Primal-ish Vacation in L.A.

My hubby and I just got back from a vacation to Los Angeles.   We had a wonderful time.  I think we may actually move there in the not too distant future.  I would love to be closer to my parents and family (San Diego area).  I'd love to have hubby closer to the entertainment industry (that's his thing) and I'd love to be out of this terrible Chicago weather.  Sure, it's summer time and I can't really complain about it at the current moment, but here's the thing: When it's winter it is dreadful and all you can think about; when it's summer, the thought that winter is coming is dreadful and all you can think about.  At least that's the way it is for me.  It's sort of like looming darkness at the horizon.  But the very best, most wonderful part of possibly living in So. Cal. is the availability of fresh "beyond organic" veggies, grass fed/free range beef, poultry, eggs, and fresh seafood!  I mean, really... they even have "fast food" that is organic (I LOVE TenderGreens - more about that later).  So anyway, I'd like to move out there sooner than later.

While on our trip, we (did i tell you hubby is doing this too??!) were able to keep pretty darn close to our paleo/primal food preference during our trip.  Sure, it's probably because we were in one of the most image-conscious cities in the U.S., but still.  We found a great place for breakfast called Square One Dining.  We actually ended up going there for breakfast twice.  I got the skirt steak (grass fed?) and eggs (farm fresh), with organic mixed green salad with a balsamic vinaigrette and split an organic fruit bowl with the hubby.  We came back the next day for an exact repeat performance.  Now, this wasn't cheap (although looking back, we both agreed we could have totally skipped the $7.50 fruit bowl), but it was delicious.  Total yum-athon.

On my second day, we actually decided to drive down to Encinitas to visit some friends and visit with my parents.  For lunch with my parents, we went to King's Fish House.  I had the grilled Atlantic Sea Scallops and veggies and a side salad.  Not too bad at all!  The veggies in the meal were not organic, but I prefer not to be too overly picky about my veggies.  Quite delish, actually.

For dinner that night, our friends took us to an AMAZING Peruvian place called El Q'ero Restaurant.  OH MY GOSH!!!!  The food was so yum.  We all split an appetizer of quinoa breaded scallops.  (Perhaps I have an addiction to scallops?  Knowing is half the battle.  I think I get it from my mom.)  For my entree, I had the "appetizer special" of diced Ahi Tuna and Watermelon ceviche in a soy vinaigrette topped with tiny bits of basil and served over a piece of boston lettuce.  Now for all of you who are not into raw fish: I AM WITH YOU!  Seriously, not really a fan.  Kinda grosses me out.  But I decided to try this and it was ABSOLUTELY THE BEST THING I HAVE HAD IN A LONG TIME (and I eat at some amazing restaurants).  So yeah.  I wish I could have it again, but alas, I do not live in San Diego or even California: YET.

Then there is my all time favorite "fast food" organic, local restaurant: Tender Greens.  If you live in L.A. or San Diego and you HAVEN'T been there... turn of your computer and GO RIGHT NOW.  Totally delicious.  Did I mention I had them cater my wedding in San Diego (and everyone was amazed at how great the food was?!)?  Ok, so the meat is all local as are the organic veggies.  Everything is tasty and fresh.  We ate at the one in Downtown Hollywood 2 times on our trip (only 4 days).  It really is that good.  Go there, and let me know what you think.  I love their "Backyard Steak" salad with red and golden beets, butter lettuce and radishes, and their home brewed iced tea (is it passion fruit maybe? -- not sweetened, but so good).  Also, check out their "side" of roasted veggies!

Tender Greens: Backyard Steak Salad and a half side of roasted veggies

Last but not least, if you have ever had the issue of lettuce going bad in your veggie drawer at home, try prepping your lettuce and sealing it into mason jars for easy travel and it'll stay fresh longer (they say up to 9 days!).  Check it out on lifehacker here.

Um, also, P.S. I actually LOST weight on my vacation.  It doesn't get much better than that!

Paleo Update: My Quest for a nutritious, delicious, easy breakfast before work

UPDATE 8/19:  so I've been thinking about this for a week or so, and here's my conundrum... I now follow a paleo/primal lifestyle and I am very tempted to pull this post off of my site, as I no longer agree that Oatmeal is exactly as nutritious as conventional wisdom tells us.  But alas, I will NOT pull this off the site, because for people who are trying to focus first and foremost on pulling processed foods and transfats and sugars (the first step on the paleo path) out of their diet, this, in my opinion, is at least a first step on a winding path, but, I hope, will lead them eventually in the right direction.  For more info on why oats aren't so great for you, check out this link on Mark's Daily Apple. 


I'm totally a breakfast person.  I wake up early and rush to get ready for work and then I try to throw my lunch together and then I rush out the door and then I realize... crap, I forgot to eat breakfast.  I hate it.  It throws off my whole day.  I'm pining for snacks.  I scour the office for free donuts or try in a futile attempt to find a minimally-processed snack in the vending machines (fyi, the best option is usually salted nuts or trail mix).   With my mind completely focused on counting down the minutes until I can devour my lunch, it becomes quite difficult to concentrate.

Solution:  Oatmeal

I know what you're thinking -- Oatmeal?!  Everyone knows all you have to do is open up one of those little brown individually packaged oatmeal envelopes and pour it into a bowl and add hot water.  Old Hat, right?  Yeah, but once you start eating your reconstituted breakfast you decide that perhaps the maple flavor and brown sugar sweetness they added was actually to cover up the bland, pasty gruel they have tried to pass off as a healthy breakfast.   I mean, sure, it isn't the worst thing you could have for breakfast, but does it really make you feel like you're enjoying eating something that is good for you?

So here's what I do:  Steel-Cut Oatmeal.  The rumor is that steel-cut oatmeal takes too long to prepare.  Yes, but it tastes amazing.  If you've never had it before and you're a fan of oatmeal, you will LOVE it.  It has a really nice bite to it.  Instead of being a mushy bowl of slop from the afore mentioned instant packet, you can actually, sort of, CHEW your oatmeal.  You can even add your own toppings and mix and match your flavors.  I've done peanut butter, dried cranberries, raisins, fresh fruit cut up, jam/jelly, honey, cinnamon, almonds, sliced banana, pumpkin pie filling, or even just some butter.  It is completely customizable.

Also, totally cheap!  You can find it at most grocery stores near the other oatmeals, but for an even better deal, look in the bulk section (I know whole foods sells it in bulk).

Now, about the preparation.  DO IT AHEAD OF TIME.  Every other weekend, I make oatmeal.  For every cup of steel-cut oats you need 3 cups of water.  I like to do a 1.5x batch.

1.5 c. Steel Cut Oats
4.5 c. Water
Pinch of Kosher Salt

Throw it in a big pot on medium-high heat and wait for the boil.  Once it starts boiling bring it down to a simmer and set the timer for 30 minutes.  (I've also heard you can cut the cooking time down to only 10 minutes if you combine the ingredients the night before and let them soak.)  Stir occasionally, and when the timer goes off, turn off the heat.  Eat up!

Now, If you cook it ahead of time, here's the secret: freeze it for easy reheating.  Let it cool a little bit with the lid on.  Once it's not too hot to touch the pot, take out your silicone muffin pan and make some room in your freezer.  Ladle the delicious oatmeal into each little cup of your muffin pan, then throw it in the freezer.  In a few hours you can come back, pop out your frozen oatmeal cups and toss them into a freezer bag.

Then when you're ready to run out the door for work, grab 2 out of the freezer and throw 'em in a baggy to bring with you to work.  At work you can heat these up in the microwave: toss them in a bowl, microwave on high for 2 minutes, stir, 1 more minute, stir in your topping, and eat up.  Now that is a morning meal that will keep you focused and you won't be hungry again until lunch time roles around!