Heroic Mama

  It is not a surprise that our smartphones have become more like companions than just gadgets at this time. But have you ever noticed how easily we get sucked into them? Excessive phone use, such as web browsing, social media scrolling, email checking, online gaming, video watching, and listening to music has become a common habit that can significantly impact our lives. According to Screentime Stats Report data from Rescue Time, the average person spends 3 hours and 15 minutes on their phone daily. And 1 in 5 smartphone users spends upwards of 4.5 hours on average on their phones every day. On average, people check their phones 58 times per day. And almost 52% of phone checks (30 per day) occur during work hours. That’s almost 23 hours per week lost for an average person. What is your average screen time per day? You can check your screen time data in your phone settings Knowing the optimal amount of screen time for adults can be challenging. Unlike children, there aren’t clear-c...

Cherry blossom season in Japan is a must-see attraction, captivating visitors with its stunning display of pink petals. From Tokyo to Kyoto, the country is transformed into a scenic wonderland during this beautiful time of year. Whether strolling through historic paths or enjoying a picnic under the cherry trees, viewing the cherry blossoms offers a peek into Japan’s natural beauty and cherished traditions. Every year during the cherry blossom season in April, tourists and locals flock to famous scenic spots to witness the beauty of sakura , the Japanese word for cherry trees. However, there are beautiful sights to view the cherries almost everywhere in the country, including local parks such as Horioseki Park in Oguchi town with 1400 sakura trees where my family and I enjoyed a hanami , the traditional Japanese custom of cherry blossom viewing. Paper lanterns at Horioseki Park which will be lit for the night sakura As I admired the simple and elegant beauty of the 1400 sakura trees li...

Hello! In this article, I would like to discuss the importance of nutrition in the first 1,000 days of a child’s life and share my top 10 brain-boosting foods. What we eat from the very beginning of life plays a crucial role in the growth and development of our brains. This journey starts before a child is born, during pregnancy, and continues through the first two years of life, commonly known as the First 1,000 Days. 80% of the brain develops within the first 1000 days. Within this period, a child’s auditory and visual sensory systems, learning abilities, memory functions, and information processing systems are formed. This is why proper nutrition is crucial during the first 1,000 days because it provides the building blocks for healthy brain development. How well or poorly mothers and children are nourished and cared for during this time profoundly impacts a child’s ability to grow, learn, and thrive. These, in turn, impact the child’s future success in school and economic opportuni...

Hi there! 🙋‍♀️Today,  I would like to share with you about Death.  Yesterda y was the last funeral service for my Japanese grandmother-in-law.  Famil ies and friends gathered to honor her memory and offered prayers and incense as the Buddhist priest chanted the sutras. Grandma looked serene and beautiful in her lilac-colored kimono that accentuated her gentle features.  She rested peacefully in her pristine white casket as if she were taking a serene nap.  Before we sealed Grandma's casket to send her for cremation, we filled her casket with beautiful flowers, letters from families and friends, and her favorite meal, "kabocha" or pumpkin.  We moistened her lips with water, a practice known as the water of the last moment (末期の水, matsugo-no-mizu). It was a solemn and reverent ceremony honoring and remembering her life and appreciating her wonderful works when she was alive. At 98 years old, Grandma still woke up early every day to tend to her garden, plantin...

Last month, I noticed my mother-in-law decorating the house with a 7-tier display of hina dolls. Curious, I asked her about it, and she explained that it was for the Hinamatsuri festival, which celebrates the well-being and future happiness of my daughter, including her future marriage. As a mother, I felt deeply grateful and moved by this gesture from my mother-in-law, who took the time to carefully adorn our home with this beautiful tradition. Her detailed arrangement of intricate hina dolls and bright peach blossoms filled our home with joy and a sense of family heritage, creating a loving and heartwarming environment for our daughter. It was a touching reminder of the lasting bonds and hopes that tie our family together. In this article, I will discuss Hinamatsuri, also known as Japan's Girls' Festival. I'll look into the meaning of the traditional hina dolls and share how this beloved celebration is typically observed. What is the Hinamatsuri Festival? Hinamatsuri, als...