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Posted on December 30, 2020 by Gluten Free Hawaii

If 2020, has taught us anything it is to make to best of life. So instead of focusing on what I cannot do this year, I am choosing to ring in the new year in a whole new way.

If you know me well, you know I am not a huge new year’s person. If I am not in San Francisco with my sister at a show, then I am likely at home on new years eve. My worst “me too moment” occurred on new years eve when I was just 15. That is not a story for today, but to reclaim this evening is a huge step, I did not even realize I was ready to take and worthy of mentioning.

My sister & I on New Years Eve 2010 in San Francisco.

For me 2020, broke down the remaining part of me that was not owning my truths and life experiences. I am proud to be healing from old wounds that I silently carried for way too long. Its not about what happens to you in life, it is about how you respond.

This year we all were put to the test. Clearly.

For those grieving losses of loved ones, I know grief can be consuming. A wise woman recently told me, “Once a person suffers great loss, you understand the difference between moving on and carrying on. Forever we carry them in our hearts. To thrive is to honor them.”

So, this New Year’s Eve, let us do our best to embrace the silver lining of a tremendously hard year.

New Years Eve 2010 at the Civic Center in San Francisco. PC: Crystal Richard.

As I started to think about how I wanted to spend the last hours of 2020, I envisioned a magical night that I just had to share with you. It might not be magical for you but maybe there are parts you will want to do too and if not, that is ok too.

I plan to start the evening by setting up an alter and smudging the house and property with sage.

Intention filled with peace, acceptance, and cleansing, will set the tone for a magical night.

While I smudge, my intention is to clear away all negative and unwanted energy around my home, yard, car, and all aspects of myself, my partner and our animals.

Sage for smudging. PC: Crystal Richard

The following ideas are not necessarily in order of how I will do them. What seems like a natural flow for one may not for another, so customize the evening to your preferences and circumstances.

If you can, get outside. Take a walk or go out in your yard or on your porch. Getting outdoors in the evening can help you sleep better and relax the mind. I love to take my dogs for a walk during sunset.

If it is cold where you are, bundle up and make it a nice quick outing. If its wet, like it often is here in Hilo, grab that umbrella and rain boots. Rainy day walks are among my favorite days to get a walk in at the park.

Sunset walk along Hilo Bay on Dec. 4, 2020. PC: Crystal Richard

After getting outside, it might be a good time smudge your space and self.

I will likely leave a small piece smoking in a safe spot on my alter while I meditate. Never leave candles or sage burning unattended.

My alter for new years eve.

On my alter I plan to put sage, gemstones, candles, pictures of loved ones, rocks, shells, and items of significance.

I like to light my candles with intention. I often light candles for loved ones I am missing whether in the physical world or not. So, I would light one for my Mother who is no longer with me. Then light another candle for my sister, who is just in a separate state.

My intention for each of them and their candle is different. The one for my mother is to connect, honor and include her in my ceremony. The one for my sister is to connect and bring positivity, good health, and happiness for us both in the new year.  

Chakra votive candles to represent healing, protection, and positive energy. They are made from essential oils and vegetable wax. PC: Crystal Richard.

Now is when I will meditate. I love a good, guided meditation. So if you are new to meditation, don’t be scared off. There are many online.

After meditating, keep an eye on candles or blow them out.

Each candle represents a chakra. The green is the heart chakra. The yellow is the Chi or life force. The blue is the throat chakra. PC: Crystal Richard.

Turn on your favorite music of choice. Be careful not to play songs that make you feel sad. We are aiming for happy and peaceful. If you have Netflix, start a fire on your television fireplace.  To make it easy search fireplace.

Then make your choice of warm tea, hot cocoa, cocktails or mocktails, and snacks.

Enjoy snacks and beverages while you do one or all the following:

-Make a list of all the things you are grateful for.

-Vision Board for 2021.

-Set 3 realistic intentions for yourself in 2021. I don’t do new years resolutions and I feel goals are too much pressure in a pandemic. You do what works for you.

-Listen to a podcast. My favorite podcast is: On Being.

-Create a morning and evening ritual for 2021.

-Watch the ball drop on TV or a movie. A comedy might be good. I have heard Soul on Disney+ is good.

-Plan your 2021 veggie and/or butterfly garden. You can do a window box her garden or some pots outside your front door if space is limited. Not only do our pollinators need our support, but butterflies are a sign of hope, positivity, and transformation. I think we all can use a bit of positivity. Check out my butterfly garden.

-Self-care: a warm bath, facemask, dry brush, bath salts, and warm tea.

-Star gazing: if the skies are clear, bundle-up and take a blanket you can lay on to look at the stars. I love the grounding feeling of laying on the ground outside. Take deep breathes of the fresh air. If its too cold or impractical where you are. I encourage you to go outside and look at the stars and moon if only for a moment. I like to look at the moon and connect with the energy of the moon and all the people around the world looking at the moon at that exact moment.

-Play games together. We love games. From darts to Sequence to Yahtzee, cards, and even Monopoly. It has been fun. Go dig out your favorite game to play.

The moon over Hilo Bay, Nov. 27, 2020. PC: Crystal Richard.

An idea I heard listening to, The I AM Podcast, by Ashley LeMeiux was to get some paper and then sit down by yourself, with your partner or family, whatever you decide, and write down on individual pages all the things that are weighing you down, all the things you do not want to bring into the new year. Then light that paper safely on fire. Use your fireplace or fire pit. Be careful. Do not catch anything on fire while doing this.

One more idea is if you’re in a relationship set 3 intentions together as a couple. This idea also came from Ashley LeMeiux. She suggested having a hobby that you do together. My partner and I do have a hobby together which is gardening, but I want to add something new this year. Ashely recommended in her podcast couples boxing, hiking, yoga, and creating spiritual goals. I loved both ideas so much, that I had to add them in my post to share with all of you. I also linked her podcast above.

In 2020, I started to let go of all expectations. It is a constant work in progress, as is much in life, but in 2021, I am leaning into acceptance and letting go. I am leaning into my practices of mindfulness and gratitude.

Coconut milk and Epsom salt bath. PC: Crystal Richard.

Now is a good time to leave behind any unmet expectations and to do our best to stay present and to stay in the moment.

In 2020, I set new boundaries for myself & with others. In 2021, I will continue this practice of self-love.

As the night winds down, I will enjoy a warm mint tea before bed. I love spearmint and Moroccan mint tea.

Then use a foam roller or an exercise ball to lightly stretch before getting in bed. Meditate until you fall asleep. I usually focus on my breathing until I am asleep. I find it helps quiet my mind and relax my body.

My favorite face masks by Andalou Naturals. PC: Crystal Richard.

If all of this sounds too much due to grief or whatever your circumstances are, I encourage you to shower yourself with self-love and compassion. Light a candle for the loved one(s) you are grieving, have some warm tea and simply relax. You might even find solace in spending part of your evening writing a letter to the loved one(s) you are grieving.

Do your best to stay off social media for at least part of the evening, if not the entire night. You can always snap pictures to share later. Just avoid that for the evening. This is a good time to set intentions for social media and screen time for the new year.

As we head into New Year’s Eve, I do not take lightly where things are at in this country, around the world, or the lasting impacts we have barely begun to comprehend. While I am concerned for what this next year holds, I feel strongly that it does no good to stress. It will not change anything by stressing out, worrying, or projecting what might be. I have always loved the quote, “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength,” by Corrie Ten Boom. My Mother used to say, “Worry does not take away the sorrow of tomorrow but the joy of today.” It is only natural to fear the unknown, but it is no way to live.

If your biggest accomplishment this year, is staying home and making it to this moment, know that you did so much more than that. Your actions and ability to put the needs others ahead of some of your own, saved lives. Wearing that mask. Endless sanitizing. Missing that tradition. The conversations we did not have. The missed hugs and human touches.  It was all worth it.

Our new years eve alter set-up for pulling affirmation, yoga, the scared journey, and self-love cards. PC: Crystal Richard.

As we head into the new year remember, we are in this together. Together we can end this pandemic, heal the divides in our nation, and be the change we want to see.

I hope this post guides you through a relaxing, blissful night that invigorates your body, mind, and spirit as we head into the new year.

Only in the darkest moments, can we be the light and lead the way.

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Posted on October 23, 2020 by Gluten Free Hawaii

Ingredients:

8 oz King Oyster Mushrooms

4 tbsp butter or butter-alternative

Butter lettuce or Green Leaf Lettuce

¼ cup GF Sweet Dark Shoyu (recipe for sauce below) or GF Teriyaki Sauce

Top with fresh heart of palm (optional)

Sauce Recipe: GF Sweet Dark Shoyu

To make the sweet dark shoyu (soy sauce) you’ll need:

-1 cup Gluten Free Tamari or GF soy sauce

-1 cup Brown Sugar or Coconut Sugar

-1 tbsp Molasses or Dark Brown Sugar

-2 large Garlic cloves 

-2 large slices of fresh Ginger

Peel and dice the garlic cloves.

Add all ingredients to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil.

Once boiling, reduce to low and simmer until thickened slightly. (careful not to overcook or the sauce may burn)

Remove from burner.

This recipe makes about one cup of Sweet Dark Shoyu. You will need 1/4 cup for the mushroom lettuce cups.

Store the remaining sauce in the fridge.

Mushroom Lettuce Cup Recipe

This recipe is inspired by our love for Hamakua Alii Mushrooms. This has become a stable in our home. If you cannot get your hands on Alii Mushrooms, check your local farmer’s market for king oyster mushrooms.

Let’s get started!

Cut the mushrooms into thin strips.

Add butter or butter- alternative like Melt or Earth Balance to frying pan. We often use both. In this case add 2tbsp of Melt and Earth Balance.

Add ¼ cup of Sweet Dark Shoyu or Teriyaki Sauce.

Add mushroom strips.

Cook on medium-high until mushrooms are tender and sauce thickens.

Add cooked mushrooms to butter lettuce or whatever lettuce you have on hand.

Top with julienned fresh heart of palm, if available.

Enjoy!

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Posted on October 4, 2020 by Gluten Free Hawaii

Gluten and Dairy free

October is here and so is everything pumpkin spice!

I bought a pumpkin spice blend from O.K. Farms here in Hilo. Just smelling the spice blend caused my mind to be flooded with ideas of what to make with it, but  I wanted to bring you something a little different. 

I saw a picture on Pinterest of a copycat version of the Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin. I thought why not create a pumpkin spice version that is both gluten and cow dairy free. It took a few days to write the recipe from scratch, but it was well worth the effort. 

I hope you guys enjoy them as much as we are!

This recipe you can double the vegan cream cheese and skip the goat cheese if you wish.  We used Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1 to 1 Baking Flour. You can also swap out the cane sugar for a preferred sweetener like agave. 

GF Pumpkin Cheesecake Muffins

Ingredients:


Muffin Batter:
1 3/4 cups of all-purpose gluten free flour
1/4 cup almond flour
1 cup of organic cane sugar
1 ½ tsp baking powder
1 ½ tsp baking soda
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 cup pumpkin puree
½ cup avocado oil
½ cup melt or butter sub
3 large eggs room temp
1/8 tsp salt

Cheesecake Filling:
1 tbsp dairy free butter – we used Melt
½ cup chevre goat cheese (4 oz. needed)
½ cup Vio Life Vegan Cream Cheese
1 egg – room temp.
¾ cup sugar
3 tbsp canned coconut milk. Shake before opening
4 tbsp coconut milk yogurt (plain or vanilla)
¾ tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp gluten-free flour

Instructions:


1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
2. Line muffin tin with liners and set aside
3. Mix sugar, eggs, pumpkin puree and avocado oil until well combined.
4. Add the flours, pie spice, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Careful not to overmix.
5. Use measuring cup to fill muffin liners with batter. Fill each just below ¾ full.
6. Beat chevre and sugar with electric mixer in a large bowl until smooth. Add the egg. Mix until the egg is blended into the cheese mixture. Mix in coconut milk. Add coconut yogurt, vanilla extract and gluten-free flour. Mix just until incorporated.
7. Add 1 to 2 tsp of the cheesecake filling into the center of each cupcake liner. Do not swirl.
Bake for 25 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden brown. Let cool.

Enjoy!

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Posted on September 23, 2020 by Gluten Free Hawaii

 

REVIEWS: Bakery Review

Pushkin’s Bakery – Sacramento, California

One of the hardest aspects of living a gluten-free lifestyle, is the lack of safe convenience foods, bakeries or restaurants.

Finding a place that is truly celiac safe can be challenging. Dedicated gluten and dairy free facilities are hard to come by.   

Pushkin’s Midtown Bakery in Sacramento, CA. Oct . 29, 2017. PC: C. Richard

Many think gluten-free means it will be dry, grainy and not satisfying like the glutenous version, but Pushkin’s proves that when done right, it is nearly impossible to tell the difference.

Pushkin’s Bakery is a dedicated gluten and dairy-free bakery in the heart of Sacramento. Not far from where I grew up.

I was lucky enough to visit in October 2017 and July 2019.

In 2017, I flew into Sacramento from Hawaii, so I could visit Pushkin’s on my way to surprise my dad for his 65th birthday in South Lake Tahoe.

From the left: My sister, Carrie, our father and I, just after surprising my dad on his 65th birthday on Oct. 29, 2017. PC: J. Lockhart.

I went from incredibly excited to shedding a few tears as I stepped into the bakery and saw all the amazing baked goods.

It was hard to believe everything in the cases and on the menu were gluten and dairy-free. For me this was huge.

It may seem silly to some, but I have a feeling those who live 100% gluten-free will understand and possibly even share a similar experience.

Pumpkin bread, Lemon poppy seed scone, chocolate cupcake, two Strawberry Almond Cupcakes, Mixed Berry Ganache cupcake, ‘No Names’, cream filled donuts and a fresh roll from Pushkin’s Midtown Bakery on Oct. 29, 2017. PC: C. Richard.

This was the first time in five years that I could eat anything I saw in a bakery, let alone anything at all. Not only could I eat, but I could eat it without having to take a small bite and wait to see if I noticed a reaction before eating more, nor did I have to worry whether with each bite I was possibly making myself ill. I almost did not know what to do. It was such a relief. Places like this are hard to come by and pretty much unheard of on Hawaii Island.

At the time, I had eaten out only a handful of times since my Celiac diagnosis in March of 2012. In the beginning I was still too sick to eat out. Once I started to feel better, I was too afraid to eat out due to the risk of feeling ill. Pushkin’s removed all of this. Before my diagnosis, I surely took it all for granted.

While eating gluten free can become routine, the social implications are undeniable. From weird, even rude comments, to being excluded from gatherings, to the lack of safe places to eat out and all that is Celiac Disease and chronic illness. It is tough.

Places like Pushkin’s allow for moments of ‘normalcy.’ A moment where you do not have to be ‘that person.’ You can just be.

I am so grateful there are those out there that not only get why inclusion is so important, but also the need for truly Celiac safe options.

Naturally, while at Pushkin’s I bought a variety of items to try. Literally, everything I tried was delicious. Many think gluten-free means it will be dry, grainy and not satisfying like the glutenous version, but Pushkin’s proves that when done right, it is nearly impossible to tell the difference.

I shared my baked goods with my family who are not gluten or dairy-free. They said had I not told them; they would have never known.

It was fun to share such delicious Celiac safe treats with my family.

The best part was indulging and feeling nothing from it. My stomach did not immediately ache, nor was I nauseous, given a headache or any of the 300 symptoms that go with Celiac Disease and eating gluten.

After such a positive experience in 2017, and the fact that there are no dedicated gluten-free bakeries on island, I planned my trip to California in the summer of 2019, around going to Pushkin’s. I was unable to make it to the restaurant or for Sunday donuts, but when I popped by just before closing at the mid-town location, I was anything but disappointed. I bought rolls and baked treats.

Mud Pie Cookie, gluten and dairy free. Pushkin’s offers the Mud Pie Cookie at both bakeries and their restaurant Sibling.

We tried the Mud Pie Cookie while sitting outside the bakery. It was so good, we back in to buy 4 more.

This is truly the best gluten and dairy free cookie I have ever had. The Mud Pie Cookie is offered daily at both bakeries and at Sibling, by Pushkin’s.

Everything we tried was really good.  The menu does change daily, but the chocolate chip cookie, blueberry muffin, and the Mud Pie Cookie are always one the menu. The menu is posted weekly on Pushkin’s website.

A donut from Pushkin’s Bakery Downtown on Sundays and now 7 days a week at Babes Donuts

I honestly cannot wait until I can get back to California safely and visit Pushkins, the Pushkin restaurant, Sibling, new bakery location in Roseville, and Babes Ice Cream & Donuts.

Let me know in the comments if you have been to Pushkins.

What is your favorite dedicated gluten free bakery and where is it located?

Pushkin’s Bakery Midtown Sacramento is located at:

1820 29th St. Sacramento, Ca. 95816

The hours are :

Monday: 8am-5pm

Tuesday-Saturday 7am-7pm

Sunday: 9am-4pm

Pushkin’s Bakery Roseville is located at:

1220 Roseville Pkwy Suite 140 Roseville, CA

Open: Monday-Friday: 7am-7pm

Saturday: 8am-5pm

Sunday: 8am-5pm

Menu for all locations.

Instagram @Pushkins

Sibling by Pushkin’s is located at:

1813 Capitol Ave in Sacramento

Check them out on Instagram @sibling_restaurant

The restaurant menu is available online.

The most recent opening was Babes Ice Cream & Donuts! A vegan ice cream and donuts shop. Gluten and dairy free doughnuts seven days a week, are you serious?! And vegan ice cream…I must be dreaming.

Babes is located at 2417 J St suite 100 in Sacramento.

Follow them @babes_vegan

So if you live in the area or are on a road trip, be sure to stop in to at least one of these amazing locations. I promise, you will not be disappointed. Be sure to let them know Gluten-free Hawaii sent you.

This post was not solicited or sponsored.

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Posted on August 22, 2020 by Gluten Free Hawaii

I have been a motherless daughter for longer than I had a mother here on earth.

I am the daughter of Margret Dale Karl, granddaughter of Nellie Virginia Long. I was just 17 when my Mother died suddenly due to complications of a brain aneurysm.

As we all are painfully aware the pandemic brought on challenges that no one was really prepared for. For some the collective grieving of hundreds of thousands of people was more than they could bare. Not only was the grief overwhelming but it disrupted their own grieving process, bringing them to a place of needing more tools and support for the grief that has become lifelong. I was one of these people.

I found myself realizing I have a lifetime of unresolved grief. Born into a grief cycle, and a legacy of loss that shaped the way our Motherless Mother raised her daughters. After experiencing a miscarriage, I found myself in a new phase of grieving my mother.

As I prepared to become a mother, I started to have so many questions for my mom, as well as I started to see myself in her as a woman at this age. I found myself grieving the adult relationship we would have shared, for my mother as a woman and her life, especially as I see myself in her as I age, and for the Grandmother I never knew in this lifetime.

When I joined the Mother’s Day 2020 call with Hope Edelman and Claire Bidwell Smith, I never imagined the journey I was embarking on and how that call would be the catalyst for so much growth, change and healing in my life.

For years, I had wanted to join a Sunday Mother’s Day call and to go on one of the Motherless Daughter retreats that Hope offers, but like most everything in life, when it is time, everything falls into place.

For a few months prior to the pandemic, I had started EMDR, (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing.)

One of my biggest take-aways from my therapy before it was cut short was that I have a lot of unresolved grief. Not only the devastating loss of my mother but a lifetime of loss.

Over time I realized, having a miscarriage really re-triggered my grieving for my Mother, our adult relationship and what life would be if she were today.

I first read, Motherless Daughters- The Legacy of Loss by Hope Edelman less than a year after my Mother suddenly passed.

Its honestly hard to put into words how this book impacted my life, my thinking and my approach to grieving and loss.

I went from feeling something was wrong with me and that death was something you grieved and then moved on from, to feeling like it was normal to feel the way I did, to want to talk about her, and that ultimately it was ok that her death defined my life.

The 17 year old who lost her mom, watched her college dreams become beyond her reach and the shelter from the harsh reality of the world simply vanish, set out to not allow the death of her mother to define her, but over time realized it was what made her who she is. Contrary to what I had started to believe, this was something to be proud of, not ashamed of.

Over the years, I would revisit the book. Re-read a section or pull powerful quotes that hit me at my core. Anyone who I met who lost their mom or a recent passing would almost always result in me asking if they knew about the Motherless Daughters book.

My birthday lands on Mother’s Day every seven years. With Corona Virus, we were not camping for my birthday like we usually would do. This year because I knew we would be home, I planned on joining the call on Mother’s Day. I honestly had no idea what to expect, but I was excited about it.

I kid you not, I silently wept the entire call. I was overwhelmed in the best way possible. I truly did not expect that, so in many ways it just reinforced my feelings about needing to heal and address all the unresolved grief in my life.

Not only did I relate to nearly everything Hope and Claire said but I felt like I belonged. It’s pretty powerful to feel you belong when there are hundreds of women on a call and I have never met any of them.

One of the big light bulb moments for me was when Claire said, it is a lot harder to shut your mother out then it is to include her. I did not even realize not only was I shutting her out but how hurtful it was to live that way. In that moment, my perspective changed completely.

Claire shared with us about writing letters to her mom and buying her a Mother’s Day card. It had never occurred to me to do so. I added both to my list of things to-do.

At the end of the call they mentioned the support talks called, Zoom Fridays and an online course called Unstuck taught by Hope.

After the call I felt like how I did when I read the book. I yearned for more. Not only for the support connection with the other women out there who understand, but also to see if I could dig deeper at my grief.

I thought if a free call, could shed light on where I am at, then just imagine all I could potentially gain from a course geared to becoming unstuck in our grieving process.

My goals for the course were:

1. To enter the next level of my grieving process. Digging deeper and deeper at the root of disturbances and impacts on my life today.

2. To shed any shame around being a motherless daughter.

3. To further process the pain, so my mother’s and grandmother’s lives are validated. I want and need to make them proud. Their lives mattered.

4. And to stop the cycle of unhealthy coping mechanisms that lead to a life unlived. Stop living in fear.

I feel not only did I meet these goals; I exceeded my expectations as did the course and everything that came with officially joining the Motherless Daughter community that Hope has built.

As with reading the Motherless Daughters book at 19, during the Unstuck course at 37, I went from feeling something was wrong with me and that death was something you grieved and then moved on from, to feeling like it was normal to still feel the ways I do, to wanting to talk about her, and that ultimately it was ok that her death has defined my life.

One of the most freeing aspects for me was being relieved of this desire to have my family, friends and even partner, understand me regarding my feelings around my mother’s death and impact it plays in my life. I never imagined virtually meeting all these women who had lost their mom too would relieve such a strained and hurtful part of my life. Validation and hearing other’s stories and perspectives on losing their mothers was powerful for me.

Early in the course, I remember Hope responding to a question one of the other women posed. In short, she told her that rather than turning to those who we think should be there for us and continue to let us down, to shift our focus and see who starts showing up for you. I felt as though this applied to my life too. I immediately started to put up healthy boundaries and to be open to letting other show up for me. The results were practically immediate.

After the final week of the course, I told my sister, “My entire life makes sense now.” In that moment, I have never felt more peace.

Unstuck has been a catalyst for so much growth, change and healing in my life.

If you find yourself struggling in your grief or entering a new aspect of your grieving or simply stuck in place, I highly recommend the online course with Hope and a community of Motherless Daughters.

http://www.motherlessdaughters.com

From right to left: Crystal, daughter of Margret, granddaughter of Nellie Virginia.

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Posted on August 20, 2020 by Gluten Free Hawaii

Simple Ahi Poke

Ingredients:

12oz of ahi tuna in ½ cubes
1 ½ tsp sesame oil
2 tsp Tamarai (or Reg Soy Sauce if not gf or 1 ½ tsp Coconut Aminos)
½ cup chopped sweet onion
¼ tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
¼ sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
1/3 cup chopped green onion
1 ripe avocado cubed
1 small Hawaiian Chili pepper finely diced or crushed red pepper

 


Directions:
Step one: In a medium-sized bowl combine salt, pepper, Tamari (OR Coconut Aminos. Those who are not strictly gluten or soy free can use regular soy sauce if that is what you have on hand or prefer), sesame oil, diced chili pepper, onion and cubed ahi.
Step two: Gently mix until fish is coated, and ingredients are well mixed.
Step three: Garnish poke with sesame seeds and top with green onion.
Serve with cubed avocado and purple sweet potato chips. We love Atebara’s Sweet Potato chips, but also keep an eye out for our homemade version coming soon!
Also pairs well with taro chips or rice for a poke bowl.
Keep poke refrigerated until served. Best when made fresh. Eat within 24 hours.
This recipe makes 2 to 3 servings.
Enjoy!

 

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Posted on August 20, 2020 by Gluten Free Hawaii

No one wakes up and decides to be gluten free, well at least not anyone I have ever met. For most who are gluten free it is out of necessity. No matter what the reason, one thing we all can agree on is that going gluten-free is not all that fun or for popularity.

As the term gluten-free became a mainstream term, I realized there seemed to be growing confusion and downright animosity towards those eating a gluten-free diet.

Gluten is the protein in wheat, rye and barley.

There are several reasons people avoid gluten: for some it is the only treatment for celiac disease , an autoimmune condition; for some they are intolerant , which means their body experiences digestive problems after eating it; while some have gluten sensitivity and for others they are allergic to wheat, rye and/or barley and will experience an allergic reaction if consumed.

For celiac disease, living a strict gluten free lifestyle is the only treatment.

It only takes a small amount of gluten to cause an autoimmune reaction for someone with celiac sprue.

For me, being diagnosed with celiac disease was a blessing. Not only did I finally understand why I was so sick, but it was a treatment that I had control over. I immediately went gluten free. I wanted to stop throwing up daily, to ease the gut-wrenching pain and just feel better, that I was willing to never eat again, if it meant I’d feel better and be able to resume my life.

When I first went gluten-free in March 2012, I never imagined 10 years later I would be still fighting daily for my health in the way I do. Sure, things have gotten a lot better. I finally have doctors who get it, as well as validate my pain, symptoms and struggle. To still be tracking symptoms, undergoing testing and waiting for on the unknown is hard to believe. I have shared so little about what the last 10 years had really been like. For quite some time I have wanted to share in depth about my journey from diagnosis after diagnosis, but finally I am making that vision a reality with this blog.

When first diagnosed, I cried. Yes, literally shed tears over Thanksgiving dinner. It was March and I was crying over future Thanksgiving dinners. The thought of never having a Thanksgiving meal and missing out on those family days of cooking together, sitting down and eating together was too upsetting. Little did I know, that eating delicious food and even my Thanksgiving favorites without getting sick would become the highlight of my gluten free lifestyle.

 I set out to prove not only to myself, but to everyone willing to listen, that gluten free could be as delicious, comforting and satisfying as all the gluten filled foods that dominate our culture and our world. I was determined to disprove the common misconception that gluten free food is bland, boring and unsatisfying.

I am finally ready to share our recipes. From a girl who could only cook a handful of specific meals she learned growing up, to cooking strictly gluten and dairy free meals, to our whole 30 experience and living our food freedom. I am now confident enough in the kitchen and in my own cooking to share our favorite home created recipes and meals. For some, going gluten-free may seem awful, but for me it has been life changing and a blessing. An opportunity for growth and positive change.

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Posted on July 11, 2020 by Gluten Free Hawaii

Thanks for joining me!

Living in constant pain really takes a toll on all aspects of your being.

It disrupts all facets of life. From the smallest areas to the most important parts of your life. Debilitating illness set-in in October 2010, creating a major turning point in my life.

Little did I know what it would take to get answers and a diagnosis, or the journey I had just embarked upon.

Haruki Murakami once said, “When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm’s all about.”

Looking back over the last decade, it is difficult to wrap my mind around all that has taken place and all that my body has endured.

With chronic illness it is easy to feel as though your body is failing you, but overtime I began to realize not only was my body working hard to get well, it was fighting like hell to communicate what was wrong.

A decade of daily pain, debilitating symptoms, and life half lived.

Somewhere along the way I lost my voice. It was early on in this journey that after repeatedly being told there was nothing physically wrong with me and it was only in my head that I lost the confidence I once had, but I did not give up.

Though it may seem needless to say, this not the life I dreamt of.

With debilitating illness, you have no choice but to surrender. There is not ignoring anymore or pushing through. It stops you in your tracks.

During some of the darkest moments, I got through by believing I would get through this and share my story someday. While some of my friends, family and followers have heard bits and pieces of my story, there is so much I have never told another soul.

I am finally launching this website to share my life with you. This blog will consist of my experiences with chronic pain and illness,  how I cope and find meaning in life, the lifestyle choices I make and why, experiences as a motherless daughter, and of course everything gluten free and Hawaii.

“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

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