Monday, February 20, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
A Day at the Farmers Market
Yesterday I had asked if one of my friends and her little girl would like to go to the Kaneohe's Farmers Market with me. I had never been before and wanted to see the price differnce and freshness of the local food compared to what is sold in the commisary.
We get there and immediatly see tons of booths set up with loads of fresh fruits, vegetables, hot plates, breads, jams, honeys, butter, vinegars, syrups, coffee, tea, and I'm sure tons of other stuff!
I LOVED taste testing everything! I swear, yesterday I ate some of the best honey, peanut butter, and jams I have ever eaten.
The first place we stopped at was to taste some local honey that is made up on the North Shore. They had Christmas Berry, Rainbow Blend, and I think Macdamia Nut. OMYWORD. So fresh and I love how you know exactly what is in the honey. It was a tad too expensive for us both so we went ahead to the other booths. We then went to this booth where the men make their own peanut butter. Ughh....so good. He had coconut peanut butter, Mango, banana spread, and papaya I believe. I bought the Macadamia nut peanut butter and want to eat this on everything! Next was some more honey's. We looked through all the fresh herbs, veges, and fruits. I got some little bananas, I never realized how little they are compared to the monsters that are sold in the store. They were about 9c more expensive so not bad. I loved smelling the fresh rosemary, basil, and tyme. I bought a little bag of assorted bell peppers and some of the best butter ever! It is guava butter and a lady in Kailua makes all of her butter herself. My friend bought some Lilikulani Syrup...I regret not buying that which I will next time. She made her butters out of fresh flowers found around the island. One butter is made out of a flower that is gathered only once every 15 years that grows near the volcanoes.
I then got some fresh honey.
We had such a great day!
I can't wait to go back!
We get there and immediatly see tons of booths set up with loads of fresh fruits, vegetables, hot plates, breads, jams, honeys, butter, vinegars, syrups, coffee, tea, and I'm sure tons of other stuff!
I LOVED taste testing everything! I swear, yesterday I ate some of the best honey, peanut butter, and jams I have ever eaten.
The first place we stopped at was to taste some local honey that is made up on the North Shore. They had Christmas Berry, Rainbow Blend, and I think Macdamia Nut. OMYWORD. So fresh and I love how you know exactly what is in the honey. It was a tad too expensive for us both so we went ahead to the other booths. We then went to this booth where the men make their own peanut butter. Ughh....so good. He had coconut peanut butter, Mango, banana spread, and papaya I believe. I bought the Macadamia nut peanut butter and want to eat this on everything! Next was some more honey's. We looked through all the fresh herbs, veges, and fruits. I got some little bananas, I never realized how little they are compared to the monsters that are sold in the store. They were about 9c more expensive so not bad. I loved smelling the fresh rosemary, basil, and tyme. I bought a little bag of assorted bell peppers and some of the best butter ever! It is guava butter and a lady in Kailua makes all of her butter herself. My friend bought some Lilikulani Syrup...I regret not buying that which I will next time. She made her butters out of fresh flowers found around the island. One butter is made out of a flower that is gathered only once every 15 years that grows near the volcanoes.
I then got some fresh honey.
We had such a great day!
I can't wait to go back!
Monday, February 13, 2012
Beauitful mornings
This morning I took a walk around our base. Each morning here feels like spring while the afternoons feel like summer. I love seeing all the kids riding their bikes to school and see all the beautiful dogs beings walked or the new moms pushing their babies around in strollers.
This morning I had a lot on my mind so I put in my ipod and just went for it. While I was walking up this hill that over looks the ocean, beaches, and helicoptor hangers, I was just so overwhelmed by how much God has truly blessed me.
So many times I place bitter seeds in my heart for being here so far away from home but I hardly embrace the beauty this place has to offer. I was listening to August's Rhapsody and just felt like God was reaching down to hold my hand and walk with me the rest of the way.
Sometimes You can truly feel His precence all around you and other times it feels as if you so alone you could cry. But we are never alone.
God will take Jake and I to higher heights any where we go because God's plans are for the best of us.
Some days are harder than others but today is a day to embrace and be thankful that I had such a view to look down at.
It really is beautiful here.
This morning I had a lot on my mind so I put in my ipod and just went for it. While I was walking up this hill that over looks the ocean, beaches, and helicoptor hangers, I was just so overwhelmed by how much God has truly blessed me.
So many times I place bitter seeds in my heart for being here so far away from home but I hardly embrace the beauty this place has to offer. I was listening to August's Rhapsody and just felt like God was reaching down to hold my hand and walk with me the rest of the way.
Sometimes You can truly feel His precence all around you and other times it feels as if you so alone you could cry. But we are never alone.
God will take Jake and I to higher heights any where we go because God's plans are for the best of us.
Some days are harder than others but today is a day to embrace and be thankful that I had such a view to look down at.
It really is beautiful here.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Happy Anniversary!
This weekend was so wonderful! In fact, Jake mentioned this morning that this week has been so great. I asked him what made this week stand out so much and he simply said, "Because you laughed everyday." It made me realize a lot.
I had been so down before this year and did not realize how if affected the both of us. I partially blame it on my birth control that I was taking and seriously believed it changed much of my personality. I also know that I let situations determine my attitude and how ugly that must have made me appear.
Friday I spent the afternoon up at the Pantlings talking about legos and Mario Brothers with the four boys and drank tea with Veronica while jake was climbing all over me and completely embarrasing me because he was not being obediant whatsoever. I made a banana nut bread made out of my homemade applesauce, agave, bananas, and eggs. No sugar, oil, or butter and it was soooooo sweet and good!
Saturday Jake took me shopping for Valentines Day at the Executive Chef! We got some jams and 4 beautiful coffee cups! We went to Elvins Bakery and had turkey sandwhiches with avacodo and just walked around Kailua and window shopped. It was perfect.
Saturday night we went to the Lt. Dan Band's concert held here on base and it was SO FUN!
They played all these cover songs and we just stood and sang with them! The place was packed! We were right up front with all the crazy people and dancing and singing like no one cared! When the alcohol started flowing freely and people started dancing all up on Jake we decided to leave haha. Gary Sinise was so awesome! He played that base like no other and danced with everyone. Nothing like I imagined him to be.
The guys behind us kept yelling ou icecream at him ALL NIGHT and kept asking why his legs came back...I couldn't stop laughing.
We came back and stayed up till 12 oclock and danced in the kitchen for a little bit to welcome our anniversary :) Jake is so wonderful.
This morning we decided to go to brunch at our favorite island resturant (Haliewa Joes) and enjoyed a luxury and huge breakfast! -thanks again Robert and Jacque!-
It was so wondeful. We got some beautiful cards from my family and have relaxed the rest of the day. We are waiting to finish this perfect day off with Once Upon a Time :)
I found a cute idea on pinterest for a picture to take on each anniversary so we started that today.
I think it will be super cute. I think I need a haircut tho... it keeps getting longer and longer! We are holding a picture that was taken on our dinner cruise last year on our anniversary so next year we will hold this picture in a picture frame and keep going.
Jake wanted the pic. in the back of his truck... of course haha
Hope everyone had as great as a weekend as we did!
I had been so down before this year and did not realize how if affected the both of us. I partially blame it on my birth control that I was taking and seriously believed it changed much of my personality. I also know that I let situations determine my attitude and how ugly that must have made me appear.
Friday I spent the afternoon up at the Pantlings talking about legos and Mario Brothers with the four boys and drank tea with Veronica while jake was climbing all over me and completely embarrasing me because he was not being obediant whatsoever. I made a banana nut bread made out of my homemade applesauce, agave, bananas, and eggs. No sugar, oil, or butter and it was soooooo sweet and good!
Saturday Jake took me shopping for Valentines Day at the Executive Chef! We got some jams and 4 beautiful coffee cups! We went to Elvins Bakery and had turkey sandwhiches with avacodo and just walked around Kailua and window shopped. It was perfect.
Saturday night we went to the Lt. Dan Band's concert held here on base and it was SO FUN!
 |
| us sitting with a thousand other marines and their families-perfection- |
 |
| Gary Sinise getting his groove on in the middle |
The guys behind us kept yelling ou icecream at him ALL NIGHT and kept asking why his legs came back...I couldn't stop laughing.
We came back and stayed up till 12 oclock and danced in the kitchen for a little bit to welcome our anniversary :) Jake is so wonderful.
This morning we decided to go to brunch at our favorite island resturant (Haliewa Joes) and enjoyed a luxury and huge breakfast! -thanks again Robert and Jacque!-
 |
| this view never gets old |
I found a cute idea on pinterest for a picture to take on each anniversary so we started that today.
Jake wanted the pic. in the back of his truck... of course haha
Hope everyone had as great as a weekend as we did!
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Little changes
What are some changes that you have been doing since the new year?
Well mine have mainly revolved around a more healthy lifestyle.
Not dramatic changes but changes nonetheless that have made me feel better emotionally, spiritually, and physically.
At least 3 times a week I work out. Before Jan. I never left the house. #1 Hermit. I really believed I was spiraling down to some type of depression. I would wake up each day and say goodbye to Jake and sit on the couch and look out the window. I would not even turn on the tv. I would just sit and wait. Maybe call a family member, maybe read a book, but mainly just sat and felt sorry for myself. It was only for a couple of months but it left a major impact on me and what I felt like then.
Now I journal, go to the beach, walk, go to the gym, or strength exercise. Nothing huge. But more than I used to this past fall. I will joyfully look up healthy meals to cook for and am excited to see what I can substitute for other things in our meals.
We have only drank water so far. I drank gatorade for awhile but didn't want to buy it anymore. I drink more green tea than coffee and use agave instead of artificial sweetner.
Jake and I love this new cheerios that came out (well here anywase) called banana nut and it has almost 75 less calories than Kellogs Fiber cereal I had been buying. I made my own salad dressing and apple sauce so far this year in making baby steps toward lesser amounts of sugar intakes.
I love bananas, strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries and have decided the extra money is worth it rather than snacking on peanut butter.
well I am still trying to convince myself the extra money is worth it...
Jake and I have gone out more and seen the island. We really just stay put because each weekend would add up to a lot of money that would not have to be spent if we would just stay home. Instead, I find it kind of a game to stay under our entertainment budget each month.
I'm growing closer to the Holy Spirit and am amazed at His comforting presence during these times in our life. I'm suprisingly learning that it is so much easier when I know that God's plans are much better than mine! haha. But seriously. Little changes are coming around.
I love learning to sew and that brought about a new hobby. Thanks momma.
When grocery shopping, I have made it habit to buy whole grains instead of white bread. Now I don't even think about it. Wheat not White. Plain no mayo (or avacodo...yum!). Lemon in water (VERY GOOD FOR YOU and lessens the appearance of redness in one's face). WATER WATER AND MORE WATER. No diet coke...diet coke is from the devil, diet coke is so completley bad for you it makes me sick thinking about what it does to your body...I read to much (only take when your really sick and diet coke makes you feel like your home on the couch sitting next to your momma watching Antiques Roadshow). 2% cheese instead of whole. Salad instead of juicy cheeseburger...almost there. Black beans, Navy beans, and pinto beans are included more into the diet. Red meat isn't a must to complete a meal. Chicken. Tuna in water NOT oil. Low sodium chicken broth or even better homemade chicken broth.
Just little changes. I feel better. Nothing else if anything needs to change does it? I love my husband more and more each day. Yes, the future is unclear in our eyes. For all I know God will take us to Montana and I will humbly and gratefully know that is His Will.
Sitting and waiting has become a constant. Patience is a fruit of the spirit that keeps coming to me head on but seeing as how I have such a calm life right now, it is most welcome.
If you can please pray for Jake and my hearts to be open to His presence; that we will rest in the shadow of His wings and not want or grow weary. That we can bast in His glory and know each day that His ways are not our ways; His thoughts are not our's.
We are a moment,
You are forever.
Lord of the ages
God before time
We are a vapor,
You are Eternal
Love everlasting
Reigning on high
Lord you are holy, holy
Lord God Almighty
So worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Let the highest praises, honor and glory
Be unto Your name
Be unto Your name
We are the broken
You are the Healer
Jesus, Redeemer,
Mighty to save
You are the love song
We'll sing forever
Bowing before You
Blessing Your name.
For you are holy, holy
Lord God Almighty
So worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Let the highest praises, honor and glory
Be unto Your name
Be unto Your name
Holy, holy Lord God Almighty
So worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Let the highest praises, honor and glory
Be unto Your name
Be unto Your name
Be unto Your name
Be unto Your name.
Well mine have mainly revolved around a more healthy lifestyle.
Not dramatic changes but changes nonetheless that have made me feel better emotionally, spiritually, and physically.
At least 3 times a week I work out. Before Jan. I never left the house. #1 Hermit. I really believed I was spiraling down to some type of depression. I would wake up each day and say goodbye to Jake and sit on the couch and look out the window. I would not even turn on the tv. I would just sit and wait. Maybe call a family member, maybe read a book, but mainly just sat and felt sorry for myself. It was only for a couple of months but it left a major impact on me and what I felt like then.
Now I journal, go to the beach, walk, go to the gym, or strength exercise. Nothing huge. But more than I used to this past fall. I will joyfully look up healthy meals to cook for and am excited to see what I can substitute for other things in our meals.
We have only drank water so far. I drank gatorade for awhile but didn't want to buy it anymore. I drink more green tea than coffee and use agave instead of artificial sweetner.
Jake and I love this new cheerios that came out (well here anywase) called banana nut and it has almost 75 less calories than Kellogs Fiber cereal I had been buying. I made my own salad dressing and apple sauce so far this year in making baby steps toward lesser amounts of sugar intakes.
I love bananas, strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries and have decided the extra money is worth it rather than snacking on peanut butter.
well I am still trying to convince myself the extra money is worth it...
Jake and I have gone out more and seen the island. We really just stay put because each weekend would add up to a lot of money that would not have to be spent if we would just stay home. Instead, I find it kind of a game to stay under our entertainment budget each month.
I'm growing closer to the Holy Spirit and am amazed at His comforting presence during these times in our life. I'm suprisingly learning that it is so much easier when I know that God's plans are much better than mine! haha. But seriously. Little changes are coming around.
I love learning to sew and that brought about a new hobby. Thanks momma.
When grocery shopping, I have made it habit to buy whole grains instead of white bread. Now I don't even think about it. Wheat not White. Plain no mayo (or avacodo...yum!). Lemon in water (VERY GOOD FOR YOU and lessens the appearance of redness in one's face). WATER WATER AND MORE WATER. No diet coke...diet coke is from the devil, diet coke is so completley bad for you it makes me sick thinking about what it does to your body...I read to much (only take when your really sick and diet coke makes you feel like your home on the couch sitting next to your momma watching Antiques Roadshow). 2% cheese instead of whole. Salad instead of juicy cheeseburger...almost there. Black beans, Navy beans, and pinto beans are included more into the diet. Red meat isn't a must to complete a meal. Chicken. Tuna in water NOT oil. Low sodium chicken broth or even better homemade chicken broth.
Just little changes. I feel better. Nothing else if anything needs to change does it? I love my husband more and more each day. Yes, the future is unclear in our eyes. For all I know God will take us to Montana and I will humbly and gratefully know that is His Will.
Sitting and waiting has become a constant. Patience is a fruit of the spirit that keeps coming to me head on but seeing as how I have such a calm life right now, it is most welcome.
If you can please pray for Jake and my hearts to be open to His presence; that we will rest in the shadow of His wings and not want or grow weary. That we can bast in His glory and know each day that His ways are not our ways; His thoughts are not our's.
We are a moment,
You are forever.
Lord of the ages
God before time
We are a vapor,
You are Eternal
Love everlasting
Reigning on high
Lord you are holy, holy
Lord God Almighty
So worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Let the highest praises, honor and glory
Be unto Your name
Be unto Your name
We are the broken
You are the Healer
Jesus, Redeemer,
Mighty to save
You are the love song
We'll sing forever
Bowing before You
Blessing Your name.
For you are holy, holy
Lord God Almighty
So worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Let the highest praises, honor and glory
Be unto Your name
Be unto Your name
Holy, holy Lord God Almighty
So worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Let the highest praises, honor and glory
Be unto Your name
Be unto Your name
Be unto Your name
Be unto Your name.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Blood Oranges
Has anyone ever had a blood orange? Yesterday I went to the store and saw that they had just stocked up on a lot of fresh fruits. Some were from around the island. When I saw these little guys I was not very drawn to their name but the description got me. They were pretty expensive compared to regular oranges here (these were about $3.42 a lb) but I wanted to try one.
When I got home I cut one open and tasted it. OMYWORD. If you thought a reg. orange was good these are 10x better. I wish they made sugar out of these. They are so fresh, juicy, and SWEET.
Maybe next week I'll venture into another type of fruit I had never tasted. They have a few that look a little different but I'm here, so I should try.
I just finished my Heat Therapy sacks! I love my sewing machine. I made them for Mrs. Pantling and am going over to her house for tea on Friday. I hope she likes them. I heated one up in the microwave to test it out and it smelled up my kitchen in spicy perfumes and felt very nice all warm and soft. It would be the perfect gift for anyone with any pains or who gets headaches often. And it was SUPER easy!
They come with a little poem also :)
I found the link on pinterst but the tutorial and blog can be found here: http://creativeoutletdesigns.blogspot.com/2007/12/diy-wheat-sacks-tutorials.html
Jake and I will be celebrating our 2nd anniversary this Sunday! So far we are planning on going to the Lt. Dan Band this Saturday on base. It is a free concert led my Gary Sneese's band. They come each year for the military and give a free concert. We will then head over to Haliewa Joes and chow down! I'm so excited and blessed. This year really felt like our first year of marraige seeing as how we were together for most of it. Year 1 counted, but we were only together for about 3.5 months of it.
I love Jake so much and am loving him more and more each day that passes.
I will hopefully take lots of pictures this weekend for everyone!
Friday, February 3, 2012
Bananas
I am LOVING bananas this week.
I have made two AMAZING meals that involved them and the thought of only having two left in the kitchen makes me a little upset.
First recipe I want to share is the baked oatmeal from Skinnytaste.
http://www.skinnytaste.com/2012/01/baked-oatmeal-with-blueberries-and.html
I LOVE the taste of the quick oats, the fresh bursts of blueberries, and the warm bananas that all just seem to melt perfectly together.
I am saving the two bananas for this meal for this weekend :)
I also love the banana smoothie seen on Pinterest that is made with quick oats, almonds, honey greek yogurt, and bananas
http://www.chiquitabananas.com/Banana-Recipes/Banana-Oatmeal-Smoothie-recipe.aspx
So I ate this after my circuit workout yesterday and was so satisfied! It makes two servings and each serving is 5 WW points (which still trying to figure that out) so I saved the other half for Jake's lunch and he LOVED it! I could eat this everday.
Seriously.
When doing weight watchers, I never ate bananas because they were so high in points but they are just so darn good!
I was looking up health benefits of bananas and found some interesting posts found here.
Just thought I'd share that with you.
But it still doesn't change the WW point value :(
Oh well.
I found some other recipes for bananas that looked so amazing. I love banana bread but I hate adding the oil, butter, and sugars to it because I know that makes it even less amazing....well you know what I mean.
I found a recipe that subsitutes the sugar with honey (which I may use Agave) and oil with unsweetened apple sauce (which I just made a a crock pot full of sweet smelling fresh apple sauce!).
yummo!
I have made two AMAZING meals that involved them and the thought of only having two left in the kitchen makes me a little upset.
First recipe I want to share is the baked oatmeal from Skinnytaste.
http://www.skinnytaste.com/2012/01/baked-oatmeal-with-blueberries-and.html
I LOVE the taste of the quick oats, the fresh bursts of blueberries, and the warm bananas that all just seem to melt perfectly together.
I am saving the two bananas for this meal for this weekend :)
I also love the banana smoothie seen on Pinterest that is made with quick oats, almonds, honey greek yogurt, and bananas
http://www.chiquitabananas.com/Banana-Recipes/Banana-Oatmeal-Smoothie-recipe.aspx
So I ate this after my circuit workout yesterday and was so satisfied! It makes two servings and each serving is 5 WW points (which still trying to figure that out) so I saved the other half for Jake's lunch and he LOVED it! I could eat this everday.
Seriously.
When doing weight watchers, I never ate bananas because they were so high in points but they are just so darn good!
I was looking up health benefits of bananas and found some interesting posts found here.
Just thought I'd share that with you.
But it still doesn't change the WW point value :(
Oh well.
I found some other recipes for bananas that looked so amazing. I love banana bread but I hate adding the oil, butter, and sugars to it because I know that makes it even less amazing....well you know what I mean.
I found a recipe that subsitutes the sugar with honey (which I may use Agave) and oil with unsweetened apple sauce (which I just made a a crock pot full of sweet smelling fresh apple sauce!).
yummo! Ingredients
Directions
Still trying to have healthy meals in the gordon house. I do want to make some valentine cookies for Jake's co-workers next week because I got the cutest set of Valentine cut outs for Christmas that I just HAVE to use.
We sold our car! We actually sold it to the same couple that canceled on us that first night but we both felt that they deserved the car after getting to know them. I miss it. Jake had to drive me to my study Monday because I am too big of a chicken to drive that truck all the way to Ford Island but he got some yummy cookies out of it and a good snuggle with our jake :) (Jake the gorgeous lab that is supposed to come live with us forever in our imaginery world.)
Stupid Super Bowl has totally ruined by Sunday night this week.....apparently it is such a big deal, ABC is waiting a WHOLE week to show the next episode of Once Upon a Time.
Lame.
We are still waiting to see where God takes us. I am trying to have an open heart and mind to anywhere. Maybe He will move us to Ireland. That I would be totally ok with :)
Speaking of Ireland.....Jake and I are seriously considering taking our first vacation there soon! He should be getting 2-4 weeks of paid leave coming up and we would LOVE to go spend a few days in Cork and look at all the museums, pubs, scenery, and people.
Ugh, I would just die if I got to go there. It is suprisingly only an 8 hour trip from Chicago to Cork and cost less than the amount of money we spent to go home for Christmas this year. That includes food, airfare, and 2 weeks at the Rattissan.
Hawaii is totally overrated. haha
Oh well we can dream can't we :)
Maybe we can bring back an Irish baby!!!! ;)
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