Thursday, March 31, 2011

Think Local: Uncle Mikey's Dried Hawaiian fruit

Uncle Mikey's Dried Hawaiian Fruit is a family owned, family run Kauai business with a simple mission, produce the best Hawaiian dried fruit possible with "no weird stuff added!" Uncle Mikey’s is different from anything you have tasted! "No Weird Stuff Added" means simply that, no chemicals, preservatives, food coloring or sugar is used… The fruit chosen is only Grade A, ready to eat, Hawaiian fruit … purchased from local farmers. When the fruit is at its ripest, ready to eat state, Uncle Mikey’s is hand cut, did you say hand cut? and dried at low temperatures to retain all the nutrition, color and most importantly flavor of the fruit. It is a time consuming process but the end result is the best quality, best tasting dried fruit you have ever eaten. Uncle Mikey's also recycles the peels to compost and wormcasting producers to bring it full circle.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Funny Food

"Did you ever stop to taste a carrot? Not just eat it, but taste it? You can't taste the beauty and energy of the earth in a Twinkie."
~Astrid Alauda

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

La‘a Kea Community Farm of Maui

Mana Foods is proud to carry okinawan sweet potatoes that are Korean Naturally farmed by La‘a Kea. “Korean Natural Farming” is a way of farming that is practiced in many countries in Asia. The basic premise is that farmers can generate most, if not all, of the necessary inputs (like fermented plant juice) for food production onsite.

La‘a Kea Community Farm of Maui is a charitable 501(c)(3) organization that provides a residential farm community where adults with developmental disabilities are a part of a thriving ‘ohana.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Funny Food

"Hey yogurt, if you're so cultured, how come I never see you at the opera?"
~Attributed to Stephen Colbert

Friday, March 25, 2011

Fresh & Local: Spring Salad

There is an abundance of locally grown lettuce at Mana Foods right now. We have red leaf, green leaf and romaine. They are all organically grown at several farms like Coca Farms, Okamura, Kumulani, Waipouli and WeFarm. Super tender baby lettuce is beign grown by We Farm and Hana Fresh.

The organic locally grown spring mix is back in stock. This colorful mix is grown by Haiku Organic Farm.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Natural Beauty: Kula Herb Soap

A delightful soap company, with scents like Dragon Fruit, Plumeria and Haleakala.
Kula Herb Soap makes soap the old fashioned way, handmade, one batch at a time, right here on Maui. They understand that what goes onto your body goes into your body and strive to nourish and balance your skin.

Kula Herb Soap endeavors to exploit neither life nor Earth when creating this soap and it's packaging. They adhere to a recycle-reduce-reuse philosophy and support organic growers & practices.


This fine soap nourished and moisturizers your skin using the finest ingredients:Coconut Oil: For superior lather and cleansing; truly tropical.
Palm Oil: Tropical redux! For a fine, hard bar.
Olive Oil: Universal symbol for peace, the oil long used by herbal healers; a superior humectant.
Hemp Seed Oil: Healing, emollient, anti-oxidant, omega-rich ... We can't praise hempseed oil enough. Ours is organic, cold-pressed to order from Canada.
Kukui Nut Oil: We can't praise kukui nut oil enough, either. Cold-pressed here in Hawaii, a rich, healing, moisturizing emollient oil.
Macadamia Nut Oil: Also rich in anti-oxidents, also from Hawaii. Provides a silky, sultry, island feel.
Citrus Seed Extract: A natural preservative. Grapefruit seeds from Florida!
Organic Botanicals: Wherever possible, some from our Kula gardens. We shop locally first, from our closest neighbors second.
Colorants: Some from the earth, some not. Always safe for your skin.
Essential Oils: We search high & low for the highest quality.
Fragrance Oils: Ditto.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Nana's Irish Soda Bread recipes

A great way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.
I pair my soda bread with Kerry Gold butter and Smoked Salmon.


For this recipe, you will need:
•3 1/3 C whole wheat flour
•1 tsp salt
•1 tsp baking soda
•1 tsp cream of tartar
•1 pint buttermilk (add a bit at a time)


1.Preheat oven to 400 F
2.Sieve Flour, Salt, Baking Soda & Cream of Tartar
3.Make a well in the center of the flour ingredients
4.Pour in Buttermilk and mix to make a soft dough.
5.Turn dough on to floured table.
6.Knead to make a smooth ball.
7.Press into a round flat, about 2 inches thick.
8.Place on to floured baking pan.
9.Cut a cross on the top.
10.Bake for about 30 minutes.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Breast Cancer Fund Benefit: Pizza, Music & Silent Auction

Join Mana's own Marie DeJournette in her efforts to raise money for the Breast Cancer Fund. Tuesday, March 8 · 5:00pm - 10:00pm at Flatbread Company, 89 Hana Hwy. Paia.

Marie DeJournette will host a benefit at Flatbread in Paia to raise money for the Breast Cancer Fund (BCF). Flatbread will donate a portion of all pizza sales that night. There will be a silent auction held for a Jimmy Lewis kite board, a Mana Foods gift card, personal training with Tree Baca, Upcountry Fitness Memberships and numerous gift baskets with organic and natural products. At 6 pm there will be Celtic music by Kieran ...Clark followed by Roger McKinley and friends.

Marie’s involvement with the BCF was inspired by five of her friends who have survived breast cancer and in honor of one friend who lost her battle with the disease. For the past 4 years Marie has trekked and climbed mountains to raise money for this worthy cause: Mount Shasta in California in 2007, Chomolhari in Bhutan in 2008 Mont Blanc in the Alps in 2009 and most recently a high altitude trek to Machu Picchu. To date Marie has raised nearly $50,000.00 for BCF. This year Marie will trek to Everest Base Camp with a side trip up Kala Patar to 18,500 feet. She has reached her initial goal of raising $5000.00 for BCF this year, and hopes to hit $10,000.00 before she leaves for this trek. Marie pays all her own expenses so 100% of all donations go directly to the organization.

Climbing is both a personal endeavor to honor the courage it takes to face breast cancer and a collective effort to prevent the disease. This year over one million women world wide will be diagnosed with breast cancer. In response to this public health crisis, the Breast Cancer Fund identifies – and advocates for elimination of – the environmental and other preventable causes of the disease. A growing body of scientific evidence is linking breast cancer with exposures to environmental toxins. Founded in 1992, the Breast Cancer Fund works from the knowledge that breast cancer is not simply a personal tragedy, but a public health priority that demands action from all.
To donate to the cause on line you can visit Marie’s page on the Breast Cancer Fund website at http://prevention.breastcancerfund.org/goto/marie or a check payable to Breast Cancer Fund may be mailed to:
Marie DeJournette P.O. Box 791298 Paia, Hi. 96779

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

March Gluten Freedom: Focus on Fast on the go Gluten Free Options

Gluten Free options have come a long way and I wanted to highlight some great options for the busy on the go person living Gluten Free. I know that wholesome made from scratch meals are always the best option, but sometimes you just need to be able to grab a quick healthy option.

Lighter Fare for lunch and snacks
• Emerald Valley Kitchen Hummus, spread on rice cakes, topped with olives, feta or veggies
• Salsa, add black beans and snack with corn chips
• Bagel (Udi’s or Kinnikinnick) with cream cheese, Echo Falls smoked salmon, red onion and veggies
• Chili (Amy’s), topped with sour cream and served with a piece of cornbread
• Organic Chicken Taquito’s (PJ’s), served with refried beans and Spanish rice
• Beef Corn Dogs (S’Better Farms), served with potato salad
• Hot Dogs (Applegate beef, chicken or turkey) with Kinnikinnick Buns, serve with sauerkraut

Hearty Fare
• Lundberg Risotto
available in 7 flavors, served with steamed veggies and baked chicken
• Make your own pizza
Udi’s Pizza crust, add Muir Glen Pizza sauce, mozzarella and toppings
• Burgers:
Kinnikinnick Bun with your choice of patty: Sunshine Burgers (Vegan and soy/gluten free), Beef or turkey burger and all the veggie fixings
• Conte’s Pierogies, Cheese stuffed shells and Potato Gnocchi
• Caesar’s Manicotti, Vegetable Lasagna and Stuffed Shells

Dessert
• Fresh fruit with whipped cream or yogurt
• Chocolate covered Strawberries
• In the freezer ready to go:
Coconut Bliss Ice Cream: dairy free made with coconut milk
Ciao Bello: Creamy gelatos in flavors and Non-Dairy
Udi’s Double Chocolate Muffins
French Meadow Fudge Brownies
Knikinnick Donuts: Chocolate Dipped and Cinnamon Sugar
• Easy to bake mixes
Gluten Free Pantry: Chocolate Truffle Brownie
Cravings Place: Cinnamon Crumble Coffee Cake
Pamela’s: Chocolate Chip Cookies, Chocolate Brownies, Vanilla & Chocolate Cakes with Frostings