Sierra Dew Designs now at Mana Foods

Through the end of April, you can get 10% off on Sierra Dew Designs available exclusively on Maui at Mana Foods.
Sierra Dew is a lifestyle brand that strives to create trendsetting "conscious" wearable art for the contemporary woman. They are a socially conscious label bringing consumer awareness to purchasing choices.Sierra Dew garments use organic cotton, sweatshop free, recycled, and vintage fabrics. 100% non-toxic water-based inks are used while printing, which add to the softness of the fabrics. The garments are printed locally in Honolulu. Each garment has a one of a kind tag printed on organic cotton and signed by the artist.
To read more about Sierra Dew sustainable fashions, please check out this recent article in Green Magazine and visit the facebook page for Sierra Dew Designs.

Malama Pono: PYCC Beach

In honor of Earth Day, Mana Foods is proud to sponsor this month's Paia Youth & Cultural Center's Malama Pono. Mana Foods is providing snacks, reef safe sunscreen, lip balm and education about the effects of chemical sunscreens on the health of our ocean. Did you know that 5,000 tons of sunscreen wash off people in oceans annually? And that up to 10 percent of the world's coral reefs are threatened by sunscreen-induced bleaching?

On Saturday, April 24th, starting at 11:00, the PYCC will be picking up trash along the high way, beginning at the Paia Bay and going all along both sides of the high way to Baldwin. They also are planting trees, picking up trash and working on dune restoration.

The Paia Youth and Cultural Center members, staff and community all participate in Malama Pono, which generally takes place the last Saturday of the month.

Earth Day: Think Local

For one day only, Thursday, April 22, you can get 10% off on Sierra Dew Designs in honor of Earth Day.

Sierra Dew is a lifestyle brand that strives to create trendsetting "conscious" wearable art for the contemporary woman. They are a socially conscious label bringing consumer awareness to purchasing choices.

Sierra Dew garments use organic cotton, sweatshop free, recycled, and vintage fabrics. 100% non-toxic water-based inks are used while printing, which add to the softness of the fabrics. The garments are printed locally in Honolulu. Each garment has a one of a kind tag printed on organic cotton and signed by the artist.

To read more about Sierra Dew sustainable fashions, please check out this recent article in Green Magazine and visit the facebook page for Sierra Dew Designs.

Also for Earth Day, three locally made body care & nutrition companies are being featured and discounted from Thursday, April 22nd through the end of the month, while supplies last.
Hawaiian Herbal Blessings, the Noni company in Haiku, will be 20% off, while Island Essence and Puna Noni will be 10% off.

Endangered Species Chocolate will be sampled on Thursday, April 22nd from 11-3. Although not a Hawaii company, they are included in our Earth Day celebration because they donate 10% of net profits to organizations like the Ocean Conservancy and See Turtles.

And don't forget, every day you can get a free reusable bag when you spend $150 at Mana Foods. By making a simple change, like bringing a reusable bag, you can have a impact. According to The Wall Street Journal, the U.S. goes through 100 billion plastic shopping bags annually. An estimated 12 million barrels of oil is required to make that many plastic bags. Plastic bags cause over 100,000 sea turtle and other marine animal deaths every year when animals mistake them for food.

Natural Beauty: John Masters

Feel good about looking good: Recently, Mana Foods started carrying John Masters range of personal care products. One of the staff favorites is the Honey & Hibiscus Reconstruction Shampoo & Conditioner. Especially great for long hair, as this hair tends to be oilier at the scalp, but drier towards the ends. "It smells great & makes my hair feel wonderful! Plus, it only takes a little to get the job done."

With a mix of natural genius and simple human common sense, John Masters started making organic products 20 years ago, seeing the need for products that can deliver unsurpassed results using only natural ingredients.
Part basement alchemist, part organic innovator, John began mixing organic essential oils and herbs in his kitchen sink. Today, John Masters Organics features more than 30 luxury organic products sold throughout the world.

All ingredients must meet John Masters' strict guidelines :
1. No sodium lauryl sulfate, parabens, DEAs, MEAs, or TEAs

2. No GMOs (Genetically Modified Organism)

3. No petro-chemicals

4. No animal testing

5. No artificial colors, fragrances or fillers

6. Ingredients must be as organic as possible

7. All plant extracts and essential oils must be certified organic whenever possible
8. All essential oils used must be steam-distilled and not extracted with propylene glycol - which kills the effect of the oils
9. All plant oils must be cold pressed, not heat distilled - which kills the therapeutic properties of plant oils

10. All ingredients must be proven to be beneficial to the hair or skin

11. All ingredients must be harvested in an environmentally-friendly manner (wild-crafted)

12. All ingredients must be bio-degradable as possible

13. Fair-Trade ingredients must be used when possible

Gluten Freedom: April 2010

TIRED OF THE SAME OLD BEACH SNACKS??
We all know that quick - on the go choices are hard to come by when following a gluten free diet. Whether you’re looking for new snack ideas for work, school or an afternoon trip to the beach here’s some of our favorite ready to go options available at Mana Foods.

Beat the Heat and Cool Down
Luna and Larry’s Coconut Bliss Bars – These frozen vegan coconut milk bars are available in a 4 pack or individually. Choose from decadent dark chocolate or naked coconut.
Julie’s Gluten Free Ice Cream Sandwiches – Not only are they delicious, but you’ll love the cool tube packaging!
So Delicious All Fruit Bars – A great refreshing treat to uplift your afternoon.

Need a Little Crunch?
Mary’s Gone Crackers Sticks and Twigs – These crunchy sticks are guilt free! Each serving offers 4 grams of fiber as well as 4 grams of protein. Zest it up with curry or tomato chipotle or keep it simple with my personal favorite… sea salt.
Lundberg Rice Chips – You’re bound to find a favorite with flavors ranging from Sante Fe Barbeque to Wasabi.
Bhuja Cracker Mixes – Spice it up with these Indian flared cracker mixes
Protein Power!
Wild Ride Beef Jerky – Choose from 3 gluten free flavors: Buckin’ Barbeque, Galloping Pepper or Jumpin’ Hot & Spicy.
Living Harvest Hemp Protein Powder – A complete vegetarian protein as well as an excellent source of fiber and essential fats. Although best enjoyed blended with a fruit smoothie, try adding to your favorite juice or milk/milk alternative and shake!
Applegate Farms Lunchmeat – All varieties are gluten free! Enjoy rolled up on its own or with your favorite gluten free crackers

We’ve All Got A Little Sweetness
Jennie’s Coconut Macaroons – These simple honey sweetened treats are irresistible! Available in coconut, chocolate or almond flavor.
Schar Cocoa Wafers – A perfect accompaniment to your afternoon coffee or tea. Also try their chocolate dipped cookies.
Environkidz Crispy Rice Bars – Reminiscent of rice krispy treats…..these individually wrapped bars are available with many twists.

Deli Deliciousness!
For those less sensitive, enjoy Mana Foods “Made with no gluten ingredients” options. Please note we try our best to avoid cross contamination but deli items are not prepared in a dedicated gluten free environment. Mahalo!
Tuna salad – Topped over Blue Diamond Nut Thins. This high protein option will become a new favorite!
Salad Rolls – Filled with veggies and tofu these light but satisfying snacks are great for the beach.
Try something RAW! – Choose from a wide range of savory to sweet nutrient dense delights.
And of course….. don’t forget about your fresh fruits and vegetables.

Athlete’s Corner: Running the House of the Sun

Here are some of my favorite things for before, during and after a long run up at Haleakala. In the morning along with my breakfast I drink a Guayaki organic energy shot, a concentrated mate drink with super food blend that keeps me going strong without the jittery feeling and subsequent crash that coffee causes.

When I’ve made it all the way down the Skyline Trail and need fortification for the way up I stop for a snack of a delicious juicy Fuji apple from our produce department along with a single serve packet of Justin’s nut butter. My favorite is the almond butter with maple sugar but you can choose from classic almond or peanut butter, peanut or almond butter with honey or peanut butter and cinnamon. These are great little packets for kid’s lunches as well.

Once I’m done with my workout and back home it’s important to have some protein to aid with muscle building and recovery. I fix myself a smoothie with Organic Clover milk and Mana’s Show Me the Whey protein powder. Sometimes I’ll throw in a banana or some berries.

And to top it all off and to keep the muscle soreness down and recovery time short I pop a couple of Curamin from Europharma. Curamin’s all natural ingredients include: Curcumin, curcuminoids, dl phenylananine, Boswellia and Nattokinase. Even after the hardest of workouts Curamin keeps me from getting sore.

Happy Trails,
Marie

Think Local: Monoi of Maui

Made in Haiku, Maui with Aloha using Maui grown flowers like Tiare Gardenia, Island Plumeria, Pikake Rose and Maui Tuberose.

Monoi is the Tahitian word for Coconut Oil. The natural coconut oil is frangranced in small concentrated batches one gallon at a time. These concentrates are added and blended with larger batches of unscented oil. At the end of all the processing, the individual bottles are filled and individual Maui Grown flowers and/or flower petals are added to each bottle. Depending on the flower in question, it may fresh, dried (or semi dried) before adding putting it in the mix.

A love letter to Mana Foods

Feb. 16, 2010

To everyone at Mana Foods:
I read today that Whole Foods was about to open in Kahului and I decided to write you a love letter because I think you are truly the most wonderful food store in the world. From the moment I walk in, past the chocolate guaranteed to bring joy. Still each time I marvel at the richness of what's there - 70% dark from Panama, Organic with ginger and lemon peel, 69% & extra smooth! Well, I don't know if those specific bars exist, but I think that Willie Wonka himself would have delighted in the selection and commended you heartily for offering such treasures and treats to us for such wonderfully low - such generously low prices.

Shopping at Mana is so much fun! I learn things, experience new tastes, I experiment with new ingredients. I 'm given a way to support the work of farms & companies doing good things here on Earth, often right on Maui. All of you who work there have always been so friendly, so engaged, so knowledgeable, so helpful and so cool. You are one hip, diverse & beautiful collection of people! So, I just wanted to write & tell you how much I cherish the experience of being able to come to Mana and being able to nourish my body & soul with the goodness you assemble.

In a corporatized ever-more-anonymous world, you are an inspiration & a friend & a role model. Mahalo, mahalo, mahalo!

From your fan