About Me

My name is Shinichi and I started this blog for one reason. I love food in all its glory. From the most humble bowl of rice to a decadent slice of a calorie-laden chocolate cake, I love it all! Ever since I can remember, food has always fascinated me.

When I was a kid, my mother probably thought I was adopted. She wasn't really a foodie and neither was my younger sister. When my mother took us out to eat, they would always order familiar dishes that they'd order over and over again while I would look for the most foreign-sounding thing on the menu. They would laugh and ridicule me especially when I didn't like what I ordered. My dad survived on a diet of cigarettes, whisky and energy bars.

As the years went by, food became the bane of my existence. I started to rely on food to fill a void in my life. My father left when I was 5 and my mother was hardly ever home as she was forced to support two kids on her own. I ate and ate until I could hardly breathe and ballooned to a whopping 250 pounds. At my 5 ft 9 frame, that was definitely not a good thing.

Many years of trying out fad diets and yo-yo dieting, I finally made a decision to lose the weight. I hated what I saw in the mirror and realized, probably for the first time that it was really up to me. So I decided to lose my excess weight and to improve my health and this time, I did it for myself.

My Weight Loss

I basically cut out refined carbs ( white rice, bread, flour, sugar ) from my diet and the pounds started to come off. Exercise was also a big part of my lifestyle change, but the way I looked at food had to change as well. Instead of gravitating towards food for comfort, I decided to enjoy food for what it really is. The right food nourishes, invigorates and energizes the body. Good-tasting food is to be savored and enjoyed with every single bite. I started to become conscious of everything I put into my mouth.

At 158 pounds, I am at my ideal weight and have maintained it for over two decades. I still have a tendency to gain weight quickly but I manage to never gain more than a few pounds at a time and I always make sure I get back to that magic number. I do this by what works for me best - cutting out the refined carbs from my diet.

Balance is Key to My Health and Sanity

In recent years, the Paleo Diet has become all the rage most notably in Western countries. In Japan, no one's heard of it yet and it's no wonder why. Obesity has never been a problem in this country. The Japanese way of eating is a healthy way and it's quite simple. Eat food that's in peak season for optimum health and taste. Eat only until you're satisfied and not stuffed. Drink lots of green tea. Of course they still indulge in all sorts of goodies but they do it in moderation.

This is exactly how I manage to maintain my health and weight while enjoying all my favorite foods, no matter what they may be. I don't adhere strictly to any single diet plan anymore. I simply use common sense. I'll even enjoy a cupcake now and then because I simply love them. Once I have my sugary treat though, I'm usually back to eating something healthy for my next meal. And I mostly drink water and teas to stay hydrated.

My Recipes

My love for food didn't end at restaurants. It also extended into the kitchen and a day spent experimenting with a new recipe is a day well spent. Time flies when I'm cooking up a storm. As you can see, my recipe collection is an eclectic one - traditional Japanese dishes to Hawaiian local cuisine, Paleo Pancakes to Flour-based cupcakes, I cook what I feel like cooking. If you're health-conscious, remember that moderation is key. But that's just me so go ahead and decide which ones you like best!

For me, cooking and eating is all about having fun and enjoying everything about it!

CHECK OUT MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL


My Travels

When I was 21, I got the opportunity to travel to Germany, where my passion for travel was born. Since then, traveling continues to be one of my favorite "pastimes" and I try to do it as much as I can. I've traveled around the world a few times and I still haven't seen it all. The world is a huge place there's still so much to see, experience and eat!

Tabi ( means "travel" in Japanese ) Eats is a place where I can share my recipes ( new ones and old family favorites ) and new food discovers as well as record my travel experiences around the world. I hope you enjoy my blog as much as I enjoy creating it. Thanks!

Don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter for regular updates. You'll also receive a FREE copy of 10 Favorite Recipes from My Kitchen in PDF format instantly delivered to you! How great is that?




In addition to this blog, you can find me on YouTube, where I run a food and travel channel with my partner. We currently release 5 videos every week with 2 new recipes every week! I'd love it if you come over and say hi. Subscribing to my Youtube channel will enable you to get notices of our new videos and it's all FREE! CLICK HERE to go check out TABIEATS on YouTube




25 comments:

  1. Hi Shinichi...reading your story I really admire you more,,,,thanks for sharing a little bit of your life story...

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    1. Thanks so much for your kind words. I hope to be able to share more on my youtube videos. Thanks always for your support. It is truly appreciated. :)

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  2. Cool blog, I will definitely try a lot of your recipes!

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    1. Thanks so much! Let me know how it turns out.

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  3. Cool blog, I will definitely try a lot of your recipes!

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  4. Hi Shinichi, your story is so inspiring, thank you for sharing it !
    Also, i made your gyoza recipe for my family last time (yes, even the wrappers!) they all loved it, it was so delicious that I want to make it everyday
    I love your blog and your videos, keep doing great stuff like this :) hugs from France

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  5. Hi! My boyfriend and I recently discovered your channel on YT while looking for videos abt Japan. We enjoy your videos a lot. Have you been to the Philippines or eaten Filipino delicacies? Would love to give you some when we visit Japan next month. - Marian

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  6. I LOVE YOUR BLOG! My partner and I, along with my bestfriend and another friend recently visited Japan (Osaka-Kyoto-Tokyo) and stayed for 12 days. It was amazing. Reading your blog and watching your YT channel makes me want to visit Japan again and explore more on the culinary delights! Thank you! I've subscribed to everything!

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  7. Dear Shinichi,
    I only found out recently about your Youtube Channel and your blog. Im always interested in people who share the same passion with me: food, travel, culture...
    Im always trying to find new interesting channels and I have to say that your channel is by far the best I have seen! The way you present your passion, show us your country and invite us to follow you around is really amazing.
    You and your partner really make awesome videos and it is always fun to watch! I really enjoy it! Thank you so much for that!
    Anna

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  8. Hi Shinichi. My daughter (4.5) and I really love watching your YT videos! We were wondering if you had received any food hauls from Texas. If not, we'd love to send you one to try! Thanks!

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    1. Hi Caren. Thanks so much for watching our videos! we've actually never received anything from America so I think that would be a lot of fun! We'd love to try a good haul from Texas! Thank you so much!

      Here's the mailing address.
      Shinichi Mine
      2-23-2 Nakanoku Maruyama 802
      Tokyo Japan 165-0021

      Please let me know when you've sent it so we know to watch for it. Please also write down your youtube username somewhere inside the package. Thanks so much!

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  9. My boyfriend found you on Youtube as we were searching up things to do in Hokkaido and just have to say that I love the videos you put out there!

    I decided to follow you in other mediums like Instagram and Facebook and found your site today. Your weight loss journey is inspirational as I'm in need of losing weight for health sakes. I'm hoping to be more inspired as I spend more time on your site and following you! Keep it up!

    I will also have to search for some videos on Tokyo as we will be spending 9 days in Yokohama, Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Hiroshima, Matsue and Tokyo before heading to Hokkaido.

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  10. Love the way you guys work together. You make your cooking look like so much fun. Also your mother is really a great lady. Keep up the good work and the great cooking

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  11. Hi Shinichi,
    Our family love watching your videos. My husband and I visited Japan for the first time last May and loved it so much we are bringing some of our children back next year. Have you had a food basket to review from Australia before? Let us know if you are interested and we will send you some delights from here.

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  12. Hi Shinichi,

    love watching your videos every few days. My husband and I travelled to Japan this year for the first time and loved it so much we're bringing some of our children with us next year. Have you received any food parcels from Australia to try out? I'd love to send you some of our foods. Let me know if this is something you'd like.

    thanks, Donna Pallot

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  13. hello!! I love watching ya'll's videos and just watching the way ya'll work together and have fun with all food and such and I've been wondering, would we be able to send ya'll recipes?

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  14. I love you guys!!! I've watch at least half of your youtube videos...yes even the old ones lol. Hopefully when we get to come to Japan maybe we can get some tips from you two....also hoping to meet Studio Lorien aka Mr Panda and Abby some day, do you watch them at all? Love Emmyeats too but she isnt in Japan lol.

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  15. Hi, Shinichi! I'm a new viewer and subscriber, and I very much enjoy watching you, your lovely partner, and your adorable doggie. Have you received any treat hauls from North Carolina? Thank you for the wonderful videos and recipes. Best wishes for continued happiness and good health!

    Sondy G
    Elizabeth City, NC

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  16. Hi, Shinichi! As a new viewer and subscriber, I very much enjoy watching you, your lovely partner, and your adorable doggie. Thank you for all of the wonderful videos and recipes. Have you received a treat haul from North Carolina? Best wishes for continued health and happiness!

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  17. Hi Shinichi,

    I came across your tabieats on utube and enjoyed them so much that I subscribed. I have been watching your food hauls from around the world and as a British born Chinese living in Hong Kong I love you to try some snacks that I grew up eating in UK and snacks that I grew to live in HK. I know that you tried some HK and UK snacks already but I know there will are lots more that you should try and I think you will both love. Also Keep up with the great posts and hope you can reach over a million viewers soob! Can I send snacks some to you? My username is binkyonimook

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  18. Hi Shinichi,

    I came across your tabieats on utube and enjoyed them so much that I subscribed. I have been watching your food hauls from around the world and as a British born Chinese living in Hong Kong I love you to try some snacks that I grew up eating in UK and snacks that I grew to live in HK. I know that you tried some HK and UK snacks already but I know there will are lots more that you should try and I think you will both love. Also Keep up with the great posts and hope you can reach over a million viewers soob! Can I send snacks some to you? My username is binkyonimook

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  19. I'm going to Japan when I finish school and was wondering if you could let me sleep at your place so you can show me around

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  20. I came to your website for the first time today, while sitting at work right now. After reading your story I love your channel even more. Keep up the Amazing work!

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  21. Very inspirational story. I can relate to the problem of comfort eating and struggle to keep weight off. Thank you for sharing your story.

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  22. Hello Shinichi. My name is Aldo and my girlfriend and I will be going to tokyo this late October. We are big fan of yours and were thinking if there was some way we can meet you and Satoshi there to get to know you guys. We love your show.

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As always, your comments are appreciated. Thanks!