That Time We Went to Hawaii Plus An Easy Pineapple Coconut Ice Cream Recipe

With Summer right around the corner,  I thought it was a great opportunity to share one of my favorite recipes again with everyone!

A few months ago The Mr. and I received an incredible opportunity to take a quick jaunt over to Maui. We had to keep this all on the DL for a while but I've recently received the all-clear to share!

We experienced some of the most breathtaking sites as you can see in the photos below and enjoyed amazing meals such as Kalua Pork, Garlic Nori Fries and of course, Shave Ice.

Kaula Pork Wrapped in a Banana Leaf, Paella with Jumbo Prawns, Linguica and Calamari, Garlic Nori Fries

It ain't a trip to Hawaii unless you get authentic Shave Ice! Half Pineapple, Half Tiger's Blood for me!
Clearly the sugar made us silly! 

Mini Key Lime Pies with Coconut Crust

A few weeks ago while I was in Florida visiting my husband's family, I had stumbled across a bottle of fresh Floridian Key Lime juice. Having a strong love for anything Key Lime and a fresh boost of confidence thanks to what I learned at the FBF Conference I decided that this little green bottle was coming back to California with me. 

Now, many of you know... I'm not much of a baker, I'm more of a faker. Meaning I can fake-bake my way into a delicious dessert whenever needed but it's not my strong point. With that in mind, I sought out for some inspiration via Pinterest and ended up finding a straight forward Key Lime Pie recipe that I knew I could doctor up to make it my own! 

Fresh and Healthy Chili-Lime Popcorn

As things begin to thaw out from the torrid winter months, we might be thinking about those “eating healthier” promises we made to ourselves oh so many months ago. Let’s be honest, everyone signed up for new gym memberships, pinned dozens of “green smoothie” recipes, and promised themselves that THIS was going to be the year that they were going to be the best version of themselves, but here in the real world, that is HARD! Because right alongside those green smoothie pins are recipes for salted caramel fudge brownies, and there’s a froyo place right by the gym (“I did 30 minutes on the elliptical, I earned this.” #lieswetellourselves).

There are going to be days where all you want to do is throw on yoga pants solely for comfort and plop on the couch to binge Gilmore Girls. Chances are, you’ll want to nosh on something while you do, right? Instead of reaching for the cheese puffs and milk duds, why not try a healthier twist on a movie-night favorite.

I’ve created a yummy new snack recipe using Kelapo Coconut Oil. Combining the buttery texture of coconut oil and fresh popcorn creates the perfect snack to satisfy that salty couch-potato feeling. A bonus here is that the coconut oil is packed with healthy fat that will help you feel satisfied for a longer amount of time. So as tempting as it will be to down the whole bowl of this treat, you just might be ready to pop!

Orange Chicken and Coconut Rice Recipe

Do you ever have those cravings that you just can't shake? The other night I had a hankering for Chinese Orange Chicken. You know, that thick battered, super sweet, clog your artery kind of dish?

Yup, that's what I was craving but then I thought of all the beach-bods here in Southern California and how they surely wouldn't be caught dead shoveling that sort of dish in their mouths came to mind. Light-bulb! What if I came up with a healthier, non-fried, non-artery clogging version?? Well, if you're thinking "OMG I HOPE SHE DID"... you're in luck! Scroll down and don't miss the recipe for Coconut Rice at the bottom!

Thai Coconut Soup

Once again, I let you all decide what was for dinner and the unanimous vote was Thai Coconut Soup! Traditionally when made, this dish called "Tom Kah" is SUPER complex with fish sauces and chili pastes and lemon grass... enough to make you grab the Thai takeout menu and just order in!

Here's a super simple way to get all that yummy flavor in a pinch and for a penny! (ok, a few bucks)

Serves 2

Ingredients:
fresh ginger
madras curry paste
1 lime
1 can of coconut milk
1/2 can chicken broth
crushed red peppers (Sambal)
cilantro
Thai basil (optional)
green onion
salt
brown sugar

Healthy Coconut Shrimp

Last night, as I got home to whip up the yummy Baked Coconut Shrimp recipe my girl Cynthia from Cupcake Provocateur sent over I realized two things... 1) I was missing quite a few ingredients and 2) I was way too tired to go through each step and follow the recipe. No surprise there... by now you all should know I'm not the biggest fan of recipes, yet I love sharing my successful concoctions with you!

Baked Coconut Shrimp by Cupcake Provocateur

Check out these fantastic recipes from my friend Cynthia of Cupcake Provocateur. Add in some veggies and you've got yourself a full meal! Yum! 

Super Simple Coconut Bark

I was recently introduced to Whole Kernel Coconut Oil... it's straight up AMAZING! I've found myself eating spoonfuls of this stuff our of the jar with a few chocolate chips and I thought to myself, "This is just silly, it's time to make something!"
Here's what I came up with!

Ingredients:
2 c shredded coconut (unsweetened)
1 c coconut oil
1/4 c honey
1 c chocolate chips
pinch of sea salt

Coconut Chicken Soup

This is one of my favorite dishes in the world! There's something about the sweet, spicy, creamy broth that really make my mouth water! Traditionally when made, this dish is SUPER complex with fish sauces and chili pastes and lemon grass... enough to make you grab the Thai takeout menu and just order in!

Here's a super simple way to get all that yummy flavor in a pinch and for a penny! (ok, a few bucks)

Serves 2

Ingredients:
1-2 chicken breasts, cubed
coconut oil
oyster mushrooms (or any other exotic type)
fresh ginger
madras curry paste
1/2 lime
1 can of coconut milk
1/2 chicken broth
crushed red peppers (Sambal)
Thai basil (optional)
cilantro (optional)
green onion
salt