Inspiration: Free and Sweet Valentine Idea

I was looking through the Real Simple website and found this fun way to tell friends, family, and significant others you love them: create a crossword of all the things that mean something in your relationship. It's perfect for all those inside jokes, sweet feelings, and downright funny moments you have shared.

Farmers Market - Grade 2

As I was shopping at the local farmers stand the lady waiting on me was concerned about how the zucchini and cucumbers looked. She explained that because these two vegetables are so expensive at this time of year, she orders/picks 'grade two' cucumbers and zucchini from the farm in UpCountry Maui. She said because they don't look perfect she able to keep her costs down and transfer the savings to her customers. Personally, I had never thought about it, but now that I do I think that's great. Often time things that look perfect have lost taste or nutritional value. I do, however, need to think about eating vegetables that are out of season.

Based on some quick research cucumbers and zucchini can be found year-round, like most veggies and fruits these days but their true season is May through August. 

I am pretty good at buying local, living Maui does have its limitations to local produce, now the second part of the equation is to buy in season. 

Recipe: Smothered Enchiladas from Southern Living

In the past year I have really taken up a love for cooking. I like to try new recipes and place my own healthy twist to them. I'll share one with my edits to make it healthier 


Smothered Enchiladas
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Yield: Makes 8 servings

Ingredients

• 2  pounds  ground beef - use 93/7 ground beef
• 1  (1 1/4-ounce) package mild taco seasoning mix
• 1  (4.5-ounce) can chopped green chiles, divided
• 2  (10 3/4-ounce) cans cream of chicken soup - use low fat cream of chicken, helpful hint use low fat it has less sodium then "less sodium" , however I am sure this depends on the brand so check labels 
• 1  (16-ounce) container sour cream - use fat free
• 8  (8-inch) flour tortillas - you can use whole wheat, I don't like whole wheat tortillas so I use regular flour tortillas 
• 2  cups  (8 ounces) shredded Cheddar cheese - use 2% milk fat cheese 
• Garnishes: Homemade Salsa, sour cream, green onion curls, chopped fresh cilantro

Preparation

Brown ground beef in a large skillet, stirring until it crumbles and is no longer pink; drain. Stir in taco seasoning mix and half of chopped green chiles; set aside.

Stir together remaining green chiles, soup, and sour cream. Pour half of soup mixture into a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish.

Spoon beef mixture evenly down centers of tortillas; roll up. Place, seam sides down, over soup mixture in baking dish; top evenly with remaining soup mixture and cheese.

Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Garnish, if desired.

This is super creamy, tasty and quick. My co-worker who promised herself she would cook more in 2011 loved this recipe because it was easy and her family enjoyed it. I was pleased that I inspired her to cook. 

Happy New Year

2011 should be the start of an entrepreneurial year for me. I picked up the book "Nudge" to learn some more about making positives decisions for my life, health, career, and empowering myself to become the confident business owner I want to be later in life.

I don't believe in resolutions, but I do believe in developing goals, motivating myself and inspiring others. The New Year is a perfect time, as any time is, to start learning and being more open to experience, risk, and education to become a better human on and for the earth.

I am looking forward to 2011 for all the opportunities and experiences that it will hold for me, my family, and friends. I want to focus on building relationships and maintaining all the important ones my life is already blessed with.

I've experienced and learned so much in 2010. I am blessed to have lived through another successful year. Good luck and blessing to everyone in 2011!

Christmas in Maui

So is 80 degrees and this is what my house looks like. I miss the COLD winter season TERRIBLY. It truly isn't the same, like Macaulay Culkin says in Home Alone 2: 

Kevin McCallister: Why do we have to go to Florida? There's no Christmas trees in Florida. 

Kate McCallister: Kevin, what is it with you and Christmas trees? 

Kevin McCallister: How could you have Christmas without a Christmas tree, Mom? 

Well I feel that way about Christmas and cold weather. 

Hiking in Poli Poli

This hike is officially my favorite on Maui. 

We did a 5 mile loop starting and ending at Poli Poli State Park. The trip getting to the park is as interesting as the terrain we traveled over during our hike.

We live close to the ocean on the West Side of Maui and meandered our way along the coast to Central Maui where sugar cane is king. We then headed to "Upcounty" gaining a total of 7,000 feet in elevation. We went from paved road to a dirt road that is rough, to say the very least, but not impassable. We saw a Mustang Convertible coming out as we headed in; the driver yelled in passing that he was happy he bought the insurance. Tourists. 

When we got to the park it was a brisk 55 degrees. So with the elevation gain we lost 25 degrees as well, exactly what I wanted; I am tired of the heat. Griz, Chad and I unloaded to take off on a gorgeous hike through redwoods, rainforest, and most surprisingly of all, a huge hydrangea field in the middle of nowhere. The cabin and flowers pictured were the highlight of my trip. Total surprises!

I have been struck by ‘rock fever’ and am sick of the island, so I felt Papa (God, if you have read The Shack) led me to the place to make me realize he created everything and we need to appreciate it all, even if it isn’t my ideal. It was a wonderful realization and comforting too. Hydrangeas are one of my favorite flowers but know they hold true meaning in me heart.

A hike to remember. 

Yoga: My First Class

I loved my first yoga class. It's pretty laid back, like everything else in Maui, and was for all levels. I learned some great new poses that will help my posture. I had a trainer tell me I slouch. (!) So I am definitely looking to improve my posture and strengthen my shoulders and back. A great move, that literally cramped my shoulder, goes like this: step forward with your right foot and go into a lunge. Left leg should be extended. Extend arms to shoulder level and twist to the right and pull your shoulders back as far as you can. Switch sides (that's not the yogi way to do it but I am still learning).

I love the focus on calm, breathe, and health that yoga has, I have realized that my exercise theory is 'no pain, no gain' and that needs to change. Yoga is so beneficial beyond the physical results. I am totally sold. :) Oh and my flexibility has improved so much since I started practicing.