Celebrate Non-GMO Month Island Style

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:

Winning on a Healthy Lifestyle

Like many locals, I come from a family of UH Wahine Volleyball fans. If there were a sport that could bring my entire ohana together, it would definitely be volleyball. As part of the Love Life! Team, Mama T and I did a cooking demo for the UH Wahine Volleyball team in early May. I was excited to finally meet some of the amazing athletes from the UH Wahine Volleyball team. They were a bright and diverse group of women from various backgrounds—one of them shared beautiful stories of her hometown in Germany!

Getting Back to Our Roots

Living in Honolulu, it’s so easy for me to forget that I live on land that is still very much alive. This past December, a group of thirteen Down to Earth team members (including myself) dedicated some time to volunteer at a special place tucked deep in Kalihi Valley. Ho’oulu ‘Aina is a beautiful nature preserve and organic community garden -- if you haven’t been there, it’s truly breathtaking! Every Thursday, Ho’oulu ‘Aina invites the public to their Growing Farmers community workday from 9:30am to 12:00pm.

Down to Earth at the World Peace Festival!

News Releases from Down to Earth

Down to Earth had a booth at the World Peace Festival, which took place last Saturday, October 2nd, on Moku Ola on the Big Island. Moku Ola, which means “Island of Life,” is better known as Coconut Island. However, Desiree Cruz, cousin of presenter Ernie Cruz Sr. and the MC of the event, noted that people were making an effort to refer to it by it’s traditional name, which keeps alive the knowledge that the island is a place of refuge and of healing.

Thank you, Mom!

Photo: Family Cooking

Mothers deserve a huge and heartfelt thank you for their selfless love, hard work, and guidance, and all the under-appreciated and unseen sacrifices that come along with motherhood. Even if it is a small gesture, take the time to let your mother--and the other women in your life--know that you appreciate them this month. This article is to acknowledge all they do and suggest a few ideas to help women guard their health.

Nutrition Trends 2019: What are Meso-Nutrients?

Sabra Leomo, RD

As a dietitian I like to follow food and diet trends to see what is popular because it helps me understand what people are hearing about and trying. During the past few years counting “macros” or macronutrients became popular. Macronutrients refers to the nutrients that our bodies need in larger quantities and provide the bulk of calories in our diet. The three primary macronutrients are carbohydrates, protein, and fat. There are also micronutrients which our bodies need in smaller amounts, hence the “micro”. Vitamins and minerals are micronutrients.
 

Beyond the Nutrition Facts Label: Ingredients Matter

Sabra Leomo, RD

There is no denying that reading the Nutrition Facts Label is important when you are shopping for food. With nutrition facts focusing on serving size and nutrients such as calories, fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrate and protein, the actual ingredients that go into food items are often overlooked. A food item may fit into your requirements for calories or other parameters but may be filled with highly-processed or artificial ingredients.

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