Cracking the Coconut Code

You may have already noticed I use a lot of coconut in my baking. Any objections?  Didn't think so. Coconut is the perfect ingredient to sweeten up your recipes. I love buying unsweetened coconut strips from Trader Joes to have as a little snack after a meal. Being the coco-nut that I am, I have been spoiled here in Hawaii. 

I arrived in Maui yesterday and was driving to my hotel when I spotted the absolute cutest fresh coconut stand. I ordered Sal (my dad) to stop the car at once... and am I glad I did! A pile of fresh, whole coconuts laid there... waiting for me. One coconut please. Cha Ching. I was one happy lady. The store owner first drilled a hole into the coconut so, I could drink the water. Mmm...mmm...good! It didn't taste like anything you find in the store. Now, time for the oh so good...too good to be true...coconut meat. He took back the coconut, grabbed an ax, and split it in half. Time to dig in!

According to the Coconut Research Center, coconuts are high in fiber, vitamins and minerals. Around the world, coconut is used to treat a variety of health conditions and diseases, like asthma and influenza. Stock up on coconut strips for a snack, blend into a smoothie, slice onto a salad, or mix into cookies for a sweet summer treat.

Hanging loose in Hawaii

Aloha! White sand beaches, clear blue oceans, palm trees, and ohama (family). I'm in paradise! If you're looking to hang loose and leave all your worries behind, Hawaii is the place to be. The Hawaiian culture is focused on the many meanings of "aloha"- greetings, love, enjoying life, laying back, and having fun.

Not only do the people of Hawaii know how to have a good time, but they know good food too. I discovered this after visiting a luau in Honolulu which consisted of a pig roast, dancing, and talking story. This was my kind of party. The night started off with freshly sliced pineapple. A buffet-style dinner included roasted pig, chicken, poi (a potato paste), haupia (a coconut milk jell-o), and mixed vegetables. Everything was delicious! Most other nights, my dinner of choice was ahi tuna. The tuna was either served raw or seared in a sesame seed teriyaki sauce. It got better and better at each restaurant I dined in.  Is it obvious I couldn't get enough? 

What I love most about Hawaiian culture is that the natives know how to kick back and relax. Back home in New York, we are always on the move. Not even speeding taxis or city buses can slow us down. Here in Hawaii, "we get there when we get there."  People sit and talk to each other  without an agenda in mind. They savor their meals and accept the traffic...since there is only one freeway on the island. Life is precious and theirs to enjoy. I spoke with a man who's job is to sit on the beach and organize sail boat rides. He moved to Hawaii 10 years ago, had made little money since, and is the happiest he's ever been in his life. This conversation really put things into perspective. 

So, my advice to you all when life gets stressful and just too much to handle is sit back, relax, take in each breath, smile with your loved ones, enjoy life, and hang loose. 

Aloha!