Add a little happiness to your dining table! - How to enjoy food and tableware -

Have you made any changes to your lifestyle recently?

There are probably many different types of people out there: those who work from home, those who are working as usual, and those whose children are off work and are busy with housework all day.

This is the first time I've experienced working from home since joining the company.
I used to commute to work on a crowded train and talk to customers, so compared to my previous life, I feel a huge gap in my new life. At first, I was confused, but now I'm finding ways to enjoy this situation and keeping a good balance.

The biggest lifestyle change is diet.

Since I was little, my family has always taught me strict dietary education, such as "never skip a meal" and "use healthy ingredients." "Meals and cooking" and the indispensable "tableware" are the core of my life.
Now that my commute time has been reduced and I have more free time, I have more time to spend on food, which is an unexpected benefit in my cramped lifestyle.

However, cooking and eating three meals a day may seem simple, but it takes a lot of work. Sometimes you have to make meals carefully, and other times you have to use instant food.

Today, I would like to share some little tips that I usually use to make mealtimes more enjoyable.

Enjoy the tableware

I am a big fan of tableware and have a habit of collecting them, so my cupboards are overflowing with them. They are all different kinds, including things I bought at exhibitions, things I received as gifts, things I picked up on my travels, and so on.

My theory is that if you pay attention to the tableware you use, you can really enjoy the taste of the food itself.
"The colors are vibrant, so I'll use more modest dishes," "I'll use the dishes that have been sleeping on the shelf for a long time," "I bought this cup on a trip," etc. Any criteria are fine. Choose dishes that match the food, or vice versa. Even if you don't usually pay much attention to them, why not take some time to look at your cupboard and think about them?

To go with the dish

During this season, bamboo shoots are sold at a nearby farmer's market. I wanted to present them in a spring-like way, so I chose a dish based on the amount of food and the color. I love this dish that I received as a gift because of its beautiful, hazy, pale color. It's especially popular in early spring.

Choose from the equipment you want to use

Small bowls are useful for light meals. I wanted to use them for breakfast, so I chose to make something from a bowl. Recently, I've been on a diet to get my body in good condition after my routine changed. There are only a few things I can eat, but this is my way of lifting my spirits.

Some people live alone or don't have many dishes. In such cases, try serving food in a dish that is one size larger than usual to leave some space around the edge, or turn a cup into a small bowl. It's also recommended to change the way you use it.
The things you choose and how you use them will vary from person to person, but the most important thing is intuition. Try to choose based on whether it makes you feel happy or joyful, rather than whether it has good taste.

Careful about ingredients

Since my family members work as chefs, I often get to learn about delicious ingredients. I saw that farmers were experimenting with different ways to sell their produce due to the decreased opportunities to sell, so I decided to order some vegetables.

I've eaten their vegetables a few times before, but this is the first time I've had them delivered directly. If it weren't for the fact that we're now spending more time at home, I don't think I would have ordered them.
The freshly picked organic vegetables, carefully grown, had a strong flavor and were so delicious that I couldn't help but exclaim, "Wow!" By eating healthy ingredients, I felt like I was in better shape not only physically but also mentally.

In my case, I ordered food to make it easier to understand, but I think there are other ways to do it. Try buying ingredients you don't normally use, or try different seasonings, and I feel like just by doing that you can make new discoveries.

Change your mood with chopstick rests

I've been collecting chopstick rests for longer than I have tableware. Some people may not use them or have any, but having one can make a big difference in mealtimes.

There are two reasons why I use chopstick rests.

One is that it makes you want to eat your meal more carefully. When you organize your chopsticks, you somehow feel like you have to arrange the other bowls and dishes neatly. If you are conscious of placing your chopsticks neatly on the chopstick rest after each bite, it also helps prevent you from eating too quickly.

Another advantage is that you can easily change the atmosphere. There are many objects of all genres available, including people, animals, food, and accessories. The fun of being able to choose according to the season or your mood seems to be connected to the fun of the meal itself.

My recent favorite is Karako. The soothing atmosphere really puts my mind at ease.

If you don't have chopstick rests, you can use small plates instead, or make simple ones out of paper.

Because it's a time that comes every day, you can make it fun with a little ingenuity.

I think what enriches your life isn't so much about spending money or time or physical things, but rather about how much fun you have and how you can change your perspective.

I hope everyone will think about what they can do now, what they have, and what is in front of them, and try to be creative with it. I hope that your daily meals will become a little more enjoyable than before.

Daikanyama store Kimura