Wow, 2018 sure did have its peaks and valleys!!

I cried really hard, loved even harder, laughed until my stomach hurt and realized I can no longer drink wine/sake/champagne anymore (it literally makes me sick, some kind of allergic reaction or something)! 

I can honestly say that looking back, 2018 was filled with some truly treasured memories, amazing explorations and once in a lifetime opportunities.

As we move forward into 2019, it's important to me to be forever grateful, mindful, kind and truly live this life and each day as if it was your last. One thing I have learned, and reiterated in my mind, was to live without regret, take those chances and opportunities you wanted to take and don't hold back. Time here on Earth is short and we need to do what we can to maximize every second of each and every amazing day. 

Feeling any of these lately: anxious, irritable, short-tempered, agitated, worried or stressed? They say the holidays, while the most wonderful time of the year, can also be a very stressful and uneasy time of year. People are rushing, time is ticking and there's a lot going on. In recent years I have started to feel a sense of unease. It's hard to describe, almost like nervousness paired with agitation and sprinkled with irritability. I am not sure why this is happening and it came on all of the sudden. Sometimes I would try to remind myself to breathe, take a moment, do yoga, meditate and relax... But my mind is going, my phone is pinging and there's so much to do. You have to convince yourself to make time to have 'me time' and be sure to get enough rest/sleep, eat healthy, get exercise and surround yourself with positive and uplifting people... but sometimes you can't do all those things or make time for them. So, I decided to visit the neighborhood Down To Earth - Organic and Natural Products store in an attempt to find some all-natural remedies. (Disclaimer: I am not a physician and if you feel anything is life threatening and you are in danger - please go to the doctor). 

The Kakaako Down To Earth Organic and Natural Product Store, is really convenient and they have free or validated parking. The associates are so friendly, well educated/informed and really made me feel comfortable explaining my situation. They have an abundance of natural remedies and options. 
Here's what I tried:
Anxie-T by LifeSeasons a combination of roots and other supplements these capsules are aimed at calming and nourishing the nervous system. 
Calm A.S.A.P. by gaia HERBS is made using a selection of natural flowers and is supposed to help reduce anxiousness. 
Aromatherapy Room & Body Mist - Relaxing Lavender by Aura Cacia is made from flowering lavender oil and water. 
Nu Leaf CBD oil - made from Hemp non-psychoactive cannabinoid oil (does not cause a high) is supposed to help with pain, inflammation and relaxation.  

When needed, I would try the supplements individually. I would often not take a full dose and just do a half dose to see how it was. Then as time progressed I would try taking the full dose. I separately utilized the different natural products and overall felt a more relaxed feeling and was less on edge. The one that I believe worked the best by far was the CBD oil, of which I had heard a lot about but had never tried before. I also did some research prior to application. Essentially I found that the CBD oil was extremely helpful in allowing me to feel more myself, less irritable and more at ease. I would find myself singing in the car while driving, not as anxious and I also had a better mood with less grouchiness feeling. 

A fairly new kid on the Kaimuki block, Restaurant XO now sits in the former spot of an old Waialae Avenue Chinese restaurant, with all new decor, a brand new dining room, art installations, fresh tables and chairs, along with a brand spanking new bar  - this place is sure to be the next hot spot. I featured them in my summer edition of Hawaii.com's Best New Restaurants - for the summer months 2018, if you wanna take a look. 

Now on to the review... I may dare to say this is my new favorite new restaurant. First and foremost, the menu is a blend of contemporary, ingenious and inventive as it blends a menagerie of diverse flavors, ingredients and local comfort foods. At first glance you'll spot items like Spam, Adobo, Lup Cheong and Crispy Rice, but look closer and you'll find Buratta, Black Truffle, Sous Vide Duck, Cured Egg Yolk and fine Caviar. How do these un-seemingly unrelated ingredients come together? Beautifully. In a nut shell they compose dishes that are exquisitely delicious, perfectly cooked and immensely familiar. Price points are $9-$26, so while you're eating what looks, tastes and feels like ultra fine dining you're still enjoying something that is relatively moderate in price. Add to that the extremely generous portion sizes, as these items are also prepared family-style so sharing is a must, and this is an experience all its own. 

Since taking over the space in the summer of 2018 they jumped over hurdles and lept over speed bumps, now after a renovation and investing thousands of dollars into new equipment, decor and more the restaurant has a look, feel and vibe all its own and it is worth checking out for sure. 

​Here are some new items along with some delicious favorites. 

I LOVED the Buratta with Proscuitto and Tomato Jam, Lemongrass Sausages, Loaded Potato Au Gratin, Tomato Risotto, Adobo Fried Chicken and Buttermilk Shiso Fried Chicken, Fried Bass, Sous Vide Duck, Seared Steak and XO Scallops. The Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Ala Mode is addicting!