Saturday slumber and I'm just starting to get back back to normal. Our Christmas holiday was was pretty good. We had the typical turkey dinner with dressing, gravy, corn bread, potatoes with mix veggies, and homemade vanilla shortbread gingerbread men cut outs.

O loved opening her gifts from Santa, wink! She wrapped her gifts she had pick out herself, those were last to be opened that day. Hahaha! I did the same thing to when I was younger. It doesn't beat the feeling of a new unseen present, lol.

We had a late visit that night and so to end the Christmas night we took a ride to check out the neighborhood Christmas lights & topped it off with the tree.

Family, Food, & Fun # 4

Well, today's subject is going to be slightly different. In the last two day I have discovered, as well as you may have through the news, the cyclone that hit the south pacific very heavily. Now this morning the mass killing of a elementary school in Connecticut. My heart goes out the families who are going thru these unexpected events.

Please take a moment thru this day and remember these people who may have lost children, brother, sister, mother, father, cousin, aunt, uncle, friend(s), and those who experience come out of this heart breaking experience.

With the holiday of Christmas around the corner it brings a tear to my eyes to imagine what the family's of the Connecticut Elementary massacre shooting have lost. As a parent I grieve for those families. May God comfort and keep up all!!!

Tuesday Roots with Pineapple

Dad visited us over the past few weeks and was feeling a little sick. So hosting and aiding him back to health was much of the weeks tasks. I am glad that he was looking and feeling better before we saw him off yesterday. Early flights can throw your sleep off especially 5 in the AM and 3 appointment after.

Growing up in the islands there was always visits and functions to host or attend. At first I it was all new to me and scary, especially moments where you were asked to deliver a traditional greeting or farewell gifts and mats. Which usually required being around a group or crowd of observers. Let me tell you, you were corrected in front of everyone. So I quickly came out of my shell of shyness. Good thing I was always around other family members who would walking and guide my every step. Especially because I was still trying to get the hang of it all. Just for the record  I was such a clumpy one  back then... still am though, hehehe!!

I do admit my favorite part about it all was when my cousins and family would seat down to relax with a late tea. And if you were lucky there were yummy desserts left over or dad's hush-puppy pancake also know as pani keke. Glad I got the recipe from dad, looking forward to try it out. I'm going to try out his bananas recipe and pineapples recipe of the pani keke. It's simply mashing the fruit then adding it to the batter. Can't wait to try the pineapple hush-puppies. Can't you smell it... Yummy!!!

Alright enough about that lets take a better look at the pineapple and all it's health benefits. Now pineapples was not see much of on our land. If there was a pineapple growing there was only one and I only seen it because it was growing in the back on the side of the road. Pineapple are rich in vitamin C which has anti-allergenic, antibacterial, antioxidant, and the ability to heal and improve wounds. Pineapples are also a great source of Iron. Also good for general skin health.

Now the plant it self has enzyme bromelain which has been much studied for its potential healing powers. Its been used therapeutically for arthritis which is great for inflammation. The enzyme also helps to break down protein in the body, thereby aiding digestion. Also good to know when you have a little one who maybe dealing constipation.

Now migraines are severe headaches that occur on a regular basis and usually suffer with the incapacity to do anything for several hours or in some cases, days.Migraine is classed as an allergic condition so for this reason be sure to establish whether it is triggered by any food or combination of foods. Even more so eating foods containing nutrients that prevent this from happening.

A list of foods for headaches and migraines

• almond
• arugula
• blackcurrant
• broccoli
• brown rice
• camomile
• carrot
• cashew nut
• cherry
• chili pepper
• extra virgin olive oil
• fennel
• flaxseed
• garlic
• ginger root (click here for a ginger root recipe)
• honey
• kale

So here is a smoothie recipe that would be great to add to your notes of remedies.Which is also good for treating headaches and migraines. Headaches in children may have several different causes. For instance they often occur simply because dehydration. So encouraging your child to drink water regularly will pervent this from happening. We have made it a routine to drink lots, 3 cups, of water with our breakfast. O loves her water in the morning and to tell you the truth I'm so use to it that I really feel sluggish thru the morning if I miss it.

Tropical Smoothie (via of page 35, Superfoods for healthy kids by Lucy Burney)

• Juice of 2 oranges
• 1 small pineapple, peeled and ddecored
• 2ripe bananas
• 1 cup of coconut milk
• 1tbsp flaxseed oil 

blend well in a blender or into a liquidizer

Happy Hanukkah

Hanukkah known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple (the Second Temple) in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt of the 2nd century BCE.

A beautiful holiday of victory and celebration. I often try to picture myself in a situation where my right to prayer and worship would be ripped out of my daily routine. What horrible thing to endure. First the being slaved into a country of unfamiliar grounds, then harassed or punished for mentioning God's name, and to top it off forced to worship another god.

As much as I appreciate my freedom to choose and worship in this great country of ours. There were times when this great county of ours were no different & in most cases down right horrific toward African slaves. Yet it still remains, the faith and strength of believers. I guess that is why I always grew up knowing in my heart that God does not judge us for the outer "man" but the inner man.

I watched a video from History.com that explained Hanukkah was celebrated in 8 days in remembrance of a miracle oil that burn for several days. It was thought to last for a short period but ended up in 8 days. Now that is amazing... I mean come on it's amazing. 

So in spirit of the holiday lets eat of course, food cooked in oil. Live love and learn!!

DIY wreath for Christmas

It's two more day until December starts and then Christmas will be here. Now if you've been shopping then you would of notice that Christmas decorations have been since around Halloween. Funny, when I worked retail I always knew what season or holiday was coming because the shipments and window decor would start a month in advance.

That is probably why This time last year out tree would have been up before Black Friday and the kitchen cluttered with crafting projects. Yes I'm a mess when it comes to art... Sounds less caiodic doesn't it! Hehehe!

Well I've seen so many colorful wreaths and wanted to make one out of recycled materials. (Which is my favorite way to do all, resourceful, crafting projects. On top of that it's great for the environmentally friendly and not to mention easy on the pockets. (wink, wink!) :0)

Okay so I've seen so many paper roll projects online it inspired me to make a Christmas theme wreath. This do-it-yourself recycled wreath was is so simple and easy. All you'll need is a couple of materials and you've got a charming homemade wreath. Also great to do with the kids.

The materials you'll need are:
•a pair of siccors
•pencil for marking
•ruler for a straight line(s)
•several paper towel rolls
•a glue gun
•lots of glue sticks
•accrylic paint
•a small spong brush to paint with
•something to protect you surface like newspaper
Optional red tissue paper for a little tropical feel. Which kind of looks like one of those red flower plants used around this time. Can't think of the name right now.

1. Take your roll and flatten it evenly
2. Place you ruler down and measure every 2 inches on your roll and mark a line going vertical with your pencil.
3. Cut at the mark and then reserve
4. Next layout your work surface with newspaper or an old sheet. Trust me you will get paint all over the table.
5. Gather your rolls, open them up a bite, and paint them with a red crimson color or a close color to it. Be sure to get the insides of your rolls and re-touch any areas as needed.
6. Let it dry and then arrange them in a wreath form. I used a small or medium plate to form my circle.
7. Glue your pieces together and add any additional decorations or ribbons.

There you have a easy affordable recycled DIY Christmas wreath. Check out these other wreaths made with recycled materials. As always live, love, and keep learning.

Tuesday Roots with Papaya

Well, hope all was well with your Thanksgiving weekend. We spent some time at gazing at all the small miniature homes/village. O's dad thought it would be great way to spent the evening before thanksgiving day. We loved all the little people, lights, cars, boats, shops... The toy shops had little toys dancing with music. So, so cute!! Okay well enough about me let get to the subject at hand, papaya that is.

It's Tuesday Roots and today we will be looking at the juicy oh so yummy papaya. I remember eating papaya, while its still a little firm, with coconut because I was told it was good for your teeth. Although I liked the firmness and crunch of the papaya. To tell you the truth, I like eating papaya when it's ripe and sweet.

Memories of these sweet papaya trees grew wild around our house. Typically they would be falling of the trees like crazy which attracted lots of insects and small birds. Not to mention it's routine smell after a day or two.

Here are some wonderful health benefits of papaya. The papaya is an antioxidant powerhouse packed with immune boosting vitamin & phytonutrients. A great neutralizer to fight potentially harmful free radicals.

Did you know that it helps get rid of mucus from the body that helps to relieve coughs & colds. Which is great to know especially during this time of season. So if your feeling a little feverish your doctor would probably say something like, "take 2 of these and call me in the morning"... organic of course!!

Papaya contains beta-carotene, vitamins C and E. It's brightly-colored fruit helps to protect the skin and the lining of the intestine, lungs, nose, and throat. If that is not enough reason to eat a papaya then think of it's power to aid wounds and heal them. It protects your skin, helps circulation... So if your limited mobility then eat some papaya. Great brain food as well as helps hormones against pollution.

So for the winter cold and cough, instead of just your regular cough medicine, have a papaya. Make yourself or your family some recipes with papaya to kick winter cold in the you know where. But if you don't have that problem then use it in your beauty routine to heal, protect, and keep your skin looking radiant!

Okay until next time love much, learn more, and live life to the fullest health:)

Free thanksgiving printable.

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I remember eating an early Thanksgiving dinner and watching football. You can say it's a tradition. But if you are going all out this year with decorations and a kids dinning table then here are a few great ideas that will be easy on the eyes & your pocket.

On my pinterest account I compiled a few decoration ideas, fun desserts, and simple crafts that will keep the little ones busy. Hope you can find something that you can incorporate to the dinning table. As alway live, love, & learn=)
Free printable here & here!