Karaoke and Healthier Sweet Treats

I still haven't figured out my new format, or where I want to take this blog.  As of this moment, I've decided to talk about something Japanese, a new skill I've attempted in CrossFit/ or new recipes that I'm dabbling in.    Since I enjoy all of these things, I might just incorporate them all into each blog, or pick a couple to talk about.  I figure that at least 1 out of the 3 topics might be of interest to someone. 

Karaoke Box at Shidax.

Karaoke

Although I love music and singing, I never tried Karaoke until I moved to Japan.  You can find a good selection of English songs to Karaoke at bars, or at Karaoke boxes (businesses that have individual rooms set up for singing, eating and drinking).  It is huge here, so its a must even if you don't have a quality singing voice such as myself.  The price ranges from about 200 yen (~$2.00 USD) per song in bars upwards to 3,000 yen+ ($30.00 USD and up) at a Karaoke box.  Many Karaoke boxes charge per room, plus have an all you can drink plan.  If you want to order food, the cost is extra and is similar to food you'd find at an Izakaya (fried chicken, fries, noodles, salads, etc). 


Here are a few Karaoke places I'd recommend in Yokosuka:

• U- Style on Blue Street in the same building as Gold's Gym.  Nice rooms, has ice cream, a chocolate fountain and a soda drink bar. 
• Shidax located a couple blocks outside of Womble Gate and across from Saikaya Department Store.  This place has a ton of rooms, a good drink menu, and reasonable food.  Its a bit pricey.

• New Texas bar in The Honch.  200 yen per song, never too crowded. and a good ambiance.

Healthier Sweet Treats

Not only do I love food, but I have an and probably will always have an obsession with sweets.  Since embarking on a better eating plan this year, I've been trying out a number of healthier treat recipes.  I realize that many of the ingredients may be high in calories, but they satisfy my sweet tooth.  The no-bakes taste amazing right out of the freezer!

Here's a gluten-free chocolate chip cookie recipe that actually looks like a cookie when taken out of the oven!!

Better For You Chocolate Chip Cookies (grain free, gluten free, dairy free, refined sugar free)

Makes about a dozen

Adapted from Detoxinista

• 1 cup raw almond butter
• 1/4 cup raw honey (you can use slightly more or less based on your preference)
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup Enjoy Life chips (more/less if you like) or Dark Chocolate Chips

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 Degrees F. Line cookie sheet with non-stick foil.

2. In a bowl, whisk all ingredients (except the chips) together. When combined, gently fold in chips to incorporate.

3. Using a regular spoon, spoon about 2 TBSP worth of batter onto the cookie sheet, about 1.5 inches about. The batter is loose, but it actually doesn't spread a lot.

4. Bake for 8-10 minutes (until just slightly firm). Remove from oven and let cool for another 10 minutes on the cookie sheet. This is important to make sure they "set up" right.

5. Remove cookies from sheet and allow to finish cooling on a cookie rack. Store in an airtight container.

They peel easily off of the foil. 

Healthier No Bake Cookies

1cup shredded unsweetened coconut

1 cup Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips (soy free) or Dark Chocolate Chips

1/3 cup coconut oil

1/3 cup raw honey

1/2 cup almond butter

1 cup chopped pecans

Melt the following ingredients on the stove top.  I melted the chocolate chips in the microwave, then added the other ingredients.

1 cup chocolate chips

1/3 cup coconut oil

1/3 cup raw honey

1/2 cup almond butter

Once melted add that, along with the following ingredients, to a bowl:

1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut

1 cup chopped pecans

Place in freezer for about 30 minutes until ready to eat.