Servings: 9 pieces

Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup glutinous rice flour
- 2/3 cup water
- 2 Tbs. sugar
- 1 Tbs. green tea powder
- Filling (optional)

Directions:

1. First, put the glutinous rice flour, water and sugar in a microwavable bowl; mix well.
2. Cover the bowl with seran wrap.
3. Microwave the bowl on high for 4 minutes (on a 900 watt microwave).
4. Take the mochi out of the microwave and let it cool for 15 minutes.
5. Loosen the edges and place the mochi on top of a floured surface (dusted with corn starch, potato starch or flour).
6. Knead the mochi until it is flat and long.
7. Then, cut the mochi into small pieces.
8. Roll the mochi into a ball and cover it in green tea powder.
9. Put the mochi on a small plate and enjoy!

Each Serving:  
Calories: 104, Fat: 0g, Sodium: 9mg, Carbs: 23.2g, Sugar: 2.8g, Fiber: 1.5g, Protein: 1.3g

Year 2012 was such a busy and slow year at the same time. I graduated from my Masters program, changed careers and learned a lot of things about social media marketing through Miki's Pantry. My passion to teach others about health led me to what I really want to do in life (career-wise). Although I am going to start my journey in the gaming industry, I will still continue making healthy cooking videos and posting them on YouTube. Currently, the United States government is not utilizing social media to its full potential, so I am going to keep making health-related videos, even if they are not professional or high quality. The videos I make and the blog posts I write come from my heart, because I genuinely care about others. If each one of us make small changes to help improve society, our world will be a better place to live in and we will live longer, healthier lives. If you take one step at a time to improve your health, that is better than doing nothing at all. 

A few weeks ago, someone put me down by saying that my cooking and baking isn't healthy. That is just one of the things she said. She made a lot of assumptions and what she said was rude. From my understanding, she does not own a blog or make genuine YouTube videos, so making biased assumptions without fully analyzing the situation or contacting the content creator was impolite and uncalled for. And guess what? She even dared to "market" her junk on Miki's Pantry Facebook page after she insulted me and everyone that makes health-related videos out there. Good thing I have other people's posts disabled so no one can spam or solicit on my page.

I do admit that my cooking and baking is not 100% healthy (but what is really 100% healthy?!). However, my cooking and baking is a lot lower in fats, sugars and salts compared to restaurant and store-bought foods. I also don't believe in using alternative sugars, because there is a lot of research out there that shows they increase cancer risks. Educating others about using something I don't believe in is against my conscience. Regardless of her actions, I will continue to educate others online...from my point of view and from the knowledge I acquired (from working for the government and from reading reputable books/articles). I will do what I can to teach others about healthier living, with or without being  ridiculed.

Please continue to support me by telling others about Miki's Pantry. May your New Years be filled with joy and excitement. Keep chasing your dreams and don't give up on what you want to do in life! :)

Last month, I was invited to review the Panera Bread Bakery and Cafe. I was definitely excited when I received a Panera Bread gift card in the mail, because I have not eaten there before. I went on Panera Bread's website and noticed that there is only one location in San Francisco. Fortunately, it was conveniently located on King and 4th Street (right near the Ball Park). I went to eat at Panera Bread a week ago and was blown away by how awesome that bakery and cafe is. The set up of the restaurant reminds me of Starbucks. The lighting and seating arrangements are very warm and inviting...not to mention that there is free wifi! Everything was neatly displayed and easily accessible. 

I went to Panera Bread with a friend and we got the Big Kid Grilled Cheese Sandwich and Chicken Noodle Soup in a bread bowl. The sandwich and soup were both very tasty! If you are not in San Francisco and want to try Panera Bread, there are many locations in the United States. The next time I go there, I will most likely bring my laptop, sit back and relax.

Do you know how to make Peppermint Mocha? In this post, I will show you how to make a simple and warm drink to enjoy this cold winter season. Starbucks Peppermint Mocha is high in calories and sugar. However, my version is low in calories and sugar. This recipe only requires 3 to 4 ingredients.

In other news, I apologize that I haven't posted for a while. For the past few months, I have been trying very hard to find a marketing job in the gaming industry. Fortunately, I was hired to work at a game publishing company a few days ago! My first day of work will be this upcoming Monday. I am very excited about my new job and I look forward to it.

I am still going to be making healthy cooking video recipes even though I have a job now. Since there are people that support me, I can't let them down. Making videos for a hobby is pretty relaxing and fun. I'm not doing Miki's Pantry for money nor am I trying to become a chef or TV personality. I just enjoy sharing my knowledge about healthier living and communicating with others online. 

Alright, onto this drink recipe!

P.S. I accidentally said "vanilla extract" in the video. I actually meant "peppermint extract".

•  1 Tbs. unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup warm soy milk (Silk or Kirkland)
• 1/8-1/4 tsp. peppermint extract 
• ground cinnamon (optional)

1. Put all of the ingredients (excluding the cinnamon) into a stainless steel cup and blend well.
2. Sprinkle a tiny bit of cinnamon on top and enjoy.

Taro Latte is super easy to make and is great on a cold night. It only requires two ingredients...mashed taro and warm soy milk. Taro is a type of root vegetable, and it is similar to the texture and taste of yams. Some people confuse taro with purple yam. However, they are different from one another. Growing up, I heard a story involving taro and how it is "poor people's food" and moon cake is "rich people's food". Back in the days of China, rich people would eat moon cake, while poor people would eat taro. Good thing taro is healthier than moon cake!

• 1 Tbs. cooked, mashed taro
• 1 cup warm soy milk

1. Put the cooked, mashed taro and warm soy milk in a stainless steel cup.
2. Blend everything for 2-3 minutes. 
3. Enjoy.