b"N U T R I T I O N , F I T N E S S & C O M M U N I T Y B Y S T E P H E N R O U E L L EOver the last four years Ive seen a couple of dreamscommunities. Increased awareness of organic production come true. First, starting a restaurant of my own; andmethods and artisanal crops have also allowed small second, finding an avenue to make a little differencefarmers to make a comeback in the United States. in the world through my work. Under the Bodhi TreeThis is important for many reasons. A chance to has allowed both of these to happen and I couldnt beknow the people who grow your food offers new more pleased with the reception its received.opportunities for you to understand what nourishes In that same time, weve consistently heard interestyou. Eating in season is another thing that small, from our guests in a cookbook that expresses whatslocal farmers naturally promote. This in turn allows been created through the restaurant. Our mission haspeople to have the freshest and most nutrient-dense always been about nutrition, fitness, and community.foods offered at their peak. Small farmers are often Focusing on plant-based cuisine, this cookbook showsplanting different and little-known types of fruits and a transformational way of eating, ushering people fromvegetables so everyone is able to have greater variety the standard American diet to what I feel is far moreand choice. Depending where you live, this can mean healthy and sustainable.hundreds and even thousands of varieties of plants.From the beginning we have looked to takeThrough the recipes in this book, I repeatedly advantage of the abundant and wonderful fruits andencourage home chefs to use fresh herbs, vegetables, and vegetables available here in Hawaii. Working with andfruits. My hope is that when people taste the difference discovering new farmers has allowed us to source thethat cooking from scratch makes, they are empowered to majority of what we serve within driving distancechange what they eat, tailor dishes to their needs, and see of Under the Bodhi Tree. My hope is this idea ofthe connection to health and wellness. eating locally allows new ideas to take root in yourPerhaps youll be prompted to plant a garden or thoughts, and helps inspire change in how and whatherb box, thus finding a new reason to get outdoors. we consume. When youre eating better, you will naturally feel Today, there are ever-expanding resources tobetter and have more energy to get up off the couch, accomplish this goal of sourcing and eating locally. Noand get outside for a walk or more. Lastly, my hope is matter where you arewhether it be farmer's markets,that this can get people thinking about eating with natural food stores, or mainstream marketsthereintent, a concept too many have lost in Western are more and more items grown and produced in localculture. The knowledge that what we consume has 6"