Hawaii Mom Blog: February 2015

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February 27, 2015

Granola Bars Recipe

I recently made these Granola Bars based on this recipe from Allrecipes.com.  I've been giving them to my kids as an afterschool snack and also as a dessert.  The recipe is pretty versatile (e.g. I added chocolate chips and ground flax seed), and I'm sure I'll be making more granola bars using different ingredients.

Granola Bars (recipe adapted from Allrecipes.com)

Ingredients:
  • 2 c quick cooking oats
  • 1 c flour
  • 3/4 c packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 c raisins
  • 1/2 c chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup ground flax seed
  • 1/2 t salt
  • 1/2 t ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 c chopped walnuts
  • 1/2 c vegetable oil
  • 1/2 c honey
  • 1 egg
  • 2 t vanilla extract
Directions:
  •  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 
  • Line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, raisins, ground flax seed, salt, cinnamon, and walnuts. 
  • In a smaller bowl, mix together the oil, honey, egg, and vanilla; pour into the flour mixture, and mix by hand until the liquid is evenly distributed. 
  • Press mixture evenly into prepared baking pan and bake 25 to 30 minutes.
  • Cool completely in pan before cutting into bars.
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Hokulani Bake Shop

Although I've eaten Hokulani Bake Shop's cupcakes at parties before, it wasn't until recently that I actually stepped foot inside of one of their shops.

Since we were in Pearlridge Center, we gave my son options for dessert.  He chose cupcakes, so we went to Hokulani Bake Shop.

Of all the fun flavors that were available, I was very surprised that he chose the Carrot Spice Cupcake.

Carrot Spice Cupcake with Cream Cheese Frosting


Luckily there was a single table and two chairs in the shop so he could eat his cupcake right away.

He really just wanted to lick off all the icing, and ended up leaving most of the cupcake for my husband to eat.

I've actually tried Hokulani's Carrot Spice Cupcake before, and it's one of my faves!

I can't wait to try out more flavors the next time we go to Hokulani.

Hokulani Bake Shop
98-1005 Moanalua Rd.
Aiea, HI 96701
(808) 488-2253
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February 26, 2015

Visit British Columbia: Top 10 Things to Do with Kids

My kids kept busy in British Columbia.  There was no shortage of fun things to do.  Here are their favorite things to do in BC:
1. Visit Science World at Telus British Columbia - easily one of the best, if not the best, science museums we've visited.

2. Ride the Stanley Park Train - for a small fee kids can take a ride through the park and see lots of fun displays.
3. Play at Boundary Bay Regional Park Playground - a 40 minute drive from Vancouver, and designated "The Best Playground Ever" by my son.
4. Make pizzas at Rocky Mountain Flatbread - the kids loved making their own pizzas!
5. See the marine life at the Vancouver Aquarium - the jellies were some of the kids' favorite things to see!

6. Participate in the Rainforest Explorers Program at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park - kids are tasked with collecting specific data throughout the park.  Such an engaging way to explore and learn!

7. Play at Central Park Playground in Burnaby - another fun playground that the kids loved.

8. Take the Sea to Sky Gondola up 885 meters above sea level - and then hike and cross the suspension bridge high up in the mountain!

9. Play on the playground at Stanley Park - I'm so envious of how many cool playgrounds there are in British Columbia!

10. Check out the towering totem poles in Stanley Park - the totem poles are so fascinating to look at, and they all tell a story.

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Peanut Butter-Stuffed Chocolate Chip Bars

Chocolate and peanut butter just go well together, and these Peanut Butter-Stuffed Chocolate Chip Bars based on this recipe from Pillsbury, are perfect for anyone who's a fan of the combination.

These are very decadent because of the peanut butter filling, so I ended up serving them in small rectangular bars versus square bars.

Peanut Butter-Stuffed Chocolate Chip Bars (recipe credit Pillsbury)

Ingredients:
Directions:
  • Heat oven to 350°F. 
  • In a medium bowl, mix powdered sugar, peanut butter and vanilla until well blended.
  • In a prepared 8- or 9-inch square pan, press half the dough (approximately 1 cup) evenly in bottom of pan. 
  • Spread peanut butter mixture evenly over dough. 
  • Press remaining half of cookie dough over peanut butter mixture.
  • Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Cool 30 minutes. 
  • Refrigerate 1 hour or until chilled. 
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February 25, 2015

Buho Cocina Y Cantina

When Nadia and I first went to a media event at Buho Cocina Y Cantina, we knew it would be a great place for a GNO, so we planned our holiday dinner there, which finally took place earlier this month.

The open-air setting, the views of Waikiki, and the great food would make for a great night out with the girls.
Fire Fries

Prosciutto-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers

Homemade Chips & Salsa

Mexican Street Corn

Machengo Smoked Brisket Enchiladas
Kauai Shrimp Enchilada
Jidori Chicken & Rajas Quesadillas

Jidori Chicken Tacos
Tres Leches Ladyfingers
Adela's Churros & Hot Chocolate
Habanero Mexican Brownie
Metropolitan

The consensus was that the food was good.  Everything from the chips & salsa (wish they gave complimentary chips & salsa) to the churros garnered positive comments.

I thought all of the appetizers and desserts were good, but nothing really stood out to me.  Fortunately my entree was really delicious.  The chicken quesadilla was a generous portion, and was stuffed with lots of chicken and peppers.  The chicken was seasoned well, and the quesadilla was even better with the sour cream, guacamole, and pico de gallo.

Service was a bit on the slow side (I waited over 30 minutes for my drink), but it was very busy due to an event being held at the restaurant (which made it hard for the girls to converse since the music was so loud).

Despite those issues, overall we had a great dinner, and hopefully the next time it'll be quieter.


Buho Cantina Y Cocina on Urbanspoon Buho Cocina Y Cantina
2250 Kalakaua Ave Suite 525
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 922-2846
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WW: Pupukea Beach Park





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February 24, 2015

Chocolate Graham Toffee Bark

Whenever I want to make an easy, no-bake treat, I make bark.  For a recent get together, I decided to make this Chocolate Graham Toffee Bark.

It was cinch to make, and it was SO yummy.  I really could've eaten the entire pan myself!

Chocolate Graham Toffee Bark (recipe credit about.com)

Ingredients:
  • 1 c butter
  • 1/4 c brown sugar
  • 1/4 c white sugar
  • 1 1/2 sleeves of graham crackers (may need more or less depending on size of pan)
  • 2 c chocolate chips
  • 1 c chopped walnuts
Directions:
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 
  • Line a 10 x 15-inch jelly-roll pan with foil or parchment paper. 
  • Arrange graham crackers to fit pan, breaking up crackers as necessary
  • Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. 
  • Add sugars and stir to combine, bringing mixture to a boil.
  • Reduce heat and let the mixture gently bubble for 3-4 minutes. 
  • Pour mixture over graham crackers and spread evenly.  
  • Bake for 10 minutes.
  • Sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over the top. 
  • After about 5 minutes (when chips start to look shiny), use a spatula to spread chocolate venly over toffee layer on graham crackers.  
  • Sprinkle chopped walnuts.
  • Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for 2 hours. 
  • Break bark into pieces.  
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Mountain Magic Shave Ice

After lunch in the Waikele area, my friend and I decided to take our kids to get some shave ice from Mountain Magic.

Kiddie sizes are just $3, and are rather large (and also includes a lollipop!).
Rainbow Shave Ice

You can request all sorts of toppings (azuki beans, mochi balls, etc.) to the shave ice, and even add ice cream, but the kiddos ate their shave ice "plain."

It was the perfect treat!

Mountain Magic Shave Ice
Waikele Shopping Center
94-809 Lumiaina St.
Waipahu, HI 96797
(808) 384-1998
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February 23, 2015

Wow Wow Lemonade at Pearlridge Farmers Market

The concept is simple, yet it's caught on like wildfire with no signs of slowing down: flavored lemonade in a mason jar.  

In the summer of 2012, Wow Wow Lemonade started selling their flavored lemonades in mason jars at Farmers Markets, and it was an instant hit.  They use fresh, locally sourced ingredients to create flavors that are unique to Hawaii.

I must admit, when I finally got the chance to get one at the Pearlridge Farmers Market, I got one. Not because I'm a fan of lemonade, but because I wanted to post a pic of my Wow Wow Lemonade Aloha Jar on Instagram.

Ordering is easy - choose your flavor, choose your size. The hard part was choosing which jar to buy - the 24 oz (which fits better in cupholders and is easier to carry in one hand) or the 32 oz jar (which is the same price as the 24 oz jar).

I tried the lilikoi on this particular day and it was delicious. It was very refreshing and not too tart.  Will I take the jar back for a $5 refill?  Probably not! I just wanted the jar for my collection.


Wow Wow Lemonade Stand at the Pearlridge Farmers Market

Menu

Filling up with lemonade.

Marketing Ingenuity


Wow Wow Lemonade at the Pearlridge Farmers Market, Sear's Parking Lot
Saturdays: 8 am - 12 noon
Website: http://www.wowwowlemonade.com/#aloha-home
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wowwowlemonade
Twitter: https://twitter.com/wowwowhawaii
Instagram: http://instagram.com/wowwowlemonade
Yelp: http://www.yelp.com/biz/wow-wow-lemonade-honolulu-2
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Visit Phoenix: McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park

If the weather is nice, we'll try to find a playground for the kids to release some energy whenever we travel.  Playgrounds on the mainland are often so much better than the ones we have on Oahu, and the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park had two very fun playgrounds, as well as other fun activities and attractions.

There is no admission fee to visit the playgrounds, but certain attractions and rides do require tickets ($1/ticket or $10 for 12 tickets).

There are two playgrounds on site - one with lots of slides, swings, places to climb, and more!
The other playground is built adobe-style.  It includes a slide, a pretend jail cell, and a wagon.


After spending some time on the playgrounds we all rode on the Paradise and Pacific Railroad miniature train (2 tickets per person).

There is also the Scottsdale Charro Carousel (2 tickets per person).
There is also a very cool Model Railroad Exhibit that is free to see.  The various exhibits incorporate Disney characters, Lego, and more to appeal to the kiddos.


There are also numerous historical railroad exhibits (2 tickets per person).

The McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park is a great place to spend just a couple of hours, or even the entire day (we saw lots of families having picnics in the park).

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
7301 East Indian Bend Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85250
(480) 312-2312
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