Just in from Hawaii - Part 2: Treats from the Honolulu Farmers' Market

 Even Islanders get excited about local foods!  

One thing Chris and I talk about is our hope that local eating is not only a trend (which it is currently), but something that is sustainable throughout people's lives.  It seems everywhere we go, every vacation we take, at every farmers' market we happen across, we find people who are excited about local eating.  This includes the Islanders, as you can see from the picture we took at the Kapiolani Community College Farmers' Market.  The sign in the picture is true..."it matters."  We hope that those of you beginning to eat more locally produced foods continue to do this into old age, and teach your children and grandchildren (or nephews, or friends, or whoever is in your life) to do the same. 

Some of my favorite things from the Honolulu farmers' market included:

Sampling local honey infused with macadamia nuts, ginger and various florals.

Enjoying lilikoi shave ice, also known as passion fruit which grows on the island.

Being amazed at the variety of local flavors OnoPops, the handmade Hawaiian Popsicle stand, had for sale.   Try making a local Chocolate Dipped Tangerine or Pineapple Vanilla Popsicle in Kansas!

This is what vacation is for...but I'm always happy to return to the breadbasket, and our local season will be here before you know it!

Just in from Hawaii - Part I

 A Samoan harvesting a coconut at
the Polynesian Cultural Center.

Vacation is wonderful.  If you've been following this blog for long, you might have noticed I took a long vacation from writing over the past month.  The climax of the holiday season for us ended last week after a trip to Ohau, Chris's birthplace and home for 18 years.  What a place to eat fresh and local!  They grow chocolate and coffee, and with these indulgences Chris and I could potentially eat a 100% local diet living there.

Mr. Samoa

Our trip began at the Polynesian Cultural Center where informative programs explained life of the cultural groups that make up Hawaii.  Regarding local eating, the Samoan culture provided the most memorable comments...here's what we learned:

•  "In America you work hard, so you can make money, so you can go to the store, so you can buy the food you want.  In Samoa, we do it simpler, we go straight to the food."
• "In Samoa men cook, in Japan women cook, in China both men or women cook, in America, you order food...either take out or delivery."

Very humorous, yet in both cases very true and something that Chris and I (and many of you) continually work on changing in our lives.  Here's to "doing it simpler, going straight to the food."

May I point out - the days are getting longer.  And that means gardening, farmers' markets and fresh foods are coming again soon (depending on what your definition of "soon" is anyway - this frame of mind makes me hopeful.)  So, be encouraged as it takes longer and longer for the sun to set my friends.