Coconut chips offer crisp snack alternative
W&M coconut chips are dried until crisp and not fried, making them a "healthy snack," according to its manufacturer. The chips come in salt and pepper, nori, bacon and cheese, honey and original flavors. I’m a fan of the sweeter original and honey flavors and found them at select Walgreens stores for $1.99.
—Craig Gima
‘Bows baseball T-shirts stir up nostalgia
The kelly-green T-shirts with "HAWAII" in orange block letters or a cursive version of "Rainbows" gave me a retro tug when they were first offered two years ago at Les Murakami Stadium, home of the University of Hawaii baseball team. They were the team’s original colors, and it felt like I was back in the 1970s watching a game from aluminum bleachers. But the shirts were harder to get than a no-hitter. They were sold out — all 1,350 of them — and I was told to wait for next season. Fast-forward to 2014 and … I waited too long. Sold out again. Better luck in 2015. By now my nostalgia had become a quest. On opening night, before I even bought a beer, I headed to the souvenir stand only to discover the T-shirts had not arrived. A month later, same story. This was more disappointing than watching the ‘Bows strand runners on base. Last month, with most of the baseball season over, I finally went home with a shirt. But that isn’t the best news. Turns out the university now plans to sell them year-round at its H-Zone store for $16. Pick one up in time for the ‘Bows’ last home series Friday-Sunday against Cal State Fullerton.
—Mike Gordon
Coffee served with side of convenience
Caffeine fiends in East Honolulu have it good these days, thanks to the drive-thru Starbucks at Kahala Mall. No more circling for parking and standing in a line 20 people long; now you can get your iced coffee, Frappuccino and even hot food selections from the comfort of your car. Located near Bank of Hawaii, the Starbucks is open from 4 a.m. to midnight daily. If the car queue is too long, circle around front and park near the walk-up window, which provides much faster service than the baristas working indoors at the other end of the mall.
—Jason Genegabus
Yoga app fosters bedtime relaxation
My Yoga Nidra Deep Relaxation Practice app helps me get a better night’s rest. Yoga nidra is designed to encourage deep physical, mental and emotional relaxation, so I play one of the 10-, 20- or 30-minute meditations on my smartphone to unwind before drifting off to sleep. The guided meditation focuses on breathing and leads you through awareness of different body parts and includes visualization exercises. You lie in savasana, or corpse pose, for the entire track. Add soothing sounds of nature to complement the experience. Download the app for $3.99 on iTunes; a free 10-minute version also is available.
—Nancy Arcayna
Indulge with chocolaty cookies
Marie Lu Petit Ecolier ("Little Schoolboy") cookies bring me back to my days as a study-abroad student in Lyon, France, when my host family served them at breakfast or as an after-school snack. Imagine my delight when I discovered them on the shelf at my local Safeway. The buttery cookies are topped with a layer of rich, dark European chocolate, a perfect combination for anyone who loves sweets. It’s a chic little biscuit at just $3.69 per box for 12 cookies. Learn more at Lubiscuits.com.
—Nina Wu
5 Things We Love is a shortlist of newly discovered stuff you have got to see, hear, wear, use or eat. What are you loving this week? Send a brief description of your latest favorite thing, where to find it and how much it costs, along with your name and contact info to features@staradvertiser.com.
