And just like that, things have settled down.  The Gentleman and I shipped my car this past weekend, picked up a single rental car and finished his out-processing on base leaving us with one mode of transportation and very little to do.  With about 5 days remaining before we’re wheels-up to Hawaii, this is a much needed rest AND an opportunity to really start looking forward to our new home.

Yesterday, at the Trader Joe‘s across the street from our temp housing, I picked up an Emergen-C packet since the Gentleman’s been battling a cold (and wouldn’t it be just like me to develop a wicked case of strep the morning of our 10 hour flight?).  The flavor I selected was “Tropical”.  To be honest, blech.  I hate the taste of fake banana and that’s all I got, so I’ll stick with Super Orange.  More importantly, though, this little packet had a picture of one of my favorite treats on it.  GUAVA!  Oh man, I get to eat guava regularly once we get to Hawaii!

I’m getting really excited about adding all kinds of more readily available fruits, veggies, and fresh fish to our menu!  Here are the five foods I’m most excited to include in our regular meal rotation:

1.  Guava.  Oh this deliciously sweet, pink fruit!  I still distinctly remember eating this as often as I could last time I was in Hawaii and I plan to keep it stocked in our house.  YUM!

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2.  Jicama.  I’ve seen a lot more of this veggie in my neck of the woods over the last few years and that’s a good thing.  Jicama’s kind of like a turnip’s kinder, gentler cousin and I LOVE slicing it up for dipping or roasting it in lieu of potatoes.

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3. Lychee.  These precious berries are going to find their way into many of my favorite dishes.  As a glaze for salmon, stuffed into chicken breasts, topping my salads and whipped into smoothies.

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4. Passion Fruit.  Like guava, the taste of passion fruit always reminds me of the first time I was in Hawaii.  There were these fruit sodas we bought everywhere we went and the passion fruit ones were the best.  Do they still make them?

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5. Kona Coffee.  Like manna from heaven.  Y’all Kona is expensive stuff and by the time it gets to me here on the East Coast I feel like it’s lost some of its punch.  I’m so excited that these beans are grown on the Big Island and will be so much fresher at our new home!

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