Taste Buzz

Eat Local Challenge

Thanks to Alexis and Chris Smith of Coastview Aquaponics for letting us know about Kanu Hawaii's Eat Local Challenge set for September 26 to October 2. I've done this several times before with an out-of-state group and I'm so happy that there's a Hawaii and Big Island effort this year.

It fits nicely with the on-going Take It Off Hawaii Challenge that I'm doing. We can earn points for purchasing at least a pound of locally-grown, fresh produce.

Check out Kanu Hawaii's Eat Local Challenge, there are lots of ways to participate.

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There's no such thing as a Styrofoam cup?

Ever since I poured a take-out bowl of Thai Hot & Sour Soup and noticed a distinct meltdown of the styrofoam container up to the soup-line, I haven't ordered any soup-to-go. It's been years! I've often thought of showing up with my own soup pot saying "fill'er up" but have opted to either sit down as an inconspicuous sipper or pass on the idea completely.

Patience has its rewards. Today when I ordered my Banyan Bowl 'to-go' from Basik Acai, it was served in a large Planet cup along with a compostable spoon. I was happy to know that my healthy breakfast wasn't going to add to the plastic heap out in the Pacific and that made the food taste even better.

While looking at all the available Planet products on Stalk Market's site, I made a wish that all our local restaurants would follow Basic Acai's lead (that's also when I snapped the photo) and stop using styrofoam containers and plastic utensils. As I recalled my Hot and Sour dilemma I wondered if there were studies on styrofoam's effects on humans.

I searched "styrofoam+melted" and that's when I discovered that there is no such thing as a styrofoam cup:

Styrofoam is a trademarked material made by the Dow Chemical Company—and they don't make cups, plates, egg trays, or other types of food packaging from it! -The Grinning Planet

Polystyrene. That's what most take-out food containers are made of and styrene is the form of polystyrene that can be sucked out of the container, especially if the food is hot and fatty. Hot and Styrene soup is what I had!! Styrene mimics estrogen, holds the potential to disrupt normal hormone function, and has been found in biopsied human adipose (fat) tissue. Find out more about the health effects by reading The Grinning Planet article. It's not an alarmist's point of view, they're quite fair:

There are worse environmental and health threats out there than polystyrene, but since alternatives exist and it's easy to make the switch, why not do it?

Until all restaurants make the switch, consider taking your own containers and please, support and thank those food establishments that are already using alternative products that are good for our island/planet and safe for human consumption.

Maybe I'll start a list of those eateries: Basik Acai, Island Naturals, Green Flash Coffee, Lotus Cafe... any others?

Holuakoa Gardens & Cafe

I've been here twice within the week so I thought I'd list a few reasons why I like eating at Holuakoa:

• It's cool. Located up in Holualoa in an open air setting, there's no air conditioning and it can even get a bit chilly. 

• They pride themselves on buying and serving local produce. So the food is fresh and each item in their salads retains it's color and taste.

• The pace is unhurried (read Slow Food). It's a great place to sit, eat and be merry with friends.
• There are several soup choices available for lunch.

• Holuakoa Gardens & Cafe is mere 10-minutes from Kuakini Highway, via Lako Street. Map.
• The menu offers vegetarian and vegan alternatives in addition to beef, poultry and seafood dishes.
• If you don't find a parking spot along Mamalahoa, there's a paved lot right behind the restaurant that's off a small one-lane road. Click the first image for a larger view of the map.

Following the Mercury Trail: the health link between humans and the ocean.

During a TED Talks presentation, marine biologist  Stephen Palumbi explains how heavy metals get into our oceans and become concentrated in larger fish. Following the Mercury Trail is a fascinating 15 minute video that illustrates how we are polluting ourselves as  well as our seas.

After viewing the video, if you have any questions about the safety of any seafood, take a look at the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch where you'll find listings, ratings and health alerts (if any). You may also download and print a Pocket Guide for your particular area or even download an iPhone app.

As chef and restaurant owner Greg Higgins said in a recent interview,

"I buy right from the fishermen, so I know where my fish is coming from. It's not a gray area for us, but the consumer is one or two steps removed. The fish moves from the fishermen to the distributor to the store, and its origins can be lost in all those transactions," says Higgins. "People need to ask the right questions and get good information about the product they're buying."[1]

A few months ago, I came up with an easy solution to my dilemma about eating fish. Surrounded as I am by the ocean and raised on a wide variety of fish that I liked, it was hard to discern, and harder to accept, which ones had a high mercury content, could give me ciguatera and which ones were sustainably caught. Farmed fishes weren't sounding any better with added colorants, antibiotics, environmental pollution, etc.  So I gave up all fish. Cold Tilapia! All pau. The only fish I've considered eating was the wild salmon during an Alaska cruise last month.

Apparently, the demand for seafood is increasing (so my consumption won't be missed)  and the U.S. is estimated to import over 80% of its seafood. Don't you think it's a good idea to know where your seafood is coming from and how healthy the creature and its habitat were?

[1] Read more: http://www.slashfood.com/2010/06/30/california-and-oregon-salmon-given-avoid-rating/#ixzz0sTcj3ktV

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Orchid Thai Cuisine

With so many Thai restaurants in town sometimes it's hard to choose which one to go to!  Orchid Thai  has been one of my favorite's for quite sometime.   When I feel like Summer Rolls...no one else does them better.  Other catering companies call Orchid Thai and order the Summer rolls for their orders.   What does that tell you? 

I love so many dishes on their menu, it is hard to say which one is my favorite.   I had lunch there the other day with my friend and I decided to try something new...Pad See Yew.   Similar to Pad Thai, but more soy based and sweeter.  I loved it!

Chalason *Charlie" & his wife Yuthaiwan have been serving Kailua for over 8 years.   They now have a new location next to Teru's on Kaiwi St.   The dining room is larger and  it really feels like a little bit of Thailand.  But,most importantly... Charlie & Yuthaiwan make you feel like family and you leave feeling happy and full and looking forward to coming back to try something new!

Feel free to BYOB (bring your own bottle), no corking fee is charged.  Also, if you are Vegan, Yuthaiwan is happy to prepare it for you, just let her know.

They welcome your takeout orders and Catering is available for any party.

Orchid Thai Cuisine

Phone: 808-327-9437

74-5555 Kaiwi St.

Kailua Kona, HI 96740

Hours: Lunch 11a.m. to 3p.m.. Dinner 5p.m. to 9p.m. 

Air Conditioned. No Checks, all major credit cards accepted.  Lot's of parking, more in back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Broccolini--Sweet Baby Broccoli

Broccolini is an elegant new vegetable, easy to prepare, with a sweet delicate flavor.   It can be steamed or sauteed just like broccoli or asparagus.

I saw Rachael Ray roast them on her show and decided it would be fun to try a new veggie.  So, last night I made rib eye steak wit h Mac & Cheese and roasted these babies and they were great.  My husband loved it!  The are also great raw...sweet and crunchy.

To roast.  Turn oven on to 450 degrees.   Then place broccolini's on a foil covered baking sheet (makes clean up easier).    Sprinkle with Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Salt,Pepper or whatever spices you like and toss.   Pop into the oven and roast for about 5-6 minutes.   That's it!

Nutritionally, it is high in vitamin C but also contains vitamin A, calcium, folate and iron. 

Try something new and eat your greens... your body will thank you!

Photo: Wikipedia

A Christmas gift of local Aloha...Custom Kona Coffee

Tis the season... what are you going to do?  A couple of my neighbors already have their Christmas decorations up...YES, they do!?   Since most of us have to ship something to someone somewhere, why not make it fun and support a local business.   Most people enjoy coffee and that is one of  the things our beautiful Kona is known for.  

Wouldn't it be fun to have your own personalized label!?  I stopped in at Kona Brothers Coffee located at Kona International Market  to buy some coffee.   Paul roasts the coffee to your order, and he's been doing it since 1984.   Who else does that?   Anyway, there was a gentlemen there with his dog, a cute little pomeranian.  They were getting their picture taken to create a personalized Coffee bag label.    I thought what a cool idea!  

 I have a cute big pomeranian and how fun would it be to send some Aloha from Kona with me, my hubby and my furry baby on the label! 

Anyone that knows us would delight in receiving that package, coffee drinker or not.   After all, it is truly a fun gift to receive.

If this sounds fun to you, go see Paul & Nancy.    Let them be your elves.  

 Your label is done within an hour!   They are also a USPS station and will ship anywhere for you!    Now that's one thing done for Christmas.  

74-5533 Luhia Street Suite B5
Kailua-Kona 96740
Hawaii  United States
Tel Local:331-0800 Toll Free:1-877-KONACUP
Fax (808)331-0900

Photo Credits:

Santa - Tannenbaum Holiday Shop

Pomeranian "Kolohe" - Vicki Yoon

Nancy Nangle: Kona Brothers Coffee

Thanksgiving Ideas

One of my favorite things to do is watch the food network, and what a better thing to do on a rainy Saturday.... on the couch with my blanky, the cats and the dog (they enjoy it too!)   The Star Chefs at the food network show you different and fun recipes for Thanksgiving.  Some elaborate and some very simple and easy.   There is something there for everyone, even for those of you who cannot boil water!  

 I used to be one them, until I became a food network junkie.    One of my favorite chefs, Giada De Laurentis  showed a recipe for Baked mashed potatoes , they looked sooo yummy I had to share this one!  

What to do with all those leftovers??? Click and see what inspires you.  Please post your favorites for us in the comment section! -Vicki Yoon

Photo: bFeedMe.com

The Nutty Date

I had a Nutty Date today.

 

No, not that kind of a close encounter! I stopped by Green Flash Coffee for some lunch after my yoga class and ordered The Nutty Date smoothie.

It's a delicious, blended mixture (created by Lindsey) of local bananas, raw almonds, royal dates and organic vanilla soy milk. It's sweet, thick and creamy and I think I'm starting to feel a little smarter. Stop by there sometime and let me know if you get the same reaction. Made to order for $5.65.

Rapanui Island Cafe

 

I had every intention of photographing our delicious dinner but got so wrapped up in the menu, my dinner companions and then the food.Mmmmm the food! I had the Gado Gado salad which I would have liked with a bit more brown rice, but the taste was perfect. Tayana (left) had the Vegetable Stir Fry with an extra serving of broccoli and Kiawe (right) opted for the Chicken Curry.

Not until we were almost through did I remember to take a picture. Tayana helped out by ordering dessert, a Peanut Butter Bar so I could at least have a shot of the food. It's a little more cake like than a Reese's peanut butter cup and the chocolate more...elegant?

The walk back to the car took care of those calories, right away.  Rapanui offers an assortment of vegetarian, meat and fish dishes with an Indonesian/Thai flavor. For pictures by someone much more disciplined than I, check out Yelp.com

RAPANUI ISLAND CAFE 

Phone: 808-329-0511

75-5695 Alii Drive

Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

Hours: Lunch 11a.m. to 2 p.m., Dinner 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Located across the sea wall on Alii Drive. Outdoor and inside dining. Open air, no A.C. and very casual.