One Dozen Chocolate Chip Cookies

I finally had time to hang out with a friend who I had not seen in a long time. We have both been crazy busy with school and life in general, but I always enjoy spending time with her because she has lupus too so she knows the struggles. We were diagnosed within a few days of each other, kinda crazy right? What's even more crazy we didn't know we had the same doctor until after we were both diagnosed. Since I knew I was going to see her I wanted to bake her a treat. 

Normally I would try to do something fancy but I was short on time and didn't have time to make a run to the grocery store. I used what I had on hand to make her a dozen chocolate chip cookies. This recipe is great for one or two people because it doesn't make a full batch of 2-3 dozen cookies. I made sure to have taste testers before giving them to her, special thanks to my neighbors since I don't like sweets. 

One Dozen Chocolate Chip Cookies

• 1/2 cup and 1 tablespoon whole wheat, all purpose or gluten free all purpose flour would work too
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 egg yolk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with tin foil, parchment paper or a baking liner. If you use tinfoil spray a light coat of nonstick cook spray or coconut oil on it so the cookies do not stick.

In a mixing bowl combine flour, brown sugar, baking soda and sugar. 

Add in the wet ingredients- butter, egg yolk and vanilla extract. Mix until the batter is combined but do not over mix. 

Fold the chocolate chips into the batter.

Place the dough in the freezer for 10-15 minutes. Chilling the dough will prevent the cookies from being runny and spreading out.

After chilling drop about 1 tablespoon of dough on the cookie sheet. 

Bake cookies at 350 for 10-12 minutes. Check the cookies for doneness. The should be golden around the edges and on top. 

Allow cookies to fully cool before storing.

Dragon's Teeth Hike and a Whale Show

No matter how many times I come to Maui I fall more and more in love with it. I am an outdoors person. I love being outside, I love exploring and in Hawaii outdoor adventures abound! I literally don't think I could ever tire or be bored with this place. I was looking last night at jobs available on the islands. I still have a year of college, but it is something I am seriously considering (call me crazy I know). 

The other day I convinced my dad to go to Dragon's Teeth with me. It's a lava formation that looks like teeth because it's all jagged and pointy. It is really beautiful, but ridiculously hard to find because it's between the Ritz Carlton (which by the way is beautiful!) and residential homes. On a detour we ended up on the beach by the Ritz Carlton- seriously one of the most beautiful beaches and we had it to ourselves! I could stare at the beautiful ocean forever.

If you decide to go to Dragon's Teeth be prepared for a hike. I was a dummy and left my water bottle in the car (and my good shoes) because the map didn't say how long the trail was. The hike can be challenging at times because the path is so narrow and rocky. Beyond a doubt it is all worth it. I have hundreds of pictures from the hike because no matter which way you turned the view is breathtaking!

Call me nerdy but the lava formations fascinated me! It's so crazy to think all of Hawaii, much of which is lush green and beautiful beaches, was created by a volcano. It blows my mind!

Then while my mom and I were eating lunch a humpback whale and her calf were jumping. They put on a heck of a show that lasted upwards of 10 minutes! Whales are such beautiful creatures and so majestic to watch. 

I have a ton more adventures and whale pictures, but I will try not to overwhelm you with a zillion photos. Yesterday I checked out Iao Valley and I hope to post that adventure soon and I had the BEST acai bowl EVER! Please let me know if you have any suggestions of awesome places to explore or eat on Maui, I'd love know! 

Island Life

I am going to have a billion posts to write up when I get back, but I want to try to get some up while I am here. Maui is so beyond beautiful. Every day is a perfect day. Island life is so different from normal hectic life- it's definitely something I could very easily get used to. 

The warm weather is definitely helping my lupus pains. I have had almost no pain and it has been wonderful! My morning workouts have been even more glorious and I have been adding an additional walk to my normal weight lifting and cardio routine. This beautiful beach is at the end of one of the paths I like to walk. I don't think I could ever tire of views like this! 

I am not a snacker at all, but the other day I was really hungry in the middle of the afternoon. I have been a lot more active here because I am always swimming in the ocean or the pool, going on hikes and walking everywhere. Normally I would wait until dinner to eat, but dinner was still hours away so I made a refresher smoothie. 

Refresher Smoothie

• 1/2 small banana
• 1/2 cup small frozen strawberries
• 2/3 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 3 tablespoons Dannon Light and Fit vanilla greek yogurt

Add all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. 

You don't have to add in the greek yogurt, but it does make the smoothie thicker. This recipe makes a perfect single serving size smoothie.