It’s the New Year and it’s a time when everyone is making resolutions. I guess the main topics of New Year’s resolutions are focused around staying healthy and looking good. I’ve been talking about the lifestyles that we have here in Hawaii that may be a bit unique in my Let’s Talk Story column as well as in my blog corner for quite some time now. Unique because we are so fortunate to be blessed with great weather year round and beautiful beaches. And unique also because we have an enriched history of our Hawaiian ancestors and the immigrants from all over the world such as Portugal, Japan, Korea, China, Mainland U.S. The immigrants came to develop the sugar and pineapple industries. All of this led to a diverse blending of cultures, foods, and a more laid back lifestyle…surfing, fishing, hula, Hawaiian music. This does not mean that Hawaii is laid back all the time. We work very hard to make a living. Businesses and industries are run similar to those in other large cities in the world. But I also think that living in Hawaii, many of us tend to lead healthy and active lives during our personal time.
I would like to introduce a store located in the new area of the Ala Moana Center near Nordstrom on the second floor that promotes just that, the healthy and active lifestyle found in Hawaii. It is called Blue Hawaii LifeStyle. What got me interested in visiting this store was their acai bowls. Acai (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) is a small berry that grows on the Acai Palm indigenous to the rainforests of Central and South America. This mighty fruit is known for its health benefits-full of antioxidants, amino acids and essential fiber and fatty acids. Acai can be found in Hawaii in juices, frozen fruit bars, vitamin supplements and frozen smoothies. The acai bowl that is found at Blue Hawaii LifeStyle is a frozen smoothie made from acai berries, blueberries, raspberries, marionberries, banana and organic soy milk. It is topped with bananas, berries, granola and honey. It is delicious and refreshing, perfect for breakfast or lunch. The Small Acai Bowl costs $6.75 and is very filling. I felt energized after eating the acai bowl, not like those heavy lunches where you want to nap right after you eat. Is it all in my mind? They also serve a regular bowl for $8.75 which would probably be good to share with a buddy along with their panini.
Blue Hawaii LifeStyle’s motto is “Live Healthy, live Aloha!” Aloha has so many meanings. I think it means loving the things that are important around you and incorporating that into your lifestyle. For example, if you’re in the service industry it means to take care of our customers with genuine kindness. Personally it means to take care of yourself, your mind and body. Stay healthy by exercising and eating the right food. Aloha also means to take care of our ‘aina, our land, “that which feeds”. Blue Hawaii LifeStyle is a great example of this Aloha. This health specialty store has a juice bar/café serving baked goods, salads, sandwiches, coffees, teas, smoothies, organic and natural juices, and deep sea water. And the shelves are full of island made products such as spices, dressings, bath and body products, ceramics, books and music CDs. Their employees are very friendly and professional. They are knowledgeable about the products mostly made from Hawaii grown ingredients.
Blue Hawaii LifeStyle is very dedicated to green living, taking care of our ‘aina. All the items used in serving their foods are compostable and recyclable. Cups and utensils are corn-derived therefore compostable. Their carry out bags are made from 40% post-consumer waste paper therefore using recycled material. And to top it off, the flooring is made from earth-friendly cork. They are a leader in living green. Hopefully more Hawaii companies will follow them in these practices.
Founder/CEO Michael Zhang’s mission is “to establish Blue Hawaii LifeStyle as the globally recognized representatives of the healthy, active lifestyle of Hawaii.” He has plans to expand to mainland China by the fourth quarter of 2009. "Beginning in Shanghai's Xintiandi Shopping Center, we will continue the expansion to Beijing, Shenzhen and Guangzhou, bringing our concept of the active, healthy lifestyle found here in Hawaii to a new demographic." So Michael is also our goodwill ambassador promoting Hawaii. Great for our tourism industry.
I encourage all of you to visit Blue Hawaii LifeStyle and try their Acai Bowls. One more thing, they sell an all-natural skin care product line called Honey Girl Organics. Billie, one of their staff, was kind enough to give me a sample of their Face and Eye Crème. This crème is made of organic honey harvested from bee hives on the North Shore of Oahu. Unbelievable. This line of products is designed with antioxidants and anti-aging nutrients that are to prevent tissue damage, stimulate new cell generation, tone, tighten, and soften your skin, giving you a fresh, youthful appearance. I know, sounds like many other cosmetic advertisements. But I have a feeling that Honey Girl may be the magic potion that I have been looking for all these years. I am still in the experimental stage so I can’t guarantee that it works 100%, but I must admit that my face felt softer, moist and supple immediately. And I noticed that it even made my lips feel smoother. I intend to report back to you as I continue to experiment with Honey Girl’s product line.
My apologies for getting sidetracked. Please visit Blue Hawaii LifeStyle. You will be surprised by all the products made in Hawaii promoting a healthy and active lifestyle with aloha.
Blue Hawaii LifeStyle
URL:
www.bluehawaiilifestyle.comHonolulu Festival Foundation
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