Cute Food is Edible Art | Kawaii is Not Just for Kids

Some of my kids love all things Asian.  That's how I learned about the joys of Kawaii.  Kawaii cooking is considered a form of edible art. The food isn’t just for eating; it’s often photographed and shared on social media for its visual appeal.  (But I eat it!)  Here are a few fun facts.

Image by HANSUAN FABREGAS from Pixabay 

1. Kawaii means cute.  Kawaii cooking, or "kawaii bentos," originated in Japan where the term "kawaii" means cute. It involves creating visually adorable and whimsical food designs, often inspired by popular anime and manga characters.

2. Cooking Ingredients: Kawaii cooking primarily uses ingredients like rice, seaweed, vegetables, and fruits, which are transformed into delightful shapes.

3. How Do They Get Those Shapes? Cookie Cutters: Special kawaii cookie cutters are often used to cut vegetables, cheese, and other ingredients into cute shapes, making it easier to create charming designs.

4. Fun Learning for Kids: Allowing children to create kawaii food can make mealtime more enjoyable and encourage them to try new foods.

5. 'Tis the Season!: People often incorporate seasonal themes and holidays using Kawaii cooking.  For example:  Make cute ghost-shaped rice balls and jack-o'-lanterns made from vegetables for Halloween.

   
   
   

Kawaii cooking is all about making food fun and enjoyable, not just for kids, but for anyone who loves a bit of whimsy in their meals!

NY, FCI. “Kawaii Obento -How to Make Cute Japanese-Style Bento Box- 「思い出のお弁当」.” YouTube Video. YouTube, March 14, 2013. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYqu2COsc0I.

‌Want to know more?  If you have time, please visit my foodie blog.

Edible Art Of Kawaii Cooking

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Sushezi Sushi Made Easy

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4 Best DRINKS to Safely Silence Pain Fast

There are natural and tasty beverages that fight inflammation and pain, like these four:

4. Blueberry Juice

3. Green Tea

2. Tart Cherry Juice

1. Kefir (made from fermented milk and is a rich source of beneficial bacteria known as probiotics.)

These 4 above, only scratch the surface of potent natural painkillers that work throughout your entire body to help it fight inflammation, dissolve scar tissue, and more. Click here.

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Enjoy Art and Dreaming? Ever Combine Them!

I love dreaming.  Don't you?  What would our world like be if we could not fall asleep and dream? But for all the dreams I've dreamed, I was never fortunate enough to dream of myself being an artist.  I do so wish I had the talent to be an artist.  I don't even dream of being painted or sculpted by an artist.  I also don't read in my dreams.  But that's a completely different discussion.  Staying on topic.

Do you enjoy art and dreaming? Just curious.

Image: Dream Forest Journal

The Dream: "In His Sleep He Saw Love, Glory and Wealth Appear to Him," 1883 ~ Pierre Puvis de Chavannes...

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• How to Stop Sleep Paralysis and Turn It Into Lucid...

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Greek Mythology: The Harpies | Soul Snatchers Versus Soul Savers

I enjoy the study of mythology.  Not just Greek and Roman mythology but legends, folklore, and myths from all around the world.  The study affords me the opportunity to contrast and compare those beliefs to the teachings of Christianity.

For this discussion, I am sharing the results of a quick study about the harpy.  Are you familiar with the harpy (or harpies, plural)?

The word “harpies” means “snatchers”.  They were known as the hounds of Zeus.  In Greco-Roman mythology, the harpies were monstrous bird-like creatures with a woman’s face. Believers thought these creatures acted at the behest of the gods, carried out acts of vengeance, and were snatchers of human souls.



Image credit:  Safari Ltd. Mythical Realms – Harpy – Realistic Hand Painted Toy Figurine Model

“In the earliest accounts, the Harpies were not monstrous—they were simply spirits who represented windy or stormy weather, and they were depicted as beautiful young women with wings. Over time, however, they developed into terrifying beasts. They had long, fair hair and the faces and upper bodies of women, but the wings, tails, legs, and claws of birds of prey, with sharp talons made of metal. They were always ravenously hungry, and would steal food or even eat their victims before carrying away their souls. The Harpies were repulsive to look at, and they spread filth everywhere they went. They stank so much that whatever they touched gave off a terrible smell.”

Quote source:  Claybourne, A. and CLAYBOURNE, A. (2012). Harpies. In Gods, goddesses, and mythology. [Online]. Tarrytown: Marshall Cavendish Reference. https://search.credoreference.com/content/topic/harpies_greek_mythology [Accessed 28 August 2018].

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By contrast, in Christianity, harpies are not to be feared because they don’t exist.  Christians are taught to only revere and fear The One Who has the power to destroy humans, both their body and their soul.  Believers know that Jesus Christ acted according to the will of His Father; taught there is only one true God, not gods; and preached the good news of faith, hope, and love for the purpose of saving souls.


Content previously published at Virily.com

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Related articles

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• Similarities in Greco-Roman and Gaelic myth
• Good Reads: Learn About Greek Mythology

Like eBooks? Enjoy Thrillers? Want to Hear Free Book Excerpts?

Find a huge selection of contemporary ebooks from the world's leading publishers. This popular digital bookstore supplies instantly downloadable books at prices well below hard copy books.  Fiction and non-fiction reading material is available, multiple electronic formats.

Get Free Excerpts at ebooks.com!!!

Thriller/Horror Book Suggestions

Classic Horror Collection
By: Various
Published by: MobileReference.com

Classic Horror Collection. Incl. Dracula, Present at a Hanging, Tales of Terror and Mystery, The Phantom of the Opera, The Cask of Amontillado, Varney the Vampire, Frankenstein, The Raven & MORE... more...

Horowitz Horror
By: Horowitz, Anthony
Published by: Philomel

From the creator of the Alex Rider Adventures comes this wicked collection of macabre tales sure to send shivers up the spine. more...

Kitty's House of Horrors
By: Vaughn, Carrie
Published by: Grand Central Publishing

REALITY BITES Talk radio host and werewolf Kitty Norville has agreed to appear on TV's first all-supernatural reality show. She's expecting cheesy competitions and manufactured drama starring shapeshifters, vampires, and psychics. But what begins as a... more...

Fear: 13 Stories of Suspense and Horror
By: Writers Association, International Thriller
Published by: Dutton Children's

Don't turn out the lights. Don't go out alone. And whatever you do, don't let down your guard. Because your neighbors might seem normal, but why do they collect knives and eat their steaks so bloody? more...

Our Haunted Lives
By: Belanger, Jeff
Published by: ReadHowYouWant

Our Haunted Lives features the stories of dozens of people who have witnessed the supernatural firsthand--in their homes, at work, in cities large and small, in the United States and abroad. more...

Ghost Hunt
By: Hawes, Jason; Wilson, Grant; Dokey, Cameron (other)
Published by: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

An exciting new middle grade collection of spooky paranormal investigations based on REAL ghost hunts from stars of the TV show Ghost Hunters , the number one reality show on cable television! In a lush, thick volume, Ghost Hunt will feature multiple... more...

Living With Ghosts
By: Sperring, Kari
Published by: DAW

The dazzling debut from a brilliant new fantasy talent. This highly original, darkly atmospheric fantasy novel immerses readers in a world where ghosts and other malevolent spirits seek entry into mortal realms—invisible to all but those who are not... more...

The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Paranormal
By: Brown, Nathan Robert
Published by: Alpha Books

An otherworldly examination of the unknown that will keep fright fans reading all night From any strange experience that can't be defined by science to psychic phenomena to monsters and weird creatures, The Complete Idiot's Guide(r) to the Paranormal... more...

Shadow Tales
By: Grover, John
Published by: Double Dragon Publishing

There is a world that exists within our world. It is the world of shadow. A realm where anything is possible, a world where nothing is as it seems, a world that few have ever seen and returned to tell the tale. In this world new kinds of monsters are... more...

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Wicca and Witchcraft
By: Gleason, Katherine
Published by: Alpha Books

This guide offers a beginner's look at the history of paganism, Wicca, and witchcraft, from the Druids and Celts to the witches of today who practice an earth-based religion, cast spells, and perform natural magic. The book, written by a practicing witch,... more...

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Chicken and Rice - Persian Style

Welcome! Glad you're here. We apologize for the inconvenience but this content has been moved to our partner blog devoted to foodies and food lovers. Just one more click to view:

Chicken and Rice - Persian Style

Looking for more happy trails for foodies and food lovers? 

Collecting Books – Employment or Hobby or Both!

Want to turn a hobby into income? Do you like old books? Did you know that a First Printing is worth more than a First Edition? You'd probably be amazed at the gems you can find in a local bookstore.  You might also check the “trash” that your local library throws away. Trash for them could be treasure for you!

Book Collecting: How to Start Collecting Books | The Art of Manliness https://t.co/zFX5wrPkeP

— Treathyl Fox (@cmoneyspinner) July 30, 2019

Collecting, Identifying, and Valuing #FirstEdition Beginner #Books ~ https://t.co/FRA6Uyuho3 #bookcollecting #hobby © Stan Zielinski. Author of the Children's Picturebook Price Guide pic.twitter.com/T6SHcMB8gl

— Treathyl Fox (@cmoneyspinner) July 30, 2019

AbeBooks: #BookCollecting #Guide - Best #Books About Book #Collecting ~ https://t.co/dlCojYBSqU ~ #RareBooks #books #booklovers pic.twitter.com/SFVyLYUhCZ

— Treathyl Fox (@cmoneyspinner) July 30, 2019

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Since we're on the topic of books, do you own a Kindle? There are several free e-books you can download. But it's amazing what you can get for just 99 cents!

The Story of Gutenberg and the Printing Press

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What is your plan every new year?  Plan to go back to black?  No.  The question is not do you plan to buy up all the Amy Winehouse music you can find for the new year?  Is one of your new year's resolutions to rebuild your credit? If so, here is some sound advice.
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Can Bad Credit be Deleted?

Yes, it can.

Despite the fervent proclamations of bureaucrats and credit bureaus everywhere, a simple fact remains: negative credit listings are deleted from peoples' credit reports by the thousands each and every day. 

A few years ago, an attorney from Lexington Law. visited with a regulatory agency for a casual conversation with two agents. The Agency's office, as a matter of course, believed the credit bureaus' claim that bad credit couldn't be deleted. The visiting Lexington attorney asked, "How many negative listings would you have to see deleted from consumer credit reports before you would believe that bad credit can be deleted: ten? fifty? a hundred? one thousand?" The agents responded with only blank stares. 

"How about 50,000 deleted listings, would that convince you?" continued the Lexington attorney. From his briefcase, he pulled a stack of papers six inches high. 

"In these pages, we have listed the permanent deletion of over 50,000. listings from our clients' files in the last two years alone," he explained. The agents pulled the stack across the conference table and began to pick through the pages, taking in the massive list. 

"But have you deleted any bankruptcies?" shot back one of the agents, "we know that bankruptcies can't be deleted." The Lexington attorney leaned across the table and ran his finger down the first page.

"There's one deleted bankruptcy... and, there's another,... and another,... and another. Should I go on?" asked the Lexington attorney. 

The agents sat back in their chairs. "You know," began the junior agent, "I have this one listing on my credit report that simply must belong to somebody else..." 

How is credit repair possible?

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) allows a consumer to challenge the information on his credit report on the basis of "completeness and accuracy." When a consumer files a dispute, the credit bureaus must contact the source of the credit information (the creditor) and confirm that the information is accurate, verifiable, and not obsolete. In some circumstances, the credit bureau is required to go beyond a simple verification of the creditor's own computer record. If within 30 days, the credit bureau has not received verification from the creditor, then the credit bureau must promptly delete the credit listing.

Learn More.

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Site Review: The Bing Bing Says Hello! Hello! and Buy! Buy!

UPDATE July 3, 2019 ~ The site may say "Buy Buy" but I said "Bye Bye".  I created my profile at this site as a work-at-home project.  Bing Bing allows affiliate links so I wanted to use this platform for affiliate marketing purposes.  Even though this platform has two great features (easy link sharing and the buy button), Pinterest overwhelmed it in popularity.  In the end, it did not work for me.

If you are a Bing Bing user I would love to hear from you about your experience.

* * * Content below published July 2015.

Sharing a tip! Active on Twitter and noticed many of my tweets were being retweeted by a Tweeter I did not know.

The Bing Bing made themselves known a few months back by sending me an eMail inviting me to participate in their network. Glad they did! My Bing Bing profile.

* (For comparison:  My Pinterest profile.)

Been a home-based business entrepreneur since 2007. Have tried and failed many business projects. But can never be accused of failing to at least TRY! 

Happy to share business advice, tips and tricks with fellow persons in business learned through my trial and error. Might save you some pain. 

TheBing Bing Says Hello! Hello! And Buy! Buy!

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Enjoy the benefits of listening to audiobooks.

It's Summertime! * VACATION and RETIREMENT SPOTLIGHT: Costa Rica

Located in the heart of Central America, thousands of tourists decide on Costa Rica as their top travel choice.  Many decide to retire there!

State Flag of Costa Rica (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

* SPOTLIGHT ON Costa Rica
Capital: San Jose 
Primary Language: Spanish
Location: Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is in Central America, right next to Panama. Another highly favored golden spot for retirees. Offers exotic flowers, tropical birds, great fishing, no military … the usual paradise trimmings. A lot of things can be said about this country which would all be very positive and encouraging. But the best advertisement to convince a person to buy a piece of property in Costa Rica was unintentionally supplied by Andrew Daulton Lee (assuming the scene in the movie depicted a real factual event and not a fictionalized version). Mr. Lee did not get his wish. Instead, he was convicted of espionage and went to prison in the United States. If it were me in his situation, the thought might have crossed my mind to do the same thing.

• FAQS about buying Costa Rica property, taxes, closing costs, financing, owning property and Costa Ri
  Helpful FAQS about buying and owning Costa Rica property, taxes, closing costs, financing and the Costa Rica MLS system.

Costa Rica Coat of Arms

Source:  International Real Estate Investing Choices: South Africa, Bahamas, Panama and Costa Rica | HUBPages.com



TO HELP YOU PREPARE FOR YOUR TRIP:

**  Learn Spanish - Pareto's Way

**  The Costa Rica Escape Manual - "... travel to one of the happiest countries on earth."

**  New country?  New culture?  NO medical coverage!  YIKES!!  Relax.  Travelex Travel Insurance has got you covered!

Related articles

• Costa Rica Picture of the Day - A Sandy Costa Rica Beach
• Sustainable Living Costa Rica
• Costa Rica: Perfectly Positioned for Adventure

Image credits:

© Photographer: Dirk Ercken | Agency: Dreamstime.com


© Photographer: Mvogel | Agency: Dreamstime.com

Work From Home Advice: Finding the Path to Successful Affiliate Marketing

My path to affiliate marketing began several years back when I saw a write-up about an online entrepreneur who insisted he earned thousands of dollars in affiliate referral commissions. He also said it was really easy to do! 

Another respected blogger I stumbled upon because I was looking for advice on how to make money from my websites, said that he was able to generate consistent income of about $5K per month via affiliate referrals. 

There are many more success stories out there. Some can be found right here at Forum Coin.

Unfortunately, my success story has not made the headlines yet. But that’s not to say one day it won’t ever happen. Income from my affiliate advertising efforts has been earned sporadically and my goal of achieving consistent regular income has not yet been achieved. However, the fact that I was able to earn commissions is an indication (at least to me) that earning consistent income from affiliate marketing is a possibility. So I keep on keeping on.

Though it's been said before it bears repeating because newbies are constantly coming on board and trying to make money in the online world.

QUESTION: How does one pursue the path to successful affiliate marketing?

ANSWER: First figure out what the best products are FOR YOU to promote and what the best affiliate marketing programs are FOR YOU to join. It's not a "one size, fits all" formula. Then, of course, you need to figure out how to promote and where to advertise. There are several ways, however, building niche websites and social media marketing are proving to be the most effective ways for my “entrepreneurial adventures”. If you find something else that works FOR YOU, that's OK!

These articles are of interest to me and may be helpful for you too!

* Affiliate Marketing 101: How To Find The Best Products To Promote (blogpress.com)

The takeaway tips from this article is that digital products are more profitable to promote and Clickbank is the best way to get started. You may beg to differ. But the advice was offered freely.

* The Best Affiliate Programs and 24 Ways To Promote Them (smartbusinesstrends.com)

There are several programs listed in the section titled “Best Affiliate Marketing Programs” that will require further exploration on my part. Confess to not having any familiarity with any of these programs or the promotion techniques and methods suggested. Would not recommend for newbie marketers. (Just my opinion.)

* Where To Advertise Affiliate Links (charliepage.com)

Three tips outlined that could be attempted even if you’re a beginner or newbie: (1) social media advertising; mainly via Facebook; (2) solo ads which the article writer describes as “100% affiliate friendly”; and (3) BuySellsAds.com which is especially good to use if your website gets traffic. (My opinion.)

* How to Promote Affiliate Products On Your Blog (shoutmeloud.com)

ShoutMeLoud.com publishes a free newsletter. Become a subscriber and you will have no regrets. Their advice is invaluable. At the end of this post there is a “Bonus Tip” and a quick list of marketing tips for 2016 and beyond!

* How to Promote Affiliate Products without a Website and Make Money (trustiko.com)

Saved the best for last. This is the post that interested me the most because most say you need a website or a blog. But this site mentions the Yahoo Gemini ad system and incorporates links to two more informative articles – one to top rated affiliate programs and another with tips on how to make money using Pinterest.


None of these articles mentioned the actual words “dogged persistence”.

But when you read them you know it’s implied.

Image Credit:  Affiliate marketing cycle illustration design
© Photographer: Alexmillos | Agency: Dreamstime.com

* View more articles about affiliate marketing published at Forum Coin.

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NOTE:  Original content posted at ForumCoin.com on Feb 28, 2018

Affiliate Marketing Tip: Z is for Zazzle

Here is some advice for the enthusiastic Zazzle sellers (store owners) and affiliates who are and determined to succeed in the world of online business. Supplying a link (below) to an article written by a fellow freelance writer whose advice for becoming a successful online entrepreneur is invaluable. Although you may have to read her pages two or three times. She gets so excited about sharing her success secrets, sometimes her language shoots right over your head. (Love you Jo ! Mean that in a nice way! :) ) Reviewed her Zazzle tips multiple times and did finally latch on to a key piece of advice that proved to be extremely helpful for finding Zazzle products to promote at my blogs as an affiliate advertiser. But her page was written for those who have Zazzle stores, i.e. sellers.

 
Jo's webpage -
How to Add an Affiliated Zazzle Store RSS Feed into Weebly
- was categorized under “ Internet Marketing : Making Money Online ”.

However, at this same site you can find a few more articles specifically devoted to “ Ecommerce Tips : Zazzle Sellers and Tips ”.

Hope this information helps my fellow Zazzle affiliate marketers out there.  (Suggested Zazzle products displayed in feed below.)


* * * Content above also appeared at Persona Paper, Jan 2016.

RSS Feed Widget

The Flavor of Miami, Florida : My Childhood Memory

A memory of growing up in Miami, Florida? Good food all around me. This suggested book (in the post) is a 1993 publication but it reminds me of home. Hope you enjoy reading the post and the related posts recommended below.

Memories are Blessings

English: Panoramic image of South Beach, the southern end of Miami Beach in Miami, Florida Español: Imagen panorámica de South Beach, la punta más sur de Miami Beach en Miami, Florida (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Trigger Point Pain - Trigger Point Therapy

This content has been transferred to our partner health blog. 

Rx4Wellness ~ General Health Topics

Delicious food for Everyone: The Taste Of Jamaican Food & Jamaican Recipes (Reblog)

"Jamaica is a culturally diverse country whose population most notably includes Africans, African-Europeans, and Chinese. The various races have reached ..."

Delicious food for Everyone: The Taste Of Jamaican Food & Jamaican Recipes

Jamaica Mug by laceyona
Customize mugs online at Zazzle.

Celebrating #worldcuisine and #worldcuisinewednesday 

Jamaica Independence Day ~ August 6, 1962

EES shares recipes, cooking tips and all things foodie!

Everyday Exotic Spices

WonderGel : Comfort Products for Back Pain and Pressure Relief

Thank you for visiting. This content has been transferred to our partner health blog.

Rx4Wellness ~ General Health Topics

My HomeBiz Project: Everyday Exotic Spices

Been working at home on various projects since 2007. EverydayExotic Spices is one of my affiliate marketing websites which has been up and running for a few years. Visit the site directly and also the business pages on Google+ and Facebook. EES shares recipes, cooking tips and all things foodie!

Everyday Exotic Spices

Everyday Exotic Spices also maintains multiple boards on Pinterest.  Recipes for Vegans is one of them.

The main pinboard is EverydayExotic Spices.

The other Food and Drink boards are:

• AllGood Recipes

• CHICKENRecipes

• DRINKS

• GOURMET

• Kitchen& Dining

• POMEGRANATES

Related articles

• Pinterest as a Psychological Profile
• Spicy sexual life is a reality! | Everyday Exotic Spices (Guest Post)
• Create ~ Cook ~ Capture: Are Food Trucks Safe? (REBLOG)
• California Cuisine - History, Features and Fun Facts
• These Are the Top Food Trends for 2016, According to Pinterest - On Trend(thekitchn.com)

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© Photographer Liz Van Steenburgh | Agency: Dreamstime.com

For nutritious and Easy to Make Vegetable Side Recipes to Include in your Meals, click links below. Easy to Make Vegetable Sides Vegetarian Comfort Food Recipes