My Autobiography: David Balleza K(C)atague

Monday, November 17, 2025

Two of My Favorite Japanese Restaurants in Walnut Creek

How to Make Nigiri Sushi - Crafty Cookbook

What is Nigiri Sushi? A Guide to Popular Types

How to Make Nigiri Sushi - Beginner-friendly guide - Sushi ...

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For Details Visit Tatsu Sushi website: https://www.tatsusushiwalnutcreek.com/

The second restaurant, I just discovered recently ( via recommendation of Fellow

residents here at THD) is Tanoshi Bistro in Oak Grove Rd and Citrus. Ditas and I

had dinner there last Sunday night. We were impressed by the Food Offerings and

the prices were very reasonable compared to Tatsu.

I took some photos during our dinner as follows:

Ditas and I came into the restaurant ONE minute before 5PM. We were seated in a

more private area. We were served immediately our green tea with toasted rice💚.

After 5:15PM,

the restaurant was filled with diners. By the time we finished our

dinner at around 6PM, there was a line of 10 diners waiting outside and another

10 diners were waiting inside. For Details, visit their website:

https://www.tanoshibistro.com/

Meanwhile, here are the Japanese food terms you should

know: Nigiri, sashimi and

sushi

rolls.

Nigiri is a type of sushi consisting of a hand-pressed oval of vinegared rice topped with a slice of raw or cooked seafood or other ingredients. The name "nigiri" means "hand-pressed" in Japanese, and it is a classic style of sushi known for its simplicity, showcasing the balance between the rice and the topping.

Construction:
A chef uses their hands to shape a small amount of sticky, vinegared rice into an oblong mound. A slice of topping, most often raw fish like tuna, salmon, or yellowtail, is then pressed onto the rice.
Ingredients:
The topping is often fish, but can also include cooked seafood like shrimp or eel, or even vegetables or egg. A small dab of wasabi is sometimes placed between the rice and the topping, and a garnish may be added.
Distinction from other sushi:
Nigiri is different from sashimi, which is just raw fish without rice. It also differs from sushi rolls, which are typically wrapped in seaweed and contain multiple ingredients inside.

Artistry:

Nigiri is considered a true test of a sushi chef's skill, as it requires years of practice to consistently shape the rice and press the topping together to create a perfectly balanced, melt-in-your-mouth piece.

💚Green tea with toasted rice is called

Genmaicha, a popular Japanese green tea

that combines green tea leaves with roasted brown rice. The toasting process gives

the rice a nutty flavor that balances the grassy notes of the green tea, creating a

unique, comforting taste that is often described as having hints of popcorn or toast.

Meanwhile, My Photo of the Day_ Trump ( Banksy Art)

Finally, My Food For Thought For Today:

Sunday, November 16, 2025

The Enduring Allure of Herbal Medicines

For as long as I can remember, plants have spoken to me, not in words, but in the quiet language of chemistry, fragrance, and healing. My fascination with herbal medicines began in the shaded corners of high school laboratories, where we dissected leaves and examined their green pigments under the microscope. Later, as a college student immersed in Botany and Chemistry, I found myself drawn to the mysteries of natural products. the subtle alchemy through which plants create compounds that sustain life, heal wounds, and sometimes, even save lives.

That early curiosity never left me. It matured and deepened as I pursued a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, focusing on Natural Products Chemistry, where the challenge was not only to identify nature’s molecular treasures but also to understand their intricate interactions with the human body. Somewhere along that path, the line between science and wonder began to blur.

Even in my professional life, during my long tenure with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and my involvement with the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), that fascination endured. I was privileged to serve for a decade on the USP Council of Experts, within the Division of Natural Products and Antibiotics. It was a place where tradition met modern science, where we balanced centuries-old herbal knowledge with the rigor of pharmacological validation. We examined herbal formulations that had been used for generations, applying the lens of analytical chemistry, safety assessment, and efficacy studies.

The challenge, of course, has always been to bridge folk wisdom and scientific evidence. Herbal medicines carry with them the wisdom of cultures, stories of healing passed from grandmother to grandchild, healer to apprentice. Yet science demands reproducibility, purity, and proof. My work often sat at the intersection of those two worlds, one rooted in trust and tradition, the other in controlled experiments and peer-reviewed data.

I often think back to my semi-autobiographical novel, Roots of Time, where the protagonist ( Dr. Derek Mendoza, Ph.D) discovers an extract that slows aging and earns a Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Though fictional, it echoes a dream shared by many scientists, to find within nature the keys to longevity and well-being. Perhaps that dream, more than anything else, reflects humanity’s enduring faith in the green pharmacy that surrounds us.

Today, as herbal supplements line the shelves of pharmacies and health stores, I remain cautiously optimistic. Many plant-based compounds, turmeric, ginseng, and echinacea, among others, continue to inspire research and promise therapeutic potential. Yet I also know, from decades of regulatory experience, that not all that is “natural” is safe or effective. The art of herbal medicine lies not only in discovery but in discernment.

What gives me hope is the emerging field of integrative medicine, where herbs and pharmaceuticals coexist, guided by evidence and respect for both tradition and science. It represents, in a way, the fulfillment of what I’ve always believed, that nature and science are not adversaries but partners in the pursuit of healing.

Looking back, I see that my journey with herbal medicines was never just about chemistry or regulation, it was about connection. To the earth. To tradition. To the timeless quest for balance between body and nature. And perhaps, in that quest, lies the truest form of medicine of all.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/3164605697065244

Meanwhile, here's a list of Popular Herbal Medicines:

Popular herbal medicines include

chamomile for anxiety and sleep, echinacea for immune support against colds, turmeric for inflammation, garlic for heart health, and ginger for nausea. Other well-known herbs are ginseng for energy and immunity, ginkgo biloba (though its effectiveness is debated), and valerian for sleep.

For immune support and colds

Echinacea: One of the most popular herbs globally, often used to help the body fight off colds and the flu.
Garlic: A well-researched and widely used herbal product that may help fight germs and inflammation.

For relaxation and sleep

Chamomile: Used for thousands of years to help with anxiety and insomnia due to its calming effects.
Valerian: A classic folk medicine used for its sedative properties to help with sleep.
Lavender: Often recommended for anxiety and stress.

For inflammation and pain

Turmeric: Used to treat inflammatory conditions like arthritis, with its active compound, curcumin, being well-recognized.
Feverfew: Has been traditionally used for fevers, migraines, and arthritis.

Other popular options

Ginger: Most known for easing nausea and motion sickness.
Ginseng: Widely used in many countries to boost immunity and for its general medicinal properties.
Ginkgo biloba: Used in traditional medicine, though modern studies have not proven its effectiveness for many of the ailments it's claimed to treat.
Ashwagandha: Used in Ayurvedic medicine to help with stress, anxiety, and energy.

Here are some common herbal medicines that research has shown to be safe and work when used right: * **Chamomile** Often used to h...

Nationwide Children's Hospital

Aug 27, 2025 — Popular Herbs and Their Applications * Echinacea benefits are often touted for immune support and reducing the duratio...

Indiana Wesleyan University

Feb 3, 2020 — 3. Ginkgo biloba. Share on Pinterest. Ginkgo biloba, also known simply as ginkgo, is an herbal medicine derived from th...

Healthline·

Echinacea species are example of herbal products with an overwhelming popularity in both developed and developing countries. Echin...

National Institutes of Health (.gov)

Jan 20, 2015 — Ginseng is one of the most widely used herbal medicines in the world. It has been used in the treatment of various ail...

National Institutes of Health (.gov)

Sep 27, 2017 — Chamomile is easily one of the most popular and widely used herbs out there. It's been used for thousands of years to ...

SAS Blogs

Garlic (Allium sativum L. fam. Alliaceae) is one of the most researched and best-selling herbal products on the market. For centur...

National Institutes of Health (.gov)

Valerian, or valerian, is one of the most widely used plants in folk medicine. The action of this herb was even described by Hippo...

NATURAL POLAND

2:01

Verywell Health·

Sep 10, 2024 — Lavender (Lavandula). Long recognized for its herbaceous floral scent, alternative therapy supporters often recommend ...

Healthline

May 28, 2025 — The top 20 healing herbs typically include chamomile, echinacea, calendula, peppermint, lavender, lemon balm, holy bas...

Bloom Ranch of Acton

Turmeric, a botanical used for millennia to treat inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, is currently a top selling herbal rem...

Wiley Online Library

Last, but not least to Greg and Ruby Atienza for the following 2 Filipino dishes, they give me yesterday. I was not expecting it, so the surprise and indeed my heart-felt gratitude for their kindness and thoughtfulness,

Pork Belly Adobo with Boiled Eggs

Ginat-an na Kalabasa with sitaw and shrimps. Sautéed squash in coconut milk with beans and shrimp. Along with the 2 dishes, they gave me steam white rice. Yummy, indeed!

Highlights of My Professional Career

In my more than 40 years of professional career, I have experienced both working rank and file, as well as supervising the work of subordinates. I have worked in four private firms and the Federal Government, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), where I retired. I enjoyed the challenges and difficulties of both types of job situations. This is the highlights of my work experience story.

My first job after completing my doctorate degree was a Chemist for Chemagro Corporation in Kansas City, Missouri. It was a subsidiary of Bayer Corporation, a German conglomerate. I worked for the analytical chemistry department comprised of about fifty people; half that number was either chemists or biologists. My specific task was to develop analytical methods for the detection of pesticide residues in plant and animal tissues. I worked on my own, similar to six other bench chemists, and we all reported to the same supervisor.

The firm sponsored my visa conversion from a student to a permanent resident, and I was able to legally work and reside in the United States with my family. The company generously took care of its employees. At the end of each successful year, everyone received a 13th month salary bonus. The employees and their families celebrated wonderful annual Christmas parties in a downtown Kansas City hotel, with dancing and free drinks for the whole night.

Inasmuch as I enjoyed and loved working for Chemagro for five years, I found a new job which offered a substantially higher pay. Due to my exemplary work performance, my supervisor preferred and lobbied for me to stay with the company. I had to turn him down because they could not match the package presented by my new employer. It was also a chance for me and my family to move and live in the US west coast, where the mild winter climate is bearable compared to the Midwest.

My next job was at the agricultural research division of Shell Development Company in Modesto, California. I was a Research Chemist, and again I worked individually, same as five other chemists who all reported to a supervisor. My specific duty was similar to my previous job. I worked for them for five years, until the company decided to get out of the pesticide business. They closed their research facility affecting the jobs of more than 200 employees.

My third industrial job was with the agricultural research division of Stauffer chemical company, located in Richmond, California. I was a Senior Research Chemist doing the same project as my two previous jobs. I worked for twelve continuous years for the company, with outstanding annual job performance. I became a Principal Research Chemist, the highest attainable non-supervisory position.

One day in 1986, my supervisor informed me that my job had been eliminated, and I had one day to vacate the facility. It was the most dreadful lay off experience in my life. I felt anger, sadness and humiliation to be dismissed from work with one day notice, after all the years of hard work invested for the company. This was an unforgettable incident and was the gloomiest point in my professional career.
The company terminated sixty research employees, who were upset of the bad news.

One of the chemists was distressed and expressed his outrageous anger by threatening the company and its workers. He told his supervisor of his intention to bomb and burn down the laboratory. He was immediately escorted by the security staff out of the building and into his car. He was informed to leave behind his personal belongings; they will be mailed to his residence. He was warned never to show up again near the company premises or risk getting arrested.

My supervisor was kind and allowed me to take my time to pack up my belongings. It took me two days to clear up my workplace, after toiling for a long period in the same jobsite. We were provided clerical help and office space, in preparation to look for another job, such as updating our resumes, and using the computer and copy machine. We were given six weeks of separation pay plus benefits.

Fortunately, with the help of a friend who is a Church parishioner, I found another job thirty days after leaving Stauffer chemical company. He hired me as a senior research chemist and as a group leader with two technicians to supervise. It was in the same field as my expertise in my previous three jobs spanning the last twenty one years. My new employer was Chevron Chemical Company, and which was located in the same area as my former employer.

This job gave me the introduction and basic knowledge of managing the work of subordinates. I worked for Chevron Company for four and a half years. The company decided to consolidate their research facilities in Texas, and lay off all its research employees. This time I had enough distress and agony from working, and eventually getting laid off from several private companies. To avoid going through any more miserable layoffs, I made a vow that I would never again work for a private company.

In my work experiences, there were noticeable and unavoidable jobsite occurrences. One can never miss the office romantic relationships between co-workers, both illicit and permitted. Though it was frowned upon, there was a boss and staff relationship, which was used as a ploy to get ahead in the company. Some relationships had chemistry, no pun intended, but some never worked out. Oftentimes, there was a sense of distrust among bench chemists for some workers who unjustly obtained preferred work assignments.

Some employees resorted to bribing superiors to get special privileges, such as being able to attend choice conferences and meetings in exciting venues or locations. Likewise, politics was always present at the worksites. It was during an era when various forms of harassment, equal opportunity and discrimination laws were not yet enforced in the workplace. Occasionally, an unexpected chemical explosion happens in a laboratory setting, where luckily no one got seriously hurt.

In the three private companies I worked for, I was able to publish scientific journals for some of the research studies and analytical methods which I developed for the respective companies of Chemagro, Shell Development and Stauffer.

After deciding and making a vow to avoid working in the private sector, I made my new goal which was either to work for the state of California, or the Federal government in Washington, D.C. Four months after I lost my job in Chevron, I was lucky and joyful to be hired by the Food and Drug Administration as a review chemist in the fall of 1990.

In 1994 I was promoted as an Expert Research Chemist with a GS-14 rating. My expertise was on Anti-malarial and Anti-parasitic drug products. In 1997, I was again deservingly promoted to Chemistry team leader, supervising the work of six Chemistry reviewers including five with doctorate degrees.

As team leader, I was responsible for prioritizing, assigning, and assuring the technical accuracy of all chemistry, manufacturing and control issues for all new drug applications submitted to the Division of Anti-Infective Drug Products, Center of New Drugs.

It was part of my responsibility to give advice, instruct and promote high morale and teamwork in my group. My work in the FDA is confidential, until the drug patent on the products I worked on has expired. There are manufacturing supplements that I have approved that are now open for the public in the Internet.

In 1998, I won the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Award. The citation reads, “For outstanding accomplishments in fostering the objectives of the EEO Program by hiring minorities and encouraging their professional growth while providing excellent leadership.” I have received numerous certificates of appreciation, awards in leadership and communications, commendation for teamwork and excellence in the accomplishment of the FDA mission. I have also received several letters of appreciation from private industry for my review work.

There are many good things working as rank and file while enjoying doing one’s job individually. It is a humbling, satisfying and productive experience, if one can work in harmony with one’s immediate supervisor. Working individually develops one’s skills in goal setting and scheduling. But in general, the financial rewards are less than a person who has supervisory responsibilities.

Managing the work of others has its challenges. Moreover, it develops one’s skill in handling and developing people, and the compensation rewards and benefits are better. Due to additional duties, responsibilities and leadership, supervisory work can be more stressful than working as a subordinate. However, supervisory jobs give one more personal growth and satisfaction, based on my personal experience. My work in FDA as a team leader managing the work of six scientists had been the happiest and rewarding work experience in my career in Chemistry. You might also like:

Monday, November 17, 2025

Two of My Favorite Japanese Restaurants in Walnut Creek

Sunday, November 16, 2025

The Enduring Allure of Herbal Medicines

The Enduring Allure of Herbal Medicines

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