Articles
Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year!
Every Christmas we're challenged to pick gifts for friends and loved ones. We wrack our brains for the right items, with the right brand names. Sometimes we consider our finances and decide where to sacrifice and where to splurge. “What can I give that really expresses my love and care?”
Thanksgiving in Hawaii
Long before the Pilgrims, native Hawaiians celebrated "Makahiki," the longest thanksgiving in the world, which lasted four months—approximately November through February. During this time, both work and war were forbidden.1, 2 As the most important holiday of the year, Makahiki is the traditional Hawaiian celebration of the harvest and time of personal rest and spiritual and cultural renewal.3 It was a humbling experience.
A Wholesome, Plant-Based Diet May Cut Risks and Complications of Diabetes
If the cost of treating a chronic health condition is weighing you down, you’re not alone. Last month, the World Economic Forum estimated that by the year 2030, the global cost of treating chronic health conditions will total $47 trillion dollars.1 According to the National Institute of Health, diabetes alone affects almost 26 million people in the United States and national treatment costs for diabetes total $174 billion dollars per year. Furthermore, individuals diagnosed with diabetes have an average of twice as many medical expenses as non-diabetics.2
Obesity in America
Obesity in America If health is wealth, America is going bankrupt. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one-third of adults and one sixth of children in America are obese.1 In the past twenty years, obesity rates doubled for adults and tripled for children. If these trends continue, by the time today’s children reach adulthood, obesity will be the norm and healthy weight the exception. Native Hawaiians disproportionately affected by obesity
Down to Earth Joins "Kanu Hawaii Eat Local Challenge!"
This September Down to Earth will participate in Kanu Hawaii's Annual Eat Local Challenge! by offering special vegetarian cooking classes and in-store demos featuring local produce and putting select local produce at 15% off!
Ancient Traditions, Local Business, Homegrown Values: A Recipe for Success
This month, Down to Earth celebrates our long standing commitment to supporting local farmers and manufacturers with a profile of one of our favorite Hawaii-based businesses. Eleven years ago, Down to Earth first gave this family enterprise their start, and since then we’ve enjoyed a healthy partnership - in every sense of the word.
Are GMOs Safe To Eat?
Since the dawn of time, human beings and animals alike have asked the question every day, “What should I eat?” We need to know not just what tastes good, but what is good for our survival and for our long-term health. We employ our sense of smell, taste, sight and touch, our intelligence, our knowledge of cause and effect and our culture to help us decide what to eat.
Organic versus Conventional: the difference is more than just skin deep
As the organic movement gains traction, more and more people are likely to wash and peel their non-organic produce to minimize exposure to dangerous pesticides.
Aloha ‘Aina with A Billion Acts of Green
Aloha ‘Aina means love of the land. What would happen if one out of every six people on the planet took their commitment to the Earth more seriously?