Enlightened Dining: Eat Local

Hawaii imports over 80% of its food

Hawaii is a blessed land. It never ceases to amaze me that I can walk outside my house and just pick a papaya, avocado or fig right out of my yard. Based on season, I structure my hikes around strawberry guavas, mountain rose apples and lilikoi. Herbs such as olena, awapuhi, and noni all within an arm’s reach. So it is surprising to arrive at a supermarket in Hawaii and see an avocado for $2.99 and realize organic produce is hard to find. More surprising to learn that Hawaii imports over 80% of its food. The red pepper you wish to buy for $5.99 at your local supermarket has traveled over 3,200 miles and spent many weeks in storage to get to your hands. Is it no wonder a tomato no longer tastes like a tomato?

It is clear in these times that industrial food production is not the most beneficial. This type of farming depletes our soils, uses massive amounts of fossil fuels, pollutes our water and supplies us with a lot tasteless and often toxic food.

Take Action

So what’s an individual to do?

I am humbled and inspired to learn that there is a lot one can do here in Hawaii.

“Local first, organic whenever possible, and with aloha always.” Is the commitment inscribed at the bottom of every menu at Town and Downtown restaurant. Local chef and owner, Ed Kenny, created a dining experience that is not only pleasing to the palate, it’s healthy for your body, the land, and supports the local community. The ripple effect of his commitment is impressive.

Eating and shopping local makes sense. Mother Nature is no fool. She has cleverly provided each region’s habitants with the food they need to prosper there. Yes, if we lived in Tibet, massive amounts of cheese, meat and butter tea will help us survive the harsh, high altitude conditions. But if you live in a tropical, warm weather land that same diet is liable to put you in the ER. In Hawaii, fruits and vegetables, the ocean, are your friend. No need for Brie. By eating local you are eating what is natural for where you live.

Hawaii has so much to offer. So whether cruising the farmer’s markets or dining out, support local. It’s an enlightened choice.

The Ripple Effect

Town and Downtown support many local growers and companies via it’s purchase of product.

Ma’o Organic Farm is a 5-acre farm producing and selling over 25 varieties of organic fruits and vegetables. Ma’o is more than a farm, it is a movement. Its mission is built around the “reestablishment of living local food system to empower our community to move towards self-sufficiency: educating the next generations; fighting hunger, improving health and nutrition; producing our own organic foods; and living/working by the values of aloha ‘aina.” If you are interested in organic farming, head out there for volunteer day the last Saturday of every month from 9-12. Get your hands in the Earth and share an organic feast with good people.

North Shore Cattle Company whose cattle, Hawaiian born and raised, are 100% grass-fed and pasture raised. They use no antibiotics, hormones or animal by-products.

Local Fish Markets, fish on the menu is almost all local or seasonal.

Big Wave Tomatoes from the North Shore who grow vine ripe non-GMO tomatoes. At last, a tomato that tastes like a tomato! Big Wave Tomatoes are also sold at the Saturday morning KCC Farmer’s market at the Fried Green Tomato stand. Definitely worth checking out.

Styrophobia, another local company, helping to reduce Hawaii’s waste. If you are ordering to go, all Town’s take- out is packaged in biodegradable containers from

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Growing Your Greens

Aloha friends,

Here are some green tips from the Sacred Healing Arts Ohana. How about cultivating a small two to three foot plot of land around your home or buying a planter box to put on your lanai, balcony or even indoors by a window. Everyone has somewhere to put a little organic dirt, just enough to plant a couple to a dozen plants. If you choose wisely, with just a few sprigs daily you’ll have a digestive aids, blood builder and some liver support, not to mention a bit more energy and peace of mind. Ok, here’s the practical nuts and bolts of how to begin. If you already have a garden, pick a few dark green leafies, for example, arugula, parsley, cilantro (Chinese parsley), basil, mint, bok choi, collard or kale. These all grow fairly easily and do not take much maintenance. Either get a few bags of organic potting soil and compost from your local store or find a friend’s dirt pile to dig into (as long as it’s quality dirt). If you can get “Seeds of Change” an organic brand, or simply get seeds from your local nursery or friend, and plant! It’s easier than you think. If you have a friend that has a green thumb, ask her to participate in this grand event. If you’re into astrology or the moon cycles, consult someone for the best time to plant – ie. some seedlings grow best if planted on the new moon. After a few weeks or so of watering and a few sweet words of encouragement you’ll have yourself a few bunches of greens to cultivate and soon to pick from. Now what?

Arugula, basil, cilantro, parsley and mint are easy to eat raw so pick a sprig or two daily and just graze. You’re getting life energy close to the source! It’s triple the nourishment, (vitamins, minerals and liver support) than you’d get from the same greens sitting on the grocery shelf because it’s so much fresher. If you’ve planted kale or collard or some other green that you think might need cooking, a quick steam or simply a short (few minute) soak in lemon juice, olive oil and a bit of braggs liquid aminos or tamari, garlic or other favorite spice of your choice, and you’re ready for a palate delight! We keep talking about the liver because as many of you know, the liver is our major detox organ. It takes care of all those toxins we breathe in, ingest, and create through our bodily functions from digestion to stress management. Your liver needs your support and you owe it to your cleaning system to graze on a few greens a day. And if you don’t like the taste right now, you’ll be surprised at how much changes with a different spice, a different attitude, a strong intention, and most importantly an open mind and heart.

Call or e-mail us at sacredhealingarts@gmail.com or 783-0361 for more suggestions on green nutrition, recipes, cooking and detox classes, and health programs to enhance your high level wellness. We serve the full spectrum from wellness programs for people who do not have any notable symptoms, to those with chronic debilitating illness, and we’d love to support you in your journey to optimum health and inner peace.

Mahalo for your sincere interest

Dr. Lori Kimata

Sacred Healing Arts Ohana

Sacred Healing Arts

Breathing keeps us in the now, present and conscious, allowing us to find our inner peace

Naturopathic and Oriental Medicine is an art, a science, a philosophy and most of all, a practice – a way of life. Healers work with the body, mind, heart and spirit and the medicines from our sacred Mother Earth.
Our medicine is founded on honored traditions and based on the following philosophical principles:

• “Vis Medicatrix Naturae” (The Healing Power of Nature)

• The Vital Force (Chi, Ki, Mana. Prana)

• First Do No Harm

• Treat the Whole Person

• Address The Cause

• Doctor as Teacher

• Prevention is Key

We will be covering everything from acupuncture as a healing modality to supplements vs. food vs. drugs as your medicine, utilizing nature’s healing resources, detoxification, women’s health, fertility, home birthing, yoga, meditation, simple home remedies and practical tips for healthy living.