We Are in Lake Tahoe Now

Now, we are at the motel in Lake Tahoe. Unfortunately, the motel currently has problem with WiFi connection, so I'm writing on my blog with my iPhone. I'll write about our traveling next time. We are going back home tomorrow.

Going on a Road Trip

     Today, my husband and I went on a road trip, and we are at the motel in Bishop, California now.

      Tomorrow, we are going to head toward Lake Tahoe. :)

Easy Tomato Risotto Recipe

     Today, I had tomato risotto and pumpkin salad for lunch. This pumpkin salad was one my husband and I made last night and was seriously very good! We were going on a road trip tomorrow, so I wanted to use up some vegetables in the refrigerator before leaving home for a vacation. That's why I cooked tomato risotto this afternoon with using tomato, ham, parsley and milk. It turned out to be very delicious. :) I'm going to share how to cook tomato risotto with you.


Today's My Lunch

     
     Ingredients
・ 2 servings of cooked rice
・ two tomatoes (cut them into dice)
・ 1 Tablespoon of crushed garlic
・ your favorite ham
・ 1 cup of milk
・ 1 cup of water
・ nip of salt
・ 1/2 of shredded cheese
・ some chopped parsley



      1. Heat oil into a pan over high heat. Add garlic and tomatoes and fry them for five minutes or so.
      2. Add cooked rice, water, milk, ham, cheese and salt. Reduce heat to low and simmer for five minutes.
      3. Serve it in a bowl and put chopped parsley on it.
      4. Enjoy!



Easy Tomato Risotto

       I'll share the pumpkin salad recipe with you next time. :)

Creamy Pumpkin Salad

     This is my entries related to my favorite recipe.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/recipes

      This is my entries related to cooking.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/cooking

Harvey Milk - USPS Forever Stamps

      I bought this block of four forever stamps, Harvey Milk. He was an politician who became the first openly gay elected officials in the United States. According to USPS Website, Milk believed that government should represent all citizens, insuring equality and providing needed services. In the years since his death, there have been hundreds of openly lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender public officials in America. In 2009, President Barack Obama posthumously awarded Milk the Medal of Freedom.

Harvey Milk - USPS Forever Stamps

Issue Date:

May 22, 2014

Art Director/Designer:

Antonio Alcala



Harvey Milk - USPS Forever Stamps

 

     My entries related to USPS stamps can be seen here.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/USPS%20stamps

      You can check and buy stamps at Official USPS Store on Ebay.

Shirley Chisholm - USPS Forever Stamps

      I bought this block of four forever stamps, Shirley Chisholm, last month. Shirley Chisholm was an American politician who became the first African-American woman elected to Congress in 1968. This stamp is the 37th stamp in the Black Heritage series.

Shirley Chisholm - USPS Forever Stamps

Issue Date:

January 31, 2014

Art Director/Designer:

Ethel Kessler

Shirley Chisholm - USPS Forever Stamps

     I didn't know who Shirley Chisholm was. These Youtube videos shows how she made progress in the U.S.

Shirley Chisholm

Shirley Chisholm

     My entries related to USPS stamps can be seen here.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/USPS%20stamps

      You can check and buy stamps at Official USPS Store on Ebay.

Otokomae Tofuten Facebook

      One of my Youtube video, Otokomae Tofuten, can be seen on their official facebook page now. :)  I wasn't expecting that when I uploaded this video! As I mentioned in my previous entries, their tofu products are my favorite, so I was very glad that they found my video. :)

Otokomae Tofuten Facebook   
  https://www.facebook.com/pages/%E7%94%B7%E5%89%8D%E8%B1%86%E8%85%90%E5%BA%97%E6%A0%AA%E5%BC%8F%E4%BC%9A%E7%A4%BE/117962837552


     My entries about Otokomae Tofuten can be seen here.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/Otokomae%20Tofuten

Making Soap for His First Time - 3

     As I mentioned in my previous entry, my husband tried making handmade soap for his first time on July 27. It's been four weeks since then, so He finally finished curing the soap!


My Husband's Homemade Soap

      These are his first homemade soap bars! I was impressed with how beautiful these are. These are called Marseille soaps, which are very high quality. He used it last night, and he really liked his own soap. It's easy to create lather with the soap, and the soap leaves skin clean and moisturized.

My Husband's Homemade Soap

      He will make handmade soap two weeks later, and I will share how to make handmade soap with you. :)

My Husband's Homemade Soap

     My entries related handmade soap can be seen here.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/Handmade%20Soap

Chia Seed Drink

     As I mentioned in my yesterday's entry, I bought chia seeds at the Mexican supermarket. Today, I tried making chia seed drink for my first time. :)   As you might know, chia seeds have been very popular these days because they are highly nutritious foods. According to Wikipedia, a one ounce (28 gram) serving of chia seeds contains 9 grams of fat, 5 milligrams of sodium, 11 grams of dietary fiber, 4 grams of protein, 18% of the recommended daily intake of calcium, 27% phosphorus and 30% manganese. These nutrient values are similar to other edible seeds, such as flax or sesame.

Chia Seeds

       I added a tablespoon of chia seeds into water. Then, added lemon juice and sugar into it.

     After 10 minutes or so, the outer layer created a gelatinous film around the seeds as just they look like tomato seeds. The inside of seeds were crunchy, so the drink was very unique in texture!

Chia Seed Drink

      Then, I tried another drink with chia seeds. I added chia seeds into soda, grape juice, lemon juice, and a sliced lemon. It tuned out to be very good! I'd like to purchase more chia seeds and try more drink.

Chia Seed Drink

     I will soak chia seeds into water and let them sit in the refrigerator tonight. It'll turn out to be pudding like texture. I'm looking forward to tomorrow morning. :)


        My entries related to Mexican Supermarket can be seen here.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/Mexican%20Supermarket

      This is my entries related to my favorite recipe.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/recipes

      This is my entries related to cooking.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/cooking

Mexican Supermarket Haul

     Today, my husband and I went to El Super, Mexican supermarket. When we go to Mexican supermarkets, we always feel like as if we were traveling abroad. There were so many interesting foods we have never tried before. In addition to some vegetables, we bought these interesting ones. I'm going to share what we bought there with you.
     
     While I was looking at some spices, I found this pack of chia seeds. These days, I've often heard about chia seeds, which are very nutritious foods, but I have never tried them before. This 0.75 oz of chia seeds was 69 cents. I'll add them into my drink tomorrow. :)

      Then, I bought this Piloncillo, brown sugar. I have never seen such an unique figured brown sugar and decided to try it. This 8 oz. of Pilonicillo was 99 cents.

     Then, I bought the duritos. Last year, I bought dried duritos and cooked them for my first time. Unlike previous ones, these were already cooked. Yay! :)

      This huge pack of duritos was only 99 cents as well!

      Tonight, we had duritos with cilantro and Mexican hot sauce and were so good!

        My entries related to Mexican Supermarket can be seen here.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/Mexican%20Supermarket

My New Youtube Video - How to Brew Coffee with French Press

      Last Sunday, my husband and I updated our new Youtube video, How to Brew Coffee with French Press. :) When we have sweets, we prefer black bold coffee brewed with the French Press.

How to Brew Coffee with French Press

      We will make more videos on my coffee channel. :)

     These are my previous videos on my coffee channel.

How to Brew Vietnamese Coffee

      My entries related to coffee can be seen here.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/coffee

Rosa Parks - USPS Forever Stamps

     I bought this block of four forever stamps, Rosa Parks, last month. I'm going to share these stamps with you today.

     According to USPS Website, the U.S. Postal Service 2013 Rosa Parks (Forever®) stamp honors the life of this extraordinary American activist who became an iconic figure in the civil rights movement. In 1955, in Montgomery, Alabama, Rosa Parks courageously refused to give up her seat on a municipal bus to a white man, defying the discriminatory laws of the time.    

Rosa Parks - USPS Forever Stamps

Issue Date:

February 04, 2013

Art Director/Designer:

Derry Noyes, Thomas Blackshear II

Rosa Parks - USPS Forever Stamps

     I didn't know who Rosa Parks was. I've learned American histories by figuring out USPS forever stamps. :) This Youtube video shows the story of Rosa Parks.

Rosa Parks

     My entries related to USPS stamps can be seen here.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/USPS%20stamps

      You can check and buy stamps at Official USPS Store on Ebay.

Althea Gibson - USPS Forever Stamps

      As I mentioned in my previous entries, I ordered so many forever stamps on USPS.com. Today, I'm going to share this block of four forever stamps, Althea Gibson, with you. Yesterday, I mentioned that I've never interested in watching sports, but I know about Althea Gibson, a pioneering tennis player who became the first black Wimbledon champion. I learned about her life story when I was taking an ESL class four years ago. I read the biography of her. At that time, I wasn't expecting that I would have her stamps! :) I was glad when I found her forever stamps. This is the 36th stamp in the Black Heritage series, so there are many other great stamps released from USPS. I'll share them with you in the near future. :)


Althea Gibson - USPS Forever Stamps

Issue Date:

August 23, 2013

Art Director/Designer:

Derry Noyes, Kadir Nelson

Althea Gibson

     My entries related to USPS stamps can be seen here.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/USPS%20stamps

      You can check and buy stamps at Official USPS Store on Ebay.

Major League Baseball All-Stars - USPS Forever Stamps

      As I mentioned in my previous entry, I ordered some forever stamps last month. Today, I'm going to share with you this block of four forever stamps, Major League Baseball All-Stars.

      Personally, I am not a person who love sports. I've never been interested in watching sports even during Olympics or World Cup somehow. I wish I could enjoy it though. The only American baseball player I know is Babe Ruth, whose life story comic I read in Japanese when I was in elementary school. :)

      According to USPS Website, the four players honored on these stamps capture our imagination for their exploits and for what they symbolize—the best of baseball. In 2012, the Postal Service salutes Joe DiMaggio, Larry Doby, Willie Stargell, and Ted Williams. Each of these Hall of Famers was a perennial All-Star selection and each left an indelible impression on the game.

Major League Baseball All-Stars - USPS Forever Stamps

Issue Date:

July 20, 2012

Art Director/Designer:

Phil Jordan, Kadir Nelson

Willie Stargell (1940-2001)

Joe DiMaggio (1914-1999)

Ted Williams (1918-2002)

Larry Doby (1923-2003)

     My entries related to USPS stamps can be seen here.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/USPS%20stamps

      You can check and buy stamps at Official USPS Store on Ebay.

The Package from USPS

      Today, I received some forever stamps and the stamp catalog, which I ordered on USPS.com. I'll share them with you in the near future. :)

      You can check and buy stamps at Official USPS Store on Ebay.

How to Cook Healthy Tomato Soup

      This morning, I cooked tomato soup which has been my favorite for 10 years. As you may know, tomatoes are very healthy foods because they contain the carotene Lycopene, one of the most powerful natural antioxidants. Lecopene is known that it might help to prevent cancer and improve the skin's ability to protect against harmful UV rays. After eating my tomato soup, I always feel like I treat my body well and become happy. :)



Healthy Tomato Soup

       Tomatoes have pretty sour taste, but adding potatoes makes it mild. That's why I always add potatoes in it. Anyway, I'm going to share how to cook tomato soup with you.

     Ingredients
・ 28 oz of canned crashed tomatoes (794g)
・ two canned chunk light tuna in vegetable oil
・ three potatoes (cut them into half inch dice)
・ three sticks of celery (cut them into half inch dice)
・ one onion (cut them into half inch dice)
・ two tablespoons of crushed garlic
・ one cube of bouillon
・ 3 cups of water
・ some crushed fresh parsley


     1. Heat vegetable oil, which is from canned tuna, in a pressure cooker over high heat, and stir-fry onion and garlic thoroughly.

     2. Add potato and celery, and stir-fry them.

     3. Add canned tomato, canned tuna, water and bouillon.

     4. Cover the lid. When it the pot is fully with pressure, reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes. Then, turn off the heat. Wait until it naturally deflates completely.

     5. Add salt and pepper as you like.


     6. Put the soup in a bowl, and add parsley.

     7. Enjoy!

     This is my entries related to my favorite recipe.
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     This is my entries related to cooking.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/cooking

Do I Need to Wait in a Line at Post Office for International Packages?

     Today, my husband and I went to our local Post Office to send a package to Japan. While we were waiting in a line, a USPS staff told us that we didn't have to wait if we had paid for it on online in advance. I told her that we thought we needed to wait for it because it's an international package. She told us it's same thing, and we could drop it into the collection box. The online shipping label instruction reads, "international packages may NOT be placed in a USPS collection box. Customers must present such items to an employee at a Post Office regional service counter. The Postal Service will return improperly presented items to the sender for proper entry and acceptance." That's why I still think we cannot use a collection box for international packages, but we are used to sending packages to Japan, and we are pretty sure we calculate shipping fee and attach custom form correctly. As the USPS staff advised us, we will drop prepaid international packages into the collection box from now on.

Meeting Day

      I met my friend this morning for the first time in two months. She is one of my former ESL classmates, and we have been studying together for four years. She passed a realtor certificate exam two months ago and got a job soon after the exam. She goes to college to learn English and works as a realtor. In addition, she is a house wife and takes care of her family. Her mother-in-law has been staying at her house this summer, so she told me that she became even busier. I can't imagine how she can handle all of it, and I really respect her. :)

N.E. Coastal Lighthouses - USPS Forever Stamps

      I received this strip of five forever stamps, N.E. Coastal Lighthouses, last week. This N.E. Coastal Lighthouses stamps features five lighthouses. According to USPS Website, the five lighthouses are among the oldest in the U.S., and each is on the National Register of Historic Places. Boston Harbor Light is also a National Historic Landmark. I was not interested in Lighthouses before, but I thought these were so beautiful by looking at each stamp. I've never been to east coast, but I want to see these actual lighthouses someday.  

N.E. Coastal Lighthouses - USPS Forever Stamps

Issue Date: July 13, 2013

Art Director/Designer: Howard E. Paine, Greg Breeding

Portsmouth Harbor (New Castle, New Hampshire)





Boston Harbor (Boston, Massachusetts).




Point Judith, (Narragansett, Rhode Island)




New London Harbor (New London, Connecticut)




 Portland Head (Cape Elizabeth, Maine)

     My entries related to USPS stamps can be seen here.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/USPS%20stamps

      You can check and buy stamps at Official USPS Store on Ebay.

Busy Days

     As I mentioned in my previous entry, since my husband and I started our online business, we have been very busy. We should work out at gym on a daily basis but don't have time for it at all. I used to always think that he was in such good physical shape, but surprisingly he is having severe backache now. He seems like having herniated lumbar disk from my perspective because of a positive Lasegue sign. He needs to rest until his low back pain is gone and should start exercising for it every day.

Farmers Markets Stamps - USPS Forever Stamps

     Last month, I ordered this sheet of forever stamps, Farmers Markets Stamps, on USPS.com, and I finally received it today! This sheet of stamps just released on August 7. That's why I needed to wait for a month to get it until it's actually released. This was what I always wanted for a month. :) I'm going to share my new stamps with you.

Farmers Markets Stamps - USPS Forever Stamps

Issue Date: August 07, 2014

Art Director/Designer: Greg Breeding

      The four stamps depict fresh products which are selling at farmers markets, such as vegetable and flower. It's fun to see each beautiful stamp, isn't it?

Farmers Markets Stamps - USPS Forever Stamps



Farmers Markets Stamps - USPS Forever Stamps



Farmers Markets Stamps - USPS Forever Stamps



Farmers Markets Stamps - USPS Forever Stamps



Farmers Markets Stamps - USPS Forever Stamps

     My entries related to USPS stamps can be seen here.
http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/search/label/USPS%20stamps

      You can check and buy stamps at Official USPS Store on Ebay.