Hawaii Mom Blog: October 2014

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October 31, 2014

Taste of Times at Times Supermarkets

Grilled Sterling Silver Steak and Garlic Shrimp combo with brown rice,
Okinawan sweet potato and steamed mixed vegetables

You'd never think that one of the best places to get a great tasting, decently sized plate lunch is at a supermarket.  Visit the Times Supermarket to see what Taste of Times is all about.  The menu varies by day and location.  Each plate lunch comes with your choice of 3 sides and a drink.  

Side Choices: White Rice, Brown Rice, Potato Mac Salad, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Potato Wedges, Steamed Mixed Vegetables, Okinawan Sweet Potatoes, and Green Salad.

Click here for locations and menus. 
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Disney California Adventure Park Eats

We spent a lot of time at Disney California Adventure Park, and below is what we ate (including lots of ice cream, of course!).

Mint Chocolate Chip
Cookies 'n Cream in a Chocolate Dipped Waffle Cone
Ghirardelli Chocolate
Sea Salt Caramel Sundae
Kids Chicken and Brown Rice
Spicy Korean Chicken Bowl

Anti-Vampire Chicken Pizza

Kids Cheese Pizza
Pepperoni Pizza Slice

We also dined at Taste Pilots' Grill (not pictured) where we ate some Chili Cheese Fries and Kids' Chicken Breast Nuggets (the food was identical to what we ordered from The Golden Horseshoe at Disneyland Park).

What are you favorite eats at Disney California Adventure Park?
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The Cookie Lady Hawaii

Even though I've eaten The Cookie Lady Hawaii's cookies before, it wasn't until recently that I finally visited her cookie shop.

From top left clockwise: Fruitty Cookies, Lemon Flavored Cookies, Chocolate Chip Rice Krispie Cookies, Sprinkle Cookies. 
The Cookie Lady herself (Dale Muramoto) was in the shop, and she generously gave my boys some Mini Banana Blueberry Bread while I perused the cookie selection.
Mini Banana Blueberry Bread
The lemon cookies are the best seller. They're light, lemony, and delicious!

My kids love the Fruitty Cookies because of how colorful they are.

If you're in need of some omiyage, or simply want to satisfy your sweet tooth, be sure to stop by The Cookie Lady Hawaii!


The Cookie Lady Hawaii
94-449 Akoki St.
Waipahu, HI 96797
(808) 671-4715
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October 30, 2014

Halloween Chocolate Pretzel Treats

This year for my middle son's class I signed up for Halloween treats, so I decided to make these Chocolate Pretzel Treats.

I simply put Hershey's Kisses on pretzels, put them in the oven for 5 minutes at 250 degrees Fahrenheit, and then placed an M&M or Candy Corn on each.

After letting them cool for about 10 minutes, I put them in the fridge to set for another 10 minutes, then packed them up into bags.

I've made them for Christmas using Hugs and red & green M&M's, but you can also use different shapes of pretzels, other chocolates, etc.  The recipe is very versatile!

Happy Halloween! 
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Visit Orange County: Mi Casita Bar & Grill

Although the hotel we stayed at near Disneyland offered a free continental breakfast, one day we decided we wanted to eat a hot breakfast (e.g. somewhere with bacon).  After looking in our hotel guide, we saw that right across the street, in another hotel, was Mi Casita Bar & Grill, which served a hot breakfast buffet and very reasonable prices.
Oatmeal

Fruit

Potatoes, Eggs

Breakfast Burritos

Sausage, Bacon, Ham

Gravy, Biscuits

Pancakes, French Toast

Bread, Pastries, Muffins

Cereal
The restaurant is located inside the Anaheim Plaza Hotel & Suites, and it's actually quite a nice, large restaurant.

Service was very friendly, and we really enjoyed the hot breakfast buffet.

And at just $9.95 per adult, $4.95 per child, and one child eating free per paying adult, it was a great deal.



Mi Casita Bar & Grill
1700 S Harbor Blvd.
Anaheim, CA 92802
(714) 772-5900
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Adventures in Maui for 7 Hours




One of the many awesome things about living in Hawaii is that life on each of the islands is so different and all it takes is a short plane ride to experience something new and different.  My friend and I decided it would be super fun to take the day off from work, drop off our kiddos at school and hop on a plane to Maui and be back in time for dinner.

What could you possibly do just in one day you ask?  Well, we did lots on the Valley isle.  After we picked up our car, we drove along the incredibly scenic upcountry route to Kula Country Farms.  The farms are run by a local fourth generation farming family.  We were right in time to visit their pumpkin patch and view the giant sunflowers.  We also picked up some mouthwatering strawberry jams and pineapple butter but we had to relinquish them to TSA agents at the airport since we didn't check-in any luggage.  A very hard lesson learned.

Our next stop was to the Alii Kula Lavender Farm where the scent of lavender could be smelled from our car.  Unfortunately the lavender wasn't in bloom, but the farm was alive with beautiful protea and hydrangea and we enjoyed taking in the amazing views.  After getting winded from walking around the farm, we took a little break to enjoy the beautiful view while munching on delicious lavender scones and lavender iced tea.






I've heard about the famous cream puffs from T. Komoda Store and Bakery so we made our way to Makawao to check them out.  Not only did the cream puffs from the small town grocery store not disappoint, but their glazed donut sticks and long johns were also very yummy.  We spent a little time walking along the road and visiting the shops, but we took a cue from our stomachs and headed for lunch.



A friend, originally from Maui, recommended lunch at the Hali'imaile General Store.  It's one of Maui's top restaurants located in the town of Haliimaile.  When we got there, it was buzzing with patrons but we were seated right away.  Since we were on vacation, albeit for the day, we started off with cocktails which were just what we needed to kick start an awesome lunch.  My friend ordered the crab and rock shrimp cake over spinach salad which she loved and I ate my entire all American Kobe Cheeseburger...and fries.  We were stuffed, but we made room to share the rustic apple tart with caramel drizzle.  The service was excellent, efficient and friendly.  We had a great time sharing girl talk over rock star cocktails and delicious food.  


We finished lunch about an hour before we had to be at the airport so we made one more stop.  I hear you cannot visit Maui without making a stop at Stillwell's Bakery.  Believe me, I tried.  When I was creating the itinerary, we were short on time and so I had sacrificed the bakery.  Upon hearing this, I got incredulous looks from both my coworker and husband.  But now that I have sampled a famous Stillwell's cream horn, I now understand the hype.  The flakey pastry is amazing and the cream is sandwiched between just the right amounts of chocolate.  It is wonderful.  Sad to say, there is nothing quite like it on Oahu.  They sell them frozen, but I recommend the fresh ones if you can buy them close to your flight time.


We had the best 7 hours on Maui and it was just what we needed to revive and recharge ourselves to take on our Mommy duties full force back on Oahu.  I highly recommend a minimum of 7 hours on Maui to any Mom...oh, and bring me back a cream horn please.  :D          
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Moke's Bread and Breakfast

Our family has been going out to breakfast a lot lately, and one of our recent stops was Moke's Bread and Breakfast.
From top left clockwise: Short Stack Banana Pancakes; Mickey Cake; Short Stack Pancakes; Moke Nui Omelet; House-smoked Sausage Breakfast Special

I had the Moke Nui Omelet, which was stuffed with bacon, ham, spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes, cheese, and onions.  It was very good, and very filling.

My husband had the smoked-sausage special, and he devoured everything.

My youngest son loved how cute the Mickey pancake was, and all of my kids enjoyed their pancakes.

Service was great, and we left Moke's full and happy.



Moke's Bread and Breakfast
27 Hoolai St,
Kailua, HI 96734
(808) 261-5565
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October 29, 2014

See's Candies, a Family Favorite + $25 Gift Card Giveaway


My earliest memory of See's Candies was when I refused to get my ears pierced as a child. All it took was a promise of a trip to the candy store and two burning earlobe holes later, I was clutching those See's chocolate coins like no other. As children, my sister and I would look forward to receiving See's chocolate bunnies in our Easter baskets and as I got older, I pined for a heart shaped box of chocolates on Valentine's Day, which I still believe is the quintessential Valentine's Day gift. On our wedding day, my husband and I used See's colorful sugar sticks to pass out table numbers to our guests and when we had our first child, we passed out See's Awesome bars to our visitors.

Poll your family, everyone has a favorite. For instance, my youngest loves the milk and dark chocolate balls available year round and decorated special for each holiday. My oldest who has been able to differentiate between milk and dark chocolate since the tender age of 2 (judge all you like, but we are a family of chocolate extraordinaires) treasures her scotchmallows. I am a nuts and chews fan with special preference given to dark walnuts. The nuts are never stale and always taste so fresh. My husband is known for regularly customizing an entire 1 pound box with just 3 of his favorites.

I love that See's offers something for everyone and because the quality is so consistent, our favorites do not change. After many (many) years, my Dad still favors toffee-ettes and my mother-in-law has been a longtime devotee of the dark California brittle. My Mom has diabetes, but is still able to enjoy See's sugar free varieties.

My most recent visit was to See's Pearlridge location for some Halloween goodies. Although the store was very busy, the employees took the time to say hello and pass out a sample. The store was stocked with a great selection and I especially enjoyed checking out the seasonal items. Later that night, my family swarmed a box of dark chocolate varieties. I ventured from my usual dark walnuts and tried the cocoanut varieties. I loved the dark cocoanut and liked that I could see and taste the texture of the coconut flakes. The caramels are a little too sweet for me, but I always enjoy a solid dark chocolate ball. The creaminess of the chocolate melting in my mouth is amazing and always satisfies my sweet tooth/teeth.   


Halloween and Autumn items.

Chocolate jack-o-lanterns, chocolate cigars, chocolate coins, chocolate balls, and toffee-ettes.
We love customizing our own box of chocolates with our family's favorites.
Not only do I visit See's for a box of their quality chocolates for gifts, I'll occasionally stop in and treat myself to a piece or two (today was three) of chocolate. The great news for Hawaii residents is that See's Candies has recently opened a new store in Kapolei making it easy to find a convenient location near you.

Win: One lucky winner will receive a $25 See's Candies Gift Card (valid for use online or at a local See's Candies shop)
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Thank you to See's Candies for a complimentary gift card.
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Bella Bistro

Recently some girlfriends and I had dinner at Bella Bistro in Kailua.

Complimentary Bread
Chop Chop Salad

Italian Calamari

Seared Scallops

Chicken Piccata

Alfredo Campanelle with Meatballs

Chicken Parmesan

Strawberry Cheesecake

Flourless Chocolate Cake
I really liked the Chop Chop Salad - full of salami, turkey, provolone cheese, roma tomatoes, red onions, and garbanzo beans. All of the ingredients combined to make one very tasty salad.

I had the Chicken Piccata, and I thought the Lemon Caper Sauce was just delicious. At some restaurants I think the sauce is too tart, and others too salty, but this Lemon Caper Sauce had just the right balance of tartness from the lemon and saltiness from the capers, and it really complemented the chicken nicely.

The desserts were really good. They were both very decadent, but my favorite of the two was the chocolate cake.

Bella Bistro is an open air restaurant with a cozy vibe. I thought the service was great, and so was the food.

It was a really nice dinner out with the girls!

Bella Bistro
201 Hamakua Dr,
Kailua, HI 96734
(808) 262-7168
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Slow Cooker Chicken Nachos

I don't use my slow cooker as often as I should, but because I recently had all of the fixings for nachos except for a protein, I decided to cook some chicken in the slow cooker.
I simply took about 1 1/2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 2 cups salsa, and 3 tablespoons of taco seasoning, and cooked on low for about 6 hours.

The end result was yummy chicken that was perfect for nachos (or to put in tacos, on tostadas, etc.).

One day soon I plan to make even more of this chicken so I can make freezer dinners - enchiladas, burritos, and more!
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October 28, 2014

Visit Orange County: Disneyland Park Eats

Although we did try Carnation Cafe on our recent visit to Disneyland Park, we usually end up at the same quick service restaurants.  Below are the places we dined at:

Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor (a must-stop whenever we visit Disneyland!):

Chocolate Ice Cream

Cookies and Cream in a Waffle Cup
BLT Flatbread Pizza - so good!  This was my favorite quick service meal.
Kids Pizza

Crispy Chicken Sandwich

Pioneer Chili Cheeseburger
Mega Pepperoni Slice

Kids Pizza
Root Beer Float

Chili Cheese Fries
Kids Chicken Breast Nuggets

Churros Stand:
Churros


What are you favorite places to eat at in Disneyland Park?
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