Hawaii Mom Blog: December 2013

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December 30, 2013

Phuket Thai - Mililani

Last week I met some of my girlfriends at the Millani Phuket Thai for dinner.
Poh Pia (Spring Rolls)

Chicken Paht Thai (Thai Fried Noodles)

Panang (Peanut Sauce) Curry
Everything was delicious.

This was my first time trying Panang Curry, and I thought it was really good.

My favorite dishes were the Spring Rolls and Chicken Paht Thai - dishes that I usually order at all Thai restaurants, and these dishes were very flavorful.

The service was great, and Phuket Thai continues to be one of my favorite Thai restaurants.

Phuket Thai
95-1249 Meheula Pkwy A6
Mililani, HI 96789
(808) 623-6228
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December 27, 2013

Visit Lanai: The Spa at Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay

Pampering myself, especially while on vacation, is never an option for me, but I decided to indulge myself while at the Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay.

Although the Spa reception and rooms were temporarily relocated during our stay, that didn't prevent me from having a fantastic spa experience when I received my first-ever facial treatment!

The Four Seasons Lanai generously hosted a 50-minute Signature Anti-Aging Facial. 

 Not having had a facial before, I was a bit nervous, but as soon as I stepped into the reception area and was offered a chilled bottle of water and a chilled oshibori (towel), I felt calm and relaxed.

Chilled Water and Chilled Oshibori (towel)
I completed a short questionnaire, and soon after I met Mili, the therapist, who would perform the facial treatment.

As soon as we met I could feel her warmth and aloha, and she really made me feel comfortable.

We went to a room that was converted into a temporary spa room, and after I changed into a robe, Mili began to explain what the facial would entail.


Temporary Spa Room
Based on the questionnaire I filled out while in the reception area, she knew one of my biggest concerns was skin discoloration, and after a quick skin examination, she proceeded to tell me what kinds of products she'd use during the treatment.

Since I never had a facial before, I simply imagined sitting in a chair while the therapist cleansed my face, but when the treatment began by having me lie on a heated bed, I knew I was in for a treat!

From the cleansing and exfoliating, to the applying of the masques and moisturizers, Mili was gentle, and whenever I had any questions about products or processes, she was always very sincere with her answers.

And then when it came time for the massage (yes - massage!), she really applied the pressure, and it felt so good! 

I had no idea getting a facial treatment at the Manele Bay Spa would mean my shoulders, neck, and hands would get massaged, and that a special procedure called Kala`au Pa`i would be performed, which entailed massaging my feet and gently hitting them with Kala`au sticks, but that really was a pleasant surprise.

Kala`au Pa`i Tools

I felt so pampered and relaxed - it was hard not to fall asleep!  And everything smelled so good!  From the Lemon Cleanser to the Strawberry Rhubarb Masque - it was such a treat for the senses.

At the end of the facial I was given a prescription card with information on the products used so I could purchase them from the reception area or get more information later online.

The time went by way too quickly, and Mili was fantastic. 

It was the most relaxing and rejuvenating 50 minutes during my trip to Lanai.


Thank you to the Four Seasons Resort Lanai for hosting my Spa service.  Gratuity was paid on my own.  All opinions are entirely my own.
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December 26, 2013

S'Mores Bars

I recently made these S'mores Bars, which is now one of my new favorite desserts!

S'mores Bars (Adapted from this recipe from BettyCrocker.com by using a Sugar Cookie recipe from Allrecipes.com for the crust)

Ingredients:
  • 2 3/4 c all-purpose flour
  • 1 t baking soda
  • 1/2 t baking powder
  • 1 c butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 c white sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 t vanilla extract
  • 1 c graham cracker crumbs
  • 3 c chocolate chips
  • 4 c miniature marshmallows

Directions:
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). 
  • In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. 
  • In a separate bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. 
  • Beat in egg and vanilla. 
  • Mix in dry ingredients. 
  • Mix in graham cracker crumbs.
  • Press mixture evenly into bottom of 9x13-inch pan.
  • Bake for 18-20 minutes.
  • Sprinkle chocolate chips over crust and let stand for approximately 5 minutes.
  • Spread chocolate evenly over crust.
  • Sprinkle marshmallows over chocolate.
  • Broil for 30 seconds to 1 minute - WATCH CLOSELY, AS MARSHMALLOWS WILL BROWN QUICKLY -  you don't want them to burn!
  • Cool for an hour before cutting into bars.
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December 24, 2013

Christmas Lights in Waikele

Every single house on Hopoe Place in Waikele (Waipahu) is decorated in some way for the holidays.

Some homes have numerous decorations and inflatables.

Others simply have a yard display, or a single decoration.

But the fact that every single house on this street participates is fantastic.

My favorite display is the car decorated with Christmas lights (bottom right), with Santa behind the wheel.

And just one street over, on Anapau Place, is a house that attracts large crowds because of its festive display that is synchronized with music (and other houses nearby have lights that are synchronized with the same music as well).


It's afun place to take the keiki during the holidays!
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December 23, 2013

Christmas Lane

In Kaneohe there is a street known to many as Christmas Lane (Namoku Street). 

It's a very long street, and several houses along the street are decorated, but the end closest to the Windward City Shopping Center is where most of the decorated houses are.

The displays were magical, and I can't wait to take the kids to see the houses on Christmas Lane again!

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West Oahu Electric Light Parade

Earlier this month we attended the West Oahu Electric Light Parade in Kapolei.

The route changed this year, which I think was made for the better - less traffic congestion, and lots more parking.

There were all kinds of fun light displays driving down Kapolei Parkway, and my kids' favorite part of the parade wasn't Santa - it was getting all the candy being passed out by the parade participants!

It was a fun night for the entire family!

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December 20, 2013

Santa's Beach House at Ward Centers

Now through December 24, keiki can visit Santa at his beach house at Ward Centers!

Located near the theaters, Santa's Beach House also has a little sand box that kids can play in, as well as a Sand Castle Toss game where kids can throw plastic balls through wreaths - a great way to keep kids busy if there's a long line to take photos with Santa.

Click here for hours and more information.
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American Hustle Movie Review

American Hustle (Rated R), which is on many film critics' top 10 movies of the year, and recently earned numerous Golden Globe nominations, is now in theaters!

Synopsis:
A fictional film set in the alluring world of one of the most stunning scandals to rock our nation, American Hustle tells the story of brilliant con man Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale), who along with his equally cunning and seductive British partner Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams) is forced to work for a wild FBI agent Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper).  DiMaso pushes them into a world of Jersey powerbrokers and mafia that's as dangerous as it is enchanting.  Jeremy Renner is Carmine Polito, the passionate, volatile, New Jersey political operator caught between the con-artists and Feds. Irving's unpredictable wife Rosalyn (Jennifer Lawrence) could be the one to pull the thread that brings the entire world crashing down. Like David O. Russell's previous films, American Hustle defies genre, hinging on raw emotion, and life and death stakes. 
 
My husband had a chance to attend a screening, and here is his review:

American Hustle, a whirlwind of a story set in the late 70s, focuses on Irving (Christian Bale) and Sydney (Amy Adams), a couple of con artists who are very good at scamming desperate people in need of loans.  They are in love with each other, even despite the fact that Irving is married to Rosalyn (Jennifer Lawrence) and just adopted her son.

But their hustle is interrupted when they are busted by FBI agent Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper).  DiMaso cuts them a deal in which they must help him take down some high profile politicians who are willing to do favors in exchange for cash.  One of the politicians they target is Carmine Polito (Jeremy Renner), who is the most ethical person in the movie.  The two con artists, along with the overly ambitious DiMaso, involve the mob and a fake sheik in the borderline entrapment plan that is based on the real-life Abscam sting operation.

The cast list is impressive, and it doesn’t even include the legendary, uncredited actor who portrays the mob boss.

All of the actors lived up to their lofty reputations, but I thought that the two female stars, Adams and Lawrence, both shined through.  They both played complex, troubled women who wanted more out of the life and love that they had.  When they finally meet on screen, near the movie's climax, it’s truly a pleasure to watch.

I enjoyed watching American Hustle.  I suppose I can see how the Golden Globes put it in the Comedy/Musical category – it does produce a lot of laughs, including a fun Jennifer Lawrence sing-along to "Live and Let Die" (one of the many classic songs on the killer soundtrack), but it was the intriguing story and the superb acting that did it for me.

Complimentary screening tickets were received.
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Saving Mr. Banks Review



Saving Mr. Banks is now open in theaters everywhere!

Synopsis:  
Two-time Academy Award®–winner Emma Thompson and fellow double Oscar®-winner Tom Hanks topline Disney’s “Saving Mr. Banks,” inspired by the extraordinary, untold backstory of how Disney’s classic “Mary Poppins” made it to the screen.

When Walt Disney’s daughters begged him to make a movie of their favorite book, P.L. Travers’ “Mary Poppins,” he made them a promise—one that he didn’t realize would take 20 years to keep. In his quest to obtain the rights, Walt comes up against a curmudgeonly, uncompromising writer who has absolutely no intention of letting her beloved magical nanny get mauled by the Hollywood machine. But, as the books stop selling and money grows short, Travers reluctantly agrees to go to Los Angeles to hear Disney’s plans for the adaptation.

For those two short weeks in 1961, Walt Disney pulls out all the stops. Armed with imaginative storyboards and chirpy songs from the talented Sherman brothers, Walt launches an all-out onslaught on P.L. Travers, but the prickly author doesn’t budge. He soon begins to watch helplessly as Travers becomes increasingly immovable and the rights begin to move further away from his grasp.

It is only when he reaches into his own childhood that Walt discovers the truth about the ghosts that haunt her, and together they set Mary Poppins free to ultimately make one of the most endearing films in cinematic history.

My husband had a chance to attend a screening, and here is his review:

Saving Mr. Banks turned out to be a very well-acted, entertaining and, surprisingly touching movie. 

The movie tells the story of Mary Poppins author, P.L. Travers (Thompson) and Walt Disney (Hanks), and the struggle the two encountered on the path to making a movie based on the popular book.  P.L. Travers is very much against the “Disneyfication” of her beloved Mary Poppins and gives Disney and his creative team a very difficult time throughout the process. The movie interweaves this process with Travers’ childhood in Australia and focuses on the relationship she had with her alcoholic father (Colin Farrell), whom she idolized.

It becomes apparent that the Mr. Banks character in her book is based on her father and suddenly it's understood why the book and the characters mean so much to her.

Travers’ inner struggle is effectively shown in a powerful and moving scene in which the movie cuts back and forth between the Disney songwriters running a lighthearted song by her that they had written using the words in her book, and a flashback from her childhood where her father was slurring the exact same words in a speech at a county fair.

I really enjoyed Saving Mr. Banks even though I’ve never seen Mary Poppins in its entirety. It provided an intriguing look behind the struggle, compromise and healing that it took to get the movie made.


Complimentary screening tickets were received.
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Visit Lanai: Kailani

On our first night in Lanai, we enjoyed a hosted dinner at Kailani - a restaurant at the Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay which specializes in Italian cuisine with an emphasis on using local ingredients.
Bread
Kids Cheese Pizza


Chicken Cacciatore
Osso Bucco
Coconut Bread Pudding
Ice Cream Sundae
Strawberry Ice Cream
After-dinner Cookies

My dinner was the Chicken Cacciatore, which also consisted of Crispy Polenta, Kalamata Olive Brush, & Romesco Sauce.  Although I did think the serving size was on the small side, I loved the presentation and the chicken was very flavorful.

All of my kids had the Cheese Pizza, which they enjoyed, and my husband liked his Osso Bucco.

The kids ate ice cream for dessert, and I opted for the Coconut Bread Pudding.  I usually don't care for coconut, but the bread pudding was amazing! 

The service at Kailani was efficient and friendly, and the view was gorgeous. 


Overall we had a very lovely dinner at Kailani.

Thank you to the Four Seasons Resort Lanai for hosting our dinner.  Gratuity was paid on my own.  All opinions are entirely my own.
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December 19, 2013

Holiday Fruit Skewers

For an easy, festive treat for the holidays, simply take some red and green fruit (in this case I used strawberries and grapes), stick them on a skewer with some marshmallows, and there you have it - Holiday Fruit Skewers!

Both kids and adults love them.

After all, fruit is more fun to eat off of a stick!

Happy Holidays!

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Visit Lanai: Terrace

Located in The Lodge at Koele is the Terrace, where our family enjoyed an American Bistro-style hosted dinner on our last evening in Lanai.

From start to finish, our dinner at the Terrace was my favorite meal during our trip to Lanai.

Olive Ciabatta

Hamakua Mushroom Toast

Grilled Mahi Mahi

Roasted Half Chicken
 
Side of Fruit with Kids Meals

Kids Mac & Cheese

Kids Hot Dog

Kids Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Mocha Mud Pie


A server comes around to serve bread - either an olive ciabatta or a regular ciabatta.  I opted for the olive ciabatta, and it was SO DELICIOUS.  My husband thought it was funny that I kept raving about the bread, but I felt like I could've eaten just the bread for dinner - it was that good!

It was the perfect texture, and the olive added just the right amount of saltiness.  With such a great start to a meal, I had a feeling the rest of our dinner would be fantastic.

And I was right.

The Hamakua Mushroom Toast was very good.  A generous amount of mushrooms, along with applewood smoked bacon (mushrooms and bacon - what a great combination!) and parsley, was mixed in a sherry vinaigrette and topped a baguette.  It was very flavorful.

Unable to decide between the mahi and the chicken for my entree, I asked the server for her input.  She said both were good choices, but the chicken has a lemon rosemary stuffing just underneath the skin that makes it really delicious - so I went with the chicken.

I'm glad I did.  It's one of the best chicken dishes I've ever had.  It was juicy and flavorful, and the accompanying herb roasted potatoes and grilled asparagus complemented the chicken nicely. 

And of course I couldn't leave without indulging in some dessert!

The special pie of the day was a Mocha Mud Pie, so our family shared it, and it was the perfect ending to an amazing dinner.

My husband and kids all enjoyed their meals too, and the service was outstanding.

Upon arrival my 2-year old was sleeping, and one of the servers put two chairs together and got a big pillow so he could lie down (but we told her we could hold him until he wakes up).  When my oldest son pointed out that he and his brothers were not given any crayons to go with their menus, someone promptly gave them crayons.  And when my youngest son bumped the table and a knife noisily dropped to the ground, someone quickly came to pick it up before my husband or I could get to it.

Those are just a few examples of the excellent service while at Terrace.  It's because of that service, and also because of the excellent dishes, that I will definitely be back at the Terrace the next time I visit Lanai. 

Terrace
Four Seasons Resort Lanai, The Lodge at Koele
1 Keomoku Hwy
Lanai City, HI 96763
(808) 565-4000


Thank you to Four Seasons Resort Lanai for hosting our dinner.  Gratuity was paid on my own.  All opinions are entirely my own.
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December 18, 2013

Visit Lanai: Lanai Western Adventures Carriage Ride

One of the highlights of our trip to Lanai was touring the city on Lanai Western Adventures' Carriage Ride.

It was pretty neat once Molly, the driver, and Mrs. Smith, the horse, pulled up to the Four Seasons Resort Lanai The Lodge at Koele to pick us up.

Molly and Mrs. Smith

As we started the tour of Lanai, my kids got a kick out of hearing the "clippity-clop" of the horse as she trotted along.

We saw so and learned so much about Lanai City, and Molly was a fantastic guide. 

She was very friendly and knowledgeable, and offered a lot of interesting tidbits about the city.

She was also great with all of my kids, especially my oldest son, her co-driver for the hour.
Molly and my oldest son
It was such a beautiful day, and there was something pretty magical about touring the city by carriage.  We passed the free (yes, FREE!) 9-hole public Cavendish Golf Course, numerous homes, and quaint little shops that sold groceries, plate lunches, art, and clothing, as well as Lanai City Service - the ONLY gas station on the entire island.

Cavendish Golf Course

The Local Gentry Clothing Store
Lanai Gym
Pele's Other Garden Restaurant

Lanai City Service - the ONLY gas station on Lanai

Everyone we passed by was so friendly, waving at us and telling us "Hello," - and many people acknowledged Molly by name, which shows just how close-knit the community is. 

After the ride, Molly took us to the Stables at Koele where my kids got a chance to feed the goats and sheep.

The Stables at Koele

Feeding the goats
Molly also gave us a lot more information about the other activities that Lanai Western Adventures offers (Sporting Clays, UTV Adventures, Horseback Rides, and more) - many of which I hope to try the next time I visit Lanai.

The carriage ride was a fantastic way to tour the city, and it's one of my favorite memories from our trip to Lanai.


Lanai Western Adventures
Kanepuu Hwy
Lanai City, HI 96763
(808) 563-9385


Mahalo to Lanai Western Adventures for offering a media discount.  Gratuity was paid on my own.  All opinions are entirely my own.
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December 17, 2013

Peanut Butter Bars

One of my favorite desserts to make and eat is Peanut Butter Bars.

I use this recipe from Allrecipes.com - it's sooooooo easy and the end results is just divine!
Peanut Butter Bars (recipe credit Allrecipes)

Ingredients:
  • 1 c melted butter
  • 2 c graham cracker crumbs
  • 2 c confectioners' sugar
  • 1 c peanut butter
  • 1 1/2 c semisweet chocolate chips
  • 4 T peanut butter
Directions:
  • In a medium bowl, mix together the butter, graham cracker crumbs, confectioners' sugar, and 1 cup peanut butter until well blended. 
  • Press evenly into the bottom of an ungreased 9x13 inch pan.
  • In the microwave, melt the chocolate chips and 4T peanut butter for 1 minute.
  • Stir until smooth.
  • Spread over the prepared crust. 
  • Refrigerate for at least one hour before cutting into squares.
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December 16, 2013

Visit Lanai: Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay

Our family went to Lanai for the first time a couple of weekends ago, and while there we had the pleasure of staying at the Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay.

As soon as a conch shell was blown when we, along with other guests, arrived at the Manele Bay from the airport via the Four Seasons Resort shuttle, I knew I was going to be spoiled at this luxurious resort.

Immediately upon getting off the shuttle, we were all offered a lei, a cool oshibori (towel), and tropical juice.


What a welcome!

After checking in, we were escorted to our Ocean Terrace Room - which quite frankly I could've stayed put in over the entire weekend.

The room itself was lovely and spacious.  The decor was a nice mix of tropical and modern, the bedding was extremely comfortable, storage space was plentiful, and the view was simply stunning!
 
Nights were cool and quiet, and in the early mornings I'd sit outside on the balcony beneath the barely lit sky, and listen to the birds chirp and the waves crash as the sun rose.

The grounds of the resort are stunning as well.


Throughout our entire stay we experienced nothing but warmth and aloha from every single Four Seasons Resort employee we encountered - whether it was a pool attendant, a front desk agent, a restaurant server, or a maintenance worker - we were always greeted with a smile.

The bell attendants would always ask if they could be of assistance in any way; the beach and pool attendants would prepare chairs and position umbrellas to make sure we had adequate shade;  restaurant servers would greet us by name. 

And it didn't stop at the employees - even the guests were very pleasant and friendly.  We'd constantly hear "Aloha," "Hello," and "Happy Holidays" from fellow guests.  Several even complimented us on how well-behaved our children were (and I was very pleased my kids were well-behaved - for the most part), and on our first day, one guest told me "You're going to LOVE it here!"

The happiness seemed to be contagious.

And who wouldn't be happy with such gorgeous views and an abundance of services and amenities, many of which are complimentary. 

Each evening bottled water and a bucket of ice was placed in our room.  While at the beach ice cold water and smoothies were brought to us.  Toys and reading material (even Kindle Fires!) were available for use at the pool.



I could go on and on...

Although the resort has started some renovations, and will continue to renovate for the next several months with lobby and room enhancements, whatever was being done during our stay was barely noticeable and did not disturb us at all.

I can't wait to go back to see how they've improved on an already outstanding resort.

Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay
1 Manele Rd
Lanai City, HI 96763
(808) 565-2000


Thank you to the Four Seasons Resort Lanai for providing a complimentary room upgrade and hosting the shuttle.  Room charges and taxes, along with housekeeping, attendant, and shuttle gratuities were paid on my own.  All opinions are entirely my own. 
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December 15, 2013

Santa's Arrival in Waikiki

On Saturday, I took the kids to see Santa.

Not just any Santa, but a Santa that arrived by an outrigger canoe onto the shores of Waikiki, dressed in a Palaka suit and wearing slippers.

This special event was courtesy the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach, where the keiki of Halau `O Pua Kahale performed while hundreds of hotel guests and beach visitors waited for Santa's arrival.

After his arrival, Santa took FREE photos with keiki in the lobby of the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach.

The line for photos was pretty long, and although my kids were not able to get a photo with Santa because we had to leave for an appointment, they still thought it was really cool to watch Santa come in on a canoe.

We hope to see Santa come in on a canoe again next year!

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