I always enjoy my trips to California. This time I brought my camera and had some fun with it. My awesome hosts (Evis and Jeff) from AWESOMETOWN took such great care of me. We did all kinds of fun stuff… here’s a peek into my lovely week in California. My favorite memories from the trip:

• Lunch at Lucques in Melrose Place
• Best iced mocha ever – at Intelligentsia
• Awesome finds at hipster shops on Abbot Kinney
• Taking random photos with Evis all over LA, inside shops, on the pier, on the beach….
• Getting sand between my toes at Santa Monica and walking on the pier
• Lovely 4th of July celebration with good friends
• Photo session in Filmore, then Santa Paula
• Overdosing on In-N-Out and Yum Yum donuts
• Seeing ol’ friends
• Smelling the air in Newhall. Yes – there is a distinctness to it and i’ve missed it.

Thank you everyone who came out and spent time with me. You know who you are.

Here’s a yummy recipe i concocted last night. It was so yummy I thought i’d share.

Salad dressing:

EVOO
roasted garlic hummus
lemon juice
sea salt
ground pepper

Veggies and protein:

Broiled/grilled:

broiled/grilled large shrimp or chicken (seasoned with what u like)
eggplant (sliced into thin wedges)
asparagus (cut to 1.5 inches)
zucchini and squash (cut into strips)
haloumi cheese (2 thin slices)
raw:
cucumber (sliced into thin slices)
avocado (cubed)
iceberg lettuce (cut into squares)
grape tomatoes

Method:

• Broil all the ingredients then set aside.
• Mix all the raw veggies with dressing
• When everything is mixed, spoon grilled veggies, cheese and shrimp/chicken on top of raw veggies.

Enjoy!

One of my dearest friends Janelle had her housewarming party a couple of weeks ago.  I promised to take some photos. Her home was filled with great friends and family, delicious foods and lots of laughter.

Her new condo, a chic little place near the Waterfront in Washington DC. inside, it’s painted and decorated as colorful and beautiful as its owner. Here are some photos from that day.

If you’ve been following my blog you would know i’ve been on the South Beach diet.
I got really tired of the crustless quiches for breakfast so i decided to try something different.

I know i love egg salad so i put this together, it turned out really delicious.

Curried Egg Salad and Baby Arugula Leaves

Ingredients:

• a few dashes of curry powder
• 4 eggs (1 yolk and 4 whites for lower cholesterol option)
• handful of baby arugula leaves
• 1/2 TB honey djion mustard
• 1 TB vegenaise
• white pepper

Method:

• boil eggs, when cooked, shell the eggs and remove yolks from 3 of the eggs
• mesh eggs with all ingredients except arugula leaves while egg is still warm
• mix everything with the leaves and you’re done.

I’m such a snacker. Since i’ve been on this diet I’ve had to eat more in between meal snacks. I wanted to share with you three of my favorites that i actually keep around me at home and at work.
I am blessed to work next to Whole Foods which helps but you should be able to get these or a similar product at any grocery store.

L-R:
Extreme dark chocolate. It isn’t sugar free but it has very low sugar and carb content. It comes in small pieces individually wrapped so i get to treat myself to one a day if i have a sweet craving.

Dry roasted cashews. Ah…those are life savers..they are naturally a bit sweet and you’re allowed 14 pieces a day for Phase one. To extend the amount of time i can enjoy them I actually split them in half then just nibble on them as i work.

Oikos greek (plain) yogurt. Thanks to bro for recommending this. An absolute must for me now when i’m extra hungry. I think Phase one doesn’t allow for yogurt but i’ve been eating these since day one of the diet and it hasn’t caused any problems. This is a great snack and gets me full so i dont feel like i need more food.

Enjoy!