Toguchi Beach at Sunset

Toguchi Beach on the west coast of the island has a stunning view of sunset. There's a little Japanese restaurant next to the beach that's decent, nothing to write home about but they play pretty good tunes. The forested trail is about a mile or so from our house and is quiet and we don't have to experience all the disgusting smog that walking on the main roads often exposes us to. I have to say, I am shocked at the air quality on Okinawa especially on major roads. It makes me curious to know whether any testing on auto pollution is monitored as it is in California. A single picture of some mini whoopies. Did not write down the recipe but they turned out pretty good. 

Exploring Hamahiga Island

These were all walking around Hamahiga Island. I am not going to tell you exactly where, it's easy enough to find if you do a bit of exploring. Adventure time! 

Second Hand Coffee and End Table Upcycle

The great thing about Okinawa has been that we've been able to acquire high quality used furniture that people would otherwise toss out. With a little effort a lot of things sold out here can be transformed into really amazing pieces. We bought the two end tables secondhand really cheap considering it's solid wood. The glass top were both damaged and will have to be replaced when we get back to the states. The end tables were stained an off orange and we had intended on restaining the entire tables chocolate brown. It was sheer luck that we ended up finding the exact same style coffee table being given away by a completely different person. The person who was giving away the coffee table refused to take money so instead I offered to do maternity pictures for her. 

Instead of going through the trouble of putting multiple layers of stain, with the help of my baby bro, we sanded out the bad scratches and stains and then stained the tops chocolate brown and painted the legs white. They came out gorgeous and I think match the house great. Can't wait to start using them.

Obsessed: Uruma Gelato

If there is one thing the two of us thoroughly enjoy it's good gelato. Although, the ever popular Blue Seal is delicious it is not gelato. Gelato differs from regular ice cream in that it doesn't contain as much air in it and is soft ice cream not intended to be served frozen solid or hard. It's amazing. 

Uruma Gelato is located off of the 37 about 15 minutes south of Courtney and it's amazing. The gelato is made on site and from what I understand, entirely local ingredients. The have an array of standard flavors such as chocolate, strawberry, and milk--not to be confused with vanilla--to the surprisingly unique red pepper, parsley, rum, Okinawa sea salt, and a few others. Hands down winning flavors in the house are the organic tea, shikuwasa (commonly known as hirami lemon), and chocolate. Their gelato is soft, not extremely sweet, and has just the right amount of ice crystals. To top it off it has an epic view of the Kinbu Bay and Ikei-Miyaji-Hamahiga Islands. Basically it's amazing. 

Directions from Kadena Gate 2

1. Go out Gate 2 

2. Turn LEFT onto the 330

3. Continue STRAIGHT the 330 will turn into the 75

4. Turn RIGHT onto the 85

5. Turn LEFT onto the 33

6. Turn RIGHT once you hit the ocean, you will now be on the 37

7. Uruma Gelato will be on your RIGHT on the first floor of a two story building with other shops and Cafe Ukulele

*Will update this post with pictures the next time I go. 

Sea Salt Kale Chips

Kale chips have been all the rage for the past few years, with good reason. They are easy to make and totally delicious. No, they are nothing like potato chips but they are definitely a perfect alternative especially when they're seasoned with salt. They are great by themselves and added to other dishes.

Since this recipe just makes basic kale chips, these go great on salads, soups, or any dish where you would put a crouton on to get a crispy crunch. It's hard to describe the taste--I think it's savory.

SEA SALT KALE CHIPS

INGREDIENTS

- 1 bunch of Kale

- 1 tbsp Olive Oil

- 2 tsp Sea Salt

1. Set oven to 350.

2. Wash kale, shake excess water off. No need to dry.
3. Using your hands or a knife remove the leaves from the stems and tear the leaves into bite sized pieces.

4. Place kale on cookie sheet and drizzle with olive oil and toss with your hands and thoroughly coat kale. The more you massage the olive oil into the leaves so that they are completely coated the more evenly they will cook and taste. 

5. Place kale in a single layer and sprinkle salt.

6. Place in oven for 10 to 20 minutes or until edges start to brown. Time dependent on how big of a bunch you have.
7. Add more salt to taste.

Green Apple Salad with Apple Jelly Vinaigrette

Came up with this lovely salad while trying to do a detox/healthy eating week. The great thing about salads is that you can take advantage of your local farmers and can incorporate just about anything into them. 

GREEN APPLE SALAD 

INGREDIENTS

- 5 cups Mixed Greens 

- 1/2 of a sliced Cucumbers

- 1/4 cups of sliced Bell Pepper

- 1 Green Apple

- Handful of Cherry Tomatoes

- Handful of Almond Slivers

1. Prepare Mise en place. Best results use a mandolin to cut bell pepper and cucumbers.

2. Dice apple throw a handful on each salad. 

APPLE JELLY VINAIGRETTE 

INGREDIENTS

- 1/4 c Red Wine Vinegar

- 1/4 c Apple Jelly

- 1/8 c Olive Oil 

- 1/8 c Dijon Mustard

- 2 tsp Poppy Seed

- Salt and Pepper to taste

1. Place ingredients into a mixing bowl and whisk! Done! 

2. Drizzle on salad and enjoy!

The knife was a gift from an amazingly sweet friend and we absolutely love it.

Family Mini with the Ms at Hamahiga

Family and 1 month old session with the Cs on Hamahiga Island

Snorkeling Sunabe Seawall

We spent a day this weekend taking a dear friend snorkeling one last time before she moves from Okinawa. Sunabe Seawall was absolutely glowing when we went! We had really forgotten how great it Sunabe could look. We were across from the water treatment plant dive spot and Bird Cage dive spot.

I do not know what treatment level this particular plant is or whether it's a potable water or waste water treatment plant which is laughably passive of me considering I have written reports in college about the risks that certain waste water treatment plants can pose. More specifically, water treatment plants have different levels of treatment. In California, where there used to be a significant number of secondary treatment water plants were found to be the cause of sea otters dying because of a parasite that attacked the brain which was found to be from cat fecal matter that was being flushed down the drain but not treated in the water. If I recall correctly, the only coastal water treatment plant in California that is still secondary treatment is in San Diego. Depending on the treatment level, certain viruses, bacteria, heavy metals, toxins, biologic matter, is not removed.