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Oh Jeju! Oh Korean Fried Chicken! Oh Jeju Tangerines! haha I couldn't be happier to be back on Jeju! Even my skin said Hallelu once I got back! There's something about this island! Less stress maybe? I'm definitely an island country mouse...err rabbit! :-B My Winter Slumber Birthday Christmas Party has officially started! I usually celebrate the entire month of December though. ;) Dec 20th is just a day. Birthdays are every single day! I'll update the rest of my Winter Hibernation on Jeju on the slideshow above. :) P.S. This is about the sexiest photo you're gonna get on my blog. Korean fried chicken will make you chillax in a Keep it 100 way. ;)  Do I get tired of having paranormal experiences when I venture out? Absolutely!
Do I get constant inspiration from them? Absolutely!! lol :) Even though I try to plan things out, avoid changing my mind on people, places, and things, and try to live in the present, it's just not the human experience's way of life! Luckily there are many who experience similar paranormal experiences for sharing and comparing. Today's experience is one that I've had before. Many have had this experience actually. You wander out and start seeing someone's name, hear songs that resonate with you, catch some random inspiration at a location, and/or see someone's Doppelganger. Doppelgangers can be associated with paranormal superstitions like evil twins, warnings, and other "medieval" tales. 99% of the time "Doppelgangers" are Universal signs to pay attention to your thoughts and/or the qualities of the person. Today I saw EXO's Kim Minseok's Doppelganger in Japan. The Universe really wants my ass in Korea. Dang! I tried my hardest not to stare at him. He ended up at my shoulder asking to get past me though. I was so focused with my "blinders" on aka typical Venus in Aquarius quality (Venus Signs Here). Poor thing just stood there politely until I realized I needed to move a little to the side for him to pass by. Minseok hasn't been on my mind at all until I watched an EXO clip recently. He was brought up by one of the members during a game. Law of Attraction at work as well eh? My first trip to Jeju had me surprised at A.C.E's Chan's "clones" as well. He was born there. I do think there is something in the water though that makes some of the male babies so adorable. He's the reason that I went in the first place. You'll consider returning again once you've been though. The "Island of the Gods" deserves its paranormal name! As mentioned above, Doppelgangers are the Universe asking you to look at the positive qualities of the individual(s). Bring those qualities up within yourself and/or consider those qualities for future relationships. Both individuals have great qualities if you want to take this post as a sign for yourself! Remember that the Universe revolves around You. Your experiences are a direct indication of things that you need to personally learn about yourself and the World around you. Humans are just teaching tools. Another idol that works a little of that paranormal energy is ASTRO's Rocky. He often has interesting song recommendations that I'll catch every now and then...sometimes a cat photo. More Jeju flashbacks. You can tell he has some psychic mojo going on sometimes. He's not fooling anyone. mmhmm lol :) Happy Double Takes!  I really don't have much to say about this beyond the obvious.
You will hear a lot of accents and languages when you travel. You will hear a lot of American slang from young Millennials. Oh they love the F word in Asia. lol Many say it like it's a joyous occasion with Yay or less umph though. I'm pretty sure that I say curse words a little too happy in other languages as well. We are all out here sounding crazy is what I'm saying. haha You will slowly start to have all the European and Asian accents stroll into your brain waves with your existing southern, east coast, and west coast accents. You will end up confusing people with where you're from because you now don't even know. Just tell people Hawaii. Everyone seems to go Ohhh Woow. haha ;) The best part of it all though is that you will Learn a lot and improve your Listening Skills! After that you can do what you wish with your new skills...open up a chocolate factory perhaps?? lol Happy Travels! ;)  I love the uplifting and cooling effects of peppermint oil for every season. I discussed earlier how it prevents and treats mosquito bites. Winter just makes peppermint oil feel more at home.
Here are some great ways to use Peppermint Oil this Winter... * Peppermint Water - Put a little peppermint oil in a water bottle or reusable water bottle. Every refill benefits from the oil. Peppermint water or tea is great for digestion, clearer skin, and a breathe freshener after eating. It's also a great energizer for a mid-day "wake me up". * Body Scrub/Perfume - A morning body scrub will have you and your environment smelling like a candy cane! It just makes sense for Christmas! It will definitely get you into the holiday spirit. :) * Keep Colds Away - A hot steam in the shower or sink can keep colds and flus away. Peppermint oil opens the sinuses with its antibacterial menthol properties. Foot soaks are also beneficial! * Soothe Muscles - Traveling can create sore muscles if you're doing too much walking, sitting, and/or exercising without stretching. Moderation is key! Omega 3 intake and Peppermint Oil rubs can keep you in great body form.  If you're going to believe in anything, make it Love! This includes Self Love of course!
The city of Busan may think the same way with their Romantic Cafes List. Who knew a city would offer such a beautiful thing for its residents and tourists? I would like to have high hopes for all the cities that I've visited and plan to visit, but I can't say too much about ALL the visions that I've had. I'm not a doomsday type of woman. The next 10 years will see positive changes in many locations around the World though. :) For now, you just have to appreciate the little things in life...and the resources when you discover them! You can check out the 2019 list HERE. :) Everyone has spirit guides that watch over you and guide you. You simply have to acknowledge them and tune in. You can call them whatever you want as well. They have lived the human experience and know what's up. They are your spiritual guidance counselors, GPS, and overall BFFS. I have called on my spirit guide numerous times while traveling the southern cities in Japan. These cities are considered the more "laid back" parts of Japan. They can also attract more "laid back" travelers and locals. You can define it as you wish. I've pretty much written about the types that I've run into though. The male car honker is one that I can't stand. Yes you'll hear honks in Japan too! I also came across someone who blasted their hip hop music loud as they passed me. Seriously? Japan too? I'm Not Interested!!! Intellectuals and Talented Men Only for this gal! You know what...Just Kpoppers Only! lol I still have you know who spirit around me too! You gotta put it out there Ladies and Gents to keep the "extras" away! Oiiiieee... lol Anyhoo, here is what I've learned so far though... * Stay in the Off Season - You get more space in accommodations, more upgrades, and more room to move around for touring. You may have to head out during an overcast drizzly day for some touring. Just throw on a convenience store neck scarf, gloves, hat, shoes or slippers, winter dust mask, and enjoy! * Stay around Locals - Japan's cities and tourists can be loud! I really went in thinking everyone was Zen in Japan. Nope! lol However, the side streets, local residences, etc can be quiet! :) * Get lost - You can always use public transportation if that's your thing. I simply prefer walking in Japan. You may get lost on your way if you're not paying attention to a map guide. I appreciated my spirit guide for it though. She knew what she was doing. She wanted me to get some exercise, check out the fall foliage (it arrives late in southern cities of Japan), enjoy a little rain drizzle, and finally get some photos of Japan to share with others. I didn't even know some of these areas existed among the city streets! * Enjoy Quiet Areas - Libraries, Symphony Halls, Upscale Shopping Centers, etc are all great places to bide some time. The ACROS arts/symphony/shopping/eating center was a lovely and quiet visit. I spent my childhood in places like these thinking they were boring. I feel at home in my later years. It reminded me of Korea for a bit with the classical music playing and hearing Korean in some areas. Some Koreans seem to gravitate towards similar places. The lovely Fall foliage and step garden architecture was captured without much effort! The random thoughts that come into my mind space really crack me up sometimes. I woke up from a nap and started thinking about alien hybrid babies. It's not like they don't exist already though.
You could call this post Part 2 of my Seeking Intelligent Life post. Alien hybrid children are already existing in the far far far off future and within alien ships. Remember that the future is existing at the same time as the present and past. I also made a short post on that. None of this phases me based on my experiences. However, it may catch some people off guard like "What the Hell are you talking about or on Denise?" lol I actually started laughing because I was thinking about the low birth rates in Asia, especially in Japan. Let's be honest. If Asians aren't having children, it's really going to be left up to mating with Foreigners and/or Aliens. It may sound a bit extreme to throw Extraterrestrials into the mix as a "solution", but have you seen Baby Yoda from the new Star Wars thing? He's cute as a button! What about Gizmo from the old school Gremlins movie? *Instant flashbacks to playing the Gremlins theme song in my childhood school band* It's an awesome song for all kids to play! Anyhoo, it's just food for thought for those who were curious about the Extraterrestrial side of my blog. :) I'm still a fan of recommending free roaming fur children for now. Pet clothes are still optional.  You can call them surgical masks, pollution masks, pollen masks, dust masks, etc. They are a great accessory to have on hand due to their many uses. Here are a few...
* Allergy and Pollution Protection - These are obvious uses. Top notch masks like Japan's Pitta Masks combine fashion with reusable wash care. * Warm Weather Protection - Plush animal masks for kids and adults are adorable. It's a great way to stay warm and protected from Flu Season. It's also great for protecting others. Sharing isn't caring when you're sick! * Makeup Free Zone - Some people wear masks to avoid wearing makeup. There's nothing wrong with that! It's a two in one if you're heading out and still want to protect yourself from germs and pollution. * Cosmetic Surgery Protection - Protection from the weather is often necessary after surgery. Masks are great for protecting surgical scars and puffiness. Non surgical procedures (collagen powder, collagen drinks, CoQ10, essential oils, restructuring fillers, etc) are often the best way to go though if you've ever had surgery annoyances. * Mood Swings - We aren't always in the mood to put on a smile, especially if it's cold, raining, etc. Masks come in a variety of cute faces to express yourself. It's great for those who have a great sense of humor...on the inside. lol Do you have a Work Life Balance? * Update - Two female idols passed away recently from work and life stresses. One passed within a day of me posting this. All of my posts on my blog are for a reason. I've seen the sad faces on many women today. I've seen their bad relationships. I see even more as I travel the World. If I make light of topics, it's because situations weren't serious. However, if something is indeed serious, I don't let it slide easily. This is just an FYI to why I do what I do and say what I say on my blog. My "controversial" perspectives are indeed valid. The topic of a Work Life Balance is interesting, especially as I travel through Asia. It comes with different perspectives from different age groups. The topic of work becomes even more interesting for those who travel and work at the same time. As a digital nomad, I've had to adjust to how I get in my work hours and "me time" in. It helps if you love what you do so that it doesn't become "work", but a work life balance is really about health and wellness at the end of the day. You have to really put yourself first in a lot of instances. This will keep you from becoming moody and petty. It's one reason that I have a love-hate relationship with many generations today...ok Humans in general. lol Here's how I maintain self care when I'm working and traveling... * Naps! - Naps are important. A good 1-2 hours of ZZZ is still a nap folks! I don't know who came up with this 10 minute "Cat Nap"nonsense. lol If you find that you knock out for 1-2 hours, take that break! * Music - Smooth Jazz calms my nerves when I'm feeling a little moody. Some people may prefer Classical music. Either one provides you with instrumentals for focus and relaxation. Enjoy a few hours of it (playing or listening). :) * Nutrition - Nothing boosts your mental mood more than a fruit snack. There is satisfaction in taking a break to peel an orange or a tangerine. The happy citrus energy uplifts you. Even peeling and eating a banana gives you a nice dose of stress reducing potassium. * Get Around Water - This can be an ocean, river, canal, lake, and/or bathtub! Take a soak or stroll around water when you can for some healing. * Retail and/or Spa Therapy - Shopping and Spas are common in many countries. Seek them out! You can even have a Spa Day or Spa Hours in your own living environment. Get to know your energy patterns to recognize when you need a break from your work efforts. Spending money on your wellbeing is ALWAYS worth it. :) Don't forget to put some aside in passive income investments for those rainy days though. ;) It doesn't matter how young you look when you have an Old Soul. Can I get an Amen! Get your smooth jazz vibrations on when you can, especially during your seasonal travels. Here's a nice little mix that I came across in the meantime. :)  I've seen my share of overcompensating couples (international and locals in Asia) during my Asian travels. I've even heard their overcompensating sexy time. In all of those experiences, the first thing that came to my mind was "Oh they aren't going to make it". Yes I say it out loud to my spirit guide. I'm sure couples have probably overheard me as well. I'm actually doing them a favor. Some women are pretty dumb in their relationship partner choices. They will get it right eventually! A lot of women will get it together in 2020 actually. No more overcompensating annoying laughter at the partner's jokes that aren't funny. No more overcompensating pleasure responses when you know none or one of yall have no rhythm. Good sex doesn't come with a lot of noise. Newsflash! That's why Asian love hotels have massage chairs. That's the plan B for that "date" or "couple" to get their money's worth. My best advice for 2020 is for women and/or men is to get a dancer, musician, and/or someone who has dated someone with natural rhythm. Of course it takes two to tango though. You need to have some rhythm of your own! Get some performing arts in your life if you didn't grow up with it. :) The Bali Curse One version states that unmarried couples will breakup if they do the "deed" while on vacation in Bali. I personally don't believe in curses. I believe people curse themselves when they believe in too much negativity. You are what you think in other words. Do Couples Breakup after Vacation? Absolutely! The reason is because they just weren't compatible. It's really that simple! Click the 200+ Questions to Ask Before Getting Serious Q&A and apply it. It will save you some time in 2020! The #1 Tip for Couples on Vacation is to always focus on the Sensual vs. the Sexual. Mature couples and couples who are naturally sensual know this. You want to stick to romantic activities. If a partner has you held up almost every single day in a hotel bed, you might as well be charging him by the hour. Self esteem check ladies n gents! That's not a couple vacation! Get out and view a sunset, a boat ride, walks in the park, massages, room service, shopping, etc. Single women can also enjoy these activities! You are on vacation with yourself after all. That's the first "relationship" you should have perfected. ;)  Self care is important during the Winter months. Keep your energy up with good food, good company (including your own), and overall good vibes!
A.C.E. had a slumber party that really made my night. :-) Even the energy of the Korean Fried Chicken was having a good time. You know you're in a good place in life when the little things make you giggle. Appreciate the little things during the Winter months. Life is short. Work that Universal 3s when it comes to what you choose to care about (Ex: Health, etc, etc). The rest is just extra. You don't have to understand Korean to enjoy their little slumber party. Enjoy these cutie pies and their Korean takeout food! Oh the slight envy you'll feel. lol Ah slumber party memories. Have one of your own this Winter! It definitely starts with the PJs! https://www.vlive.tv/video/159896 During my travels, I've come across some really nice Canadians. One traveler offered me a cinnamon roll that she was baking. It actually made me consider Canada as a Bucket List stop one day. I did grow up with Anne of Green Gables and Avonlea like many other girls in the 90s. It wouldn't be a bad Bucket List themed visit. Today I came across Canada's Food Guide. I was quite impressed I must say! They have made other waves in 2019 as well with their recreational substance use laws. That's not my exact cup of tea though. However, I do appreciate the lovely yin and yang of food displayed in their food guide. It's great for omnivores who don't want to be extremist in their eating habits. Food isn't something to run from. Someone's food allergies (Ex: dairy, fish, gluten, etc) in one country may simply just be a matter of quality control. When those food "allergies" are consumed in another country, there are no problems at all! This is why Global Food Travels are so important for the Next Generation. Some immune systems just need a different environment for awhile. Asia is a great Global Food stop that I personally recommend for that reason! What do you think about Canada's Food Guide though? Food Guide Info 
Groups are definitely the death of every country and island. I'm pretty sure of that fact after traveling overseas for several months. You could also just open up a history book.
Here's the extra that I haven't spoken about yet... I've seen a Chinese fight club almost break out between two older women, a French woman act crazy with her kids, and typical American 20 somethings playing music too loud like they own everything and everyone. Nobody wants to hear your salsa rap and American pop music early in the morning or late at night. What the hell is going on with tourists in Asia?? I'm so confused. hahaha The funniest thing about it all is that some places have signs in every language on how to behave. I'm not about to be that person who intervenes while I'm visiting countries though. I have to put my sense of humor and Sociology degree to good use. hehe ;) My point is that women need to Solo Travel! You don't need a group to enjoy yourself. Some of yall lose your damn minds in groups. haha Enjoy some "me time" while you mix and mingle with other cultures. Groups and families can be way too distracting when it comes to traveling. Don't ruin it for the rest of us. lol Luckily the prepared ones don't hesitate to say peace and head to the next destination. Always be prepared ladies with A, B, and C choices. A luxury stay here and there is always a nice treat during your domestic and/or overseas travels. :) I secretly celebrate Halloween all year long because the paranormal is my "normal". I have some favorite Kpop concepts over the last two years. I'll share them all here for the "Halloween" tab. :) This year it's all about A.C.E. I've been talking about this group since 2018 because uh Vocals! Well this year they are showing up with their latest Halloween Comeback stage. Thriller what? huh? who? hehe No offense to MJ, but hey it's Millennials and Generation Z time ok! Who is still sleeping on them in 2019 is all I'm saying??
 The Year 2020 is getting a lot of attention for its "New Era". In Chinese Astrology, we will start a New 12 Year Animal Cycle with the Rat Year. In Western Astrology, we will start a New 20 Year Cycle in the Element of Air. In Olympics talk, we will see the "Olympics of the Future" in Japan.
Side Note: I'm writing this from Japan as we speak. I started my Global Bucket List a year early to get an intuitive feel of what's to come for future Generation Z travelers, Digital Nomads, etc. A lot of potential and current Nomad Cities are growing. More will be sure to come! All Global Cities should have a 20 Year Bucket List for this reason! All of these "New Era" Cycles will come together to bring Innovations, Higher Ideas, and "Out of the Box" Lifestyles into the Mainstream. This will make a lot of people freer and happier in the years to come! Anyhoo, it's a great time to start a Top 20 for 2020 Bucket List. I love writing Top 20 Lists because I was born on the 20th day, 20 is an intuitive number, and it looks cute when it's written. :) Here are some categories to consider for your Bucket List... Top 20 Travel Locations (Domestic and/or Global) Top 20 Financial Goals (Manual and/or Passive Income Investments) Top 20 Hobbies (New and/or Old) Top 20 Foods to Try Top 20 Skills to Learn Top 20 Randoms (Ex: Hang out with a Pikachu squirrel Ex: Look as young as a Pikachu squirrel) ;) I may of healed my former love of Vampires on Jeju Island, but I'm still a fan of pirates. ;) I did not see this concept coming from A.C.E. Halloween concepts or regular Kpop trial and errors? Hold onto your Calypso candy corns! You never know what's coming?? A lot of people get creative in their dress ups though! :-o
 If you're a natural curly cue like myself, you know the off and on breaks that you need to give your hair from your flat iron and vice versa! It's an intuitive and stylish decision most days. Some days you just want your other hair personality to shine a little. Curly girls definitely have two personalities. ;)
I've yet to communicate with a Poodle or Bichon Frise to see if they feel the same as well. hehe I have tested my curly hair in both Korea and Japan and the results were interesting. I'm speaking mainly about Millennial reactions. Millennials in America are always "oooo you should wear your curly hair more often, blah, blah". Touchy touchy. haha Please avoid touching a woman's curly hair without asking. :) Korean Millennials are a bit self conscious. My curls brought about a reaction to check their own hair to make sure that they didn't have any curly cues saying "hi" on their straight hair heads. lol You'll find A LOT of Korean Millennials fixing their hair in elevator mirrors or anything shiny though. Wearing full on makeup and styled hair when it's raining or humid as hell outside is a norm for some as well. The chill Korean Millennials just throw on a baseball hat and call it a day. You'll see your share of those Millennials as well. Japanese Millennials just don't seem to care what your curly hair looks like. Japanese Millennials just seem to be "eh" about a lot of things. Maybe they are used to Naomi Osaka's Blasian curly hair aka the future! ;) Maybe they are just reserved/introverted in their expressions. Maybe they have seen every type of hairstyle from the creativity and subcultures that roam throughout the cities and entertainment business of Japan. Who knows? It's all good though curly cues. Do you boo. :)  What do you believe about time?
Do you keep track of it? Can you waste it? Does everything exist on the same timeline? Is there a timeline? Can you travel through it? Does time exist? Yes? No? I think it's "Time" to go to Sleep. :)  A leisurely morning errand walk to the supermarket in Japan consisted of walking over a bridge with clean water, past bicyclists, past walking tourists, past shopkeepers sweeping around their entrances, past some city workers, and past some office workers. Although it felt peaceful like a Disney movie, I kept thinking "Why aren't all cities like this?" You forget that you are in a foreign city and just realize that you're in a Great city. Japan and many other countries have that realization affect on many people!
The supermarkets in Asia are a great morning experience. They are pretty empty when they first open. You see a few elderly women and Millennial tourists here and there. It all depends on the location. The veggies and fruits are all fresh and wrapped up in plastic. It's interesting to note the veggies that are on display. It's not overwhelming. It's just a display of "Hey eat this for health" type of display. You don't have to look for signs that say organic. Even if they were there, I didn't notice because I'm not fluent in Japanese. You can't help but want to pick up the carrots that are all wrapped up for some Vit A and/or some oranges (very fresh organic taste), etc. Although you may run into a little language barrier as you seek out some Grapeseed Oil, the store assistants come together to help you out. Holding up a packet of fresh grapes with the olive oil helped a bit. lol Who knew they would have a large Costco Kirkland product in the supermarket in Japan? The three of us had a little giggle over me going for that one over the small one. I'mma be here for awhile. lol In Korea it's quite normal to see large items like fruits, etc in bulk. I feel it's due to the family oriented society and/or households. Japan is more single or couple friendly in their packaging. It's good for the daily shopper or the shopper who shops every 4 days. Carts and shopping baskets are small for that reason...unless a Japanese family lives in the burbs and shops at the Costcos in Japan. Checkout is also very simple as they slide everything down for you to take along in your reusable shopping bag (recommend for every country). Koreans have boxes that you can tape up for your bulk purchases. It can be more of a self bag and/or self checkout situation vs. convenience stores. That's another difference that you'll notice between the two shopping experiences (supermarket vs convenience store). It's all good though. You can head to the drugstore that's often next door or close by to get all your errands covered in a short amount of time. Now that's where you may feel overwhelmed...sooo many beauty products. lol I just stocked up on more "The Collagen" drinks to finish out the month's experiment by Halloween. Baekhyun shared his cute vlog in Dubai recently...another Bucket List location! I've never related more to his beginner level vlogging and honesty in it aka long flight body pains, ooing and awwing at accommodations, complaining about the weather, night views, talking more about the food, battery technology drains, etc. His personality managed to keep it cute vs. annoying. That's another talent. lol Sharing is caring though. You don't have to be perfect with it. ;) Even with Lingmo's One 2 One Translator Earpiece (comes with two earpieces), a new Japanese digital camera (had to figure out how to change the language to English), and other basic work tech, it's still a lot to keep up with when you want to share more than just words. Here's a cute little preview of what Dubai has to offer for those who like a little fancy fancy every now and then!  After eating food in Japan, I had to restart my Asian food favorites post all over! Oh the nom noms! I'll have to keep this list updated as I continue my travels. Hopefully this list saves you some time during your own Asian travels in the future... _______________________________________________________ Korean Food I found that the best food in Korea came from restaurants and/or was delivered to my hotel room via room service. Korean food is best served hot...literally! The spices really do give Korean food flavor! My favorite Home Cooked Meals were... * Soybean Paste Stew with marinated beef or pollack added * Grilled Marinated Beef with onions and white rice * Kimchi * Korean Fried Chicken (regular and spicy) * Pork Cutlet (without the sauce) and white rice My favorite Convenience Store Foods were... * Jeju Tangerine Juice and the Teas mentioned HERE * Breakfast Milk Toast * Egg Whites (Hard boiled cartons or regular raw egg cartons) - Asian countries don't mess around with pesticides and hormone chickens like America. * Shrimp Crackers * Frozen Korean Fried Chicken * Gimbap (Korean Sushi with beef, kimchi, tuna, crab, spinach, carrots, etc) - * Take the seaweed off if you're sensitive to iodine or getting it from your multivitamin * Chocolate Cake Swiss Roll * Strawberry Swirl Ice Cream ________________________ Japanese Food You can be a happy camper with Japanese Conbini (Convenience Store) Food. The food and stores are fresh and clean. You can check out some products at the popular Japanese 7-11 https://www.sej.co.jp/products/ You can venture out to a Japanese restaurant if you want though. I actually prefer Japanese Convenience Store Food over Korea's Convenience Store Food because you can still get Kimchi Fried Rice, Shrimp Crackers, etc if you miss them. Korea is once again best for Home Cooked Meals, Korean Fried Chicken, and all those little side dishes! :) My favorite Convenience Store Foods so far are... * Lipton Lemon Tea (Hot and Cold) and Drinks mentioned HERE * Ramen - If I'm in the mood for ramen, Japan has some tasty ones! * Hot Bar Corn Dog * Hot Bar Pizza Bun * Caesar Salad Bowl - You can also pick up a lettuce serving bag to make your own salad. https://www.sej.co.jp/i/products/salad/ * Marinated Salad Fish & Chicken - Add to a cooked rice 5pk for an easy meal! * Fish Sandwich with Tartar Sauce * Pancake Muffins & Pancakes - This is just Japanese genius! It's a fluffy pancake muffin with maple syrup in the middle! My accommodation allowed guests to have 3 for free. Japanese convenience stores have a flat pancake version with butter and maple syrup in the middle! Both are tasty! * Frozen Beef Fried Rice - Delicious! * Chocolate and Vanilla Swirl Waffle Cone - There is chocolate syrup swirled into the ice cream with a chocolate lining inside the waffle cone. Wha Whaaat! Delicious! * Kagome Smoothies or Japanese Vegetable Drinks - If you don't want to head to the supermarket for fresh fruits and veggies, here are your alternatives! * Frozen Fried Chicken Wings - I was about to give up on Japan's convenience store fried chicken (tried all of their hot bars and frozen varieties) until I tried this one from the frozen food section. This saved my time in Japan! The wings had enough flavor for my fellow chicken lovers visiting Japan. * Frozen Grilled Chicken - This was nice mixed in with some rice. There is a light teriyaki sauce on the chicken. * Frozen Marinated Beef - This was tasty. Mix it in with the frozen fried rice. * Drinkable Yogurts to Meiji Yogurts - Easy breakfast with a convenience store banana and/or pancakes. It's also an easy snack with some almonds or mixed nuts. * Veggie Sticks Container - Simple way to get your carrot, cucumber, lettuce, etc nom nom on. * Vitamin C1000 drinks - You can often find these right in front of the entrance with the collagen drink (The Collagen). Both are great for staying youthful and healthy. You can learn more about them HERE.
 I purchased my first blanket scarf in Japan for Fall and Winter. The jokes kept flowing into my head though when I tried to figure out all of its uses. It's pretty darn genius though for travelers! Here's why!....
* Blanket - This is an obvious use for a blanket scarf. It's great for extra bedding at your accommodations, sitting in planes, chillaxing in trains, etc. I personally purchased the color red because of the association with Fall, energy, warmth, fire, and the live life to the fullest Root Chakra! Red is also eye catching. It gives any piece of clothing a pop of color during the seasonal weather changes! :) * Shawl - Blanket scarves can act as another piece of clothing for layering up. It's easy to take off if you get too warm. * Dress or Skirt - You can always tie a blanket scarf with a light belt for a new outfit. Throw on some black tights or leggings for added comfort. * Scarf - This is also obvious. The throat has sensitive skin. It should be protected at all costs when out and about during cooler temps! Wrap that blanket scarf around you and enjoy the complimentary neck cuddles. haha A little honey and lemon tea can do the rest. :)  Natural products are always my go to for beauty products. Essential oils to collagen powder to Camu Camu powder to CoQ10 have all been tested in the past. As I travel throughout Asia, my biggest concern has been on streamlining the natural products that I use. I will keep the list updated as I try internal products along the way. Here are some products that I have seen great results with so far... * Convenience store Grapeseed Oil and Olive Oil are just two natural solutions that I've taken on during long stays in Korea and Japan. Grapeseed oil is lighter than jojoba oil, olive oil, and coconut oil. It can also be cheaper in terms of how much you can get in a large bottle at a supermarket! It's great for applying to sensitive skin. Olive oil is great for consuming for many reasons. I put Olive oil on just about everything, even sliced apples! It can be good for the hair and skin as well, esp during winter. Olive oil is very popular in Japanese skincare products. * Korean Convenience store Raison Tea, Hibiscus Tea blend, Peach Tea, Jeju Green Tea, Jeju Tangerine Juice, Apple Juice, and Jujube Tea have all been great. The one that really had the fastest result though was the Jujube Tea! This product was freaky at how fast it worked! It's great for people who need to calm down from anxiety or insomnia. It calms you down so fast without making you too sleepy. It's an odd feeling actually! This is due to the protein that's in the Jujube (Chinese date). It's enough protein to keep you awake or desire just a short nap. Again, it's an odd feeling. All of these teas and juices are great for your skin and overall health though! * Japanese Collagen Drink "The Collagen" is a 50 ml bottle that you can purchase at a convenience store. It's not that expensive if you purchase it in Japan. The 10 bottle pack is the cheapest way to go if you stop by a Japanese drugstore. It's a popular item. You'll see results in as little as 2-3 days. It's 1000 mg of fish collagen with some added extras. It's the best type of collagen because it's easily absorbed. The brand also comes in other forms like powder (5,000 mg) The fruity flavored collagen drink is the easiest for travelers though. It's also good for working your way up in collagen amounts. I personally feel that 1000 mg - 3000 mg is a good amount to take daily and/or every other day. This product is also stated to be good for stress relief. Take it within an hour of bedtime to see benefits in the morning. Sleep is great for cell renewal. * Japanese C1000 Vitamin Lemon Drink is a carbonated vitamin energy drink with 1000 mg of Vit C. It also has Vitamin E, B1, etc. You can purchase this at a convenience store. The one with 10000 mg of Collagen and 10 mg Hyaluronic Acid is the best one to get. It's a great value in bottle size and price if you're looking for an alternative to the "The Collagen" product. * Japanese Green Teas are great for your health as well. * Japanese Lipton Lemon Tea (Cold beverage or Hot beverage). I actually saw a Japanese girl grab the hot tea version. The next day I grabbed the cold tea version because it was a nice day. Both would satisfy anyone though! Take note of what the locals are buying in convenience stores. It can save you a lot of time! ;)  |
