Vagabond Soul

I believe I was born with the soul of a vagabond, I love to travel whether it be to countries unknown or to local spots that have yet to be discovered. This past weekend we traveled to St Louis to visit my husbands Marine Corps brothers, we seriously had a blast. I almost wrote to my mom to pack the kids and send them to St Louis cause we were ready to stay. However with my husband having to be back at work and my 4 1/2 year old commencing from preschool, with sad hearts we headed back home. We had so many great experiences while in St Louis; playing washers, drinking Budweiser products, eating our weight in all sorts of BBQ food and of course spending time with people we love. These were my husband's buddies, who we really do love dearly and his buddy's family and friends welcomed us with open arms. I feel as close to some of them as I do with people it took years to build friendships with, with some people it just clicks. Anyway back on point, travel really opens your eyes to so much of what the world has to offer and what amazing things are waiting out there for you to discover. Travel doesn't have to cost a lot or be far from home, taking a trip to your local botanical gardens or any national monument that may be close to you, maybe a hiking trail you have yet to tackle. My advice is get out there and explore; for example, about 20 minutes from us is a nature center, it is riddled with hiking trails from the beginner trail to the mountain climber trail. Our trip to The Lou was definitely good for my soul for so many reasons. Get out there and experience life, I promise it will be good for your soul too.
Till Next Blog,
Explore!
T.Sadd

P.S.: For all my SF friends take a San Francisco Walking Tour, the docents love the city and know all sorts of great stuff about it. Take a tour I promise you won't be disappointed! Oh and by the way they are free, a small donation is suggested though.

Coo Coo For Coconuts

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Since tomorrow is Mother's Day I decided to Make A. Coconut Crusted French Toast from my Facebook post today since I will be heading to brunch with my four favorite guys tomorrow. I am going to a start off by saying for many many years I thought I had a food sensitivity to coconuts, it started about 10 years ago when my mom took me out for a mother/daughter dinner at a Thai restaurant, that night I developed a severe stomach ache. At the time I did not make the connection to the food. A couple years later we ate at a noodle place and I had the coconut curry bowl, while it was delicious (I ate every last drop) that night again I had a terrible stomach ache. Since then I completely cut out any type of coconut, but with the coconut craze sweeping the country something like this was bound to happen; my dad had no knowledge of my aversion to coconut, he handed me a piece of toast with a sweet white cream on it, I thought that maybe it was a custard. No it was coconut, I almost went into a ball right then and there expecting to have horrendous stomach cramping. Much to my surprise nothing, not even flatulence! I am still not sure why Thai food gives me a stomach ache but I am thanking Baby Jesus it is not coconut, for the past few years I have missed out on this creamy sweet fruit and let me tell you I am making up for lost time! My sister and her boyfriend who really should be world renowned chefs make a Caribbean jerk bean and rice dish that I really cannot wait to try! Anyway onto the recipe I used whole wheat bread, a cup of milk, 3 eggs, Cinnamon and vanilla. Mine did not look like the picture, I think for appearances the coconut in the picture was added after the bread had been cooked. The coconut was toasted and more of a golden brown, also they were a little soggy so I would recommend less milk and more egg. Total calories for one slice: 272. Cheers to coconut and all it's health benefits!
Till Next Blog,
T.Sadd

P.S. More and more studies are showing that coconut oil may actually raise your HDL (good) cholesterol.

Breakfast Grilled Cheese

FitFromConception

As promised I made B from my Facebook post, it was some serious yummy. I went to the store on Friday to get the ingredients because yesterday I had a training in San Diego to become a fitness instructor, the training was from 8-5 and is about a 90 minute drive from where I live, in other words I knew I wouldn't have time to go to the store yesterday. Any who, my kids found the blueberries in the fridge and while I was not here I am guessing they were completely gone in under a minute, not going to lie I am kinda proud these kids like fruits and veggies. I had also picked up a carton of organic strawberries too just in case the A option (coconut crusted french toast) made a last minute come back, so I used those instead. This is how I made the sandwiches; 1oz softened 1/3 less fat cream cheese mixed with a little stevia, 2 slices whole wheat bread and about 3 strawberries. First I spread the cream cheese mixture on then added the strawberries and placed them on the grilling pan for about a minute and a half on each side. The cream cheese and strawberries almost melted together in a symphony of flavor, so yum! Total calories: 200. I would recommend, and this is what I will do next time, is make it open faced and serve it as a side with maybe some scrambled eggs or a smoothie it was not terribly filling and you save 60 calories off the total. I am going to look into getting a grilled cheese maker cause you know how I love my grilled cheese!
As my four year old would say,
"Bon Appetit"
Till Next blog,
T.Sadd

Stay tuned next Sunday Funday I am going to make the coconut crusted french toast!