Art Pens, Headphones, Garden Pruners, Slippers

Aloha Everyone,

J.J. greeted me this morning with a cheerful “Happy Birthday!” My birthday isn’t until end of October, but each time a package addressed to us is delivered from Walmart, Costco, Amazon on FedEx, there is an excitement and a curiosity of discovering the content. This week my art pens, headphones, garden pruners and our slippers were among our “unbirthday gifts”.

J.J. and I have not gone to any commercial establishments since we began our sheltering in place. So far our bimonthly drive to run Honu’s batteries have been accomplished even without going to a gas station.  

When I mentioned to my Mother during our recent conversation that we make online purchases for items we need, she sounded incredulous. My siblings do grocery shopping a few times a week.

The two of us have a running inventory of items we need to restock such as toothpaste, mouthwash, shampoo, conditioner, toilet tissues and paper towels. We also order some non-perishable items such as pasta noodles, grated Parmesan cheese, pesto sauce, cereals and crackers.

Discovering the ease and safety of online shopping, I can see why large businesses such as Costco, Walmart, Target, CVS Pharmacies  are modifying and improving their online deliveries.

Aloha -- Cathi

Quiché & More Dining-ins

Aloha Everyone,

This week’s featured dishes were delicious quiche prepared by our daughter-in-law and always a favorite chicken cutlet Japanese-style (chicken katsu), prepared by J.J.

I look forward to my breakfasts especially after I had a good “walkout”. It doesn’t hurt to receive “wow” reaction from J.J. who by the time has finished his simple daily breakfast of coffee, usually blue cheese with a couple of toasts or crackers. I think of my breakfast as a palette of colors with nutritional value.

Aloha -- Cathi

Healthy Morning Choices

Aloha Everyone,

I love adding flax seeds or flax seed in powder form to my cereal and oatmeal. Recently, my daughter-in-law was able to find oats & flax and flaxseed meal to expand my breakfast choices.

Flaxseeds have high nutritional values. Each tablespoon provides 55 calories, 42% fat, 29% carbohydrates  and 18% protein.

An interesting facts about flax seeds, also known as linseed, is that it is a food and fiber crop. The textile made from flax is known as linen and are manufactured into table linen, bedsheets and undergarments.

Aloha -- Cathi

Varieties of Lilies

Aloha Everyone,

Lilies cone in different colors and sizes. During my daily morning walk, I enjoy these bright petaled flowers.  The color of lilies in many cultures symbolize purity, virtue, passion,  prosperity, abundance etc. While there seems to be no negative meanings associated with lilies, if one is to give lilies as a gift, it would be advisable to check if it is culturally appropriate.

Lavender and white colored flowers are in full bloom.  Compared to other lilies, African lilies blooms last a long time in the garden.

Aloha -- Cathi

Luscious June Fruits

Aloha Everyone,

During her bimonthly shopping trip at Trader Joe’s, our daughter-in-law was able to find fruits which are delighting our family.

Rainier Cherry Is a cross between bing and Van cultivars. Developed in 1952 at Washington State University, the name comes from Mount Rainier. Short season in grocery stores and short shelf life makes Rainier Cherries a rare and wonderful treat.

Bosch Pear traces its root to European pear from France. A cultivar of European varieties which is larger, longer and juicier, Bosch pears have rougher skin with no skin blemishes. This is one of J.J.’s favorite summer fruits.

Nectarine belongs to peach family. Large, white ripe nectarines to me are even preferable to peaches.

Blueberry & Blackberry are versatile fruits as they can be eaten by themselves or added to cereal, oatmeal, salad and yogurt. You can also add them to muffins, pancakes or as toppings for meat dishes.

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Grape has been cultivated and wine-making in Egypt, Greece and Roman colonies dates back to circa 6,000 BCE. Grape is a true berry belonging to the same family as Blackberry, Raspberry, Strawberry and other berries.

Treat yourself to healthy fruits!

Aloha -- Cathi