Monday, Funday? (Belated)

Well, I am off to a not -so-good start, my second post for the Monday Funday column got postponed a day. My apologies friends, that's what happens when you have way to much fun for your own good over the weekend.

Never fear, it's here today!

And after all the FUN, we have a non-alcoholic drink on tap today. It's a little detox for your kidneys and liver, if you need it like i need it, heck even if you don't, it's delicious, so why wouldn't you?

Here's what you need for your detoxifying green smoothie:

1/2 cup frozen mangos

1/2 frozen banana

handful of fresh spinach

1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger

1/2 scoop whey protein powder

10-20 drops of liquid chlorophyll ( I use one from Whole Foods, similar to this)*

couple ice cubes

Just throw everything into your blender and whirl away. Pour into glass and enjoy the taste of detoxification!

And if you aren't sure about the liquid chlorophyll the smoothie is teh best way to try it, you won't even know it's in there. After three days of using it every day, you should see clearer skin! I know I did. Yeah, I'm kinda addicted. I love it so much I just add it to water once a day if I don't make this smoothie. I like the slight peppermint taste it adds to my water. Try it!

*Studies have shown that Chlorophyll increases our red blood cell count, helps fight infection, treat acne and improve the look of skin, and promote the health of our digestive track and immune system, among much more. You can read more here.

Thursday Thanks ::: 6 :::

This week has been one of those touch and go weeks. Just when I think I have had enough, something great happens, and it lifts me right back up.

I am thankful for:

• friends that love fitness, makes it easier (and more fun) to stay in shape for sure

• an understanding landlord

• music, especially NPR and KCRW, they get me through it all when I am home working alone

(Image: Getting ready to BBQ a chicken on Cinco de Mayo with my mom, always a fun time)

Monday. Funday?

Who like Mondays?

Anyone?

Didn't think so.

On that note, I have decided to dedicate Monday's posts to a new "Beverages" Column. Being that today is the inaguaral post, I made sure it was, yep you guessed it, an adult beverage! Cheers!

I dont know about you, but I love artichokes. You know that infamous question what would your last meal before you die be? Well, let's just say artichokes would be on mine. (oh, yea, and I almost got a tattoo of one as well, still might...?)

I digress, a friend of mine saw a bottle of liqueur with an artichoke on it and naturally thought of me.

Have you ever had a sip of Cynar? I hadn't. It's intense. I think it is an acquired taste straight, that's for sure. But that will not detour me!

Basically, Cynar is an italian bitter liqueur made of various herbs and plants, the main on being artichokes (don't worry it's tastes nothing like artichokes). And it's an aperitif, which to me means it's healthy and must be consumed regularly! (He, he!)

Since I didn't think I could do it straight, I was forced to come up with other ways to consume this amazing artichoke liqueur. There are many ways to do that, but this was my taste tasted favorite.

I call it the Cynar Sizzle, cause it's perfect for summer, light, refreshing and good for your healthy swimsuit-ready body!

Here's what you'll need:

2 oz. Cynar

3/4 oz.  St. Germain

3/4  oz. Fresh Lemon Juice

2 oz. Selzer

Kumquats, for garnish

1st: Combine Cynar, St. Germain and Lemon Juice into cocktail shaker with ice.

2nd: Shake it all around. Shake. Shake. Shake.

3rd: Stain into Cocktail glass with fresh ice.

4th: Add Selzer and Kumquat slices.

5th: (and most important) Cheers! It's Monday!

Mint Lemonade

It's been a bit cloudy out here on the westside of Los Angeles. So I am summoning the sun to come out with this Mint Lemonade I made. After I made it, the sun even came out for a whole hour! Here's to the sunshine, and if nothing else, yummy fresh and healthy lemonade.

Here's the how:

1/2 cup agave

1 1/2 cup water

1/4 cup fresh mint leaves

1 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (or 5-6 lemons)

No. 1 - make a simple syrup with the agave water and mint leaves. Simmer on low for 10 minutes. Then let cool and strain out mint leaves.

No. 2 - Juice your lemons.

And last, place lemon juice in pitcher with the simple syrup. Stir in extra mint leaves and refrigerate for at least one hour. Serve over ice.

Enjoy! Summer's almost here!

New Restaurant: Plan Check

A few weeks ago I went to check out the new restaurant on Sawtelle in West L.A. called Plan Check. It's a self-proclaimed small plates of "American Classics." Though, I have to say I found it very japanese influenced. It's has a very industrial architectural vibe to it.

Here's our order:

a. I started wtih the "Tropic Thunder" with jalapeño infused kanon vodka and mango. It's delicious, and not too spicy. I also heard the "Spagetti Western" is Ah-mazing.

b. Then we started with the "Baked Crab Dip" with dynamite sauce, masago, charred tomato, nori, toast (never enough toast) but this was my favorite so far, ha.

c. The "Grilled Rockfish" which is rock shrimp tempura, flaked wasabi, citron tartar sauce, grilled cucumber, bonito. Again, no complaints here, except that I had to share it ;) Also, we shared the "Fresh Cut Fries". Possibly some of the most perfect fries ever with homemade ketchup (the sauce was not my favorite, I have a problem with people making a staple sauce like that simply because you have preconceived notions of what it should taste like and I dont' think that's what you want. The sauce they made was great. But should not be called ketchup, but rather a roasted tomato sauce, or something else.)

d. Ginger beer and the rustic table-scape.

e. Donuts for dessert. Yes, I eat dessert at lunch, don't you? These donuts are made fresh to order, placed on top of a vanilla custard topped with fresh whipped cream. Ugh, hello heaven. Again, I have to share this?!?!

So, yes you should "Check" it out.

The First 'Bucha Batch

About a month ago I made my first purchase from Fab, and it just happened to be a Kombucha Starter kit. I have been wanting one for ever. And I counld't resist the discount and the packaging from Kombucha Brooklyn. Brilliant, I tell you. Brilliant. So when I arrived I ripped it open and started my first Batch 'O 'Bucha! I finally bottled it earlier in the week and am letting it do it's second fermentation thing, this is the part where you flavor it, if you'd like and let it gain some much loved carbonation.

A - The kit fresh outta the box.

B - The tea is brewed and the SCOBY (or mushroom as they like to call it sometimes) is in the jar. Now all I have to do is sit back and wait (only the hardest part).

C - 14 days later, the new baby SCOBY is formed on the top and it's ready to get bottled and flavored.

D - Ewwwww, taking the SCOBY out, you can even see the mother that was below it shrunken and in the jar.

E - And up close at the gross deliciousness, SCOBY baby (I hope that dark spot is okay, I was told it was normal, if I die you will know why, ha)

F - My flavorings, one will be ginger and mango (I ended up using the dried only and saved the fresh for smoothies), the other will be grapefruit.

G - My bottles all flavored, labeled and sealed. The one in te ball jar was extra that didn't fit in the growlers, so I let that be the "original" flavor.

H - My first glass of my very own Kombucha, original flavor and delicious!

This is so easy and a huge huge money savor is you buy Kombucha all the time and Whole Foods. What a treat! I think this is going to work nicely for my first Food Swap.