Delicious Holiday Spice Oatmeal Cookies - Gluten & Sugar Free

Okay so there's no sugar in these cookies, but that doesn't mean they aren't deliciously sweet! Keep reading to find out the secret sweet ingredient that makes these Holiday cookies to-live-for!

Holiday Oatmeal Spice Cookies Gluten & Sugar Free

Left-Over Oatmeal Flap Jacks

It's a glorious Saturday morning! My darling is out lending a hand at a friend's ranch and I slept-in until my precious little pug's tap-dancing outside my door woke me up.  Next door my brother is the only one left at home and I'm sure that he's still in bed :) I've fed the two dogs, three cats and one magnificent big horse. Now it's my turn!

Delicious Breakfast Oatmeal Flap Jacks

Talk Story Conundrum

I ran into my brother-in-love (my BF's brother) the other day at the farmers market. He's like so many folks out there, overweight and is starting to search for answers. My boyfriend has, since we've been together, dropped two pant sizes (from 36 and growing to a steady 32) and is in top-shape and the question is always, "What's the secret? What are you doing?". Most of the time he tries to share what he can with those who ask, but we realize (from experience and practicality) that there is so much information out there and what we do, as far as an eating lifestyle-- being completely different than the mainstream-- it's hard to put it in a nutshell. 

And so I found myself answering my brother-in-love's questions at the farmers market. I just ran over a couple basics like change your cooking oil to coconut oil, don't put sugar in everything, and try to avoid supermarket food! He doubted me when I suggested he use coconut oil and eat coconut (even though we live in Hawaii!) thanks to the bad press saturated fats have got. I smiled and told him, the proof is in the pudding. We both laughed. On my way home I couldn't help but think of more and more things I wanted to add to that conversation. It's occasions and conversations like this that inspired this blog, not only because my boyfriends family is immense (nine brothers and sisters alone and oodles of cousins!) all with the same issues as the mainstream population at large -- no pun intended.

It is my hopes that this blog can serve as a pathway out of suffering for many and as the shifting gears occurs to create more "nutshell" like content that can be distributed both on and off-line. If there are any specific questions you'd like to know about please ask away!

Shifting Gears - Broad Strokes

It's been a while since I posted anything new. Maybe it has something to do with the chaining of the seasons that has me a bit off. Or it could be the poor lighting at my evening meals that doesn't produce great photos. The truth is I just haven't been feeling inspired to write lately. Not out of lack of motivation or inspiration, but lack organization (of my thoughts).

I started this blog as a means to share the information and experiences found on my journey to superb health and wellness in hopes that it can help other seekers along their path.  The challenge lies in trying to convey several years worth of trials and success in a few blog posts! There was a brief moment when I considered writing a book (and maybe that will happen later) but I don't love writing and I have a preference towards details and digressions. It is this overwhelming desire to share with others what I have found that stops me in my tracks. Because my initial approach does not match my aspirations. The good news is, I have a plan! The new model for this blog, that I feel will be more successful at accomplishing my goal of getting fellow seekers up to speed, came to me just now as I was writing! Mahalo ke Akua!


In drawing, the method is to first capture the general form and space by using broad strokes. Later you refine them with more detail. This is a practical approach often applied to the art of writing, although I find it is often more difficult to curb one's voice to a methodical approach. Long story short, this blog will be undergoing some modifications that include more broad strokes which will cover the basics. The fine lines and details will be around, but shall play second fiddle to the basics.

Cacao: Breakfast of Champions

Getting bored with your breakfasts? Try having some chocolate! 

Click the link below the photo for a DIY chocolate treat that's fast, easy, satisfying and best of all guilt free!

Chocolate. One of natures most perfect foods.

Holy Smokes!

Promise you've never had smoked salmon like this! Another treat from the Mainland, Cap'n Mikes Holy Smokes makes some beautiful alder smoked wild caught salmon!

Smoked salmon has a long history not only in the Pacific Northwest, but in the Hawaiian islands. Salted and smoked salmon and other meats were traded by sailors when stopping to refresh their supplies in the Islands. Lomi lomi salmon is a popular lu'au dish with roots in some of the contact with haole sailors.

Unfortunately, most of the salmon you find in Hawaii today is farmed raised or laced with preservatives and artificial colors (and there's nothing grosser than liquid smoke! bleh!). According to the Environmental Defense Fund wild Alaskan salmon is among the safest fish around and high in precious Omega-3 fatty acids! Click here for more about safe seafood and portions.

I feel in love with all the Holy Smokes smoked salmon I tasted while on the Mainland! I'm getting hungry just looking at the pictures! Mmm... I need to make an order. The real thing blows all the other store bought kine out of the water!

Shaka to you Cap'n Mike!  Keep those fires smokin!

Farmhouse Culture Sauerkraut

Despite my German roots I never really took a liking to sauerkraut. Possibly because I never really gave it a chance even while in Germany. Little did I know that the stuff I had been so skeptical about would become an instant favorite! Now, I suppose that everything happens for a reason and in its own time. I guess I just wasn't ready for the awesomeness of the kraut!

Fermented foods are something I've been getting into more recently. Aside from eating factory farm uber-processed yogurt growing up (which I'm not sure I really count), fermented food wasn't on my radar.  Over the past year I've developed a major kimchi habit, but after tasting fresh delicious sauerkraut I've got a new crush!

Farmhouse Culture, a Santa Cruz, CA based company, changed all that. While shopping at a San Francisco farmer's market, my friend and I stopped by the Farmhouse Culture booth to sample their krauts. We ended up taking home two crocks full of delicious mouth watering krauts. The company is committed to local organic ingredients and uses badass ceramic company branded re-usable crocks (optional with a $2 deposit!). I brought one home with me. Two dollars and some priceless inspiration is a great deal for a souvenir I'll cherish forever.