Korean Brown Boiled Eggs (황토랑) According to my ajumma (older married woman) friend, women these days are doing a high protein diet of brown eggs and milk. The protein in the egg and the milk are supposed to help suppress the appetite. I'm sure that it might work, but I would get board of this diet fairly quickly. The eggs are brown because they are boiled in fine silt soil (loess). These eggs were actually gotten at a Korean Sauna (Jjimjilbang). They tasted great (especially with salt) and with milk, I guess it would make a fine snack (but not a meal). eggs with Milk

Stress from work and overeating has caused me to add some unwanted pounds in the last 2 weeks or so. Now I really need to get back into shape and I just bought a Nintendo Wii Fit to help me with this task. According to the game I am 163 pounds and I need to lose about 11 pounds to get to my normal BMI. Hmmm...I can do this right? The board is also saying that I have bad posture. I lean slightly to the left. So my goal is to lose 10 pounds in a month. I would normally do this through my Spring fast, but until the weather gets warmer on a consistent basis, I don't think it would be a good idea. The Wii Fit is pretty fun so far. Let's see if it lives up to the hype. Dan

Today I would like to talk about fad diets. Korea is hyper vigilant about weight and fad diets come and go like street fashion. Some of the interesting fad diets I’ve heard of here have been the yogurt diet, the grape diet, the watermelon diet, and, recently, the black garlic diet. Oh, and the timeless one is the kim, kimchi, and rice diet. Now, I believe that the next big diet- and it’s already starting to build up steam is the banana diet. Apparently, a pharmacist in Japan started it for her fat husband and he lost 37 pounds on this diet over the course of a couple weeks. They wrote a book and have since sold over 730,000 copies of it. Then a famous opera singer, Kumiko Mori, in Japan then did this diet and lost 15 pounds in 6 weeks. This was on September 19th and the next day the craze began. And I mean craze! Like there were articles in every magazine and there are little plastic lunch box things that are in the shape of…bananas. It’s just crazy! Well, because of this diet there is...

http://www.gadling.com/2008/11/03/big-in-japan-cant-get-skinny-eat-a-banana/ I am doing research for a story that I'm writing on the banana diet in Japan. This diet has called a 20% increase in the price of bananas and supermarkets are constantly selling out. Now I'm not sure if the diet works or how it actually works, all I know is that everyone running out of their stock of chiquitas. Apparently it was started by a pharmacist named Sumiko Watanabe for her husband and he lost 37 pounds!  Now, my theory is that this diet has become a fad because bananas are yellow and curved like a smile. Remember, this is a country that has hello kitty as the national mascot. My theory is that if you eat enough bananas in the morning then it just fills your stomach so you just can't eat as much. Here is an excerpt from gadling.com on how it works. Here is how it works: In the morning, you can eat as many bananas as you want, alongside room temperature water. This is the key as breakfast i...

Sulforapane is found in broccoli and brussel sprout A substance found in broccoli may limit the damage which leads to serious lung disease, research suggests. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is often caused by smoking and kills about 30,000 UK residents a year. US scientists found that sulforapane increases the activity of the NRF2 gene in human lung cells which protects cells from damage caused by toxins. The same broccoli compound was recently found to be protective against damage to blood vessels caused by diabetes. Brassica vegetables such as broccoli have also been linked to a lower risk of heart attacks and strokes. From the BBC. Go here to read more

I am a failure. But to be honest, it did a world of good. First of all, I lost about 2 kilos (approximately 6 pounds) on my fast. Also, it made me reduce my cravings at night. I haven't had a late night snack in ages. I think overall, it simply got me over my food addiction and just gave me more control. Oh, I also learned to listen to my body. After the first day, I was a bit sick because I didn't ease my stomach back into eating. I don't think a lemon poppyseed muffin with lemon sugar glaze (thanks Carol) is the best transition. Also, beef (bulgogi) is not kind to an empty stomach. In the days after my fast, I would purposely and unconsciously stay away from foods that I knew would have a negative impact on my body. Since the end of my fast I have rarely consumed caffeine and my cigarette cravings have been lessened. My goal this week is to give up smoking altogether. I mean I'm not addicted, but I do have 2 cigarettes a day. And I will do the master cleanse again. I ...

I am officially on Day 4 of the Master Cleanse and I'm doing all right. I'm not tired and I'm not hungry. Well...I'm craving food, but not hungry for food. Strangely, I'm craving bread. I don't know why, because most of the times I stay away from it. I had a major craving for creamy pumpkin soup today. Meat: not so much. I think it's the whole mad cow scare. I'd really like a nice piece of watermelon and cheese. YES! Give me lots of cheese. I want Gouda, cheddar, and feta. I want bleu cheese crumbled over crisp iceberg lettuce drizzled with a reduced balsamic dressing. Hmmm...I'm starting to make myself hungry. I better make myself a Master Cleanse Lemonade. Alright, back to work. Oh, that's the other thing. I thought I would have no energy and wouldn't be able to work at all, but that hasn't been a problem at all. I seem to be able to focus better than normal and I can concentrate more on tasks. It's really funny now that I think abo...

Here is a great post I found about Vegetarian Restaurants in Seoul I have been to New Start and I really like it. It's a vegetarian buffet style, so you get to eat as much as you like and the food is very healthy. I have also been to Sanchon and it is, by far, one of the best vegetarian restaurants I have been to. They have the best panchon and the atmosphere is very zen. Maybe in 7 days, I head over there.^^ Happy Eating! Dan

Or is it even possible for me to do the Master Cleanse. I think it's possible and I really like the challenge. The only concern I have is about my energy level. I don't want to be tired in front of my students. My social engagements are also another issue for me. Oh, for those who don't know, the Master Cleanse is a 10 fast where you only drink a mixture of lemon juice, cayenne pepper, maple syrup and water. This fast is supposed to remove toxins from the body. You can find out more about it here. I really feel that I need to do something to change my lifestyle. I haven't been kind to myself in awhile. Too much food, too much wine and not enough exercise. I feel like I need to take a big step now. Alright. It's decided. I'm going to do the Master Cleanse. This is day one. I have only had watermelon juice for breakfast and now I am going to make the cayenne pepper lemonade drink and I'm not going to eat anything today. I'm not going to be able to go the w...

Here is a Listing of Popular Korean Dishes with a brief description of what each dish is. The dish also has the dish's name in Hangul as well. Dan 1. 비빔밥 (bibimbap)/ Rice Mixed with Vegetables and Beef Bibimbap is a popular, healthy dish that is served in a large bowl with its ingredients arranged by color. The rice is topped with cooked vegetables such as squash, mushrooms, carrots, fern brake, beef, and fried egg. Everything in the bowl is mixed in thoroughly with red chili paste before eaten. Vegetarian Option Available. 2. 돌솥비빔밥 (dolsot bibimbap)/ Stone Pot Bibimbap This is one of the most delectable variations of bibimbap. Rice topped with vegetables, beef, and egg is served piping hot in a heated earthenware bowl. The bowl continues to cook the ingredients at the table and gives the rice a distinctly crisp texture. Vegetarian Option Available. 3. 산채비빔밥 (sanchae bibimbap)/ Mountain Vegetable Bibimbap This type of bibimbap consists of lots of freshly picked mountain shoots and...