kona-related stories
Stress Less: Running for mental health
Stress Reduction, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Motivation
I recently started running again. Since completing the Kona Marathon six years ago this month, my stride has been very sporadic. I bought my first house, had my first kid, moved across the country and bought my second house. I lost my focus and began getting a workout in any way I could and with a variety of activities.
That hasn't been a bad thing, necessarily. But I realized a while back how much I missed the mental benefits of running. It may be hard on your knees, but it's sure great for your head. All exercise is supposed to be. But I've never experienced anything like the clarity, absence of depression and pure elation that running induces.
And for those of you out there that think running isn't for you or have tried to run a mile and given up, please reconsider. Save for those dreaded laps in junior high gym class, I had never incorporated running into my active life before training for that marathon. In my experience, the payoff is well worth the painful beginnings. Pretty soon, you'll hit your stride. And it doesn't matter if it's a slow one, either. Habitual marathoners are a whole lot thinner and faster than I am, but I've got a head that's every bit as healthy as theirs.
That hasn't been a bad thing, necessarily. But I realized a while back how much I missed the mental benefits of running. It may be hard on your knees, but it's sure great for your head. All exercise is supposed to be. But I've never experienced anything like the clarity, absence of depression and pure elation that running induces.
And for those of you out there that think running isn't for you or have tried to run a mile and given up, please reconsider. Save for those dreaded laps in junior high gym class, I had never incorporated running into my active life before training for that marathon. In my experience, the payoff is well worth the painful beginnings. Pretty soon, you'll hit your stride. And it doesn't matter if it's a slow one, either. Habitual marathoners are a whole lot thinner and faster than I am, but I've got a head that's every bit as healthy as theirs.
Not just another fish in the sea
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
Cod's out, tuna's out and Atlantic salmon's off the menu - mercury and PCB's have made most of us order the chicken instead. We all know we should eat plenty of fish, but what is there left to buy? You can go ahead and eat a fish called Kona Kampachi. It seems that chefs from around the world will agree that there isn't a better fish in the sea than this one. It has twice a much omega-3 fatty acids as Atlantic salmon and has undetectable levels of mercury. This mild, versatile fish is raised sustainably on farms off the Kona coast and is also called Hawaiian yellowtail.
At many fine establishments, you'll find it served raw (sashimi style) or slow cooked and paired with Japanese mushrooms, ginger, and tofu. Even better -- for those who love to cook -- Eddybles has a great recipe for Macadamia crusted Kona Kampachi with Jicama Slaw (pictured) that you can cook at home.
The prized fish's only blemish is its cost. It's pricey at upwards of $20 per pound but as with everything in the marketplace, increased supply driven by demand will eventually drive the price down.
