It is to my understanding that 46 out of the 50 states of America are currently experiencing a Polar Vortex in which Mother Nature has decided to freeze everyone besides California, southern Texas, southern Florida, & Hawaii. There have been plenty of jabs at the scientists that coined the term “Global Warming” because it’s clearly frozen in America, but that’s why many of us use the term “Climate Change” instead, because “Global Warming” can be a misnomer. While the planet is indeed getting warmer, it also means extreme weather changes. One man’s frost is another man’s heat & one man’s flood is another man’s drought. In California’s case, we’re really hurting for rain so if one of those 46 states could just ship us over some snow, that’d be so great. We’d be sure to send them a thank you card: Wow. Such Snow. Much Appreciate. Very Kind. Much Thanks. Wow.
Before I start talking about the ramen I ate, I just want to make it clear that when I refer to Mother Nature, I don’t actually mean that Earth is a living entity with a spirit controlling the weather; I mean the equalizing weather changes Earth experiences in order to maintain stability & balance. This drought hasn’t gotten me drinking the crazy punch yet, don’t worry.
On Wednesday, I went to one of my favorite Japanese markets called Marukai (their website is a mess, I’d try not to surf for too long on it). Knowing they had a food court with boba & ramen, I thought, “I can have one fat day out of the week, can’t I?” so why not? After getting groceries to make Okonomiyaki (Japanese savory cabbage pancake), udon, ramen, & other various dinners for the next 2 weeks, I stopped by to get ramen from Ramen Iroha. I was sorely disappointed with the lackluster the broth, but the noodles were just what I was craving. I did fix the broth a bit with water, sugar, hot sesame oil, lime, & ponzu sauce, but it looks like Yelp! was right in awarding it with only 3 stars.
I kept the ramen separate to replicate Tsukemen ramen, which is dipping ramen. It’s the best way to keep from overeating & feeling bloated in my opinion. Tsukemen is the best way to go. Ramen is the perfect meal for rainy days, but jeez, Mother Nature, why you gotta hold out on us like that? It’s just kind of “cold” here while New York is an ice cube. Give them a break & just hang out with us for a little.
So, for today’s take home message, please be sure to always reuse, recycle, & repeat. Take reusable grocery bags when you’re out at the market & take shorter showers. Wash your car less & water plants with unused stale water laying around the house. Carpool & walk or bike to close destinations. Even if for some idiotic selfish reason you don’t think climate change affects you, think again for the future of humanity & for your children’s future. We are affected by climate change every day–in fact we’re affected by it right now–so do your best to reduce your carbon footprint.
Yak Man
It’s 1 am here in the Netherlands, and your photo is making me even more hungry haha – I have read another food post before reading yours.
The weather is the same over here, it got a lot warmer and that is quite weird. Normally there would be snow in January until February.. :/ Although I don’t really like snow -cycling+snow is not a good combo haha- I kinda missed it this year.
Tiff
Haha I eat really late sometimes after I look at all these food pictures on Yelp, so I feel you.
That is quite odd that it’s been quite warm in the Netherlands. I’ve heard these harrowing tales of how cold it is during the winter. Guess y’all got a break because Mother Nature decided to freeze the US instead haha!
Raisa
It’s getting warm here in southern Nevada. 70 degrees next week! I’m not looking forward to this coming summer.
I’ve been making an effort to use less plastic this past year, as well as taking the bus more often. I love long, hot showers though so I’m still a water waster. 🙁 I need to fix that.
Tiff
I often take long hot showers too, but I’m cutting down simply just by doing everything in the shower: brushing my teeth while shampooing my hair & washing my face! I shower like I’ve got 20 minutes to get dressed to go out. Any bit helps & using reusable grocery bags is a great step forward!
Krystal
You can definitely have ALL of our snow from up here in Canada. Take it, please.
The yummy food looks really warm and tasty.
Cat
It’s times like this that I think about Hawaii, haha. Their weather seems to be perfect year-round. I live in Central Texas, and we’re getting random days where the roads will ice over. Yet today, it was warm and sunny! So inconsistent!
That’s too bad the ramen place didn’t have good broth. I feel like that’s the problem of most mediocre ramen places I’ve tried =/ I should try dipping ramen some time, which is an option at my favorite ramen place. I do have the tendency to over eat when I’m there, haha.
I wish more people would follow the tips in your last paragraph! I was happy when our city banned plastic bags, but so many people whined and complained about it. I had already gotten used to bringing reusable bags with me, so I didn’t think it was a big deal. Every bit helps!
Tiff
Hawaii is so beautiful! It’s nearly perfect here year round too, but too perfect because now we don’t have any water. Well, worst drought in our history.
Broth is so important! You can’t be a successful ramen restaurant if your broth is subpar. I wish I could send you some ramen from my favorite restaurant. It’s amazingggggggggg. Tsukemen is the way to go. Once you go Tsukemen you rarely go back unless it’s a snow storm out haha. I always overheat my noodles. It’s as if I’m on a mission to eat everything in the bowl! So instead, try taking your food to go so you have more for tomorrow.
I brought home tons of reusable grocery bags for my parents to use so my mom keeps them in her trunk. We also recently banned plastic bags & I’m really happy that they did! Like you said, any bit helps. People just don’t see how their simple actions to practice “green behavior” will actually help. It influences those around them to think twice too. Also, let’s not forget their kids who will be the next generation. It’s up to us to make sure we teach them to recycle, reuse, repeat.
Darianne
Your food pictures always make me hungry, and at this moment, I am hungry. That looks pretty good! 😀
Tiff
Thanks! There’s more to my blog than pictures of food though.