Swiss Chard

I like Swiss chard in my garden, not only of the healthful benefits but because it is pretty much easy to plant and grow. It is not finicky like some other plants like lettuce for example where you have to wait till the weather is a little bit cooler before you can plant. This one…

Bean Sprouts

Beans sprouts from Mung Beans-(Phaseolus aureus) – came from the seeds of the plant we call munggo or”vigna radiata”. These plants have long been cultivated in India, China, Thailand, Philippines and other Asian countries. Japan on the other hand cultivates soy bean sprouts(glycine max) and they call bean sprouts “moyashi”. In the Philippines, beans sprouts…

Galangal

Galangal – Alpinia galanga – is a rhizome in the family of ginger. We call it “langkawas” in the Philippines from the Indonesian or Malay word “lengkuas”. It is used mainly for Asian or Thai cooking but it has some medicinal properties too. It is considered an stimulant by homeopathic practitioners. It is also a…

Makapuu Lighthouse

I have to say I like lighthouses. I collect pictures and figurines of lighthouses all over. I even made a painting of the Diamond Head lighthouse. This picture was taken sometime ago from the Makapuu beach side when we went sightseeing which started from the Hanauma Bay through Bellows AFB. The Makapuu lighthouse reminds me…