this kind of scenery is everywhere in hawaii......
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Organic Kona Coffee
im not a coffee drinker.
macrobiotically speaking, it's too "yin", and too much comsumption could cause headache, and other "yin simptoms".
for me, it's just too strong.
but again, "when in hawaii" theory was adopted.
afterall, hawaiian macrobiotic diet may include coffee!
anyway, i went to this little organic kona coffee farm, and there was a free sample.
very mild, and didn't give me this jittery feeling afterward.
in fact, i really enjoyed it : )
well, it was only a tiny cup of coffee.
by the way, they pick up only when the bean becomes red.
another bird
i saw this one a lot, too, while in hawaii.
Sicalis Flaveola.
introduced to hawaii in 1960s, native to south america.
i saw Hawaii elepaio (sorry, no pics) often, too.
beautiful little red bird, and native to hawaii!
Birding in Hawaii
i saw lots of lots of birds while in hawaii.
im not an expert, but i do enjoy birding, and look up what i saw in a guide book later.
they are Red-crested cardinal.
they are not hawaiian, though.
introduced to hawaii in 1920s, native to south america.
im not an expert, but i do enjoy birding, and look up what i saw in a guide book later.
they are Red-crested cardinal.
they are not hawaiian, though.
introduced to hawaii in 1920s, native to south america.
Sleeping beauty
anouther encounter to wild life in hawaii.
on the beach near the hotel, a seal was taking a nap!
later i knew that it was an endangered spieces.
so the fence was set up around him so his relaxing time wouldn't be bothered.
my nieces were so excited about this surprise : )
on the beach near the hotel, a seal was taking a nap!
later i knew that it was an endangered spieces.
so the fence was set up around him so his relaxing time wouldn't be bothered.
my nieces were so excited about this surprise : )
Sweet Potato with Lemon
my new favorite recipe : )
sweet potato stewed with lemon
when you cook sweet potatoes, their beautiful yellow color usually fade away very quickly. even the sweetness.
but strewed with lemon keeps it intact for a longer period.
and even more, enhances the taste!
this is a surprising meal : )
great either for meal or snack, even dessert.
recipe
cut potatoes -- don't peel the skin!
sprinkle sea salt
stew with water until tender --- not much
then add sliced lemon and simmer for a few minutes.
done!
yum yum yum : )
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
My Mom's Healing Journy
as i mentioned before, my mom was diagnosed cataract. pretty much advanced and two doctors she has met both told her that she needed a surgery.
and the last thing she wants to do is surgery.
like mother, like son!
she has been trying some macrobiotic home remedies that i found.
and yesterday, she finally met a macrobiotic councelor that i recommended.
she called me today, and told me what they talked about...
the councelor told her that eye problems are caused by liver and kidneys problems, which leads to muddy, dirty blood.
by purifying the blood, he said, you can defenitely heal cataract!
some of his advices are :
no alcohol for a while---hardest for her!, eat less, skip dinner twice a month---on the new moon and the full moon, ---also eat good-for-eyes vegetables such as carrot---he recommended some special medicinal carrots.
---my mom does not eat meat, eggs, dairy or sugar anyway, so those basics were not discussed.
and most of all, don't work too hard and rest well!
she sounded so happy, motivated, and willing to heal cataracts in macrobiotic way.
"the councelor said to me, "i'm very sure that the cataract will be healed" , and that's all what i needed to hear!!"
and i'm pretty sure that she will overcome this health challenge : )
and the last thing she wants to do is surgery.
like mother, like son!
she has been trying some macrobiotic home remedies that i found.
and yesterday, she finally met a macrobiotic councelor that i recommended.
she called me today, and told me what they talked about...
the councelor told her that eye problems are caused by liver and kidneys problems, which leads to muddy, dirty blood.
by purifying the blood, he said, you can defenitely heal cataract!
some of his advices are :
no alcohol for a while---hardest for her!, eat less, skip dinner twice a month---on the new moon and the full moon, ---also eat good-for-eyes vegetables such as carrot---he recommended some special medicinal carrots.
---my mom does not eat meat, eggs, dairy or sugar anyway, so those basics were not discussed.
and most of all, don't work too hard and rest well!
she sounded so happy, motivated, and willing to heal cataracts in macrobiotic way.
"the councelor said to me, "i'm very sure that the cataract will be healed" , and that's all what i needed to hear!!"
and i'm pretty sure that she will overcome this health challenge : )
Thursday, May 21, 2009
fish
not for food, but to swim with : )can't even remember how many time i dived into water and swam with all those beautiful tropical fish.
am i dreaming?
wherever i looked at, i just saw colorful fish!
hundreds of them!
Even in a food court.....
in honolulu, i was with my family.
and like i said, eating healthy was quite a challenge.
one day, we went to aramoana shopping mall, and had lunch together.
--hey, im not a big shopper. but my family needed to buy some gifts for thier friends and coworkers.
anyway, there was a huge food court with hundreds of fast food joints. oh no!
but still, you can make a conscious choice.
i found this little japanese buffe place.
instead of choosing sushi or teriyaki salmon, i picked up some "side dishes"with brown rice and miso soup.
look!
almost like "zen macrobiotic plate"!
after lots of junk food, it was such a relief.
and in fact, it was good : )
and like i said, eating healthy was quite a challenge.
one day, we went to aramoana shopping mall, and had lunch together.
--hey, im not a big shopper. but my family needed to buy some gifts for thier friends and coworkers.
anyway, there was a huge food court with hundreds of fast food joints. oh no!
but still, you can make a conscious choice.
i found this little japanese buffe place.
instead of choosing sushi or teriyaki salmon, i picked up some "side dishes"with brown rice and miso soup.
look!
almost like "zen macrobiotic plate"!
after lots of junk food, it was such a relief.
and in fact, it was good : )
Eating in Hawaii
thanks to those health food store, i got tempeh, too.
so i could cook some vegetarian macro meal : )
i brought some
basic seasonings from home so that i didn't have to buy a huge bag or bottle of each, and waste them.
this day's lunch.
brown rice ---thank god, the hotel has a rice cooker!
miso soup
sauteed tempeh, maui onion (sweet), celery with soy sauce.
and look at the patio!
we were so lucky that our room was upgraded!
every meal, we ate on the patio, listening to birds singing, felling the nice breeze, smelling tropical flowers..... paradice : )
so i could cook some vegetarian macro meal : )
i brought some
basic seasonings from home so that i didn't have to buy a huge bag or bottle of each, and waste them.this day's lunch.
brown rice ---thank god, the hotel has a rice cooker!
miso soup
sauteed tempeh, maui onion (sweet), celery with soy sauce.
and look at the patio!
we were so lucky that our room was upgraded!
every meal, we ate on the patio, listening to birds singing, felling the nice breeze, smelling tropical flowers..... paradice : )
When in Hawaii ....
Eat what Hawaiians eat : )
i stayed at hotels with kitchen once we went to big island.
and the first place i would go is....local grovery store!
surprisingly, there are at least 2 health food stores in kona.
so no problems getting local, organic produce : )
and since i was in hawaii, why not try some fresh local fish!
i bought local wild mahi mahi, and cooked very simple.
with olive oil, sea salt, lemon.
OMG! just delicioso!
some people misunderstand that macrobiotic excludes any animal protein.
not true!
it's more about traditional local food : )
anyway, i enjoyed cooking and eating on big island. a lot!
Mina Dobic -- Macrobiotic Councelor
i just read an interview of Mina Dobic, a macrobiotic councelor in CA.
she has just visited Japan for the first time.
she herself is a cancer survivor, by changing her diet--and life style-- into macrobiotic.
no chemotherapy.
there are many many people who cured serious illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, as well as other health challenges with a simple dietary changes ---into each local, tradiotnional diet with whole grain based, variety of seasonal vegetables etc etc...
and when you learn about macrobiotics, it all makes sense : )
disease is just a symptom.
we have to look at the causes, instead of fixing each symptoms with pills or other conventional treatment, which usually takes more toll on health : (
and causes are, most of the time, our so-called "modern diet"
meat, refined /processed foods, sugar, and overeating, i might add....
Mina's story is very inspirational.
her clients includes madonna, nicole kidman, and other big names, too.
also honored by smithonian institute for her job as a macrobiotic councelor.
check out her website http://www.minadobic.org/
she has just visited Japan for the first time.
she herself is a cancer survivor, by changing her diet--and life style-- into macrobiotic.
no chemotherapy.
there are many many people who cured serious illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, as well as other health challenges with a simple dietary changes ---into each local, tradiotnional diet with whole grain based, variety of seasonal vegetables etc etc...
and when you learn about macrobiotics, it all makes sense : )
disease is just a symptom.
we have to look at the causes, instead of fixing each symptoms with pills or other conventional treatment, which usually takes more toll on health : (
and causes are, most of the time, our so-called "modern diet"
meat, refined /processed foods, sugar, and overeating, i might add....
Mina's story is very inspirational.
her clients includes madonna, nicole kidman, and other big names, too.
also honored by smithonian institute for her job as a macrobiotic councelor.
check out her website http://www.minadobic.org/
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
My Travel Companion
sometimes it's not easy to eat healthy while you are traveling.
especially when you are with kids!
i was with my family in hawaii, with 3 nieces, 7yo,12yo and 19yo.
and often times, i had to compromise eating "junk food" to save money and time.
what saved me?
my mother's home made pickled veggies! --umeboshi plum, daikon and carrot.
fermented more than one month with sea salt, koji, miso or soy sauce, they are full of probiotic!
i ate them every morning with brown rice i bought, aside from umesho-bancha tea.
and this really helped : )
everyday while i was there, another case of swine flu was reported in hawaii.
but with these friendly companion, i was healthy and confident : )
thank you, Mom!
especially when you are with kids!
i was with my family in hawaii, with 3 nieces, 7yo,12yo and 19yo.
and often times, i had to compromise eating "junk food" to save money and time.
what saved me?
my mother's home made pickled veggies! --umeboshi plum, daikon and carrot.
fermented more than one month with sea salt, koji, miso or soy sauce, they are full of probiotic!
i ate them every morning with brown rice i bought, aside from umesho-bancha tea.
and this really helped : )
everyday while i was there, another case of swine flu was reported in hawaii.
but with these friendly companion, i was healthy and confident : )
thank you, Mom!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Hawaii !!
so i went to hawaii.i don't know what it is.
i just LOVE the energy there.
blue sky, emerald green water, palm trees, tropical birds churping, and the warm/moist air.
so welcoming and forgiving.
all the negative energy i was carrying is replaced with the positive one once i arrive there.
ayurveda says that hawaii is good for all doshas.
no wonder why people go back again and again!
the pic is from diamond head.
it was a nice hike : )
Vegetarian Meal in the air
i always request "vegetarian meal' when i air travel.
and sometimes, ---only when you are lucky---, you get a good meal that your seatmate would be jealous.
on the way to honolulu this time, i got nice and warm "indian chick pea/green peas curry", which was as good as the one you get at whole foods!---well, almost--- while the other passengers got some horrible "pizza" in a plastic bag.
and before landing, as a snack, i got a veggie burger, which was not so good--- i mean, what do you expect from in-filght meal!--, but not that bad at all.
i brought my own snack--onigiri, brown rice ball with nori seaweed, and some fruits just in case--, so overall, i had a good eating experience with continental airline : )
if you are interested, request special meal for the next air travel!
---mind you, the menu changes, and i don't know about other airlines.
and sometimes, ---only when you are lucky---, you get a good meal that your seatmate would be jealous.
on the way to honolulu this time, i got nice and warm "indian chick pea/green peas curry", which was as good as the one you get at whole foods!---well, almost--- while the other passengers got some horrible "pizza" in a plastic bag.
and before landing, as a snack, i got a veggie burger, which was not so good--- i mean, what do you expect from in-filght meal!--, but not that bad at all.
i brought my own snack--onigiri, brown rice ball with nori seaweed, and some fruits just in case--, so overall, i had a good eating experience with continental airline : )
if you are interested, request special meal for the next air travel!
---mind you, the menu changes, and i don't know about other airlines.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Body that do NOT attract bugs
so now, what do those bugs dislike?
i don't know about swine flu, but in general. they do not care for salt.
i'm not suggesting that you take lots of salt.
that could cause other issues.....maybe.
but some salty food do react to your body system differently.
traditional fermented food, such as miso(fermented soy paste), soy sauce, those contain good amount of salt, but very gently break down in your body system.
also good source of probiotic, they protect you from bad bugs!!
some studies suggest that if salt does not kill bugs, acid does the job.
umeboshi plum, or ume vinegar has one of the greatest sterilizing power among food.
in japan, we eat them when we have diarrhea or stomach flu, also use as a preservative for food.
you can find them at health food stores or japanese grocery stores.
have some umeboshi green tea in the morning, or fix spring salad with ume vinegar : )
i don't know about swine flu, but in general. they do not care for salt.
i'm not suggesting that you take lots of salt.
that could cause other issues.....maybe.
but some salty food do react to your body system differently.
traditional fermented food, such as miso(fermented soy paste), soy sauce, those contain good amount of salt, but very gently break down in your body system.
also good source of probiotic, they protect you from bad bugs!!
some studies suggest that if salt does not kill bugs, acid does the job.
umeboshi plum, or ume vinegar has one of the greatest sterilizing power among food.
in japan, we eat them when we have diarrhea or stomach flu, also use as a preservative for food.
you can find them at health food stores or japanese grocery stores.
have some umeboshi green tea in the morning, or fix spring salad with ume vinegar : )
Body that Attracts Viruses
now we are all concerned about this new bug, swine flu.
and we don't know much about it yet.
it is important to pay attention and be careful, but panicking, to me, does not seem to help at all
: (
ancient asian philosophy says that viruses thrive on negative feeling such as fear, anger, and worry...
anyway, in general, there seem to be people (body) that attract bugs and those that do not.
if you put a dish full of sugary water and one with plain water, bugs almost always go to the sugary one ---- like us!
and in some labs, flu viruses are cultivated on egg yolks.
it seems that people who have sweet teeth tend to catch flu or other bugs more than who do not.
even mosquitoes like to bite people whose blood is "sweeter".
sugar and eggs.....
yes, cakes, pastry, ice cream, out favorite foods!
maybe now is not the best time to indulge ourselves.
you can't live without dessert?
how about making it as a weekend treat? instead of every afternoon snack?
and we don't know much about it yet.
it is important to pay attention and be careful, but panicking, to me, does not seem to help at all
: (
ancient asian philosophy says that viruses thrive on negative feeling such as fear, anger, and worry...
anyway, in general, there seem to be people (body) that attract bugs and those that do not.
if you put a dish full of sugary water and one with plain water, bugs almost always go to the sugary one ---- like us!
and in some labs, flu viruses are cultivated on egg yolks.
it seems that people who have sweet teeth tend to catch flu or other bugs more than who do not.
even mosquitoes like to bite people whose blood is "sweeter".
sugar and eggs.....
yes, cakes, pastry, ice cream, out favorite foods!
maybe now is not the best time to indulge ourselves.
you can't live without dessert?
how about making it as a weekend treat? instead of every afternoon snack?
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