Newsletter – Page 259 – Hālau 'Aha Hui Lānākila

For The Homeless ~ Blessing Bags, Created by YOU!

December 4, 2015 Hālau ʻĀha Hūi Lanakila1 Comment

BLESSING-BAGS

Have you ever heard of a Blessing Bag? Read below and make a few. Keep them in your car and when you see someone on the street corner, give them one. I know there are lot people who panhandle for a living but there are also those who are really down on their luck and could use a few necessities and a huge Blessing. Give it a try…….you will love the feeling it gives you just knowing you made someone very happy.

STUFFING YOUR BLESSING BAGS

Gallon Size Ziploc Bag – This is key for several reasons:

Helps to keep everything together & in one place so they can easily access the supplies in their bags/backpacks
Keeps the items from spilling/leaking onto their personal items in their bags
The bags can later be used for other storage options within their bags – storing toiletries, snacks, etc

Hand-Warmers – we put a couple packs in, especially during the winter, but even for those chilly evenings in the spring/summer/fall these would be very welcome. We buy a pack of 40 at Costco for around $15 ($.38/pk) & then we have these on hand for blessing bags as well as camping, winter sports, etc.

Bag of Quarters – These are nice to include for washing clothes at the laundromat (we just put them in a snack-size Ziploc bag to keep them contained in a smaller area

Bottle of Water – Mini water bottles work great so they don’t take up too much space or if you can fit a regular size water bottle

Band-Aids – these are something that may often be needed but may not be something they would be able to spend money on or think about having.

Baby Wipes – a small pack of baby wipes would be a great one to include to help with feeling clean & fresh

Hand Sanitizer – another great option to help them feel cleaner

Wash Cloth – buy an inexpensive wash cloth to include

Toiletries:
*If you have a lot of items to include in your bags, travel-size toiletries work great

Toothbrush
Toothpaste (travel size if you have a lot of items to put into your bag)
Floss
Soap (we bring home soaps from hotels if we don’t end up using all of them)
Deodorant
Shampoo/conditioner (these are also great products to save from hotels if you don’t use them as they’re the perfect size for these bags)
Comb
Personal hygiene items if you’re making a kit for a woman (tampons, pantiliners, pads, etc)
Sunscreen (depending on time of year)
Chapstick
Personal Items:
New Socks
New Underwear
Inexpensive gloves
Non-Perishable Foods:
Granola Bars
Energy Bars
Tuna/cracker packs
Trail mix
Raisins
Peanuts
Fruit cup/ applesauce cup (& include a spoon)
Gum/hard candy
Hot Cocoa/Spiced Cider Mixes or on-the-go coffee mixes
Courtesy http://www.thriftynorthwestmom.com/blessing-bags-assemble-…/

5 Best Essential Oils for Winter

December 2, 2015 Hālau ʻĀha Hūi LanakilaLeave a comment

The use of essential oils for health purposes goesback to ancient times and history often credits the ancient Egyptians withbeing the first society to use these oils. Hippocrates from ancient Greece isalso credited with using essential oils for their healing and curativeproperties. Using oils has become a very popular way to promote optimal healthusing a holistic approach. A lot of research is being done to see which oilswork best for which ailments, but it is already known that they do havehealth-promoting properties.Essential Oils You Need on Hand in the Winter Essential oils are a type of oil that is extractedfrom a variety of aromatic plants. There are so many different oils availabletoday that you surely feel overwhelmed when you are trying to choose the onesthat you need most. During the winter season, there are certain threats to yourhealth that you want to be able to combat and this is where you can narrow downthe list of the best essential oils to keep on hand. There are five essentialoils in particular that are especially helpful in keeping you healthy throughout the season. You can use these oils a number of different ways to help fight your illnesses.1. Lavender Oil Lavender is definitely one of the most popularessential oils and it has antibacterial, antidepressant and anti-inflammatoryeffects. This oil is especially helpful in clearing up a stuffy nose, making itideal for allergies and minor illnesses like the common cold. It can also helpbreak up congestion when you add five drops to your humidifier each day. The cold weather of the winter season can do a numberon your skin and leave it dry and flaky. This essential oil has moisturizingeffects to help keep your skin hydrated and healthy. You can also combine itwith other skin-healthy oils, such as jojoba oil, for an extra burst ofhydration.2. Oregano Oil Oregano essential oil has very powerfulimmune-boosting, antiviral, antifungal, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory andantibacterial properties. If you were to choose only one essential oil for thewinter, oregano should be it. All of these properties come together to fightoff illness, make your immune system stronger to prevent illness and toalleviate certain symptoms associated with fall illnesses like the cold andflu. It is especially helpful for relieving a sore throat. If you experience anxiety and have difficultysleeping, this essential oil is helpful. It induces feelings of inner serenityand calmness so that you are able to relax and fall asleep when you are readyfor bed. It also helps to reduce the fear associated with anxiety.3. Lemon Oil Lemon essential oil has mood-boosting, astringent andantibacterial effects. You can use this oil to help prevent illness or to helpfight illness if you are already sick. You can also use lemon around your hometo clean because it will remove germs and bacteria from your floors andsurfaces. Since many germs crop up in the winter, it is important to frequentlyclean your home with something like lemon that is able to kill germs so thatthey do not stick around and make you sick. The scent of lemons has the ability to boost your moodand alleviate your stress. Lemon oil also has the unique ability to reduce yoursugar cravings because it naturally reduces your desire to eat sweets.4. Peppermint Oil Peppermint is certainly good at freshening yourbreath, but one of its most important properties is as a mood booster. It alsohas immune-boosting properties and works to reduce your appetite. During thewinter months, the days are shorter and those who are prone to depression andanxiety may notice that their symptoms are worse. Peppermint helps to eliminatefatigue and ease depression and anxiety so that you are able to go about yourdays without interruption. Peppermint helps to stimulate your immune system, butif you are already sick, it can help with several symptoms that are common withwinter illnesses. If you have a sinus headache, you must alleviate the pressurefrom your sinuses for it to go away. Peppermint helps to relieve this sinuspressure and drain your sinuses so that you can get rid of the pain andstuffiness.5. Frankincense Oil Frankincense has immune-boosting and purifyingproperties which can help to prevent you from getting sick during the winterseason. Since this is the prime time to catch the common cold or influenza,using frankincense regularly is a good idea so that you can get through theseason without getting sick. When combined with frequent hand washing, you willfind that your immune system is stronger and that you are more resistant toillness. When the days start to get shorter during this season,some people find themselves feeling a bit down and their energy is not as highas it is during the summer months. Frankincense helps to improve your mood andalleviate anxiety. It also helps to relax you so that you can sleep. You can use essential oils alone or along with otherremedies to keep yourself and your family healthy during the winter months.

Source: 5 Best Essential Oils for Winter

Recipe ~ Aloo Dum (Potato Curry)

December 1, 2015 Hālau ʻĀha Hūi LanakilaLeave a comment

This is an exotic delicious main dish or it can be used as a side dish. Just the smell of Aloo Dum can make you hungry! To make this dish, potatoes are fried and then soaked in the spicy aromatic gravy. This is a perfect dish for any dinner party.

Ingredients

4 medium size potatoes
2 tablespoons oil
1 teaspoon cumin seed
⅛ teaspoon asafoetida
1 tablespoon besan (chickpea flour)
6 whole red chillies
¼ cup yoghurt
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
1 tablespoon desiccated coconut
½ cm knob fresh ginger
1 green chilli, or adjust to taste
1 tablespoon ground coriander
1 tablespoon fennel seed
½ teaspoon turmeric
½ teaspoon red chilli powder, or to taste
½ teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
½ teaspoon garam masala
about 2 tablespoons chopped coriander
oil to fry

Instructions

Peeled and cut the potatoes into 1 cm cubes.
Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium high heat. Frying pan should have at least 2 cm of oil. To check if the oil is ready, put one piece of potato in the oil. The potato should sizzle right away. If potatoes are fried on low heat they will be very oily.
Fry the potatoes till they are cooked through; turn the potatoes few times while frying. Take out potatoes with a slotted spoon (this allows excess oil to drip back into the frying pan) and place on a paper towel. Keep aside.
Heat the pan on medium heat and stir-fry the sesame seeds for about a minute until seeds lightly change colour. Take them out and keep aside.
Blend sesame seeds, coconut, ginger, green chilli, and mix it into a paste. Use water as needed to blend into paste.
In a small bowl mix, sesame paste, yoghurt, ginger, green chilli, ground coriander, fennel seed, paprika, red chilli powder, and turmeric into a paste. Keep aside.
Heat the oil in a saucepan. Test the heat by adding one cumin seed to the oil; if seed cracks right away oil is ready.
Add the asafoetida and cumin seeds. After the cumin seeds crack, add whole red chilli and besan (gram flour). Stir-fry for about half a minute until the besan is golden-brown.
Add the spice paste and stir-fry for about 2 minutes on medium heat until the spices starts to separate from the oil.