Eat up.

Everything I eat in Korea is good for my health.

At least, that's what my Korean friends tell me.

Korea prides itself on having foods with holistic health benefits. Just look at kimchi, it's considered the healthiest food in the world.

I'm often told that this is good for your heart, and that is good for your brain. Everything is good for something. So here's a small list for you to see how "healthy" I eat in Korea.

garlic

ginseng

eggplant

seaweed

onions

anchovies

aloe juice

twigs (made into tea)

What do you think? Are you ready to hop on the health craze of Korea?

I'm a face mask junkie.

I talked to my sister about some Korean face masks I sent her and she wasn't sure how she felt about them. I was shocked.

I decided it's time for a confession.
I'm addicted to Korean face masks.
I love them so much. I have started a collection for when I return home, I never want to go without.

So, what are these masks?
They are a popular facial product here in Korea. Each mask has a specific purpose- be it hydrating, toning, firming, shrinking pores, healing acne, or rejuvenating your face.
They are made from cotton(?) and soaked in oils. You can find them at any cosmetic store in Korea.

They usually cost about $1.00 each.

So, exactly how do they work?

First, make sure your face is squeaky clean (I like to use them after a shower). 

Grab the slimy cotton wad out of the package and gently separate it to look like this:

It looks creepy, I know, but it smells amazing. 

Then, put it all up on your face.

You know this is going to be good...

Don't worry, you look great!

Just be cautious of who sees you around the house, they may think you're about to rob a bank.

Keep it on for 15~20 minutes.

When I take mine off there's some oils left on my face, so I just rub it in.
I use them once a week, but I heard some people use them every other day. Either way, I really like how it makes my skin feel.

What do you think? Do you want some?

Say THANKS (Chuseok style)

It's Fall.
My favorite season. Ever.

The beginning of Fall is especially important in Korea for it is the holiday of 추석 Chuseok.

It's a time when family member gather to share food and give thanks to their ancestors.
Chuseok Day is September 29, but the holiday is observed for 3 days from September 29-October 1 (that means no work from Monday through Wednesday next week).

There's some pretty cool elements involved:

• 차례 Charye- a memorial service held in honor of the family members' ancestors. On Chuseok they present rice as an offering to their ancestors.
• 벌초 Belocho- a month prior to Chuseok family members will go to their ancestral graves to remove weeds that have grown during the summer.
• Chuseok dress- wearing traditional gown, known as hanbok.

Children hanboks sold for $50 at department stores.

• 성묘 Seongmyo- visiting the graves on Chuseok and offering prayers of thanks.
• 송편 Songpyeon- the traditional food of Chuseok. Rice cakes that are shaped into balls filled with sesame seeds, chestnuts and sugar.

And then there is this, "an old Korean anecdote says that the person who makes beautiful songpyeon will meet a good spouse or give birth to a beautiful baby."

In the end, it's all about the babies.

It is also a time for gift giving. 

Home Plus (my local grocery store) and all other stores are prepared for such a holiday.

Gift sets are the popular gift to give.

Here's a look at what you could give if you celebrated Chuseok in Korea:

any of these tuna/ canola oil sets

 this box set of premium Korean beef for $240

 toiletry set

ten Korean pears for $80

dried anchovies

 nine large apples for $80

canola oil and Spam

dried fruit

or Korean rice bars

I gasped out loud how expensive all this was. One smiling saleswoman shook her head and corrected me that it's all very reasonably priced.

Right.

Thankfully I can claim my wagookin-ness and not have to buy presents for this holiday.

I'll keep you posted on what a foreigner does during this momentous family-oriented celebration. 

Until next time, peace.

Luxury Items

Overall, Korea is an affordable country for expats: no tipping at restaurants, cheap alcohol, inexpensive utility bills. But, there is one drawback- produce.
아이고! (Oh my gosh!)
Produce, especially fruit, is crazy expensive in Korea. Fruit is often reserved as hostess gifts- it can be packaged and detailed with ribbon. With prices this high, it's no wonder I shop at the Sijang. During season, the prices drop a bit but it stills costs a pretty penny.

Check it out for yourself. How does it compare to your hometown grocery store?

With prices like this, I sure do miss home and the abundance of homegrown produce. Especially Michigan apples.

시장 A Korean Traditional Market

시장 (Sijang) 

This may be one of my favorite places in all of Korea.

 Sijang means market. It is an indoor/outdoor vendor after vendor experience. Here you can purchase produce, grains, fish and crustaceans from nearby farms. Here you can buy clothing, rice cakes, sweets and shoes. Here you can embrace the essence of Korea through its products and people. 

dried fish

eat me

late winter is strawberry season in Korea

even some foreign sweets and liquors

so many kinds of kimchi

Pajeon (I tried to make this at home)

fresh fish

baby octopus

;0

my washed and cut up strawberries, ready to be devoured :)