Look folks, new category and what a great time to start it. I am in the land of things I could easily get addicted to. This first post will be based on sugar-stuff.
Addiction 1: Altoids Cinnamon Mints (Can you even call them mints though?)
Previously I had purchased a Japanese specialty, Lotte Black Black mints. They are quite potent but I still enjoyed them. Then I was in an international food store and found these. Can’t say they make me homesick but they are perfect for that needed 10 calorie boost when I am starving on my way home from work.


Addiction 2: Mt. Rainier Caffè Latte
I usually get the kind shown on the right. Normally I don’t go for the coffee in a cup or can. In fact before coming to Japan I could be quite the coffee snob but within 20 hours of my arrival I realized that to stay caffeinated in the next year, I would have to change my ways. Luckily, some of these pre-brewed products are not too bad. The Mt. Rainier Caffè Latte is my favorite because it is a little smooth, but not in that hydrogenated oil kind of way, and it is not too sweet…you can actually taste the coffee!


Addiction 3: カルシウム　パーラー (Calcium Parlor)
My favorite fruit juice. Well, some of you might have heard me say at one point or another that I don’t really drink juice. This worked back home where fruit was cheap, but here…well you can get some types of fruit for cheap, but…I should rephrase that…I miss apples. The apples here are very good, but at 100円 each…yikes. That and apples are not mini calcium parlors AND they are not mixed with grape and lemon-y goodness. Seriously though, this is some good juice. It is hardly watered down so it almost seems thicker(?) than other juices, but not like a smoothie or yogurt-based drink.