A great morning pick-me-up if you’re feeling under the weather or sluggish. Apple Cider Vinegar lowers cholesterol, clears sinuses, fights bacteria, aids in digestion, and provides extra energy. Lemon removes toxins and provides vitamin C. Honey boosts your metabolism.
Squeeze the lemon into the water then add the apple cider vinegar and honey.
Ingredients:
1/2 frozen banana
1 Peach
3-4 ice cubes
1/2 cup Almond milk
1 frozen banana
3 dates
1 teaspoon maple syrup
1 tablespoon peanut butter
1/4th cup coconut cream (from can)
Splash of coconut milk
1 frozen banana
1/4th cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)
1/4th avocado
1/4th cup frozen mango
1/2 cup almond milk
Ingredients:
1 Broccoli (including stems)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon almond meal
2 tablespoon shaved almonds
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
Salt and pepper to taste
Sprinkle ingredients over broccoli. Roast at 380º for 20-25 minutes.
A few of my favorite healthy/organic/farm-to-table restaurants.
Au Lac (Fountain Valley and Downtown LA)
“Cream cheese” and flaxseed crackers with dehydrated onions
Steamed jicama rolls with peanut sauce
Curried rice
The tiRAWmisu
They specialize in Vietnamese/Chinese raw food but also have vegan and vegetarian options. The atmosphere does not match the price of the food; however, the eloquently prepared raw entrées belie the cheesy Chinese décor. The servers are very attentive. Our waitress gave us extra peanut sauce for our leftovers. They serve free filtered alkaline water (at Pressed Juicery it’s $2.50 a bottle). I recommend the steamed jicama rolls with peanut sauce, “cream cheese” and flaxseed crackers, curried rice, kelp noodles chow mein, and the tiRAWmisu. (5 taste, 4 atmosphere, 5 service)
Café Gratitude (Larchmont, Downtown, and Venice) 100% organic plant-based cuisine. Sister restaurant to Gracias Madre. The dishes range from Indian curry to pesto kelp noodles. I ordered the “Fabulous,” raw lasagna with squash blossoms and Brazil nut Parmesan. The vibrant colors in the dishes make them look more like art than food. They offer everything a vegan could wish for—cashew nacho cheese, pumpkin seed pesto, and tiramisu with coconut cashew cream. It is a vegan/vegetarians dream come true but carnivores will love this restaurant too. The freshness and creativity of the food make up for the lack of meat. (5 taste, 5 atmosphere, 5 service)
True Foods (Newport and Santa Monica)
Salmon Dip (not on the menu anymore)
Veggie Crudités
Veggie egg white omelette and Kale-Aid
Watermelon sorbet
Lemon Pie with coconut cream and strawberries (summer seasonal dessert)
My all time favorite restaurant. They offer vegan, vegetarian, and gluten- free dishes as well as sustainable organic meat. Their menu changes seasonally to serve the freshest ingredients but some of my staples are the caramelized onion tart, spaghetti squash casserole, and the flourless chocolate cake. (5 taste, 5 atmosphere, 5 service)
Malibu Farm (Malibu Pier)
Egg sandwich
Seasoned eggs and veggies
I went to the cafe at the end of the pier but they also have a restaurant. The dishes are locally sourced and organic. I got the egg vegetable plate (that comes with potatoes and whole wheat toast) and my friend got the egg sandwich. Large servings for the price and quality. Everything was delicious. You order inside at the front then find a table. They offer indoor and outdoor seating. We enjoyed sitting outside and watching the paddle boarders. Very fast service. (5 taste, 5 atmosphere, 5 service)
Kreation (Santa Monica) 100% organic Middle Eastern cuisine. They offer an array of brunch dishes, tapas, desserts, and juices. I think their tapas are the best items on the menu. I recommend the ash soup, the eggplant dip, and the hummus. The soup is extremely hearty filled with veggies, beans, quinoa, and a dollop of yogurt. For breakfast I recommend the oatmeal almond pancakes and the Mediterranean plate. The pancakes are filling but do not feel unhealthy (check check out my pancake recipe here). (4 taste, 5 atmosphere, 5 service)
Euphoria loves Rawvolution (Santa Monica) Raw, organic, vegan. Stop in for a quick and healthy snack like the lentil chili or bok choy salad. They also have delicious raw desserts. They list all their ingredients on their website. (3 taste, 4 atmosphere, 5 service)
Old Vine Café (Costa Mesa)
Quinoa and vegetables
Italian-inspired café located at the Camp. Elegant and refined but casual. Large selection of wine. Recommend: Quinoa and vegetables and pulled pork panini. (4 taste, 4 atmosphere, 5 service)
Urth Caffé (Beverley Hills and Santa Monica)
Spanish Latte and Thai Tea Latte
With multiple locations all over LA, Urth has become a staple restaurant for LA foodies. They specialize in organic coffees and breakfast items. I prefer their tea lattes though. My favorite is the Thai Latte. It tastes like a hot version of a Thai Iced tea. My favorite breakfast dish is the salmon and eggs served with brioche and arugula. My mom’s favorite is the beef hash and the eggs verde. You cannot go wrong here. (5 taste, 5 atmosphere, 4 service)
These are my favorite restaurants for special occasions.
The Ivy (Beverly Hills and Santa Monica) Very fancy and well-known.
Fried calamari and oysters
The halibut
My mom and our family friend Nu
I came here for my 21st birthday. You are greeted with complimentary champagne and ushered into an elegant living room with a live pianist and fireplace. The whole restaurant is covered in huge floral printed couches and pillows. We ordered the fried calamari, oysters, halibut, black cod with ginger coconut curry, and wild swordfish. While the food was delicious, this is a place you go to enjoy the atmosphere. The servers make your experience very magical and special. Dessert is brought out with a firecracker candle. There is a good chance you will see a celebrity—we saw Larry Flynt. Recommend: The black cod with fresh ginger and coconut curry. Atmosphere: lavish and elegant (5 taste, 5 atmosphere, 5 service)
Animal (N. Fairfax) Very creative and adventurous tapas food.
Grilled Quail, Plum, Pomegranate, and Apple
Pig ear with chili lime and egg
Part of Jon and Vinny’s restaurants (Son of a Gun, Trois Mec, and Petit Trois, Helen’s). We shared the bone marrow, grilled quail, pig ear, BBQ pork belly sandwiches, and ended the meal with the yellow peaches mocha and brown butter ice cream. The servers are eager to recommend dishes for first-timers. Recommend: The bone marrow and pork belly sandwiches. Atmosphere: dimly lit, chic (5 taste, 4 atmosphere, 5 service)
Lucques (West Hollywood) Refined and pricey.
Scallops
Chocolate tart with espresso hazelnut and cardamom ice cream and the shortcake with pistachio ice cream
I came here on my college graduation night with my family. The servers are very attentive. The owner actually checked in on us and asked how our meal was. We ordered the scallops, the halibut, the market fish, and the lamb. For dessert we ordered the chocolate tart with espresso hazelnut and cardamom ice cream and the shortcake with pistachio ice cream. The food is decent but not the best I’ve tasted in that price range. Recommend: the scallops and the halibut. Atmosphere: elegant, sophisticated. (4 taste, 4 atmosphere, 5 service)
Sugar Fish (Brentwood) Upscale sushi.
I came here for the four-course Dine LA meal: First course – seasoned edamame; second course – one piece of salmon sashimi; third course – 4 pieces of sashimi (albacore, salmon, yellowtail, and scallop). My favorite was the scallop piece. The fourth course was a toro hand roll. Cost $20. Recommend: “Trust Me” meal. Atmosphere: clean, simple, trendy. (5 taste, 5 atmosphere, 5 service)
Flores and The Ladies Gunboat Society (on Sawtelle Blvd.) Rustic chic LA restaurant.
Unfortunately, I did not take any photos but check out their Yelp Page! Flores uses fresh ingredients but takes it to the next level with rich flavors and decadent sauces. Everything is served family style. The décor of Flores is a fairy’s cavern meets a grandma’s living room with vintage-style mismatched silverware and plates. We ordered the house made biscuits with maple butter and sea salt, toasted farro risotto, seared diver scallops, and salmon. The desserts are out of this world. We ordered the vanilla bean cake with mascarpone mousse and the berry crumble with buttermilk ice cream. The cake was extremely moist and rich. Recommend: the biscuits, scallops, and vanilla bean cake. Atmosphere: trendy, vintage/rustic, modern eclectic. (5 taste, 5 atmosphere, 5 service)
Ingredients:
1 cup quinoa
2 cups water
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 onion
1 teaspoon fresh garlic (finely chopped)
1/4th cup walnuts
3 kielbasa sausages (or another 1/4th cup nuts)
3 medium bell peppers
½ cup cheddar cheese (optional)
Cilantro
Salt and pepper to taste
A healthy dessert or breakfast dish. Eat with vanilla yogurt or ice cream.
Ingredients:
2 cups blueberries (fresh or frozen)
1 tablespoon butter (I used earth balance)
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Topping:
3/4th cup oats
1/4 almond meal
1 tablespoon butter (I used earth balance)
1 tablespoons maple syrup
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon applesauce
1/4th teaspoon nutmeg
1/4th teaspoon cinnamon
Top with almond slices and maple syrup
Vegan Chocolate Mousse
A healthy alternative to ice cream or yogurt.
6 oz extra firm tofu (about 1 cup)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
3 tablespoons maple syrup
1/4th cup soy or almond milk
Blend the ingredients together. Chill in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours.
S/o to my little brother for being my hand model!
1 c old fashioned oats
1/2 c dates
3/4 c dates (chopped)
1/3 c flaxseed
2/3 c shredded coconut
1 tbsp cocoa powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 c agave or honey
1/4 c coconut oil
Preferred Toppings (Pictured: matcha, black sesame seeds, cocoa powder, coconut shreds, flaxseed)
Here are some of my favorite casual restaurants in OC.
East Borough (Culver City and Costa Mesa) Authentic Vietnamese food with a trendy street-food vibe.
Veggie spring roll and kale salad
New age Vietnamese café that uses fresh ingredients. The location in OC is at the Camp. I like to sit outside at the large wooden table under the awning. Recommend: the pho baguette, the borough spring roll, and pickled mango kale salad. The iced coffee is good too. (5 taste, 5 atmosphere, 5 service)
The Melt (Orange County and Los Angeles) Gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches.
Simple menu with burgers and grilled cheese sandwiches. You can add grilled bell peppers for free. I ordered the cheese steak melt and dipped it in the tomato soup. Great place for kids. Recommend: The cheese steak melt and sweet potato fries. (4 taste, 4 atmosphere, 5 service)
Luna Grill (Aliso Viejo, Lake Forest, and Irvine) Healthy Mediterranean food.
Mahi Mahi Plate
Gyros Plate
Sample Platter
Healthy and quick Mediterranean food. REAL certified. This is awarded to restaurants that use fresh and sustainable ingredients. We ordered the sample plate (falafel, stuffed grape leaves, couscous, hummus, and pita bread), the gryos plate, the mahi mahi plate, and the lamb kabob plate. The plates include rice, grilled tomatoes, and grilled carrots. The mahi mahi was overcooked but overall everything was very tasty. Vegetarian options available. Recommend: The sample plate and the falafel. (4 taste, 5 atmosphere, 5 service)
Urban Seoul (Irvine) Modern and trendy Korean food.
Bibimbap
Urban Seoul adds a Korean twist to Mexican/American dishes. They have a kimchi quesadilla, gogi sliders, and pork belly tacos. The food is spicy and flavorful. Recommend: the Kalbi burger and Bibimbap (a classic Korean rice dish). (5 taste, 5 atmosphere, 5 service)
Fins (Mission Viejo) Create your own poke bowl.
Two salmon poke bowls (one with a seaweed salad)
Simple and fresh poke bowls. The setup is like Chipotle. You choose a fish (tuna, albacore, spicy crab, or salmon) and rice (brown or white). Then there are a variety of toppings and sauces to add on top. Everything tasted fresh. I only wish they were more generous with the toppings. The bowls are small compared to Chipotle. Recommend: The salmon and sesame dressing. (4 taste, 4 atmosphere, 4 service)
TLT (Irvine and Westwood) Mexican/Asian fusion.
Daily special. Kogi beef lettuce wraps with peanut sauce.
TLT grew out of the Lime Food Truck. The food is unique and full of flavor. They have tacos, sliders, and veggie sides with an added flair. Lots of spices and marinades. They also serve craft beer. On the weekends they have $15 bottomless mimosas and a brunch menu. The photo is a daily special—kogi beef lettuce wraps with peanut sauce. Recommend: PBAT (braised pork belly sandwich), Brussels Sprouts (with prosciutto and chipotle-honey aioli), and Seared-Ahi Tuna Taco. (5 taste, 5 atmosphere, 5 service)
Le Pain Quotidien (LA and OC) French countryside bakery.
Chicken curry with cranberry chutney tartine
Smoked salmon with dill tartine
Simple French boulangerie-esque café with communal tables. I love their almond milk mocha. The mocha has real cocoa and is bitter unless you add sugar. They have delicious breads and spreads. The photos are of the smoked salmon with dill tartine and the chicken curry with cranberry chutney tartine. The tartines are tasty but would be better if the bread was toasted. Recommend: The Lorraine Quiche. (3 taste, 5 atmosphere, 5 service)
Bella's Belly 