Get Active in March

Posted on March 8, 2016 by Patricia Thao

March is here and so is the warmer season! It is a great time to go outside for fun activities, exercises, and sports. If you’ve been working out at home or at the gym, maybe it’s time to change things up! Need some ideas on what you can do in Minnesota? Listed down are some tips:

Go biking in Minneapolis! Did you know that Minneapolis is one of the top bicycle friendly cities in the U.S.? There are more than 118 miles of on-street bicycling and a whole trail that goes around the state called the Grand Rounds Scenic. If you don’t want to invest in bike, there are rental bikes available throughout the city. Nice Ride Minnesota is another affordable and convenient option for bicyclists and there are Nice Ride stations throughout the city for whenever you want to rent/return a bike.

http://www.travisnovitsky.com/

Try out new exercises:
- “Pilates is a form of exercise that is centered on controlled body movements. Because of its focus on core strength, pilates is an excellent way to improve your balance and coordination…Common pilates exercises focus on strengthening the body’s center, which encompasses the abdomen, lower and upper back, hips, buttocks, and inner thighs.” – https://www.presidentschallenge.org/
- Dancing is a great way to burn off energy in a fun and quick way! Other fun dances to get you moving is tango, zumba, hip pop, and ballroom dancing.
- Slow exercises not only helps the body, but also the mind. It can range from Tai Chi to different forms of yoga.
March is National Nutrition Month and it’s purpose is to encourage everyone on healthy eating and with that, tips on how to live and maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. For more info on this event, go to http://www.eatright.org.

This Month in Japan | March

Posted on March 3, 2016 by Patricia Thao

“Yayoi is the lunar calendar name for March meaning “new life,” symbolizing the coming of spring.

The only national holiday this month is Shunbun no hi, or Vernal Equinox Day, on March 20th or 21st. This is the official mark of the spring season as well as the unofficial start of the sakura cherry blossom season in much of Japan.

www.japanesehouse.org

www.kawaiikakkoiisugoi.com

Girls’ Day, or Hina Matsuri, falls on March 3rd and is one of the most popular celebrations this month. In mid-February, it is customary for families with young daughters to set up doll displays of the imperial court. Families enjoy tasty delights like chirashi sushi and strawberry daifuku while offering prayers for good health, fortune, and happiness for young girls.” – Credit to original owner.

Other events going on in Japan:

March represents the beginning of spring and blooming of cherry blossoms. Cherry blossom viewing is a popular activity with tourists and the Japanese people. And because it only occurs for a short period of time, many people may gather together to view cherry blossoms at parks at once.

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March 14 is White Day and this holiday is when men gives a gift back to the women they received gifts from (on Valentine’s Day). It is also a popular holiday for sales events in major department stores.
“A festival to welcome Spring to Nara with a wide range of rituals that take place over 14 days (March 1 – March 14). The main events involve burning giant torches surprisingly close to a 1200 year old wooden building at Todaiji Temple to rain sacred sparks on a crowd standing below.” – http://www.japan-talk.com/jt/new/japan-in-march

aussieontheizu.blogspot.com

For more info on events in Japan during the month of March, link here!

Year of Fire Monkey

Posted on February 29, 2016 by Patricia Thao

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Lunar New Year has come at Feb 8th – the Year of Fire Monkey, many celebrations hosted around the Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese American communities. BALL Partners like to remind everyone – having fun with families, but not overdoing with holiday food, and continue to exercise during the holidays.

1) Keep the focus on fun, not food.

Indulge in only the most special holiday treats. For example in the Chinese new year eve dinner, the dumpling is the most special dish, and when families prepare the dumplings, they will hind the couple coins in the dumplings, who gets to bite on the coins, who will have the best luck at coming year. It’s fun to eat the dumplings to find the coins, but keep in mind not overdoing it.

2) Staying physically active during the holidays.

A study conducted by the U.S. government found adults gained, on average, more than a pound of body weight during the winter holidays – and that they were not at all likely to shed that weight the following year. The good news is that the people who reported the most physical activity through the holiday season showed the least weight gain. Some even managed to lose weight.

3) Toast the new year with just one glass of bubbly.

Alcohol can interfere with your blood sugar by slowing the release of glucose into the bloodstream; it also contain a lot of calories – 89 calories per glass of white wine or champagne, 55 calories in a shot of vodka, and 170 calories in a pint of stout beer. What’s more, alcohol breaks down your inhibitions and judgment, which makes you that much less likely to resist the junk foods that you would otherwise be able to pass by.

4) Continue on with your new year’s resolutions!

Whether it is your goal to become healthier, achieve a career goal, finish your education, or simply training to run a 5K marathon, believe in yourself that you can do it! It is much easier to follow through by planning and taking small steps throughout your entire year. (Suggesting having a planner would be helpful and motivate you to do something everyday!) Don’t try to go cold turkey on anything and try to slowly cut back on certain things or improve on other aspects of your life. Every little effort will count in the long run!

5) Pack up and go discover the world!

The new year represents new opportunities for everyone. Possibly a trip to a place you always wanted to visit? Plan it, save up, book it, and make sure to have your passport done a few months prior to your departure. (Minnesota now requires all people flying in states and international flights to have a passport so be aware.) Traveling to another place means you’ll get to discover other areas and experience different cultures!

American Heart Month

Posted on February 23, 2016 by Patricia Thao

“February is American Heart Month. Talk to your doctor about #hearthealth” – www.cdc.gov

Original image belongs to www.storybird.com.

February is dedicated to sharing the awareness of taking care of our hearts. The path to a healthy lifestyle is always a continuous journey so positive choices you make now will benefit you in the long run. If you don’t know where to start, here are some tips on how to:

The easiest place to start is to eat healthier foods. Your food intake has a direct impact on your heart, especially on your cholesterol level. Tip: Avoid drinking sugary or fizzy drinks such as juice and pop. Many American’s are obese because of their diet of high fat, sugar, and salt.
Balance your meal! Eating healthier is easier than said so what can try first is to substitute unhealthy food for healthier alternatives. For example, if you like sweet snacks like chocolates, gummies, and such, switch it out with ripe fruits! And it is okay to indulge in your cravings once in a while.
Exercise regularly, not extensively. If you try to maintain a exercise schedule with healthy eating, you’ll lose weight more effectively and maintain your health/weight. Doing intense work out one or twice a week is better than doing it often because your body needs time to relax, rebuild, and reenergize.
Want to know what kind of fruits & veggies are in the winter season:
- dates, kale, passion fruit, oranges, turnips, leeks
- For more info on what’s in season, click here!

Korea: Metal & Flat Chopsticks

Posted on February 16, 2016 by Patricia Thao

Take on glance at Korean chopsticks and you will notice the difference right away. Compared to other Asian countries that uses round chopsticks, Korean chopsticks are flat. And if you were to hold a pair of Korean chopsticks you would feel that it is more heavily weighed. That is because unlike most chopsticks which are made out of wood and bamboo, they are usually made out of metal or stainless steel.

Belongs to rightful owner.

One theory suggested that silver chopsticks were used because it could detect poison and change color if there was any. This detection would’ve been very important in the royal palace where the king’s food was always inspected. Another theory of the origins of metal chopsticks was the availability of metal in Korea where it was much easier to obtain than wood and bamboo. Deforestation could’ve been another reason why the people turned to using metals. In the end, one can tell that Korea has distinctive chopsticks which they’re known for.

Belongs to rightful owner.

Here are some benefits to using Korean chopsticks:

Much more sanitary as they are easier to clean and maintain
Reusable and last longer compared to other materials
You don’t have to invest in high quality chopsticks as cheap ones are usually good quality
Chopsticks are paired with a spoon so it is cost effective

Ways to Create a Healthier Community

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Patricia Thao

There are many issues in the community that needs to be addressed and fixed. But we cannot do that alone as it requires everyone’s active participation. We should make a team effort, to not only educate those in our community, but everyone else in this world.

Original artwork belong to rightful owner.

“The National League of Cities (NLC) report states that one in three children in the U.S. are overweight or obese, and that children aged 2-19 from low-income families are 1.7 times more likely to be obese.” – http://preventobesity.net/

Problems like obesity, racism, health inequality, and such will continue to exist. But we can always put effort in positive changes that will help make our world better. Here are a few tips on how to:

Listen to one another in a respective manner. Sure, we are all different, but that doesn’t mean we should be close minded to another. That is ignorance and the will to not listen to others only results in anger and frustration. Take the time to listen to your friends, relatives, and those around you. Although you may not agree with others, it is more about broadening your perspective and understanding how or why people think the way they do.
Encourage your community to become healthier! Whether it is making healthier choices, buying more to organic produces, reading and researching into what you are purchasing, or anything else, it is a great start to live a healthier lifestyle. You can become motivated by others or become part of someone’s else motivation. So share the healthy lifestyle with everyone you know and on your social media platforms and please do share it @biculturalliving.
Be the change you want to see! If no one is fighting for your cause, you can start an organization/club/group for those who may share the same goals as you. It does not have to be a big cause and small goals are more attainable. Such as fundraising for animal causes, health awarenesses, and more!

This Month in Japan | February

Posted on February 2, 2016 by Patricia Thao

“Kisaragi is the old Japanese name for February, meaning “wear still more clothes” to protect against cold February winters in Japan.

National Foundation Day is February 11 and is the only national holiday this month. This is the date that Jimmu, the first emperor of Japan, was enthroned as documented in the Nihon Shoki(Chronicles of Japan). Today, there are many celebrations and events that occur in February. It is a popular month to play in and enjoy the beauty of snow!” – Rightful owner

Listed down below are other events that occurs throughout Japan!

Setsubun (Feb 3) is thought to be the day before spring. During this period, people will visit shrines and pray for evil spirits to go away either by throwing beans outside of their house or by visiting shrines. And people eat roasted soybeans to bring in good luck and some believes it will bring in extra years of living.

http://kyotofoodie.com/

Sapporo Snow Festival is held seven days in early Feb and features amazing snow statues. It is a popular attraction for people to attend because of the snow sculptures and the variety of regional foods that surrounds the area.
Ashikawa Winter Festival (early Feb) is another event that holds snow sculptures, festival foods, and winter activities. It is hosted in the city of Ashikawa and is another popular attraction, especially for family with children.

http://www.japan-talk.com/

Otaru Snow Light Path Festival is celebrated for 10 days in early Feb where it features lanterns, festive foods, and fun snow sculptures as well! It is located in the western part of Hokkaido and usually occurs on similar days as the Sapporo Snow Festival.
Tokyo Marathon (February 28) is an annual marathon event that is hosted in Tokyo and it is one of the biggest marathon that occurs around the world.
Japanese Valentine’s Day (Feb 14) is a popular holiday and celebrated throughout Japan with a tradition of girls giving chocolates to the guys.

blogs.wsj.com

This Month in Japan | January

Posted on January 20, 2016 by Patricia Thao

http://travel.rakuten.com/

“The old name for the month of January, Mutsuki, means “month of harmony” or “month where friends and relatives gather.”

One of the most important national holidays in Japan is Oshogatsu (New Year’s Day). Schools are typically closed for about 2 weeks, and many business are closed from December 28 through January 1. Read 14 Ways to Have a Happy New Year in Japan.

http://www.dnaindia.com/

Coming-of-Age Day, observed on the second Monday of January, is another national holiday this month. On this day, women often wear an elaborate style of kimono called furisode while men typically wear formal suits to celebrate being 20-years-old, the age of adulthood in Japan.” – Rightful owner

Here are some fun things that occur in this month:

“Wakakusa Yamayaki – January 23, Nara
Centuries ago there was a land dispute between Kofukuji and Todaiji temples in Nara. As part of the dispute someone ended up burning down Mount Wakakusa. Now they do it every year as part of the Wakakusa Yamayaki Festival.” – http://www.japan-talk.com/
There’s a ton of festivals that features snow/ice art in the cold season of Japan. They are visited by people who comes to visit the beautiful sceneries.
Although it is the coldest month of the year, this is the time where the sun shines the most. This allows people to enjoy outdoor activities even more!
This is the month that signifies the beginning of a new year and that means that many people will come visit shrines to pray.

Happy Martin Luther King Day!

Posted on January 18, 2016 by Patricia Thao

In celebration of Martin Luther King day, let’s highlight some of the accomplishments from the African American community and other fun facts!

On November 2, 1983, the bill for Martin Luther King day was signed by President Ronald Reagan.
Michael Curry became the the first Black leader of Episcopal church in June of 2015.
“The poverty rate among blacks is the highest of any racial or ethnic group, but has declined slightly over time, from 31.3% in 1976 to 27.2% in 2014, according to census data.” – http://www.pewresearch.org/
Here are some ways to reflect on this day:
1. Think about yourself in place of other people who are different from you.
2. Become part of or be a supporter of a positive change! Whether it is in politics, activism, or a cause that you believe in.
3. Open your eyes and ears! Start to take notice of the injustice around the world and think about what you can do to serve others.

For more info, click on the link here.

Healthy Living from Within!

Posted on January 13, 2016 by Patricia Thao

Part of living healthy is caring for yourself internally. And making yourself feel or look good from the outside is part of it as well. Healthy living isn’t supposed to occur in one day, but throughout your lifetime. Yes, it is not an easy thing to do. But here are some tips on how to be healthy within:

Your mentality affects your perspective. Sometimes, we over think things and it makes our problems seem like it is a bigger deal than it really is. But try to avoid it by distracting yourself by doing positive thinking/activities. And negativity could stem from the people around you that may have or carry the negative energy. It’s a good idea to shift away from those people as they could bring you down instead of helping you.
Are you meeting your basic needs? We can forget to feed our body properly like drinking enough water or getting the right amount of sleep. And that can translate to us being in a bad mood, over-eating, or having unhealthy habits. So it’s a good time to always check with yourself every now and then.
Changing your lifestyle could be a good thing! Reevaluate what is important to you and try to have a focus on the goals you want to achieve. In this way, you will not feel lost or fall behind on what you wanted to do. Take the time in the present to invest what you value for your future!
What does healthy correlate to? Well, that’s really up to your own definition. Make it realistic and make it happen. One way to do it is to have a goal to be “healthier” whether it means to get fit, get into your dream college, find a new job, or simply to eat healthier. It’s the little things that you could do to be healthier and happier.

Bicultural Healthy Living

A Balanced Approach to a Bicultural Healthy Life