Asian Zone

Love this beautiful Sushi Candle Gift Set made by doublebrush on Etsy.  The onigiri (rice ball) with ume (pickled plum), futomaki, spam musubi, takuwan maki (pickled radish), gari maki (pickled ginger), and carrot maki are made of beeswax in Hawaii.

Time magazine features an article entitled, "Why Up to 90% of Asian Schoolchildren Are Nearsighted."  According to a study published in the Lancet by Ian Morgan of Australian National University, up to 90% of young adults in China, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea are nearsighted--compared with only a 20 to 30% rate of myopia in the UK.

These East Asian countries with high myopia rates are also those found at the top of the international rankings of educational performance.  Scientists are concerned that the high prevalence of myopia in Asian children is associated with increased educational pressures and lifestyle changes, which have reduced the amount of time that children spend outside. 

Myopia is the result of elongation of the eyeball, which leads to blurry images at a distance.  Scientists think that exposure to bright outdoor light increases the levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the eye, which may prevent elongation of the eyeball.  The recommendation for prevention of myopia?  2 to 3 hours of outdoor sunlight each day.

Wow--watch this kid do double-digit finger math.  Amazing!

Want to learn how to do it?  Watch this...

I saw on Foodbeast that in Japan, you can find Wasabi-flavored Kit Kat--who knew? 

According to Wikipedia, there are also flavors in Japan such as Aloe Vera, Apple, Beet, Black Tea, Blueberry, Butter, Cantaloupe, Cheese, Cucumber, English Mustard, Ginger Ale, Iced Tea, Kiwifruit, Mango, Miso, Passion fruit, Pepper, Pickled Plum, Pumpkin, Soy Sauce, Sweet Potato, Tiramisu, Wine and many more. 

Wow--are we missing out!

Throughout the month of May, select Macy's stores will be having in-store celebrations featuring Asian chefs with cooking demos and tastings, as well as cultural dances and performances. 

Chef Takashi Yagihashi will be at Macy's on State Street in Chicago on Saturday, May 12 in the lower level Culinary Kitchen.  Check the Macy's website for other dates and locations.