A guest!

How fantastic are the photos when I’m not in charge of taking them?

The universe just knows, y’all. Right after I posted my last pizza week entry saying I needed to take off to go act and write, I got another one of those awesome auditions requiring that I go on the lot. An audition for something people actually would see.
With less than 24 hours to prep. That’s pretty typical. Whee!
Who needs roller coasters? I’ve got life.

I also received an email out of the blue from Kendra Thorton asking if I wanted a guest post. Perfect timing. Kendra’s had quite the life. She is a travel expert who has been to 28 countries and 6 continents. The former director of communications for Orbitz, she has been featured all over the place as a travel expert. Nice. The closest thing to travel expertise I have to offer is to try Fountain or Olympic in rush hour.
Kendra is now a wife the proud mama of three who likes to bring her experience in travel into the kitchen at home. If you want more Kendra in your life she can be found on your friendly internets:

Twitter: @KendraThornton – https://twitter.com/KendraThornton
Website: http://www.thorntonpr.com/

Thanks for writing, Kendra!

The Lanikai Juice Smoothie: A DIY Taste of Waikiki
“Exploring the Secrets of Different Foodie Cultures and Bringing the Taste Back to your Own Home”

After a wonderful stay at the Halekulani Hotel , ranked as one of the top hotels in Honolulu, it wasn’t easy to leave the beautiful islands of Hawaii behind. However, I managed to bring back a little piece of the islands for my friends and family to enjoy – my new signature smoothie!

I have always been one to worry about staying fit, especially after the birth of my three children and during my stay in Hawaii; I dropped in on the Lanikai Juice Company, just four miles from my hotel on Waikiki Beach.

There I learned the secrets of this refreshing concoction, and I’ve played around with the recipe just enough to make it my own. After a few weeks of alterations, I think I’ve come across the perfect method of making it.
To make it for yourself, you’ll need:

– One organic banana
– Half a small glass of orange juice
– Two handfuls of frozen mixed berries (sold in the freezer section of your local grocery store)

To start, combine the banana and orange juice in a blender until smooth. Next, add the berries and blend once more. Once the berries have been reduced to create a smooth liquid, your smoothie is finished!

My favorite part about this refreshing taste of the Hawaiian Islands is the frozen berries, which are not only used to establish an element of flavor, but to thicken the smoothie. If you don’t have any frozen berries on hand, you can always use three to four ice cubes in their stead. However, I highly recommend using frozen berries.

I’m not the only one who loves this healthy snack, either – my kids adore it. I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to have them beg me for a healthy treat for once in their lives.

Whenever I want to relax and bring to mind the relaxation I felt in Hawaii, I whip up this easy, delicious smoothie. I love it so much that I’m never without the ingredients to make it! I hope you enjoy the flavor of Hawaii just as much as my family and I have!