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Our last full day on island was spent sleeping in, visiting Icarus once more (PENGUIN OBESSION. I want one now by the way.) Another trip to Fresco for lunch (seriously, pasta that tasted THAT good without wheat or cheese? Are you kidding. Of COURSE I went back.) 

We decided to visit Iolani Palace on our trip and though we didn't have time to tour the inside this trip (a definite must if you go, and if we go again!) The grounds were amazing and the expanse of the palace on the outside was just breathtaking. When we arrived at the airport we had to walk further than I feel like I've EVER walked before to get to a terminal. And I've had to walk to A LOT of them when I was touring back in the day. This was ridiculous. Tip number eight: Get to the airport EARLY. We did, thankfully and didn't have to rush at all. But had we gotten to the airport without the two hour window we would have been running to our gate. Not cool. And I realize that tip wasn't about healthy eating, travel. It's just good sense. And a warning that Oahu Airport is HUGE. Once we finally made it to our gate, I became hungry. I had a six hour flight ahead of us and my travel 3 oz. applesauce that was plane-approved had merged with the lavender oil for my head to relax me on the flight rendering it inedible. Sad. Mr. Charming spoke with the airline and I found out if you order ahead of time you can get a gluten-free meal! But they were out. Sad, again. BUT! The normal meal they were serving was a side salad, gluten free white rice, peas and carrots and bottled water with teriyaki chicken. HAPPY DAY! I didn't have to starve on the plane. I gave Mr. Charming my chicken, it wasn't dairy free, and I got to eat. But a reminder! Tip number nine: Certain airlines will accommodate food issues if you ask ahead of time! We flew Hawaiian, and they are one of the few that still include a free meal. Mahalo to them for that! It was an amazing trip and I thank you for sharing in the memories of it with us! I hope my travel/food tips helped you. If you are traveling and have any questions or need help finding places to eat don't hesitate to contact me!

Day three in Hawaii was amazing. Tip number six: Take time to RELAX. Sometimes when Mr. Charming and I travel we want to make sure we pack in as much fun and activity as we can. By day three of the trip I had a little mini-meltdown. I needed to just BE. To just relax. That was why we got away in the first place.

He was very sweet and let me plan our morning. First we went to the penguin habitat because i LOVE penguins. Like, LOVE them. They are my favorite animal.  I  met  a little penguin named  Icarus and I got to pet him. At that point my day was made but we had a whole day of exploring Hawaii left, so on we went. We made our way down to the beach and the lagoon that was at our hotel. I have always dreamed of doing a few things in my lifetime, "bucketlist" if you will, but I dislike that word. I just don't like the word "bucket" very much. So, anyways. Stand-up board (a larger surf board that you stand on and paddle or row yourself around) always looked like it'd be pretty awesome. Approaching the surf shack though, I saw how large the board was, and how much larger the body of water was. So I almost opted for those little paddle boat things. But alas, I was in Hawaii standing just 5 feet from something I'd dreamed of doing for years. So fear-schmear. We rented one, got a two second "lesson" from a surf instructor that didn't even involve water and made our way to the shoreline. We didn't do it for very long, it was WINDY, but WE DIDN'T FALL OFF! So I count it a huge success. 

After stand-up board, we went and lounged on the beach for a while and then  we ate at an AMAZING little Italian Cafe at the village by our hotel. It was called Fresco. I recommend it if you ever visit Oahu. Great salads, (i got a pear and avocado spring mix salad) and AMAZING gluten-free pasta dishes. I ordered the grilled chicken penne with marinara. It tasted SO authentic Italian (I grew up in an Italian household so I'm picky.) Tip number 7: Visit cafes where you can order multiple courses if you can to stay fuller. Fresco had wonderful salads, Gluten/Dairy free entrees AND a dairy-free/gluten-free sorbet selection for dessert! It felt so decadent to be able to order MULTIPLE courses that I could eat. The afternoon/evening was spent at the International Marketplace, shopping, shopping and MORE shopping. For dinner we were invited to join Mr. Charmings work staff at dinner at Roy's. Roy's is also in Arizona and the waiters were SUPER accommodating  They offered to make me any meat dish gluten-free/dairy-free. I unfortunately had eaten SO much of that amazing pasta dish and snacked on leftovers during hair and make-up that I wasn't even hungry when we went. But it was kind nonetheless. Tip number 8: Group outings can be a tough one. I have gotten used to not really going out to eat. Which does impede social engagements. A lot of my family/friends understand now what I am going through with food challenges, however a lot of people won't understand. To avoid awkward situations you can handle it a few different ways.

1. Offer to choose the restaurant. If you choose you'll be able to call ahead or search out menus online for something that is "you-approved".
2. Bring your own dish/sides. If you are eating somewhere casual, or a cafe' it's easy to discreetly bring your own dish, or sides/dressing etc. When my friends eat at places like Paradise Bakery, Chipotle etc, I can pack a little lunchbox that looks like a purse. I can bring my own salad or wrap. I usually match the type of cafe food everyone else is ordering so it kind of fits in. I also will bring my own small ziploc container of my own dressing, and many times I've carried an avocado in my purse to add healthy fat to a basic lettuce salad. 
3. It's ok to say no thank-you. If you are put in an uncomfortable situation or you feel its a restaurant where you won't be safe, if you can't bring your own food along decline the invitation. Friends and family will understand. This was really hard for at first. I had friends get mad at me for "not hanging out" when all they did was socialize over food. The friends who do understand, we try to do other things to spend time together. We go on hikes, go play pool, or we get together at each others houses for "healthy pot-lucks". 

Day two in Paradise we got up early so that we could beat the rush to go snorkeling at Haunama Bay. I of course grumbled a bit about getting up early, really early, on vacation but I'm so glad I did. It was so worth it. Tip Number Four: A healthy way to detox is excercise. Hiking down a volcano and snorkeling for four hours is the coolest excercise ever. 

After snorkeling we made our way back to Waikiki since we had worked up quite an appetite and I went to my maps to search for a good gluten free locale to have some lunch. Cheeseburger Waikiki, while it sounds super-offensive for my careful diet they actually had a complete allergen menu! I ordered a plain burger patty, white rice, side salad with olive oil and fresh avocado. It was delicious and super filling! 

After lunch we went and visited an old cemetery where my husbands great-grandparents were laid to rest. It was cool to see a connection between him and the island. We spent the rest of the day driving up close to the North Shore to visit the Polynesian Cultural Center and learning about all of the different cultures. (Hawaii, Fiji, Tonga, etc.) We picked up some awesome souvenirs and captured some breathtaking scenery on the drive up there. Remember Jurassic Park?

We again were having such a great time checking out the island we didn't make it to a steakhouse for dinner as planned. We stopped by a little cafe at our hotel and grabbed salads and water and had a midnight dinner picture on the shore (I brought an avacado in my bag I had picked up a whole foods, and grabbed a dairy-free dark chocolate and almond bar for dessert to share). An amazing way to end an amazing day. Tip number 5:  Don't stress. Bring light snacks with you such as fruit, nuts or jerky in case you come across a place that's closed, such as we did, or to supplement a light salad if it's the only safe eat you can find. :) 

So, we've arrived in paradise. It is absolutely beautiful here. A little humid, but who cares about humidity when you get to look at this: 

Tip number one for traveling with food sensitivities, allergies, etc. Plan Ahead.   

I did have some anxiety about traveling so far from home to an island where I don't know the stores, restaurants  etc. I have been to Hawaii before, but that was four years ago, and though I remember the local fresh farmers markets and whole food, I didn't have the restrictions I have now so I wanted to be prepared so I didn't go hungry. We had a lot of fun excursions planned so I wanted to make sure I had fuel. So to plan ahead my husband pulled up Google Maps and we typed in our hotel and found it in Oahu, he then proceeded to show me that you can type just about anything in if you click "search nearby". I ended up finding a Whole Foods within 3 miles of our hotel, and 10 gluten free restaurants that ALSO had a dairy-free menu! I was so much more relaxed and was able to plan my trip and pack with excitement instead of hesitation due to food. 

Tip number two: If you are traveling to a place where you are not finding the correct restaurants and you don't have the option of a Whole Foods, Sprouts, or to bring your own along, call ahead. Speak to chefs and restaurant owners/managers about your issues. If they are clueless or don't seem to care, MOVE ON. It's not worth getting sick on your vacation. Find a chef who will speak to you and who is knowledgeable about your needs. 

Which brings me to Day 1 in Oahu: We left for our flight REALLY early in the morning (it was still dark out, so to me it was still the middle of the night) and though sometimes it's hard for me to eat that early I ate two organic hard-boiled eggs for protein since I didn't know what the plane would be serving. (Turns out it was NOTHING I could eat.) I also didn't take any food with me because of security. So I tried to sleep/entertain myself for six hours until we landed. Luckily, those eggs lasted a long time. So we have always DREAMED of visiting Aulani (The Hawaiian Disney Resort) because my husband and I are such HUGE Disney fans. I had looked up restaurants there ahead of time. MAKAHIKI at AULANI had a gluten-free menu listed on their website. The chef was so nice (Ask for Pu'u) and came out to my table to personally take my order and let me know that he would prepare my dish carefully as his daughter is celiac. (Disney chefs are THE BEST. I had a personal chef almost my entire trip to Disneyland last year, but more on Disney in another post.) At Makahiki I ordered a grilled chicken salad, with avocado, fresh tomato and olive oil for dressing and I DID cheat (just a little), they had gluten-free garlic fries that were AMAZING. I'm not suppose to have too much starch in my diet, but I decided to splurge since I had all fresh veggies and chicken. And I made my hubs take the bowl away half-way through because I would have scarfed them all. They were THAT GOOD. 

After visiting Aulani for a couple of hours we actually went back to our hotel room and slept for a few hours (oops, stupid jet lag) and by the time we woke up almost all of the restaurants were closed! We went to Whole Foods and stocked up on groceries because our room had a fridge! Tip number 3. If you can't get a hotel room with a full kitchen or kitchenette, at least ALWAYS get a fridge! I was able to buy my natural lunch meat, hummus, fresh fruit and veggies which ended up being our dinner in the room the first night because even room service had closed. :( All in all a beautiful first day in Oahu! 

So I myself am not a cat owner or lover due to my sensitivity to all things feline, however I came across something interesting in the natural world today and while I think kittens are ADORABLE I thought I would pass on this valuable information to anyone that may own kitties. 

Did you know WALNUTS are a natural cat litter and absorb odors naturally?

Yeah, neither did I. I find this to be pretty neat, and good for the environment.

*Do not employ this if anyone in your house, including Fluffy, is nut sensitive of course.

Blue Buffalo sells this Eco-Friendly cat litter. Some more cat-errific info. 

All-natural and annually renewable.
100% natural and biodegradable*, BLUE Naturally Fresh is made from walnut shells, an annually renewable non-food agricultural product.

NO chemicals, NO toxins, NO worries.
Made without any harmful ingredients, BLUE Naturally Fresh is safe for you and your cat or kitten.

USA-made.
All of the walnuts used to make BLUE Naturally Fresh are homegrown in the USA!

I think it's purrrrr-ty cool. 

Sorry. That was pretty bad. 

Well, for me it is and I couldn't be more thrilled. My darling Mr. Charming is going to school to apply to dental school, and through my journey I have become increasingly passionate about taking this beyond a blog or a cookbook and really learning what it is that goes on within us, and though I've learned a lot about food and supplementation through my own journey, talking to others and from my wonderful doctor.. I now have the need and desire to take it beyond that. I was going to school last year, and had enrolled for journalism and music business. (My background is a touring recording artist and writer since the age of 16) so it was only natural for me to go that way. I learned three things in the process.

1. I still adored learning.
2. I knew all of what was being taught, thus, no challenge.
3. I was already working and making money in those fields.

So I took a break from school. Managing the spa, recording a sophomore album and writing for magazines takes a lot of my time but I felt the yearning for wanting to continue my education. To learn more. I just didn't want to push anything.

God places all things in our paths, and it's exciting embarking on a path I never saw myself taking. But I guess that's why we've got to stay open to knowing He can plan things we never imagined. I'm SO excited about taking homeopathy and nutrition. Molecular biology will be the first science based class I've done since i was in high school so that should be interesting, but I have a medical school based husband who I've made promise he would help me study.And of course I had to throw in a creative writing workshop. 

Here's to a successful Spring session! 

I officially want one of these. A kitchen nano garden. You grow your own garden. In your kitchen. Mind blown. This may have to happen if it checks out to be healthy and efficient. 

A big part of what's gotten me through my struggles and life changes are the people in my life who understand me who know me and who genuinely care. God has brought some beautiful people into my life (truth be told He's also removed some people from my life who weren't so healthy for me) and I count my blessings that I have a safe space to talk about my issues and just 'do' life in general with. 

One friend in particular is Miss Shana. She's the host of our bible study and she's one of the most genuine, kind hearted, loving people I've ever met. Her and her husband do amazing ministry work, have raised two beautiful children and have a marriage that couples can look up too.

This post is related to nourishment in the way that, a lot of people in my life have labeled me "the freak at the table" in a sense. They either don't understand or don't try to understand why im taking care of myself in this way, or eating the way that I do now. And I don't expect everyone to jump on board. However there are a few people in my life who just support me. They don't ask why, they see me getting better, or they themselves have been helped by food and supplementation and they can understand. 

Tonight Shana took time out of her crazy busy life to bake me sugar-free, dairy-free, vegan, gluten and grain-free cupcakes so that I could share in having a treat at bible study. It's the little things like this that just touch my heart and I appreciate her so much. 

I know first hand the time and preparation my diet takes, and for her to do that just makes me love who she is even more.

I totally planned on taking a photo of the DELICIOUS (yes, they were amazing,and I ate two before dinner) dessert, however, I ate them up and then remembered my plan to photograph them. 

Oops.

I will get the recipe though! And post it if she allows me to share. Because I WILL be making these on a special birthday occasion in the future. 

Cherish those in your life that care for you in little ways. They are the ones who make the biggest impact

So, my gorgeous and insanely inspiring sister Ashley has decided to come aboard as my fitness model and guest blogger for Nosh & Nurture and I could not be MORE excited. 

First, I get to work with my sister, who is one of my best friends and who I adore.

and

Second, she is one of the most motivated, health conscious people I know and I love that she's sharing her expertise with all of those that I am trying to reach on the health front! 

Ashley has lost over 50 pounds since the birth of her daughter through exercise and clean eating and from time to time she will be sharing work-outs you can do at the gym and at home for when you are on limited time (she has a two year old and goes to school!) as well as her tips for detoxing and repairing after work outs. She is also donating some of her fresh, yummy recipes! If you send Ashley any notes through our contact page I'll make sure to pass them on!