Hawaii, Life Changes & Food Obsessions <3

Hello!!

How is it already October!? I knew September would fly…but not that fast! I had an amazing month that involved lots of trips and traveling from Fargo to Minneapolis to Hawaii!! It was a completely epic month that was much needed to connect with my best friends and family! <3 <3

And need I say…Hawaii…which was completely beautiful and blew away all my expectations. I am such a sun baby and I soaked it up as much as possible. Our hotel was right on the beach so laying in the sun pretty much 24/7 was pure perfection. There was also lots of really cool vendors that made a wide variety of jewelry and really anything someone could think of to sell! The people there are really living the life!

I spent most of my time in Honolulu on the island of Oahu.  We walked from our hotel all the way to and up Diamondhead which gave us a GORGEOUS view of the entire island.  It was a long hike (in my Sperry’s) but totally worth it and the delicious sushi place that we found afterwards was the perfect fuel after a long HOT hike.

Food Highlights of Hawaii: (Yes, I am a big foodie and I am completely obsessed with trying new things, I mean the food is really the best part of traveling…am I right?)

+Pineapple – it didn’t taste any different, but they grow it there and we drove by the Dole plantation which didn’t have any pineapples for us to pick so we didn’t bother to stop.

+Chocolate Macadamia Nuts – You could eat the whole box. Enough said.

+Spam and Rice – I didn’t have any….but its available everywhere including McDonalds.

+Mai Tai – This is the cocktail of the island. Pineapple juice and Rum. (Eh – I wasn’t that impressed)

+Kona Beers – This was the only local beer, as a bit of a beer snob now, I appreciated that they had something locally brewed. I wish I could of flew home the rest of my 5 beers that I left in the hotel. WAH.

+Iced Coffee – This is pretty much everything because well…its hot all the time!

+Other than that…you have to try a pineapple burger with furikake (seaweed) fries.  This was definitely my favorite meal. (besides the sushi – oh and coconut shrimp) Gosh I am such a foodie.

So yea, Hawaii was amazing and I cannot wait to go back already. <3 But the best part wasn’t even the location or the food, but hanging out with some of the coolest friends who I miss so dearly. <3

I am so happy that I moved to Chicago to give myself the space to grow and create who I am, but it is definitely hard missing my friends.  Heck the entire week, I felt like 3 years didn’t pass at all and hanging out every single day was the norm!!!  That is when you know you truly have the bestest of friends! <3 <3

Ok, so what else is going on with ME?  Well things are shifting and I am moving into a new “era”? I guess you could say that, but it involves starting a new SIDE gig! YAY!

It is very interesting how it all worked out as I first saw the job ad back in May when I was in Denver.  I felt a BIG urge to apply for it and I took at least a month to fix my resume and actually apply. I thought I had ruined my chances…but I got an email from the Owner!!  Things seemed to fall into place and we got on the phone for an interview and everything sounded perfect!! I was really excited, but a part of me was sad about giving up the rest of my summer to work every weekend.  I had my crazy September month all planned which involved me being not available one single weekend in September.  And after that….the owner decided to look at other candidates because September was a key month for them. BUT right before my Hawaii trip, I got another email asking if I still wanted the job!!  So here I am, October 1^st, starting my new part time -gig!!   I am excited because winters get cold and this is going to be really fun job to break up the week and do something with HUMANS!! so what’s the job??Brand Ambassador for Square Organics!!! Basically, I get to live at Whole Foods all weekend and travel around Chicago. (My other fave hobby is exploring new whole foods stores) and hand out samples of the yummiest organic vegan protein bar called Square Bar!  OMG! I am a serious addict. I bought my first bar after applying and now it’s a full blown obsession.  It is the perfect “dessert” for me. #basically I am in love. &Square Bar and Cold Brew Coffee = the best combo ever that words cannot even describe.

I will write another post sometime on its amazingness, but you just simply have to try it. <3

So part-time gig = super busy me, but super excited. <3

I promise, I will still be blogging as I love it so much. So don’t worry I am not going anywhere.

But before I let you go….here is a round-up of some of my favorite things right now and what I am exploring.

1. Homemade Kombucha – I am such an addict to Kombucha that I caved and decided to start making my own. My lil sis gave me a scoby, so I made my first batch.
   I followed THIS recipe and mixed green and black tea for my first batch. It was VERY easy so I am going to be making a batch every other week or so…
2. Fed and Fit – I have said it once and I am going to say it again. Follow Cassey Joy! I have her book Fed and Fit and it’s amazing. I made her BBQ Chicken Casserole and it was EPIC. Homemade BBQ sauce was simple and so good.
3. Whole Foods + Barnes and Noble need to make a baby. Do I need to explain this anymore?
4. Favorite Food Products/Foods:
   1. Siete Tortillas – I love avocado mashed up in this tortilla either by itself or ham/turkey.
   2. Square Bars – My favorite flavor is either dark chocolate crunch or almond spice. Both SO good. Follow them on Instagram to check out their amazing creations. <3
   3. Samosa – These aren’t healthy, but I am an addict and I like to buy at the Whole Foods Hot Bar. I gobble them down like whoa. I am going to recreate my own version ASAP. Cuz I crave them like mad. <3  Here is the recipe that I have been eyeing to check out….
   4. Chameleon Cold Brew Coffee – Want an instant boost? Gosh this stuff is the best coffee ever, but so smooth that I never feel a crash. I had 4oz or so and I felt amazing all day long. BEST coffee I have ever had.
   5. My current staples (ie current food obsessions) include: avocados, sweet potatoes, and bananas
      1. I like to eat avocado on top of baked sweet potato chips with a dash of himalyan sea salt.
      2. I love raw honey and banana.
      3. Banana “Nice” Cream – I don’t really get why it is called “nice” cream.  But it is GOOD. I am going to be making a pumpkin banana ice cream next because well #pumpkinspiceseason. <3

What are YOUR favorite recipes, food obsessions? I would love to know so I can check them out! 😀

Let me know in the comments below!

I hope you enjoyed this #reallife post and look forward to more in the future!  And if you have any topics or questions for future posts, let me know below or shoot me an email to chelsea@chelseajolene.com!

as always sending my love to you and your dreams! xx