Let's Talk Story - Down to Earth Blog

This past March, a group of Down to Earth Team Members (including myself) dedicated some time to volunteering at Green Rows Farm, a special place nestled under the Ko’olaus in beautiful Waimanalo, Oahu. The farm is managed and cared for by Sean Anderson and a group of young farmers all dedicated to regenerative practices, excited by Oahu’s local food movement, and enthusiastic about getting dirty, having fun, and growing delicious food. Every Wednesday Green Rows Farm invites the public to help out on their farm.

Earth Day is on April 22, one day before my birthday. Growing up, I always felt a connection to Earth Day; it was like my own special holiday. My young mind seemed to think that Earth Day was actually the Earth’s birthday and so close to mine – it made me feel like I was “birthday buddies” with the Earth. Of course I eventually knew the real story behind the day but it hasn’t taken away this odd sense of kinship with my “birthday buddy”.

As women, our bodies go through many changes and nutritional needs. It’s important to become aware of these individual needs and give ourselves the best support possible. A great way to do this is by eating “superfoods.” Superfoods are nutrient-rich foods which can help to balance our hormones, increase our vitality, and strengthen our immune system. Following are some delicious foods that women should consider adding into their diet.

Happy February, Everyone!

It’s been an exciting and eventful beginning of the New Year! Many of us are trying to get back into shape, trying new a new diet, or striving to live happier, more mindful lives. It’s always inspiring to hear about all of your resolutions and challenges. I’ve been on a diet challenge myself…I decided to go no-sugar for ten days!

Every January we like to focus on getting a strong foundation for our health to set the tone for the entire year. Making resolutions is easy, but following through with them is the challenge. We know that having support is the key to the success of our resolutions and Down to Earth is here to help!

This month our outreach calendar is full of workshops that are going to help you on your healthy journey for 2016. We started the year with our popular monthly cooking classes on January 2nd in Honolulu and January 5th in Kailua.

As you plan your Christmas shopping list, consider making a more conscious effort to purchase local presents. You’ll be giving great gifts and supporting your community. Down to Earth works with over 400 local vendors, including more than 100 local farmers, to bring you as many locally grown foods and products as are available. We believe supporting local businesses helps promote a healthy and sustainable lifestyle in Hawaii. Also, locally made products are just plain amazing because they're made with genuine love and care.

The weather has cooled down -- maybe just a little bit here -- and the holidays are just around the corner. I love making my own crafts for the holidays and putting them all around the house. You can get super creative and crafty with just a couple things.

Here are a few fun crafts you can do with your keiki:

Aloha everyone! Can you believe we are almost toward the end of the year? Seems like just yesterday was the start of a fresh new year. So many exciting things have happened in Hawaii this year. There are two celebrations that I love: Halloween and Non-GMO Month!

You must be wondering, why on earth do I love to celebrate non-GMO Month? It’s because it’s the time of year when we can really raise awareness about GMOs and what we can do as a community to find alternatives. Just wanted to share some tips on how to celebrate and inform your loved ones about GMOs: