Needle and Eyes

Our first adventure of the day was a visit to the Iao Needle and Botanical Gardens. The area is lush and verdant, making it difficult to believe that the battle of Kepaniwai, the "Battle of the Damned Water," was once fought here. On this ground, Kamehameha I fought for control of the island of Maui, defeating Kalanikupule, the Chief of Maui, in battle. So many people were killed, that the Iao Stream was choked with bodies causing it to run red with blood. The Iao Valley is also associated with the Hawaiian god Kane, the giver of life, and it was here, therefore, that Maui's chiefs and nobility were buried.

It's difficult to imagine such a horrific battle scene in such a beautiful place. This spot is now a popular tourist attraction because of the Iao Needle itself and because of its lush vegetation.

The hike is relatively short - only half a mile from the parking lot and it is paved the whole way. But the overlook at the top has a tremendous view of the Iao Needle. On the way down, we took the alternate path through the botanical gardens, which have been planted by a local association. It was fascinating how the Iao Stream had been diverted through an intricate series of pipes to get water to the various terraces for growing. Native plants as well as some plants brought from Polynesia have been grown - bananas, taro and ginger among them.

After this short walk, we decided to do a couple more short walks, but decided to drive the direct way instead of all the way around the West side of the island. This involved traveling on an extremely narrow one lane road for about a mile. If you meet someone on this stretch of road, you have to back up as there is no where to pull over. Our destination was the Nakalele Blowhole and the Olivine Pool.

Just before the narrow spot, we stopped at Kahakuloa Village. Anyone who's willing to paint lava rocks pink in order to attract customers to their shaved ice shop deserves some business! After leaving Kahakuloa we proceeded up the very narrow, cliffside road. We were blessed, despite the fact that we ignored our travel guide's advice on direction of travel, not to meet any cars coming the opposite direction and so did not have to back up.

A short while later we reached the Olivine Pool near mile marker 16. The first part of this unofficial trail is almost non-existent and you find yourself scrambling down jagged lava rocks.

The pool and geologic formations. however, make the risk of cutting your legs on the jagged lava worth it. While we did not bring swim suits on this trip, it is possible to swim in the pool and many people do so. The water is a beautiful shade of olive green and from there you have a beautiful view of the waves crashing over nearby lava.



Next to the pool is another blowhole, though not quite as spectacular as the Nakalele Blowhole that we were above to visit. Most interesting, however, is the interaction of the wind, water and lava. Wind and salt water have eroded the lava, giving it the look of a beautiful, albeit sharp, lace. From the Nakalele Blowhole, our next stop, there is a trail named the Acid War Zone trail, which runs along many formations similar to these.

Despite the jagged lava rocks, wind and salt water, lest anyone think that this is a barren wasteland, beautiful green succulents can be seen growing in the crevices between rocks and the upper portion of the trail was littered with brightly colored flowers. The total length of this portion of our day's hike was no more than 45 minutes. About 20 minutes down and another 25 minutes up. Needless to say, this is not a trail for flip flops. Good hiking shoes, or at a minimum hiking sandals, should be worn on this trail.

After reaching the trailhead once more, we proceeded on to the Nakalele Blowhole, our last destination for the day. We timed our arrival as close as possible to high tide, because a strong surf and high tide make for the best viewing. We were not disappointed.

The water was blowing up in great, powerful jets. Blowholes are created when the surf undercuts the rock along the shoreline, eventually eroding a hole through the top. The wave action and high tide cause an impress geyser-like effect. Don't get too close though! This is not something you want to fall into. It is likely you'd never get back out and the surf would pound you into a pulp against the sharp lava. People have also been known to get sucked into the hole by the retreating water (think vacuum), so it is best to keep a respectful distance.

This trail was similar to the trail to the Olivine Pool, a bit longer although somewhat less challenging. Also interesting are the geologic strata that can be seen where the lava has eroded away. A red layer, indicating that the volcano belched lava rich in iron, can be seen sandwiched in between different layers of aa.

The Nakalele Blowhole is accessible either via the Acid War Zone trail or by the shorter half mile trail which we took. This hike will take about an hour and a half, giving yourself plenty of time to look around at the blowhole and adjacent tide pools.

Uleoli Beach

This morning, we went to Mass at the beautiful Maria Lanakila church where they have a wonderful choir. Afterwards, we had lunch in Lahaina and walked around Banyan Tree Park. I kept to my diet and had the seared tuna.

After lunch, we visited the Maui Ocean Center, where we saw lots of sharks, fish, sea horses and turtles. Afterwards, we visited the highlight of our day, Uleoli Beach, also known simply as the Black Sand Beach.

Here the beach, instead of being made out of seashells by the pounding action of the surf, is made out of black lava or a'a. I'd only visited a black sand beach once before many years ago, on the island of Lanai and found it very coarse under my feet. Uleoli's black sand was much finer and softer to walk on. The wind blew warm and gentle on us. What a beautiful day!

We had much fun chasing sand crabs all over the beach. My husband and son worked at scooping them out of their holes and catching them so that they could hold them in their hands for a few brief moments before letting them go again. Fortunately, they weren't big enough to pinch!

Hawaiian Ramblings

We took off to Hawaii today for a much needed vacation. A little fun in the sun, rest and relaxation.

We arrived in Maui this afternoon in time to fetch groceries, check in to our condo, and get some beach time.

This photo was taken from Napili, where we had dinner. Little did I realize - until we arrived - that this was the same restaurant that we had eaten at many years ago for a New Year's Eve party. (I had made the reservations by telephone.)

I managed to keep to my diet all day, until dinner. I forgot and ate the mashed potatoes that came with my fish. Oops. I guess the Mai Tai wasn't on my diet either, but that was intentional.

Nike!

My day of reckoning has come and gone - three times over now. By the end of week one, I had lost nearly 10 pounds. By the end of week two I had lost another 7 pounds. By the end of week four, even being on vacation and missing a weigh in, I had lost yet another 5 pounds. I'm currently down about 23 pounds and am now at my pre-brain tumor weight. That was my first goal.

I've also shed two dress sizes. I don't have to shop in the "plus" department any more. I went shopping this afternoon, bought a bunch of clothes and didn't even try them on. When I got home, I gave my husband a fashion show and everything fit. Whooppee!

Hawaii is going to be really fun next week. I might even buy a swimsuit!

One More Day...

I had difficulty sleeping last night. Every once in a while, I just can't get to sleep. Apparently, this is one of perimenopause's symptoms. So I worked on Field Day plans through half the night, and then went back to bed and slept for a few hours. It wasn't great, but I grabbed a nap later in the afternoon.

For breakfast, I ate 3 oz. of ham steak. After dropping the kiddo off at science camp, I headed for the dentist and a teeth cleaning. Then back home to prepare for Field Day grocery shopping. I need to get supplies for about 40 people. Off to Costco! Lunch was a Muscle Milk Light Chocolate Shake. Yum! It was nice to have something sweet in my mouth after all of this meat. Dinner was some herb roasted turkey.

Tomorrow is the end of the first week. My next appointment and the day of reckoning! I think my weight loss has been pretty good, but tomorrow morning I face the scale!

Calories In: 615

Protein: 72.09%
Carbohydrates: 12.1%
Fats: 15.79%

Hope Is a Very Thin Diet

It's important to have structure in any of life's undertakings. Structure makes it possible to discipline yourself to stick to a plan, and supports the plan's execution. You can start a diet with great hope for pounds shed, but if you don't have a plan, you likely won't achieve your goal. Hope will be extinguished. Hope is not enough.

Although this diet is severe for the first week, there is a structure to it. This is making it easier for me to stay in compliance. I know what I have to aim for and I just do it.

This morning's breakfast was 3 oz. of ham steak. Lunch was 3 oz. of turkey breast.

Today was consumed with more Field Day preparations. I've been plenty busy and this has helped keep my mind off food. I also slept better and more last night so it was a better day all around.

By the time dinner rolled around, I still had enough calories left to have 3 oz. of hamsteak, 3 oz. of turkey, and 1 slice of Canadian bacon! I stuck to the diet a little too well.

Calories In: 640

Protein: 83.72%
Carbohydrates: 3.72%
Fats: 12.56%

Caution: Hungry Dieter - May Bite If Provoked

Today is Day 4 of my diet and the first day that I'm supposed to test my urine for ketones. I did so and the strip turned a medium shade of brown. This means I'm definitely in the moderate range of ketosis and burning ketones. Ketones are a byproduct of fat metabolism. They are produced by the liver from fat to be used as fuel when your body doesn't have enough carbohydrates. Any excess ketones are excreted in the urine and not converted back to fat. The scale also shows significant improvement. In part, this is probably the loss of some water weight, but now we know I'm starting to shed fat too.

This morning I ran out of the house with 3 oz. of Canadian bacon in my hand. It was the kiddo's first day of science camp and I didn't want to be late. We made it on time.

It's hard to describe how I'm feeling right now. I guess the closest I can get is that I feel both lighter with a slightly lower energy level than usual. I mostly ignored it.

Today was workout day. I grabbed 3 oz. of smoked turkey on the way to the gym. I was wondering if that would hold me through my workout. It did. By the time I finished the workout, I was actually feeling somewhat better. I also drank a full 32 oz. of Powerade Zero Lemon Lime.

However, after getting home, I was voraciously hungry. Since I had worked out for 70 minutes, I decided to treat myself to one slice of turkey (about 1 oz.) That helped and prevented me from eating everything in sight. Dinner was 3 oz. of halibut and some Vitarain Raspberry Green Tea. When I added everything up after dinner, I was still about 80 calories under my minimum calorie goal. So I had another slice of Canadian bacon.

So far so good, even if I'm hungry.

Calories In: 653
Calories Out: 375

Protein: 73.38%
Carbohydrates: 7.19%
Fats: 19.42%

"Our Bodies Are Our Gardens...

...our wills are our gardeners." William Shakespeare

Day three and I'm still managing to stick to this diet, though it isn't easy. It does seem to be paying off, even at this early stage. Today was the first day I got on the scale and it appears that I've lost close to 6 pounds. That's a good start, keeping in mind that my scale and the doctor's scale undoubtedly don't quite jive.

This is the first day I haven't had a "cheat". This morning I ate 3 oz. of ham steak for breakfast. Lunch was a forgettable vanilla whey protein shake. Can't someone make these things taste any better? The chocolate one I had a few days ago was pretty bad too. Dinner, though, was really tough. We went to my mom and dad's house for dinner, which was roasted chicken, mashed potatoes with pesto, fritata, and my brother's pineapple upside down cake for dessert. I ate a miniscule piece of the chicken. Giving up the pesto was tough, so I put a dot of pesto on my chicken - maybe a quarter of a teaspoon, just for a taste. Fortunately, pineapple upside-down cake isn't one of my favorites, so that was easy to pass up, though I was really curious to taste my brother's cooking.

Truly, this is a contest of will power. All things being equal, that would probably be fine, but I am a "stress eater". I'm also busy enough that I tend to eat on the run and it's hard to find healthy options on the run. So I need structure to be successful, and a whole lot of grace!

I'm entering all of my food and exercise into the Livestrong.com MyPlate application. They have a great database of food and I can enter it anywhere that there is internet, so I can keep doing this while I'm on vacation. When I got home tonight, I entered dinner and discovered I was about 200 calories shy of my goal, so I was able to eat a little more. That was not at all what I expected, and a pleasant surprise.

Calories In: 586

Protein: 75.65%
Carbohydrates: 10.36%
Fats: 13.99%

Blessed Are Those Who Hunger...

.. and thirst, for they are sticking to their diets!

Day two went pretty well. For breakfast, I had two scrambled eggs and 2 slices of Canadian bacon. Lunch was 3 oz. of ham steak. This was perhaps a mistake as I didn't realise that the yolk contains so much fat (cholesterol). Dinner was more problematic, since I went to a party tonight. The party was at 7:00 pm, so I decided to skip dinner at my regular time and eat at the party. Dinner was approximately 3 oz. of grilled steak and grilled seasoned pork. As this was a "Moms and Margarita" party, I did allow myself one small margarita, but that was all. I didn't nibble anything else, despite the fabulous looking, most tempting guacamole. The party was fabulous! Many thanks to our hosts!

I am hydrating quite a bit, which is necessary with this diet. Lots of water and some diet sodas. My favorite water is Hint, though it can be hard to find. If you have a Whole Foods nearby, they carry it and sometimes, Costco. No calories, carbonation, or synthetic sweeteners - just water with the essence of some fruit, such as watermelon, blackberry, pear, and lime. Yum!

Even so, the margarita put me over my calorie limit by the amount of the margarita.

Calories In: 795

Protein: 49.7%
Carbohydrates: 12.42%
Fats: 37.92%

Today is the First Day...

...of my new high protein diet. I've been exercising for months and no weight loss has happened.

I've had it. This is WAR!

I've signed on to a medically supervised diet regimen. For the first week, I'm allowed to eat 6-700 calories of protein a day. Because this is a very low calorie diet, I have to take some high quality dietary supplements. Nothing outrageous, just lots of vitamins and minerals. The idea is to burn up all the energy from carbs in my body, so that I start burning fat, while at the same time maintaining muscle mass.

I had a chocolate whey protein shake for breakfast. It was okay, but only just. Then I did my usual one hour boot camp workout at 24 Hour Fitness. For lunch, I had 3 ounces of Canadian bacon.

I managed to get through most of the day without blowing it. Almost, but not quite. When I put away my son's remaining Mint Milanos, I "sneaked" one.


By dinner, I was really hungry. But it's date night, the night Duane and I usually go out for dinner and a movie. We met at the mall and I had 3 ounces of grilled chicken and a Diet Coke for dinner. I then went shopping while Duane finished his dinner. If I was thinking I wouldn't have to see his food, I was right about that, but wrong in that there was food everywhere else. Even the corndogs, which I despise, looked good. Sort of. Well, not really. I walked away quickly.


We went to see Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time tonight, which was excellent, but without the popcorn. Thankfully, Duane spared me and he didn't get any either.


Total Calories In: 651
Total Calories Burned: 589


Protein: 64.33%
Carbohydrates: 19.8%
Fat: 15.79%