Blog Charaku

Weight Loss – 22kg (49lbs) in 16 months
Some of you may remember my blog of July 27, last year, heralding what I thought then was the great achievement of losing 10kg in 3 months.
Thirteen months later I’m delighted to report a weight loss of 22kg. I now weigh in at a stable 87kg (192lbs), an ideal weight for my 195cm (6’5”) height.
I attribute this mainly to trading beverages from red wine and beer (which I still occasionally enjoy), to Japanese green tea.
Japanese green tea can’t take all the credit of course, though its regular drinking has helped to instill a certain discipline to my life. Other factors include a regular morning walk through the forest with Mr. Rooney, our American Cocker Spaniel, cutting snacks from my diet and becoming less sedentary by cooking in our newly opened café for a few hours a day.
Autumn (or fall, if you prefer)
“SEASON of mists and mellow fruitfulness,
Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;” Keats
Autumn in Sapporo lives up to that magnificent observation. My morning walks through the forest are over a carpeted treasure of red, yellow, gold and brown leaves. The smell is pungent and the fungi abundant. The seasons are so important to the Japanese and their way of life. There is so much home grown produce here and as the seasons change so do the daily menus offering a variety of life that our grandparents so enjoyed.
So members and friends please continue to enjoy Japanese green tea and its health benefits and enjoy autumn, unless of course you’re ‘Downunder’ in which case enjoy your spring.
Ayers Rock Cafe
Yes, I know, I’ve been quiet for a few months.
Our new cafe venture is the reason. Our cafe is situated just outside of downtown Sapporo in Minami-ku (south ward); its half way up to Mt Moiwa, our local ski resort and affords a panoramic view from our windows and balcony of the mountains surrounding us. If you ever get to this beautiful part of the globe, maybe for winter sports or the ice sculptures each February please call in to say “Konnichiwa”, you’ll be regally treated and perhaps we can give you some good advice on what to do and where to visit to enhance your stay.

We’re so confident that you will enjoy and benefit from our Charaku Organic Sencha that we will happily mail you a 7gm sample package Free of Charge.

Simply email us at info@tea-charaku.com including your name and mailing address and expect to receive your Charaku Organic Sencha within 14 days. If you feel a family member or friend may like to try our tea you can add their mailing address too.

There is sufficient evidence that Japanese Green Tea is good for your health (see Health Benifit ) and claims it prevents some forms of cancer (see Charaku blog March 31 2009 'Green Tea and Cancer Research').

Personally I think that Japanese Green Tea stands on its merits as a very pleasant beverage to relax with. However, I can report my own weight loss achievement of 10kgs in 3 months. How? First you have to want to lose weight and be serious about it. I started by substituting my evening relaxation with a fine Australian Shiraz or Cab. Sav., with a cup of Sencha or Gyokuro, this was easier to do than I thought. Then I doubled my walks with the dog (an American Cocker named ‘Rooney’), and guess what? As you begin to feel the weight loss, the walks become enjoyable. I substituted cookies and chocolate for fruit. Finally, I upped my interest in gardening, the gentlest of all exercise. Persistence is the key. The immediate effect was dramatic, about two kilos in a week, then there was a lull for 2-3 weeks which sets one wondering but soon the weight started to drip off again. The feeling of well-being is worth the small sacrifices I can vouch for that.