I used to make my dad’s instant coffee every morning, however, I did not have my first sip until I was about 24 ( due to a room mate who brewed a pot every morning). The smell intrigued me so I gave it a try with lots of milk and sugar. It wasn’t really my first choice in beverages until  I had kids! Once the kids arrived anything caffeinated to help me get through the long afternoons was much appreciated!

And really, coffee is not all bad for you and actually it has many health benefits. Moderation of course is the key and really a good cup a java is all you really need.

Well, now that I have been pretty consistent on my coffee sipping (every once in a while I will stop drinking and lucky for me I have no side effects), that I am beginning to get a little snobby with my coffee choices. And living in Hawaii, I am quite lucky to be living amongst some amazing coffee farmers.

I have recently discovered, Hawaii White Mountain Javaloha Coffee. It is smoothest, sweetest and loveliest cup of coffee, I have ever tasted. I am lucky because it is sold at our local farmers market but you can also purchase a bag from their site. I recommend you do for yourself or for someone you know who is a coffee lover.

Bring on the french press and be well,

I love how Michael Pollan is educating people about how our food ( at least in America) is grown, produced and consumed. His first book, The Omnivore’s Dilemma, was a heavy, tough but highly informative read and most likely missing a very important demographic - kids ( this is my department - teaching kids about health with my series, Human Body Detectives). Now he has written  the same book but in a young reader edition. Brilliant!

In this edition, he has some real-food rules for kids ( but of course their parents too). I am not a fan of rules but these just make so much sense….away of living.

Here they are:

1. Don’t eat anything your great grandparents wouldn’t have recognized as food.

I love this! I sometimes talk to kids about acute and chronic disease and food, and how these things have affected us  - changed us - in the last 100 yrs or so. Kids are amazed with learning and understanding the evolution of acute to chronic disease and the evolution of our diets.

2. Don’t eat anything with more than 5 ingredients, or with ingredients you don’t recognize or can’t pronounce.

This is wonderful! Kids love to look at the ingredients and try to pronounce some of the words. I love kids being proactive and aware.

3. Don’t eat anything containing high-fructose corn syrup.

This is a good ingredient to have kids look for on labels. It will be a fast and easy lesson - it is in a lot of things!

This will definitely be a holiday gift to my kids ( and maybe many others!)

Be well,

I live in the country which is a far cry from where I grew up. Despite the fact I have been living in my little Hawaiian upcountry town for almost 8 years, I am still amazed at all the chickens that run around. A friend of mine has a farm and at one time had over 50 baby chicks that grew into these beautiful chickens ( I didn’t realize how many amazing ornate chickens there are out there!) Every once in a while she would call me over to pick some eggs from her coop, some kale and tomatoes from her garden and we would make a delicious, extremely fresh omelet. Yummy yum yum!

Unfortunately,where I live, the CCNRs do not allow me to have a chicken coop. Although, I didn’t realize this before I did a little research and discovered this interesting website, urban chickens. I browsed through the site and learned a lot of fun things. They have this one page that tells you the bylaws and ordinances in different states and cities. I checked out Portland, Oregon and realized I could have had a few chickens in our backyard when we lived there! They also sell 3 different types of coops which are all very stylish!

If you have a moment and are a little intrigued at the idea of having your own chickens, check out their site.

Be well,

Ok this may help me be a little more cheerful while I am scrubbing away in my bathroom! And my two girls would be more than happy to put these on to help with their chores (hmmm maybe a great and inspiring Christmas gift!)

The Gloveables are simple, elegant and pretty with quite an enduring history of the creator, Lindy Kummings. I have to admit I have not seen them anywhere ~ has not made it to my little in the pacific ~ but they have been on Oprah, in Readers Digest and even on Desperate Housewives!

Personally I like the aprons best although not sure I would ever wear one. So for practicality and function get me in those lime green gloves and my house will be sparkling!

Be well,

While in Vancouver last month I came across this company…..

Art-inspired
Independently produced
Always handmade
on the west coast of Canada

I truly wished the owner, Tressa, had started 10 years earlier, as I would have been all over her products for my kids!

All of her products are 100% certified organic usa cotton, 100% eco-lamb’s wool stuffing and best of all, they are machine wash/dry!

The organic teething bonbons really caught my attention. You soak the knots and freeze them – brilliant! And when your baby chews on the frozen knots, the eco-lamb wool centre keeps the baby’s hand warm. This would have soothed my kid’s gums tremendously!

I was also in awe of the Organic Soft Block Set. They are so beautiful and soft – great toy.

Browse through her site (which is so playful, creative and easy on the eyes) and enjoy everything she has to offer. And if you have babies or know of any, all of her products are essentials and worth the purchase.

Be well,