getting there: costa rica, part 1

We were due for a vacation, so headed off to Costa Rica for eight days. Little did we know what to expect, and how long it would take us to get to paradise in the picture below. It was worth it.

The flight was easy--five hours from Los Angeles to San Jose. Getting out of San Jose alone took a good 30 minutes of zig zagging around to find "the" highway. Once we were on the highway, I thought, "No big deal--we'll just take this the whole way to the ferry, then get back on it when we get off the ferry, and take it all the way to the hotel." Not so much. The highway ended, and we found ourselves driving through lots of little towns. The main road to get to the ferry wasn't exactly the main roads we're used to. This main road barely had room for two cars to pass, all while trying to dodge dogs, children, bikes, and motorcycles. After a few wrong turns, we made it to the ferry. The crossing took about one hour. Once we got off the ferry, it seemed fairly straightforward--stay on this road all the way to Santa Teresa. Wrong again. "This road" ended up being a dirt road that wound along the coast for what seemed like five hours, but was probably two or three hours. The only paved sections were the parts of the road that were extremely steep. And the bridges were narrower than the roads, and barely fit one car. 

After passing many fields, forests, bungalows, Coca-Cola shacks, and cows, we started seeing signs for our hotel, Nautilus Boutique Hotel. 

After a few more dirt roads, we arrived in Playa Santa Teresa. The main road going through town was only a couple of miles long, lined with restaurants, small hotels, and large pieces of land--some with mansions on them, and others with shacks. The street was crowded with people, dogs, and motorcycles. 

Santa Teresa early in the morning

Our hotel was a beautiful oasis, with each guest having their own bungalow and patio surrounded with dense foliage. The owners were so welcoming, and everyone there so kind and helpful. 

Upon arrival, I immediately jumped into the refreshing pool

Olam, the vegetarian restaurant and favorite juice stop at Nautilus

Nap time

Enjoyed our patio every evening with a glass of wine

Every night, the whole town headed to the beach to enjoy the sunset. On our first night, we walked down the beach to a restaurant called Habanero to watch the sunset while drinking a margarita and eating the fresh catch of the day. I think I ate the fresh catch of the day and/or ceviche every day, if not most meals.

 

pura vida!

what's your diet?

I have never understood the concept of "dieting." People diet for various reasons, but it stems from something you want to change about yourself. So...you "diet" for a given period of time, and it ends, and then what? Why does it end? You deprived yourself of certain foods, and when you reached your goal, you are suddenly done dieting. Most of the time, you go back to eating the same foods you were "dieting" from, and then gain back the weight you lost or a health problem you were trying to get under control. What was the point? Why the deprivation and hard work when it just goes back to how it was before you started the diet?

...Because I don't agree with "dieting, and I don't think it works. At all.

It might resolve something temporarily, but it's not a long term solution. There has to be a lifestyle change--a fix--something more permanent than losing 5 pounds only to gain it back when you eat a piece of bread when you are "done" with your diet. It's a vicious cycle that doesn't seem to end, and leaves you frustrated on a regular basis. The key is to find a way of eating and fueling your body properly where you don't feel like you're on a diet--where you feel great all the time, and where you're not depriving yourself of calories. At first it may feel like you're depriving yourself if you're used to eating certain processed foods and refined sugars, but once you detox from those things you will realize that eating properly will make you feel so much better than previously, so you won't want to go back down the processed path.

I'm not going to argue for a certain lifestyle change over another, but I want to talk about something that has helped me find a better balance in my daily eating habits, along with not fluctuating very much in my weight, having more energy, and minimizing cravings. Most people right now are calling it the "caveman diet," also referred to as "paleo." From what I've read, the GAPS diet seems to be very similar. There is also a book out called Wheat Belly that is part of this family. It's not just a gluten free way of eating, it also eliminates anything processed and refined (just because something is gluten free, doesn't mean it can't be processed). It focuses on real organic foods--grass fed meats, fruits & veggies, and healthy fats.

The main thing is to listen to your body, and stop fueling it with processed foods, chemicals, and genetically modified products. Stop giving your body fake energy. Once you start eating real foods, you will become more in tune with your body and will better know what it needs and doesn't need.

Whatever "diet" you start today, make it a lifestyle diet and commit to maintaining it from here on out. Enjoy a cheat meal or day once a week, and then get right back on track. You will notice the cravings subside, and you won't have a problem getting back on track the next day because you know how good your body feels when you are fueling it with the proper foods.

bon appetit!

summer in the marina

It's been a busy summer, and is going by entirely too fast. The beach has had more June gloom than normal, so we love it when the sun comes out and bask in it's warmth for as long as it decides to stay.

The colors of summer are my favorite--the sun shining on the sea gives it that warm inviting feel 

(even if the water is 60 degrees!)

Even the surfboard designs seem to be following the bright color trend!

You can always find crowds in the water, regardless of the weather

It's nice to curl up on the couch with some good coffee after a morning surf session

Emma loves the cool weather

Summer is a time for feasting on our favorite fresh foods and locally grown produce 

...and paleo carrot cake

...and birthday drinks!

A little trip to Deus Ex Machina satisfies both his and hers loves

And summer would not be complete without a beach sunset

Playing Catch Up

It has been far too long since I've posted anything. After many years, I am going back to school so that is taking up a large chunk of my life right now, in addition to work. But I'm so glad I'm finally doing it! Giving up my "free time" was a hard decision to make. When it's all over, I know I will appreciate every free moment I have so much more. I'm very thankful to my husband, Andrew, who encouraged me to go back (and I'm sure is regretting it a little as he has to fend for himself a bit more nowadays)! 

Over the holiday weekend, we were able to spend a little extra time together. The California sun was out, so we went on one of our favorite hikes (the same hike he took me on the night he proposed). 

We also biked to Abbot Kinney street in Venice to a fun breakfast spot called Zinque. Their coffee is strong, and their bread is supposedly flown in from France every couple of days. I ordered the salmon tartine, and it was delicious!

I love to cook and bake, but lately feel like I haven't had much of a chance. I've been trying to find recipes I can prepare ahead of time. Over the weekend, I made two awesome paleo treats--both super fast and simple. 

The first is banana bread. Anyone who knows me knows I'm not a fan of bananas, but I decided to give this recipe a try because I have yet to be disappointed with the Caveman's recipes. This definitely did not disappoint, and now I'm obsessed with this "bread." 

Paleo Banana Bread

Ingredients

• 4 organic bananas (they don't need to be overly ripe, but can if you want)
• 4 grass fed eggs
• 1/2 cup almond butter
• 4 tablespoons organic butter, melted
• 1/2 cup coconut flour
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• Combine bananas, eggs, nut butter, and butter in a blender or mixing bowl (using a hand mixer)
• Once all of your ingredients are blended, add in your coconut flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and vanilla. Mix well
• Grease a 9x5 glass pan with butter
• Pour in batter and spread evenly
• Place in preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes or until toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean
• Remove from oven and flip bread out onto a cooling rack

Bon appetite!

I have a hard time cooking with coconut flour--even when using a recipe. Everything always comes out dense. These actually turned out quite good!

Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 1/2 cup raw honey
• 4 grass fed eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1 cup coconut flour
• 1/2 cup of shredded unsweetened organic coconut
• 3/4 cup of organic chocolate chips 

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees
• In a large bowl, combine coconut oil, raw honey, eggs, & vanilla. I melted the coconut oil and honey first to make it easier to stir. 
• Add in your coconut flour
• Stir in the shredded coconut and chocolate chips
• On parchment lined baking sheets (or use a silpat), drop heaping tablespoons of cookie batter (Make sure you form them to look like the cookies you want for a final product because they do not rise or spread like conventional cookies)
• Bake for 12 minutes or until golden brown
• Remove from oven, and transfer to a cooling rack

Bon appetite! 

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!

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!

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

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