Comfort Meals with Sensei Farms Produce

 Disclosure: Complimentary product was received.

I was thrilled to have received a delivery of fresh produce from Sensei Farms.  I have been following their journey on Lanai ever since the announcement of the hydroponic farm a few years ago.  

Sensei Farms' six solar-powered greenhouses, each 20,000 square feet each, produce lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and more - all hydroponically!

I received a bounty of beautiful, vibrant ingredients to cook with: Mizuna, Red Kale, Arugula, Tomatoes on the Vine, Red Beefsteak tomatoes, Lana`i Striped Eggplant, Lana`i Sweet Peppers, Orange Bell Peppers, Hawaiian Five Color Chile Peppers.

I was excited to make a lot of meals for the family with those ingredients, and one of the first things I made was an Arugula Pesto.

I used the pesto on a grilled cheese sandwich, and drizzled some on a Tomato Soup that I made with the tomatoes from Sensei Farms.  

It was the perfect comfort food pairing!

I love eating grilled cheese and tomato soup as much as my kids do!

I'll be cooking up lots more meals for and with the family using Sensei Farms produce!

You can find Sensei Farms products at all Foodland Hawaii stores statewide, as well as at Palama Supermarket, Don Quijote Kaheka, Marukai Hawaii, Down to Earth Kaka`ako, and other local stores.

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Farm to Table Lunches at Malibu Farm, Four Seasons Resort Lanai

Thanks to the Kids For All Seasons program at the Four Seasons Resort Lanai, my husband and I were able to enjoy two lunches at Malibu Farm.  Located by the pools and overlooking Hulopoe Bay, Malibu Farm employs a farm to table concept featuring a menu with the freshest local and organic ingredients.   

There are so many outdoor activities to do on Lanai so whether if we went hiking or swimming in the ocean, I would be craving something fresh and tasty for lunch.  Malibu Farm did not disappoint! 

Our first lunch we shared a very beautiful ahi tuna nicoise salad.  The ahi was fresh and I loved the Molokai purple sweet potatoes.  We also shared a very hearty mahi mahi fish sandwich.  For dessert, we had the passion fruit yogurt cake and the grilled chocolate cake.  We foolishly thought we would just take a bite and save the rest for the kids.  That did not happen.  We finished both pieces and really could have eaten more.  Both cakes were amazing!

Local fish burger.

Grilled chocolate cake with sea salt and caramel sauce.

Passion fruit yogurt cake.

Our experience at Malibu Farm was so wonderful that we came back for lunch the next day.  Since we were having a big dinner that night we decided to share the papaya and burrata salad with ahi.  I really appreciated that they portioned our salads in the kitchen so we didn't have to do it ourselves.  Always such amazing service at the Four Seasons Resort Lanai! 

Half of the papaya and burrata salad.

Outdoor, but shaded seating.

Bar seating is also available.

Malibu Farms

Open daily from 11am to 7pm



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Poi Donuts at Kope, Four Seasons Resort Lanai

In a previous post, I mentioned that Kope was a breakfast choice at the Four Seasons Resort Lanai.  It's located in the Manele Sports Bar between the hours of 5:30am and 11am.  

You can stop in and grab breakfast items like bagels, pastries, cereals, whole fruit and more to go.  They also serve a wonderful selection of Hawaiian pressed coffees like 100% Kona Peaberry (swoon)!  

But the star of Kope is their signature poi donut that gives our famous Oahu poi donut a run for its money.  Kope's poi donut is baked daily and should not be missed!  

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Kids For All Seasons at the Four Seasons Resort Lanai

The Kids For All Seasons is located in the Conference Center.

The Four Seasons Resort Lanai offers a complimentary Kids For All Seasons program for children ages 5 to 12 years old.  The program is intended to encourage children to appreciate Lanai's unique environment and provides a range of organized indoor and outdoor activities.  What's great about the program is that no reservations are required.  The program runs daily from 9am to 5pm. 

I must admit, I was a bit hesitant when I dropped my kids off.  Lucky for me, there was never a need to worry.  The staff members were fantastic and the room was filled to the brim with activities.     

My kids immediately started to play with the giant Connect Four.

Lots of tables for arts and crafts.

Outdoor area

When I returned (early) to pick them up, my son quickly asked for more time to play interactive video games!  My daughter was super proud to show me all the crafts she had made and gushed about the fun time they had searching for lizards.  They both begged to come back the next day, which totally made me question why they didn't want to hang out with their parents!  Aren't we so cool?!?!

After the initial shock that our children didn't want to spend 24/7 with us (me) wore off, I decided to make the best of it.  The next day while the kids were safely exploring the tide pools with the Kids For All Seasons, my husband and I were able to hike and explore the island.  We also spent some time at the fitness center and my husband even took part in a sunset yoga class that he really enjoyed.  It was also nice to have a quiet lunch together.

My kids went back a couple of more times and each time they had more fun stories to share.  They loved meeting and playing with the other children and would be excited to run into their new friends around the resort.  I'm glad we decided to experience the program because it was eye opening to see how independent my children can be.    

 

Cade loved playing all the different games available.

Lauren loves to make crafts.

They even dropped off the kids for us!

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Breakfast at One Forty, Four Seasons Resort Lanai

At the gorgeous Four Seasons Resort Lanai, you have a few options for breakfast.  Besides in room dining, you can either pick up some grab and go items at Kope, located in the Sports Bar, or have a relaxing breakfast with an amazing ocean view at restaurant One Forty. 

The service from the beginning was stellar.  When my husband asked if I wanted coffee and I hesitated because it was a hot day, our server immediately offered iced coffee.  Genius! 

I also love that the resort caters to families because each restaurant on property offers a kids menu and coloring pages to keep them occupied.  

 

At One Forty, you can either order off the menu or choose their extensive breakfast buffet.  I decided to order off the menu and had their unique Lana’i Eggs Benedict (Shaved Smoked Ham, Hollandaise Sauce, and Tomato Pineapple Chutney, served on a French Baguette).  Absolutely delicious!  I especially enjoyed the sweetness of the chutney in this savory dish. 

My husband chose the Breakfast Burrito (Scrambled Eggs, Chorizo, Spinach, Cilantro, Cheddar Cheese, Cotija Cheese, Spanish Rice, Sour Cream, Guacamole, and One Forty Lava Sauce) and also really liked it.  The burrito was huge which was great because once my son got a bite, he kept asking for more. 

One Forty serves breakfast daily from 6:30am to 11am and is located in the lower lobby in the Four Seasons Resort Lanai. 

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Visit Lanai: Top 10 Things to Do with Kids

I was pleasantly surprised with how there were so many fun things for my kids to do on Lanai.

They always ask to go back, and I'm sure we'll do even more fun things the next time.

Here are the top 10 things to do with kids on Lanai (these were my kids' favorite activities).

1. Ride on a horse-drawn carriage.

2. Feed the koi at Manele Bay and the Lodge at Koele.

3. Play video games, board games, and toys at Kids For All Seasons at The Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay (for guests of Manele Bay and The Lodge at Koele).

4. Swim under the moonlit sky in the Manele Bay Pool, which is open 24 hours (for guests only).

5. Swim in the ocean or play in the sand at Hulupoe Beach.

6. Play Croquet at The Lodge at Koele

7. Look for animals (on our visit we saw wild turkeys, frogs, and more!).

8. Feed the goats at the Stables at Koele.

9. Take a walk amongst the towering Cook Island Pines.

10. Watch the colorful Hawaiian sunset.

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Visit Lanai: Top 10 Favorite Moments

I'm already dreaming about my next vacation to Lanai.

Even though we were there for a too-quick weekend vacation, it was one of my most favorite vacations ever.

Why?

Because of so many magical moments.

Here are my top 10 favorite moments from my Lanai trip:

1. Sitting on the balcony of our room at the Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay, waiting for the sun to rise while listening to all the birds sing.

 

2. Lounging beneath a beach umbrella at Hulupoe Beach (and feeling so relaxed I almost dozed off!)

3. Watching how excited my kids were to feed the koi at Manele Bay and the Lodge at Koele.

4. Watching the sky change colors during sunset from the Manele Bay.

5. Eating ice cream by the Manele Bay pool.

6. Exploring Lanai City on a horse-drawn carriage.

7. Getting my first-ever facial at the Manele Bay Spa.

8. Eating an amazing dinner at The Lodge at Koele's Terrace.

9. Watching wild turkeys roam around the grounds of the Manele Bay.

10. Feeding the goats at the Stables at Koele.

I can't wait to go back to Lanai and create more memorable moments!

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Visit Lanai: Top 10 Reasons Why I Love Lanai

I can't believe I finally visited Lanai last year, and I really can't wait until I visit again.

Carriage ride through the city

Here are the top 10 things I love about Lanai:

1. The Aloha Spirit - The Aloha Spirit was evident everywhere we went - at the airport, at our hotel, and all throughout the city.  Riding on the shuttle I noticed drivers would constantly wave at each other; while on the carriage everyone we passed waved hello; even guests at our hotel exuded the aloha spirit - greeting us with "Aloha!"
2. No driving necessary - My husband loved that he didn't need to drive us around while on vacation.  The Four Seasons Resort Lanai provides a shuttle that transports guests between Manele Bay and the Lodge at Koele, as well as through Lanai City.
3. No car/booster seats needed - Since we didn't rent a car and a shuttle took us around the city, we didn't need to travel with a car or booster seat.  For our family that meant 3 less things to have to transport with us!
4. Nature's beauty -  The beauty of Lanai is evident everywhere - through the beaches, the mountains - everywhere!
5. Island charm - You won't find any "big box" stores or national fast food chains.  Instead you'll find local shops offering the best of Lanai.
6. Wildlife - Seeing wild turkeys roam the grounds of the Manele Bay and watching deer run across the road was quite a sight!
7. Dining - Whether you have a preference for fine dining or local specialties in a casual setting, Lanai has a nice variety of dining venues to choose from.
8. Short plane flight - Since I live on Oahu, the plane ride to Lanai is just a short 30-minute plane ride.
9. No traffic - Lanai has no stoplights and only 3 paved roads, which is a pretty good indication that you'll almost never run into traffic.
10. Something for everyone - Honeymooners wanting to be pampered, families wanting an adventure, or friends wanting a golf day will find what they need.  Relax in the spa, splash on the beach, go on a helicopter ride, indulge in fine dining, learn about Lanai's history and culture...there is just so much to do - which is why I need to go back to Lanai - there is so much more I want to do!

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Visit Lanai: Top 10 Reasons Why I Love the Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay

I can't stop thinking about our stay at the Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay last year.

Why?

Well, here are the top ten reasons why I love the Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay.

1. Outstanding Service - Every single person we encountered provided top-notch service - from the moment we were picked up at the airport until we were dropped off.  The Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay's staff really made us feel welcome.

Greeted with a lei and juice upon arrival

2. Family-Friendly - From Kids for All Seasons to child amenities, Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay really knows how to welcome all guests, including the littlest ones (click here to read my post on the Top 10 Things That Make Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay Family Friendly).

Kids for All Seasons

3. Stunning Views - Just about everywhere you look is beautiful - from Hulopo‘e Bay, to the colorful sky during sunrise and sunset.  It truly is paradise!

Hulupo`e Bay

4. Spacious Rooms - I was quite impressed with how spacious the room was (we had a Classic Ocean Terrace room).  The bathroom was huge, and the lanai (balcony) made the room feel even larger. Manele Bay now offers redesigned rooms after going through some major renvations.

Classic Ocean Terrace

5. Complimentary Services and Amenities - The Four Seasons Lanai at Manele Bay offers numerous services and amenities, many of which are complimentary, such as a 24-Hour Fitness Center with gorgeous views of the ocean and the Hookipa Cultural Program, through which guests can learn to do the hula or play the ukulele.  And if you need reading material, beach toys, tennis racquets, or even a portable crib, the Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay offers use of those products (and more) at no cost!

Fitness Center

6. Shuttle Service - Whether you want to check out Lanai City or dine at the Lodge at Koele, you can simply take the Four Seasons shuttle (unlimited transportation to/from Lanai City and the Lodge at Koele for a fee).  My husband LOVED that he didn't need to rent a car on our trip to Lanai!

7. Rate Specials - The Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay often offers great specials (e.g. fourth night free with three consecutive paid nights), as well as Kama`aina (Hawaii resident) specials (I took advantage of a Kama`aina rate during our stay).  Simply check the website or give them a call at (808) 565-2000 to find out if they are offering any specials.

8. Spa - I received a facial treatment at the Manele Bay Spa, which included a mini massage, and it was so relaxing and rejuvenating I almost fell asleep!  I was completely pampered and I loved every minute!

9. Complimentary Drinking Water - I drink A LOT of water, and the fact that I didn't have to buy a single bottle of water during our stay was a big deal for me.  Turn down service offers complimentary bottled water, beach and pool attendants offer ice cold cups of water, and even bell attendants have bottles of water handy.

Complimentary Water

10. 24-Hour Pool - Whether you want to take a late-night dip or an early-morning swim, the pool is open 24 hours a day (attendant service from 8am-6pm).  While there my kids got a kick out of swimming under the moonlight!

Manele Bay Pool

As you can see, service is the most important to me, and as a whole, the Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay is an exceptional resort for the above reasons and so many more.

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