Briefs & Upcoming Events
Hawaii’s teachers, families, schools and community organizations can reserve a free copy of the new book, “Farm to Keiki,” and sign up for training. The book will be delivered in January.
The book includes 19 plant profiles, 25 lesson plans and 37 nutritious recipes to make teaching keiki gardening, nutrition and cooking with fresh, Hawaii grown foods easy. The Hawaii Department of Health and The Center for Disease Control and Prevention sponsored the free online version of the book.
The goal is for all children in Hawaii to have access to healthy foods, garden nutrition and environmental education. The book and training is recommended for children ages 3-9 but can be adapted for any age group or educational setting school and home.
Free ‘Farm to Keiki” trainings will be scheduled for preschool and early care teachers statewide. If interested, sign up at www.farmtokeiki.org.
Isaacs Art Center will host an exhibition of plein air paintings by artist Peter Jefferson beginning with an artist’s reception from 4-7 p.m. this Friday. Peter and his wife, Lillian, will attend.
The Ohana Art Show is an opportunity to display current works by artists who are Hawaii Preparatory Academy parents and alumni. Proceeds will benefit the school’s scholarship program.
Questions: Call 885-5884
Ono foods, arts, crafts and live music will fill the Botelho Building when the Hawaiian Cultural Center of Hamakua hosts a special holiday night market there from 5-9 p.m. this Friday in Honokaa.
Questions: Call Le’ Ann at 937-3684 or Dee at 936-8110
The 14th annual Waikoloa Village Christmas Parade will begin at 10 a.m. this Saturday. It will wind down the hill on Paniolo Avenue and end at Waikoloa Elementary and Middle School. The road is closed off to vehicles during the parade.
Dozens of businesses and groups will have parade entries to share the holiday spirit. A $100 prize will go to the best decorated float, and a $25 prize will be awarded to the best decorated bike in the bike parade.
A Keiki Festival will follow the parade from 11 a.m.- 2p.m. at the school, including games and crafts, food and educational booths. There will also be a drawing for a new bike.
Info: Call Sue McCord at 989-0215 regarding the parade or Sheryll for the festival vendors at 345-4956
oin the North Hawaii Chavurah for a channuka celebration at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel Number 3 Restaurant from 5-6:30 p.m. this Sunday. Latkes and punch will be served.
Info: Call Vivienne Aronowitz at 936-9001
On Dec. 15, Kamuela Farmers Market will hold a gingerbread house making contest starting at 8:30 a.m. The gingerbread and icing will be made by booth owners Pam Harsh with Kulina Lani and Carole Devenport with Cupcakes N Things. The contest will have six teams of up to three people per team. The contest will end at 10:30 a.m., with judging at 11 a.m.
The entry fee per team is $10. The last day to sign up is this Saturday. All supplies will be provided but contestants are encouraged to bring their own decorations as well, with one condition: everything must be edible. There will be 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners. First place will receive a $100 cash prize.
To sign up: See Pam at Kulina Lani at her booth at the market on Saturdays or email her at kulinalanifarm@gmail.com
Laughter Therapy
By Shay Bintliff, MD
How many boxes do you have full of Christmas decorations? You soon will be carting them out of the storage area and saying, “Are we really going to decorate this much this year?“ like you have done for the past how many years and loved every one of them!
So, first joke old, but great: The Supreme Court ruled against having a nativity scene in Washington D.C. This wasn’t for religious reasons. They just couldn’t find three wise men and a virgin!
All of you older folks will remember the great comedian and film star Groucho Marx. Well, here are some of his very best LOLs: I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into another room and read a book! … Marriage is a wonderful institution! But who wants to live in an institution? … I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member! … When you’re in jail, a good friend will be trying to bail you out. A best friend will be in the cell next to you saying, ”Wow, that was really fun!” … The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing. If you can fake that, you’ve got it made! (Don’t take that last one seriously!)
Howze about a few more shorties? When women get to a certain age, they start accumulating cats! This is known as the “many paws.” No, I don’t need anger management! Just stop p***ing me off! … Some days the supply of curse words is insufficient to meet my needs! … and the greatest: Save the earth! It’s the only planet with chocolate!
A new employee is talking to his fellow employees in the coffee room. He is a health fanatic and responds to some remark about the new standing desks in the office. He says to the group, “A standing desk is not a substitute for exercise! Let’s tell the boss to buy us gym memberships!” Yep, LOL!
Now to close with a few jokes, dedicated to my sweet Momi dog. Question: If a dog lost its tail, where would it get another one? Answer: At the retail store, naturally! … Mark: “What is the name of your dog?” Bill: “Ginger.” Mark: “Goes Ginger bite?” Bill: “No, but Ginger snaps!” … Bill: “Don’t be afraid of my dog. You know the old proverb, ”A barking dog never bites!” Mark: ”Yes, you know the proverb, and I know the proverb, but does your dog know the proverb?!”
You may be wondering why this last doggie bit was dedicated to Momi. She was our beloved, sweet 12-year- old MinPin who died a couple days ago. I am sure many of you have said farewell to the dearest pets ever. Momi, as are so many dogs, was a precious tail-wagging, butt-wiggling, smiling friend who touched our heart in a very special way. Yes, she wanted me to send your laughter therapy today!
Be well … a hui hou.
The Dr. Is In
By Dr. Shanon Sidell
Holiday travel can be exciting. We get to see family and friends, perhaps visit a new location or enjoy old stomping grounds with a new perspective.
In order for your brain to form new memories and learn new tasks it needs fresh, clean food, sleep and water. Below are a few tips to make your holiday travel easy and enjoyable:
1) Start shifting your sleep schedule to meet up with the time zone you will be traveling to. Plan your trip to arrive in the late afternoon so you get a couple of hours of sunlight before sunset. You can then have a light meal and go to bed at a reasonable hour (any time after 7 p.m.) on the new time zone as soon as possible.
2) Pack your own travel snacks to tide you over rather than being tempted by the ubiquitous airport sugar-laden drinks. Once you are landed and into the holiday spirit, you can allow yourself to taste everything, just not eat the whole of the pie or plate of potatoes. Make the mainstay of your meals sumptuously seasoned plant-based foods and clean proteins. If you are unsure that there will be healthy options for you, bring a healthy dish that you love to make and share it.
3) Travel lightly. You will have less stress, your items will be easier to maneuver, thus easier on your body.
Take your time. Creating a “time-rich” experience for yourself can be so rewarding and so easy. Plan to arrive well before your appointed time.
4) Support your immune system in flight. In addition to staying hydrated, I have my own tried and true concoction that works for me. My prevention kit comes with me on every trip: vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin D, odorless garlic tablets and immune support supplements. I take one dose before leaving for the airport, another on the plane and another as we are landing.
Be empowered to wear a mask if, 1) you feel like you may be contagious or, 2) if you see or hear a nearby sick traveler who is coughing, sneezing or running to the bathroom frequently to wretch or worse.
Keep your hands away from your face in airports and on planes. It is inevitable that you will touch a surface that has microbes. The key is to not let it get into your system through your eyes, ears, nose or mouth.
Water fountain buttons in the airport take the cake for the most germs per square inch. A close second is your TSA bin, which is not surprising considering we all place our shoes in them. On airplanes, the hard surfaces of the tray-top table, arm rests, air vents, window and window shades are all high germ areas. Hand sanitizer? Likewise, the cloth seats can hold germs as long as three days, so spread that sanitized, plastic-wrapped airplane blanket out under you.
To combat the high stress of getting around, fuel your brain with high quality protein. I take a care package of some emergency protein powder, oats, nuts and a relaxing tea to get me through in a pinch. For a quick mental/emotional reset, bring a download of your favorite meditation app to play.
