Na-be-ra Champuru: Stir-Fried Sponge Gourd
This is one of my favorite 
Okinawan Champru (stir-fried vegetable dish).
To many people the idea of eating "sponge gourd"
may sound shocking and unappetizing,
but when cooked in right fresh time,
it's very nice.
It doesn't have any peculiar strong taste
compared to most of other vegetables,
so children don't hesitate to eat it
and actually many kids like it!
Note:
stir-fry: 炒め物
sponge gourd: へちま
unappetizing: 食欲がわかない
peculiar: 独特の
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It is said than more than 800 centenarians
are living in Okinawa,
and some scholars have connected Okinawan longevity to
traditional Okinawan diet.
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Dr. Craig Willcox, Gerontologist,
is a writer of "the Okinawa Program"
and he points out 3 important aspects of Okinawan diet.
1. The traditional diet is very vegetable-heavy.
(Over 70 % of the daily caloric intake comes from vegetable).
2. Eating moderate portions of protein,
especially heart-healthy fish and tofu.
3. Okinawa table etiquette: eating until you're 80 percet full.
(CNN special feature on Secret to Long Life)
Above points were true in the past,
but now Okinawan diet has changed
over several decades.
Note:
centenarians: 100才以上の人
longevity: 長寿
Gerontologist: 老人学者
vegetable-heavy: 野菜が豊富
caloric intake: カロリー摂取量
moderate: 適度な
80 percet full: 腹八分
special feature:特集
Topic of the Week:
Pick one Okinawan dish
that you like
and explain the dish in English.