mermaid soiree

I just got back from Cabo, where two of my great girlfriends and I enjoyed our first annual Mermaid Soiree (surf trip). What a fun trip! It was so nice to get away from everything for a few days to hang out with some friends I've known for years and spend time relaxing, eating, drinking, talking, sunning, and surfing together.

We stayed at the gorgeous Cabo Surf Hotel, with an infiniti pool and hot tub facing the surf break. We basically never left the water--running from the pool to grab our surfboards and jump in the ocean, then back to the pool again. We made a lot of fun friends in the pool while watching the waves come in!

The service at Cabo Surf Hotel was amazing, and everyone there from the staff to the visitors were so friendly. It is a very convenient little resort, which has basically everything that you need right there so you don't have to rent a car if you don't want to. The food and drinks at the restaurant were delicious. There is even a surf shop below the hotel on the beach where you can rent your boards, making it very convenient (since taking longboards on a plane is not only a hassle, but very expensive).

The surf ranged from 2 ft to 12 ft while we were there. Mornings tended to be a little more mellow and clean, and the currents seemed to pick up a bit more in the afternoons and evenings. The break was very challenging for us, and pushed us out of our comfort zone which was a fun change. The water was incredibly warm (yes, 80 degrees warm), which was such a nice break from our freezing California water. Everyone out in the water was so nice and encouraging--I felt like an amazing surfer, while I'm sure I looked far from that riding some of these big waves. 

There isn't a bad view from any of the rooms

On the last day, a storm came through so we couldn't surf. Instead, the hot tub on the balcony got filled up and pina coladas were ordered!

Besides my sunburned lips, and getting stung by a bunch of jellyfish while paddling in from an evening session, the trip was amazing. We couldn't have asked for a more fun spot for our first soiree!

california

There is science, logic, reason; there is thought verified by experience. And then there is California.

edward abbey

my leftovers jambalaya

In continuing my 21 day sugar detox, here is a quick dinner I made to use up some of the food in my fridge.

Organic grass fed ground bison, red onions, mushrooms, garlic, & broccoli

Bon appetite! 

day 3 breakfast

As you know, I'm doing the 21 day sugar detox and am on day 3. I just wanted to quickly share the yummy and quick breakfast I made this morning.

I have so much leftover pork from Sunday's BBQ, I decided to thinly slice it and fry for breakfast. Then I sauteed organic mushrooms, and fried a couple of eggs. The flavors mixed nicely, and it was very filling (and easy to make before work). Great start to the day, and week one!

Bon appetite!

not all things are created equal

Yesterday I started the 21 Day Sugar Detox--no sugar means no carbs or fruit! 

I've been feeling groggy and out of it for a few months now, so decided to try this out. It's day 2 and I'm already on my way to feeling better and having more energy. My only craving so far is my coffee with half and half, my guilty daily morning pleasure. I think giving that up for 3 weeks (and possibly permanently) is a small price to pay for real energy throughout my day. I did get iced coffee at Whole Foods and put coconut milk in it, but it wasn't the same.

When I went to Whole Foods this morning before work to get almond butter, I reached down and grabbed an organic one and started to walk away. I decided to turn it over and read the label to make sure they hadn't added any sugar or weird oils. Sure enough--sugar and canola oil. WHAT? I quickly put it back and searched for one with just almonds. After all it's just almond butter--shouldn't almonds be the only ingredient? Obviously not. Labels are deceiving, and you may have to stand in the aisle a bit longer to get to the bottom of things and make sure you are fueling your body with the right ingredients.

Stay tuned for updates and healthy recipes I'll be making and posting.

Facebook page here for tips and recipes

Great paleo cookbook with 30 day meal plans

august bbq

My parents' birthdays were both last week, so I had them over yesterday along with their close friends, for a wine + cheese + BBQ party (and for them to escape to the beach to get away from the heat of the valley). There was entirely too much food, but delicious and worth the calories.

Homemade bruschetta, salami, cheeses, breads, and olive oil all started the afternoon off perfectly (along with wine of course). Dinner followed with the Barefoot Contessa's pork tenderloin recipe, along with the quinoa and arugula salad I previously posted.

Of course Emma loved having everyone there, and got plenty of attention and snacks!

Happy birthday, Mom & Dad! xoxo

quinoa & arugula salad

I'm a bit obsessed with quinoa. Recently, Drew and I had dinner with our wonderful friends, Robb and Barbara, who are quite the gourmet couple! Barbara made her amazing quinoa salad, so I'm sharing it with you.

Ingredients:

• 10 oz quinoa, cooked 
• 3 cups arugula
• 2 cups fresh cooked corn kernels, cut from the cob
• 1/4 cup pecans
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries
• 1/3 cup Asiago cheese, grated

Dressing:

• 1/2 cup fresh packed basil leaves
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup lite mayonnaise (or greek yogurt)
• 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Direction:

• For dressing, blend all ingredients in food processor or blender until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• In large a large bowl, mix the salad ingredients. Toss in dressing right before serving.

Bon appetite!

on turning 30

It's been a while since I've posted...anything! So I turned 30 this month (go Cancers), and I was unsure about it to be honest. I didn't know if I should be excited or scared. Looking back at turning 18, 21, then 25, and 28...I remember being excited, and looked forward to each new stage. But when it was time to turn 30, I was apprehensive. For years, it's always sounded "so old"--and I don't feel old at all (and hopefully don't look old)! When I turned 20, 30 was a long 10 years away--and how those 10 years have flown by, with many challenging and amazing times packed in.

Now that I realize I can't go backwards, I am excited about this next decade in my life and the new opportunities and challenges that will inevitably come my way. My family, friends, husband, and God are huge blessings in my life--all who I look forward to growing closer to each year.

live simply.

There is not much more to say, except that I am trying to do this...

Yes trying to surf more (a must), but also re-teaching myself how to live more simply and enjoy life and what (and who) I've been blessed with. 

Life is more fun with a surfboard under your feet, and friends to share the ocean with! 

Original art by BXC Design

blackened chicken & cilantro lime quinoa

Thanks to Pinterest and Sarcastic Cooking, I made this delicious and summery recipe last night.

1. Mix the following rub for 2-3 chicken breasts, depending on size:

• 1/2 tsp of paprika
• 1/4 tsp of salt
• 1/4 tsp of pepper
• 1/4 tsp of cayenne pepper
• 1/4 tsp of onion powder (which I didn't have, so used garlic powder instead)
• 1/4 tsp of cumin

2. Season both sides of the chicken breasts with the dry mixture, then add olive oil to a pan or skillet and cook the chicken. 

3. Cook 1 cup of quinoa (rinsed) in 2 cups of organic chicken stock

4. Quinoa dressing: 

• Juice and zest from 2 limes
• A dash of salt and pepper
• 2 T of cilantro, chopped

5. Mix the dressing into the cooked quinoa

6. Serve the chicken on top of the quinoa

7. For added flavor, make this avocado cream sauce: 

• Flesh from an avocado 
• 2 T of Greek yogurt
• Puree in a blender of food processor until smooth. 

8. Serve on top of the chicken 

Bon appetite!

coconut french toast with coconut syrup

So this morning I was craving something coconut-y, and found a recipe for french toast with coconut syrup. Not the healthiest of breakfasts, but it was worth it. The recipe was from Cooking a la Mode (click link for original recipe), but I changed a few things based on what I had and to make it seem a little healthier in my mind.

Here's my revised version:

• 4 eggs
• 1 cup almond milk
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 2 T coconut flour
• Ezekiel bread

Combine ingredients, then dip both sides of the bread in mixture and place on a hot greased pan or skillet. Flip over when browned. 

Serve with hot coconut syrup:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp coconut extract

Place butter, buttermilk, and sugar in a saucepan. Stir over medium heat until butter melts and sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil and boil for one minute.

Remove from heat, and add baking soda and extract, stirring constantly. It will bubble up so make sure you pan is large enough. Continue to stir syrup and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. 

Bon appetite!

maui day 7: revisited

It feels like we just arrived, and already have to leave. The island bid us farewell with big waves, rain, and too much wind. We had a final splurge of the diet for breakfast at Sea House Restaurant in Napili on the bay. The view and gardens were amazing, making it harder to leave.

It was a short trip for this mermaid, but one that will be revisited often--in memory as well as many more trips. Mahalo!

maui day 6: revisited

So sad to see the end of this trip in sight. I was hoping we would both magically get jobs here, and Emma (our little wiener doggy) could be flown over to be the island mascot and bask in the sun she loves so much. But alas, we head home tomorrow (although I feel at home here too). Our last day was filled with A LOT of water and sun.

We headed south again, past Lahaina, to mile marker 14 (Olowalu) along the highway. It was extremely windy and rained on and off (I was not so happy about getting in the water), but we were told it was an amazing spot to snorkel.

olowalu

At first it was intimidating because it was so shallow and the reef came up so high. After zig zagging our way through the maze of coral in the shallow water, we found some open areas of beautiful and incredible underwater gardens. I've never seen anything like it. The fish were so colorful, and the coral so intricate and delicate looking ("looking" being the key word as I have a nicely scraped arm from one attacking me).

Because I'm a baby and hate anything resembling "cold" while I'm at the beach, we headed back up north to Ka'anapali to get some sun and swimming in. The water was so clear and refreshing. There was a nice cove at the end of the beach by Black Rock where we did some more snorkeling--not as jaw dropping, but still pretty and lots of fish to enjoy. Drew stayed out longer than me and managed to hang out with a couple of honu (sea turtles).

Taking a break from the sun, we enjoyed a farewell mai tai at the tiki bar--then headed back to the beach for a final swim.

the clear water in ka'anapali

I didn't think the clouds across the way covering the island of Molokai would break in time for the sunset, but they did and it was a beautiful one at that. The perfect end to a fun day and final night in Maui!

journal entry, day 6

Kaanapali on Dwellable

maui day 5: revisited

We ventured out early and headed south, then along the north shore to find some waterfalls. We hiked to the "Twin Falls" and then to one above those. It was a truly tropical experience when it suddenly started to pour--warm water and then the sun would burst out and illuminate the forest.

getting a coconut at the end of our hike

The foliage on the north part of the island was very lush, and flowers and plants so vivid. Forests of bamboo lined Hana Highway. Although we didn't make it all the way to Hana, we did experience some of the beauty along the road--as well as the famous hair pin turns and one way roads.

Oh, and I almost forgot--Drew and I both jumped from above one of the falls!

Once again, we made it back in time to enjoy a glass of wine and watch the sunset from the lanai.

"For the Lord is a great God and a great King above all gods, in whose hands are the depths of the earth, the peaks of the mountains are His also. The sea is His, for it was He who made it, and His hands formed the dry land." -Ps 95:3-5

journal entry, day 5

maui day 4: revisited

I've become slightly obsessed with anything macadamia nut, pineapple, or coconut related. This morning I had macadamia nut pancakes with coconut syrup at Gazebo restaurant in Napili (last night I had macadamia nut ice cream--also delicious!). Good thing I surfed all afternoon to work those pancakes off.

my friend at breakfast, eyeing my pancakes

Yes, I finally got to surf today. We went to Lahaina Harbor--the waves were small but fun, and the water was so warm. A couple of local guys were out there too, and gave me some tips. Lahaina is my favorite town so far--the water is warm, the surf is fun, the people are friendly, and the town reminds me of a larger Balboa Island in Newport Beach with all the fun shops and amazing waterfront restaurants.

looks flat, but there were some small waves off the break wall to the far right

first wave caught of the day

3 hours later and happy

So we had to do the touristy thing and go to a luau, The Feast at Lele. It was a fun experience (one-time). The food was incredible--prepared by Chef James McDonald (I'O & Pacific'O). They served four courses, with each course being celebrated by a dance unique to that island. We were done by 9:00, the town shuts down around 10:00--and that is the late crowd. My kind of people!

the people on the paddle board enjoyed the show from the water

first course

journal entry, day 4

Lahaina on Dwellable