Try Hodad's For a Great Burger

A while back I wrote about my favorite burgers in the San Diego area. What about Hodad's, asked Cookie and Jeff? Well, I had never been to Hodad's, but now I have, and it is definitely in my top five. It was awesome.

First, it is located in Ocean Beach, on a funky little street called Newport Ave. The street has lots of bars, liquor stores, tatoo parlors, head shops, and second hand stores. There is street parking and a parking lot next door. Check it out online at http://www.hodadies.com/.

It's a small restaurant, with booths, counter seats, and big family style tables in the middle. The mix of old, young, black, white, rich and poor makes for great people watching. Everyone is so friendly, the waiter may even sit down and chat with you. Surfboards and old license plates cover the walls, and loud music (the only drawback for me) is nonstop.

Food is fantastic. I got a single burger, no cheese, no onion. It was big, a 1/3 pound burger, two patties, chopped lettuce, sliced tomatoes, pickles, mayo, catsup and mustard. It was messy and fun to eat and had great flavor. The fries are more like potato wedges, crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy inside. They also have fantastic malts and milkshakes that I did not eat but admired from afar. Dinner for two was $16 and worth every penny.

Several months ago I wrote that Hodad's was opening in Carlsbad Village, where Mr. Peabody's used to be. Scratch that. They had problems with the lease and had to cancel the whole project. There are opening in another San Diego location, and hope to open in the Carlsbad area when they obtain a good space. So for now, we in North County will have to make the drive to Ocean Beach to get our Hodad's fix.

Christmas in Coronado:The Island of Dreams and Magic

From great happy hour and dinner specials at the fine restaurants in Coronado, to merchants decked out for the holidays, Coronado is your destination for some pre Christmas fun. Friday, December 4 is the 34th annual Coronado holiday open house celebration. Here are some of the events that will be offered.

From 4-8pm you can visit snow mountain. Children frolic in Coronado's version of a snowy Christmas at the Coronado Ferry Landing.

At 4:20pm Santa Claus is coming to town. Santa rides the ferry across San Diego Bay to the Coronoado Ferry Landing pier.

From 5:30-9:00pm is the merchant open house. You can shop Coronado for unique gifts for everyone on your list.

From 6:00-7:00pm enjoy the Christmas parade. Bands, floats, kids of all ages, and again this year-festivve electric cars parade down Orange Avenue.

At 7:00pm watch the Christmas tree lighting ceremony and community concert.

Finally, from 7:30-9:00pm enjoy the concert at 9th and Orange. This is a great way to jump start your holiday spirit with live music.

A wonderful, free day in Coronado for you to enjoy. It sounds like fun to me, and Coronado all lit up for the holidays is a beautiful sight.

Holiday Spirit San Diego Style

There is so much going on in the San Diego area in the next month, it would take much too long to tell you about everything. So, since I'm trying to help you save money in these difficult times, I'll tell you about some of the free events you can attend in the next month, and a few that are very inexpensive. In any event, regardless of your religious affiliation, or lack thereof, December is a wonderful time to enjoy the lights, parades, wonderful food, and visits with friends and family. Here are a few ideas of things to do.

December 4-8 Annual Head to Toe Women's Expo. This is a one stop shop for women, featuring inspiring speakers, cooking demos, over 250 exhibits, free massages, health checks, and stages with the latest trends in hair and fashion. I went last year. I had a 15 minute mini facial, an osteoporosis bone scan, and cholesterol check, all for free. Tickets are $8 adult, $7 senior, but check the UT for discount coupons.

December 4-5 Balboa Park December Nights. San Diego's favorite kick-off to the holiday season takes place over two days. In the spirit of the holidays, participating museums open their doors free of charge from 5:00-9:00pm. Go to http://www.blogger.com/www.balboapark.org for more information.

December 5 Fallbrook Christmas Parade 5:00pm. Free. Located at Main Street in Fallbrook.
760-728-5845.

December 5. Christmas by Lamplight. With over 20 people in costume, Christmas by Lamplight is designed to take you back in time 100 years. $10 general admission. Contact http://www.blogger.com/www.escondidohistory.org for more information.

December 5. Encinitas Holiday Parade. Festivities will kick off with atree lighting ceremony at 5pm in the Lumberyard shopping center courtyard. The parade beginss at 5:30, heading south along Coast Highway 101. Contact wwwci.encinitas.ca.us for details.

December 6. Holiday wonderland is a festive community event that brings residents, visitors and kids of all ages together to celebrate the holiday season. 1-6pm along the main street of Del Mar, Camino Del Mar.

December 6. San Pasqual Battlefield Reenactment Day. The annual reenactment of the 1846 Battle of San Pasqual takes place at the San Pasqual Battlefield, adjacent to the San Diego Archaeological Center, 9am-3pm. For more information, contact http://www.sandiegoarchaeology.org/.

December 10 Blue Christmas Holiday Event. A special night of free entertainment throughout many fabulous Gaslamp locations with performances by blues, rock and Rand B musicians and much more. 8pm-midnight. For information, contact http://www.gaslamp.org/.

There's so much to do, so little time. I will have another blog early in December to tell you about the events taking place later in December. For now, this should keep you very busy.

Are We Creatures of Habit?

Absolutely!! Just look at yourself and you will quickly confirm that we are all creatures of habit. We take the same route to the grocery store, we sit in the same seat at the dinner table, we sleep on the same side of the bed, even if we're in a hotel, and we call our friends at the same time every day. There's nothing wrong with being a creature of habit, it's just boring, and it puts your brain on automatic pilot.



Recently I listened to an interview with a psychologist who was trying to change this. He felt that unbecomming a creature of habit would engage his brain differently, add excitement and spontaneity to his life, in short, mix it up a little. The more I thought about this, the more I decided it would be a great experiment and not make me so predictable. The researcher I listened to said his teenage kids thought he was crazy, but they actually enjoyed it as the experiment went on.



So what are some ways for us to become less predictable, less creatures of habit? The easiest and most obvious are to take a different route to the grocery store, sit in a different seat at the dinner table, sleep on the other side of the bed tonight. If you sleep alone, even your dog or cat will know that something is up. Other ways I've thought of to break lifelong habits are: if you go to church or temple, try a new church (same denomination) next week, get a different perspective. If you always call your kids on Sunday morning, try calling them on Thursday night. I guarantee they will comment on it or think something is wrong. Instead of eating dinner at your regular hour (yes, we're all creatures of habit on this one), eat an hour earlier or an hour later. If you never go out during the week, make plans to go out in the middle of the week, and if you always go out Saturday night, try staying home.



As a former teacher, I know that we all love routine. Kids do best in an environment where they are on a schedule. We all like to know what's coming next. This is just a little experiment that I'm going to try to take me out of my comfort zone, and to make my husband and others who spend a lot of time with me look at me as not so predictable. I think this is good for the brain, for your decisions are not on auto pilot. You need to think about which route you'll take to the store, which side of the bed you want to sleep on. So all you creatures of habit, try to change one of your habits. It may be as simple as having hot cereal for breakfast, instead the same old cold cereal you always have. I think your brain will enjoy it and your friends will find out that you're not always so predictable. With Thanksgiving just a few days off, how about changing the time of your traditional dinner or replacing that tired old green bean casserole with something completely new? Just a thought.

Historic South Park

I spent a good part of today in South Park, an historic neighborhood just east of downtown San Diego. Fran and I took a wanderers group there for a little bit of history, lunch and of course shopping. The group of 20 women enjoyed a beautiful fall day in an area most had never seen before.

Just east of downtown and bordering Balboa Park Golf Course, is the several blocks that make up South Park. The area was first developed just after the turn of the century. Most homes were built between 1908 and 1920. It's the most eclectic group of houses you can imagine. Craftsman, Victorian, California Bungalow, and just about anything else you can think of. Many of the original owners came from the midwest or east, and they built their homes in the style they were used to. Our guide was a longtime resident of the area and an expert in all things relating to her neighborhood. Today, many of the homes have been beautifully restored, some are listed as historical landmarks, but others are in real need of TLC.

It's an artsy community, with a pottery shop and classes in one store, and lots of local handmade jewelry and crafts in other shops. One shop of note is the The Grove. It's a bookstore/knittingshop/clothing store/ gift store. It really has appeal to everyone, and many in our group made purchases here.

Lunch was at Vagabond, a very eclectic restaurant. The owner has travelled around the world and chosen his favorite recipes from his travels to Asia, Europe and South America. I had the Asian appetizer platter, with Vietnamese rolls with a peanut dipping sauce, and spring rolls which are wrapped around lettuce, mint, and cilantro. Delicious. Others had the butternut squash, a favorite, and mixed green salad. Also on the menu was a Cuban pulled pork sandwich and fries, a caprese sandwich, mussels in wine sauce, chicken curry dish over rice, and several nice salads. Most entrees were between $8.50-$11. The service was good and very prompt. I would definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone in the area, or to anyone that wants a little out of the way adventure. Dinners are excellent and they also serve a brunch on Saturday and Sunday.

As if we hadn't eaten enough, right across the street is an ice cream strore selling fresh, handmade ice cream. It's called The Daily Scoop. It was delicious and very creamy. I had the cookies and cream, but they had almost as many flavors as 31 Flavors, and this was rich and creamy ice cream. Rebecca's Coffeehouse is on the other corner, and although I haven't eaten there, it is a wonderful, warm, coffee house, with couches and tables, arranged to make you feel like you're in someone's living room. It's the kind of place you could bring your laptop, and work for hours. Many people did.

So someday when you're in the mood for something just a little different, drive down to South Park. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Great Short Books

I'm an avid reader. I belong to two book clubs and read every day. I love all kinds of literature and I try to read a wide variety of genres. One thing I don't like is a long book. 500 pages is about my maximum. Recently one of our book clubs read The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, a very long book. I didn't think I'd finish it, but it was interesting enough and fast enough reading that I made it through and really enjoyed it.

Many of us like to read but don't have time for long books. We want something for a plane ride or trip that we can finish in two or three sittings. I have a list of some of my favorite short books, all of which I have read and most are quite current. A few are classics that I probably read years ago but still remember. Here they are, in no particular order.

1. Breakfast at Tiffany's Truman Capote. Read this years ago, Capote is one of my favorite writers.

2. The Stranger Albert Camus. First read this in French class in high school, but reread it years later since I wasn't very good at French.

3. Waiting for the Barbarians J.M. Coetzee. If you're like me, you won't be able to put this book down. It is powerful.

4. Disgrace J.M. Coetzee. I liked the first book I read by Coetzee so much that I read this one too. Equally powerful story about human behavior.

5. Night Elie Weisel. Weisel has written over 40 books, but this one about he and his father in the concentration camp, is unforgettable.

6. The Reluctant Fundamentalist Mohsin Hamid. Excellent contemporary book that will really make you think.

7. Fateless Imre Kertesz . This short book won the 2002 Nobel Prize for Literature. It's another concentration camp story told from a teenage boy's point of view.

8. Autobiography of a Face Lucy Grealy. This is a tragic story of Lucy Grealy and her dozens of facial surgeries to make her look "normal."

9. Tuesdays With Morrie Mitch Album. This was Mitch's first book, and my favorite, about his weekly visits with his college professor who was dying of ALS. Very moving.

Next time you're looking for a short book to read, try one from my list. I'm no book critic, but all of these powerful, emotional books. I hope you enjoy.

The Hideway Cafe: A Hidden Treasure

When we first started coming to Del Mar in the mid 1990's, we would come for 6-8 weeks during the summer, during racing season. Initially we stayed in the Torrey Pines area, usually at what is now the Hilton Torrey Pines. Breakfast was expensive at the hotel, so we were constantly looking for cheaper eats. One of our favorite finds was the Hideaway Cafe in Solana Beach. 150 Acacia Avenue 858 755 3388 (no web site). On a summer morning you could expect to wait for a table, as there are only three tables outside and about six tables inside. During racing season you might also see the likes of Bob Baffert, Darryl Vienna (trainers) or Corey Nakatani, Alex Solis or Jose Valdivia eating breakfast with one of the owners that they ride for. Yes, jockeys do eat, but not much. Everyone would be studying the racing form and discussing the races for that day. It was great fun, and on top of that you could get a fantastic breakfast.

Since those days 15 years ago, we have eaten there dozens of times. When we lived in Del Mar we would go often, especially in winter, when there were no lines. Today I get there less often, but only because it's a bit of a drive for me now.

The restaurant is aptly names, as it is hidden away on a tiny street behind Highway 101, and right near Fletcher Cove in Solana Beach. The sign is practically fully covered by ivy. If the weather is nice, sit outside. Inside is pretty crowded. The waitstaff is fantastic. If you're a regular, they will soon know your name what you want to eat. Most of the waitresses are family members and have been there for years.

The food is basic, but well prepared. Eggs and bacon or sausage with toast and hash browns is as good as you can get anywhere. I love their hash browns, they make them nice and crisp. Hawaiian french toast is another favorite. They use Hawaiian bread sliced thin, dipped in an orange batter, grilled, and topped with powdered sugar. No syrup necessary. Omelettes are delicious and come with any ingredients you want. Huevos rancheros are good for those in the mood for a Mexican breakfast. There are often breakfast specials, some of them you can't believe anyone could eat. One that I like but don't get anymore because it's so bad for me, is the Atomic Pile. Here is what it is: a large plate of hash browns +two eggs any style+several strips of bacon or sausage+covered with cheese+toast or pancakes. It's a heart attack in the making. My kids used to love it, and I would have to taste it.

Prices at the Hideaway Cafe are very reasonable. No fancy overhead keeps the prices down. Your overall experience will be one of great food at an affordable price, in a cozy, home like atmosphere. I hope you like it.

It's a Myth that you Can't Buy American

The other day I got an email from my friend Judy, and I am blogging today based on what I learned from her email. It was about how one person can make a difference. A physics teacher tells the story that if there were one grasshopper on the railroad tracks it would make no impact, but if there were a billion grasshoppers on the tracks think about what might happen.

In other words, if I do something it won't mean much, but if everyone who reads this also does the same thing, and they pass it on, and so forth and so on, it will make a big difference.

What am I talking about? I'm talking about buying American. How are we going to protect our manufacturing industries and jobs if we don't support American made products. I know that every time you go to Wal Mart or Target you see many products made in China or some other third world country. To me the idea of small children working to produce a product is abhorrent. I would rather pay a few pennies more and know that adults were producing the item. Here's some of what I found out after a bit of research.

A hose nozzle at Lowe's is made in Mexico. A hose nozzle at Ace Hardware is made in the U.S. Did you know that Hershey's candy is made in Mexico? I will buy a different brand from now on. My favorite Colgate toothpaste is made in Mexico, but Crest is made in the U.S. G.E. light bulbs are made in Mexico, the generic store brand is made in the U.S, and the G.E. bulbs are more expensive. Check out http://www.blogger.com/www.madeinusa.org or http://www.blogger.com/www.stillmadeinusa.com for more items you can buy that are made in the U.S.A.

My next stop was Trader Joe's, one of my favorite places to shop, but today was a disappointment. I was checking labels to see where their products originated. My favorite cold cereal, Barbara's is made in Canada. That's better than China because children didn't make it, but it's still not American. I may have to change brands.

Most products in Trader Joe's carry their own label, thus the country of origin is NOT listed. All they say is "distributed and sold exclusvely by Trader Joe's, Monrovia, California." This gives you no information as to it's origin. I know the FDA is looking into laws requiring country of origin to be included on the label, but that may be a long way off. Supermarkets are starting to label fruits and vegetables, and this is a great help. But so many things are made abroad, and we should at least be able to know where they come from if we want to.

So, here's what I'm doing and I hope you will try this to, and pass along the idea to others. That's the way things get done. Pick out five items that you buy regularly and see where they're from. If they're not from the U.S. try to find a similar item at a similar price that's made here. How else are we going to save jobs and show the big corporations that we don't want products made by little children? There is power in numbers, and we can make a difference. America still produces food, clothing, furniture, electronics and much more. Let's support these companies and keep Americans working.

Are Smoothies Really Good For You?

I love a good smoothie, but have always tried to stay away from the commercial blends, knowing that anything that tastes that good can't really be very good for you. I hate to say I'm right, but I am. Check out the nutritional content of some of your favorite blends at Jamba Juice for example. The acai supercharger (acai is good for you, right?) is 420 calories. That's pretty high for a snack. Aloha pineapple smoothie is 500 calories. The citrus squeeze, which is not really a smoothie, but just a blend of juices, is 300 calories. And a specialty smoothie is 634 calories. The good news is all of these are low in sodium. The bad news is they are loaded with sugar.

Here's a alternative. Making your own smoothies can be healthier and less than half the calories. I'll give you an idea for making your own from scratch, but the same thing can be done buying store bought non fat yogurt.

Try making homemade soy yogurt. It's delicious, cheap, and you'll never know it's soy. Buy basic non-sweetened soy milk. Pour in a glass jar and stir in 1Tablespoon basic plain yogurt. Screw the cap on the jar, and put in a large kettle of hot water, then cover the whole pot with a towel and let it sit for 5-6 hours. You should have delicious, thick, yogurt. Add stevia for a little sweetness, some of your favorite fruit (I like strawberries, fresh or frozen and 1/2 banana), and a little fruit juice. If you want to really keep the calories down add reduced fat cranberry juice and a few ice cubes. The whole thing will total about 150 calories, with no added sugar and absolutely delicious. This is great as a snack, or add flax seed and have it as a breakfast drink. Enjoy. If you can't eat or don't like soy, just use cow's milk yogurt, unsweetened. It's just as good, but the yogurt is fun to make.

Grain Fed vs. Grass Fed Beef....Pros and Cons

My friend Sandi contacted me this morning and asked me where she could buy grass fed beef in our area. Being the detective that I am, I quickly found her several markets and butcher shops selling grass fed beef. Then I decided to investigate the topic myself and to find out for myself why there is such a controversy over grass fed or grain fed beef. I did a bit of research, and here are my findings. Much of the information comes from John Robbins, who is an author and advocate of diet to help save your life and the world. His website is http://www.foodrevolution.org/ if you want to read more.

In the beginning, cows, sheep and other grazing animals ate grass exclusively. This is because they are endowed with the ability to convert grasses into food they can digest. They possess a rumen, a 45 gallon fermentation tank in which resident bacteria convert cellulose into protein and fats.

Traditionally, all beef was grass-fed beef, but in the United States, where most companies are only interested in the bottom line, most beef is feedlot beef. The reason? It's faster and so more profitable. Years ago, steers were four or five years old at slaughter. Today, they are 14 or 16 months. You can't take a beef calf from birth weight of 80 pounds to 1,200 pounds in a little more than a year on grass. It takes enormous quantities of corn, protein supplements, antibiotics and other drugs, including growth hormones.

Switching a cow from grass to grain is so disturbing to the animal's digestive system that it can kill the animal if not done gradually and if the animal is not continually fed antibiotics. The E. coli virus that was isolated in the 1980's is a result of grain fed cattle. The perfect conditions for microbes that can harm or kill us have been created.

Grass fed beef is actually healthier, lower in saturated fat, higher levels of omega 3 fatty acids, four times higher in Vitamin E than grain fed cattle.

As well as nutritional advantages, there are also decided environmental benefits to grass-fed beef. Grass fed beef consume less energy and it is far less polluting. With grass fed cattle, animal waste is returned to the earth to help fertilize the grass they eat rather than piling up in waste piles.

Finally, a happy steer is a healthy steer, and from a humanitarian perspective, grass fed animals are not forced to live in confinement. The animals are not forced to endure the miseries of factory farming.

The negative side of grass fed beef is of course, the cost. It is definitely more expensive, but for many of us interested in where our food comes from and how it is raised, the extra cost is worth it. There are several local markets that carry grass fed beef. Whole Foods and Henrys and HomeGrown Meat Market in La Jolla are just a few places where grass fed beef is available. There are also several farms in the area, including RC Livestock 760 723 9193 where you can buy the beef directly from the farm, but you must buy a half cow. Also, check out http://www.searocketbistro.com/. It is such an interesting website. It will show you where our local food comes from and how it gets here. I found it very informative.

So next time you go shopping, think about the beef you are buying. I'm all for saving money, but there are some times when you need to spend a little more to protect your health. This might be one of those times.

A Game Bridges Generations

In a few weeks the Grand Hyatt in San Diego will host the bridge nationals. This is the biggest event in bridge, and is held once a year. Lucky us, we can go to the nationals this year without incurring big travel expenses. As an avid bridge player I have been looking forward to this event for months, and it's finally here.

What's so great about bridge? Many who don't know the game may say it's just another card game. To quote Warren Buffet, who loves the game and plays regularly "making inferences and working well with a partner-are invaluable in broader life. I really do recommend it to people. " He once famously said that if he were playing bridge a naked woman could walk by and he wouldn't notice. Mr. Buffett will be at the nationals, as will Bill Gates, another lover of the game. Bridge has deception, it's got analysis, and you can play with your opponent's head a little bit. Many doctors recommend bridge to seniors to help keep their memory sharp. Remembering every card in every suit is no easy task. Some of the best players I know are well into their 80's.

Bridge developed out of the game of Whist, and by the 1920's was gaining in popularity. Lou Hoover loved the game, as did Samuel Goldwyn and Louis B. Mayer. It continued to gain in popularity into the 1960's, before being edged aside by TV and other distractions, but never again would it reach that fever pitch.

Enter the internet and online bridge. Bill Gates is part owner of Bridge Base Online, my choice for online bridge, and 100,000 others sign on to this site every day. It's a chance to play bridge, be social, and if you want, watch some of the great players. The site is FREE, and what could be better in this down economy? The game is definitely graying, as the average age of membership in the ACBL (bridge league) is now 69. However, things are changing, in fact many schools are now offering bridge as an activity. A nine year old just became the youngest life master ever. I'm still working on becoming one.

I'll be at the nationals at the end of the month, with the hope of becoming a life master myself. I also hope to get a chance to see some of the great players, and maybe even get a chance to play with Warren Buffett or Bill Gates. They'll both be there playing, and what a thrill it would be to play against one of them. The great thing about bridge is that every hand is different and there is always something new to learn. It's kind of like life. Ups and downs, highs and lows, but always, always interesting.

Fernando Botero: Larger Than Life

There are so many museums, galleries, and art exhibits in Southern California, you really have to pick and choose what you attend. One exhibit I did not want to miss was the Fernando Botero exhibit at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana. So I called a few friends, and we made a day of it, going up to view the exhibit, lunch (of course) at the museum restaurant, and then a little shopping at South Coast Plaza.

I first discovered Fernando Botero in the early 1990's. We were in Avignon at the Palace of the Popes, and they were having an exhibit of his sculpture. You can't miss his work. Everything is larger than life. As he describes it, he volumnizes his people. We saw bronze sculptures of men, women and horses that were absolutely enormous. You wonder how they were all transported there and at what cost. He has had more exhibits worldwide than any living artist.

The exhibit at the Bowers was mostly paintings, in fact it was a retrospective of his paintings. His early work, in the late 1950's shows his style developing and also the influence of the great masters that he studied in Madrid. He is Colombian by birth, came from a very small town, but his artistic ability was recognized early and he was sent to Spain to study the great masters. You can see the influence of Van Gogh, Goya, and early religious art in his paintings. We had a wonderful docent who gave us volumes of information on both the artist and work. We all just loved the exhibit.

Out of convenience we decided to eat at Tangata Restaurant, adjacent to the museum. The restaurant is managed by Joachim Splichal restaurant group. Joachim opened Patina Restaurant in Hollowood over 25 years ago, and has since built a restaurant empire. His most successful restaurants are his chain of bistros, called Pinot. Unfortunately I cannot recommend anything about Tangata. The food and service were both below par, although the restaurant itself is very attractive. It is rather pricey, and with that you get attitude. So, we had our $22 lunch and were on our way. One group of women went home after lunch, but me and Debbie went to South Coast Plaza to shop.

Now I'm not much of a shopper, but my friend Debbie is a shopper extraordinaire, and she had a few things she needed, so I tagged along. Yes, Debbie, you're a great shopper. Debbie needed three things, and found them all at good prices within an hour. She was like a woman on a mission. She knew just where to go and sometimes after a 30 second glance around the store she knew they didn't have what she needed, and it was off to the next store. I escaped South Coast Plaza without buying a thing. That is quite an accomplishment. All in all, the six of us had a great day, and we missed Regina, with her car stuck in her garage with no way out.

Things to Have in Your Home for Emergencies

Whether you live alone or have young kids running around the house, chances are at some point a mishap may occur. Be prepared. This list of items is free or cheap, and when there is an accident you'll be prepared. Just remember, if there's ever a question about the severity of your accident, call 911 immediately. Here's my list of things to help in case of emergency.

1. Elastic Bandages..Use these for wrapping sprained or strained joints,. Use the RICE method: rest the affected area immediately, ice the area to decrease swelling, compress with elastic bandage, elevate the sprained area. Seek medical attention if needed.
2. Bag of frozen peas...Acts as an ice pack, it is very malieable and can conform to any body part.
3. Neosporin. Use neosporin for cuts and scrapes. Wash any cuts with soap and water, then apply a thin layer of neosporin.
4. Tweezers...Use tweezers for removing stingers or ticks.
5. Credit card...Use the card for scraping off the stinger from a wasp or bee.
6. Aspirin...mixed with water, aspirin creates a paste. Apply this paste to insect bites to help relieve inflammation. If you think you're having a heart attack, call 911, then take an aspirin to prevent blood clotting.
7. Oral antihistamines...use for more serious allergic reactions such as food allergy, plant allergy or hives. Call 911 if you experience swelling in the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or if breathing is compromised in any way. I experienced this myself once when eating shrimp. Everything swelled and I couldn't breathe. Luckily I had liquid Benadryl on hand, which saved the day.
8. Candy. Use candy for hypoglycemia, which usually occurs in individuals with diabetes when there is too little glucose in the blood. A person may feel sweaty and clammy. Candy is a quick fix.
9. Rubbing alcohol...Apply rubbing alcohol to your ear to remove water that may have entered the ear during swimming or showering. By applying to a cotton ball, it will help to evaporate the water trapped inside the ear.

Stay safe so you don't need any of these, but if you do, they could be a lifesaver.

Queen of American Food Publications to Close

Certain events or songs or magazines bring back a flood of memories, at least for me. When I heard today that Gourmet Magazine, first published in 1940, was closing its operation, I remembered what this magazine has meant to me. I certainly understand their reasoning, as the other food magazine they own, Bon Apetit outsells them two to one. But Gourmet, my go to magazine for over 40 years on everything everything related to food and travel, how could they be going out of business?

When I left Los Angeles in 2003 I left behind a collection of over 500 Gourmet Magazines, dating back to 1968. I subscribed to it since I first married, and eagerly looked forward to its arrival every month. When the little card came telling me I only had two issues left, I would tell my kids and they would buy my subscription for me for the next birthday or Mother's Day.

You might wonder what I liked so much about this particular magazine, after all there are many magazines around with good recipes and menu ideas. Gourmet was special. Each month they would have a special feature, with a fabulous menu and great recipes. For example, around Labor Day, they might have a barbeque feature, with outdoor eating ideas you'd never thought of. And the food photography was spectacular. Everything they photographed was a work of art.

Each month they would also review restaurants from New York and California. Every other month they reviewed a restaurant from Los Angeles, and I always looked forward to this feature, and of course trying the restaurant in question. Editor in Chief Ruth Reichl was the food editor at the LA Times for many years, and I suspect she was personally involved in this particular feature.

Finally, the travel features that they presented each month were fantastic. I never planned a trip without first reviewing past Gourmet articles. They would give in great detail places to stay, restaurants to eat at, and cities and shops to visit. I remember planning one particular trip to Provence, a driving trip, where I followed their route exactly. The Gourmet article was about five years old, but the information was accurate, except for a slight increase in prices. I just loved this feature, and during the years when we couldn't travel much, I was an armchair traveller to some foreign city every time my new edition of Gourmet arrived.

So it is with great sadness that I say goodbye to Gourmet in its original form. Luckily, Gourmet's book publishing, television programming, and recipes on Epicurious.com will continue. And luckily their parent company, Conde Nast is a wonderful magazine for travel. There is so much competition today with the internet that there's just not enough advertising to keep them alive. I for one, will miss my monthly fix of restaurants, travel and great recipes.

My Favorite Getaway

About 15 years ago, before Oprah discovered it and made it famous, I discovered Miraval Resort (http://www.miravalresort.com/) in Tucson. I have been to many spas, but this is special in many ways. As the spa has become more famous, nothing has changed. Oprah brings a group there once a year, but attention to every guest, regardless of fame, is their trademark. They truly do make you feel special.

I first went there in the 1990's with my friend Elaine. I was an active travel agent at the time, and they offered us a special rate during the summer for a very reduced rate. I think we paid $200 per person, per night, which included one spa treatment everyday. What a deal. Prices have gone up. I have been there about five times over the past ten years, and each time it has been a little bit more expensive than the time before. Until now. Prices have dropped, and you can go to Miraval for about $350per night, including a spa treatment each day, plus the taxes. It comes to about $450 per night, down from a high of $600 a few years ago. So here's what you get for all that money.

A driver from the resort meets you at baggage claim upon arrival, and whisks you off in an air conditioned van to the hotel. After check in, you are escorted to your casita, and given a brief layout of the property along the way. The rooms themselves are spacious and functional, done in a Southwest style. Don't even think of tipping the driver or the person who takes you to your room. One of the best parts of Miraval is that there is NO TIPPING. You never have to think about when or what to tip. That's a stress reliever all by itself.

The food. I could go on and on about how delicious, abundant, healthy, and beautifully presented the food is, but I'll keep it short. Breakfast and lunch are buffet style, with bowls of berries, hot and cold cereal, toast, muffins, bacon, pancakes and juice served for breakfast. For lunch, there are a minimum of four different salads, cold cuts, chili, baked potatoes, sweet potatoes, salad bar, soup, fruit, breads, and sweets. Dinner is a gourmet sit down meal. Each day is a different theme, and if nothing appeals to you which is highly unlikely, they always have a beef filet and baked potato. Don't worry about men getting hungry at this resort. You can eat as much as you want, but the calories are listed on all food. Snacks are always available day or night, in the lobby or poolside. Smoothies, fresh fruit, fresh baked cookies, sandwiches. Whatever you want.

This is not a weight loss spa, although if you eat sensibly you can and will lose weight. This is a lifestyle resort. Their motto is "Life in balance" and that's exactly what they strive for.

Activities are up to the individual. Each day they have a sign up board for things like horseback riding, equine experiences that help you learn more about yourself, hikes, bike trips,and photography class. There are many individual challenges you can try, like rock climbing, out on a limb, desert tightrope, and a swing and a prayer.There are many exercise options. Morning walks, weight training in the gym, pool aerobics, yoga of all sorts, stretch, ball classes, step classes, everything.

The spa and its therapists are outstanding. Every treatment I've had has been excellent. I love the hot stone massage and the aqua zen treatment. The latter is one of the most relaxing hours I've ever spent in my adult life. I can't explain it...You have to try it if you go to a spa that offers it.

Evenings are low key. Sometimes they will have an astronomer from the University of Arizona there to teach you about the stars. Other times they will have an Indian drumming class. Frankly, you're so tired by nightfall all you want to do is eat and go to sleep.

Finally, there are NO cell phones allowed on the property. Of course you can use the phone in your room all you want, but you don't hear that constant ringing and people talking. It takes a little getting used to, but it really helps you relax. I remember when I came back from four days at Miraval (my first trip). I ran into someone who hadn't seen me in a few months and he wanted to know if I'd had a face lift! This is true!! Miraval is an experience that everyone should have once in their life. I feel lucky to have been there many times, and I hope to go again soon.

Thank you, Jan for the beautiful pictures of Miraval, taken on one of our three night getaways to this fantastic resort. You can check out more of Jan's photography at her web site: www.web.me.com/vwjohnson.

Women as Architects of Change

One of my favorite events of the year is the Women's Conference in Long Beach. It takes place every year in October, and is organized by the first lady of our state, Maria Shriver. I have Christa to thank for introducing me to this extraordinary event. For the past several years I have gone with her and a group of about 10 women, but this year we unfortunately we unable to secure tickets. In the past we would hire a limo, leave very early on the day of the conference, eat bagels and drink coffee on our way to Long Beach, then have a full day at the conference, then return by limo and drink wine and munch on wonderful appetizers all the way home.

I just read about the conference that took place last week in the L.A. Times, and I wanted to tell you a little about it. It's that good. My understanding is that the conference began in the days when Gray Davis was governor, and his wife was in charge of the conference. Since Arnold took over, Maria has made this her special project, and the results are amazing. This year they had over 80 dignitaries at the conference, some speaking to the entire group, some on panels in break out sessions. Maria has the star power to attract the best and brightest people from every industry, including politics, business, entertainment, medicine and journalism. The conference this year became a two day event for the first time. I was sorry to miss it, as it's an opportunity to hear some of the great leaders in business and industry, government and entertainment talk about women's role in the world and the great opportunities that are out there for us.

The list of speakers is like a who's who. Just a brief list of the 80 speakers will give you an idea of the depth and breath and quality of participants. Madeleine Albright, Katie Couric, Jane Goodall, Captain Sullenberger, Greg Moartenson Mehmet Oz, Arianna Huffington Arnold Schwartenegger, Elizabeth Edwards, David Gregory, Caroline Kennedy, Alicia Keys, Valerie Jarrett, Paula Deen, Linda Ellerbee. That's a pretty impressive list in itself, but that's just a small sampling of the many speakers.

You arrive there at 8:00am, and get seated in this huge convention center. They have about 18,000 people in attendance, most of them women. There are several excellent speakers in the morning, before a break out session of specific topics, from women's health, to starting your own business, to current event topics. In the past I heard Tom Brokow, Warren Buffett, Sandra Day O'Connor and Condolessa Rice speak, just to name a few. Then it's lunch, and a visit to the Village, where they have everything from free medical clinics to booths discussing women's topics, clothing to buy, mini massages, you name it, they have it. Then it's back to the conference for more speakers, another special topic break out session in the afternoon, and finally, the Minerva awards.

The Minerva awards is one of my favorite parts. Maria and her committee search California for ordinary women doing extraordinary things, and honor them. This was a very moving part of the day. Most of these women we just ordinary women who took up a cause and we really making a difference.

Did I tell you how great Maria Shriver is? She is the most wonderful hostess. She shares personal stories about her life with Arnold, the Repulican/Democratic thing they have going on, and how she handles it. You feel like she is your friend and she's talking directly to you. I was so impressed. She's also running all over the place like a chicken with her head cut off, introducing people and chatting with the audience. She wears sneakers with her beautiful outfit, but it doesn't matter. She's a hands on person, and you can see the love she has for what she does.

I hope to attend the conference again next year. It is well worth looking into. I guarantee it will be one of the most stimulating days you've had in a long time.

Grilled Vegetable Bruschetta

I told you about all the wonderful food I ate in Boulder when I went to visit our new grandchild. Well, the weather was beautiful when I was there in early September, and the nights we balmy, so we ate al fresco one evening. One of our courses was a grilled vegetable bruschetta, which I absolutely loved. This one was made with grilled zucchini, sweet Italian peppers and eggplant, but you could use other vegetables, like onions, mushrooms and tomatoes. If you're not outside grilling, you can grill them over a gas flame in the kitchen, or roast the vegetables.

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Grilled Vegetable Bruschetta

grilled eggplant

grilled zucchini and yellow squash

grilled italian sweet pepper

olive oil

garlic

herbs-parsley, basil, mint

grill vegetables until cooked and soft. Remove the seeds from the pepper. Chop all veggies and mix together. Add chopped herbs, olive oil and lemon juice and garlic. Take a nice loaf of Italian bread and slice. Grill on both sides. Put olive and garlic on bread, then cover with the vegetable mixture. Serve while warm. This is so delicious. We ate it as a side dish with simply grilled fish (halibut) and it was quite a meal. You can vary the vegetables depending on what's available, but I encourage you to use the Italian peppers, as they are sweet and add a wonderful flavor. Enjoy.

One of the Great Spectacles on Earth

The migration of the wildebeest in Kenya and Tanzania is one of the great spectacles on earth. Every year, the 1.8 million wildebeest plus 500,000 zebra, and over 100,000 plains game migrate to green pastures as the seasons change and the circle of life and death continues. Wildebeest are the only land animal to synchronize birthing to within a 2/3 week period, at a time and place when there is plenty of grass and water to drink. Predators follow the Wildebeest Migration closely, waiting for an opportunity to strike weak prey as they make their way into different territories.

The precise timing of the migration changes annually and it is a very unpredictable and spontaneous natural event. The calving season takes place in the Serengeti between January and mid March, before the wildebeest migrations begins heading toward the western Serengeti in June. There are over 400,000 calves born each year. Many are lost during the migration.

During the four months of trekking, these animals are in desperate need of water to drink and grass to graze. Many young calves die from exhaustion and thirst before they reach the Mara River. Those that do survive fac many more obstacles as they cross the river. Depending on rainfall they may face deep, fast moving water and steep banks. Hundreds of animals can die during the crossing, littering the banks of the river with corpses which are quickly taken care of by crocodiles, hyenas and lions.

I was lucky enough to see the migration one year, and it is a dramatic sight that I will always remember. as far as the eye can see, I saw wildebeest and zebra running along the Serengeti. I hope the picutres I have posted give you some idea of the enormity of this migraWildebeest are migratiory animals, they migrate in a circular direction, following water and fresh grass. Survival is difficult for this animal, as they are particularly smart, swift or strong. Their great numbers protect them, but hundreds of thousands die every year.

If you're planning a trip to East Africa, which you should if you haven't been, be sure to check on the the migration. There are several seasons to go, depending on the area, and definitely check with the tour operator. It's a trip you will remember forever, esopecially the image of the wildebeest migration.

Have You Ever Been To La Mesa?

I spent a wonderful day today in, of all places, El Cajon and La Mesa. Just about 35 minutes from Solana Beach are some interesting towns most of us have never seen. There were four of us who went to Cuyamaca College to vist their beautiful gardens. In particular, we focused on the water conservation garden, and we weren't disappointed. Not only do they have a beautiful garden, but they have many ideas for the home gardener, including information on how to compost, how to build a drip irrigation system, and what plants to plant if you live in a fire area. This is a free activity, and on the weekends they often have guest speakers and plant sales.

After two hours of walking the gardens, we were ready for lunch. We're always up for an adventure, so rather than try some chain restaurant nearby, we decided to drive to La Mesa, just a few miles away. Thank you GPS for getting us there without one wrong turn.

What did we find when we got there? We found the old historic area of La Mesa, just a few blocks long, but a treasure trove of antique and collectible shops and some old restaurants mixed with some new trendy restaurants. Yes, trendy restaurants in La Mesa! We opted for Gio, recommended by one of the shop owners on the main street, and were delighted. Its a winebar/restaurant, with lots of outdoor seating on their heated patio. The decor is great. Red, black and white, beautiful plush booths inside, tables made from old barrels in the bar, and comfortable seating outside.

Our waitperson was Brooke, who gave us great service and good suggestions for other places to visit in the area. The food was fresh, abundant, and well presented. I had the Asian chicken salad with a delicious plum-ginger dressing, mandarin oranges, and crispy noodles. Jan had the fish and chips, perfectly fried, with cole slaw and great french fries. Christie had a tuna melt with fries. It was the biggest sandwich I have ever seen. Jean had a salad with shrimp and avocado in a mildly spicy dressing. Most entrees were from $10-$14 and well worth it.

Gio is owned by a local Italian family, who were there for lunch, and they make every effort to make their guests feel at home. On the weekends they have music at night. Check their website at http://www.blogger.com/www.giorestaurant.net for details. I highly recommend this restaurant, and this little town for a real change of pace. We were home before 3pm and we'd had a great little adventure, just 30 miles from home.

The Fashion Industry is Going Green

One of my new favorite websites is http://www.ecorazzi.com/. This is People Magazine gone green. It has stories about film stars, fashion designers and models, singers, etc. All the stories and people they write about are somehow involved in green projects. They write about Ed Begley and his lastest green additions to his home.

Recently I looked at their fashion section, and found that the fashion industry is indeed going green.Project Green Search is a modeling comeptition for those who have strong beliefs that they don't want to wear leather or fur, or in some cases, fabrics that are not eco friendly. The finalists compete in Portland, Oregon for a modeling contract. Great idea.

One of the hottest names in the fashion world is Stella McCartney. Her entire line of clothing is cruelty free. She uses no leather or fur in any of her designs.

Heather Mills is new to the fashion industry, but has been an ativist and an advocate for a greener planet for years. She is in the process of opening a vegan cafe. Also, she has a new eco-culture enterprise called Be@1. Her concept is to restyle and rcycle charity shop clothing and resell it. The outcome is that this will reduce old clothing that is dumped in landfills.

Pamela Anderson is also getting into the act. Her company is called Muse, ready to launch in the fall in New York. Her line of eco friendly casual clothes, swimwear and shoes will be made without any animal products.

Alanis Morisett and Woddy Harrelson have launched a new line of blue jeans, or should I say green jeans, called Reco Jeans. Their jeans are made from 50%recycled denim.

Soleil Moon Frye (Punky Brewster from the 80's sitcom AND former third grade student of mine) has just produced a line of eco clothing for tots. She got involved in the project because her children had allergies to many of the traditional clothes. Her line is called The Little Seed, and she had the likes of Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore at her opening.

So awareness and respect for the planet is no longer something out there on the fringe. It's as mainstream as it gets, and everyone is getting into the act. We now have choices when we purchase clothes and shoes. We have a choice of where it's made and by whom, and how it will affect the planet. Choice is a good thing.