The Top 10 Best Protein Bars

Between May 2008 - September 2008, I will be trying more than 30 variety of protein bars, energy bars & low-carb bars.

I will post the pics of my top 10 favourite bars here :-) Stay tuned!

Gourmet Express in Kahala Mall, Honolulu

Being a great fan of Mexican food, I was delighted to have discovered Gourmet Express while shopping at Kahala Mall. While Mexican restaurants are aplenty in Oahu (Chilli's, TGIF, & other taco places), none have tamale pie on the menu.

Ah... Gourmet Express is not a typical Mexican fast food place. GE serves turkey dishes (turkey meatballs, turkey enchiladas) & the best Tamale Pie in Oahu! :-)

(Well, who am I to judge? That's the one & only tamale pie I have ever had;-) lol. But then again, throughout my one-month stay in Hawaii, I have been to almost all Mexican joints, and I did not come across any tamale pies)

Veggie Tamale Pie layered with Spinach Tortilla and Mozzarella Cheese

The pie was served with two generous servings of side dishes - roasted vege & lemon-flavored couscous.

Gourmet Express at Kahala Mall offers a offers quick healthy and made to order meals.

Turkey meatballs serve with Tofu Poke, brown rice & salad

(Costume by Lence London. Eyeliner: Maybelline. Lip gloss: Estee Lauder)

Grilled Opakapaka fish served with vegetarian couscous, fresh salad & tomato salsa

Salad Creations

More about Koko Marina Center, Honolulu

My favourite combination:-) - Cranberries, plenty of alfalfa sprouts, almond flakes, carrots, tomatoes, cheddar cheese, parmesan cheese, hard-boiled eggs, shrimps, and fat-free raspberry dressing.

Website: http://www.saladcreationsofamerica.com/

Umeke Market & Deli, Honolulu

Umeke Market Deli is my favourite place for yummy organic food :) I went there 3 times throughout my month-long hol in Oahu

For those of you who wonder what Umeke means, it is the Hawaiian word for "calabash". It literally can be translated to mean "wooden bowl". In ancient times, Hawaiians used the umekes for medicinal purposes as well as for cooking. Nowadays, umekes are often given as gifts or awards in both cultural and business gatherings. Umekes are also used for keeping favorite items (e.g. small keepsakes and treasures).

The deli section at Umeke, filled with dozens of salads and side dishes

Preservative-free pomegranate & blueberry juice

Trying out the yummy Free-range Chicken Curry Salad

(Cotton shirt by Arcadia, Sunglasses by Elle)

Clockwise, from top left: (1) Free-range Chicken Curry Salad, Squash & Butternut Casserole, Turkey Meatloaf

Clockwise, from top left: (1) Turkey Meatloaf, (2) Spinach Ricotta Casserole, and (3) Grilled Veggie Lasagna

My favourites: Tofu lasagna, spinach casserole, turkey meatloaf & natural fruit juice

Umeke Market is located along the Kalanianaole Highway (nearby Kahala Mall).

Address: 4400 Kalanianaole Highway, Honolulu

Plenty of parking spaces

Website: http://www.umekemarket.com/

Umeke Market and Deli is a family owned and operated business by husband and wife team, Daryl and Michelle Yamaguchi and sister, Debbie Yamaguchi. The Yamaguchi family has had long-standing roots in the Hawaii food industry, as far back and the mid 40's. Their grandparents operated the "E.S. Yamaguchi Family Market" in the old Farmer's market building in Kakaako.

Daryl and Debbie Yamaguchi opened the Kaimuki Health Market in 1997 and have grown and renamed the business and added Michelle's expertise in the kitchen as a mainstay of their deli. Michelle has created many tasty and delicious menu items, including her own recipe for her tantalizing "veggie burger", the ever so popular Turkey Focaccia Sandwich, Chicken Adobo and Veggie Foccacia Sandwich.



Articles about Umeke Market & Deli:

http://www.midweek.com/content/columns/maincourse_article/fresh_natural_plate_lunches_on_bishop_street/

http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/8193/108/

Steamed sardine

Sick of MSG-laden food? Need to detox? Try steamed sardine with ginger :-)