Jagged Little Pills

Well if you read my post from yesterday, I sure hope you didn’t place bets on the Oscar awards based on my picks. Yikes!  But nevertheless I am happy with my choice of films and stand by them.

Speaking of standing by, I have a post to share with you (below) that has been standing by in the DRAFT folder for months. It is a very personal story and I had considered not sharing it, or waiting for a better time, etc etc. But then I met a lovely lady through snapchat (my username is: blissbakery).  Her name is Sharon Leavy and she has a wonderful blog called “Behind Green Eyes“. She spoke on snapchat (her username is: sharonleavy) very candidly about the subject below.  It has inspired me to finally share my post with you. Thanks Sharon, you are proof of the positive affects of social media…sharing the love and being a support!  So glad to have met you!  Alright, here goes…. Continue reading

And the Academy Award Goes to….

Unknown-1

Suffice it to say that by the time you read this the Oscars will have come and gone. What will people be talking about most? Likely who wore what, what after parties were the best, and possibly which speeches were home runs. Often within weeks we forget what movies walked away with awards, and more often than not forget what movies were even nominated!

What I didn’t forget however, was that I promised you my take on the movies nominated this year.  I’ve been on the road traveling now for a few weeks, so my posts have been minimal. But I said in my Screen Actor’s Guild Awards post (click here to read) that I would make a mention about the films up for contention this year. I am utterly blessed to still be a member of S.A.G and receive the films during the awards season. Especially nice since I no longer work in Hollywood.  I am not a professional film critic, but because I used to make my living as an actress, I do have an opinion, for what it is worth. Maybe a better title for this blog post is: “And the Academy Award Should Go to…” So here goes, in alphabetical order, the nominated films…

Bridge of Spies: Based on a true story, this intriguing thriller about a U.S. lawyer who takes on a case to represent an accused Russian Spy is well made, but long.  The high quality however is not surprising though because it was directed by Steven Spielberg and stars Tom Hanks. The A TEAM! I enjoyed learning about the historical aspects of that era because of the film, but didn’t experience any emotional pull into the characters at all.  Not my pick for BEST.

Brooklyn: I love Soirse Ronan in pretty much any film in which she stars. Her accent, her Irish beauty, and her amazing acting chops. And while this film might not have had enormous depth, she does make you FEEL her dilemma. The story of a young girl who moves to America to find a better life,  yet finds herself having her heart torn in two. As an emigrant myself, I know that it is exciting to go somewhere new, and simultaneously still long for home. However, going home has challenges too. Bottom line, nothing is perfect and I appreciate that she doesn’t overplay the emotion. I can highly recommend this film, not just because it is Irish (though that helps) but because it is well filmed, acted and nostalgic. You’ll get your money’s worth that is for sure. I am rooting for this film, even if it isn’t my pick for BEST, but would be happy if it won.

Mad Max: To be honest, I didn’t see this film. Because it wasn’t sent to me by the Screen Actor’s Guild Awards panel (it wasn’t nominated in a S.A.G. acting category), and I never got to the theaters to see it. So I can’t comment on this one, sorry guys!

Spotlight: While this film is of high quality with an amazing cast, it was very difficult to watch. I hated the subject matter, which was also based on a true story. The film focuses on the journalists that uncover the priests’ molestation case in the Boston Catholic Archdiocese. I did FEEL in this movie. But I felt gross and uncomfortable. There was no pathos or resolve. Yes at the end of the movie there is a scrolling list of all the churches in the world that have had priests do these disgusting things. But that just left me shaking my head. I wish there was a bit more on the victims. But it was maybe akin to “All the President’s Men” a film about the journalists who uncovered the Watergate scandal back in the 1070’s. But in my opinion, in this instance more sensitivity towards those harmed would have better served this film.  DEFO not my pick for BEST!

The Big Short: Before we watched this film, my Hubby read the description to me and I had the thought that it might be a good one to sleep through. I could just nestle into his arm and have a nice nap. But guess what? I didn’t! I loved the film. It is informative, I mean I had no idea the players and details behind the housing crash in the U.S. back in 2008. We had just moved to Dublin when it all happened (and I was thanking God I had already sold my house). The cast in this film is phenomenal. It is very talky and you have to keep up, but I think it should be a must watch for all college kids! We need to learn from our mistakes. And while some think financial mistakes aren’t that important, this one is eye opening. But it wasn’t a film that made my soul move to new places. It was only intellectual. And though I love my brain to be stimulated, my picks here are from an artistic soulful place. Hence it is not a pick for BEST.

The Martian:  I really loved this film about an astronaut that is accidentally left behind while the rest of the crew blasts off back to space to avoid a storm on Mars. Matt Damon was very engaging and you can’t help but root for him as he comes up with ways to survive there with what is left of their makeshift laboratory. He had me laughing and crying. And when I experience a roller coaster of emotion while watching a movie, that is a good sign. I love Ridley Scott as a director, and he does a great job here. But the ending of this film felt forced and strange. Not my pick for BEST but if it won I would be happy for them.

The Revenant: Probably one of the most gut wrenching films I have seen. It is the story of a man’s will to survive the many horrific incidents that occur to him while braving stark and freezing environmental conditions. I had to look away on many occasions while Hubby and I watched this film. But it has resonated with me still since watching it. It made me FEEL and took me on a roller coaster of emotions. There is very little dialogue and the acting is gritty and tough. Not a pretty puff piece for a handsome actor like Leonardo DiCaprio. But that is why I love this film. And the director, Alejandro G Inarittu, goes all out as it is cinematically phenomenal. Just prepare yourself for your soul to be stirred! My pick for one of the BEST.

Room: Who knew a movie that for the majority of the time is set in a small and cramped garden shed could occupy such a large space in my heart. But it absolutely stole my every fiber and I did FEEL from the opening scene until the last shot. And still think about this story every day. I love the cast (which is primarily only Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay who play mother and son) and really believed they were actual people, not actors playing a role. The writing and directing were superb. I mean, let’s give it up for some Irish talent here folks! Lenny Abrahamson is nominated in the best director category and writer Emma Donoghue is nominated for her script adaptation of her novel. I highly recommend you see this film. Though it is fictional, we have heard stories similar to this in the media. And myself a victim of abuses I can relate to someone being held captive and yet having the will to survive. This, not surprisingly is my pick for BEST! Not just this year, but one of my all time favorite films. Again, not easy to watch at times, but it is like real life, it can be brutal. But what sustains this woman and her son is simple. It is called LOVE!

So that is it for you…. I hope you enjoy the 2016 Oscar’s show. I’ll be sleeping haha as we are 8 hours ahead of West Coast time here in London. But I can say that I know how privileged I am to have attended the awards on two occasions. It is really a great buzz to walk the red carpet and be there in person to see the stars give their speeches.

I realize how much work goes into making a film. We may sit in a dark theater and watch the two hours and think, great, or so-so. But the men, women and children that have spent their days, weeks, months and sometimes years working on these precious pieces of moving picture art deserve respect. Even if I see a film I don’t personally connect with, I appreciate the time and effort that went into creating it. So well done to all the folks making cinema their calling, their life’s work, to bring the magic of movies to the world.

Best of luck and love to all!

YDP

 

 

Foodie Fieldtrip Friday: Feeling at Home at Trader Joe’s

sm_logo_5253

Though I have loved living abroad the past eight years, there are indeed some things I miss about the U.S. One of them is Trader Joe’s. It is a foodie’s dream and I just had to go on a fieldtrip there while I was visiting family (the number one thing I miss about living abroad). And I even brought my darling 5 year old granddaughter Harper along for the fun and snapchatted the whole way (username: blissbakery) though the story has since expired.

IMG_6272IMG_6274

Harper says her favorite thing about Trader Joe’s are the tasters! I can relate! When we went to Costco a few weeks back for Foodie Fieldtrip Friday we were in taster heaven. But the difference is that Trader Joe’s own employees work the tasting station and they often have some of their new products to sample. And then you gotta love a place that offers kids’ size shopping carts!

IMG_6299IMG_6289

So what is Trader Joe’s?  For those of you who don’t know and who didn’t see the snapchat tour I am delighted to share!  Technically it is a grocery story, but not just any old place to shop for your dinner. With over 450 locations in the 48 contiguous states, they pride themselves on being the leader in organic and fresh foods.  And 80% of the products on the shelves are their own brand.

IMG_6276IMG_6288

Trader Joe’s was started by Joe Coulombe back in the 60’s in Pasadena, California. Remember the song “Little Old Lady From Pasadena”? Well the song, written by Jan and Dean was made popular by the 60’s band The Beach Boys. They made wearing a Hawaiian shirt mainstream at the time. So, it’s understandable that the classic Hawaiian shirt became Trader Joe’s uniform from then on.

IMG_6293

Though Trader Joe’s is now owned by the German supermarket chain Aldi, they have retained their South Seas Beach-y motif. The casual atmosphere is even evident in some of their packaging and branding such as the whimsical tissue paper boxes. Yet their professionalism is prevalent  through and through from the management (on duty the day we went was the friendly Chris) to the shop floor staff to the cashiers. And to keep the lines of communication going they have the infamous brass bell (which is rung by hand when customers services is needed) and the informative newsletter.

IMG_6275IMG_6312

While I surely have my fav TJ’s products, I wanted to make sure I showed as much of the store as possible for the snapchat tour. It is pretty awesome to take in all the goodness available. From reasonably priced fresh flowers and produce, to ready made meals. A massive selection of frozen foods are a big draw, as are the incredible cheese and bakery selection. And my personal go to are the vitamins, healthy snacks and the wines. Yes the do have a decent cellar. And the most famous wine sold there is the “Two Buck Chuck” as it is called. I gave in to my curiosity as I had never tasted it before. Not bad, and actually better the day after it was opened.

imagesIMG_6330

There are many websites that tout they have the definitive list of most popular TJ’s products. I’ll let you follow this link here if you’d like. Or you can take my own word for it with this top 5 list below:

Wine- as I just mentioned. I usually go for an organic California red wine called Bonterra. In saying that, all of their wines are priced very reasonable and there is a great selection.

Nut Butters- We Americans love our peanut butter and TJ’s has everything from peanut, almond, cashew and yes cookie butter!

IMG_6306

Frozen foods- Pretty much all of the items are amazing, but I love the chicken pot stickers, frozen waffles, Churros and Mochi ice cream!

IMG_6300IMG_6301

IMG_6302IMG_6304IMG_6305

Vitamins- There is a great selection and all very affordable. Hubby and I usually stock up when we are in the U.S. Now if I can only remember to take them once I have them at home!

348s

Trail Mix- Hubby is a granola/protein bar person and could (and maybe did as a bachelor) live off them. But we both love the trail mixes. Any variety would suffice. But the particular tasty treat we love is the “Cashew, Almond and Dried Cranberry” Mix.

Unknown-2

This Foodie Fieldtrip Friday reminded me of why I love Trader Joe’s so much. Great food, great quality, great selection and all at a great price. That is part of their ethos, to provide fair pricing. They can offer food at a lower price than some of their competitors because they work directly with the supplier, no middle man.  But we end up benefitting from the lower price! All in all it was fun, informative and as you can see, a YUMMY Foodie Fieldtrip Friday too!

IMG_6311IMG_6314

TJ Love,

YDP

Recipe: Woman Crush Wednesday

491c58890d584e84_452862528.xxxlarge_2x

Though I am still away from home, I am enjoying every minute of the time with my girls (my daughter and two granddaughters).  It is like a total girl power party every night (no offense to my dear son in law).  And with Mother’s Day coming up on Sunday the 6th of March (only for my UK and Irish Peeps, as the American one isn’t until May) I thought why not celebrate this week’s Woman Crush Wednesday with a perfect ‘mother to be’ honoree? AND recreate her ultimate recipe for what could be a centerpiece dish for a Mother’s Day Brunch!  Bring on the gorgeous gourmet gal this week, the incredible Chrissy Teigen!

Chrissy-Teigen-Pregnant-InStyle-Australia-2016-Photoshoot03

The timing for Chrissy to be this week’s #WCW couldn’t be more perfect as this multi talented lady is about to give birth.  And I’m not just talking about her first baby with award winning musician husband John Legend. Yes Chrissy’s other impending birth is her new highly anticipated cookbook called Cravings. Though when you look at this stunning part Norwegian, part Thai model/chef/television host, you might not think that food is this woman’s passion. Wearing a swimsuit for the famous Sports Illustrated Magazine cover and eating decadent food don’t usually go hand in hand.  But with Chrissy it works!  She loves to cook and eat, and does it all with amazing charm, grace and yes even bravado!  Hence she is adored by her millions of social media fans on Instagram and Twitter.

IMG_6437

Chrissy’s blog called Delushious is a love letter to food! I happen to love how it is broken down into categories “What I Make, What I Eat and Stuff You Made!” as it is very user friendly and interactive. There are so many great pics and recipes you could get lost with stars in your eyes. Of course, with Chrissy’s stunning beauty as well, it is easy to see why. Yet what is fab about her is that she and her hubby are so in love and aren’t afraid to show it.  Not only inspiring to those who glimpse a pic of the two sharing some PDA, but also, Chrissy has been a muse for her hubby’s amazing songs!

images-1

Here is a recipe of Chrissy’s that will make all of us sing!

CEREAL & MILK FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE WITH SALTED FROSTED FLAKE TOPPING

FullSizeRender-22

Ingredients

1 tablespoon softened butter
1 pound (450 g) French loaf bread (cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes)
8 eggs
2 cups (475 ml) heavy cream (called Double Cream in Ireland and UK)
1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
1/2 cup (120 ml) spiced rum
1 cup (220 g) brown sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
CRUNCHY CEREAL TOPPING
3 cups (135 g) frosted corn flake cereal
3 tablespoons melted butter
1/4 cup “streaky” bacon, cooked and crumbled, which is about 3 slices
1/2 teaspoon salt

Preparation:

Butter a 9inch x 13inch casserole dish (or 12-inch high-sided oven-safe skillet) and arrange the cubed bread in the dish.
In a large bowl, add the eggs, heavy cream, milk, rum, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt, and mix until smooth. Pour the mixture over the bread, pressing on the bread to submerge it in the custard. Cover and refrigerate at least 6 hours and up to 12.
For the Crunchy Cereal Topping: preheat oven to 350°F.
In a large bowl, combine the cereal, butter, bacon and salt, and stir to combine. Spread the mixture evenly over the casserole.
Place in the oven to bake until the topping is golden and the bread cubes peeking out of the top are crusty and toasty, about 50-to 55 minutes.

IMG_6441

Okay, this casserole is so good, really now, you have to make it. It is not only easy to put together, but is also flexible, as you can make substitutions if need be.  I did.  My five year old granddaughter cannot have dairy, so I swapped out the cream, milk and butter with suitable alternatives.  Not a problem as it still tasted fantastic.  Also, if you don’t eat bacon then just leave it out.  I love that the final result is so crunchy and yet soft as well.  It has the perfect balance of sweet and salty.  It would be great to have on a buffet brunch table with a fruit salad on the side.  And the best thing is that it can be prepped in advance (up to 12 hours in fact) and then popped into the oven just an hour before you need to serve it. My kind of entertaining!

47300549.cached

Chrissy is such a fun loving person and I can imagine the get togethers at her and husband John’s home would be a blast.  One look at Spike TV’s hit show Lip Sync Battle which she co-hosts with LL Cool J and you get the gist that even work is fun!  The recent episode with Channing Tatum vs his wife Jenna Dewan was hilarious!  Personally I had a blast singing and dancing while doing the snapchat tutorial for this #WCW recipe.  If you want to try to catch it in the next 24 hours my username is:  blissbakery.

Congrats Chrissy on all the great things happening in your life. Thank you for being a wonderful inspiration for enjoying food and life in general. Looking forward to many more cooking adventures with you!

Mama Love,

YDP

Recipe: Woman Crush Wednesday

How fun is it to see that another Wednesday has rolled around, which means that another female chef is gonna be getting some love!  This week is a bit different as I am traveling today from L.A. back to my daughter and family in Washington State. Spending many hours on planes and layovers, unless I commandeer the snack cart on board, our cooking tutorial will have to wait a day.  But I can still shine a light on another gorgeous gourmet gal, and recreate her recipe for snapchat (username: blissbakery) tomorrow.

Unknown-2

Though today’s chef isn’t from Los Angeles, her recipe was inspired by a popular treat found here at many bakeries. The lovely English rose Olivia Wollenberg from Livia’s Kitchen is this week’s #womancrushwednesday and her sweet treats will knock your socks off!  But the good news is they won’t hurt you in the process because all of Livia’s recipes are wheat, dairy and refined sugar free. Her desserts are wholesome and delicious and I’ve been eager to share her with all of you.  Her first book, Livia’s Kitchen:  Naturally Sweet and Indulgent Treats,  is about to be released so I thought this would be the perfect time to introduce you. And when I read her intro to this recipe, the word “LA” jumped out at me.

“Blondies are a very American thing and something I have been wanting to recreate ever since I changed the way I ate. I was worried that I would never manage to make some as delicious as the ones I remembered from my time spent in LA but luckily, these are as good if not better! They are so moist and gooey but also crumbly and the chunks of raw chocolate make them the most dreamy things.”

IMG_6232

I suppose because I have been back here visiting for the past two weeks I’ve gone all “LA-LA Land!” Lots of blondes here, many are likely the bleached variety though!  But, not surprisingly, Los Angeles is a wonderful breeding ground for healthy foods, so all the stars were indeed aligned for these amazing Chocolate Chip Vanilla Blondies.

IMG_6229

Ingredients:-

250g ground almonds
2 teaspoons vanilla powder
50g buckwheat flour
100g cashew butter
50g coconut oil
45g coconut sugar
130ml maple syrup
200ml almond milk
100g raw chocolate (I used ombar but you could use your favourite brand, make your own or just add chopped nuts instead)
Method:-

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees celsius and line a brownie tin with greaseproof paper.
In a bowl, combine the flour, almonds, vanilla and raw chocolate and set aside.
Cream together the coconut oil and coconut sugar in a food processor.
Add the maple and cashew butter to the processor and blend again until it’s combined.
Add this wet mixture to the dry mixture and mix it really well.
Add in the milk and stir again until it’s all completely combined.
Pour into the lined tray and bake for 35 minutes until golden.
Leave to cool for 10 -15 minutes in the tray before slicing.

IMG_6239
The Blondies turned out amazing, so moist and flavorful! It is hard to believe something this decadent and delish is also so good for you!

Besides her cookbook, Livia hosts super popular “Cream Free Teas” a nice alternative to the proper British Teas that might not be suitable for people with daily intolerance.  Livia also teaches healthy baking classes and runs a business baking delicious treats.  Her sought after  crumbles are now running neck and neck with an exciting new product to her range, the awesome Raw Millionaire Bites.  These come in three flavors (chocolate orange, salted date caramel, and almond raisin) and are packaged in a cute little bucket.  This girl is not only a fab chef, she is also a beautiful business woman!  Yet she is totally humble and very accessible to her loyal social media followers.

images-8

She has nearly 75,000 followers on Instagram alone, and shares pictures of stunning food, pretty friends and even a glimpse in the kitchen with her “elves” (as she calls her helpers) happily baking away!  It is indeed a family affair as she works out of her parents’ kitchen and includes her mom and sister to lend a hand melting chocolate or sprinkling the oaty crumble on top of the fantastic fruit!  But what I love about her Instagram posts is that all of them are positive.  In the midst of a bad day, Livia reframes it as a challenge and provides so much inspiration and encouragement for those who look up to her.

images-10

It is really lovely to see someone so talented and so nice, doing so well. And feeling well!  It was because of a diagnosis of food intolerances back in 2014 that spurred Livia on to create treats that she could eat.  I think I met my sweet tooth match with her!  But these Blondies are beyond yummy and while you feel satisfied after eating them, you don’t feel guilty. The sky is the limit for her! She just so happens to be “besties” with another of our  #WCW recipients, Ella Woodward. And lo and behold, Livia is baking the cake for Ella’s upcoming wedding.  Very eager to see that!

Thanks Livia for being not only an awesome Woman Crush Wednesday and sharing your sweet treats with us, but also for being such a sweet person! You’re making the world a better place one bite at a time!

Millionaire Love!

YDP

Foodie Fieldtrip Friday: Moon Juice and Fun in the Sun

IMG_6050
So very grateful my Hubby flew in to L.A. from London to spend Valentine’s Day with me!!

It is wonderful and simultaneously strange to be in L.A. as a tourist. Having spent most of my life in California (though born in Chicago) growing up and then raising my own kids here, I thought I had a pretty good handle on the So Cal lifestyle.  But living abroad the past 8 years, I feel like I am now navigating it for the first time. So much has changed. Yes there is more traffic and smog, and indeed some of my fav places have gone out of business or moved.  But there are so many cool places that have opened since I left and I have been enjoying exploring them all.

IMG_6030

One of the aspects of Los Angeles I’ve always admired is that it is certainly on the cutting edge for the latest and greatest health fads.  Because of the hot and sunny weather nearly 365 days of the year, people dress accordingly. And when you are in shorts and tank tops, you do want to look your best. Since health comes from the inside out, Angelenos (as they are called) are always finding ways to nourish their human tank with clean eating, exercise and various stress busters. I mean, think Raw Food, Hot Yoga and deep tissue massage and that is the embodiment of many in “LA-LA Land”!

IMG_6020IMG_6033

So for this week’s Foodie Fieldtrip Friday, a nice visit to a trendy place called Moon Juice fit the bill perfectly!  I hadn’t heard of it before, but a lovely snapchat note from Melanie Morris peeked my interest and I decided it was a great one to check out along with a lil tour of Venice Beach (always a hoot with the various things going on down there). And of course, my snapchat buds came along for the tour (username: blissbakery).

IMG_6021IMG_6031

While I am quite familiar with juice bars, as Jamba Juice was a hit when I still lived here, Moon Juice is another whole ball of wax.  With two locations (their other store is in Silver Lake), they sell totally organic products. Their juices are also cold pressed.  However, according to the founder Amanda Chantal Bacon, Moon Juice is actually a lifestyle shift. A way to use food as a healing element. With beauty foods and high powered natural remedies, this isn’t your average stop for a quick O.J.! They even have glass vials of detoxifying minerals from the sea that you crack open and throw down like a shot of Tequila (only better for you, duh).

IMG_6026.

Yet one look at Amanda and her incredible glow and you feel like you want some of that in your life!  Gwenyth Paltrow and other celebs seem to as well!  But when I saw the price of one juice from the Rose Avenue flagship store I wondered, is this really the nectar of the gods or just hype? One sip and I was hooked. No joke, this was the most incredible green smoothie I have ever tasted!

IMG_6029IMG_6032

Though I love, love, loved my Greens Shake smoothie (with celery, kale, spinach, parsley, dandelion and a frozen banana), Hubby opted for a Vanilla, Fig and Almond smoothie.  And since I was doing some research I just had to help him with it!  It was like a dessert it was so good, but the description sounded like it was miracle worker:  Alkaline/Mineralized Oxygenated water, Turkish figs, unpasteurized activated California almonds, Lukuma, honey, vanilla bean, and pink salt. Each of our smoothies promised their own perfect prescription. In a nutshell, mine was meant to be an energy provider, joy promoter and a detoxifier. Hubby’s was an alkalizer and mineralizer. Both oozed “good for you” gorgeousness, but they weren’t easy on the pocketbook.  I’m talking $10 and $14 respectively!  Ouch!  But as the saying goes, “your health is your wealth” and better to spend your money on good, clean healthy food now then on doctors and meds down the road.

IMG_6035

The other thing on offer at Moon Juice is an array of little snacks. They even had a taster to help whet your appetite. And I love my tasters!  Remember on one of my other Foodie Fieldtrip Fridays I went to Costco and that place is taster heaven. But THESE tasters at Moon Juice are nearly medicinal because they are so healthy!  This one had “Activated Hazelnut, Mulberry and Cacao”.  They also have a wide range of dehydrated fruits and veg which make great lo-cal, high nutrient nibbles.  The menu is brilliant as it outlines which elements in each juice or snack are meant to help what areas of your well being.  I like to think rather than a menu, it is a map through a gourmet galaxy to Moon Juice Heaven!

IMG_6034IMG_6023IMG_6025

I left with a lil treat besides my smoothie, some chocolate candy!  Hey before you judge, remember this place is healthy!  Not only did they taste AMAZING, these chocolate treats are also good for you!  They are made with coconut oil and nut butter!  Like a healthy Reece’s Peanut Butter Cup!  Yummy!

IMG_6051IMG_6043IMG_6037

With so many things going on in L.A. over the President’s Day holiday weekend (Valentine’s Day, the L.A. Marathon, the Grammy Awards and a PGA golf tournament),  Venice Beach was buzzing!  Sure it is a tourist destination, but it is also favored by local basketball players (and was featured in the movie White Men Can’t Jump), surfers, artists and lately, LA headquarters of tech companies such as Google and Snapchat.  But it is probably best known as the birthplace of Muscle Beach which started the weightlifting and fitness craze in California in the mid 1930’s. Former California Governor and action film star Arnold Schwarzenegger used to work out here as well!  Besides the weightlifting area there is a stage and grandstand that serves as the body building competition arena. And some passers by like to have a pic there, but uh not me.  Nope, not on the workout train at the moment!  LOL! Just the foodie train!

IMG_6047IMG_6044IMG_6045

The crowds on the boardwalk (the ones not whizzing by on bikes or rollerblades) were treated to a fun music and dance show. And this one particular dancer not only busted a move, but was also a contortionist.  He twisted his body into all sorts of positions whilst keeping up the beat to a Michael Jackson song!  And of course besides all the tattoo and piercing shops scattered around, there is also a bit of shopping available, though nothing caught my fancy.

IMG_6040IMG_6042

After all the vitamins (the ones in the smoothie and the vitamin D from the sun) my Hubby decided a real decadent treat was in order!  But it was sweet because it was getting us in the mood for Valentine’s Day!  All in all, it was a wonderful day of exploring a new place, and reconnecting with a corner of our old home town.

IMG_6057

Love you to the moon and back,

YDP

 

Recipe: Woman Crush Wednesday

Unknown-3

It’s here! Yes today is Woman Crush Wednesday and it is coming to you from Los Angeles! It is not even the middle of February and while most places in the world are dealing with winter cold, it is 80 degrees and sunny here in L.A. And who is the epitome of L.A. sunshine and smiles? None other than Gaby Dalkin of What’s Gaby Cooking!

IMG_5883

When it is this hot, who feels like cooking? Yet, hello, we still need sustenance! Gaby is the perfect one to provide fab recipes that are light and healthy, full of flavor and super easy to make. So when I popped over to one of my oldest and dearest friends, we teamed up to make Gaby’s super delish Asian Chicken Slaw. My friend Traci is a vegetarian. So her husband and I had the slaw with the chicken. But it is simple enough to toss together and then add the chicken for the meat eaters!

IMG_5882
It is a little dark, but Traci’s dog Stella is doing an awesome photo bomb there below!

The great thing about this dish is that it holds well even for the next day. If you remember from my Salad Scentral Week, I am a salad nut. And yet most salads, once dressed, need to be eaten straight away. This salad is just as good the next day as the cabbage and peppers are hearty enough and hold up well.  Not to mention the dressing is to die for, literally! It is so moreish I could eat it on its own! Though Gaby doesn’t specify how to cook the chicken, I had an idea. Using skinless boneless chicken breast, we just put some freshly squeezed lemon juice and a generous splash of soy sauce and baked them in a 350f/180c oven for about 20 minutes. It kept the meat nice and moist. But leftover roasted chicken would be great too.

IMG_5874

INGREDIENTS

1/3 cup rice wine vinegar
3 tablespoon soy sauce
1 lime, juiced
1/2 cup peanut butter
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 head Napa cabbage, thinly sliced
1/2 head Red cabbage, thinly sliced
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 large carrot, shredded
6 green onions, thinly cut on the bias
1 avocado, thinly sliced
fresh basil, thinly sliced
fresh cilantro
1-2 cups shredded chicken breast (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS

Whisk together the rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, lime juice, peanut butter and garlic until smooth.
Combine the Napa cabbage, red cabbage, sliced bell peppers. carrot and green onion and toss together. Add in a handful of avocado, sliced basil and fresh cilantro along with the shredded chicken.
Pour the liquid mixture over the vegetables and chicken and toss to combine. Season with extra soy sauce if needed and serve immediately.

IMG_5902 2

This was the perfect dinner and really hit the spot. Totally guilt free! And considering I had picked up some Sprinkles Cupcakes for dessert, this meal was a balance of nice with the naughty. But just because this Asian Chicken Slaw is healthy doesn’t mean it lacks anything in the way of taste. It was really satisfying and we all had seconds!

Though I have never met Gaby, I feel like I have.  She was actually at my son and daughter in law’s wedding back in 2013.  She and my daughter in law Koko were working for the same person and became friends.  I remember seeing her from a distance at the wedding reception with her gorgeous smile and bright red lipstick. She was dancing with her husband and having a great time. So when deciding who to choose for this week’s edition of the popular #WCW I had to shine a well deserved spotlight on the effervescent Gaby.  She embodies love of food, clean eating, and yet enjoys her treats too.

Unknown-4

She is probably most known for her love affair with avocados.  So much so that she even wrote a cookbook about it. Originally from Arizona, she likely grew up eating Mexican food on a regular basis and perfected her guacamole game!  Today Gaby is one of the most well known food bloggers sought after by many culinary companies such as Williams-Sonoma to promote their products. She has partnered with another of our #womancrushwednesday’s the Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond, and has guest posted on her website as well.

Unknown-2

And Gaby is one of my fav snapchatters! That’s right, she is a Snap Sista! I look forward to her cooking tutorials each Friday (she calls them “Snapisodes”) as her natural easy going style is so refreshing.  She engages with her followers even asking them to help choose which dish they would like her to demonstrate!  She is very active on Instagram as well and shares selflies with loads of her famous and talented friends.  I just love her and if you aren’t already following her I really encourage you to do so.  She makes cooking seem effortless and is great at both savory and sweet recipes.   In fact, Koko was the one who told me about Gaby’s infamous “slutty brownies” which she would make for the staff at their job. It is a triple layer decadent treat that you too will want to make ASAP.

Thanks Gaby for being a gorgeous gourmet gal inspiring so many of us in the kitchen! Thanks for bringing sunshine into my life.   Not just when I’m here roasting in L.A. and making your refreshing salad.  But when I am back home across the pond in the rainy cold weather too. Because your recipes are a bright light like you!

Shining love,

YDP

ps. If you are interested, I have more of the Gaby lovefest on my snapchat story (username: blissbakery) as my friend and I recreated her colorful salad. But fair warning, though it is a great recipe, there is some bad singing by me on there!  LOL!