The Pacific Club Lunch Bunch

My friend, who’s a member of the Pacific Club, coordinated a celebratory luncheon for a group of social work colleagues, new and old, during Social Work month in March. We had a marvelous time gathering together. It was a wonderful reunion. The atmosphere was relaxed and classy.

The Pacific Club
1451 Queen Emma St.
Honolulu, HI 96813
808.536.0836
https://www.thepacificclub.org/

Taro Patty Burgers

I was ecstatic when I saw the taro burger on the menu. I’ve never tried it before. Further, I haven’t eaten many dishes made with taro. The only taro I’ve eaten is poi. It’s a Hawaiian staple dish where the taro is pounded and mixed with water to create a pudding-like texture.

That burger was exceptionally delicious and savory. The gluten-free bun was toasted perfectly. It was served with a refreshing salad and a crisp pickle. Yum!

Taro’s Origins

To my surprise, taro, or kalo in Hawaiian, isn’t native to the Hawaiian Islands. Hawaiian History (2018) affirms that taro originated from Southern India. It emigrated to China and voyaged to New Zealand thereafter. From there, Polynesians brought taro to Hawai’i.

Hawaiian legend revealed, Wākea, the sky father and the beautiful goddess who made the stars, Hoʻohokukalani, wanted a child. Their first attempt resulted in stillbirth. The stillborn child was buried near their home. From this grew a taro plant named Hāloanaka, meaning “long stock trembling.” The couple had a second child, which the gods named Hāloa. From Hāloa, the Hawaiian race came down. According to this legend, Hawaiians are related to the kalo. Furthermore, the taro signifies an essential hallmark in Hawaiian history (Hawaiian History, 2018).

Eat Taro for Digestive Health

Taro contains nearly seven grams of fiber and includes resistant starch. Both improve gut health, boost immunity, and stabilize blood sugar (Link, 2020).

Studies showcase that increasing fiber in your diet can reduce fasting blood sugar levels and hemoglobin A1C, a marker of long-term blood sugar control (Link, 2020). Fiber is such an essential factor in our diet.

On the other hand, Link (2020) discusses that resistant starch has improved the body’s sensitivity to insulin, the hormone used to transport sugar from the bloodstream to the cells. Increased insulin sensitivity can help the body use this hormone more effectively, promoting better blood sugar control.

In good health,

FS x

References

Hawaiian History. (2018). A brief history of taro in Hawaii. Retrieved from: https://hawaiioceanproject.com/a-brief-history-of-taro-in-hawaii/

Link, R. (2020). Top 5 benefits of taro root (Plus how to add it to your diet). Retrieved from: https://draxe.com/nutrition/taro-root/.