I know many people who follow this blog are interested in Japan. I've been translating Japanese news reports on my Twitter account for some hours now, and will try to do so for at least the rest of the day. If you'd like to follow along please follow @makiwi.

Update: I am still updating the news on my Twitter stream. If you want to do something, please consider donating to the Red Cross. In the U.S., you can text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 to the international relief fund for Japan. Elsewhere or if you want to donate another way, try the International Red Cross site at IRFC.ORG.

Another update: Please read this.

Who knew that you could get so creative with humble ham slices?

The Just Bento Cookbook is featured as this week's Cook The Book over on Serious Eats! You can check out some recipes from the book, starting with these Tofu Nuggets with Edamame, which are even vegan! (Meat eaters do not fear, they are really tasty if I do say so myself.) The recipe has been field-tested by Caroline of SE, so read her comments to see what she thought about them. Plus, they're giving away 5 copies of the book! I am proud to be counted as a Friend of SE (I visited their World HQ in New York a couple of weeks ago), and it's an honor to be featured there. Go over there and check it out - and if you haven't gotten a copy of the book yet, you may get lucky, so go over there and give it a go!