Over the course of the past year, I have literally fallen in love with the seaside town of Cataño (kah-TAH-no), Puerto Rico. It’s been an interesting love affair, between Cataño and me, especially given the fact that until recently (due to the pandemic) I was more than likely one of the very few tourists visiting […]
Tasty Turmeric
I can’t get enough tasty turmeric in my diet lately! And how fortunate am I to have found a local, organic source of this superfood at my local go-to farmstand on St. Croix- @artfarm, LLC. Turmeric root has made the ‘healthy news’ for several years now as it contains the compound curcumin, an active anti-inflammatory […]
Waves
Island life is full of vibrant and dynamic activity and can feel a bit like riding on a wave- as there are ups and downs and balancing acts day to day- just like everywhere else in the world. One thing remains constant though- and that is the sound of the sea rising and falling as […]
Eat Your Heart Out Vegan Linzer Heart Cookies!
I’ve always held a special place in my heart for Linzer Heart Cookies. They were the very first cookie I baked for a long ago high school boyfriend for Valentine’s Day. From early childhood on, I had a penchant for baking and by highschool, I was challenging myself with quite intricate recipes and creations. On […]
Give Thanks for Pumpkin
Let us give thanks to the GREAT pumpkin! Pumpkin has always been one of the foods I associate most with the holiday season. And here on St. Croix we are blessed with the Caribbean pumpkin which grows almost year-round. Many of our local farm stands and markets sell freshly cut pumpkin for cooking and Caribbean […]
Serengel Boutique Photo Shoot
Modeling is something I’m starting to really enjoy! It’s certainly a part-time ‘gig’ for me, so to speak, and I’ve slowly been garnering more attention and more offers to model products for new companies without traveling from the USVI! Most of the modeling inquiries I receive these days are internet based either through the one […]
St. Croix’s Season of the Dragon (Fruit!)
If you’ve never tasted sun-ripened tropical dragon fruit you’re in for a special treat! Dragon Fruit- a type of cactus with tiny edible seeds similar to a kiwi fruit comes in three varieties- white, pink, and brilliant magenta. Originally grown in Mexico and South America, this tropical fruit has made it’s way to St. Croix […]
Belize it!
Ambergris Caye is that beautiful! Traveling is one of my passions in life and I’m drawn to exotic tropical destinations by nature. Some might find it odd that I would choose another island as a vacay destination considering my home rock is just that. Go figure! However, this seems to be the trend with me, and […]
Oh Avocado!
Oh Avocado! I could eat you every day! Avocados rank close to #1 on my favorite superfoods list! And how lucky am I to live in a place where they grow abundantly?! I even have my own avocado tree! Avocados are referred to locally as ‘pears’ because the tropical variety that we have here in […]
Stand Up Paddle Boarding on St. Croix’s Sea
I’ve always loved being in and on the water and find paddleboarding to be one of the most relaxing activities I’ve ever enjoyed. SUP, or Stand Up Paddle Boarding, is also a great all-over fitness activity and can be modified to suit your level of comfort and ability. My first experience with SUP was right […]
Divinely Coconut Coconut Muffins
Coconut is one of my all-time favorite foods! And there’s nothing that spells tropical like a coconut! Coconut palm trees are plentiful on St. Croix and it’s common to see coconuts for sale by the side of the road as well as at the local markets. I especially like to use dried coconut in my […]
Tips for Taking Your Dog to the Beach
The dog days of summer are upon us! And with the Labor Day holiday weekend approaching, many of us are planning to take our dogs to the beach for some healthy fun. Beach days can be a blast when you bring along your doggy (or three!), and proper planning can ensure that you and your […]
Harvesting and Using Aloe Vera on St Croix
One of the things I love most about living on an island is the close proximity to nature and her abundance of tropical flora. One of my favorites is aloe vera. Though St. Croix is relatively small (at 218 kilometers squared) there is a marked diversity of plant life on either end of the island. […]
Zahara Swimwear
Modeling can be a ton of fun! It’s also a bit of work….especially if you don’t have much experience at it. I’ve kind of stumbled into modeling part-time by accident in my fourth decade, nonetheless! And so far, it’s been a really positive experience. I recently worked with my ‘go-to’ photographer on St. Croix, Kelly […]
Roasted Pumpkin Chili Chickpea Salad
Summer nights often find me dreaming up vegan organic deliciousness in my island kitchen. Most often I find my fruits and veggies at the local farmer’s markets. Pumpkin grows easily here on St. Croix and can be found year-round. For this recipe, I roasted it tossed in smoked paprika powder then combined it with organic […]
Rescue Horses on St Croix
One of the things that’s unique about practicing veterinary medicine on an island is the fact that often, there is no one to refer to except yourself! For instance, this weekend, I spent my Saturday afternoon, gelding (castrating) stallions for a local horse rescue organization on St. Croix. As a small animal veterinarian, I do […]
Catch the Barre Bug on St Croix
I’ve been teaching barre class at Barre Fitness St Croix for nearly five years! And the class is just as popular now as it ever has been! As the first (and currently, only) ‘barre’ instructor on St. Croix, I find myself continually challenged to keep students interested, to recruit new students, and also to maintain […]
Vegan Coconut Super Yum Bliss Out Shake
Looking for a morning smoothie to boost your energy and keep you feeling full until lunchtime?! This shake- loaded with my fave good for you yummy superfoods will leave you with a healthy glow to boot! *coconut oil – although high in healthy (quickly metabolized) saturated fat- can actually boost your fat burning potential and […]
Chocolate Whiskey Cake | Gluten & Dairy Free
Sometimes the best gifts are baked from the heart! And healthier too! When a friend asked for a gluten free bday cake- I whipped up this chocolate whiskey cake and decorated it with fresh island flowers! It’s vegan too. Adapted from a New York Times holiday recipe, I simply switched out the cake flour for […]
Vegan Espresso Choco Coconut Brownies
It’s February and with Valentine’s Day vibes in the air, I was inspired to whip up something chocolate delish last weekend- just for MOI! One of my favorite hobbies is creating tasty, healthy food that’s good to eat and just as nice to look at. These vegan gluten free brownies totally hit the spot and […]
