Tag Archives: manuka honey

Cravings?

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Do you ever have those days where you just don’t crave anything?

As someone who always knows exactly what they feel like eating at every meal and/or craves multiple things at once, it’s been an odd couple of days for me.  My appetite is still present and I’m still hungry and all that, but I just don’t feel like eating anything in particular.

It’s actually making eating…a slight headache?

Not even my ginger ‘cats cookies for people’ aren’t tempting me.

Which, btw, decided to hit the ground running yesterday.

 This is reason #58 why there needs to be Trader Joe’s near me. I have jelly fingers that seem to drop things ALL the time.

Or it could be that I’m just clumsy…

You know those people who have odd bruises on their legs/arms? Yeah, thats me. I manage to run into my dresser or bed corners a couple times a week and trip over non-exisistant objects on the ground…

Anyways, back to food…since I usually know exactly what I’m craving for each meal, I feel satisfied after I eat it, but lately, since I don’t know what I want to eat, I haven’t been having that so-called ‘satisfied‘ feeling and it’s just weird.

I’ve basically just been eating a lot more carb-y and simple things.

Plain foods.

This morning I had a waffle drizzled with manuka honey.

And yesterday it was a whole-wheat bagel with almond butter and honey drizzle.

I’ve also been having smoothies

And rice cakes with almond butter and tea.

Even fruits (one of my absolute favorite foods) haven’t been all that appealing to me lately.

[Yellow] Watermelon being the only thing I really feel like eating.

Last night I went out to dinner and ordered salmon, but when it came all I ended up eating were the sides, carrots and a plain baked potato.

I guess on the plus side meal preparations take no time at all ;)

I’m sure my cravings will reappear one of these days.

But until then, I’ll just be eating a lot of almond butter+honey.

But no complaints there :)

Do your cravings ever disappear leaving you craving…nothing at all?

Hawaii Misses

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It’s funny how things work sometimes…I can do a bazillion squats (ok, well not literally) and still feel okay, but then I sit on the plane for  7 hours and I end up super sore.

Me and my sore bum are officially back in Texas as of a couple hours ago and my hawaiian vaca is officially over. [Major sad face]

To cheer myself up, I had a buttermilk and honey waffle drizzled with manuka honey for breakfast while pursuing some new magazines I received in the mail this past week.

It’s been too long since I’ve had waffles. I almost ate another one, but I resisted and just had some [almond] milk and cookies :)

Yes, I am five years old and use a mickey mouse plate and eat milk and cookies.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Over breakfast I was thinking about what I always miss the most about Hawaii when I come home. I just love how they have 24/7 gorgeous weather and the fact that I can spend as much time outdoors as I want.

Snorkeling at Hanauma bay
(photos courtesy of my friends waterproof camera – because I am one smart cookie didn’t read directions and hosed mine off in the Maldives):

Kayaking in Kailua:

It was an overcast day, but probably worked out for the better. Last time I went kayaking when it was sunny, I ended up with raccoon eyes from my sunglasses and a Rudolph-looking nose. Not the best look.


What I miss THE most is the ocean [and beautiful sunsets]:

My favorite time each day is when the sun shines over the ocean and makes it sparkle. #sopretty.

I can’t wait to be back in November, but until then, I’ll just watch Hawaii 5-0 :) New season premieres next month!

And now it’s officially back to school for me. I’m actually already two days behind since school started on the 24th. I most likely won’t be posting tomorrow since I’m heading to Cali for the day to surprise my grandpa with a brief visit, but I hope everyone has a lovely weekend!

Any exciting plans this weekend? :)

 

Granola heals!

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Oh the wonders of granola!  My latest obsession occured as I was procrastinating blog reading about a week ago.  I came across a recipe for granola on healthy exposures  that I simply could not pass up.  I knew I had to make it soon.  And when I say soon, I of course mean literally less than 30 mins later.

I’ve made a couple variations since than, but todays granola of the day is made with:

  • 2 cups organic oats
  • 1/4 cup buckwheat groats
  • 1 cup kamut puffs
  • about 20-30 dashes of vietnamese cinnamon (i <3 vietnamese cinnamon – it’s a sweeter version and just as healthy :) )
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 large banana mashed
  • 1/4 rounded cup organic almond butter
  • 1.5 tsp pure vanilla
  • 1 rounded tbls Manuka honey

Preheat oven to 375.  Mix wet to dry.  Spread on baking sheet.  Bake 15 mins.  If you like softer granola clusters where its slightly crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside, then you’re good to go.

But for those of you who like it more crunchy:
Take the granola out of the oven, give it a toss, and bake another 10 mins.
I’ve added walnuts, raisins, dried blueberries, sunflower seeds, coconut, used sunflower butter, chocolate coconut almond butter…the possibilities are pretty much endless.
mix wet to dry

spread onto baking sheet
(i recommend using parchment paper, but i ran out so foil it was.  If you use foil make sure to grease.)
in 15-25 mins…voila! 



I just love this recipe because it includes 4 of my favorite ingredients.  Almond butter, cinnamon, oats, and honey!  What can i say…I’m an oatie :)

By the way, have you heard of Manuka honey?

That stuff is simply delightful.  And it heals people too!  So I should just say its purely magical.   Its a honey produced by bees in New Zealand and the UMF 20+ is a great natural anti-bacterial, antimicrobial, antiseptic, antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifungal properties, and so on.  Basically it fights infections and destroys bacteria.  Many people swear by its healing powers.  It comes at a steep price, but when you add it all up, its totally worth it.  I mean, anti-biotics and surgery are probably wayy more expensive anyways.

Take for example my grandpa. He’s diabetic and had an infection in his hand which wouldn’t heal with any types of medication and was requiring surgery.  He applied Manuka honey directly to his wound and soon enough, his hand healed to the point where no surgery was necessary anymore.  I’m telling you…its magical!  And its great for coughs and sore throats too.  Just take a spoonful and you’ll feel better.  Who doesn’t like eating honey by the spoonful??

Enough of my Manuka honey rant.  I think you get the gist of it. I’m off to bed.  Have a good night!!