I had given up on the idea that there was nothing structurally to do with the area around the grill’s ventilation openings. Then I found this exhaust port cover (vent cover), which hides the hole so that I don’t need to worry about some food getting into the hole while cooking or cleaning. What’s more, it’s sturdy enough not to dent no matter what you put on it, and height enough not to get in the way while cooking!
Chinese cabbage is a vegetable rich in potassium, vitamin C, fiber, and other nutrients. It is also effective for weight loss because 95% of its total content is water and it is low in carbohydrates.
Have you ever had trouble finding a place to put a lid while cooking? Especially if you don’t have a place to stand it against a wall or something.
If your cooking table is small, you will run out of space just to put the lid on the table. And it gets dirty over a wide area, doesn’t it?
This freestanding lid can be placed quickly and easily, takes up little space, and is easy to clean because water droplets fall in one place. We use it in our cooking classes, and everyone is impressed. It makes cooking time more enjoyable and comfortable!
Chives are an effective vegetable for nourishing and relieving fatigue. It also contains vitamin E, which helps prevent lifestyle-related diseases and antioxidants, so it is an ingredient that should be included in your daily diet as much as possible. Because of its unique flavor, it is best to use it up quickly, but if you cannot use it up, it is recommended to wash it well before refrigerating or freezing it.
Japanese Leek (Green Onion) has the effect of promoting the secretion of digestive juices and increasing appetite. To preserve the Japanese Leek, cut them to the same length and wrap them tightly in plastic cellophane. After that, put it in the refrigerator in an upright position. This way you can keep it fresh for a week.
Every region has a custom to hold some kind of celebration on the night that falls on the seventh day after the baby is born, which is called the “Oshichiya” (お七夜).
In the past, relatives, neighbors, matchmakers, godparents, midwives, and others were invited to a feast, where the baby’s name was announced and the baby was recognized as a member of society for the first time.
This is a remnant of this tradition, and this gathering is also known as the “celebration of naming called “Meimei Shiki“(命名式).
How to celebrate the Oshichiya
The standard celebration meal for Oshichiya is a red rice (sekihan) served with a fish head. Other auspicious items such as kombu (kelp) and red and white fu (wheat gluten) are also used, but they vary from region to region. You may also serve simmered dishes, sashimi, etc. according to the taste of the guests.
Since it is impossible for the mother to prepare the food for the Oshichiya, it is common to ask the grandparents to help, or to have the food catered.
It would be a pity to take a seven-day-old baby out to a large gathering, so it is best to put the baby in a separate room and allow the guests to see him or her before the feast begins.
Who to invite to the seventh day
The seventh day of life is the time when the mother and the baby are discharged from the hospital, and the mother is easily exhausted. Therefore, today, it is common to invite only the grandparents from both sides of the family for an informal celebration.
If you are invited to the seventh night
Although there is no specific custom, it is a good idea to bring a gift of some kind. It is common to bring a bouquet of flowers, a cake, sake, fruit, a small toy, or baby items.
Memo:
Are you interested in more about Japanese culture & events? Check here!
To increase the absorption rate of beta-carotene, it is more effective to cook carrots in oil than to eat them raw, and to cook them in oil rather than stewing them. When eaten raw, with vinegar or lemon is recommended. To store carrots, wipe dry and cut off the leaves at first. Then, wrap each one in a piece of newspaper. After put them in a ziplock or plastic bag, and store upright refrigerate. It can be refrigerated for 2~3 weeks!
As the seasons change from spring to summer, people put away their warmer clothing and take out their lighter, thinner clothing. Some families even use different furniture and household utensils.
Although things have changed considerably from the days when kimonos were worn every day, the custom of changing clothes according to the season still continues.
Schools and workplaces with uniforms also have the custom of changing clothes. Jackets are removed, tops are changed from long-sleeved to short-sleeved, and bottoms are made of light, breathable fabrics such as linen. Also, depending on the industry, many workplaces are encouraging employees to wear no-ties or casual clothes to work only during this time of the year.
In very olden days, it was the custom at the royal court to change into summer attire on April 1 of the lunar calendar and back into winter on October 1. In later years, the Shogun issued precise regulations regarding dress to all samurai and ladies of the court. Commomn people as well were bound by the regulations.
During the Meiji period, the government established official dates for the seasonal change of clothing. To this day, it is still general practive to change from winter to summer clothes on June 1 and back to winter on October 1.
Seasonal Changes in the House
Yoshido (葦戸) : Sliding door made of reeds
Hanagoza (花茣蓙)：Colorful rush matting to lay on top of tatami
Kayari (蚊遣り) : Mosquito coils burn in holders of various shapes
Uchiwa (団扇) : Round flat fan
Kaya (蚊帳) : Mosquito netting is rarely used in Japan nowadays but until dairly recently people slept under these nets during summer.
Natsu-noren (夏暖簾) : Noren are long divided curtains often hung in the entryways of shops and restaurants. During the summer, many shop owners noren made of linen or other light babrics.
Memo:
Are you interested in more about Japanese culture & events? Check here!
Oranges are rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and skin benefits. You may have trouble storing them when they can’t fit in the refrigerator or when you can’t finish eating them. In such cases, I recommend wrapping oranges in newspaper and storing them at room temperature in a cool, well-ventilated, dark place. 1 to 2 weeks will keep them tasty without drying out. Just don’t forget to refrigerate them before eating!
