Holy Moly! Have you heard of Swanson Vineyards?!? What a cute website, with some great wine labels. I’d buy one or two or a case!
Talk about a HAPPY FRIDAY WineDay for a long weekend. I don’t know about you, but this week has been Looooooong. I’d love to sit down with one of these puppies right about now.
After strolling around on a cold but sunny first day and going to bed quite a bit earlier than I would like to confess, we acclimated to Tokyo time a bit more as we headed out at 5am to weather the rain at the Tsukiji Fish Markets. First stop, navigating the Metro, surprisingly easier than I would have thought. Tiny tickets in hand and the emptiest I ever saw the subways the entire trip.
Welcome to Tskukiji. To the outer markets first, as they are open to everyone all day. And since it was the holidays and a very cold rainy day, I found out that this was actually a quiet day. sheesh!
A tradition at Tsukiji, a sushi breakfast at 7am. I got the tuna plate, nearly 7 different kinds of amazing.
After filling out bellies with sushi, we headed into the indoor wholesale markets,that open at 9am to the public. The bottom two images that have grey blue large bodies of fish, are the giant tuna and one getting sawed in half.
I have learned that most places have westernized toilets. But after hours of walking around, drinking hot green tea in the cold cold rain, this Japanese-style toilet was all I could find… hmmmm.
Then it was back to the Metro to find our way to Ginza, known as one of the most upscale places to shop in the world. yipeee!
At 2pm, this was the weather, so we ducked into a little English-type bistro for some hot lunch and a beer. Heaven. And who says the Japanese dont celebrate Christmas?
Lastly, a shot from our room after a long and cold day. How gorgeous are all the lights.
Stay tunned for Day 3 and our weekend adventure to Kyoto.
Happy 2013!
Just 3 days ago I got back from my trip to Japan. And one of my resolutions is to blog at least once a week. My pictures alone will take me through the middle of the year I think! Ha! Hopefully not, for everyone sake.
So here’s part one, day 1. It was a long day being that we flew out of LAX at midnight and got in after a 12 hour flight to Tokyo at 5am the following day (missed all of Dec 20th, so bizarre). Then in an attempt to stay awake, we wandered around the city, just soaking it all in. Looking back, we did so much that first day!
Starting before the flight with some beautiful bills from the bank-o!
Seeing double arriving in Tokyo airport at 5am.
Off to a good start, even the airport signs are designed nicely.
And this maybe TMI, but toilet seats that stay warm (it was SO cold there, so appreciated that one). And directions and features as well! Spray! Yikes! And those icons, hilarious.
Right across from our hotel we stumbled upon our first shrine, the Kumano Shrine. And some gorgeous Olympic posters, plastered all over the city.
Then it was off to a find some lunch. We settled for nothing but the best, a small little off the grid corner noodle shop in the Golden Gai district of Shinjuku. Amazing! There were only 7 seats and I was the only female. The other men were nearly all in suits, I propose on there way to work as it was still 9am in the morning. They would come and go faster than it took us to order our soba. Fastest I’ve ever tried to eat a bowl of soba in my life, and most delicious as well. Worth it.
A crazy circular intersection of street lights. And some Love.
Then we found our way across the city to the Park Hyatt Tokyo (think Lost in Translation) and to my surprise sadly renovated. Though still fun, with gorgeous views and great illustrations.
The views from the top of the Park Hyatt Tokyo.
And as we continued on our jont we ran into a fish tank, just on the street outside a restaurant. I mean how could I NOT take a snap of this. Fresh fish fillet anyone?!?
And drink vending machines everywhere, of course with beer! Cold Sapporo to go anyone? Yes, Please.
Then into Yoyogi park, massive and beautiful.
Some funny signs.
It wasn’t quite the year of the snake yet, but now it is!
And finally, to our room with a view to call it an early night. Funny how much you can do when you start exploring a city around 6am!
Next post, day 2-3 to come soon! Stay tuned…
Hey there again! It’s been a busy BUSY few weeks. It started with a crazy labor day. An unexpectedly fun weekend.
Oh, let me start with the small fact that I turned 30th, yep, 30, this month, actually on the 12th. So it’s official, I am in a totally new decade.
Back to labor Day weekend. I have been trying to clear up my skin the last few months and have been seeing this amazing woman in Hollywood every few weeks. So, after my bi-monthly facial on Saturday, I came home to my apartment filled with all my favorite people, parents, etc. So much fun, even if it was after my facial! My first surprise party, wish I could have this every year, then I guess it wouldn’t be a a surprise, huh?
Then a few days later, the day before my birthday my beau got us tickets to see Mr. Conan O’Brian live. The guests were Eva Longoria, so adorable and tiny, and James Marsden. Too much fun as well!
And to top it all off my love surprised me… Again, with a special dinner at Scarpetta, at their very own Chef’s Table! It was a 7 course tasting menu, with a few extra courses thrown in there just cause they liked us so much. Additionally we hada a wine pairing with each course. Total gultons and amazingness. My favorite thing that night was hearing them say “Fire the Octo!” to get that delicious octopus on the grill. Let’s just say we waddled out of that place happy campers.
Now just walk around the apartment and yell that out every now and then! 
Must be the thirties already making me loco.
There were so many other surprises and fun times, with wo-workers and more, I don’t even have room to mention. It was a pleasantly overwhelming and positive way to turn into a new decade. I hear their the best anyways! 30′s here we go!
Recap on the 30 before 30 list to come!
I know I have to work on this posting regularly thing. Maybe aiming for once or twice a week is a more realistic goal for me, since I started working full-time for a start-up… read long hours. But I love it and I get to stare and the Santa Monica beach all day, so can’t really complain.
But that’s neither here nor there.
What is HERE, is this amazing design work my Timur Salikhov. I just couldn’t resist sharing! Need I say anything else. Time to go crack one open. Hope it tastes as good as it looks!
For a few years now I have been pining over going to Outstanding in the Field. It started in 1999, an outdoor culinary dining adventure set in the middle of a farm. Founder Jim Denevan invites a chef from a nearby restaurant to cook outside ingredients that grow right there at the farm you are on, and sometimes a neighboring farm as well.
So, I finally said this year is the year. I am going to Outstanding in the Field. So, right when tickets went on sale I snagged my pair to one outside San Jose in a town called Sunol. And a few weeks ago I enjoyed some of the best food I have ever had.
Chef Sean Baker was there to cook all the food right there next to the table. He works at Gather restaurant in Berkley and was named 2010 Chef of the Year by Esquire mag.
I think everyone there (about 150 people) was taking pictures of the plates as they came out. They were as beautiful as they were tasty. Here’s just a few.
A few weekends ago I visited my hometown of Palm Springs. My visit there is never complete without a visit to Cheeky’s. Now normally when I go there I get some sort of brilliant egg concoction and a cocktail. But this particular past visit I was feeling a little on the butterball side of healthy, so I opted for a salad called the Bikini Salad to ease my conscious. It was just what my body needed. Light, healthy and even better yet, tasty! So of course when I got home, first thing I needed to do was re-create it.
+ 1 bunch kale
+ 1 cup jicama, sliced
+ 1 cup carrots, sliced
+ 1 cup green beans (French are the best, the skinnier the better)
+ 1 cup shelled edamame (frozen is just fine)
1. Bring pot of water to boil on stove. Toss rinsed breen beans and edamame into the boiling water for 3-5 minutes. Careful not to over cook, you still want them to have some crunch. When done, throw into a large bowl of iced water to stop the cooking and to hold the bright green color. Set aside.
2. Rise, dry and trim kale, cutting out the tough stems and chopping the leaves into bit sized pieces. Toss into large salad bowl. Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt, making sure to coat all the leaves and cover and set aside at room temp for about an hour. When done, leaves should look darker in color and moist.
3. While the kale is marinating, slice the carrots and jicama.
4. When the kale is ready add the carrots, jicama, edamame and green beans. Add dressing (recipe below) and Enjoy!
+ 1/2 cup sliced carrots (about 1 large)
+ 1 small shallot, sliced
+ 1 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
+ 1 clove garlic, sliced
+ 2 tablespoons white miso
+ 1/4 cup rice vinegar
+ 1 tablespoon soy sauce
+ 2 tablespoons honey
+ 3/4 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
+ 1/2 cup olive oil
1. Add all ingredients minus the oils into blender or food processor. Blend together for about a minute, until finely incorporated.
2. Add the sesame and olive oil until smooth, about 30 seconds. If you need to thin the dressing out use 1 tablespoon of water at a time until you are satisfied with the consistency. Dressing will save for about 3 days in the refrigerator.
Enjoy and Happy Monday all!
Well, I am off to a not -so-good start, my second post for the Monday Funday column got postponed a day. My apologies friends, that’s what happens when you have way to much fun for your own good over the weekend.
Never fear, it’s here today!
And after all the FUN, we have a non-alcoholic drink on tap today. It’s a little detox for your kidneys and liver, if you need it like i need it, heck even if you don’t, it’s delicious, so why wouldn’t you?
Here’s what you need for your detoxifying green smoothie:
1/2 cup frozen mangos
1/2 frozen banana
handful of fresh spinach
1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
1/2 scoop whey protein powder
10-20 drops of liquid chlorophyll ( I use one from Whole Foods, similar to this)*
couple ice cubes
Just throw everything into your blender and whirl away. Pour into glass and enjoy the taste of detoxification!
And if you aren’t sure about the liquid chlorophyll the smoothie is teh best way to try it, you won’t even know it’s in there. After three days of using it every day, you should see clearer skin! I know I did. Yeah, I’m kinda addicted. I love it so much I just add it to water once a day if I don’t make this smoothie. I like the slight peppermint taste it adds to my water. Try it!
*Studies have shown that Chlorophyll increases our red blood cell count, helps fight infection, treat acne and improve the look of skin, and promote the health of our digestive track and immune system, among much more. You can read more here.
This week has been one of those touch and go weeks. Just when I think I have had enough, something great happens, and it lifts me right back up.
I am thankful for:
• friends that love fitness, makes it easier (and more fun) to stay in shape for sure
• an understanding landlord
Who like Mondays?
Anyone?
Didn’t think so.
On that note, I have decided to dedicate Monday’s posts to a new “Beverages” Column. Being that today is the inaguaral post, I made sure it was, yep you guessed it, an adult beverage! Cheers!
I dont know about you, but I love artichokes. You know that infamous question what would your last meal before you die be? Well, let’s just say artichokes would be on mine. (oh, yea, and I almost got a tattoo of one as well, still might…?)
I digress, a friend of mine saw a bottle of liqueur with an artichoke on it and naturally thought of me.
Have you ever had a sip of Cynar? I hadn’t. It’s intense. I think it is an acquired taste straight, that’s for sure. But that will not detour me!
Basically, Cynar is an italian bitter liqueur made of various herbs and plants, the main on being artichokes (don’t worry it’s tastes nothing like artichokes). And it’s an aperitif, which to me means it’s healthy and must be consumed regularly! (He, he!)
Since I didn’t think I could do it straight, I was forced to come up with other ways to consume this amazing artichoke liqueur. There are many ways to do that, but this was my taste tasted favorite.
I call it the Cynar Sizzle, cause it’s perfect for summer, light, refreshing and good for your healthy swimsuit-ready body!
Here’s what you’ll need:
2 oz. Cynar
3/4 oz. St. Germain
3/4 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
2 oz. Selzer
Kumquats, for garnish
1st: Combine Cynar, St. Germain and Lemon Juice into cocktail shaker with ice.
2nd: Shake it all around. Shake. Shake. Shake.
3rd: Stain into Cocktail glass with fresh ice.
4th: Add Selzer and Kumquat slices.
5th: (and most important) Cheers! It’s Monday!
