Luau Stew/ 99 Ranch

1 whole taro leaf

When I lived on Kauai, I was lucky enough to live on 2.5 acres. We had a fenced in yard which included some space for a garden. I loved the garden although I was terrified of centipedes.. When I wanted to make luau stew, I would walk outside to the garden (set aside my fears) and grab some taro root and leaves.. I would then go inside and start cooking.
Since I live in the Bay Area now I was very excited when I found out about 99 Ranch in the Easy Bay. http://www.99ranch.com/ I was so happy when I realized that I could make the foods that I miss so much from the islands without begging friends to mail me items.

sliced taro

Taro is a root that is similar to potato.  Locals like to pound it and make poi, a sticky starchy substance.. you can use the leaves to wrap up pork or chicken and make lau lau as well. There are lots of ways to use taro in the kitchen, but my favorite is using it for luau stew.

taro leaf

The taro root should be peeled and then sliced. Taro leaves should be de-veined and chopped. 

Get your stew pot warmed up with a good amount of coconut oil in it. Add your sliced taro root and sautee until golden brown. Make sure to add enough oil as the taro is a sticky starchy root and can bond to other pieces and become softly sauteed instead of golden brown if there isn't enough oil, or there is moisture in the pot. 

If you want to add chicken to this recipe, boneless skin-on thighs work wonderfully. I like to pan sautee them for a crispy skin. Then set them aside and add them at the end as everything is "stewing."

Chop up some garlic and ginger and add into the pot until the aroma fills your kitchen. That way you haven't overdone the spices and they will impart their flavor on the stew.

fresh lemongrass

 I also used lemongrass in this recipe. I chopped it and put it into some cheesecloth that I anchored on the side of the stew pot. This way the flavor is incorporated without biting into chunks of lemongrass, and or having to strain the lemongrass out of the pot.

Add two to three cans of coconut milk.( I don't like the low fat coconut milk as it is too watery.) I prefer organic regular coconut milk... Coconut milk is very similar to mother's milk, and it helps the body to process  fats ingested. Coconut fats are utilized by the body/ and they also help the body to utilize stored fats as well.

Add your taro leaves, chicken, and any other items you would like. Examples would be mushrooms, onions, more garlic.. whatever your heart desires.

alaea sea salt

Sea salt is the only spice that I use for this recipe. It really brings out the flavors of the stew so I add it to taste.

 Let everything stew for 40 minutes or so.   Towards the end, take the cheesecloth with the lemongrass in it and squeeze until all of your flavor has gone into the pot.

Serve over white rice and eat! xo

luau stew!

you will need:
1 large taro root
1 bag (12) taro leaf
4-5 chicken thighs (optional)
2-3 cans coconut milk
4 cloves garlic chopped
1 tb ginger
Hawaiian salt
serve with rice.

Day Serum!

Whipped day serum

 I am just so in love with cold pressed oils. I really appreciate how they absorb quickly into my skin, and leave it nourished and supple. In this warm California weather, I felt a need to make a water- based serum. Something a little lighter that I could put on before I put on my SPF day moisturizer, but something including cold pressed oils. I whipped up this recipe in the height of summer. It is so refreshing to put on, that I found myself bringing it with me everywhere!  I just love the tropical hydrosols I picked up from Kauai, so I incorporated them too! In this particular day serum I chose a Kauai Coffee and Cinnamon hydrosol. Coffee and Cinnamon combined are a wonderful way to stimulate blood circulation, which assists in cell regeneration.

This serum is special because I added a propolis tincture from a good friend that is a bee-keeper on Kauai. The propolis is packed with nutrition and it also is antibacterial, antiseptic, antifungal, and antiviral so it is an extremely helpful aid in healing any wounds or blemishes. This Day Serum also contains cold pressed coconut oil, cold pressed kukui nut oil, cold pressed evening primrose oil and vitamin e.

This is an excellent addition to any skin care regimen for most skin types. It is light and refreshing, scented with pineapple and pikake. Close your eyes and let the scent take you away to a tropical place!

Aloha! B

Free Facials Promotion!

25 minute facials in San Anselmo


Friday June 3rd from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. Last appointment is at 1:30 P.M.
The Available times are:
11:00, 11:30, 1:00, 1:30

Saturday June 4th from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. Last appointment is at 1:30 P.M.
The Available times are:
10:30, 11:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30, 1:00 and 1:30


Take your time slot or you will miss out on a natural ingredients facial promotion! Super fun stuff!!
xo
b

Menu of services- In-call and Out-call Facials..Special thru July 1st!

In-call facial services are now available


I make Hawaiian-inspired natural skincare products as well as offer one-of-a kind skin treatments. I use non-abrasive products that are infused with healing properties of essential herbs, fruits, Hawaiian red clay, sea kelps, beeswax, natural butters, oils, flowers, and salts. I make my own tonics, scrubs, peels, masks and moisturizers. I use the highest quality ingredients from organic cultivation whenever possible. I help eliminate the use of chemicals in cosmetic products and I support local and Hawaiian businesses.
The ultimate goal is to renew your skin with a personalized treatment that will best suit your skin type. You will feel great knowing you can go back out into the world with a fresh face, and restored energy.

You can choose from the selection of treatments in your home or in the Ohana Room.

UPDATES:
You have the option to come to my treatment room .. the Ohana Room (in house in San Anselmo). I am using this treatment room as a start up as I build my business in the community.

Keep an eye out for "mahina" products.. I have the "nani oils" for sale at the fruit stand in Tam Valley, Marin County CA. Also, you are able to purchase the nani oils from me... my lemongrass scrub is coming too.  More products to come.

Getting a monthly facial will stimulate your skin cells to shed and renew, resulting in healthy glowing skin. 


(The Nui) 75 MIN. FACIAL 
75.00 good thru July 1st for both in and out-call facials!

The Nui is your monthly facial for both men & women. It includes a deep cleanse, exfoliation, a renewal mask, moisture and protect. You will melt into an acupressure facial massage, neck massage, shoulders, arms and hands as well as your feet and calves.. 

(Anapu'u) 15 MIN.. add to any treatment
 15.00 Add Manual Lymphatic Drainage to any facial
When the lymphatic system is blocked, we become defenseless against attacks by virus, fungi, and bacteria.
A well functioning lymph system contributes to healthy body tissue and plays an important part in the body's immune system responses.
Activate lymph fluid circulation as well as stimulate the functioning of the immune and parasympathetic nervous systems with "The Anapu'u" in addition to your treatment.

Thanks for checking me out

The 75 minute Nui is 75.00 until July 1st
Aloha!
B

Self Acceptance and Positive Thinking for Beautiful Skin / "Ha" = Breath of life.

Beautiful inside and out... What does this mean? 


Having a positive attitude can help to make a healthier lifestyle. Surrounding yourself with positive influences and people will move life in a better direction, resulting in a beautiful attitude and smiles too.


"If you surround yourself with the good and righteous, they can only raise you up. If you surround yourself with the others, they will drag you down into the doldrums of mediocrity, and they will keep you there, but only as long as you permit it." 
— Mark Glamack


Did you know that laughing can improve immune system function?
Laughing can increase the body's killer cells which defend the body from common illnesses. Endorphins are released when you are laughing and that can give you an overall feeling of well-being. 


 A hug really can do the trick.. human touch can also increase endorphins which will decrease the negative impact of stress too. 


Take a deep breath!! Around 70 % of all wastes are dispelled from the body through your breath. Breathing deeply betters your mood, clears your mind, and boosts energy. Sense of smell is super influential on our moods. If you smell something that makes you happy, it does because it triggers memories and moods. This has been used in aromatherapy which is a natural way to boost the healing powers of plants.


 "Ha" is the Hawaiian word for breath of life. This word was so important because just saying the word can reflect the power to heal. This word as with many others were not written down. Instead these words were kept to one's self and only passed on as a spoken word. This way the word would retain it's healing powers, or " Mana".

In my journey towards an improvement in my overall health and wellness, I have been feeling that it is very important to surround myself with supportive and loving influences. This is the beginning of my journey and it is most certainly not the end. In addition to surrounding your life with positive influences you should also take time for yourself. Whether it is to take a deep breath when you wake up.. or to go for a hike with your best friend.. whatever your healing process may be.. use your power! This way of living has helped me to instill and defend these qualities (laughing, hugging, breathing, excercising, etc.) in my everyday life. It's not always easy, but it is important for me to try.

  "It is very important to generate a good attitude, a good heart, as much as possible. From this, happiness in both the short term and the long term both for yourself and others will come."
- Dali Lama


I believe that health and wellness sprouts from a feeling of well being and love for yourself. Loving yourself and taking good care of yourself results in a happy spirit. A happy spirit will spread light to all aspects of your life and to others. Including your appearance!!  If that is not beauty, I don't know what is.


Live Aloha! -B


P.S.
"You, yourself as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection."
-Buddha



this post inspired by "ha" image:
http://www.lynnjohnsonphoto.com/index.php?s=galleries&p=hawaii
as well as interview with Dr. Gabor on Stress and Disease connections
http://www.democracynow.org/2011/5/30/dr_gabor_mat_on_the_stress

Nani Oil

Oh man. This weather has been drying my skin out! My face is trying to hold onto it's normal balance, but it is losing moisture quickly as the sun works it's way back into our daily lives. The gusts of wind have been blowing everything around, including dirt and mold, dust, and pollution. My skin is receiving a beating as this season is changing.

I have recently been making cold pressed oil combinations.. or beauty oils. I use them in place of my cleanser and in addition to my moisturizer. They have been saving my skin from drying out. Using oil regularly in my daily routine has noticeably improved the elasticity and resiliency of my skin. I found that these oils have been very helpful to my skin in battling these elemental changes.

Making Nani Oils

I named these oils "Nani Oils" because Nani means beauty or splendor. Nani Oil is made of  natural ingredients...Just cold pressed oils and natural fragrance. Using Nani Oil will result in a natural radiance that you will be proud to show off.

Cold pressed oils are basically unrefined oils that have been (the parent seed, nut, or grain) pressed at very low temperatures. The extreme pressure that is applied to the mixture pushes out the vitamin rich oils. The oil maintains it's superior quality and is not compromised by applying extreme temperatures to the process.
Nani Oils are unique because they contain 6 different cold pressed oils including Kukui and Coconut.

 Nani Oil penetrates deep past the pores and into the dermis and improve the condition of your skin on a cellular level. Being natural oils, these formulations can support the skin's natural healing process. Your skin actually eats the antioxidants and vitamins and uses them to battle everyday radicals, sun, wind, temperature changes, and pollution that can lead to acne and premature aging of the cells.

You are also able to use this oil as a cleanser. Like attracts like.. oil to oil. So the oils on your face will dissolve and wash away and the oils in the cleanser will stay and penetrate. Yums!

Nani Oil and Gentle Citrus Scrub 

Thank you for my beautiful labels Lindsay Hanson! You are an amazing artist.

These oils will be available at the fruit stand at the Tam Valley Junction in Marin County, and of course through me.
Call or email if you have any questions! (808) 346-1794
alohaspiritmobileskincare@ymail.com
Live Aloha!

Thalassotherapy: Medicine of the Ocean

Thalassotherapy is the unproven use of ocean elements as a form of therapy. It is not widely accepted because it has not been scientifically proven.

Organic Spirulina Powder

Mineral rich salt and saltwater from the ocean have many uses. Salt can be used as a preservative as well as being an essential element in the diet of humans animals and plants. Salt has been around since the beginning of life, and it cannot be replicated in a laboratory. What a wonderful thing to know.  
                                                                                                                                Spirulina is a nutritional supplement and also is a great addition to skincare. It is a "living food" and it is active when applied to your face.
 It is an amazing source of iron (45 times the amount found in spinach) and also beta carotene (10 times the amount of carrots). This helps the body's immune system kick into high gear! In skincare spirulina can improve the skin's resiliency and help to remove discoloration because of the beta carotene (B12). Spirulina can also help with dermatitis and irritations of the skin.

Organic Kelp Powder

 Kelp is an awesome contribution from the ocean and has been known to keep the skin's aging  process at bay. Kelp helps the skin to maintain a proper PH so that cell function can continue properly. The minerals and vitamins in kelp help to keep the skin nourished. The sea water found inside of kelp is very similar to human plasma and is an awesome way to keep your anti-aging routine effective.

In thalassotherapy the ocean's water, algae, kelp, mud, and salts all contain trace minerals that are essential for proper cell function.  Most spas use mineral rich muds and clays to help the body to rid itself of toxins, and help the skin to heal itself. Also, baths or showers of sea water are common too. Spas offer items on their menus that contain kelp, sea mud, and sea salts.

In thalassotherapy the skin is able to absorb minerals deeper than just at pore level. Some of the many minerals absorbed in thalassotherapy include: magnesium, calcium, iodine, sodium, and potassium. Spirulina and Kelp are very rich in these vitamins and minerals.
In addition to cleansing and exfoliating your skin, a natural face mask will help to withdraw impurities from below the top layer of the skin. It will also stimulate blood circulation and replace minerals and vitamins into vulnerable pores.

Ola Mask on Beautiful Marissa

Both Kelp and Spirulina are found  in my "Ola Mask". I offer the "Ola Mask" during my treatments. After steaming, your pores are open and ready to expell the waste that can accumulate. This mask is the answer. The organic kelp and spirulina are complimented by Ancient Maui Live Clay, Aloe, and other herbs. This mixture draws out toxins and impurities swiftly and with force!
Your skin is left feeling more firm, and with a softness that it hasn't had before.
Aloha!