Your blog category
For as long as I’ve known him, my husband’s relationship with food has been a game of Russian roulette. A seemingly random, unexplained headache would strike without warning, turning a delicious meal into a moment of misery. He’d suffered from these mysterious headaches since he was a kid in Japan, and it was just a […]
Solving the MSG Mystery: How We Cured a Lifelong Headache Read More »
Hey amazing people in Bothell/Kirkland (and surrounding areas)! Let’s be real, finding time for ourselves, let alone a workout, can feel like scaling Mount Everest. The juggling act of work deadlines, endless errands, and everything else in between often leaves “me time” at the very bottom of the to-do list. That’s why I’m SO excited
Fitness at Your Home: Home Delivered Workouts for Busy you Read More »
For most of my life, running was my enemy. It was boring, exhausting, and my absolute last choice for a workout. The idea of “runner’s high” was a myth to me; I only ever experienced a “runner’s why am I doing this?” My feelings were clear: I’d rather do burpees than run a single mile.
My Unlikely Journey with Running: From 0K to a 20K Finish Line Read More »
My uncle has always been a legend in my family, but not for some wild, adventurous reason. He’s a legend because his rice is, without a doubt, the best I’ve ever tasted. He’s been farming in Shimane, Japan, for years, pouring his heart and soul into every single grain. I’ve always been proud of him,
A Noodle Story: My Uncle’s Gluten-Free Masterpiece Read More »
Hello, travel fans! We’re finally back from our summer 2025 family trip to Japan, and let me tell you, it was a whirlwind of amazing food, thrilling adventures, and (you guessed it) a whole lot of travel. We hit up so many spots (mostly by driving!) I can barely list them all: Kanagawa, Chiba, Nagano,
From Pokémon to Hot Springs: Highlights from Our 2025 Japan Trip Read More »
“Where do I even start with my wellness and fitness journey?” This is a question I get asked all the time, especially from those just dipping their toes into the world of health. And it’s a great question, because getting started can feel incredibly overwhelming. There’s so much information out there, so many different workout
Your Wellness and Fitness Journey: Where to Even Begin? Read More »
I’ve talked about “cheat days” before, celebrating a “conquered” one in my last post. But after reflecting, I want to dive a little deeper, share some updates, and honestly, even challenge the term itself. What is a cheat day? Is it beneficial? Do you need one? How often can you have one? The fitness world
From “Cheat” to “Reward”: Rethinking Indulgence on My Fitness Journey Read More »
Every year, my fitness journey feels a bit like a personal science experiment. I love trying new things, discovering what works for my body and what doesn’t. It can be incredibly motivating when a new approach clicks, like uncovering a secret method just for you. But, let’s be honest, it’s also incredibly demotivating when an
My Body Experiment: How I Shed 5% Body Fat This Year Read More »
Phew! After nearly four months of steadfast calorie deficit, layered with the delightful chaos of coaching elementary school Track & Field, leading PTA initiatives, running my NakaNaka Mom Fitness business, and tackling all the relentless daily mom chores (with a few strategic maintenance calorie days sprinkled in, of course!), I finally declared it. It was
Cheat Day, Conquered: How I Made It a Win for My Fitness Read More »
Does it ever feel like you’re constantly treading water, trying to keep all the plates spinning? Between the demands of work, kids, home, and maybe even a sliver of personal time, it’s understandable that frustration can creep in. And sometimes, that frustration manifests as negativity – a sigh, a tone, a comment we might later
Struggling with Mom’s Negativity? Gentle Ways to Create a More Positive Home Read More »