Saipan

In the middle of last month, our family hopped up to the island of Saipan, the northern most island in the chain of islands known as the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.  It is a small island, but very pretty.  Saipan, along with the rest of the Mariana Islands, is loaded with World War II history.  If you ever visit the island, or Tinian, Rota, or Guam, be sure to bring a camera with you.  In addition to the historical aspect of Saipan, it is also a good place to go hiking, biking, and scuba diving.


View from our hotel looking toward Mount Taputchao.  The village of Garapan is in the foreground.

Sign at Bonsai Cliff, scene of a great tragedy in World War II.

Bonzai Cliff:  scene where Japanese soldiers and civilians threw themselves and children over the cliff rather than be captured.  No amount of pleading from the horrified American soldiers or captured Japanese could stop the suicides before hundreds met their deaths.  

                                                 Japanese memorials atop Bonzai Cliff.

              A Boonie Dog standing on the road at the bottom of Suicide Cliff seemed to pose for the camera..

Japanese static displays below Suicide Cliff.

                                                            Looking up at Suicide Cliff.

 


                                                 Japanese memorial near the static displays.

Looking up at another part of Suicide Cliff.  Notice the holes in the cliff face, evidence of the heavy bombardment by the US Navy prior to the landing.

                                                          Market Night in Garapan.

                          Another shot of Bonzai Cliff, this one taken in around 10:00 in the morning.

                                                                                   Video I took of the waves at Bonzai Cliff.

Memorial atop Suicide Cliff.

               Bird Island.  Unfortunately, there were no birds on Bird Island the morning I took this picture.

 

                                        View from the cliff top looking down into the Grotto.

Entrance to the Grotto.  This is a popular scuba diving spot.  It is best to be a skilled diver before attempting a dive here.

Stairs leading to the Grotto.  Divers walk down these steps carrying all their gear.  Parking is above and does not allow the convenience of pulling the car close to the water's edge first before pulling out the gear.

                   Scars of War:  The cliff face at Suicide Cliff along the road to Marpi Point and Bonzai Cliff.

View from atop Mount Taputchao.  Clouds were a problem, but once in a while I could get a  shot of the shoreline.  From the top of Mt. Taputchao you can see all of Saipan and Tinian Island just 3 miles to the south of the island.

                                                     Monument on top Mount Taputchao.

                                        View of the village of Garapan from Mount Taputchao.

                                                 

                                                           American Memorial Park.

                                               Japanese pill box near the beach at Garapan.

                                                              Downtown Garapan.

I Love This Recipe!

Recently, I was introduced to a couple of recipes created by my fitness instructor for body sculpt and spin classes, Sarah Vinch.  I have to say the recipes are absolutely marvelous.  One is for homemade peanut butter, and the other is for chocolate cupcakes made with spinach and soft tofu.  I haven't made the homemade peanut butter recipe yet (that will happen after I go to the grocery store for peanuts) but I have tasted the samples Sarah brought to class with her a few weeks ago.  "Yum!" is only one word that comes to mind when I think about this stuff.  Other words include "great", "fantastic", "fabulous"... I could go on.  I did make the cupcake recipe.  Here's how things went in my kitchen between me and my hubby, Roger, at the time I was making the cupcakes:

•  ‎[me putting the last of the spinach in the blender] [Roger] What are you making? 

   [me] Cupcakes. 

   [Roger] With spinach?! [Roger sounding skeptical and turned off by the idea, face to match] 

   [me] Yep! 

   [after the batter is ready] [me] Here, try this. 

   [Roger] It has a bitter after-taste. [sour look on his face] 

   [me] No it doesn't! [I taste batter again. Satisfied it's good] 

   [an hour later] [me] So, did you like the cupcake? 

   [Roger] Yes, I did! 

   [Victory!]

  
  

  This cupcake recipe is a great way to get more spinach into your diet, and it tastes wonderful too!  Even picky eaters won't be able to turn one of these down once they've had one.  They freeze well, too, so you can  make up a bunch of them and store them in the freezer for later.

  
  

  Sarah is a genius in the kitchen when it comes to creating healthier style recipes.  She is a great fitness instructor, wife, mom, and also the president and CEO of Fudoo Boards.  For more information, go to www.fudooboards.com.  Here is a YouTube video of Sarah talking about Fudoo Boards in 2009...

  
  

  
  

  
  

  And, here is what may be the best chocolate cupcake recipe you've ever tried.  Thanks, Sarah!  

  
  

  (From a link on Sarah's Fudoo Board ZumbAtomic Activities page:)

     

  Healthier recipes by sarah@fudooboards.com

  
  

  OMG – Quick Chocolate Cupcakes

  
  

  I like to play with plain old cake mixes. Adding crazy ingredients, instead of the predictable eggs, oil and

  water is my kind of weird science. Here is one of my latest and easiest healthy takes on that box of

  devil’s food in your cupboard. You’ll have these in the oven before you know it!

  Ingredients:

  1 block ( 14 oz.) silken tofu

  3 cups fresh spinach

  1 box devil’s food cake mix

  1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa

  Directions:

  1. Using a food processor, blend the silken tofu and spinach to a smooth and creamy consistency.

  2. Add the whole box of cake mix to the tofu mix and blend until creamy.

  3. Spoon cupcake batter into muffin tin or cupcake papers.

  4. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until firm on tops. They will crack beautifully on the

  tops.

  5. Makes 20-24 cupcakes.

  6. Forget the frosting. These are so satisfyingly moist. Enjoy!

  
  

  [me] Oh, they are, and you will.  

Ringing In the New Year With Blogs

I have been spending part of my new year reading some of my favorite blogs, like Mormon Mommy Writers,  Nat the Fat Rat, Stacy S. Jensen, and The Outsider.  I will proably expand my blog reading list as this year moves along.  And speaking of moving, I'd better get moving right along to the fitness center.  Later!