Japanese Cooking Blog with Asako Nonaka #17
Asako Nonaka ◆ June 22, 2016
I have a question. “Genki desuka?” (How are you?)
In Japan there is a proverb, “Yamai wa ki kara” which means that sickness and health starts with the mind. “Yamai” means sickness and “ki” means mind. This time I am writing about the relationship between the mind and body as well as I did in my last post.
I am quite concerned about my diet everyday and being proud of my health but sometimes I feel sick. It happens almost when my mind is not stable. For example, when I feel nervous, impatient, or anxious, it’s easy to feel sick though I eat healthy food.
On the other hand, when I am very busy but have a fulfilling life, I don’t feel sick even if I’m following an irregular schedule. In this case, I feel more energetic and have a positive mind.
In our life, we often feel the ups and downs with work, family and relationships. If you have these feelings such an anxiety, irritation, guilt, anger, jealousy, sadness and pain, it might be a sign you’re getting sick and you should take care of it.
It is scientifically proven that there is a relationship between the autonomic nervous system and the immune system. Actually, sickness and health start with mind.
When you have negative feelings, please try to accept them at first. Then think about why they are happening and seek the reasons you are feeling that way. If you think the reason is in over-working, you can ask someone for help and reduce the amount of work.
You should not focus on yourself but on your behavior. If you can find the reason that brings you bad feelings, you can change your actions. Take your time. You can change your behavior and mood little by little. Then, your positive mindset will actually return to you.
We can see other’s behaviors well but can’t see them in ourselves. So try to focus your mind and when you feel tired, please say “How am I feeling?” and “How about taking a little rest?” to yourself.
You can do anything if you have good health!
This time, I am introducing the recipe of Nametake (marinated enoki mushrooms).
Recipe: Nametake (marinated enoki mushrooms)
★ Ingredients
- 2 packs of enoki mushrooms
- 3 tbsp of soy sauce
- 3 tbsp of mirin
- 3 tbsp of sake
- 1 tbsp of sugar
- 2 tbsp of rice vinegar
★ Directions
- Cut the roof end of the enoki mushrooms off, and cut the leftovers into bite-size pieces.
- Put the mushrooms and the seasonings, except for the rice vinegar, in a pot and turn on the heat.
- Once boiling, add the rice vinegar and simmer until it becomes thickened.
It has a sweet and sour taste and an appetizing flavor. Please make a lot at one time and eat it with a variety of food like rice, tofu, soba and pasta!
