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Nadine sez...

Vegetables aren't very sexy, but if you eat enough of them -- dumping the meat and potatoes in the process -- you have a decent shot at looking sexy yourself.

To make the veggies go down easier, restaurateurs will coat them in oil and garlic or spices, anything to make you forget you might be doing something relatively healthy. Who knows? You might even become converts after trying these dishes. You'll even save money in the process:

» Auntie Pasto's: A side of mixed vegetables features a garlicky sauté of zucchini, mushrooms, broccoli, beans and onions; $4.25. You can ask to have that sautéed in butter or olive oil, or better yet, steamed. At 1099 S. Beretania St.

» Little Village Noodle House: Long beans are quickly stir-fried with garlic, ginger and chili peppers; $7.95. At 1113 Smith St.

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STAR-BULLETIN PHOTO Mixed vegetables at Auntie Pasto's.

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Tim sez ...

I like to visit the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge, the largest of the Oahu refuges, in the late afternoon when most of the people have left and the birds, including the endangered Hawaiian stilt (ae'o), coot ('alae ke'oke'o), moorhen ('alae ' ula), and duck (koloa maoli), are starting to roost.

There's a covered circular viewing structure near the middle of the Kahuku marsh where you can almost not hear traffic along Kamehameha Highway. The 164-acre refuge is a mix of naturally occurring, spring-fed marsh, man-made ponds and impoundments. Wide benches in the sheltered structure make for relaxing viewing. Don't be surprised if you doze while listening to the chattering waterfowl.

The refuge is open to the public Aug. 1 to Feb. 15 and closed the rest of the year for the stilt breeding season. Guided public tours are offered Thursdays (4 to 5:30 p.m.) and on Saturdays (3:30 to 5 p.m.). Contact the refuge office to reserve a space, 637-6330.

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