The great outdoors

If you are like me, you are sick of paying 30 dollars a month in gym fees. So here are some great ways for us Los Angeles Culturista's to work out without the costly gym fees:


A fabulous place to work out is Runyon canyon. The

distance is 3.5 miles round trip, the elevation- around 700 ft. The hike time is around 2 hours round trip and the difficulty is moderate. It's a great place to hike with a dog- you can even let them off the lease in certain areas. I also LOVE that there is free yoga every day at 10:30 am! Yoga is available at the entrance at Fuller just above Franklin, in Hollywood.


Franklin canyon is another great location in Los Angeles for a good hike. If you are coming from the valley you can park at the entrance at Mulholland and Coldwater, otherwise there is also an entrance up Beverly drive. There is a beautiful lake and lush greenery, not to mention wildlife all around the area. You will forget you are in Los Angeles.

Venice beach is a great place to people watch, no doubt, but it can also be a great place to work out! Venice beach is located between Washington blvd and Venice blvd at PCH. There are pathways to walk/run, bike or rollerblade. There are basketball courts, volleyball courts and even the ocean to swim in. Not to mention the famous, "Muscle beach" which is located right by the Santa monica pier. It's full of great gym equipment that can be used by the public. Famous former muscle beach go-ers were Arnold Schwartzenager and Dave Draper.


There is another great place in LA called the Santa Monica stairs. *Warning: they are not for the faint of heart.* Many an Angelino can be seen huffing and puffing on this intense set of staircases. It's located at 4th Street & Adelaide Drive.

Check out other ways Lady Lay listed to save money during this recession here.

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Misikko Hairstyling Tools

Fashionable Flat Irons and Hair Dryers

Have you ever seen a beautiful kitchen decorated with stainless steel, marble counter tops and wood cabinets, but defiled with second-hand, cheap appliances? What about a modern bathroom tainted with frayed towels and faded accessories that looked like they were bought at a garage sale? What were they thinking?! Well, you don't have to suffer the same embarrassment. Outfit your bathroom with the latest, most fashionable beauty appliances that will not only show you care about the way you look, but also the way your bathroom looks.

You've spent hours and spared no expense when it came to decorating your bathroom, so you should also find the most fashionable flat irons and hair dryers to fit the décor. Three of the best brands for functional, yet stylish, products are T3, Babyliss and CHI. All three of these makers offer hair dryers and flat irons that will blend in with your décor, no matter how traditional, modern or unique.

Some of the top choices for flat irons are the CHI flat iron, Babyliss flat iron, and T3 Tourmaline flat iron. CHI flat irons come in traditional colors like red, black, blue, and pink, as well as special designs to really show off your unique style. They have the Glacier Ice and Skull Mania flat irons, which come in either a black or white background. Babyliss flat irons are offered in black, light blue or a sharp metallic finish. The T3 Tourmaline flat irons come in white, black, brown, metallic, and a brushed bronze.

T3 Tourmaline, CHI and Babyliss all offer ultra-modern hair dryers as well. T3 Tourmaline features a hot pink hair dryer that comes in regular and travel size. The CHI brand of hair dryers has a number of different colors to choose from, including black, red, blue, pink and more. Babyliss has three sleek hair dryers in black, blue and red, each with a brushed metallic finish. No matter how you styled your bathroom, one of these hair dryers will fit in nicely on the counter.

Of course, all of these flat irons and hair dryers have a variety of great features which compliment their amazing style. The CHI flat iron, Babyliss flat iron, and T3 Tourmaline flat iron all come with a ceramic coating, which allows them to reach higher temperatures than traditional flat irons. The higher temperatures will straighten hair faster and not cause any burning, charring or other damage to your hair. Ceramic flat irons are the safest options for your hair. Some of these flat irons also have "wet to dry" features, which include a built-in guide to straighten your hair in just one step. The hair dryers also have advanced features, such as digital readouts, temperature controls and more. They are also lighter and more durable than old hair dryers. Best of all, they look great and will not be a source of embarrassment if you leave them on the bathroom counter.

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Eat A Sandwich

Even if you've been to all the deli's in Los Angeles, you have not had a French dip sandwich like this one. Johnnie's Pastrami, in the heart of Culver City, has been around since the 1950's. And it looks like it hasn't been changed much since--it still an authentic 50's diner (complete with Jukebox) and probably the same waitresses. For around 10 dollars you get a deliciously large French dip sandwich- either pastrami or corned beef (pictured below).

Don't forget to bring cash---they don't take credit cards.

Johnnie's Pastrami

4017 Sepulveda Blvd
Culver City, CA 90230
Phone: (310) 397-6654

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Two appliances that will save you time, money and blow your mind!

Like Lady Lay said (here) it is so easy to end up spending tons of money on coffee every month. And if you are like me, spend tons of money on San Pelegrino or other sparkling waters. Here are two fabulous appliances that with save you money, time and the gas it takes to get to the store.

Bialetti:

My favorite Bialetti is the Mukka Express. You can buy one right from their site for 89.00 or go into William Sonoma who now sells them as well (for about 99.95). This awesome Italian import takes about 5 minutes on your stove top and gives you two cups of either a delicious latte or cappuccino! Check out this area to watch a video on how the Bialetti works. For some reason they don't mention that if you do not push the button down you will end up with a latte (steamed milk instead of the frothed milk). I make lattes and add in the sugar free vanilla syrup, I bought from Starbucks, where the milk goes! A Skinny Vanilla Latte for a fraction of the price!


The Penguin:
I use this machine almost every day. "Soda Club" sells this awesome product (now sold by William Sonoma too). If you buy it from Soda Club they include 2 glass carafs, 2 60 liter carbonators, and a few flavors for you to try: its costs 199.00. From William Sonoma it also costs 199.99 with the carbonators sold separatly. You can watch a video on how it works from William Sonoma here. When you run out of carbonators someone from the Soda club with pick up the old ones and give you new ones for 25.00.

Also you use the water from your filter. This gives you a more refreshing and healthy glass of water than Pelegrino (which has added sodium).

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Tips from the NYC Recessionista!

In the past few months, many people have had to alter certain aspects of daily life due to the recession. As for the rest of us, we were poor to begin with so it did not make that huge of a difference! Here are some tips on ways to save a penny and still enjoy yourself while doing so.

1. Coffee
Gone are the days of getting a venti coffee every morning. Once I realized that i was spending at least $50 per month on coffee I decided it would be much more in my favor to buy a quart of milk and a can of Elite (instant Israeli coffee.) This option is much more affordable and even fun. Try teaming up with a co-worker for the coffee, its a nice way to start out the day!

2. Manicures
If you feel like you cannot live without getting your nails done, opt for a polish change instead of a full manicure. They are usually half the price and you still end up with some hot nails!

3. Lunch special
Eating out is something that is impossible to eliminate from your lifestyle in NYC. I have cut back a significant amount and cook more at home which I actually prefer. That way I also enjoy eating out more when I do. One great option is the lunch special. It is almost always under $10 and is usually served with a soup and salad. I usually end up with enough left overs for dinner as well.

4. Clothing Swap
Gchat your friends and share your reject clothes! One person's trash is another's treasure...

5. Netflix
With weather like this, no one wants to leave the house anyways. For $17 per month, you can have a variety of dvds for your at-home viewing pleasure. If you split it with your roomates it is even cheaper. This saves you the $12 you would spend at the movies, the freezing walk to the theater and gives you access to some amazing and obscure films.

Send me your ideas and I can add them to the next Recessionista post!

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Spring 09 Trends Part 2

Goddess: These drapey shapes look the best with gold jewelry and strappy sandals.



Fringe: The fringe dress looks great in beige, black and white! Pair them with sky high heels! Or pair a fringe skirt with a simple tank. Don't be afraid of a fringe purse, shoes or even necklace! Just don't wear them all at once. :)


Go back to check out: Part 1 of the Spring 2009 Trends.

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15 Movies you should see

Since this is the dead of Winter for most us (Unless you live in LA) you might be itching for a nice movie night indoors, where there is no frostbite warning. So here are a list of 15 great movies you should see if you haven't already!

Citizen Kane (1941) Directed and staring Orson Welles. The Number 1 on almost every greatest film list for a reason. Revolutionized the way films were made.

The Departed (2006) One of Martin Scorsese's best. You wont expect half the things that happen, which is very rare these days.

The Graduate (1967) Directed by Mike Nichols, starring Dustin Hoffman. The famous soundtrack by Simon and Garfunkel is still played today, including "Mrs. Robinson"

Pulp Fiction (1994) One of the most well known "Independent" films. Directed by Quentin Tarantino-- it is a must see!

Usual Suspects (1994) One of the best twisty thrillers of its time. With Stephen Baldwin, Gabriel Byrne, Benicio Del Toro and Kevin Spacey.

The Untouchables (1987) Directed by Brian De Palma, starring Kevin Costner, Robert Deniro (as Al Capone) and Sean Connery. It's a story of a federal agent attempts to bring down Al Capone. Learn some history and see a great movie.

Some Like it Hot (1959) Directed by Billy Wilder, this hysterical movie starts Jack Lemon, Marilyn Monroe and Tony Curtis.

Sabrina (1954) (1995) The original is also directed by Billy Wilder. Both versions are great. In one you get Audrey Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart and in the new one you get Julia Ormond and Harrison Ford. I recommend both!

Casablanca (1942) Classic love story with Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. Plus it's pretty entertaining to watch it knowing they shot the whole thing in Burbank.

Vertigo (1958) One of Hitchcock's greatest stories. Starring James Stuart and Kim Novack. A great twisty thriller!!

Momento (2000) Directed by Christopher Nolan. With Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss, and Joe Pantoliano. A very innovative mystery thriller that runs backwards.

Chinatown (1974) Directed by Roman Polanski and starring Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway. Another great thriller, done in the classic film noir genre. But it is not the traditional detective story that it seems.

North by Northwest (1959) Another Hitchcock thriller starring Cary Grant. Tons of memorable scenes--including the famous Mt Rushmore and Crop duster scenes.

The Godfather (1972) If you haven't seen this Francis Ford Coppola movie yet...I don't even know what to say. See number 2 while you're at it. One of the only sequels I've ever seen that is as good or even better than the first.

Midnight Cowboy (1969) A slightly controversial film (it was the first to be X rated) starring Dustin Hoffman, as the infamous Ratso Rizzo and Jon Voight (who you will barely recognize). It's is about a male prostitute and his sickly friend trying to make it in NYC.
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Might as well make some yummy drinks and snacks to go with your movie night! Here are some great ideas from the Food Network!

Here is a Mulled Wine recipe from Sandra Lee:
Ingredients

• 1 (750-ml) bottle of your favorite dry red wine
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons apple pie spice mix
• 1 (3-inch) piece orange peel
• 1 (1-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled
• 1/3 cup fresh raisins or dried currants
• 6 ounces vodka
• 8 ounces brandy or Madeira
• 1/2 cup blanched, whole or slivered almonds
• Long cinnamon sticks, for stirring

Directions

Over medium-low heat, pour entire bottle of red wine into a pot. Be sure not to raise the temperature too much, otherwise the alcohol will burn off and the sugars will scorch. Stir in the sugar and continue to stir until it has dissolved, about 1 minute. Add the vanilla, apple pie spice mix, orange peel, fresh ginger and raisins. Allow mixture to steep for 10 minutes.

Check by stirring once in a while. When the wine starts to move a b

it slower and becomes a little syrupy, pour in the vodka and brandy. Continue to steep for 5 to 7 minutes

Lay 3 to 4 almonds into the bottom of the serving glasses or mugs. If you are pouring the hot drink into glass, be sure to have a metal spoon resting inside the vessel. It will conduct the heat away from the glass so that won't crack. Using your ladle, pour the drink through the sieve (tea strainer) into the glasses. Garnish with a long cinnamon stick.

Here is a yummy non traditional popcorn recipe to snack on. Alton Brown calls them Slacker Jacks.

Ingredients

• 3 ounces popped popcorn, approximately 3 quarts
• 1 cup salted peanuts
• 4 ounces unsalted butter
• 16 ounces dark brown sugar, approximately 2 cups
• 1/4 cup dark corn syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.

Spray a sheet pan with nonstick spray and line with parchment paper. Spray the parchment paper with nonstick spray as well and set aside.

Combine the popcorn and peanuts in a large mixing bowl. Set aside until ready to use.

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the brown sugar, corn syrup and vanilla and stir until combined. Heat the mixture until it reaches 250 degrees F, approximately 10 minutes.

Pour the syrup over the popcorn and stir to combine. You will need to work quickly because the syrup hardens rapidly. Spread the mixture onto the prepared sheet pan and bake in the oven for 1 hour. Cool completely.

Break into pieces and serve immediately or store in an airtight container for 2 to 3 days.

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Party Time!

Throwing a Martin Luther King Jr. BBQ this weekend or an Inaugural bash of your own? Here are some recipe ideas.

I love love love the Food network. So of course I look to their website to get recipes I've watched the chefs make, or find new ones.

Most importantly you will need a cocktail for your guests to drink. Here is Emeril Lagasse's recipe for a Citrus Champagne Punch.

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup fresh lemon juice
• 2/3 cup superfine sugar
• 1 cup vodka
• 1/2 cup limoncello
• 2 teaspoons vermouth
• 1 (750 ml) bottle chilled dry Champagne or sparkling wine
• Ice
• Lemon twists, for garnish

Directions

Combine the lemon juice, sugar, vodka, Limoncello, and vermouth in a large nonreactive bowl and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, 1 to 2 hours. Add the Champagne and stir to combine.

Next up: 6 Layer Dip

Ingredients

• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1(15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  
• 2 cups lowfat shredded Cheddar
• 2 ripe avocados
• 1 jalapeno, stemmed, finely chopped, (with seeds for more heat)
• 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
• 1 1/2 cups nonfat yogurt, preferably Greek
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, leaves and some stems, roughly choppe d, plus more for garnish
• 3 ripe medium tomatoes, diced
• 5 scallions (white and green), thinly sliced
• Baked tortilla chips, for dipping

Directions

On a cutting board, smash the garlic cloves, sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of the salt, and, with the flat side of a large knife, mash and smear the mixture to a coarse paste. Put the garlic, beans, chili powder, water, and olive oil in the bowl of a food processor and blend until smooth. Spread in the bottom of a 2 quart casserole or gratin dish, or in individual sized dishes, as desired.

Scatter the cheese over the beans. Halve and seed the avocados,

then mash with the jalapeno and another teaspoon of salt in a small bowl. Spread a layer of the avocado over the cheese, and then scatter the lettuce on top.

Mix the yogurt with the cilantro and then spread over the lettuce. Add a layer of tomatoes and finally scatter the scallions on top. Chill until ready to serve. Garnish with a few cilantro sprigs and serve with baked chips.

Guy Fieri's Big Bud's Beer Can Chicken

This recipe is not exactly for the novice griller. But enjoy- and remember if you dont like the recipe exactly as it is- feel free to experiment. You can always get rid of the bacon if you want a healthier dish.

Ingredients

• 1 (2 to 3-pound) whole chicken
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon dried sage
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, smashed
• 1 (12-ounce) can beer
• 1/2 pound bacon

Directions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Wash chicken with cold water and pat dry with paper towels.

Mix dry ingredients in small bowl. Rub 1/2 of the ingredients on inside cavity of chicken. Gently peel skin away from chicken and rub mixture into meat of chicken. Open beer can pour out about 1/2 cup. Drop the garlic cloves into the beer can. Place

chicken, open end down, over the beer can to insert the beer into the cavity. Place chicken, standing up, in large saute pan. Place 1/3 of the bacon in the top cavity of the chicken and drape the remaining 2/3 of the bacon down the outside of the chicken. Pierce the bacon to the chicken with toothpicks.

Place chicken in the oven for 10 minutes and then lower t

emperature to 325 degrees F and cook for another 1 hour, or until the internal temperature in the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer.

Mmmm Dessert. Here is Paula Deen's Chocolate Chip Cookie S'mores

Ingredients

• Canola oil
  
• 3 bananas
• 10 store-bought chocolate chip cookies (the larger the better)
• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 1 cup small marshmallows
• 1 cup chocolate chips
  

Directions

Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Brush grill with canola oil.

Cut the bananas in half, lengthwise and grill, skin side down just until warm. Remove warmed banana from the skin and cut again in half.

For assembly:

On a piece of aluminum foil, place 1 cookie. Top evenly with banana slices, marshmallows, chocolate chips, graham cracker crumbs and top with another cookie. Wrap foil around the sandwich and place on the grill until warmed through and melted.

Here are some great tips from the Food Network if you plan to have a wine and cheese party!

*Images and recipes thanks to Foodnetwork.com*

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