Vacation Pictures!

Vacation in the Lowcountry

I know, I should not be on the computer on my vacation. But, I had a very large stream of thoughts that I thought needed to be released from my head. Where better to let them go?

I am out on Edisto Island, SC about 45 miles or so below Charleston. We have been coming here for a week every summer for as long as I can remember. The very best of slow, Southern Island living....

Dolphin, grits, tomatoes, boiled peanuts, pralines, okra, potatoes straight from the ground, blueberries, peaches, the porch at sunset, sunscreen, the BEACH, Botany Bay, the marsh, otters, hummingbirds, golf cart rides, fresh chocolate chip cookies, rocking chairs, cottages by the beach, families, boche' ball, corn on the cob, county car rides, pecans, sail boats, kayaks, shagging (it's the State dance, get your minds out of the gutter!) Beach music, good beach reads (I'm reading one by Jimmy Buffet), tabloid magazines (guilty pleasure), crisp white wine and cold beer (it's vacation guys!), kids laughter on the beach, wind chimes, shopping, pedicures (tomorrow!), plantations and long oak lined roads, OAKS, outdoor showers, palmetto trees and crescent moons, flip flops (hence the need for the pedicure!), sundresses and cover ups, bikinis and big floppy hats, butter beans, hammocks, gazebos, gazpacho, snakes and alligators (the Serpatarium), Egrets and Herons, tans (my son) and freckles (me, daughter), cool sheets, fluffy beach towels and my new beach bag (monogrammed from Dad), candid photos, funny quotes (my Dad, think Clark W. Griswold), long walks, tired sleepy babies, tired sleepy moms and very happy, relaxed people.

I will post pics when I get home, what a wonderful vacay....and it's only Tuesday!

For a Southern Vacation from your living room....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel_Oak

 http://www.edistoisland.com/

http://www.edistochamber.com/

http://www.postandcourier.com/photos/galleries/2008/jul/17/edisto_river/

http://nerrs.noaa.gov/ACEBasin/

http://www.dnr.sc.gov/managed/wild/botany/description.htm

http://www.kingsmarketedisto.com/

Fun Stuff

Picture courtesy of Living Roofs Inc.

I have found some really cool new websites that I thought I would share. The first is HERE and is an amazing read. It is about a cute little family in Wales that built their own eco-home and it is so SWEET! I spent forever on this site reading about the family, the plans for the home and others like it. I was lead there from thread on the Raw Freedom Community about living roofs. Which in and of itself is exciting to me. Google Living Roofs and you are in for a treat! A great website is this one for Living Roofs Inc., out of North Carolina, Who actually did the first private residence green roof here in Charleston, SC as well as one for the Circular Congregational Church and the James Island Magnet school. I feel some field trips coming on!

The next one was also found from the RFC and is called Ecoki and is about all things Eco-friendly. They are always looking for comments and suggestions so stop by and check it out.

For something very unusual and really a great idea if you ask me, look this one up The Gorilla Sandwich from California. I still haven't seen one in stores, but would really love to create my own, that would make a good post in its own right!

I am adding this blog as well, just found it today and immediately added it to my list (over there on the left) I LOVE it! It is by Michelle Myhre, and I love her amazing translations and comments about the Yoga Sutras. I also love the pictures she chooses to go with them...funky fun. So love it when I find fun new reads!

This is one of my new favorite hobbies, searching the web for new and exciting things in the Eco-friendly world. What are some of your favorites???

PIZZA PIZZA

I made my first ever raw pizza the other day...YUM... it was so delish! I really need to start measuring stuff, so I can give actual recipes. I just have recipe ADD, so I look at the ingredients, see what I have, adjust and just throw stuff in the bowl. The crust was based on this crust from the Raw Freedom Community. I soaked the buckwheat groats and walnuts for about 4 hours. Then I dehydrated them over night, the next morning, I blended them in the blender. I then moved that mix to a bowl and added about 1/2 cup flax meal and 1/4 cup psyillium husk. I let all of that sit in the bowl for about 30 minutes until it was really thick. You could add any seasonings you want when you stir it all together. I just used some salt and pepper this time. When it was doughy, I made circles (personal pizza size) on the dehydrator sheets and dehydrated them for a couple of hours. Then peel and flip onto the screen to finish. You can take them off when they are the right consistency for you, of course the longer they go, the harder and chewier they get.

The next step was making a sauce. I just cut up fresh tomatoes from the garden and added basil, salt and pepper and some fresh garlic. When the crusts were ready, I topped them with the sauce and toppings.

For toppings, I used marinated portabella mushrooms (just a tad bit of balsamic vinegar) and tomatoes with garlic on top. I then dehydrated these for the whole time I was making the crust.

You can also make a "cheese", my favorite one right now is just cashews, blended with some water and a little oil. Add salt and fresh basil, garlic or any other seasonings. Dab this on the pizza as the first layer or just as a topping (I tried both ways).

It is a very easy (but timely) process, and was totally worth it. I made about 7 personal crusts, 5 I froze and 2 I made into pizzas. I could only eat one, so I have one for later!

Easy Peasy.

I also made buckwheat granola bars. These were sooo amazing, that I ate all of them before thinking about taking a picture. While I am kicking myself, I know that I will make them again soon, so I'll just post the pics next time. YUM!!!

My goals for this week are to juice (my mother-in-law gave us her juicer, so I don't have to open every box in the garage!) and to experiment with some of the pulp. I want to try garden burgers in the dehydrator. If you have any tips or favorites, let me know!

Fruity Times!

In honor of my daughter's last day of school tomorrow, I am doing what to me constitutes SUMMERTIME! I am going to eat fruit all day long, and listen to as much Reggae as I can. My fruity day is going to start with an amazing green smoothie, like this morning's, which consisted of mucho handfuls of mixed greens, peaches, one banana, ice and water. YUM. I also followed an hour or two later with raisins and another peach. For lunch, I plan a fruit salad with fresh, juicy oranges, a pineapple and strawberries. Oh, I also have some blueberries to toss in. I will probably enjoy the same salad for dinner. I might have to add in an assortment of mixed greens to accompany. My favorite summery dressing is fresh lemon and orange juice mixed with a little olive oil. There is no way to feel lighter and happier! Puts a spring in the step!

Sorry, I had no review for class the other day as promised, I showed up to no teacher, so guess who taught? It was a great class though! haha

I am planning on trying again tomorrow night for the same class, I really am trying to get to as many different teachers and styles as I can. This morning I started the day with an amazing massage, followed by my own yoga practice (headstand heavy) and a guava berry Kombucha tea. When I got home, I just happened to have enough time to have a little nap. What a wonderful day! I hope everyone is well and looking forward to summer as much as I am!!!

Also wanted to post a little note about the book I just finished reading, Why is God Laughing? By Deepak Chopra, a fun and easy read. Just what one needs to wake up the Spirit when it needs a lift!