A gift for a special person. You want something that the recipient will be happy with, something that is different from other gifts, and if possible, something that will surprise them. With all that in mind, choosing a gift can be quite a difficult task, with so many things to consider.

In the "GIFT FOR YOU" project, we talk to people active in various industries about tips for choosing gifts. In the second installment, we introduce Naoko Tanijiri, chef and owner of the reservation-only restaurant "HITOTEMA," who received Lypo-C as a gift from her partner, architect Makoto Tanijiri.

--Doyou and your partner Makoto usually give each other gifts?

"We are both adults with established hobbies and tastes, and can choose and buy the things we want for ourselves, so giving gifts has become less common. That's why I think what I can give to my husband now is to help him stay healthy and create memories. Not only am I interested in these things myself, but I also pay attention to his daily diet and lifestyle, and proactively plan activities that the whole family can enjoy."



──Thistime you were given Lypo-C Vitamin C, and I heard that you have been using it for a long time now.
 
"The daily Lypo-C habit is one of the health promotion gifts I give to my husband. My encounter with Lypo-C began when I learned about liposomes. I was a sickly child, so as soon as I became conscious I began to want to become stronger. As I tried various dietary and health methods, I encountered molecular nutrition and learned about liposomes, which became one of the criteria for choosing supplements. Nowadays, there are more and more liposomal supplements, but Lypo-C was an early adopter. What I liked most about it was that it doesn't contain any unnecessary ingredients."
 
--Whatdo you mean by "there's nothing unnecessary in it"?
 
"It's the same with everyday food, but I try not to choose foods that have something in them that I don't know what it is. I always tell my family to think of every meal as a supplement, so my husband says to me, 'I only buy water and soda at the convenience store now,'" (laughs). There's a chance that I might be gone before him, so I want him to develop the ability to choose for himself."
 
 --Whatspecifically do you do to develop the eye for selecting things on your own?

"At home, I try to include protein and the other five major nutrients in meals. From an early age, I tell my children things like, 'You've taken in calcium and been out in the sun, so I can hear your bones growing rapidly,' and try to make them aware that what they eat makes up their bodies. That said, I don't want them to be strict about food, but I think it's fine to start with small things like choosing a hamburger with tomatoes in it."



Howdo you usually drink it?
 
"I keep it in the fridge and drink it when I get home from going out. I usually drink it straight, but in this coming season, I also recommend mixing it with plum enzyme syrup and soda. Today I added some mint and lemon. When I'm not feeling well, I drink it every 2-3 hours, which is a bit extravagant."
 
--Theplum enzyme syrup was also homemade and looked delicious.
 
"I'm sure there are good products on the market these days, but homemade is safer. Inevitably, most seasonings are homemade as well. The reservation-only restaurant I run is called "HITOTEMA," but the meaning isn't "take an extra step," but "only take an extra step." If the ingredients and seasonings are good, you can make it delicious with really simple cooking methods, so I would recommend that busy people pay particular attention to their ingredients and seasonings."



--Whatis the recommended way to drink it, Makoto?
 
"Although he says it's not tasty, I understand that it's because it contains no sweeteners or additives, so now I drink it straight. I travel a lot for work, so I always make sure to bring it with me. Of course, the main reason is so that he can get some high-quality vitamin C when he's away on business, when eating out tends to be more common and dietary habits tend to be irregular, but I also want him to remember to look after his body while he's away."
 


──Finally, what is the appeal of Lypo-C as a gift?
 
"It is a bit of a luxury item, and you can't just buy it in a store, so I think there are many people who are interested in it but haven't had a chance to try it. It would make such people very happy. Also, like with my husband, at this age everyone has their own preferences, so it's a bit hesitant to give him something that will last a long time. It doesn't matter the season or gender, and it shows your consideration. It makes a great gift, and it could be a lifesaver when you're stuck for what to give."

A message from Makoto Tanijiri, recipient of Lypo-C

 
I trust my wife as a food professional, so I follow her recommendations when she says, "This is good." Lypo-C is one of them, and I continue to eat it every day even though I think it tastes bad (laughs). She always brings it with her when we go on business trips, and I think if it's something my wife chooses, it can't be wrong.
 
Looking back, I can't go wrong if I follow the direction my wife leads me. She helped me develop the habit of enjoying exercising through snowboarding and surfing, even though I'm not very good at the gym, and she also made me a habit of checking the ingredient labels. I guess she was producing me unconsciously (laughs). In this era of 100-year lifespans, I want to stay healthy and share the fun.
 
 
 
Naoko Tanijiri
Chef and food planner. After working as a fashion stylist, she entered the world of cooking. She runs the reservation-only restaurant HITOTEMA in Shibuya, Tokyo, which is based on the concept of "modern home-style cooking," and is involved in a wide range of food-related activities, including hosting cooking salons. Her books include "HITOTEMA no Hitotema" (Shufunotomosha). After working as a stylist, she entered the world of food. She runs the reservation-only restaurant HITOTEMA and is involved in lifestyle-related projects. Her work is directly linked to her lifestyle, which involves interacting with nature through activities such as snowboarding and surfing.
https://www.instagram.com/naokotanijiri/

Makoto Tanijiri
Architect and entrepreneur. Architectural design firm "SUPPOSE DESIGN OFFICE He is the founder of Architectural Design. He has many ongoing projects both in Japan and overseas, including residential and commercial space design, venue configuration, and landscape, product and art installations. He is also active in a wide range of fields, including serving as an associate professor at Osaka University of Arts. Based in Hiroshima and Tokyo, he has worked on many projects both in Japan and overseas, from residential to complex facilities, and in recent years has opened offices in a wide range of fields, including Zekke Real Estate, architecture, DAICHI, yado and Mietell, bridging the gap between business and design.
https://www.instagram.com/tanijirimakoto/

Through gifts, you can share your desire to stay beautiful and healthy with your loved ones. The "GIFT FOR YOU" project will continue to bring you a variety of gift-giving occasions.

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