tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-105934122024-03-13T16:55:01.720-10:00Naturally!Vegan and Macrobiotic Cooking Classes in Honolulu, Personal Chef Services, Lifestyle Coach, Macrobiotic and Sustainable Living provided by Leslie Ashburn.
Leslie is a community activist dedicated to social justice, food sovereignty, and food security in Hawaii.
See her website at www.macrobiotichawaii.com for all the local cooking classes and other healthy living information.Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695363020244207922noreply@blogger.comBlogger326125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10593412.post-780937448406217832012-03-23T11:52:00.012-10:002012-03-23T12:02:44.198-10:00Food and Feng Shui<form target="paypal" action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; font-family: Georgia; "><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; "><strong>Workshop News: Live a healthy life through Food and Feng Shui! </strong></span></span> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><br /><span style="font-size:24px;font-weight:bold;color:#8b0000;font-family:Georgia;line-height:150%"><span style="font-size: 14px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span style="font-size:12px;color:#333333;line-height:150%;font-family:Verdana;background-color:#ffffff;padding:20px;border:0px none #ffffff"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:11pt"><em>A "wholistic" evening encompassing all aspects </em></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "> <span style="font-size:24px;font-weight:bold;color:#8b0000;font-family:Georgia;line-height:150%"><span style="font-size: 14px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span style="font-size:12px;color:#333333;line-height:150%;font-family:Verdana;background-color:#ffffff;padding:20px;border:0px none #ffffff"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:11pt"><em>of health in regard to food and environment </em></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"> <span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:11pt"><em> </em></span></p> <p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:9pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,255)"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:9pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,255)"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.aliceinoue.com"><br /></a></span></span></p><p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:9pt"><a href="http://www.aliceinoue.com/">Alice Inoue</a> and I would really love to see you have more of what you want in you life and to live healthier in every way. Whether it's food or feng shui, there are easy ways to shift your routine so that you can be more of the YOU that you want to be. This is a <em>one-time event </em>where we describe the benefits of embracing a new approach to your daily life through food and environmental awareness. We have <em>so much </em>to share with you, including tea and other special goodies. If you're really wanting to move forward with your health (whether that's financial, emotional, <em>or </em>physical) what we share can be applied to any area of your life.</span></p><p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:9pt"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"> </p> <p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"> <span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:10pt"><strong>WHEN:</strong> </span></p> <p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:30px"> <span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:10pt">Monday, March 26, 6 - 9 pm (Prince Kuhio Day) </span></p> <p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:30px"> <span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:10pt"> </span></p> <p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"> <span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:10pt"><strong>WHERE:</strong> </span></p> <p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:30px"> <span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:10pt">Ala Moana Center, Macy's Special Events room </span></p> <p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:30px"> <span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:10pt"> </span></p> <p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"> <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><strong>FEE: </strong></span></p> <p style="margin-left:30px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"> <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">$60 per person before March 23.</span> </p><input type="hidden" name="cmd" value="_s-xclick"><br /><input type="hidden" name="hosted_button_id" value="TM7JP89KSBCH8"><br /><input type="image" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_cart_LG.gif" border="0" name="submit" alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!"><br /><img alt="" border="0" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" height="1" /><br /></form><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PQunojRXDhc/T2zxu71DvwI/AAAAAAAAAb0/HkkQv_irnjg/s1600/Food%2526FengShui-CC.jpg" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 307px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PQunojRXDhc/T2zxu71DvwI/AAAAAAAAAb0/HkkQv_irnjg/s400/Food%2526FengShui-CC.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723215015117569794" /></a><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /><br /></div>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695363020244207922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10593412.post-58153884161328599902011-12-30T02:00:00.001-10:002011-12-30T13:52:38.887-10:00Lucky Foods For The New Year * Osechi Ryori<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TR2Hqz3AIeI/AAAAAAAAAW0/Qc-q7N4g-eo/s1600/P3130103.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 246px; HEIGHT: 183px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556746684790219234" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TR2Hqz3AIeI/AAAAAAAAAW0/Qc-q7N4g-eo/s400/P3130103.JPG" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TR2HqhDJWxI/AAAAAAAAAWs/uDhOdJ4lBgg/s1600/P6270785.JPG"> <img style="WIDTH: 267px; HEIGHT: 198px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556746679740881682" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TR2HqhDJWxI/AAAAAAAAAWs/uDhOdJ4lBgg/s400/P6270785.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br />When I lived in Japan<span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">, </span>one of the tastiest menus that I learned was how to prepare the traditional New Year's food. First introduced during the Heinan Period, <em>osechi-ryori</em> is basically a <em>bento</em> (boxed lunch) prepared in advance, stored in a cool place, and reheated when it is to be eaten during the first three days of the new year. Each dish and ingredient in osechi has meaning, such as good health, fertility, good harvest, happiness, and long life.<br /><br />Cleaning up everything from the previous year and starting the new year with a clean slate complete with nourishing healthy food is very culturally important!<br /><br />Here are some of the ingredients and their significance.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Mochi</span><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TR15YUsUx6I/AAAAAAAAAVs/aDijwW2vJwc/s1600/mochi.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 242px; HEIGHT: 205px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556730974023501730" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TR15YUsUx6I/AAAAAAAAAVs/aDijwW2vJwc/s400/mochi.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:0;"><br />The only description I could find about mochi was along the lines of "wishes for many healthy family generations</span><span style="font-size:0;">". This chewy, puffy form of pounded rice is so delicious and nourishing wrapped with nori and drizzled with shoyu. Mochi is also an ingredient in ozouni soup and is placed at the front door with special New Year's decorations.<br /><br /></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TR2AQ1hXhZI/AAAAAAAAAV0/sQR5LdFCiF0/s1600/new%2Byear%2Bmochi.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 227px; HEIGHT: 169px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556738541978355090" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TR2AQ1hXhZI/AAAAAAAAAV0/sQR5LdFCiF0/s400/new%2Byear%2Bmochi.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><br />Black Soybeans (Kuromame)</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TR1yAbYSkJI/AAAAAAAAAVM/ppSHvA80h04/s1600/kuromame.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 216px; HEIGHT: 147px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556722866920263826" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TR1yAbYSkJI/AAAAAAAAAVM/ppSHvA80h04/s400/kuromame.jpg" /></a><br /><br />These sweet and hearty beans signify good health, vitality, wealth, abundance, and prosperity. These are typically made these days with sugar and shoyu, though the macrobiotic way is to replace these with natural handmade mirin, brown rice syrup, and unpasteurized, fermented shoyu.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Soba Noodles</span><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TR1zf_RLruI/AAAAAAAAAVU/a1dLUqJPhf0/s1600/soba%2Bnoodles.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 263px; HEIGHT: 197px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556724508641701602" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TR1zf_RLruI/AAAAAAAAAVU/a1dLUqJPhf0/s400/soba%2Bnoodles.jpg" /></a><br />Long life<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Kombu (seaweed)</span><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TR2JvQbW64I/AAAAAAAAAW8/DJ0xl0YenhU/s1600/P1200007.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 275px; HEIGHT: 205px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556748960201632642" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TR2JvQbW64I/AAAAAAAAAW8/DJ0xl0YenhU/s400/P1200007.JPG" /></a><br /><em></em>Usually made into <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">kombu maki</span> (as seen on the left), this represents joy.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Nishime</span><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TR12q_sUroI/AAAAAAAAAVk/7t6QSmEgIR0/s1600/nishime.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 261px; HEIGHT: 227px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556727996268981890" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TR12q_sUroI/AAAAAAAAAVk/7t6QSmEgIR0/s400/nishime.jpg" /></a><br />A slow simmered vegetable dish signifying "harmonious family relationships".<br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><br />Renkon/Lotus Root</span><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TR2CyQJKsoI/AAAAAAAAAV8/G3Pkg7_4um0/s1600/Renkon.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 182px; HEIGHT: 159px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556741315083547266" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TR2CyQJKsoI/AAAAAAAAAV8/G3Pkg7_4um0/s400/Renkon.jpg" /></a><br />This is an auspicious food, because you can see through the holes of the root "into the future."<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Datemaki</span><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TR2DfuyKZCI/AAAAAAAAAWE/SEjEsLpynAY/s1600/datemaki.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 231px; HEIGHT: 154px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556742096402670626" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TR2DfuyKZCI/AAAAAAAAAWE/SEjEsLpynAY/s400/datemaki.jpg" /></a><br /><em></em>Sweet rolled omelette mixed with fish paste which symbolizes wishes for many auspicious days filled with gold, wealth, fertility, and children. I learned how to make it with tofu and millet (also, minus the fish paste).<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Gobo/Burdock Root</span><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TR2Em5ckKZI/AAAAAAAAAWM/1Po7q9XSCDQ/s1600/burdock%2Broot.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 221px; HEIGHT: 146px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556743319035586962" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TR2Em5ckKZI/AAAAAAAAAWM/1Po7q9XSCDQ/s400/burdock%2Broot.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Usually made into a dish called "kinpira gobo". This symbolizes "wishing for luck to split and multiply."<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TR2GCjssghI/AAAAAAAAAWc/8zx-89ScHbE/s1600/fireworks.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 224px; HEIGHT: 168px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556744893745627666" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TR2GCjssghI/AAAAAAAAAWc/8zx-89ScHbE/s400/fireworks.jpg" /></a><br /><br />There are other foods that I haven't mentioned here.<br /><br />Have a safe, happy, healthy, and abundant new year everyone!<br /><br /><br /><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style "><a class="addthis_button_compact" href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=leslieaashburn">Share</a><br /><span class="addthis_separator"></span><br /><a class="addthis_button_preferred_1"></a><br /><a class="addthis_button_preferred_2"></a><br /><a class="addthis_button_preferred_3"></a><br /><a class="addthis_button_preferred_4"></a><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><script type="text/javascript">var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};</script><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=leslieaashburn"></script>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695363020244207922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10593412.post-64578146445259330472011-12-03T10:44:00.005-10:002011-12-03T11:40:24.553-10:00Meet The Chefs<a href="http://honoluluweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/cover-10907.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 433px; HEIGHT: 660px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://honoluluweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/cover-10907.jpg" /></a><br />The Cover Story, <a href="http://honoluluweekly.com/cover/2011/09/meet-the-chefs/">Meet The Chefs</a>, in The Honolulu Weekly<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style "><br /><a class="addthis_button_preferred_1"></a><br /><a class="addthis_button_preferred_2"></a><br /><a class="addthis_button_preferred_3"></a><br /><a class="addthis_button_preferred_4"></a><br /><a class="addthis_button_compact"></a><br /><a class="addthis_counter addthis_bubble_style"></a><br /></div><br /><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#pubid=leslieaashburn"></script>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695363020244207922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10593412.post-53818384606112080952011-07-21T21:03:00.006-10:002011-07-21T21:19:00.824-10:00Benefits of Whole Plant-based Foods<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRgNUkmH65GEDAumOEQrsKPK_CNFL-7lsgx2sHVhsQ7NKP6wHfwGA"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 231px; height: 194px;" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRgNUkmH65GEDAumOEQrsKPK_CNFL-7lsgx2sHVhsQ7NKP6wHfwGA" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Whole foods such as grains, beans, nuts, seeds, and land and sea vegetables contain:<br /><br />Thiamin<br />Riboflavin<br />B-6<br />Niacin<br />Folacin<br />Vitamin E<br />(and more)<br /><br />The vast range of benefits include:<br /><br />Healthy nervous system and metabolism function, lactation, fertility, red blood cell formation, health of organs, aid in fat synthesis, prevents birth defects, lowers cholesterol, inhibits tumor formation, aids digestion.....<br /><br /><a href="http://nutrition.helium.com/spresources/summarypage_images/00/10/30/super%20foods103020_medium.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 248px; height: 373px;" src="http://nutrition.helium.com/spresources/summarypage_images/00/10/30/super%20foods103020_medium.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695363020244207922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10593412.post-8480859903612508332011-07-21T20:57:00.004-10:002011-07-21T21:34:55.526-10:00Benefits of Vitamin CVitamin C:<br /><ul><li>assists in formation of connective tissue (keeps skin firm)<br /></li><li>helps heal wounds and broken bones<br /></li><li>aids in red blood cell formation</li><li>protects against capillary wall ruptures, bruising, and scurvy</li></ul>Natural sources include:<br /><br />cauliflower, broccoli, mustard greens, kale, parsley, and other leafy green vegetables, strawberries, oranges, cantaloupe, and other fresh, seasonal, fruits<br /><br /><a href="http://www.powervitamins.com/images/18109.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="http://www.powervitamins.com/images/18109.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695363020244207922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10593412.post-7310396242799259872011-07-21T20:56:00.002-10:002011-07-21T21:40:02.634-10:00Benefits of Vitamin E<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://api.ning.com/files/Prfs9mYOn1N8epL5tJ5G7bJGsYXb0hY2Bl1VBE5PijyCTwx6LIwbaYokyVuaqupUrwNSi4XFduRrezbMCT54lTYh5fIx6Vfo/greenleafyvegetables.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 305px; height: 215px;" src="http://api.ning.com/files/Prfs9mYOn1N8epL5tJ5G7bJGsYXb0hY2Bl1VBE5PijyCTwx6LIwbaYokyVuaqupUrwNSi4XFduRrezbMCT54lTYh5fIx6Vfo/greenleafyvegetables.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />On your plate:<br /><br />almonds, leafy greens of a wide variety (like kale, watercress, choi sum, collards, mustards, spinach, etc.)<br /><br />Benefits:<br /><br />Helps protect and repair skin<br />Reduces redness and irritation<br /><br /><a href="http://www.informationaboutdiabetes.com/files/images/almonds-bowl.tiny.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 150px;" src="http://www.informationaboutdiabetes.com/files/images/almonds-bowl.tiny.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695363020244207922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10593412.post-30655966630996391032011-07-21T20:50:00.006-10:002011-07-21T21:33:40.114-10:00Benefits of Vitamin A<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.tainongseeds.com/pictures/KabochaDelica.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 302px; height: 215px;" src="http://www.tainongseeds.com/pictures/KabochaDelica.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Vitamin A:<br /><ul><li>promotes the health of eyes and skin.</li><li>increases immunity to infections and reduces free radicals.<br /></li><li>protects against tumors, especially lung.</li><li>improves skin texture and reduces age spots.<br /></li></ul>Natural sources include:<br /><br />carrots, winter squash (kabocha, butternut, etc), rutabaga, other yellow-orange vegetables, broccoli, kale, and other dark green leafy vegetables, and nori.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DzYEX0jbaFM/TT4V4Dp8e4I/AAAAAAAAC-U/GCYybK8GwF8/s1600/inside_products_kale.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 290px; height: 223px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DzYEX0jbaFM/TT4V4Dp8e4I/AAAAAAAAC-U/GCYybK8GwF8/s1600/inside_products_kale.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695363020244207922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10593412.post-91882613984941956982011-07-02T20:05:00.007-10:002011-07-02T20:25:27.347-10:00Berried Treasure<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2KeUbX8K8gI/ThAJf5QyThI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/usL7Hl9DYOM/s1600/kula%2Bstrawberries.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625006378137570834" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2KeUbX8K8gI/ThAJf5QyThI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/usL7Hl9DYOM/s320/kula%2Bstrawberries.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I always make a point to purchase Kula strawberries when I'm in the grocery store to support the production of local produce. Here's a great way to prepare them for dessert:<br /><br />Balsamic Macerated Strawberries<br /><br />2 pounds strawberries, sliced thin<br />1 T brown rice syrup, optional<br />2 tsp organic balsamic vinegar (best quality you can afford)<br />8 to 10 basil leaves, chopped<br /><br />In a large bowl, place sliced strawberries, brown rice syrup, and balsamic vinegar. Let the strawberries marinate for about 30 minutes in their own juices until they begin to wilt but not get too mushy. Place in bowls and serve. Just before serving, chop the basil and scatter over the top of the strawberries.<br /><br />Variations: <br /><ul><br /><li>Enjoy with Soya Whip (see previous post) by spooning on top or tossing the berries through.</li><br /><br /><li>Serve over your favorite all natural vanilla cake, or even over soy ice cream.</li><br /><br /><li>Substitute mint for basil.</li></ul>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695363020244207922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10593412.post-23067594562198372982011-07-02T19:57:00.008-10:002011-07-02T20:27:55.518-10:00Things I Love<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--vmfZ1UKPfs/ThAInS6uwwI/AAAAAAAAAZs/kk2EiJSSnys/s1600/soy%2Bwhip.bmp"><img style="WIDTH: 211px; HEIGHT: 275px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625005405771842306" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--vmfZ1UKPfs/ThAInS6uwwI/AAAAAAAAAZs/kk2EiJSSnys/s320/soy%2Bwhip.bmp" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Just wanted to share some of the things that I've been recently enjoying:<br /><br />1. <strong>Homemade granola</strong> with organic oats, nuts, seeds, dried fruits, coconut, and maple syrup.<br />2. Raw <strong>kale salad</strong> with dino kale, carrots, cucumbers, red pepper, lemon juice, olive oil, organic tamari, and local tomatoes.<br />3. Alter Eco <strong>Dark Chocolate with Quinoa </strong><br />4. <strong>Red wine</strong><br />5. <strong>Summer fruits</strong> like blueberries, strawberries, and canteloupe.<br />6. Long <strong>walks</strong> and <strong>running</strong> in nature.<br />7. Going to the <strong>beach</strong>.<br />8. <strong>Family</strong> time.<br />9. Pot boiled <strong>brown rice</strong> instead of pressure cooked, for a change.<br />10. Connecting with macrobiotic enthusiasts on <strong>Kauai</strong>.<br />11. Surinam Cherry and Clove flavored Ono Pops popcicles.<br />12. Someone recently gifted me two containers of soy whipped cream (see photo above) which is so NOT MACRO yet so delicious all the same. This was so that I could make the most amazing vanilla custard. <em>How do we get this on Oahu?</em></div>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695363020244207922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10593412.post-88931633616853858612011-03-27T12:30:00.004-10:002011-03-27T12:42:11.898-10:00Macrobiotic Philosophy & Radiation ExposureThis information is from John Kozinski at the Kushi Institute:<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Concerned About Nuclear Radiation Fallout?</span><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:20pt;" ><strong></strong></span></span><div style="text-align: left;" align="left"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><p style="margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Kushi Institute senior teacher and macrobiotic counselor John Kozinski shares timely information on this important issue.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p></span></div><div style="text-align: center;" align="center"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Papyrus,Comic Sans MS,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif;" ><div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;">Ideas to Protect Yourself from Harmful Radiation<div style="text-align: left;" align="left"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 102);font-family:Georgia,Palatino;" > <p style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva; margin-bottom: 0px;"> </p></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;">As the crisis in Japan unfolds, there is uncertainty about possible radiation that may affect Jap</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >an and the world.</span></div></div></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:Papyrus,Comic Sans MS,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;" ><div style="text-align: left; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt;" align="left"><div style="text-align: left;"> </div> <p style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 11pt;"> </p> <p style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 11pt;">Potassium iodide pills have been sold out at many of the American distributors. Potassium iodide helps protect a person from the harmful effects of radioactive iodine by blocking it's uptake into the thyroid. One possible serious effect of exposure to large doses of radioactive iodine is thyroid cancer.</p> <p style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 11pt;"> </p> <p style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 11pt;">There are some natural foods that will help if you have radiation exposure. Here is a list with some explanations.</p><ol><li style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 11pt;">Leafy greens: stimulate the colon and help the liver discharge radiation from the body.</li><li style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 11pt;">Fermented foods: have the same effect as leafy greens. These include miso, natural cucumber pickles, and fermented sauerkraut. The best quality pickles are homemade or found in the refrigerated section of the store. They do not have vinegar as an ingredient.</li><li style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 11pt;">Avoid or limit sugars. These will ferment in the gut and interfere with elimination</li><li style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 11pt;">Avoid excessive amounts of whole wheat flour products. The excess fiber will interfere with gut bacteria, hampering elimination.</li><li style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 11pt;">Avoid hard and dry grains such as granola, and dried cereal. This kind of fiber creates bad bacteria hampering the gut.</li><li style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 11pt;">Eat moderate amounts of grains and cooked vegetables, small amounts of beans regularly and fish along with some cooked fruit, healthy fats and natural seasonings. If you eat other forms of animal foods, be moderate. Excessive amounts will interfere with digestion</li><li style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 11pt;">Limit raw foods. Raw fiber is harder to digest and will hamper elimination.</li><li style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 11pt;">Good quality saturated fats block the toxicity of radioactive ions such as avocado and coconut oil. Increase these in times of a nuclear disaster. </li><li style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 11pt;">Fatty fish: fat soluble vitamins in fatty fish like wild salmon or sardines aid elimination. Eat more often in a disaster.</li><li style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 11pt;">Kelp tablets from clean waters or kombu powder made from kombu from clean waters. The natural iodine can replace the potassium iodine pills. Take a pill every 1-2 hours if exposed to radiation. North American Herb and Spice Company has good quality kelp under the name, PureKelp. If using kombu powder take a half teaspoon 3 times a day.</li><li style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 11pt;">Miso has a substance that will remove radiation from the body. Prepare soups and season with a strong taste of miso if there is nuclear disaster. Drink 3 cups per day.</li><li style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 11pt;">Umeboshi Plums: Take 1-2 daily. This will stimulate the liver and colon to eliminate radiation.</li><li style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 11pt;">Supplements for Radiation disasters: organic selenium, 200 micrograms every hour for one week then 600 micrograms daily. Vitamin E: 400 IU every hour for 1-2 days, then 2400 IU daily. Buy Vitamin E as mixed tocopherols and/or tocotrienols.</li><li style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 11pt;">North American Herb and Spice Company has a product that combines herbs, supplements and potassium iodine. It is called NukeProtect.</li><li style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 11pt;">Chlorella: 2 - 500 mg. capsules 3 times per day or follow directions on the bottle</li></ol> <p style="text-align: center; font-family: Arial Black,Avant Garde; margin-bottom: 0px; font-size: 14pt;" align="center"><strong>______________________________________________________</strong></p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: Arial Black,Avant Garde; margin-bottom: 0px; font-size: 14pt;" align="center"><strong><br /></strong></p></div></span></div> <span style="font-size:78%;">Note from Leslie: The programs and services as well as all information in these web pages are educational in nature, not medical advice, and not intended to take the place of personalized medical counseling, diagnosis and treatment.</span><br /><br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style "><br /><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=leslieaashburn" class="addthis_button_compact">Share</a><br /><span class="addthis_separator">|</span><br /><a class="addthis_button_preferred_1"></a><br /><a class="addthis_button_preferred_2"></a><br /><a class="addthis_button_preferred_3"></a><br /><a class="addthis_button_preferred_4"></a><br /></div><br /><script type="text/javascript">var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};</script><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=leslieaashburn"></script><br /><!-- AddThis Button END -->Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695363020244207922noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10593412.post-32484119652132412092011-03-24T08:59:00.003-10:002011-03-24T09:06:43.641-10:00Macrobiotics on Maui and KauaiOne of my goals this year has been to reach out and work with people on the neighbor islands. <br /><br />This is coming to fruition with:<br /><ul><li>an article in <a href="http://mauidish.com/maui-restaurant-reviews/mind-body-spirit-macrobiotic-cuisine-in-hawaii/">Maui Time<br /></a></li><li>another cooking class set up for early summer on <a href="http://www.macrobiotichawaii.com/events/kauai-cooking-class-2/">Kauai</a><br /></li></ul><a href="http://mauidish.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/leslie-ashburn-macrobiotic-hawaii-web-299x450.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 256px;" src="http://mauidish.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/leslie-ashburn-macrobiotic-hawaii-web-299x450.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Happy spring!Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695363020244207922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10593412.post-78913787013664692252011-01-17T16:00:00.013-10:002011-01-17T17:32:01.061-10:00Leslie and Alan Wong Jammin' in the KitchenOne of my favorite people here in Hawaii is <a href="http://www.astrology-fengshui.com/">Alice Inoue</a> whom I met about 6 years or so ago when I had just come back from Japan and started teaching macrobiotics. She had mentioned that her partner is <a href="http://www.alanwongs.com/index.php">Alan Wong</a> and right then and there I set the intention to someday work with him in some way with macrobiotics.<br /><br />Fast forward to November 2010, where I had the wonderful honor to sit between Alan and <a href="http://www.roysrestaurant.com/">Roy Yamaguchi</a> to judge the Iron Chef competition through my participation in <a href="http://www.growhi.org/">Grow Hawaii</a>. While judging, I spoke with both of them and Alan and I decided to get in the kitchen and share inspirations with each other.<br /><br />January 2011 represented the fruition of our agreement, and I spent several hours in his kitchen with him and his staff sharing some of my favorite vegan and macrobiotic recipes. With Alan directing, they expertly showed me how they plate and present the food in Alan's style. I learned so much and was so incredibly inspired by the brilliance I was surrounded by! Here are some of the photos, and sorry the quality isn't the best.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">decorating the plate with sauces </span><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TTT04BkeqqI/AAAAAAAAAYM/qm7axZcFTfA/s1600/IMG00671-20110113-1111.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TTT04BkeqqI/AAAAAAAAAYM/qm7axZcFTfA/s400/IMG00671-20110113-1111.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563340683040696994" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />spanikopita garnished with stuffed grape leaves and micro greens</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TTT1VY27XwI/AAAAAAAAAY8/wdNz2sCUSYs/s1600/IMG00686-20110113-1130.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TTT1VY27XwI/AAAAAAAAAY8/wdNz2sCUSYs/s400/IMG00686-20110113-1130.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563341187508297474" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">quinoa pilaf with other treats</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TTT05pQfmBI/AAAAAAAAAYs/MN_d1xffGBk/s1600/IMG00690-20110113-1145.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TTT05pQfmBI/AAAAAAAAAYs/MN_d1xffGBk/s400/IMG00690-20110113-1145.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563340710874159122" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">the 'everything dish' with everything we made during the day</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TTT05TPsWYI/AAAAAAAAAYk/xK7_v5OBVKQ/s1600/IMG00691-20110113-1149.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TTT05TPsWYI/AAAAAAAAAYk/xK7_v5OBVKQ/s400/IMG00691-20110113-1149.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563340704965220738" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />a close up of the previous photo</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TTT05DLJklI/AAAAAAAAAYc/TQlGBxUKjPA/s1600/IMG00693-20110113-1149.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TTT05DLJklI/AAAAAAAAAYc/TQlGBxUKjPA/s400/IMG00693-20110113-1149.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563340700651197010" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />another 'everything dish'</span><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TTUJMr6aU6I/AAAAAAAAAZM/Mdm5ijIV4wo/s1600/IMG00676-20110113-1127.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TTUJMr6aU6I/AAAAAAAAAZM/Mdm5ijIV4wo/s400/IMG00676-20110113-1127.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563363028236915618" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I'm so excited for the direction that really fine vegan and macrobiotic cuisine is taking here in Honolulu! This trend encourages me that more people will start enjoying healthier dishes more frequently! Hopefully more collaborations will ensue.Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695363020244207922noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10593412.post-3854091351616943332010-12-27T12:52:00.005-10:002011-01-23T00:11:40.647-10:00Leslie in Hawaii Hospitality Magazine Nov 2010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TRkY1V4pVXI/AAAAAAAAAVE/6FTxBNKeaQg/s1600/IMG00640-20101227-1234.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 232px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TRkY1V4pVXI/AAAAAAAAAVE/6FTxBNKeaQg/s400/IMG00640-20101227-1234.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555498920025085298" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This says:<br /><br />"Who are Hawaii's most promising culinary talents? Here's a sampling of the current crop of standouts. Each person is uniquely brilliant, believes in the farm-to-table approach to cuisine, and has a bit of wisdom to share about the industry. These are 12 stars you need to watch!" by Jason SoedaLesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695363020244207922noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10593412.post-47204715101427983792010-12-27T12:50:00.002-10:002010-12-27T12:51:28.877-10:00Leslie in Aloha Express * Japanese Travel Guide<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TRkYYYxzf2I/AAAAAAAAAU8/v2MpvQLYpWI/s1600/IMG00638-20101227-1225.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TRkYYYxzf2I/AAAAAAAAAU8/v2MpvQLYpWI/s400/IMG00638-20101227-1225.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555498422585491298" border="0" /></a>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695363020244207922noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10593412.post-57878916225461264052010-12-27T12:43:00.003-10:002010-12-27T12:48:25.032-10:00Leslie in Glamorous * Japanese Travel Guide<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TRkXUQY-MJI/AAAAAAAAAUk/1Ab4eQUkdLQ/s1600/IMG00632-20101227-1221.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TRkXUQY-MJI/AAAAAAAAAUk/1Ab4eQUkdLQ/s320/IMG00632-20101227-1221.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555497252102746258" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TRkXodgx9TI/AAAAAAAAAUs/oJk3uPxABPQ/s1600/IMG00635-20101227-1222.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TRkXodgx9TI/AAAAAAAAAUs/oJk3uPxABPQ/s320/IMG00635-20101227-1222.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555497599222543666" border="0" /></a>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695363020244207922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10593412.post-60500672263397913982010-12-22T11:16:00.006-10:002010-12-22T11:37:56.377-10:00Put Yourself FirstIn my last posts, I made a commitment to step out of my comfort zone and share more of myself with everyone. 2010 got off to a pretty rocky start for me, so I am in the energy of great celebration for the close of that yearly cycle and for the possibility of rebirth and renewal in 2011. I am in such deep and beautiful gratitude for the lessons I learned and all the frankly magical opportunities that came my way in the past year. It rocks! Possibly one of the greatest lessons of my life came in the first few days of 2010. I'm sharing this so that no one else needs to get "run over by a Mack truck" by the universe.<br /><br />Here's what it was:<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0); font-weight: bold;">YOU. COME. FIRST.</span><br /><br />If I am not taking care of myself in the way I need to, then I cannot show up for anyone else to share from a place of wealth and abundance. Anything less than this comes from the energy of depletion and lack.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">How does this relate to you?</span><br /><br />Over and over again, I hear SO many people in my classes say, "My husband/boyfriend/wife/girlfriend/kids need(s) this healthy food the most (more than me), but they won't eat it."<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">What does this mean?</span><br /><br />It means that whomever is saying this is actually projecting a part of their own self-conscious onto another person. When you say "I am worried about my husband's blood pressure, weight, diabetes (etc., etc.)", take a moment to pause and look inward. Do you have these issues resolved for yourself?<br /><br /><strong></strong>Everything we do has to begin first with ourselves. I took 2 years of my life and spent a lot of my hard earned money to learn about macrobiotics in depth, engrossing myself and practicing cooking every single opportunity I had. I made big elaborate meals on the weekends or other days off, and then invited my dear friend Clair over to try everything. She and I traded, so that when I fed her, she gave me reiki treatments and NLP (these are what she was learning at the time). When I was home with my family over the holidays, I cooked my own dishes with enough for everyone to enjoy, and added these to our table as options. Often (but not always!), these were favorites and are now requested dishes each time I come home. And I can guarantee you that we did NOT grow up eating kale or miso soup!!<br /><br />When you live and breathe health, and when you immerse yourself in caring for yourself, you will naturally attract interest. As I became a better cook and as my own health soared, it didn't matter what I put on the table. It was enjoyed as a gift of love from my heart because it was filled with the qualities I was vibrating.<br /><br />When you reach this point, you won't need to say a single thing to anyone! Begging, forcing, controlling and cajoling will have quite the opposite effect you desire. When you are grounded in your own health and wellness, people will naturally gravitate towards your bright and shining light.<br /><br />And just a reminder if you have forgotten: YOU'RE WORTH IT!!!<br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style "><br /><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=leslieaashburn" class="addthis_button_compact">Share</a><br /><span class="addthis_separator">|</span><br /><a class="addthis_button_preferred_1"></a><br /><a class="addthis_button_preferred_2"></a><br /><a class="addthis_button_preferred_3"></a><br /><a class="addthis_button_preferred_4"></a><br /></div><br /><script type="text/javascript">var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};</script><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=leslieaashburn"></script><br /><!-- AddThis Button END -->Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695363020244207922noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10593412.post-29786534040083128942010-12-20T14:37:00.005-10:002010-12-20T14:50:44.008-10:006 Steps To Changing Your Life<span style="font-style: italic;">So, now that I've told you about me, how can you change <span style="font-weight: bold;">your </span>life?</span><br /><br />Here are the steps that I took.<br /><br />1) Most important is to commit to yourself and commit to your health and happiness as your number 1 values.<br /><br />2) Identify the limiting beliefs you have (and we ALL have them running subconsciously).<br /><br />3) Get a teacher, coach, or mentor to help you learn how to cook and someone who can help you identify and shift these limiting beliefs<br /><br />4) Quit anything that drains your precious life force. (My income doubled and then tripled when the extreme toxicity of a relationship was removed and opportunities have started flying my way left and right.)<br /><br />5) Build community that will support and encourage you.<br /><br />6) Experiment, try new things, and don't be afraid to fail!<br /><br />Leave comments and tell me about your experiences!<br /><br /><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style "><br /><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=leslieaashburn" class="addthis_button_compact">Share</a><br /><span class="addthis_separator">|</span><br /><a class="addthis_button_preferred_1"></a><br /><a class="addthis_button_preferred_2"></a><br /><a class="addthis_button_preferred_3"></a><br /><a class="addthis_button_preferred_4"></a><br /></div><br /><script type="text/javascript">var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};</script><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=leslieaashburn"></script><br /><!-- AddThis Button END -->Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695363020244207922noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10593412.post-34786428161075950642010-12-20T12:33:00.004-10:002010-12-20T15:13:31.674-10:00Change Your Food * Change Your LifeI set an important and life-changing goal for myself.<br /><br />Want to know what it is?<br /><br />This goal is to <span style="font-weight: bold;">positively and radically change my life in 2011, to embrace my gifts and to show up fully in the world</span>.<br /><br />You see, I think that for that majority of my entire life, I have been hiding out. I've been too afraid to really just "go for it". I've been hiding behind fears, limiting beliefs, and other people. In fact, just writing this blog post has me totally nervous to share who I am with you! In the past, at times, just "being myself" and having my dreams was met with criticism and discouragement.<br /><br />Well guess what? I'm doing some extreme make-overs that I intend will bring more ease, effortlessness, grace, love, and joy into my life!! And when I accomplish this, it means that I will have so much more of my own gifts to share with the world.<br /><br />If you look at my life right now, you might never know that I used to:<br /><ul><li>be overweight</li><li>have acne<br /></li><li>to smoke (a lot of) cigarettes</li><li>eat at McDonald's fairly regularly (in fact, I loved the french fries and chocolate shake as an afternoon snack)</li></ul>But then I experienced a couple of really life-shattering experiences that set my life on a brand new course. As life brought these challenges, I have shifted into more of who I am. How did I do this?<br /><br />I got to where I am now by QUITTING......<br /><br />HUH?<br /><br />Here's what I quit:<br /><br />1) Chicken, pork, and red meat first, then several years later finally dropped cheese and milk, and after that, fish, so that now I live a plant-based diet and lifestyle.<br /><br />2) Processed foods. This was a revelation and a huge step toward completely renovating my whole life and my entire career. I felt so much better physically and emotionally that I was able to start my own business and embrace public speaking.<br /><br />3) Negativity in my environment. "Food" comes in the form of what we are used to thinking of (e.g., what we put into our mouths), but did you ever stop to think about the "food" that is in your environment in general, such as the fear perpetuated by the media, the violence in the movies you watch, and people who drain your life force energy with their negativity? Have you had that same stack of clutter in your house for months? All of this is "food" because it's energy that you're taking in every single day.<br /><br />4) Limiting beliefs. Because of my own life experiences, I've had significant limiting beliefs that have caused me to avoid living fully into my fullest potential. These old scripts play in our minds subconsciously, and you know what? They drain your energy. In committing to my life, to myself, and to happiness, prosperity, and abundance, I have been able to identify, cleanse, heal, and love myself more fully and sink more into my authenticity.<br /><br />In addition to "quitting" I have also added in more positive influences -- let's call them "COMMITTING"! These have been:<br /><br />1) Establishing a habit of eating whole foods, plant-based, organic home cooked meals. I didn't know how to do it when I first started my journey, so I got a bunch of books and read voraciously, AND I spent the money (in the thousands of dollars) to work with my teachers and educate myself. This became my passion and my full purpose for living.<br /><br />2) Finding a community that would support me, and when I couldn't find community I started my own. I have an entire TEAM consisting of a coach, a mastermind group of fellow people with similar goals to my own who celebrate me and cheer me on and nurture me when I hit any obstacles (this happens to all of us no matter what stage we're experiencing), experts at shifting energy who I see here in Honolulu regularly, and friends and family who show up for me unconditionally.<br /><br />3) Committing even more fully healthier living including spending time with awesome girl friends, meditating (doing this twice daily); nurturing and loving myself by keeping up a regular yoga practice, getting massages, resting, or going to the beach; as well as taking courses that will help me succeed.<br /><br />What have been the results since I set and committed to my <span style="font-weight: bold;">recent </span>goal?<br /><br />In the past month or two, I have radically shifted and received numerous blessings including:<br /><ul><li>being named one of the top young chefs in Hawaii by the trade magazine <span style="font-style: italic;">Hawaii Hospitality</span> (and the majority of those mentioned in addition to me were men)</li><li>being named one of Hawaii's "most respected private chefs" by the Grow Hawaii team<br /></li><li>landing a celebrity client</li><li>being featured in local and international food, fashion, and travel magazines</li><li>getting elected the chair for the newly formed Health and Nutrition Working Group in the Hawaii Food Policy Council</li><li>a spot on our local cable TV channel in November and December<br /></li></ul>You know it feels really good because my mission and purpose for improving my own life is so that people not just here in Hawaii, but the world, can experience healthier living!<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>There are so many reasons for us to do this (and I'll cover them in another post.)<br /><br />I'm going to be stepping even further out of my comfort zone, and I have to admit, this totally freaks me out. But I'm committed. I'm going for it!<br /><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style "><br /><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=leslieaashburn" class="addthis_button_compact">Share</a><br /><span class="addthis_separator">|</span><br /><a class="addthis_button_preferred_1"></a><br /><a class="addthis_button_preferred_2"></a><br /><a class="addthis_button_preferred_3"></a><br /><a class="addthis_button_preferred_4"></a><br /></div><br /><script type="text/javascript">var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};</script><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=leslieaashburn"></script><br /><!-- AddThis Button END -->Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695363020244207922noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10593412.post-84962724065991665132010-12-13T10:19:00.016-10:002010-12-20T14:54:53.146-10:00Women, Food, GodDo you feel like you don't have <span style="font-weight: bold;">time </span>to eat well?<br /><br />Worry about the <span style="font-weight: bold;">cost </span>of buying organic?<br /><br />Think it's way <span style="font-weight: bold;">too difficult</span> and you could never master it?<br /><br />Fear your <span style="font-weight: bold;">family and friends will reject you</span>, your food, or your efforts?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Think badly of yourself</span> if you make a mistake in the kitchen?<br /><br />These are the top beliefs that most people I work with seem to have when they come to me. They may really desire losing weight, getting off of their diabetes medication, or making their lifestyle more green (among other outcomes).<br /><br />Why is that when so many people deeply desire positive outcomes that they avoid changing their diets?<br /><br />My observation has been that what "getting healthy" represents taps people's deepest feelings about themselves. Geneen Roth wrote a book about this called "Women, Food, God". She says,<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"The way you eat is inseparable from your core beliefs about being alive. Your relationship with food is an exact mirror of your feelings about love, fear, anger, meaning, transformation and, yes, even God." </span><br /><br />So even though you may really want to lose weight, it means truly facing the emotions that are attached to this issue for you. That's the scary and uncomfortable part for people! All the defense mechanisms pop up when we say we don't "have enough time" or "it's too expensive." Deep down, what it actually could mean is "this is too painful/fearful for me to experience at this moment." It could also mean, "I don't feel worthy enough" or "health isn't one of my core values yet." To know what you true values are, look on your plate.<br /><br />However, <span style="font-style: italic;">"going beyond both the food and feelings takes you deeper into realms of spirit and soul to the bright center of your own life."</span><br /><br />When people finally feel ready to transform their approach to diet and lifestyle, the result can be simply magnificent! These positive benefits might be a stabilized and healthy weight, clearer skin, more energy, sounder sleep, and an overall improved outlook on life. Those fears we had that someone "won't want to eat this healthy dish" get transformed when the a dish that you place on the table is the first to be devoured by all the guests simply because your most authentic loving expression of yourself is one of the ingredients in the food.<br /><br />Love yourself enough to eat well. To me this means, "eat in a way that nourishes your spirit on a deep level". <span style="font-weight: bold;">You deserve it.<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --><br /><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style "><br /><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=leslieaashburn" class="addthis_button_compact">Share</a><br /><span class="addthis_separator">|</span><br /><a class="addthis_button_preferred_1"></a><br /><a class="addthis_button_preferred_2"></a><br /><a class="addthis_button_preferred_3"></a><br /><a class="addthis_button_preferred_4"></a><br /></div><br /><script type="text/javascript">var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};</script><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=leslieaashburn"></script><br /><!-- AddThis Button END --><br /></span>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695363020244207922noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10593412.post-40649886346351472292010-12-01T15:31:00.005-10:002010-12-20T14:48:51.891-10:00Sipping Tea with the Emperor and Queen VictoriaVegan High Tea the other day at Baby aWEARness was a HUGE hit. We had a great time.<br /><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><br />In preparation for the tea festivities, I watched a DVD called <i>All In This Tea</i>. One section included a quote (I'll have to paraphrase) that really moved me and that I would like to share with you: </span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:arial;" ><br /><br />“In this moment [of drinking tea], we have the same experience that Queen Victoria had 150 years ago, the same taste a Chinese Emperor would have loved.<span> </span>Tea is living archeology.<span> </span>We are resurrecting flavors and experiences that bind us to the past shared by generations before us.” </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:11pt;" ><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TPb4ffwKxBI/AAAAAAAAAUA/UaCzUPCbtPw/s1600/IMG00611-20101128-1259.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TPb4ffwKxBI/AAAAAAAAAUA/UaCzUPCbtPw/s320/IMG00611-20101128-1259.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545893211136508946" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TPb4extkQmI/AAAAAAAAAT4/nx5kvokyNt8/s1600/IMG00612-20101128-1300.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TPb4extkQmI/AAAAAAAAAT4/nx5kvokyNt8/s320/IMG00612-20101128-1300.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545893198777565794" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TPb4eo1V0wI/AAAAAAAAATw/Iuv7snxgvBM/s1600/IMG00616-20101128-1422.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TPb4eo1V0wI/AAAAAAAAATw/Iuv7snxgvBM/s320/IMG00616-20101128-1422.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545893196394255106" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TPb4eex33oI/AAAAAAAAATo/0u9Ml1y26E8/s1600/IMG00613-20101128-1421.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TPb4eex33oI/AAAAAAAAATo/0u9Ml1y26E8/s320/IMG00613-20101128-1421.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545893193695354498" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Comments from participants:<br /><br />"I don't usually like scones, but yours were so buttery and delicious."<br /><br />"You are a wonderful hostess! Thank you for a great time of tea and new friends! I look forward to another event in the future."<br /><br />"You have a talent for making food and the sharing of it so meaningful."<br /><br /><div>"The high tea on Sunday was so lovely. We enjoyed ourselves immensely. We've been trying to catch up with one another so we appreciated you creating the time, the space, and all the wonderful goodies to indulge ourselves. I've been raving about it to everyone and hope you will do another one in the future (especially since you've got all those wonderful teapots to put into good use)."</div><br />"Thank you, Leslie, for the splendid time at High Tea and the onolicious food! I am grateful for you, your skill, your palate and your vision for the community and the world!"<br /><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style "><br /><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=leslieaashburn" class="addthis_button_compact">Share</a><br /><span class="addthis_separator">|</span><br /><a class="addthis_button_preferred_1"></a><br /><a class="addthis_button_preferred_2"></a><br /><a class="addthis_button_preferred_3"></a><br /><a class="addthis_button_preferred_4"></a><br /></div><br /><script type="text/javascript">var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true};</script><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=leslieaashburn"></script><br /><!-- AddThis Button END -->Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695363020244207922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10593412.post-69051570036326150432010-11-24T22:47:00.005-10:002010-11-24T22:51:43.802-10:00Happy Thanksgiving<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TO4jXGp57GI/AAAAAAAAAS4/7FlgDb4xqfQ/s1600/thanksgivingbeach1-198x300.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 198px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TO4jXGp57GI/AAAAAAAAAS4/7FlgDb4xqfQ/s320/thanksgivingbeach1-198x300.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543407071169997922" border="0" /></a><span class="UIStory_Message">I am extremely grateful for all the joy, abundance, love, beauty, fabulous ohana, and opportunities in my life. Thank you!<br /></span>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695363020244207922noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10593412.post-69233914735171452112010-11-19T22:01:00.003-10:002010-11-19T22:15:13.938-10:00Celebratin'!!!!!!!!!Just a little YouTube video to ring in some good celebratin' energy about all the GREAT GREAT things in my life!! WOO HOO! For some booty shakin' fun, watch the video and be sure to dance! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKqV7DB8Iwg<br /><br />A few lyrics by the Black Eyed Peas, from Let's Get It Started<br /><br />"Obstacles are inefficient, follow your intuition, free your inner soul and break away from tradition. Coz when we beat out, girl it's pullin' without.......Step by step, like an infant new kid. Inch by inch with the new solution. Transmit hits, with no delusion. The feeling's irresistible and that's how we movin'."Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695363020244207922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10593412.post-67820159233715370652010-11-19T18:57:00.010-10:002010-11-19T19:44:10.711-10:00A Healthy Cup of TeaMy life has been a whirlwind lately, from cohorting with some internationally renowned local chefs, to getting a rush of much welcomed and appreciated press, to taking on celebrity clients. I'm in awe, and <span style="font-weight: bold;">extremely </span>grateful for all my opportunities and the places my job takes me. What a life!<br /><br />While my job is often mind-blowing, there are those mundane times when I'm driving around town through traffic in search of items for my next event. If you value organic whole food items of high quality, it takes some work to source things sometimes.<br /><br />In my pursuit of all things related to tea today, I had an amazingly wonderful and extremely random adventure.<br /><br /><a href="http://citypictures.org/data/media/230/Tea_Fields_Japan.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 330px; height: 246px;" src="http://citypictures.org/data/media/230/Tea_Fields_Japan.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here I was, driving down industrialized Nimitz, daydreaming about tea, tea pots, and the Vegan High Tea event coming up on the 28th. The universe speaks in mysterious ways sometimes, and as I was daydreaming, I looked up and saw a white van drive by. I happened to notice that it said something about the <span style="font-style: italic;">Hawaiian Islands Tea Company</span>, and there was a phone number. Hmmm.... That was some kind of serendipity impossible to ignore. I took action and called the number before the van disappeared from sight, only to leave a message.<br /><br />About one hour later, a man named Dave called me back and said I should stop by for some samples. I was escorted to the back by Mr. Dave Plaskett, who turned out to be the Director of Tea for the <span style="font-style: italic;">Hawaii Coffee Company</span>.<br /><br /><a href="http://hawaiianislandstea.com/Portals/4/Dave2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 227px; height: 250px;" src="http://hawaiianislandstea.com/Portals/4/Dave2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">photo from http://hawaiianislandstea.com/<br /></span><br />His office was simply breathtaking, with rare dried teas from every possible corner of the earth. His walls were decorated by photos of people who work with tea throughout the world, posters of tropical fruits, samples of tea bags hanging from a poster board, and what appeared to be an apothecary of various concoctions he is working on for their line of teas. I was so incredibly impressed.<br /><br />We sat and talked for about 15 minutes about macrobiotics, an idea he has for his next business, the origin of genmaicha, one of his philosophies about business that seemed very timely to me, and where I could potentially get the tea that I needed. In the meantime, he loaned me <span style="font-style: italic;">All In This Tea</span>, a documentary about a man obsessed with finding the world's rarest teas. He was an absolutely cool and fascinating guy who transformed my day from the ordinary to the extraordinary! Thanks Dave.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/517q7cGRb2L._SL500_AA300_.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/517q7cGRb2L._SL500_AA300_.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQgaUVDbIIpxSkRQ9zB-_SwAy83vYg0bn93YLfnI0_YhkP7hVV5"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 201px; height: 251px;" src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQgaUVDbIIpxSkRQ9zB-_SwAy83vYg0bn93YLfnI0_YhkP7hVV5" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">I'll be seeing some of you at the <a href="http://www.macrobiotichawaii.com/events/vegan-high-tea/">tea party on the 28th</a>!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.foodbeam.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/alice-tea-party.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 243px; height: 349px;" src="http://www.foodbeam.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/alice-tea-party.png" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div></div></div>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695363020244207922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10593412.post-42281236954695522832010-11-12T17:43:00.004-10:002010-11-12T17:55:17.402-10:00Grow Hawaii Iron Chef Competition: Next GenerationThe Iron Chef Next Generation teams were scrambling around the room choosing all their ingredients to use in their cook-off. Kabocha was the "secret" ingredient of the day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TN4J9iF49vI/AAAAAAAAASg/wmwLP3sMyR8/s1600/IMG00581-20101108-1043.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TN4J9iF49vI/AAAAAAAAASg/wmwLP3sMyR8/s320/IMG00581-20101108-1043.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538875544440469234" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The displays were incredible of all the fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TN4J9aTQXyI/AAAAAAAAASY/2UCnY1eR0os/s1600/IMG00582-20101108-1051.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TN4J9aTQXyI/AAAAAAAAASY/2UCnY1eR0os/s320/IMG00582-20101108-1051.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538875542349045538" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TN4J8W9usTI/AAAAAAAAASQ/iadnmAcAoLY/s1600/IMG00584-20101108-1051.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TN4J8W9usTI/AAAAAAAAASQ/iadnmAcAoLY/s320/IMG00584-20101108-1051.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538875524273582386" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TN4J8I1jC0I/AAAAAAAAASI/r5ks123VZkI/s1600/IMG00585-20101108-1051.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TN4J8I1jC0I/AAAAAAAAASI/r5ks123VZkI/s320/IMG00585-20101108-1051.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538875520481168194" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And on the judge's panel.... that's ME, with Ed Kenney, Alan Wong, and Roy Yamaguchi signing autographs at the end of the day. Yeah baby!! I was one of the very few female chefs there representing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TN4J7j22N-I/AAAAAAAAASA/Ls7MxBO68wo/s1600/IMG00587-20101108-1105.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TN4J7j22N-I/AAAAAAAAASA/Ls7MxBO68wo/s320/IMG00587-20101108-1105.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538875510554507234" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TN4K4v0-DwI/AAAAAAAAASo/nNaZBXXN-Y4/s1600/9iaz.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TN4K4v0-DwI/AAAAAAAAASo/nNaZBXXN-Y4/s320/9iaz.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538876561739878146" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">(this photo is from Honolulu Magazine's twitpic.com account.)</span><br />~~~~~~~<br /><p><a href="http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=13472220">Article on Hawaii News Now</a></p> <p>Monday November 8th, 2010 - The Hawai‘i Association of Independent Schools (HAIS), Sheraton Waikiki and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawai‘i presents the GROW HAWAI‘I Challenge. Fifteen public charter and independent schools across Hawai‘i have been selected to participate in HAIS’s innovative Grow Hawai‘i pilot program to incorporate locally grown produce into their school cafeteria menus. Breakout sessions will celebrate local success stories and heroes making a difference in sustainability. Chefs from Starwood’s Hotels and Resorts across the islands and local celebrity restaurateurs will team up with the school chefs and students in a School Garden Cooking Challenge. Attendees will enjoy a delicious Farm-to-Table lunch prepared by Sheraton Waikīkī chefs before the awards are presented.</p><p>~~~~~~~</p><p>Article on Grow Hawaii's website:<br /></p><p>Over the next three years, Grow Hawaii will use a variety of strategies to significantly enrich the educational dialogue in all private and public schools statewide concerning the urgency for growing food in the islands. Beginning with the belief that the betterment of humankind is inherently possible and that schools are a prominent force for good, Grow Hawai’i and its partners aspire to create lifelong “buy local, eat local” consumers by engaging students, starting in elementary school, in exploration, experimentation, and action-oriented problem-based learning that will foster consideration of the origins of and their relationship with island grown food and the social systems and values we will need to create a more sustainable way of life. Simultaneously, we aspire to document this story and share it with all who are interested, allowing the voices of students to chart a course to the future and be in the vanguard of those leading the way. http://www.growhi.org/?page_id=2<br /></p>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695363020244207922noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10593412.post-3478769650337307312010-11-05T15:00:00.006-10:002010-12-27T12:42:43.175-10:00Named one of 12 up and coming chefs to watch<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TRkWS6gpnGI/AAAAAAAAAUc/RYovCwB_zQQ/s1600/IMG00640-20101227-1234.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 186px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eXOJQNLCorQ/TRkWS6gpnGI/AAAAAAAAAUc/RYovCwB_zQQ/s320/IMG00640-20101227-1234.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555496129537875042" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Hawaii Hospitality named me one of the 12 up and coming chefs to watch. Check out their November issue for the article.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.alohaislandtravel.com/maps/images/islands.gif"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 367px; height: 310px;" src="http://www.alohaislandtravel.com/maps/images/islands.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04695363020244207922noreply@blogger.com4