Mochi Waffles.

I love mochi. I love waffles. So, naturally, since Mrs. A gifted me a brand new waffle maker yesterday, I decided to make myself some mochi waffles. Oh goodness, I sooo love waffles! I love breakfast food actually. I can eat breakfast food all day long! :)

I remember seeing this video about making mochi waffles on facebook, and so I decided to look it up again and use it in my first making of mochi waffles.

I have been wanting to try this for some time already and so was so excited to try this out! I did everything that it said to do, but I didn't put it back in the microwave for the extra 30 seconds, I didn't think that it was needed and it was SUPER sticky already. And I have to admit that although I really really wanted to have it with ice cream and whip cream, I just used syrup and butter. :)

 

So, this was how my first one turned out. I like my waffles more crunchy, and it said that it will also cook itself and be more crunchy after you take it out, but I realized that it wasn't crunchy enough for me, so I left it in the waffle for a minute longer and it turned out perfect!

So, using this batch I was able to make 4 good sized waffles.



The one on the bottom left was the perfect one for me. So as you can see I experimented with the length of time that I kept the waffle in the maker. I did keep it on medium heat though and left it on for 8 minutes. And yes, it was sooo good! And dare I say it, but it didn't need the butter and barely any syrup it was super sweet enough and it reminded me of the Filipino dessert karioka, which I made here (minus the coconut though!) But it was so ono! If...or more like WHEN I make these again, I think that I would use a different recipe though. It was really sweet and sticky and hard to eat with a fork since it kept sticking. And I saw other recipes using 1/2 sweet rice flour and 1/2 regular white flour, so I might try that one. But in all seriousness, you need to try this, it's sooo good! And maybe next time I will use the ice cream and whip cream AND raspberries! :)

Day 14 of 30 Days of Gratitude.

Day #14: What sight are you grateful for today?

Well, I woke up early this morning, and so I ran/jogged/walked the Lanikai loop and stopped and stayed at the beach afterwards and this was like at 5:30 in the morning...and I was able to see the sunrise. So I would have to say I am grateful for the sunrise at the beach is the sight that I am grateful for for today. I hope that I never take for granted that I am able to witness such a beautiful sight. I love the ocean...and at that time there is next to no one there, and it's so calm but not quiet. It's nature quiet. I hope one day you will know what that means. The birds were just waking up so they were calling to each other, the ocean waves were kissing the shore, and the morning calm stillness was surrounding me as I watched the sky grow lighter and lighter as the sun rose. It wasn't as pink as I've seen it before..but it was just as beautiful. And I am so grateful for being able to see that today.

Beach Day on Love Day.

Happy Valentine's Day all! I hope that all of you are enjoying your day of love and friendship! Remember, though, everyday should be a day that you show those you love that...you love them! But hey, its fun to know that there is a day set aside to celebrate love, right?! So enjoy it all!

Today, I woke up super early...like 5:30AM kind of early...why?! I don't even have to go to work...well, maybe that's because it's the time that I usually get up to go to work (well, at 5:45AM, I do...oh well)...so because I didn't have to go to work, I lounged up in my loft for 30 minutes before coming down and making my life productive! You wanna see what I made for myself...to tell myself that, "I LOVE YOU, SELF?!"



Oh okay, I know that it' doesn't look that appetizing...but it was...! My very own Blueberry Cobbler...oh goodness, it was definitely so ono! I actually made two that size since it did call for a bigger batch...but I only had my tiny toaster oven to do any baking with so I split the recipe in half and back it in two separate bread pans, and hey, now two for me. Don't worry, I shared! But I got the recipe here: Click for yumminess! And it was really so yummy!

Right after I took my yumminess out of the toaster oven, I set it on my counter to cool down...but oh my, it smelled so heavenly! And since it was super early I decided that I would go and do something that I love to do...go to the beach. It was super early so I knew that I would miss the holiday crowd...and then I remembered that they are doing this new pilot study here in Lanikai where this whole weekend starting yesterday until Monday, no one can park here in Lanikai (unless it is in your own driveway)...so that was going to make the crowds even less. So I got ready to go to the beach and off I went!

 

I love where I live. I love that there is all nature all over the place. I need to one day take a picture of the rain river that runs right by my house when it rains...and just outside my place there is a lot of trees and it's so peaceful and I love it!



(Sorry, it's a blurry picture!) As I left the house, I saw that it was a beautiful day already and so I wanted to take a longer walk and decided to walk to the beach access that was further from my house. I love Laniaki...it's such a nice neighborhood...and every single person that I passed by smiled and said "Good Morning"...such nice people that are here...and I am so lucky and blessed that I live here.

 

So, this is the beach access that is a little ways from my house...like three beach access down from where I live and it is far enough from the entrance of Lanikai that there wouldn't be that much people.



I just LOVE the sand of Lanikai...it is sooo soft and so fine! Hey, can you see my slippa tan line?! *laughs* I think that it's a permanent tan now. *laughs*

Look at that...! The first glimpse of my beautiful Lanikai beach...and it's SO perfect. Blue skies...blue waters...and white, powdery fine sand...and check this out...



No people! But the occasional dog walker or beach stroller...but at least for now...at 7:30 in the morning the beach is all mine! I love it!



It's hard living in Hawai'i. The cost of living is ridiculous and sometimes I wonder what the hell am I doing?! But then I just come the beach...walking distance away...in a beautiful neighborhood, with beautiful people...and then I know why I do it. To some people, it might not be worth it...working three jobs, living alone, away from family...but to me, it is worth it. I don't know for how long I will be able to call Hawai'i my home, but for now...and hopefully for a long time yet, this is my home.

 

Oh yeah, check out the "third moke" that someone created in the sand!



Cute little, bugger, ya?!

Well, I actually stayed at the beach for a few hours. I was wearing my swim suit, and I had brought a book...so I was good to go!

I did take dips in the water...it was more on the cooler side, but it felt so good on my skin. I love how I am weightless in the water...and I love just kicking my feet up to the surface to just float and float and float...just looking up at the sky...and if you listen real carefully you can hear things in the water. I remember when I first experienced that it scared the shit out of me...but now, it's more of a comfort thing...it's like ticking and sound...you gotta just come here to experience it. The water is so clear you can see straight down...sometimes scares me because I'm not a fan of swimming on top of coral...but it's so beautiful to see as well.

 

And after that initial dip in the water, I came out, spread my towel out and just laid down and read my book. I am currently reading, This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti as a recommendation from my friend, Jade. It's a captivating book, that's for sure! I would get lost in it and then get jolted out of it by a dog running by and wanting to be friends. Then I would talk to the owner of the dog for awhile and then they would continue down the beach while I stayed on my towel to get lost once again in my book.

 

Do you like my DIY bookmark?! 'The sweetest moments in life are many times the simplest: a deep breath at a stoplight, a daydream during a favorite song, a gentle touch during a scary movie (btw, I do NOT watch scary movies! Nope! Nope! Nope!), a whisper under an apple tree, standing on the line where the ocean meets the earth, dancing with the wind." It's a good reminder sometimes to just stop and enjoy the simple moments. :)

I did bring my spray sunscreen/block that I would spray on when I felt like I was burning...and then when it got too hot, I would just put my book down and take a dip in the water...oh, how I love the healing waters of Hawai'i!



 As the day went by, the clouds started to come...and the beach became more brighter...and people started to arrive...but not too much that I felt like I had to leave right away. It was still a lazy kind of day. :)




Every time I would just laze around in the water, floating with my feet up, I would loved looking up at the clouds...they were SO beautiful...and there was so much!

 

So beautiful! I don't think that I can ever get tired of this view...If I had a choice, I would never leave. :)



Here are my beach essentials...my bathing suit cover up (top left of the picture, kind of hidden), my water bottle (the red "thing" peeking out from my bag), cut up apples for my snack (only Envy! You should try it, it's so ono!), my favorite sun glasses (from my best friend!!), my spray on sunscreen/block has to be spray on when I'm alone, since it's harder to reach my back...just spray it on!), my book, my hat (I adore my Mermaid hat! Amanda gave me that one!) and my towel...all in my beach bag!

There were several people who would call out "Hello Mermaid! Happy Valentine's Day!" That was really sweet of them! :)

When the beach was getting more crowded at around lunch time, I knew it was time to go. Plus, I try to avoid the beach at the peak of the afternoon since that is when the sun is at the top of the sky and it's the most hottest. I am NOT about skin cancer...and so I know when it's time to leave.

 

So, I just throw all my things in my bag, roll my towel up so that I can just shake it when there are no people around (I hate when people just shake their towel not carrying where the sand will fly too! So I try to be courteous about it when I shake my towel. I just wait until I am leaving the beach and on the way out of the beach access...that way no one gets hit with the sand), and make my way home.



The sand is so powder fine that it will just stick onto you! I forgot to bring my baby powder, which helps remove the sand...oh well, I'll just hose down when I get home.

 

It's a bit hotter now, the walk home...but it's still very beautiful in the day. I love how there are no cars blocking the bike lanes now that the pilot study is in progress. I wonder how long it will last though. I know that a lot of people are not happy about it; the fact that they can't park in Lanikai now. I overheard someone say that they parked their car, got a ticket and they just left their car there since they already got a ticket, they couldn't get another one...so sad. The reason why they are doing this is because on the weekends and the holidays, it would be jammed packed with cars, and there is only one way out or in...so it can take up to two or more hours just to get out of Lanikai...when in reality it takes less than five minutes. Residence of Lanikai have complained about it...and I totally understand...coz I've been in that traffic too, and it's not fun. Two hours just to go less than 2 miles is kind of ridiculous. And it's also a safety hazard when there is an emergency and the emergency vehicle can not get through and out in a timely manner. That's really sad. They do have a shuttle going from Kailua Beach Park going into Lanikai...and you can still walk or ride your bikes...but I do like how the roads are clean though.



Well, I made it home...and I feel so refreshed...and the days is only half way done! I can still get other stuff done! :) Or, I might just lay down on the roof and continue reading my book...away from people and out in the sun. :)



My beautiful plants on my porch! :)

I hope that everyone had a beautiful day...and I did end up reading on the roof for a few more hours...took a nap, now I am just finishing this post and about to get ready to go to my sister's house to watch her kids while she takes her hubby out for their Valentine's date! I love spending time with my niece and nephew...my DollGirl and my 'Lil Chunks!

 

Fit Tea.

Look what I got in the mail today! I am actually excited to start this...

So, last week I was talking to Ashley and she asked me if I would try something with her. I told her it all depends on what it was...and if it wasn't harming anyone or myself...I would. Then she told that she wanted me to try this Fit Tea detox thingy with her to help her stay motivated and just so that she can have someone to do it with. 

I have to say that I have never really tried any kind of "loosing weight" program thingy...well, no, I take that back...long time ago when I was still in Jr. High...my mom wanted me to join Weight Watchers...which helped me loose weight, but I was very active in sports back then and I did have that eating problem (dark past that I don't really like to revisit if I don't have to)...but I think it was more because my mom wanted me to get in the habit of actually eating again...but that is a different story...but that was the only weight "loss" thingy that I've ever tried. Other than than, I would just do the whole exercise and try to eat more healthy dealio...but, my mom actually wanted me to go on a detox/juicing diet thingy with her. But I like food...and I like to eat...and I do have the biggest sweet tooth ever! But I also know that if I wanted to, I can be "more healthy"...but I would need a lot of motivation, moral support, and a very good reason. 

I do want to do the whole juicing/detox thingy just because I know that it's healthy and I do want to get in better shape before my brother gets married. I have been running and boxing more...and I am force myself to be more aware of what I eat. I still love my smoothies and I always tell myself to eat salad everyday. So I am more conscious of healthy eating and all. But juicing is SO expensive! I know that is just an excuse or whatever you want to call it...but it is what it is. I am a teacher...a preschool teacher and we get JUNK PAY...and I would go broke in a quick second if I had to buy fruits constantly to juice it. Coz if I could have it my way, I would eat all the fruit ever! I love fruit...apples are my favorite..I LOVE all kine berries...I can eat dragon fruit all day long, mangoes...oh my days, I love mangoes and I miss, SUPER miss white nectarine! That is one thing that I'm sad about living here in Hawai'i...the fruit here are so mad expensive! I kick myself now for taking for granted all the fruit that surrounded me when I was growing up in CA! We a kickass garden with fruit trees of all kind...and a vegetable garden with the best tomatoes ever! And cucumbers...oh mandope...I would LOVE to have a garden like that again! I remember always climbing and just reading up in the apple trees and peach trees in my backyard. And I could always just reach across and grab me some plum...oh my goodness plum! I LOVE plums! So yeah, I'm not against juicing, it's just...if money was not an issue, I would do it. But it is an issue and it is something that I would probably have to save for and not do for long amounts of time. 

So, when Ash asked me if I would do this detox thingy with her...I said, "why not?!" It's only a 28 or so day thing...and in the grand scheme of life...it's only a drop in the bucket...and so why not?! I think that we have decided that we will start on Sunday, if not sooner...but I have yet to tell Ash that I finally got it! :) At least we can start on the beginning of a new week...and we'll do it do together. 

I got the Super Fit Tea pack from here. And this pack came with everything that you see in that above picture. One thing that I looked at was that all the ingredients was natural and I am always drinking tea anyways...and so that is a good thing...I don't have to change that. I have to get used to taking the pills 30 minutes before breakfast and lunch though...I'm not the biggest fan on taking pills...and if I can help me I don't take pills for ANYTHING...but it can try it. 

The reviews that I have read said that the tea was a pleasant taste...and like I said, I love my tea! I have a pretty impressive collection of tea, but my #1 favorite tea is Irish Breakfast (with milk and sugar!) :) That and Peach Ginger tea are my go-to tea. (I still love my cup of black coffee in the morning though :)). 

I think the thing that sold me on this detox thingy is that it's basically tea...and I love tea.

The only thing that I could do with out is the stevia. (And we all know that I don't like CORN! *laughs* But it won't kill me to consume that!) I'm not the biggest fan of stevia...but in moderation, I guess it's okay. And...HONEY POWDER?! I have never heard of that before...but it's powdered honey, I guess. Can't go wrong with that...just it sounds weird. I love honey. :)

Well, I'm excited for this...we will see how it goes. I'll talk to Ashley and it will be pretty cool to document this journey of this Fit Tea Detox tea. Hopefully, it will be a good experience...can't hurt, can it?! :)

Broken Love.

I just got back from spending time with friends that I miss so much! I had a very relaxing day today...just catching up with everything that I needed to catch up on. I admit that I didn't get to do everything that I wanted to do, because I really did just lazed around BUT I did get a lot of things that I wanted done, done. :)

Yesterday Jess asked me if I wanted to go walking with her...and I told her that I would. So I just got back from being with Jess and Jackie. I did feel bad though because I always end up running instead of just walking. I have found out that I feel more tied if I walked the 3 miles than if I ran it...so I usually walk at least 1/2 a miles with them...and then I run the rest. We start from Jackie's house...so when I reach Jackie's house...I just turn around and run back to where they are...and then I walk the rest of the way back to Jackie's house.

I have been running the Lanikai loop...and that is just 2 miles...the Keolu loop is three miles...so I like going with them...because it's gradually upping my miles...and yeah.

I'm not doing any "hardcore" working out type of thing...just small runs here and there with cardio other stuff. Just because I just want to keep moving...because I never want to take for granted that I can actually move...and so yeah.

Today in the midst of my lazing around I really wanted to have a good session with my punching bag. I love that thing! I think one of the best things that I've ever bought! *laughs* But I think I'm ready for a new one since this one looks about to fall apart now! But as I was saying, I really wanted to have a go with my punching bag...and so I took off my "love" bangle like I always do when I put my gloves on...I hate that feeling of my bangle pressing on my wrist and it actually hurts...so that is the only time that I actually really take it off.

Well, I did a good 45 minute workout when I had to leave and go meet up with Jess and Jackie to go walk/run/jog the lake...but when I went to put my bangle back on...look what happened!

It broke!!! Oh my days...my love is broken!! :( So bummed about it because I have always worn it since my lil DollGirl and sister had given it to me for Christmas! Yes, I am seriously bummed about that. I felt so empty without it that I ended up putting on a bangle Shilhi had given me a few years ago that I really love, it's an open arrow bangle...but I really am sad about my Love bangle.

I try not to get sentimental about things...but there are a few things that I do get sentimental about...and this bangle is one of them. Bummer...guess it was it's time. But I still feel bad about it.

Oh well, it's not like I'm dying or anything...just sad. But at least I got to see my friends again. After we got back to Jackie's house we just opened a few cans and talked about anything and everything and it felt really good to catch up again. I told them when my work jobs weren't as demanding, I would come over more often and go walking/jogging/running with them. I do want get in shape a little bit better before my brother gets married...and so it couldn't hurt. :)

Jezz.

After work today I went to meet up with my friend, Jessica to go running...and it was my first time seeing my former keiki...and I really did try hard to avoid seeing them because I have heard that they were having a hard time adjusting to the fact that I was not there. I miss them something awful, but I know that I need to stay out of their way for awhile if I want them to get used the fact that I am not their teacher anymore. That was hard.

But I did meet up with Jessica to go running around the lake. I still do my runs at Lanikai...but I know that I want to stay in touch with Jezz and all of them...so I will go out of my way to spend time with them. So, since Jezz doesn't really like running all that much...I ended up running the lake and then going back and running back to find Jezz and walked until we got back to the school. So I have to say that I'm pretty proud of myself for being able to do that!

After that we waiting until Jackie and Lek (who doesn't work there anymore but she was doing hours for her school) and we went to have dinner at L&L...and I have to say that it was so good to be with them again. I miss them. But it really was good to see them and hang out with them again. :)

I think that if I don't have to go to work, I want to go running/walking with Jezz every Thursday...so at least we can spend time and catch up with our week. So it's a plan. :)

Day Seven: Running.

One thing that makes me sad is that I don't have a camera to document the amazing views when I go running in the morning. Even in the evening when I go running, the sunsets are amazing...but the sunrise...oh wow it's beautiful. I do run with my iPod, but unfortunately it doesn't have a camera.

Another thing that I want to say is I had forgotten how wonderfully nice the people are here! Every since I started running, the people that go running have remembered me and they give me encouragement. There is not a single day that has passed that someone, if not several of them, have encouraged me one way or another. We don't ignore each other when we run...they look me in the eye and greet me and give some encouraging words. I love the Aloha spirit here.

After I run, I like having my daily smoothie and pot of tea. Today, I was able to have some nectarine in my smoothie! I LOVE nectarines! They are soo expensive here, but it is so worth it. White nectarines are my favorite though.

So today, I used two yellow nectarines, two apple bananas, one acai packet, a scoop of Matcha Ginger powder, a handful of granola, a dribble of honey and, of course, my favorite coconut water.

I wasn't able to fit everything in the first go, so I filled it as much as I could, an then I blended it and then added the last nectarine.

Today, I chose my Peach Ginger tea with honey. One of the top 5 favorite flavors of tea!

As you can see, I couldn't wait until going downstairs to start on my yummy, yummy smoothie. :) But now that I am down stairs I need to start getting ready for my day. But here's to a wonderful, beautiful, Sabbath day.

"Let prayer be your first response, not your last resort."-Joyce Meyers

Classroom Changes.

These past few weeks have been extremely tough. Nothing that I can't get through...but still tough and pretty stressful. I guess it's good that I have made it a conscious effort to exercise every day; to run as much as I can. And it does help a lot. I have only been running for three days, and I honestly thought that it would take longer for me to get in the hang of running again, but I'm glad that it hasn't. I am so blessed to live here in Hawai'i and that makes running a lot easier because it's such a beautiful place to run...the view is soooo amazing.

My classroom is getting there. I keep forgetting to take pictures of the changes that I've done with it. I think that it's going to be good. The theme that I am going for is bugs. At first I was going to do caterpillars and butterflies...but then while I was making the huge caterpillar for my wall decoration, my lil keikis were telling me that they also wanted ladybugs, bees, and ants...oh and I can't forget the flowers for the bees. *laughs* So I have decided to just make a bunch a insects and ginormous flowers for my decorations. And it's going....slowly, but surely.

As for the layout of my room, I'm more happier with it. I was pretty upset when I had to switch rooms with out any notice...and I wasn't able to plan out how I wanted my room to be, but since then I have rearranged a few times and how it is now, I think I am now satisfied with it. My kids seem to like it as well...and I am loving all the new things that I am getting in my room. I just now need to transfer all my teacher stuff from my teacher cabinet to my room. Right now, JessiLynn and I have an understanding that we will just walk into each other's room and get what we need. We both have been frustrated with how things panned out...but then she's an amazing person and we both got this.

I just can't wait until we get our infant and toddler program up and running. It's been a hard thing to do, especially since I didn't know that it was going to fall a lot on me. I didn't ask for it, but then at least I know how to start one up now. It's a slow process...but it's getting there.

Well, I need to go to sleep, I feel myself dragging right now, but I just wanted to say...yay! I've been keeping my goal and running everyday! Hopefully I can keep it up! :)

http://www.lovethispic.com/image/30066/dont-quit

Day One: Running.

I just got out of the shower...and I thought that I was going to take a nap, but actually, I feel good. I haven't run in such a long time. Well, I take that back, I have run...but not proper run. I woke up at 6:00AM to get ready to run. I made sure the charge my nano iPod, because I find it hard to exercise without music. Well, actually, I have a hard time getting through my day without music...but I hate running and music is a good distraction.

See, just looking at the fun socks that I bought yesterday makes me happy. Yes, it's the little things that make me smile. :)

So, here I am ready to go. I decided to just run the Lanikai Loop, which is just two miles long and shouldn't take too long for me to run. It was as lot harder than I thought to go back into running...but I have decided to do it...and so I will. I have confident that I can...and I did. I thought that I was going to stop...but then the different things that was going through my mind were things like:

--Just. One. More. Step.

--You're not tired! Your body is...but not your mind.

--You've ran 8 miles straight before...you can do just 2!

--Hurry! You have things to do!

--The end is just around the corner.

--Just keep going.

--Your feet do NOT hurt.

...and things like that. Part of me was laughing at myself, and another part of me was trying to block out everything. And most definitely, the music helped a lot.

Before I start to do my school related things that I need to get done, I made myself some yummies to consume. I made a smoothie made out of acai, strawberries, bananas, a handful of granola, honey, and Matcha powder. And it was yummy as anything! And then my pot of Irish Breakfast with honey. It was a good start of a day. And now to get my day rolling...

"She who leaves a trail of glitter is never forgotten."-anonymous