on the Seibu Shinjuku Line.  It is an area with a foreign-looking building, a shopping district, and a friendly, folksy vibe.


Is there a charming Thai restaurant in your city?  I hope you find a good one! 

Let's choose food that is tasty and kind to each of us, and that will make us happy and healthy.   Rose


April 27, 2025

wisdom that shines through in ordinary, everyday life

What does happiness mean to you? Is it being rich? Is it having a sweet partner? Of course they are very nice! To live happily, however, these things are not always necessary. In the process of saving money, there are discoveries to be made. The ideas that come from the original imagination, or the sudden discovery while trying to be wisely thrifty, enrich our lives on the contrary.

This is just a small example. How about serving your usual salad with a colorful beet dressing?

Ordinary green salad turned festive with vibrant pink beet dressing. Showing how a little wisdom can change your perspective and find beauty in daily life.

Isn't it beautiful? My usual salad is now festive. It feels like my day will be different from the usual😊

The red-violet anthocyanin in beets is called betacyanin, a type of polyphenol. It has a powerful antioxidant effect. Not only it lifts up your spirits, but also good for your body too. How wonderful!


How about a combination of beet-colored topping with astaxanthin-rich salmon? The bright-red astaxanthin is also a kind of polyphenol and has a strong antioxidant effect.

You don't have to spend a lot of money to make your days more colorful. If you are feeling down, take something nourishing and enjoyable and be kind to your body. Every day is a special day. Spending time on your own or with someone you love, both make you happy!

Speaking for myself, I like affluence, but I also like finding the idea of saving money wisely😉  When it comes to a partner?, hmmm, I'm going to leave that to your imagination. w
Wishing you all a lovely day... 

My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior.
Rose