Archive for April, 2010

Maui Wowie part 2!!

Happy day!

Here we have the 2nd half of my amazing trip to Maui with my parents :)

Hold on to your hats its a wicked ride!!

This video is a major hodgepodge, i had to convert 2 1/2 hours of footage into 10 minutes!

We start out with my mom eating a epic local organic Williams banana, they are so big n sweet one of my faves, kinda like a super cavendish! From there we dive right into Scenes of the historic Old Fort in Lahaina the first capital and major port in Maui. It was rebuilt out of coral finding need for defense from the surge of ships around 1820.

Maui offers many a whale watching trip, we picked on going out of Lahaina on a sunny but windy day. Being mid april it was near the end of the whale watching season, as the sperm whale move with their just old enough young to colder waters to feed. It was a great adventure seeing the island from off shore, many a whale sighting (I missed a few sorry) and enjoying the sun.

After the Watching we went to a burger joint, I enjoyed a heap of banana’s and ordered a large bowl of lettuce, it was great. We all went to a Amazing Magic show entitled “Kupanaha” featuring the World Renowned illusionists Jody @ Kathleen Baran. Ill admit I wasn’t supposed to film, I grabbed only a tid bit. It was by far the best magic show I have seen and HIghly recommend you go if you take a trip to Maui. They also served dinner hooking up tons of fruit and a large salad.

We went to more than a few Local Markets and farmers markets. I found amazing apple bananas, cherimoyas, 3 varieties of Papaya, egg fruit, star apples and much much more. There seems to be a farmers market in every town on a different day. I really enjoyed the one at the sugar cane train station, and in Queen Kaahumanu Shopping Center in Kahului. There really are far too many to mention, asking for deals for ripe stuff works :)

Playing since early 2000 the Maui theatre presents ” ‘ulaena”, A amazing live performance with stunning visuals and gymnastics going over the history of the island, its people, history, mythology, present and possible future. I quite enjoyed this show, I think you would too :) After the show we hit up a buffet, little did they know they had the raw food buffet destroyer on their hands! I enjoyed 3 plates of honeydew and finished off with a few large salads. I love buffets :)

We Moved hotels on the 7th day, a smaller place with breathtaking scenery and a mellower vibe. I really enjoyed it. We had a great spot to snorkel out back n took advantage daily. A quick swim and a ab exercise in the sun felt just right. I show 5 different exercises, best to do each in succession till you feel the burn, when it becomes too much stretch or do a complimentary workout. A few sets and some stretches will get your abs rock hard.

Going over my stash I find I have just enough food for the last 4 1/2 days. Even so we go out to a great Mexican restaurant. Ordering a large salad of romaine, tomato, cabbage n a side of guacamole went over great. I brought my side of pineapple and papaya and dumped it overtop. THis was amazing, in fact another customer after seeing my salad from her table tried to order it too ahahha.

RIght in the back of our hotel was a great bunch of volcanic rock going out into the ocean forming coral and much amazing sea life. Both on land and swimming there was much to behold, critters, fish, crabs, barnacles and much more.

A quick drive found us on the largest white sand beach in Maui called “Big Beach” After we also went to the only Black sand beach just up the road. Its really amazing, the sand is a reminder of the last lava flow right into the ocean. A turtle was rolling in the waves and we found a few little crabs running on the beach.

A quick stop at a little organic market found me enjoying some fresh coconut water. Young coconut water is one of the most nutritious sports drinks on the planet containing the necessary electrolytes, vitamins, minerals, and simple carbs lost in vigorous activity. In the 2nd world war they actually used coconut water intravenously when low on blood, its chemical breakdown is so close to blood its readily absorbed and works well for transfusion.

How could I do post on Maui without sharing their wonderful Papayas? I love papaya, they are a common breakfast here, and with 3 different kinds I enjoyed a sampler breakfast. Solo, strawberry and watermelon papaya all side by side, I really cant tell you which is best, but that morning I enjoyed the watermelon and strawberry most. The seeds are a natural antibiotic and quite peppery to the taste, I do not recommend eating them. Papaya like pineapple contains a natural anti-inflammatory quality useful for after a injury. Again like pineapple both contain protein digesting enzymes and make a good addition to a salad with nuts and seeds.

A quick recipe of papaya and pineapple diced and set in a bowl made from half a papaya is great. Score and scoop the papaya dice some pineapple and squeeze some pineapple skin overtop, whalla! Delicious.

TO finish off I put my Ipod Nano in a ziplock bag and brought it with me on a snorkeling adventure! THe view isn’t as colorful as I had with me peepers sorry to say. Both the double bagging and the reality that the corral is damaged by people stepping on it as well as sunscreen were factors. Many people don’t know that most sunscreens have chemicals in them that damage and kill coral in even the most minute dilutions. Its a sad fact but the most public and promoted reefs often get killed from tourist lathering up in lotion then swimming out.

Do some research and if you must, later up after being in the water. I do not recommend sunscreen, most contain horrid chemicals that mimic hormones, clog pores and really actually cause skin problems, cancers and much more. Peep my free ebook “10 sure shot ways to drastically improve your health” for more info on this.

I hope you enjoyed my stay in Maui, I know I did, thanks Mom N Dad, love ya n to all

enjoy

peacelovenseasonalfruit ck

 

Chris Kendall The Raw Advantage – Maui Madness!

Happy Day!

Welcome to videoblog # 15!

Im lapping up the fun n sun here in Maui, Hawaii! As I write this I am finishing off my 5th full day here. My trip here with my parents is set for 10 days so I figured I would split my blog into two 5 day jaunts and get as much in as possible :)

I hope you enjoy the video!

Todays video blog starts out with me leaving LA and heading on a plane to Maui! Once there the beautiful crystal clear ocean, a friendly gecko and a budding mango tree opens the scene. Its a pretty easy life here for a raw foodist, there are mango and banana tree’s growing in more than a few public areas n oodles of amazing local produce to purchase from many a market, grocer and farmer.

I was fortunate to get a hot tip from a member of 30bananasaday.com to visit Mana Market in Paia. It is located 10 minutes east of Kahului (the main airport in Maui) just off the highway on Baldwin Ave. Mana Maret features a wide array of pre made gormete raw food including pate’s, wraps, salads, deserts ect. Although not my bag really, Gourmete raw food imho can be great for people during transition, special occasion, or if its their bag. Quite simply Raw gourmet introduces many people to the possiblities of raw food effectively getting their foot in the door to eat more whole ripe raw organic produce :) The produce section is my candy store, mana impressed me much. I got to try 3 fruits I had never tried before (egg fruit, star apple, chicco sapodila) thanks to Ryan the produce manager who happens to be a 811  raw foodist (see “the 80/10/10 diet” By Dr Doug Graham) as I am. They had much too much to mention here, but all is unveiled in the video. On the way home I enjoyed a few discounted and ripe local organic Cavendish bananas from Mana. We stopped at my favorite local roadside organic fruit stand ( I will show in my next post)  for ripe  apple bananas and  ripe Williams bananas (larger than cavendish, or regular bananas, with a deeper sweeter flavor). Once home I enjoyed a lunch with my folks, while they had a wrap and a salad from Mana I had a bunch of delicious apple bananas, followed by 2 star apples and 2 egg fruits.

Apple bananas are some of my favorite bananas ever, they have a mellow banana taste with undertones of granny smith apples. Thin skinned and closer in size to baby bananas they are one of the main crops in Hawaii! They are usually best eaten when slightly soft and spotted like most bananas although ive had some really ripe ones still be slightly green. Depending on the fruit sometimes a good indication of ripeness is when the skin started to slightly split. If you see them get them and get ready for a real treat! Better yet save up and come out to Hawaii one day to enjoy the best quality papayas, strawberry papayas, pineapples, banana’s, mangos egg fruits etc ever!

My first experience with Star apple, Taste reminiscent of cookies and cream or custard and pear. They are dark purple in color and when cut in half horizontally the inside has a noticeable star pattern not unlike persimmon. The flesh is juicy and medium firm, best eaten when the skin yields to slight pressure. The skin is not edible but apparently the seeds are, I simply enjoyed the inside and spit out the seeds. Ill be back for more :)

Oh my the Egg fruit! I didn’t make the connection at first but this fruit is also called Canistel. I have heard much more about it by that name, it is the richest of all sweet fresh fruits yielding 140 calories per 100 grams. Compare that to a banana at 80 calories per 100 grams. The skin and flesh is edible with a taste similar to hard boiled egg yolk/pumpkin pie filling/sweet potato. They are really sweet and delicious containing one large seed in the middle. A new favorite of mine I cant wait to get more. My mom fell in love with this one, if you ever see it pick a few up, wait till they are soft like a ripe avocado and enjoy!

My foot is starting to heal up well, still limping a bit but should be good to go soon. On the 4th day after the sk8 accident bruisng appeared on the underside of my foot indicating deep bruising. I believe I may have hurt my ligaments which can take a bit of time but luckily I heal fast and have much to keep me busy without sk8ing and other bouncing activities.

In the center of Lahaina near the ocean grows the biggest Banyan tree in Maui. It was planted in 1873, its foliage is near a city block in diameter with many branches growing down into the earth to root. These trees have a rich history in many religious writings and cultures. In Hinduism, the banyan tree is considered sacred and is called “Vat Vriksha.” God Shiva as Dakshinamurthy is nearly always depicted sitting in silence under the banyan with rishis at his feet. It is thought of as perfectly symbolizing eternal life due to its seemingly unending expansion. Also in Hindu culture, the banyan tree is also called Kalpavriksha meaning ‘wish fulfilling divine tree’. Buddha is believed to have achieved enlightenment in Bodhgaya in India while meditating under a banyan tree of the species Sacred Fig also  known as the Bodhi Tree. Banyans truthfully give off a radiating peaceful energy they are one of my favorite things about the Islands. I enjoyed a good hour meditating under the tree while my parents went shopping. Hey if it worked for the Buddha….. haha….  hey worth a try. I don’t believe there is any need to rush in this life, simple enjoyments :)

To finish the day I went with my parents to eat at Bubba Gumps Shrimp house. When we first got there I asked the server if they had any fresh fruit, as they didn’t they said it wouldn’t be a big deal if i brought in some of my own. Having come prepared I had already pre cut a whole pineapple and 2 local papaya’s and brought them with me in a plastic bag. I drank the juice from the mix and had a few chunks to start my meal as my folks had their drinks and ordered a large salad of mixed greens with tons of tomatoes and 1 avocado. Having ordered raw meals at all kinds of restaurants form all ethnicities, from asian to mexican to steakhouses, I always find if your courteous, patient and try to keep it simple (order exactly what you want instead of saying no this no that) a night out always goes well and is easy and enjoyable. When my salad came I simply dumped my fruit mix on top for a dressing, ate a bit to start and mixed it all together for the main course. It was really really really good, there need be no reason to be anxious nor embarrassed to go out and eat, its really all what you make of it. I actually enjoy going out showing how easy it is to eat raw out and sharing the lifestyle with anyone who asks questions.

Next weeks blog will continue here in Maui showing a few farmers markets, whale watching, a magic show and much more!

Watch out my full time live in raw lifestyle coaching with pro skateboarder Steve Berra is starting on the 20th, much excitingness with that!

till then enjoy much

peacelovenseasonalfruit ck

 

Last days with the Wells

Good day and welcome to video blog 14!!!
This video blog shows some of the last week with my good freinds the Wells!
I hope you enjoy!

Todays blog starts with 2 early morning starts to downtown LA for some skateboard action. Cruising around getting a few tricks as well as a good slam. Its funny it doesn’t look like to hard of a fall but i got wrecked, my foot is very swollen and on day 3 I still cannot put weight on it.
One of the mornings I went to the LA Wholesale Produce Market and picked up 2 big jackfruits. THey had them there for .99 cents a lb, 35 lb worth was 34 65! We open on up at the Well’s house, Jack doesn’t want to try it out, but sure likes the smell! Jackfruit is the biggest fruit that grows, and can get up to 100 lb. In the countries they are grown (most tropical zones) the whole fruit is sued. THe pulp for food, the seeds are often boiled and taste like potatoes, and the natural latex surrounding the pods has been used for glue and to patch and waterproof boats and other textiles.
I just me a new friend named Kat, she is a graphic designer that I feel blessed to be now working with :) We went out for a sweet picnic while people watching on hollywood Blvd.! We enjoyed jackfruit cherimoya and baby bananas while we watched Snoopy from Peanuts dance on the stars :)
The end of my last evening In LA was enjoyed with Kat and another new friend Ben, with a simple salad of romaine, celery, cucumber noodles, tomatoes and a thick dressing of tomato mango celery. mmmmmm.
My next blog will be coming from sunny Maui! see ya soon!
much
peacelovenseasonalfruit ck

 

LA Wholesale Produce and Mango Planting

Happy day everyone!

Todays Videoblog is all about where I love to shop for produce in Los Angeles, besides the farmers market or foraging. A trip out to a resteraunt can seem tricky to some, i show how easy it is, also a start to mango seed planting :)

enjoy!

Starting out today with a visit to “the cheesecake factory” to enjoy a dinner with some friends. Eating out is a as easy as you make it, I choose to eat some fresh rip whole juicy fruit beforehand so that I am sure to be satisfied, on that day I ate 5 oranges and 3 mangos before I went. When the waiter came I told him that Although i may be a little difficult compared to some customers I will make it really easy. INstead of ordering a salad from the menu and saying no onion, no cheese no dressing etc, I simply asked for what I wanted. COuld I please have a giant, huge salad of mixed greens, tons of tomato cucumber, 1/2 a avocado and some lemons on the side for dressing. It cam was easy delicious and only cost 8 bucks compared to everyone else spending 14 – 25 $ with drinks.
We have been sucking up a fair number of mangos here in the Well’s house, even though they are hot water treated (another post and video will deal with this whole process and what it means) the seeds were still sprouting, I have actually started a tree from hot water mango seeds, showing their vitality. Armed with two seeds/pits I venture out into fertile ground here in Marina Del Rey hoping to create a fruitier future for all around. I believe food should be free, just like it has been for over 99% of our time here on earth. The more we plant and grow in our areas and all around us the closer this reality comes to being part of our experience again! Learn what grow in your area, how to plant it and start doing all you can to help create a sweeter juicier future for us all :)
The first market I bring you to is the downtown “Central Market” between 3rd n 4th st on Broadway right downtown LA. THis market has been here since 1917! It has a few different produce vendors with amazingly low prices for ripe produce and often 2nd or 3rd quality. If your hungry and right downtown, or need to pick up a bunch of produce quick downtown this is the place to go for deals :)
Los Angeles has a beautiful and bustling Chinatown, between Broadway and Hill on College is one of my old favorite markets the “AI Hoa Supermarket”. I used to go here as often as I could for amazing deals on citrus as well as exotics you cant find around to often :) From burro banana’s to cherimoya, longan, frozen jackfruit and frozen durian, there is much to enjoy.
By far the best deals are found at the “Los Angeles Wholesale Produce Market” on 8th and Central right in downtown LA. THis is where all of the grocery stores, restaurants and little fruit trucks get all of their fresh produce. They are open Monday through Saturday from 1 am until 9 am excepting Saturday only till 7/8 am. There is literally 2-3 city blocks worth of giant produce vendors all selling their wares. By cutting out the middle man and buying by the case only you stand to save tons of cash. Come early walk around the whole place and find the best deals and your favorites. Just to the left of the main entrance is the “old Market” or simply the oldest part of the market where the seconds and riper produce is sold for cheeper prices. I have gotten cases of ripe mangos for 4 $, 35 lb. boxes of papaya for 8 $ and 40 lb. cases of organic bananas for 8 $ there.
WHile the main market does have both conventional and organic there is a fully organic wholesale market called “better Life Organics” Just off Hemlock on Olympic. I found it just after it had already closed and i had gotten over 200 lb. of produce already. To next time.
From asking around I also found a Asian fruit wholesaler (most Asian fruits and vegetables are within the main market, but for specialties such as Durian and Jackfruit you need a specialty wholesaler. “Wings Market” is found on Croaker and 9th St. a few short blocks from the LA wholesale produce Market. They have a wide variety of fruits and vegetables including jet flown never frozen Monthong Durian for 4 $ a lb., with each fruit usually 6 lb. = 24 $ a average durian, not a a bad price in north america for fresh durian let me tell you :) THey also on occasion get fresh jackfruit, although I didn’t get the price for them. Well worth looking into if you have a taste for these foods, or even better yet fly to thailand or another tropical destination to get the best of all.
Hope you enjoyed the blog today, much more to come!
enjoy
peacelovenseasonalfruit ck