La Vida Loca
It feels like I’m living out of my car these days, and not in the not “I’m Jewel and I’ve yet to be discovered, but even when I do get ultra-rich I’m still not going to fix my teeth because I’m so cool it doesn’t matter to me” way. I’m turning up the dial on everything in our lives the next few days because we are getting ready to leave on our Hawaii trip.
When I start to feel overwhelmed about the fact that I have to pack for myself and two kids for nine days, I remember the episode of Jon and Kate + 8 when they went on a road trip to Disneyworld, and then I’m suddenly grateful that I don’t have to pack for eight kids (or make sure that all of Pea Daddy’s Ed Hardy shirts are laundered and that he’s all stocked up on smokes).
Still, I’ve got a list for everything.
I might be a little overprepared since our condo is within ten miles of a Costco, a Safeway and a Walmart, but I’m fairly certain everything costs at least twice as much on the island, a price that is hardly worth the quality shell leis the merchandise comes with.
Many of our meals have been on the go, as we run around from place to place picking up last minute things and saying aloha to all of our friends and family that are bracing themselves for carrying on without our sunshine in their lives.
We’re taking our green juice,
and green smoothies to go.
I’ll pack up a bag of baby carrots and crunch my way around town.
Lulu took a look at this bag and said, “Nice carrots, Mama!” with the tone of a construction worker hollering from the work site. I put my head down and just kept crunching unassumingly as I tried not to make eye contact with my heckler.
We catch naps whenever we can.
I’m sorry about your bed, Kalin. I’m even more sorry that Lulu had her shoes on.
The girls managed to squeeze in time for an ice cream cone at Mimi and Poppy’s store. At 99 cents for each scoop of locally-made, organic ice cream, the girls are hoping to “say goodbye” at least one last time before we go.
Although, Gigi was a little miffed at the prize she got out of the Kids’ Club toy machine.
Personally, I think Pea Daddy’s just found himself the perfect accessory to go with his Hawaiian shirts. Unbuttoned, please.
Our dinners have been just about the only thing that haven’t been planned for weeks in advance. I’ve been on a guacamole kick lately, and I’ve joked that I am going to make a dinner that features guacamole every night until we leave, including vegetarian nachos (on ridiculously old chips leftover from the Superbowl),
taco salads (with dried out garbage pulp crackers)
and taco pizza (whole wheat pitas, refried beans, cheese, olives and salsa).
Lucky for me, I’ve got a Super Quick Guacamole recipe that is amazing.
Serves 1-2
- 1 avocado, pitted and mashed
- 1/4 -1/2 t. salt
- 1/4 t. cumin
- 1/4 t. chili powder
- 1 -2 drops liquid stevia (optional)
- 1 t. lime juice
- 2 T. chopped cilantro
- 2 T. pico de gallo (found in the refrigerated section of the grocery store) or quality salsa
Place all ingredients in a bowl and stir.
Do you think I can just serve it with a spoon and say we’re having Creamy Cold Avocado Soup for dinner? I’m crazy enough to try.
You are going to have the most fabulous trip with your family, I can’t wait to hear about it
That guac looks phenom’, a tip of the hat to you Mama Pea.
http://www.merittothecarrot.org
I could eat a bowl of guacamole every day with a giant spoon. It is seriously the best thing ever.
Love the Ricky Martin necklace. It just goes with everything!
Yum. I’d have avocado soup with you! And until this post, I completely forgot about Ricky Martin! I wonder where he went…?
I can’t wait for Hawaii pictures! I hope you have sunscreen on that list…and do you need bug spray too? I personally itch all the time anyways, I don’t know if there are mosquitoes in Hawaii this time of year, but it might be a nice to have. I hate bug bites.
But isn’t that kind of a weird statement? “I hate bug bites.” That’s like saying I hate dead rats in the wall in my apartment, kind of obvious and goes with out saying.
XO,
Erin
I loved seeing the pics of your sweet girls. I’ve been missing the pictures the past couple of posts.
Baby carrots are my weakness. Sone people binge on ice cream, or donuts, or cookies. But for me, I kid you not, it’s baby carrots. Every time I eat them, I eat so many that my stomach hurts and I can’t get off the couch. Sort of funny, but these are serious issues we’re dealing with.
I too have missed sweet gigi and lulu’s face. although i imagine they get tired of the camera in their face all the time. my cats and dogs do.
love guacamole. never thought to add stevia. hmm.
I have NEVER been to Hawaii, and i am incredibly jealous! Your family is going to have a wonderful time, i am sure! Enjoy the sun, the beach, the brightly colored fruit, the dancing, the sunsets, the beach, the brightly colored fruit, the beach… Okay, i’ll stop before i become even more depressed that i am stuck in Southwestern Ontario until my last final in 61 days.
But seriously, enjoy yourself, don’t blog if you don’t feel like it, and take lots of pictures to show Gigi and Lulu when they are older (something i wish i had more of from my travels as a toddler)! I am sure you know all of this, but i am just reminding you because we all know your parenting skills aren’t up to par and your poisoning your little girls 
Like what kind of mother would take her children to Hawaii, and out for organic ice cream, and make sure they are as healthy as can be? Oh ya; an AWESOME one! P.S. Is that Mount Hood? I so badly want to climb that one day, it is on my list!
I love the pic of your daughter with the smoothie. Too cute! You sound really organized for your trip. I’m sure it will be fabulous and all your preparation will pay off.
I’m loving that guac. It looks divine on the taco salad.
I would eat it with a spoon and be perfectly happy!
I would love to get out of this weather and go to Hawaii!!
I would eat creamy cold avacado soup for dinner. No complaints from me!
I can’t imagine how crazy it must be planning a trip with children. I have a hard enough time planning around my husband, so throw in two kiddos on that mix and I assume its complete chaos! Kudos to you girl!
Okay, I saw this guacamole and was just thinking…….”I really hope she has the recipe” and BAM, there it is!!! Love that!
Thanks for sharing your amazing eats hun.
Have a good day!
I get overwhelmed packing for myself! My husband has teased me about what a mess I will be when I am packing for our kids too! It will all be worth it when you get there! I went to Hawaii for my honeymoon and can’t wait for the next opportunity to go back!
That is HILARIOUS that she got a Ricky Martin bracelet/charm. Is he still even around? LOL
To this day I swear that guacamole is its own food group. I love the darn stuff! You’re so organized with your list action too… usually i throw crap into a suitcase and hope I didn’t forget anything!
It’ll all be worth it when you’re on vacation!!!
Let me know if you need a nanny to come along and watch the kids
Is that Ricky Martin necklace for real? haha
There is something missing on that list up there. SnackFace!!! I’m joining. I’ll babysit
Seriously though, Have an AMAZING TIME!!! I’ve never been, but it’s going to be so gorgeous and warm and loving.
That necklace cracked me UP! Pea Daddy needs to rock that.
If I don’t catch you before you leave, safe travels!!! Much love, MamaPea!
I am on a guacamole kick lately too! I was eating it in Ezekiel wraps with black beans and pico de gallo and sliced peppers, tomatoes and onions. My husband got sick of my one hit wonder meal after three nights! Boo! I was thinking of maybe making some raw tortilla chips and trying some nachos this weekend…
The girls are too cute as always!!!
Yes! A guacamole recipe, woo hoo! I have been making your black bean burgers just about every week now and one time I topped them with pre-packaged guac, but this would be so much better, thanks
I am SO excited for you guys! I hope when I have kids we can take trips to Hawaii, SO fun! Can’t wait to read all about your vacay! Enjoy, and be safe!
OMGGGG have fun. packing for a trip is a headache but think of that SUNN beaming down on you…while the kids cry. Have fun!
Yum–I’d eat guacamole soup
I’d get some of that ice cream, too!
Have fun in Hawaii!! That’s going to be a blast.
Actually, I didn’t even recognize that as Ricky Martin. Sooo long ago (I was in, like, the third grade when he was gyrating in leather pants on MTV…mother did not approve)
you and I must think alike. I have had avacado/guac every day since saturday! YUM
Have fun on your trip- super jealous you will be soakin up the sun!
xo-Molly
http://www.givinganythingbutup.wordpress.com
Ya’ll will have so much fun on your trip!! Love the list :> And you gave me some really good vegetarian/guac meal ideas!!
Of course your nacho salad looks amazing. And hello, new guac recipe? I swoon.
Ricky Martin! My god.
OMG Hawaii is so soon!!! I keep a basic packing list as a Word doc file that I change slightly for shorter or longer trips and summer vs. winter. It is absolutely SICK but it helps me, so whatevs!!!
I love your list!!!!! Good luck packing!
Take me with you – I need to get out of this cold, snowy place! I love the taco pizza – I will be recreating for dinner this evening. I have been in need of some dinner inspiration – may have just been guac-spirationed!
your handwriting makes me green with envy. it’s adorable. so is that picture of gigi…OMG, so dang cute!
i am so incredibly jealous of hawaii. do you think pea daddy would buy the story that you have a secret 25-year-old love child who you found through the food blogosphere and that it is only right you bring her along to hawaii as a legitimate member of your family?
think about it.
happy preparing AND avocado eating – which is also making me green with envy. no pun intended.
Is that cheese I see on the nachos? Is there a vegan cheese (brand)you actually like? I’ve only tried one and it was terrible.
Yes, that’s cheese! Those were actually Pea Daddy’s nachos, and he’s not vegan, so we just use the organic shredded cheese from Trader Joe’s. I would rather have no cheese than vegan cheese myself, so I just double up on the guacamole.
Great post! I had such a funny image in my head of Lulu “heckling” you and you continuing to eat carrots unassumingly while not making eye contact:) Have a great trip! You guys deserve it
oh Ricky Martin…..
And I would def. eat cream guac soup.
Ricky Martin in the vending machine? Seriously? I would want my money back, plus my money back again for every year that prize has been sitting there. I mean, they could at least upgrade to Trace Cyrus. ;P
So excited for the Pea family. I’ve never been to Hawaii, but I hear it’s amazing.
Loving all the guac filled dinners…especially that refried bean pizza. Yum Mama Pea!
Your daughter is adorable!! And I love the taco pizza idea!!! I’ll have to give that a try soon.
-emily
http://www.emilyeatsclean.wordpress.com
It’s my personal opinion that life is better with lists–at least that’s how I justify my obsession with making them.
Creamy Cold Avocado soup sounds dang good!
ooommmggggoddd CHUCKS OF ENERGY are my FAVOURITE of ALL FAVORITES!!!! I could only ever get them at the health food stores back in NYC. Thankyouthankyouthankyou!
I’m so excited for you guys and your Hawaii trip! Will you be sharing with us which island(s) you’re going to? When are you leaving?
I have been on an avocado/guacamole kick, too lately and now I want to take a bite out of my computer screen. YUMM!! I’m headed out to dinner with some friends and the hubs so I’ll be sure to order a salad with some guacy goodness!
Hey hon, we are going to the big Island and staying in Kona. We are leaving on Tuesday, so I’ll be milking this “we’re almost ready to go” thing for at least four more posts. I’m sure you can hardly wait.
Have a super duper trip!!!
(Nerd alert: My packing list is a form with check blanks on the ‘puter. It was created for WDW but I modify it for each trip)
Have fun on your trip!!!! That mountain photo is just gorgeous!!
I can’t imagine how much stuff I will pack when I have 2 kids because I know how much I pack for my husband any myself right now. How can I make those crackers without having juice pulp?any ideas?
I’m so glad you brought back pictures of the girls . They are adorable!!!
I love all the guac you’ve been eating lately. Now I need to try your recipe.
OMG- I didn’t know you all were leaving for Hawaii so soon – I hope you all have an amazing time!!
You should have a giveaway for a chance to go with you on vacation.
Also, does papa pea pack for himself?
Love love love guacamole! Yours looks amazing! Love the packing list. we do the same thing
Crackers looks great!
Hi Mama Pea, Hope you have a really, great, fantastic trip to Hawaii! I can’t wait to see pictures…it’s somewhere I’ve always wanted to vacation
i don’t sleep in that bed so it’s all good.
the only person who sleeps in it regularly doesn’t know enough not to pee hwen she sleeps, so really, shoes aren’t going to throw her…
I’m so excited for your trip. Thanks for sharing so many great Hawaii suggestions with me. I purchased the guide book you suggested and have settled on most of my accommodations. I can’t wait to hear about your adventures. Until then…there is nothing better to power your pre-vacation preparations than lots of avocado. Mahalo.
Lisa
I’m so glad! I cannot wait. Tuesday can’t get here soon enough! I should be posting every other day or so while we are there.
Yum! I have to make that guacamole pronto! I LOVE your list … I’m like that, too. I’ll write down absolutely EVERYTHING to the point where my husband thinks I’m insane and yet I still forget things!
K
“Do you think I can just serve it with a spoon and say we’re having Creamy Cold Avocado Soup for dinner? I’m crazy enough to try.”
Yes. Yes you can.