Bottled water has always fascinated me. We never grew up with it and I wonder now how we managed without it. When the first bottled water salesmen went to sell their new product, I wonder how many got laughed at and had the door slammed on them?
Bottled water has always fascinated me. We never grew up with it and I wonder now how we managed without it. When the first bottled water salesmen went to sell their new product, I wonder how many got laughed at and had the door slammed on them?
The downside of bottled water is stated in the website Ban the Bottle with these interesting tidbits:
• The energy we waste using bottled water could power 190,000 homes.
• The average American drank 167 bottles of water, yet recycled only 38 on them.
• 50 billion bottles are manufactured yearly, more than 1 billion dollars worth of plastic.
• If you drink the recommended eight glasses of water a day, drinking municipal water would cost you 49 cents per year, bottled water would cost you $1,400.
• Antimony is found in PET bottles and can cause dizziness and depression and a lot of it could cause nausea, vomiting and death.
• One water filter pitcher (Brita or Pur) makes the equivalent of 300 (16.9-ounce) bottles.
• One water filter pitcher costs 19 cents per day, bottled water costs $4.98 per day.
• Most bottled water is purified municipal water (Hawaii water costs more though).
• Public municipal water is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with multiple daily tests done to test for bacteria and results are available to the public.
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the bottled water industry with weekly tests and the results are not shared with the public.
The July issue of “Cooking Light” has an interesting article about staying hydrated. It states there is so much focus on food, but “just as important are the liquids you put in your body. Your system depends on adequate hydration to function.”
• Proper hydration levels help keep your body at a safe temperature.
• Hydration lubricates joints for easy movement.
• Hydration maintains healthy metabolism.
• The chronically dehydrated person is one who is tired, weak, irritable, feeling they are not getting enough sleep, and possibly have a bad mood.
• Many foods contain water and are considered in water consumption. Watermelon has 93 percent water. Other foods with water are cantaloupes, tomatoes and cucumbers.
• Eight glasses of water has always been a rule of thumb, but this article says women actually need nine cups a day and men 13! But eight is a great goal to shoot for; however, if you work outside or exercises, drink more.
• When you are thirsty, it’s already too late. Drink water with each meal. Before you pick up your fork, drink water. If you are trying to lose weight, it might also help you eat fewer calories.
• It’s normal to urinate every three hours, and the color should look similar to lemonade in color, not like apple juice.
When selecting a water bottle, make sure it is a durable container. Plastic ones must be easy to clean and BPA free. I like the stainless steel ones, and the one I use currently is the Hydro Flask. It is vacuum insulated and if you like ice, it keeps ice solid for a few hours if the weather is cool, but at least one hour if it is hot. Hydro Flask is available at Island Naturals and Abundant Life.
Make sure you clean it with hot, soapy water regularly, as it can get slimy if not washed.
Small bites
I had a great summer teaching Summer Youth Academy at Hawaii Community College. Fifteen children in grades 4-6 were eager to learn about cuisines of the world.
Allana Sun asked me weekly if I was going to put their names in my column, so, yes, Allana, I will mention your names.
My wonderful students included: Brooklyn Cann, Sienna Chanhmany, Kori-Lyn Horio, Toby Johnson, Ty Kaji (from Boulder, Colo.), Ethan and Kayla Okahara-Olsen, Kira Okazaki, Grace Ota, Nathan Sewake, Allana Sun, Kai Taira, Yusuf Tamimi and Alyxander Wakano.
My assistants, Ms. Mari, Ms. Briette, Ms. Mari, and junior assistant, Ms. Jenny, all helped make it a memorable experience for all the students!
Have a great rest of your summer and hope to see you soon, maybe at the supermarket while you are shopping for your family!
Foodie bites
YAN’S KITCHEN
Located on 811 Laukapu St., in the former Sputnik’s spot, is Yan’s Kitchen LLC is owned and operated by Miles and Yanhua Miyahara. Yan is from Northern China, where their manapua is called “bao zi.” The very popular local manapua, with char siu as the filling, is, according to Yan, Cantonese. Her vegetarian bao is from her hometown and just so delicious! It reminds me of eating “jai,” a vegetarian dish served for Chinese New Year.
Yan’s baked green onion bread is popular, as well as her char siu bao, and Miles said folks have been coming to buy a dozen to take to Honolulu. That is certainly a switch as most folks bring a box of manapua from Honolulu to Hilo.
Besides manapua, steamed, there is vegetarian, spicy vegetarian and curry chicken.
For the baked version, there is char siu, sweet potato, red bean or coconut.
They also carry Jin dui, fried sesame balls filled with either char siu, red bean, coconut or sweet potato.
Assorted bentos are available and include a 24-ounce drink or Dasani bottled water.
Other items include pork hash dim sum, Chinese steamed bun sandwich, Spam musubi, sweet potato or pumpkin mochi and goody ice in assorted flavors.
Yan’s Kitchen is open 6 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
COPPER RIVER ON ISLAND
If you have been following the Copper River salmon run for the summer, and are not planning to go to the Northwest or Cordova, Alaska, any time soon, Costco is carrying Copper River salmon, available for $13.99 a pound.
Email me at audreywilson 808@gmail.com if you have questions.