Awesome way to wash your hair that works!!

 Yes! I have finally found an affordable and effective way to wash my hair that is chemical-free and doesn't leave my hair feeling greasy or tangled. Thanks to the One Green Generation blog, I was able to find this method and adjust it to my own needs.

All you need is baking soda, vinegar, water and         

two empty bottles.

Why all the fuss over chemical-free products you may ask. Well For one thing, whatever you put on your skin and scalp is absorbed directly into your blood stream so it makes sense to be aware of what all those strange ingredients in your lotions and hair products are and what they can do to disrupt your body's natural balance.

Many of the ingredients in shampoos and lotions are all chemicals derived from petroleum and contain compounds called "xenoestrogens" (as do plastic and styrofoam containers). These foreign estrogens can disrupt your body's natural hormone balance and may be linked to many disturbances including: Fatigue, infertility, irregular menstral cycles, PMS, man boobs, weight gain, estrogen dominance, blood sugar imbalances, mood swings, memory loss, depression, etc...

My hair after 3 weeks of using this method. 

No grease, no build-up. Hair is much easier 

to brush through without using conditioner.

Since I am trying to get my own body balanced and restored to health, I am avoiding these harmful chemicals as much as possible, hence the new method of hair washing, which, is turning out quite well for me so far. I urge everyone to give this method a try. It really works and it also makes your scalp feel healthier, and your hair shinier! Here's how you do it:

Ingredients:
Aluminum-free baking soda
Braggs Apple Cider vinegar
Water
2 empty containers

Directions: In first container mix one part baking soda to three parts water and shake well. In second container mix one part vinegar to four parts water and shake well. You may also add your choice of essential oils or a cinnamon stick to the vinegar mixture to make it smell good. I like to add clove oil to mine. It smells nice and spicy plus it makes your scalp tingle.

In the shower, apply the baking soda mixture to dry scalp. Work it into scalp until whole surface is covered. No need to put it on the rest of your hair. Let sit for about three minutes and rinse. Next add the vinegar mixture, starting at the scalp then working to the ends and rinse. If you have longer hair and the ends are dry you can add a little alcohol-free natural conditioner (to ends only) and rinse. I have really long hair and I have noticed that I rarely need conditioner any more with this new method since it makes my hair easy to manage. If you do use a conditioner I recommend Aubrey Organics. 

Thai Peanut Kelp Noodles and Veggies

Pad Thai is one of my favorite dishes. I just love the savory peanut taste with fresh organic veggies and noodles. Kelp noodles are a new and amazing raw food that I was recently turned on to. Made with mineral-rich sea kelp, they are clear, crisp and just six calories per serving. I am not one to count calories, but that is definitely amazing!

I love spicy food so I jazzed up my peanut sauce recipe with a little red currie paste and cayenne pepper. If you don't like spicy food, just leave those ingredients out, the recipe will still work fine without them. Also feel free to add your own veggie mixture to suite your taste. The following recipe is vegan, but meat such as organic chicken or grass-fed beef would make a great addition. All ingredients are available at Healthy Hut in Kilauea. If you are off island just ask your local health food store about the products mentioned below.

Thai Peanut Kelp Noodles and Veggies
Serves 2-4
Ingredients:
2-4 tablespoons coconut oil, for cooking
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 red onion, chopped
2 broccoli heads, cut into pieces
1/4 red cabbage, chopped (optional)
4-6 shiitake mushrooms, sliced
1 package of kelp noodles

For the sauce:
3 tablespoons organic peanut butter (smooth or crunchy)
1 tablespoon fermented miso
1 tablespoon thai red currie paste
1/2 teaspoon ginger powder
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper powder
1-2 tablespoons cold-pressed sesame oil
water, for mixing

Heat coconut oil in pan and add garlic and onion. Burner should be on between medium and low. Sauté until onions are translucent then add broccoli and cabbage, toss and cover for about three minutes or more as needed.

Meanwhile mix all sauce ingredients together in a separate bowl. Add more water or sesame oil to get the sauce to the desired consistency, set aside.

Uncover and toss ingredients again. Add shiitake mushrooms and toss. Add more coconut oil as needed to keep ingredients from sticking to pan. Cover for another three minutes or more as needed to steam. Uncover and add whole package of kelp noodles. Turn off heat and toss all ingredients with peanut sauce. Serve in pretty bowls with chop sticks. Enjoy!:-)

New look

Hey all,
I am in the process of redesigning my blog page so it is more personal-looking. But fear not, it will be the same, totally random blog by yours truly. I have some exciting new things to post but I also have a lot of homework and other stuff going on at the moment. I will try to post soon! Aloha and happy 4th!

Health food store newbie

Aloha everyone, I decided to write a little something for those out there who may be new to health food. Maybe you’ve never even set foot inside a health food store before. Sometimes the unknown can be quite intimidating but fear not, readers, I will attempt to quell your fears here in a few short paragraphs, and who knows, your local health food store may become your new favorite place to shop.

Yes, as I have said, the unknown can be a bit intimidating. I remember way back when I had never set foot inside a health food store. I would drive by it and hear about the foods that were offered there, but I just couldn’t bring myself to take that turn off the highway and go check it out for myself. I was just more comfortable shopping at the familiar grocery chains where my mom had shopped with me when I was young. But as fate would have it, my curiosity got the better of me — thank God.

On a whim, I pulled into the unfamiliar lot behind the Staff of Life natural food store in Santa Cruz, Calif., found a parking space and made my way inside the new and strange “hippie-food” haven. The people who worked there were not at all like the uniformed workers I was used to. These young people were clad is whatever interesting dress, tattoos and facial jewelry they saw fit. They were like a tribe, I thought, as I glanced around, a little uneasy, but very intrigued.

I myself was a bit of a social misfit at that time, usually roaming around on my skateboard with a big Canon camera in tow. I was used to getting stares for my baggy, thrift-store clothes and short, spiky hair. But no one in this store batted an eye as I strolled in to have a look. It was actually nice to be left alone and not glared at like I was going to rob the place. A young man with several lip rings and dyed-black hair came up after a while and asked if I needed any help; I refused and proceeded to scan the shelves.

As I browsed, I didn’t recognize any of the familiar brands I was used to. Everything was strange and exciting. There were all kinds of new products I had never seen before, from super foods to supplements to earth-friendly laundry detergents and skin care products—they had it all. I began to read the labels, something I wasn’t yet accustomed to doing, and found that I could actually pronounce the ingredients listed on the backs of products’ labels. As I put several new items in my basket, I wondered about the ingredients in the foods I was so used to eating, and I told myself that I would start reading the labels on everything and perhaps even do a little research on those strange, unpronounceable ingredients.

I was introduced to the “bulk foods” section for the first time, where I could buy grains, nuts, dried fruits, herbs and spices and be free to decide how much of each I wanted. The produce section was a colorful array of locally grown fruits  and vegetables that were in season and smelled delicious. I loaded up on sweet cherry tomatoes, vibrant salad greens and some ripe peaches—all organic and clean of chemical pesticides. I had already decided that this was my new favorite place to shop, and I couldn’t wait to get home and try all of my new edible treasures.

In the checkout lane, no plastic bags were offered, but customers were encouraged to buy a reusable bag or take one of the store’s used cardboard boxes. “Wow,” I thought, “that makes sense!” I was getting really tired of all those plastic bags piling up in my cupboard at home, so I purchased a reusable bag for $1.99. I have brought my own bags to shop with ever since.

It has been a long while since that first experience at The Staff of Life natural food store, but the love and appreciation for health food stores and the service they provide their communities has stayed with me. It is all a part of a more conscious shopping experience.

Health-food stores make an extra effort to find out where their food comes from; they consider the ethical practices of the companies and farms from which they buy. More and more sustainable, organically-grown food is becoming available worldwide and it is a beautiful thing. By shopping for organic and locally grown products, we are supporting a better future for our economy, and more importantly, a better future for our planet.

I hope that by sharing my experience, I have in some way helped to make an unfamiliar shopping experience seem a little less intimidating, and that some of you health food store newbies will take that leap into the unknown, as I did, and have a look at some of the amazing organic products out there. Don’t be afraid to try something new — who knows, it may become your new favorite food.

Green Avo Mousse: A cooling, nourishing treat

Green Mousse is the name I gave to this curious creation. I stumbled on a new way to make mousse while blending a smoothie out of a few random ingredients. I think it is something in the combination of farm-fresh eggs and creamy Hawaiian avocado that creates the smooth and sumptuous texture, thick enough to enjoy with a spoon. Apple bananas and coconut milk add a natural sweetness with no sugar required!

Since some of the ingredients may be a bit out of the ordinary for some, I will explain a little about them and where they can be purchased.

Hawaiian avocados are those grown here in Hawai‘i. They are much bigger and creamier than most Mainland varieties and are available at most farmers markets and health food stores.

Raw eggs are something that should only be consumed if they are from a trusted source and are sure to be fresh, organic and disease-free. Most farmers markets sell fresh eggs from locally raised chickens. Store-bought organic eggs will also work. I use eggs, rather than protein powders, because they are a fresher, more bio-available (easily absorbed and used by the body) source of whole protein and a host of other awesome nutrients.

Eggs contain essential amino acids, omega-3, vitamins A, B, D and E, lutein, choline and trace minerals. Eggs from locally raised chickens are also a more sustainable food choice — there’s no airplanes, barges nor plastic packaging required to get them on your plate! Contrary to some misinformation out there, eggs will not raise your cholesterol levels nor will they make you gain weight— quite the opposite actually. Check out my resource links at the end of this column for more reading on this.

The coconut milk I like to use is available in the frozen juice section of most stores such as Foodland or Big Save. These varieties don’t come in a can and they have a sweeter, fresher taste without any added thickeners or preservatives. About half a package is enough for this recipe.

Spirulina  powder is made from a type of green algae. It is a great source of protein, beta carotene, iron, calcium and many more minerals and nutrients. I like to use Nutrex Hawaiian Spirulina Pacifica, which is produced on the Big Island. It is available at most health food stores or online; see resources.

Kelp powder is a great add-in for any recipe. Not only is it a great source of natural iodine, which can combat hypothyroidism, goiter conditions and obesity, but it is also a powerful blood purifier and toxin absorber.

The compounds contained in kelp absorb toxins from the bowel, which are then expelled from the body. Kelp is also a great source for added calcium, magnesium and many other nutrients. Kelp power is usually very affordable and may be purchased at any health food store or online; see resources.

Ah, coconut oil, the miracle nectar. I cannot praise this extraordinary food enough. Coconut oil smells and tastes amazing. It can be used in cooking and on the skin. Coconut oil is able to kill viruses, microbes and “bad” bacteria in the body when ingested. It can help to relieve many digestive and immune disorders. It can be used as a mouthwash to cleanse away germs and help cure gum disease and tooth decay. It makes a great skin moisturizer and can help relieve many skin conditions.

Cold-pressed, unrefined virgin coconut oil is the best choice. Do not buy the refined variety. It is made by a high-heat process which destroys most of the benefits and good taste of the oil. When adding it to your smoothie, it can help you stay full and satisfied for a long while. The healthy fat in the coconut oil and avocado will also help you absorb all the other minerals and vitamins in the rest of the ingredients. Make sure the oil is in liquid form before adding it in. If it is solid, simply put the jar in a bath of hot water for a few minutes until enough is melted to use. Unrefined coconut oil is available at most health food stores and sometimes at conventional grocery stores. It can also be ordered online.

So there you have it: a fun new recipe to try that is cooling, nourishing and delicious! If you cannot afford the spirulina, this recipe works without it. But try to make the investment in all of these wonderful ingredients if you can. They are worth the money and so is your health!

Green Avo Mousse
servings: 1-2
1/2 big Hawaiian avocado
2 eggs (fresh, organic)
1/2 cup coconut milk
1-2 apple bananas (peeled, cut and frozen)
1 teaspoon spirulina powder
1/2 teaspoon kelp powder
1/2 cup filtered water, as needed
1-2 tablespoons of virgin, unrefined coconut oil
cinnamon powder to taste
ginger powder to taste

Put all ingredients into blender and blend until well combined. Add water as needed, but not too much. With blender going pour coconut oil in a steady stream until well combined. Serve in a nice glass with a spoon, garnish with cinnamon or ginger powder and enjoy!

Resources: Eggs: www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=92

Coconut oil: www.coconutresearchcenter.org/; www.vitaminshoppe.com/

Spirulina: www.nutrex-hawaii.com

Kelp powder: www.bulkherbstore.com/Kelp-Powder_Organic

Self-hatred does no good

Self-hatred is not a righteous humility—far from it. It seeks to destroy everything right and beautiful and human. The final outcomes of self-hatred are sickness, suicide and murder.

The world does not become any brighter with the spread of depression and self-loathing—no matter how justified. One must learn to love one's self—faults included—and stop the war within before any positive change can take place.

Once forgiveness and love have been granted to one's self—only then can it expand outward to others. Everything starts in the heart.

~ Journal entry

'beauty of a broken heart'

There's a beauty in brokenness
art in sorrow and solace
learning the ways of love