Every day is a new chance to live a life of happiness. We pride ourselves in using only the finest, cleanest, freshest ingredients possible.
About Us
An extended trip to Hawaii in early 2016 prompted the concept of Sweet Aloha Bowls. I was determined to make an acai bowl my first meal on Kauai. Acai bowls were still a bit of a mystery to me and not readily available in our area. Of course, it did not let me down and for the next two weeks, had one about every day while traveling between the different islands. The way I felt sustained over the course of the day and not have any energy crashes was amazing.
We love to have fun
We get these questions often
What is acai?
High in antioxidants and health-promoting properties, the acai berry is a key player in defining what are superfoods. These berries contain plenty of healthy fats, fiber, B vitamins, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus.
What is Pitaya?
Dragon fruit aka Pitaya contains a surprising number of phytonutrients. It is also loaded with antioxidants, and is home to carotene, protein, vitamin C , polyunsaturated (good) fatty acids and B vitamins. In addition, this tropical fruit is also a source of other nutrients like calcium, iron and phosphorus.
Acerola
Named for its small, bright red cherry appearance and tart cherry-apple flavor, the acerola cherry is also known as the Barbados or West Indian cherry. One of the world’s most potent sources of vitamin C, it is also a good source of Vitamin A, with the added boost of a high concentration of polyphenols.
Guava
Pink Guava is a tropical fruit rich in high profile nutrients with a sweet, flowery aroma and creamy texture. With its unique flavor and health-promoting qualities, it easily fits into the category of new functional foods labeled as superfruits. Guava is a rich source of soluble dietary fiber, antioxidant vitamin C, and a good source of vitamin A plus nourishing folates.
What are superfoods?
Although there’s no set criteria as to what defines a superfood, these are foods that are jam-packed with nutrients and can help provide your body with the vitamins and minerals you need to thrive, survive and feel great.
What are some other superfoods Sweet Aloha uses?
Local Raw Honey & Bee Pollen
Raw honey is anti-bacterial, anti-viral and a natural antibiotic. Bee Pollen contains 59 trace minerals, and is a rich source of vitamins, enzymes, and amino acids. Taking local bee pollen may alleviate seasonal allergies.
Goji Berries
Goji berries contain at least 18 amino acids (including the 8 essentials), and vitamins B1,B2, B6, E, and C. Packed with antioxidants, gojis help to strengthen your immune system, enhance your memory, calm the nerves, and have anti fungal and anti bacterial compounds.
Chia Seed
Chia is packed with nutrients that promote long-lasting energy, increase mental function, support your cardiovascular health and immune system. Plus, it’s supercharged with Omega 3?s, those brain boosting fats.
Maca
Maca boosts libido and increases immunity, energy, vitality, and fertility. Maca is an adaptagenic root. Adaptogens are natural plant products that increase your body’s ability to deal with internal and external stresses and normalize imbalances in the body.
Blue Spirulina
Blue Spirulina is the blue pigment derived from the blue-green algae, which is very high in nutritional content. This miracle food is known to increase energy, stamina, and feelings of well being, as well as enhance brain function, increasing mental focus and concentration
Spinach
Popeye’s secret weapon is rich in fiber, iron, beta carotene, and protein/amino acids. It acts as an anti-inflammatory, and has brain boosting and anti-cancer properties.
Hempseeds
Hempseeds are the only food with the ideal ratio of Essential Fatty Acids (omega 3s & omega 6s). They contain 21 amino acids including the 8 essential aminos in a very easily digestible form.
Coconut (coconut chips, butter, water)
Unlike other saturated fats, as a plant derived source of saturated fat coconut has medium chain fatty acids that actually help to increase metabolism. Coconut has been shown to lower your LDL (lousy) cholesterol and boost your HDL cholesterol. It helps improve the absorption of fat soluble vitamins and amino acids, and supports your immune system.
Coconut butter is made from the flesh, not just the oil. It’s delicious in smoothies and oh so good for you. It is said to improve metabolism and great for hormone balancing.
Coconut Water is jam packed full of minerals/electrolytes that rehydrate your body.
Cacao
Of course we all love chocolate but did you know the source of chocolate in its natural state of Cacao is really good for you?!! And you thought you liked chocolate before! The only catch is to make sure you get the good stuff – raw cacao. Use the powder or “nibs” and blend away in your smoothies and baking! Your kids will love it too. Rich in magnesium, chromium, and iron, cacao has an incredible amount of antioxidants (the things that help you not get sick). Plus cacao contains theobromine which may just be nature’s aphrodisiac.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon helps to lower LDL cholesterol and stabilizes blood sugar levels. Because of it’s anti-bacterial quality, it also acts as a natural food preservative and helps to reduce cellular inflammation—a key age accelerator and is known to increase metabolism.
Flaxseeds
Contain ALA (alpha linolenic acid) which the body converts to omega 3s, your brain boosting fats. It’s actually the richest plant based source of omega 3?s. Flax can help to correct constipation. The seeds can easily be ground in a coffee grinder for better bio-availability.
Berries (blueberries & strawberries)
A great source of vitamins and antioxidants and low in sugars. One cup of strawberries has the same amount of Vitamin C as a glass of OJ. Blueberries are an excellent source of manganese, essential for keeping your blood sugar levels and thyroid function normal.
Nuts (macadamia nuts, walnuts, almonds, pistachios)
Macadamias are rich in fiber and other minerals like magnesium and potassium – these nuts improve heart health. They help lower cholesterol and blood pressure. The fiber in these nuts also aids in diabetes treatment. And the antioxidants rejuvenate your skin and hair.
Walnuts are shaped like a brain because they are good for your brain and help with healthy brain and memory function! They contain omega 3s and ellagic acid which is known to fight cancer and support immune function.
Almonds are revered for their Vitamin E content and are rich in healthy monounsaturated fats.
Pistachios are high in protein, fiber and antioxidants. They also have several other important nutrients, including vitamin B6 and potassium. Pistachios have fewer calories and more protein than most other nuts. Also, their essential amino acid content is higher than any other nut.
What are compostable materials and why do we choose to use them?
Compostable Plastic
These products are made from Poly Lactic Acid (PLA), a compostable, plant based bio plastic derived from U.S. grown corn.
Wheat Straw
Many different types of fibrous plants can be used to manufacture alternatives to tree-based paper products. The wheat straw that is used for of our fiber products comes from the stalk of the wheat plants. The stalks do not store protein, gluten or any other allergens.
Sustainable Paper
Tree-based paper is used instead of other fiber alternatives because of technical constraints. Our paper products are sourced to have the lightest environmental impact as possible. Several of our hot cups are available without any bleaching process. Those which have been bleached used oxygen-based compounds rather than chlorine.
Aside from reducing the amount of plastic which ends up in the landfill or our oceans, compostables also: Use less energy and water to manufacture, Cause less pollution than petroleum-based items, Come from renewable plant-based resources.
People Always Ask
Feeling satisfied and not weigh down, was a dream come true for someone who struggles with digestion issues. I knew as soon as we got home, I had to purchase my first Vitamix and start right away on making them for myself, which then grew into making them for my family and friends. With the encouragement from my husband, family and friends, Sweet Aloha Food Truck came about. Food trucks are a big part of the food scene in Hawaii and we thought it would be the smartest and fastest way to introduce the smoothie bowl concept to the burbs. Much to our surprise, it didn’t take long till we gained a fan base of ‘Sweeties’ and feel blessed to have made such a warm and inviting connection with our local communities. So much that it has allowed us to take that next “leap of faith” step into an expansion of a brick and mortar.
Joining the team, a most dear friend of mine, Kai. She was always my “go to girl” for nutrition on foods, exchanging recipes and encouraging my love for staying physically active. Having a background in holistic nutrition, she was more than excited to be sweating it out with us on the truck and going full steam ahead with the growth of the company.
We are both moms, who believe that the key to living the Aloha way is balancing the way we nourish, move, relax, connect and think. Mahalo for being a part of this journey with us!
Janeen & Kai