Foodie Blubs from Haleiwa, HI

Beach House Restaurant

62-540 Kamehameha Hwy #1, Haleiwa, HI

Yesterday, we went off in search of where the big waves show surfers what they're made of. This took us on a ride up to the North Shore, approximately 34 miles from Honolulu. I felt transported to another time and place as we passed Coffee Farms and Pineapple Plantations along this Pacific Coastal area. Our search ended at a restaurant called the Beach House overlooking the ocean and an amazing sunset.

I dined on a tasty House Fettuccini with mushrooms, onions, and asparagus. The dish was accented by a white wine butter sauce and a memorable balsamic reduction. Like most people, I was completely satisfied until I got a better look at hubby’s meal. Although I am vegan most of the year, I had to taste his Beef Short Rib, braised in red wine with roasted onions on top of tantalizing Yukon mashed potatoes.

The trip was well worth the meal and the stunning going down of the sun! Thank you, Haleiwa.

Speed of Life Stops!

Highlights from Hawaii - Foodie Dreams

Eggs ‘n Things

2464 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu

I am not normally a breakfast eater! I know, I know about the most important meal stuff and I agree, it just not my thing. This time around though, I am in Hawaii, it’s a beautiful morning, and apparently SPAM and eggs are somethings that I simply MUST try while here.

The long line of hungry people waiting told me a couple of things. One of which was that this meal would definitely be worth the wait. The efficient drill here is to pick out what you want before you get your table, pay first, and within a few minutes the meal is ready.

I opted for the Minced Egg Scramble with green onion, SPAM, and cheddar cheese. This came with a side of the largest buttermilk pancakes I’ve seen. There were 3 syrups to choose from, maple, coconut, and papaya. Let’s just say I made delicious choices all around. Yum!



Dietary Changes – Find Comfort & Fitness

According to Food Revolution, veganism and plant-based eating is at an all-time high. Some people make this choice because they can’t bear to eat anything from animals. Others are moved to change their diets because of existing health problems.

It’s no secret that removing certain things from the diet has fitness and health benefits. Vegans and vegetarians can see improvements as it relates to overall health, blood pressure and weight loss. There is no one approach to eating this way, however.

Sass Magazine presents an article that highlights how you can make this a personal journey. Long-term dietary changes should be seen as lifestyle changes. Planning for the process is the best way to be certain that it will work for you.

• Experiment with New Foods
• Transform Old Favorites
• Visit Vegan/Vegetarian Restaurants
• Plan Inclusive Meals

What’s your approach to making dietary changes?

Creative Ways to Construct Meals – Save Time with Leftovers

If you are the family meal planner, you may be juggling a lot of ideas. The Speed of Life can make matters challenging, which is why organization is key. It is possible to construct meals for multiple days at once.

This can be done by using similar ingredients for those meals or to simply by making one large dish to accommodate the time. You can save even more time by creatively using your leftovers.

This can allow you to either deconstruct a meal or to be completely innovative. Roasted rosemary chicken, saffron rice pilaf, broccoli and rolls is an example of a very nice meal. There are a number of terrific dishes, possible with leftovers from this one meal.

These dishes are good for both lunch and dinner. Take a look at these 3 options:

Chicken Casserole – Use chicken, rice and broccoli along with a creamed soup mix and shredded cheese.

Chicken Sandwiches – Make cold/hot sandwiches from meat and roles, mix rice and broccoli for a side.

Chicken Salad – Use chopped chicken, mayo, mustard, pickles and spices to make a cold salad.

What other meals could you construct with leftovers?

My Journey to 50 - Keep Exploring

I don’t know about other people, but I’ve become more adventurous as I age. When the kids were little the Speed of Life was the battle in more than one way. Now it’s time to explore in different ways than before.

Travel is definitely one of our favorite things. Seeing the world in a unique way and through the eyes of others is fulfilling. In My Journey to 50, I’ll keep moving with my hubby to explore the world…near and far.

Exploration in my mind isn’t limited to one thing like travel. Adopting our vegan lifestyle is an example in this category. Doing things that help you to improve your quality of life and spark inspiration are important, no matter what your age.

Right now, I’m exploring how to use my writing in even more creative ways…

On-the-Go Snacks – Affordable and Reasonable Choices

Everyone has their own favorite snack. These are not always the healthiest choices. It is sometimes difficult to find on-the-go snacks that travel well. With a little research, you can find better choices. It is possible to find reasonable selections that are affordable.

This requires comparing similar products and reading labels. If your goal is to stock your work fridge with exciting treats, consider a combo package of snacks. You can enjoy a Snackventure by Hillshire.

Another option to try is prepackaged humus and chips. These will likely be found in the refrigerated section of the grocery store. Some snacks cost more than others, which often has something to do with nutritional details. Let’s take a look at a couple of choices;

Trail Mix Combinations

There are many different types of trail mix products on the market today. You can find bargain priced mixes with standard nuts, raisins and chocolate candies. The other end of the spectrum may be a mix with dried blueberries and macadamia nuts.

These can be separated into snack or sandwich bags and taken to work. The Speed of Life will not prevent you from snacking healthy.

Fruit & Veggie Sticks

One of the healthiest snack choices is going to be on the produce aisle. You have an array of terrific fruits and vegetables to choose from. Slicing an apple or pear will help you to find a budget-friendly snack. Peanut butter is a nice paring with these fruit stick options.

Peppers, cucumbers and squash are delicious raw vegetables for snacking. Dips like sour cream and chive complement this selection.

Flavored Crackers

Butter crackers are some of the most popular for making snacks. You can enjoy these in combination with other products or on their own. There are saltines, pita, pretzel and various types of crackers to choose from.

If you prefer plain you will find brands that fit your budget. Flavored selections include wasabi, cheddar, barbeque and even onion.

Vegan Tips – A New Lifestyle

Recent statistics have shown that veganism is on the rise. In fact, popular food delivery services have found that vegan options are some of the most popular. Different from vegetarian diets, vegans choose to only eat plant-based foods.


This means eliminating dairy, meat and things derived from animal products. There are a number of ways to achieve this sort of lifestyle change.Those who are heavy meat-eaters may have a challenge ahead of them.


It is possible to take a step-by-step approach to this new lifestyle. Find a few items in your diet to replace by vegan options and products. Consider this a fun and exciting journey to better health, fitness and the achieving of a set goal. Here are some easy tips:

1 – Swap veggie sticks and humus for potato chips and dip

2 – Create a go-to salad with your favorite veggies

3 – Experiment with vegan substitutions like Seitan and crumbles

4 – Explore your market for tasty alternatives