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ShiftCon: Small Steps to Better Health

Halloween Candy from UnReal: No artificial colors or preservatives - and I think their version of M&Ms tastes better than the real thing.
No GMO Labeling
Regardless of the science, I see no harm in labeling foods containing GMOs, so we can decide for ourselves whether or not we want to buy.

Leah Segedie is a force of nature. After helping hundreds of women lose weight through her Mamavation website and programs, she decided to tackle the larger problem of toxins and other substances in our industrialized food chain. The result was the creation of the ShiftCon conference, which held its second annual gathering this past weekend in Manhattan Beach, California. And Leah was kind enough to invite me to take part with a complimentary blogger’s registration.

I don’t get out much any longer to events like this. My day job marketing for a local IT company has left me with very little creative energy to keep my multiple blogs going — and lately, every time I attempt to get my blog freak back on, I fizzle out before I get to the second paragraph.

But I believe in what Leah is doing. We’ve interviewed her on our MOMocrats  podcast when GMO labeling measures have been on state ballots, and I predict we’ll be revisiting that issue again. More importantly: I continue to search for ways to live a healthier lifestyle and want to know what’s in the food I’m buying for my family.

No confusion here over what organic means.
No confusion here over what organic means.

So Thursday afternoon, I broke away from work to see what Leah had put together at ShiftCon. Unfortunately, I am swamped at work right now, producing several events of my own — so I was unable to come back over the next couple of days to catch panels on topics like “How One Nutrient Can Change Your Life” and “Creating a Toxic Free Future.” I didn’t get to hear the keynote from Stonyfield Chairman Gary Hirshberg or the panel on “Shifting Perspectives in Food, Words & Commerce.”

I will have to search out the recaps for these online.

But at least, I was able to check out ShiftCon’s Expo, showcasing some of the many healthful products available now. And it blew me away – beginning with registration, when along with my badge I was handed a fresh loaf of multi-grain, organic “killer” bread. And then THREE swag bags, filled with all kinds of yummy samples.

There were a dizzying array of natural foods and products on display for the ShiftCon attendees: The expected grocery stores, snack foods, organic farmers collectives, all kinds of dietary supplements and aromatherapy products were all on display. But there were also folks touting natural cleaning products, pest control, and initiatives to rid the environment of glyphosates.

Lundberg Rice and Grains
I am already a regular user of rice and grains from Lundberg Farms.

Expo Highlights

I was delighted to talk to representatives of products I already buy on a regular basis, like Lundberg Farms (delicious whole rice and grains), Barbara’s, (cereals and snacks), Food for Life ((maker of Ezekiel sprouted grain and gluten-free breads), Numi (organic teas), and Nature’s Path.

But it took a visit to ShiftCon to learn that a company like Nutiva sells a lot more than just coconut oil: Their exhibit included hemp oil, red palm oil and a second brand of coconut oil with the coconut flavor removed (so all you get is the goodness of the oil). They’ve also got chia seeds, hemp protein shakes, and a vegan buttery spread. They also gave me a coconut-oil based lip balm that’s the best I’ve ever tried.

But the real revelation were the products that were new to me: Such as Leaf & Love Organic/Sugar-Free juice boxes. With a kid in college, I may be out of the juice box years – but the sugar-free lemonade I sampled is a drink I may buy for myself.

Uncle Matt's Orange Juice
Uncle Matt’s sells an orange juice variety that is not just organic, but lower in sugar and carbs.

I love orange juice but rarely drink it any longer. So I was delighted with the taste of Uncle Matt’s Orange Juice – organic, lower in sugar and carbs, and delicious.

While at ShiftCon, I discovered new sources for fresh eggs, raw cheese, and grass-fed beef.

I’ve been dabbling in veganism again, so I had an interest inprotein drinks and almond milk from Orgain – and was surprised that they did not taste bitter, like the brands I have been buying.

Whole Foods Market was there to promote their Whole Kids Foundation, which helps fund gardens and salad bars in schools, as well as nutrition education for teachers.

FarmBoxLA was also there. They’re another one of those farmers’ collectives that delivers fresh, organic food you order to your home on a regular basis. I love this concept in theory – but when I’ve tried similar services, I’ve found that I could not get through everything in the box while it was all still fresh. Now that there’s just two of us at home, I usually shop for food on a daily basis. It’s a pain in the butt – but there’s less wastage.

Halloween Candy from UnReal: No artificial colors or preservatives - and I think their version of M&Ms tastes better than the real thing.
Halloween Candy from UnReal: No artificial colors or preservatives – and I think their version of M&Ms tastes better than the real thing.

I am, however, intrigued by Thrive Market, which is kind of an Amazon.com for organic and natural food – and promises prices that are 30-50% lower than supermarkets. Thrive Market is a membership site (similar to Amazon Prime Fresh) but is socially responsible: The annual membership fee is just $60 (compared to $299 for Amazon Prime Fresh) – and for every paid membership, Thrive Market donates a free annual membership to a low-income American family, so they can also have healthy, organic products delivered straight to their homes.

There was a lot more to look at and sample at the ShiftCon Expo: Natural skin care, hair care, health care… Pet foods… Pest Control.

I wish I could have carved out more time to talk to more of the companies and stay for the sessions. But I have a feeling that in my current (over-worked and over-stressed) state, I would have ended up too overwhelmed to put together a write-up.

So I will leave this as it is. If you are at all intrigued, check out ShiftCon on Facebook. That’s a great place to get the news on the next ShiftCon.

 

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Fresh and Easy Holiday

Blogger Holiday 2013
“Which one is Fresh, and which one is Easy?”
Clockwise: Bernadette Batts, me, Liz Dwyer and Marsha Takeda Morrison.

Why is this December different from the 15 previous holiday seasons I’ve experienced as a stay-at-home working mom?

This year, I actually have a client with ongoing needs and guaranteed pay. And I could probably give them 60 hours a week if I didn’t have all those piddly household chores, pets, family… and the holidays getting in my way.

Of course, I jest: My “piddly” family is the reason I get up in the morning. But balancing their needs with the need to “earn a crust” has become a little bit tougher this year. Once again, I’m finding it really difficult to re-calibrate myself as my situation has changed. What’s different this time is that the change is coming from ME, not from my husband or daughter.

So this year, I’ve declined most of the holiday party invitations that have come my way. I don’t have the time to attend, much less write a nice post about the gathering afterwards. But I made an exception last week for the one event I do look forward to each year: the annual bash produced by the folks at Fresh and Easy.

“I thought they were closing,” my husband said when I told him why I would not be home on Thursday night.

I explained — again — that even though the grocery chain’s new owners had sold a number of stores (mostly in Northern California), they had no intention of shutting down the whole thing. And I fervently hoped that our little neighborhood Fresh and Easy market would remain open, because I have come to rely on it for its range of delicious pre-made dinner options… especially now that my work day always manages to bleed into the time I would have normally started cooking.

“If anything, since the buyout, we’re going to become fresh-er and easier,” was the official word at the party from company spokesman Mike Evans. They will continue to market fresh, microwavable meals for busy people but will also have a new emphasis on local, organic produce and natural foods, including products from the natural grocery chain Wild Oats, which is also owned by F&E’s new corporate parent.

The party organizers then showed us exactly what is in store, with tray-passed goodies like Fresh & Easy stuffed mushrooms and sinful (and simple!) mac & cheese won tons (just spoon a little F&E macaroni & cheese into won ton skins and fry ’em up in a wok. Delish!) There was a selection of cheese and antipasti and desserts too, but I couldn’t get enough of those won tons.

And of course, there was wine. Fresh and Easy’s wine buyers are going to continue snapping up inexpensive vintages that taste like they cost a whole lot more. Upon arrival, we were greeted by servers who handed us a champagne flute filled with Montcadi Cava sparkling wine ($8). That was good, but I was more in the mood for the Barrel Ranch Pinot Noir they were serving at the bar. ($13). If my husband had been there (instead of sending snarky texts back to me) he would have enjoyed the WineWright Chardonnay ($12).

But food and drink are not enough to make a party a success. You also need the right mix of people – and you need to make them comfortable.

The folks who plan the party for Fresh and Easy always seem to find these cute little funky venues that have a lot of possibility. This year’s event was held at The Holding Company, in the arts district east of Hollywood and the decorations were holiday chic. Best of all, I got to see some of my favorite members of the LA blogging community (many of whom I haven’t talked to since last year’s Fresh and Easy holiday party).  The photo booth was especially busy because their photographer was so good – the best part of the party decorations was the continual and ever-growing slide show of happy guests clowning around with the holiday props. So we could not resist posing more than once :

LA Bloggers at Fresh & Easy Holiday Party
As Liz Dwyer said: “In 10 years it’ll be a picture of all of us with our Google Glasses on.”

This is probably the last blogging event I’ll be able to make for a very long time, so it had to be a good one. And it was.

I received no compensation for this post. I am genuinely glad that Fresh and Easy is going to stick around a while, as I enjoy shopping there. All opinions are my own.

 

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Home Alone with a Healthy Choice

Healthy Choice Baked Entrees

HealthyChoice

“Don’t forget – my friend’s mom is picking me up from school and taking us to that play tonight,” my daughter said this morning as she slammed my car door shut.

I had forgotten. And now that she mentioned it, I realized that with my husband out of town this week, I am going to be alone until late tonight. What should I do about dinner?

Healthy Choice Baked EntreesAnd then I remembered that I have a stash of Healthy Choice meals in my freezer. I’m kind of laughing about this: When I was young and single, I lived on this stuff for dinner most nights. (Maybe that’s why I didn’t have to worry as much about my weight back then.)

These meals have come a long way since the 1980’s: they’re tastier, feature more natural ingredients and make use of new materials and processes. For instance, Healthy Choice’s line of Baked Taste entrees are packaged in a tray that’s designed to cook more evenly in the microwave, meaning fewer burnt bits on the edges.

My favorite food is pasta, so I guess it’s no wonder that weight is an issue for me now that I’m at an age where my body has trouble metabolizing the carbs. I mean, there is nothing easier to cook — but I have a major problem with portion control, especially if I’m the only one eating it. That’s why heating up one of these Healthy Choice Baked meals works for me on a night like this.

I really like the Healthy Choice Italian Sausage Bake and the Ravioli Marinara Bake. I especially like the fact that the pasta in the former Baked Taste entree is the more nutritious and better-to-metabolize whole grain type, and the Ravioli Baked Taste entree is a vegetarian choice. Both weigh in at fewer than 300 calories.

Healthy Choice Chicken & Rice Cheddar BakeTonight, I am thinking I’d like to switch it up from the pasta. Maybe I’ll try the Healthy Choice Chicken and Rice Cheddar Bake, featuring a blend of brown and wild rice (which isn’t rice at all, but more of a grass — and so a cup will have way fewer carbs to digest). Or perhaps the Slow Roasted Turkey Bake, made with roasted potatoes, butternut squash and green beans (in a gravy, topped with crispy onions). That one sounds like a little Thanksgiving preview; perfect for this time of year.

Which ever meal I choose, I know it will be fast, easy — and nice to my waistline.  Maybe I’ll engage in some of my other “single girl behavior,” like dancing  — in front of the TV. Because I may be temporarily single, but I need a lot more motivation to leave the house on a cold night.

 

 

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Food and Drink Getting Old Sucks SoCal Life Travel

Halloween Time at Disneyland — for Grown-Ups

#Halloweentime at Disneyland
This giant Jack o'Mickey greets visitors to Disneyland 's main park at Halloween Time. And every year, I take its picture.

This post is a mushy love letter to the folks at Disneyland, whose kind invitation to their annual #Halloween Time Media Day allows me to bask in all my Disney dreams… despite the fact that my child is no longer a little kid. I am living proof that you don’t have to be a kid or have young children to have a good time at a Disney park. You can even be a woman in your 50’s and have a great time there. It’s just that the experience becomes a little different.

#Halloweentime at Disneyland
This giant Jack o’Mickey greets visitors to Disneyland ‘s main park at Halloween Time. And every year, I take its picture.

My sister, Linda, is also a Disneyland devotee. She dropped everything this weekend and drove down here from Sacramento so she could enjoy the Halloween festivities with me.

“I really want to spend some time at California Adventure,” she told me. The last time we visited the Disney parks together, California Adventure was torn up for its $1.1 billion renovation, and she didn’t get to see much of it at all. It’s gorgeous now and better than ever. But she wanted to see that for herself.

As it turned out, the Media Day event included a reception in a “soundstage” on the Hollywood Backlot area of the park, so that was our first stop. On the way, Linda got her first glimpse of what a billion dollars buys you these days.

Buena Vista Street at California Adventure
I took this photo last year, the first time I got to see the new Buena Vista Street entrance to California Adventure.

“This is beautiful,” she said as we wandered down Buena Vista Street, Disney Imagineering’s re-creation of Los Angeles circa 1923, the year a young Walt Disney arrived in Southern California. Buena Vista Street is very similar to the original park’s Main Street: It greets visitors by setting the stage for all the magic that’s to come, with period buildings, shops, restaurants and transportation (in this case, a replica of the old Red Cars, which criss-crossed the region and enabled residents to travel from one end of the city to the other).

Saturday was the final day for high school seniors applying to college to take the SAT, and so it was already past lunch time when we arrived at the Park and once we had checked out the reception, my daughter and her friend went off on their own, promising to check in with me by text every couple of hours. My friend Marsha (who blogs at Sweatpants Mom) joined us in a quest for something good to eat. Our first stop was the Carthay Circle, a restaurant designed to look exactly like the movie theater where Disney’s Snow White premiered in 1939. I remember seeing that theater, and also remember it being torn down in the late 60’s. This is probably the most elegant dining establishment inside either of the Disneyland parks — it is also tough to get a reservation on as busy a day as Saturday (I know — I tried to get one two weeks ago and the only available time for dinner was 4:00 PM).

So I suggested we mosey over to the Wine Country Trattoria, where I’ve always had good luck being seated. I had tried to take my sister here on her ill-fated previous visit to California Adventure, and we simply could not find the entrance behind all the construction. We were ushered to a table right away, and that’s where we made our first California Adventure discovery: There were cocktails on the menu. Now, California Adventure has always differed from the original Disneyland Park by selling wine and beer… but it you wanted a real mojito or martini, you still had to go to one of the hotels or Downtown Disney.

“Do you really have a full bar here?” Marsha asked. Our waitress assured us they did, and in the spirit of “if you build it they will come,” she ordered a margarita with her lunch. I toyed with the idea of having a cocktail and decided I might fare better on a hot afternoon with something a little lighter, so Linda and I each had a glass of white wine. Either way, we decided that feeling free to order a drink was a major benefit of enjoying Disneyland without our kids.

Beverages at Wine Country Trattoria
Yes, when bloggers get together for lunch it is totally normal for them to Instagram their drinks.

With lunch out of the way, it was time to explore the Parks. Our first stop — as always — was Space Mountain, my all-time favorite Disneyland ride, which adds a fiery ghost for Halloween excitement this time of year.  For the few of you reading this who do not know, Space Mountain is a high-speed, high-tech thrill ride — the kind of attraction women our age are thought to avoid. And I will be honest: I am not as hardy as I used to be, especially when it comes to things like motion sickness. That’s one reason why I stay away from the Tower of Terror attraction at California Adventure. I think it’s a great ride — but the only time I tried it, I thought it was going to give me a heart attack. (My daughter, however, loves it and rode it twice on this visit.)

“Uh, maybe this isn’t such a great idea right after lunch,” Linda noted as we climbed into our “rocket.” By that time, it was too late. Thankfully, we made it through the ride with no ill effect, and later rode the California Screamin’ roller coaster, complete with 360-degree loop. What can I say? We may be middle-aged but we’ve still got it.

From there, we journeyed to the other side of the Park, past Frontierland and New Orleans Square to the Haunted Mansion. I was fortunate on a previous Disney excursion to enjoy this ride beside Disney’s Michele Himmelberg, who offered up lots of background on this most appropriate Halloween time attraction. I love how they pay tribute each holiday season to Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. Michele is the one who told me that the huge cake in the ride’s party scene is made of real gingerbread, baked by the Park’s pastry chef — and each year, he whips up something different. (This year it’s a Skellington-themed Advent Calendar.)

We did a few more rides in both parks and a bit of shopping before we met Marsha back for dinner at Catal’s UVA Bar in Downtown Disney, which is becoming a part of our new Disneyland tradition (this is my third year dining at either Catal restaurant or UVO). And this time, I did opt for an actual cocktail because the menu offerings all sounded yummy. (And they were.)

We finished by watching the spectacular Halloween fireworks show. This is another feature that is all-new every year: The one thing you can expect is that you will walk away saying it was the best fireworks you’ve ever seen.

The Park started to empty out after the fireworks, and we toyed with the idea of getting on at least one more ride. But my daughter and her friend put the kibosh on that plan: We found them sitting on a bench and looking really sleepy. They were tired and wanted to go home.

HAH! Score another one for the middle-aged moms, who were still up for more Disney fun. Then again, by the time we hit the freeway, we realized the girls’ wisdom in exiting when we did. We were tired, too. The Fitbit I wear reported that all in all, we had walked over six miles.

“You know, it really isn’t possible to do all of Disneyland in one day any longer,” my sister remarked.

She’s right. There is so much more to see than there was when we were kids, and the wait times for the “E-ticket” rides seem even longer. I’ve gotten used to leaving the Park still wanting more — which isn’t bad for an attraction that’s thought of as just a children’s place. I guess it just goes to show you that some kids never grow up.

DISCLOSURE: I received four park-hopper tickets from Disney to visit the park during their Family Media Day event, so I could experience this year’s Halloween Time. I was not compensated to do so and all opinions are my own. The print and broadcast media who were also invited don’t have to offer one of these disclosures — just those of us publishing on the Internet.

 

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Making a Safe and Healthy Choice with 100% Naturals Cafe Steamers

HealthyChoice

I’ve been even busier than usual this week: There have been conference calls and meetings and I have spent the last couple of days working on a new WordPress website. These are the kind of tasks that make me do the impossible: Forget to eat. I mean, almost forget to eat — because eventually, I realize I am hungry and that’s when my diet is in the most trouble, as I’m prone to go into a feeding frenzy. This would not be so bad if it meant grabbing slices of apples and cucumbers. But for me, deferred hunger usually translates into cookies and chips.

I’m pretty sure that’s why you find an aisle of junk food in the checkout line of techie supermart Fry’s: all those programmers and IT people who sit in front of a computer screen into the wee hours of the morning lose track of time and just want to munch on something they can grab with ease. This is a recipe for diet disaster, and it’s why I try to shop strategically for easy-to-prepare lunches that are healthy as well as convenient.

And so today, I managed to avoid one of those calorie-laden frenzies because I had filled my freezer with Healthy Choice’s new line of 100% Naturals Cafe Steamers.

Healthy Choice 100% Natural Cafe Steamers

These are different: For one thing, these entrees are vegetarian! (Although not vegan, so I don’t have get to share them with my husband.)

They come packed with a separate little steamer tray that allows the vegetables and pasta to steam without getting bogged down in the cooking liquid, while ensuring that the pasta is cooked to a chewy al dente texture. And they are simply delicious!

Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers Cook in Their Own Steamer Basket
Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers Cook in Their Own Steamer Basket.

So a half hour ago, I decided to take a few minutes away from the computer to cook up a lovely autumn dish of Pumpkin Squash Ravioli, with crunchy green beans, butternut squash, apples in just the right amount of yummy butter-sage sauce. It was as good as it looks.

Healthy Choice 100% Naturals Cafe Steamers Pumpkin Squash Ravioli
Healthy Choice 100% Naturals Cafe Steamers Pumpkin Squash Ravioli. It tastes as good as it looks.

So far, the Pumpkin Squash Ravioli is my favorite. But yesterday, that title belonged to the Portabella Marsala Pasta (whole wheat pasta and mushrooms in a Marsala sauce, topped with fontina). And the day before, I was loving the Asian Potstickers, which are steamed in a sweet and spicy sauce with a kick of spice.

I haven’t yet tried the Portabella Spinach Parmesan or Tortellini Primavera Pasta — but I’ve got the weekend for those.

And because it’s Healthy Choice, I know it’s a lunch I can indulge in without feeling any guilt — unlike the cookies that are supposed to be for my daughter.

 

 

 

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Hankering for Frozen Greek Yogurt

#ad Healthy Choice Greek Frozen Yogurt Flavors
#ad Healthy Choice Greek Frozen Yogurt Flavors

HealthyChoice

I have been on a self-improvement kick for… well, my entire adult life. And since I hit middle age, that has meant focusing on weight control and eating a healthy diet.

Those two directives are not always the same thing. I lost 56 pounds a few years ago on an extremely restrictive diet that may actually have resulted in doing more damage to my metabolism than it was already suffering through menopause. This is hard to explain to friends who have never had to struggle with their weight, so I’ve stopped trying. I just go about my business and like any other junkie (and yes, I think my love of good food makes me an addict), I try to take it one day … one meal… and one snack at a time. That means lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, fewer starchy carbs and a lot more cooking from scratch.

But there are days when that isn’t possible. And that’s why I also keep a stash on hand of healthy convenience foods.

#ad Healthy Choice Greek Frozen Yogurt
#ad The Vanilla Bean was my favorite Healthy Choice Frozen Greek Yogurt flavor. But only because I couldn’t find any of the chocolate swirl!

During our recent heat wave, I discovered the new line of Greek Frozen Yogurt from Healthy Choice. Non-fat Greek yogurt has really taken off in the last few years, undoubtedly due to its protein content and thick, rich texture — which makes you think you’re eating something a lot more indulgent. It turns out that healthy frozen Greek yogurt desserts from Healthy Choice have the same affect. I discovered that any yen I might have for ice cream could be nipped in the bud with one of these babies.

And since I have a problem with portion control (especially if I’m eating something as luscious as a frozen dessert), I appreciated the fact that Healthy Choice’s Greek Frozen Yogurt comes in perfectly apportioned 100 calorie tubs, with 4g of protein in every serving. They look really small, but they pack a big punch — I found them really filling.

#ad Healthy Choice Greek Frozen Yogurt Flavors
#ad Healthy Choice Greek Frozen Yogurt Flavors

My favorite grocery store stocked four flavors and I tried all of them: Strawberry, Raspberry, Blueberry (all blended with real fruit) and my favorite – Vanilla Bean (with real flecks of vanilla bean that you can actually see).  But I have a feeling I would also like the Honey and Chocolate Swirl flavors, too (the latter was the winner of Shape magazine’s 2013 Snack Awards for “Best Night Bite,” as a healthy fix for a late night craving for chocolate).

My only complaint about Healthy Choice’s Greek Frozen Yogurt is that it is packaged with just three tubs in a box. Maybe they can come out with an assortment featuring two samples of each. I would definitely be up for that.

Healthy Choice wants you to try their new line of Greek Frozen Yogurt so badly that they’ve got an online offer for you on their website, which will get you $1.00 off on the flavor of your choice. Check it out.

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Books and Artists in DTLA

Appetizer at Terroni, DTLA
Not as light a meal as I was expecting!

We spent yesterday afternoon walking around downtown Los Angeles (DTLA). This is something my husband I do often, with cameras in tow so we can photograph the place, while admiring the vibrant community that has grown there over the last decade.

Terroni, DTLA
Even tap water is displayed nicely at DTLA’s Terroni restaurant, on Spring St.

We didn’t take many pictures yesterday. I wasn’t especially keen to go this weekend. It has been hotter than hell the last couple of weeks; a situation I’ve been dealing with by getting all my errands finished as early as possible in the morning (while the temp in only in the 80s), so I can spend the rest of the day holed up in front of the AC vent.

Needless to say, I’ve been watching a lot of television (yes, even more than usual). And amazingly (for me!) it was starting to get old. The reason I got off my butt in the Valley and ventured in to the city was my kid, who wanted to attend an arts event in Grand Park (the same place where we enjoyed the fireworks this July 4). She and her friend were originally going to use public transportation to get there — which makes sense, as there is a Red Line subway stop just across the street. But her dad and I are still kind of protective and her friend absolutely had to be back in the Valley by 6:00. So my husband and I offered to drive them there.

He actually had a destination in mind: He had heard of a place called The Last Bookstore, located in the old Crocker Bank building on Spring Street and 5th. This is the kind of place that’s heaven for people who want to physically hold a book and turn its pages. It’s also kind of a hipster paradise, with lots of old, funky couches and chairs scattered around the neat, organized stacks of gently used, reasonably priced books. We looked around the stacks and found way too many interesting titles to be able to pick just one. I have a feeling we will be back, especially so we can explore the upstairs area called the Labyrinth, which showcases the work of local artists.

Spring Street was once the site of LA’s financial district. Today, it is the epicenter of DTLA’s arts community, which sprung up around the Los Angeles Theater Center. When LATC opened in 1985, the neighborhood was kind of a vast wasteland. I remember, because at one time in the late 80’s I held season tickets and going down there at night was always a little bit scary. Now, the buildings have been renovated into lofts and galleries, with people milling about the street in little sidewalk cafes and bars. We even passed a pet store there (which makes a lot of sense, for all the folks we passed who were walking their dogs). And we ordinary Angelenos can experience the best of the community on the second Thursday of each month for the Downtown Art Walk.

On a normal day, I am energized by walking the streets of DTLA. But did I mention that yesterday was downright HOT? Even though downtown is about 10 degrees cooler than the Valley, that just meant we were dealing with 90+ degree weather instead of triple digits. By the time we left the bookstore, I was absolutely parched. And the huz was hungry. We set about looking for an air conditioned spot to refresh. That meant forgoing the cute little sidewalk cafes and looking for an actual full-service restaurant.

We found it in Terroni: A gorgeously appointed Italian restaurant in another renovated old bank building. Everything about this place said style (which made us feel a little bit self-conscious in our ratty walking-around clothes). But they let us in anyway. My husband enjoyed an order of fresh gnocchi. I wasn’t all that hungry, so I ordered an appetizer of grilled radicchio, prosciutto and fresh Burrata cheese. This is what they brought me:

Appetizer at Terroni, DTLA
Not as light a meal as I was expecting!

At $17 for an “appetizer,” I’m actually glad this turned out to be so substantial. I ended up skipping dinner because of it — and it was worth it!

My daughter’s art event in the park was just two hours long — so after getting our fill of nice, cold water and delicious Italian food, we headed back up to Grand. When we told her what we had been up to, she was dismayed. It turns out that she’s been wanting to visit The Last Bookstore for a while now (“It’s famous on the Internet!” she exclaimed) and we beat her to it. I guess she’s going to want to head back downtown. And I’m betting her dad and I will be happy to drive her there. Let’s just hope it’s on a cooler day.

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Chicago is My Kind of Town

Chicago River at Night

That old Frank Sinatra tune has been playing in my head since I landed at O’Hare Tuesday night — which is not really a bad thing. (It could be worse, right? Like a Justin Bieber ear worm?)

How can you help singing when the view from your hotel window looks like this?

There’s no shame in being a total tourist when visiting a new city, and I had hoped to get some big time sightseeing in yesterday, but that was not to be. Between the MOMocrats’ regularly scheduled Wednesday podcast and my sister’s business dealings, we were unable to meander too far away from our temporary home at the Chicago Sheraton and Towers.

Fortunately, we’re in a prime location, with easy walking to the Magnificent Mile — fabulous shopping and restaurants on Michigan Avenue, not to mention the absolutely gorgeous buildings I was clued in to by friends who have lived here.

My sister had already been here for several days, having attended another convention that concluded just as BlogHer was starting. So she already knew where we were going to have lunch: a trendy, noisy, foodie spot called the Purple Pig.

It was an excellent choice: We each had salads (hers was a classic wedge with slices of heirloom tomatoes; mine a stack of heirloom carrots, shaved fennel and avocado) and split a dish made of fresh peas, mint and bacon. Not quite vegetarian, but light, fresh and delicious.

Of course, as this was the eve of BlogHer, there were plenty of old friends to catch up with in the hotel lobby. On top of that, the hotel held a happy hour event called Sheraton Social Hour: A Taste of Chicago, co-hosted by Wine Spectator magazine. This was basically an all-you-can-drink buffet of truly excellent Oregon and Washington state wines, paired with yummy appetizers.

This had the effect of loosening people up, and even though I’m naturally kind of reticent and shy with crowds of new people, we found ourselves making new blogging friends — which is what this event is all about

Today, I will be learning some new photo and video-making tricks at the BlogHer Viewfinder event. I have always done some form of live blogging here and will likely attempt that again (despite the challenges of my iPad’s virtual keyboard). I’ll keep you posted.


– Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

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Independence Day at Grand Park

Independence Day celebration at Grand Park

My daughter decided that if she HAD to stay in Los Angeles for Independence Day, she would at least spend it with friends. She invited two of them for an overnight marathon of movies, junk food and board games.

Ever last-minute, I decided we would be traditional and grill burgers for dinner. I queried the girls on their preferences.

“Any vegetarians here?”

No. That wouldn’t be a problem anyway, as we have plenty of vegan burgers for my husband. But one of the girls likes yellow mustard on her burgers. This is a substance I do not usually stock in my fridge.

And then I dropped the bombshell:

“How badly do you guys really want to see fireworks tonight?”

Stupid question, right? But I still wasn’t sure how to go about celebrating July 4 in Los Angeles.

The closest fireworks show is at a megachurch down the hill from one of the girls visiting. Last year’s event drew 60,000 people.

“That doesn’t sound right,” my husband scoffed. “It’s probably 6,000 people. Which still sounds like a lot.”

I pointed him to the website, which clearly boasts attendance of 60,000.

The neighborhood girl concurred: “You don’t want to go anywhere near there after 5:00. There is no place to park.”

That didn’t sound promising. I’m not a big fan of hanging out in the hot sun with huge crowds of people, hours before the start of the actual fireworks show. Besides, the girls were in the middle of one of their movies and while they wanted the fireworks, they did not wish to leave before the film’s end.

The event that intrigued us the most was the fireworks show and block party at Grand Park across from Los Angeles City Hall. So at 6:00, we piled into the car and drove downtown.

What we saw made my heart sing: Thousands of Angelenos — families, couples, young and old — were gathering downtown to listen to music and celebrate the founding of our nation. In downtown Los Angeles. I’ve written quite a bit over the last couple of years about the new energy in the heart of the city, thanks to a new population of urban residents who are finally making downtown a neighborhood again.

But we did not stay very long. We were famished and could not find the food trucks we expected (just one serving ice cream and another with kettle corn). So we walked a few blocks south to the Far Bar in Little Tokyo, where we enjoyed a very nice dinner…  interrupted by the sound of fireworks (way earlier than the 9:00 PM start time listed on the LA Times blog). We finished our meal and headed back to City Hall, just in time for the finale, accompanied by the Star Spangled Banner and America the Beautiful.

fireworks

I glanced at the time: It was 8:58.

But at least, we got to see a bit of the show.

And as we drove along the 101 back to the Valley, we got to see quite a number of pyrotechnic displays throughout the city.

Next time, maybe we’ll just get in the car and drive.

 

 

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Taking a Los Angeles Food Tour: A World of Exotic Cuisines Right Here

Thai Spirit House
Thai Spirit House (Photo credit: socalmom)

I may live in the Valley, but I consider myself an Angeleno. I was born right here in Los Angeles and have always been fascinated by our mythical, colorful, multi-ethnic city. And I jump at any excuse to go over the hill and experience it.

I am also something of a foodie. I love trying new dishes, whether in restaurants or cooking it myself. I am on a lot of travel site mailing lists, and I spend way too much time poring over the restaurant reviews in cities I know I will visit some day. This is why I love the idea of taking a food tour, where you learn about a city’s history from the primal perspective of how its residents EAT. Instead of traipsing through museums and climbing monuments, you stroll through farmers markets, snack on street fare and sample regional cooking in family-owned restaurants.

And you can do all this without leaving LA, as we have an entire world of exotic cuisines right here — along with a handful of tour operators who can give you the inside scoop on where to find them.

Last year, I covered one such tour for CBS Los Angeles. I had so much fun on the Boyle Heights tour that I dragged my husband back to the neighborhood a few weeks later. And he liked it so much that we’ve gone back a couple of times, just to eat and take photos of some of the historic landmarks.

And last month, we embarked on a different tour in a different LA neighborhood, offered by a company called Los Angeles Urban Adventures. Ethnic Neighborhoods Food & Culture takes you on a walking/bus tour through L.A.’s Koreatown, Thai Town and Little Armenia. These neighborhoods are part of my personal history: The hospital where I was born, the approximate site of my parents’ first home, and the office building where my dad worked were all seen during the course of the tour, which originates at the historic Gaylord Apartments, which used to make my husband snicker until he learned that the building was named for Henry Gaylord Wilshire, the socialist entrepreneur (yes! only in Los Angeles, right?) who developed this part of the city and whose other famous namesake is the lengthy Boulevard that stretches from downtown to Santa Monica.

Our tour guide, Summer, told us the fascinating history as we walked a couple of blocks north to the first of several stops on what was supposed to be a three-hour tour. It turned out to be a bit longer, partly due to the variable of Metro bus schedules but also because the proprietors of just about every dining establishment we visited insisted on plying us with lagniappes — extra dishes that were not on the menu carefully planned by the Urban Adventures tour guides. This is not a complaint, as the tour operator warned us to arrive with empty stomachs… and who doesn’t like getting more than your money’s worth?

Thai Town SausagesSo the delicious Korean barbecue kalbi we enjoyed at Ham Ji Park was augmented with additional calamari… The handmade Thai sausages Summer ordered for us at Spicy BBQ was just the appetizer for an amazing coconut flavored Thai chicken noodle soup… the taste of middle eastern cooking at Carousel turned out to be a full dinner plate… and don’t get me started on all the desserts!  The only reason I did not gain five pounds from this excursion was the fact that we made the entire trip on foot (aside from a short bus ride up Normandie, from 6th Street to Santa Monica Boulevard).

As I said before, this part of the city is really familiar to me — but it’s been years since I’ve done more than just drive through. You miss so much when you are watching through a car window. When you are led on a walking tour with an enthusiastic guide like Summer, you really see the sights. And when those sights include places to shop and eat, you engage all your other senses, too.

During the course of eight stops from Wilshire and Western to the Red Line station at Hollywood and Vermont, we learned the history of Wilshire Boulevard, the old Ambassador Hotel (now the site of the Robert F. Kennedy School complex), the gorgeous Chapman Market complex on 6th (the first shopping center built for cars! Who knew?), and the origins of the Little Armenia and Thai Town communities.

It was all fascinating. But what I will remember most is the food. And I don’t think I’m ever going to be just “driving through” the neighborhood any longer, because now I know exactly where to stop.

DISCLOSURE: I was not compensated for this post, but I was comped my spot on the tour. We paid a discounted price for my husband to come along. And for a limited time, readers of SoCal Mom can do the same when booking a tour with LA Urban Adventures: Just enter the code SOCALMOM13 good for 20% off any tour booked by June 1st (depart any time in 2013). This includes their other tours, like Stars and Bars Tour (which I think would be a blast for a birthday celebration or Girls Night Out – hint hint), Hollywood 101 and the Beverly Hills Golden Triangle Tour. This is great fun for visiting family and friends or just to get out and learn more about our great city. Summer can even create a customized itinerary that includes more kid-friendly spots for a family outing.

 

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