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

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 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

diy coffee scrub

The caffeine in coffee grounds is supposedly a cellulite fighting agent. So this morning I decided to recycle some of my grounds and make a body scrub. If you don't mind the smell of coffee filling your bathroom, give this a try (warning: it's messy)!

• Grounds from a full pot of coffee
• A few tablespoons of coconut oil, melted
• A few tablespoons of organic white sugar (the organic is not as refined as regular white sugar so it makes for a better scrub ingredient)
• Mix together in a container 
• Scrub away!

I have no clue if this actually works as an anti-cellulite scrub, but it makes your skin nice and smooth after regardless. 

If you don't want the mess (or don't trust my recipe), this is a great alternative from Amber's Organics: Organic Dark Chocolate with Coffee Anti-Cellulite Body Scrub 

pork meatloaf-style burgers

This is a recipe I made up a while ago, and it varies a little each time I make it depending on what I have in my kitchen. The amounts can vary as well depending if you want more or less veggies in your patties. Play around with it and see what you like. Here is tonight's hearty version:

2 organic carrots, minced
4-5 small organic mushrooms, minced
1/2 organic onion (red or yellow), minced and lightly sauteed in coconut oil
lots of minced garlic, sauteed with the onion
1/2 serrano chili, sauteed
1/2 cup organic green lentils (cooked)
1 lb ground grass fed pork

Mix together in a bowl, and divide into patties

Heat a grill pan, melt coconut oil, and add patties. I love the flavor of the coconut oil with the pork and veggies.

Serve on a bed of organic baby spinach

heaven in a jar

MeeNut Butter

My friend, Mee (in the middle), makes a quadruple nut butter that is a staple in my fridge, along with anyone else who has had this "heaven" in a jar as some have called it. And if you're on the paleo diet, not to worry--you won't be breaking any rules if you eat the whole jar by yourself!

Ingredients: Almonds, Walnuts, Pecans, Macadamia Nuts with Flax Seeds, Sunflower Seeds, Virgin Coconut Oil, Pure Vanilla Extract, Sea Salt

NO PEANUTS!

Now go get some. Just be prepared to be addicted (at least it's a healthy one).