1. Change up your chips with a snack made of white beans
Beanitos white bean chips are my favorite alternative to corn tortilla chips. Available in sea salt and nacho cheese flavors, they’re gluten-free and made with protein- and fiber-rich whole beans, without trans fats, GMO ingredients, artificial coloring or preservatives. But it’s still a snack food, so enjoy in moderation; the carbs and fat grams per serving are comparable to regular chips. An ounce of Beanitos white bean chips (about 12 chips) adds up to 140 calories. Grab a 6-ounce bag for $3.49 at Down to Earth stores.
—Nancy Arcayna
2. Tasty dressing is not just for salad
Angelo Pietro’s sesame miso salad dressing has been a favorite in our house for years. I get regular requests for shipments of the Japanese import from friends and family who visit from the mainland and fall in love with it. On impulse, I recently decided to try Pietro’s ginger dressing and it, too, is wonderful. It has the kick you would expect from a ginger dressing but is well-balanced. Both are good on salads, grilled fish, tofu, cottage cheese, and pretty much anything you want to eat. Keep an eye on the grocery ads, as Angelo Pietro dressings go on sale regularly at stores around town.
—Stephanie Kendrick
3. Scope out Scoop for frozen treats
An old-fashioned ice cream sandwich is one of life’s greatest simple pleasures. And thanks to Scoop Hawaii at 1449 N. King St., Honolulu residents now have an option to support local businesses while enjoying a cool tasty treat at the same time. Owned and operated by the same folks who run Photo Ops Hawaii, an event photography company, Scoop’s operating hours — 1:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and until 8:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday — cater to students from Farrington High School across the street. Scoop’s cookies are freshly baked and the ice cream is made on the Big Island. The ordering process is easy: Pick a cookie and select your ice cream flavor. Pay $3.75. That’s it. I kept it simple the last time I visited, going for a basic chocolate chip cookie sandwich with Tahitian vanilla ice cream. I wasn’t disappointed. If you crave more adventurous flavor profiles, the cookie choices include white chocolate macadamia, snickerdoodle, red velvet, raspberry cheesecake and even macarons (for an additional $2). And I can’t wait to go back and try ice cream flavors like salted caramel, chocolate peanut butter Oreo, strawberry cream and toasted coconut. The best way to keep up with Scoop is via social media: Follow it on Instagram at www.instagram.com/scoophawaii.
—Jason Genegabus
4. Dr. Tung’s Smart Floss makes dental care a joy
I never thought I could love something as mundane as dental floss, but this is exactly what happened when a visiting mainland cousin gave me a pack of Dr. Tung’s Smart Floss. The floss pulls out easily from its Italian-designed, biodegradeable case and is made out of a stretchy, cushiony material that slides in between my tightest teeth and doesn’t damage my gums. Yet it’s so strong; it never breaks. The floss is lightly waxed with a blend of vegetable and beeswax and has a natural cardamom flavor for a fresh feeling. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that Dr. Tung is located right here in Kaneohe. I quickly called to find out where I could purchase more floss and was happy to learn it’s available at Whole Foods, Down to Earth and some Longs Drugs stores. A three-pack is $11.98 at drtungs.com. Call 239-5799.
—Diane Chuensanguansat, Wahiawa
5. Vet, vent about cell service
I spend too much of my life angry at my cellphone: dropped calls, poor reception, slow Internet access. I can’t wait to jump ship from my current contract, but there are a few look-before-you-leap options in picking a new provider. In this era of crowd-sourcing, I can trust my online neighbors to help me find a plan that won’t leave me leaning out a window to answer a phone call. Visit www.cellreception.com and type in your address to find out how many towers the various providers have in your neighborhood. Then scroll down to read the reviews and commiserate with others experiencing the same issues. It does leave me wondering whether any company has adequate coverage, but at least I feel more informed.
—Donica Kaneshiro
