surf sesh

The Sun
by Mary Oliver

Have you ever seen

anything

in your life

more wonderful

than the way the sun,

every evening,

relaxed and easy,

floats toward the horizon

and into the clouds or the hills,

or the rumpled sea,

and is gone--

and how it slides again

out of the blackness,

every morning,

on the other side of the world,

like a red flower

streaming upward on its heavenly oils,

say, on a morning in early summer,

at its perfect imperial distance--

and have you ever felt for anything

such wild love--

do you think there is anywhere, in any language,

a word billowing enough

for the pleasure

that fills you,

as the sun

reaches out,

as it warms you

as you stand there,

empty-handed--

or have you too

turned from this world--

or have you too

gone crazy

for power,

for things?

 It's summer. And I am in love with the sun, with the ocean, with the waves. I love the way the salt dries on my skin, and gets all itchy. I love the way my eyeballs feel when I've been looking at the glaring horizon for waves for over and hour. I love the way I get surf wax all over my toenails. I love wearing three different bikinis in one day.

 And I love that the south swells are here! I'm happy to say I've been surfing three times this week. I'm getting a good hit of sun and salt on the south side, which also means I get my fix at Choice Health Bar in Lahaina, yum.

heading out with good friends

my ninja suit

plenty of waves for everyone

The green buzz acai bowl was the perfect pick-me-up after a morning in the waves

Acai, bananas, berries, spirulina and coconut. Topped with granola, banana goji berries, and bee pollen.

Choice Health Bar in Lahaina Maui, check em out! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Choice-Health-Bar/120991591309480

tropical tummy love smoothie

This is my go-to breakfast. Packed with flavor and all sorts of good things for your guts.

• pineapple- contains the enzyme bromelain, which is an anti-inflamitory and aids digestion by breaking down proteins. It is concentrated in the core of the pineapple so be sure not to cut that part out!
• papaya- contains the digestive enzyme papain. Papaya also contains plenty of fiber and vitamins A, E, and C! 
• spirulina- a blue-green algae grown right here in hawaii! spirulina is considered a super food because it benefits the entire body in many ways. It is loaded with enzymes, chlorophyll, B vitamins, and packed with protein. It has been around for billions of years, and its benefits have been studied intensely.
• chia seeds- another super food packed with nutrients. Above all, chia seeds are known for their omega-3 fatty acids and tons of protein.

 I like to soak my chia seeds in water, they create a gel, which blends well into smoothies. The ratio is about one tablespoon chia seeds to a half cup water. They only need to soak for a few minutes, but I keep a little jar of gel in my fridge, smoothie ready.

the  recipe:

• 1/2 frozen banana
• a few chunks frozen pineapple
• one half of a ripe papaya (depending on the size of course, some papayas on this island are as big as babies!)
• a few teaspoons chia gel
• one tablespoon coconut oil
• one teaspoon spirulina powder

I usually have frozen bananas and pineapples in my freezer specifically for smoothies, you can use fresh fruit, I just like the texture of frozen better.

Place all ingredients in your blender, and add almond milk to the top of the fruit. Blend, and top with granola, yum...









sources:
http://www.naturalnews.com/040564_chia_seeds_omega-3_sources_healthy.html
http://www.naturalnews.com/025703_spirulina_diet_studies.html
http://www.naturalnews.com/031844_papaya_health_benefits.html
http://www.naturalnews.com/035804_bromelain_enzymes_inflammation.html

pumpkin seed pesto + naan pizza

This is a two-part post. Part A: pumpkin seed pesto. A vegan, nut-free pesto made with basil from my own garden! 

• two cloves garlic
• 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
• 1 Tbsp flax seeds
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 cup basil leaves (packed)
• salt and pepper to taste

Blend all ingredients in a food processor. My food processor (yes, I finally got one, though its really only a "chopper") is a tiny one so this amount fits perfectly. I added just a little more olive oil while I was blending it. The flax seeds don't completely blend, but that doesn't bother me. If you don't like whole flax seeds, use ground flax or just leave them out!

Part B: naan pizza. 

• two pieces whole wheat naan bread
• pumpkin seed pesto
• grape tomatoes
• goat cheese
• avocado

Spread pesto on the naan as the sauce. Sprinkle with quartered grape tomatoes and little blobs of goat cheese. Bake in the oven at 350 until you can smell the garlic cooking and the cheese is melting. Remove from oven and add avocado. Serve with a glass of red wine.