The LA Odd Couple

~The odd couple enjoying the backyard oasis~

My dogs are so amazing, they've made headlines.  Okay, not really, but in my dreams they have!  But just going on walks, we get plenty of turned heads and comments as we go by.  People always comment on the size difference in my dogs.  And while they're not quite like that hilarious pair (a Great Dane and a Chihuahua) of dogs on Oprah, they are head turners.

I got my German Shepherd when my now husband moved to Los Angeles when we were still dating.  I needed something to love on and protect me, and she certainly did the job.  Emma has about 10 nicknames including: Head (don't ask), Lou, Loop, Super Loop and Snugga.  She's loyal, tender, and super protective of her family.  She is demanding, loud and opinionated just like her mom.  She's my soul sister.

~Protecting her Data (Daddy)~

~Those eyes~

~Emma thinking she's tiny enough to fit on her brother's bed~

Truman blessed our home in September of 2008.  He was my wedding present and my husband rescued him from Homeward Bound Pug Rescue in Oklahoma.  Our amazing friend, Missy fostered him for a couple of months and he assimilated and thrived with Missy and her two precious pugs, Pudge and Huey, whom I love deeply.  I somehow got it in my head that I wanted a black pug and I knew my next dog would be a rescue.  Missy randomly sent me a little picture of Truman (his name was Dinoso at that time) and I instantly started crying.  I just knew he was mine from the very beginning.  I told no one about it.  But my husband must have taken note of the only time I mentioned wanting a black pug and on our flight to our honeymoon, Joel surprised me with a picture of Truman on his phone telling me he was ours when we got back.  My amazing husband paid for Missy and Truman to fly all the way here and surprise me.   Hooray Missy, Joel and Homeward Bound Pug Rescue.  Truman is mild tempered, a total snuggler and a tiny bit clingy, but doesn't bug.  In a word... he's perfection!  And it's unanimous... every single person who sees him says the exact same thing.  Truman's nicknames include: Trudog, Trupert, The Boy, McBoy and so on.

~We like to include him on table conversations~

~My pug in a blanket... he even snorts~

~The odd couple~

Larabars... Good For Everyone

I've been making food for friends and family for years.  I always knew it was pretty good, but when I got married and realized that I'd be the only one cooking, I knew right away, "I better really get my act together!"  So I did.  I stocked up on recipe books, watched Food Network non-stop, and started experimenting in the kitchen... our very very tiny unequipped kitchen.  The response... "okay" at first, but after about a month or so of tweaking some recipes... "wow" was the general consensus.  Then, when I became a vegetarian about 2 years ago, my horizons expanded and I began adding vegan and local food into my repertoire.

Even though I am a vegetarian, I cook meat dishes for my passionately carnivorous husband and Okie family frequently.  What I've found is that my willingness to cook both types of food has scored some major points in my book from everyone I cook for.  And since I live in LA, where almost everyone is a size 2 and vegetarians are everywhere you look, I've managed to please everyone.

~The carnivore and I eating our favorite pecan pie~

One thing you should know is that I am very... okay, very very eco-conscious.  I do almost everything I can to eliminate my impact on our precious Earth.  And "yes", Amy... just one person can make a difference and you can too!  One of the additional things I do to reduce my carbon footprint is cook with meat less frequently.  Did you know that livestock feed yards account for almost 17% of greenhouse gasses in the United States?  I didn't think so.  That's why they say "a vegetarian in a Hummer is more green than a carnivore on a bicycle".  And it's true.  Just something to think about.  It's not something you have to do for the rest of your life, but maybe try eating meat just 3-4 times in a week, instead of everyday.

Here are some great things I make that even my caveman of a husband begs for:

I make protein muffins with whole wheat flower, oatmeal, banana, and organic flax seed, creative cupcakes and cakes (recipes to come), and some pretty amazing savory dinners (including red quinoa with sauteed oyster mushrooms with goat cheese and chive)... but the thing I get most of my compliments on and orders for are my larabars.  Normally, you can find these guys in the grocery store in the protein bar section, or in any Whole Foods, or Trader Joe's.  But why pay a bundle for them when you can easily make them yourself... and I do.  It only takes about 10 minutes and you have easy peasy after-workout snacks, midday snacks to stash in your desk at work, or something on the go.  They're more than healthy, give a hint of chocolate to satisfy a sweet tooth more ravenous than my sister Amy's and hearty enough to cure a growling tummy.

~My homemade chocolate nut larabar... and I know what it looks like, but it's AMAZING~

The Ghetto By The Sea

Because I think so highly of my family, I will be introducing them to you, dear readers, as I move along in my quest.

This weekend, I finally convinced my family to come and see me for once.  My cousin Pete and his precious girlfriend, Mary Elizabeth, or "ME" as we have affectionately nicknamed her, came to Venice to spend the day with me.

In summary, we had an amazing time.  But here is the long of the short of it.

Venice is known as "the ghetto by the sea".  And for those of you who've been fortunate to have spent time there you know it truly is a tiny bit ghetto.  I like to call the crowd that hangs out there "the fair crowd" as in the people you encounter there.

~One stunner of a ride~

We met at Hotel Erwin- a tiny, unassuming modernish hotel on Pacific.

~Pete, ME and Amy (fave pic)~

We valet parked for $7 for an entire day, and made our way up to the rooftop bar called High.  What a pleasant surprise.  I think one of the most charming things about LA is it's secrets, as if I think LA is charming.  I am so often overwhelmed by how in-your-face and unauthentic this city can be.  But every once in a while, I'll spring on a tiny secret which bursts class and divulges a classic novelty view.

~Pete and ME loungin'~

~Pete suddenly grew tons of hair~

It was like pulling open the curtains to another world.  Pete, ME, Amy and I all gasped!  Stopped, took about 30 pictures and then walked about 100 feet down a boarded catwalk to the jackpot- a large loungy spot right at the end.  A DJ spun some easy beach beats while we grazed over the menu.  We ordered a pina-conada, which was mixed, clear and not too sweet.  Perfect for calorie consciousness.  We dosed up on some rays and headed down to that infamous boardwalk full of desperate, yet talented street performers, the crazy wanna-be rapper/artist pushing their CDs in your face, and, of course, the medicinal marijuana "preliminary cards".  In a word... sketchy!  But fun!  Because if you're into people watching... this is the place to be.

~Some good finds~

We tried on hats on ME and Amy's never ending quest to find a "cute fedora".  We found them.  And found some rad sunglasses.  But if you can't get to Venice and like ordering online.  Try this blog that I love.

~Great sailor hat that I can wear with my nautical bikini~

~Pete taking up one whole side~

~James Beach Restaurant-60 North Venice Blvd.
Venice, CA 90291~

We ended the night going back to my favorite new spot in Corona Del Mar, Side Door... again.    This time we met up with friends, including Miss Sarah Lyons, whom I love to death!

~ME, Pete, Amy, Sarah Lyons~

~The actual quiet woman.  This image is plastered everywhere~

Then off to a bar called The Quiet Woman.  I've drove by The Quiet Woman probably 30 times and always expect to walk in and see 10 hippy women in a spirit circle drinking tea and singing Kumbaya.  To my surprise, it was quite the opposite.  This bar and restaurant was given its name because of the woman without a head that they've honored as their mascot.  We walked into a raging bar, crammed-packed to the brim, partially due to an awesome cover band called 51/50 that was rockin' it.

Whew!  What a weekend!  I may have fallen in love with a ghetto, but just like the Lords of Dogtown, I like the Ghetto By The Sea!

Smoldering Hot Summer Recipes

Summer is in full effect and that means its hot, hot, hot!!!  Which gets me thinking about how acceptably hot it should legally be.  Unfortunately, the government has nothing to do with our weather... well, don't get me started on that.  But when your AC isn't even cutting it in the Valley, you start coming up with some pretty creative ways to stay cool.  In "The Seven Year Itch", Marilyn Monroe put her panties in the freezer to cool off.  And while I can't think of anything worse than putting on cold panties (eeek!), I have tried basically everything else.  Ice water facials, cool showers, walking around in a bikini, standing in front of a fan after that cool shower (that actually does work).  But what a pain.  Here are some more acceptable ways to cool down... tastefully!

These recipes are perfect for a weekend get-together or a hot evening meal with your sweetie.  The easiest part- there is not a lot of measuring.

First and foremost, make yourself a yummy drink while preparing. Try this amazing thing!

I love this one

Spiked Arnold Palmer (you golfers should get that)

-1 oz. Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka

-half lemonade

-half any tea of your choice

Pineapple Shrimp Skewers with Avocado Sauce

Soak skewers (if wooden) in water while shrimp are marinading.

1 lb. fresh Medium/Large = 36 to 40 per pound.  Put in large bowel and marinade for about 1 hour.

1 medium-sized organic onion.  Peel and cut ends off slightly.  Cut into large chunks.

1 large organic pineapple (yes, canned will also due, but it's not as healthy).  Cut off skin and pines, core and cut into chunks.

Alternately stack shrimp, onion, and pineapple and grill until shrimp is pink or has grill marks on both sides.

Place on large platter and drizzle with avocado sauce

Serves about 8

Shrimp Marinade

10 dashes low sodium soy sauce

2 minced fresh garlic cloves

3 table spoons of any type of mustard you wish

Fresh cracked pepper to taste

Avocado Sauce

1 avocado, peeled & sliced
1/4 c. sour cream
1/4 c. organic milk
1 clove garlic, pressed
1 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. fresh cilantro
1/2 tsp. hot sauce
2 or 3 tbsp. lemon juice

Cubed Caprese Salad

1 whole package buffalo mozzarella, cut into small cubes

20-30 organic basil leaves, about 1 package, finely chop or julienne 

1 large package organic cherry tomatoes or 2-3 ripe organic heirloom tomatoes, cut into small cubes

Mince 1 clove fresh garlic

About 2 tablespoons good balsamic vinegar 

About 2 tablespoons good extra virgin olive oil

Toss lightly

Serves about 8

I hope you all love these as much as I do.  And men, get on the grill and make some of these for the ladies!  We'll love you forever!

Good cheese, good wine, OC... I'm Happy

With temperatures reaching the triple digits in "the Valley" this weekend, I couldn't think of any better escape from the undigestible, smothering heat, than straight to my sister's and mom's place in Orange County. Okies, I know you feel me when I say "it was freakin' HOT, dude!!!!!!"

And so it was. I packed my weekender bag, rallied up the pups in their pet tube in my CNG Civic and down the 405 we went. With only 1 hour away from 20 degrees cooler, I couldn't get there fast enough.

I am currently addicted to my Buddha Bar V cd. I cranked that puppy up, made my way into the HOV lane (because that's what you can do too when you drive a CNG car) and as we drove, I literally could feel the digits dropping. Ahhhh!

I always tell people that coming to OC from LA is like escaping the real world full of struggle, raw truth and heavy issues and entering a bubble. A very very rich bubble full of nothing but beautiful people and pampered living. Beach bums with tiny bikinis on beach cruisers, Range Rover after Range Rover on the PCH, and some of THE very food in Cali.

My sister, Amy, cousin Pete and I went to the Side Door on Saturday night, and had the most scrumptious cheese plate I've ever seen or put in my mouth. From the outside, only one over sized red key hangs from the roof symbolizing its existence. The term German Hofbräuhau comes to mind.

As you enter, that German Hofbräuhau morphs into a dark tavern of sorts. And if you didn't know you were 300 feet from the ocean, you'd think you were in an enchanted forest. You're greeted by the subtle hint of stinky cheeses and pinion wood. Our table stood beside a grand fireplace. And with fire's glow and only wall lamps to light our quaint low-beamed spot, it was the culinary equivalent of snuggling up with your mate on a cool night.

As our server brought out our delights, I snagged this picture of him... he was clearly a tiny bit perturbed, totally caught off guard and I think I caught him rolling is eyes afterwards.

We ordered flights of white wine, and artisan cheese platter. We tasted some hard cheeses, one veiny bleu cheese and some very stinky cheeses. Paired with some creative compotes, jams, and honeys, it wasn't long before we were ooohing and aaaaahing so loud we drew a crowd. But what's new? For all of you who know my family, you know that we're opinionated, dramatic, and very loud. We draw a crowd pretty quickly really no matter what we do.

So as we ooooed and aaahhhhhed our way through dinner, I began to revisit how ridiculous it was that I took a flash picture of our server in a fairly dim room. This was the conversation that followed... classic.

Katie:"Do you think that waiter thought I was insane?"
Amy: "I mean, you are insane! Duh."
Katie: "Is there any other way to be?"
Pete: "Not in our family."

So, for those of you who know my family, you know this is a fairly typical scenario.

But who cares if people were staring. With some stinky cheese, the ocean, great wine in OC, I was happy enough.

We ended the night with three snoring twenty-somethings and some amazing weather.

Single Serving Positivity

In October of 2009, I find myself on another plane. Actually the 3rd flight back to the Mid-West since August, except something was distinctly different about this flight than all the rest. Typically, before a scheduled flight out, I have nightmares of unspeakably horrible things happening while in the air (similar to that scene in Fight Club), then I wake up the morning of with my heart racing at the speed of a lab rat’s, neurotically over-pack (for fear of coming off as I did in middle school when I threw caution to the wind and did all my shopping at thrift stores… I have pictures to prove it), and when we are about to take off, pop an Ativan, order white wine and pray… and I mean cross-myself-The-Lord’s-prayer-forgive-me-of-my-trespasses-repent-for-my-sins-PRAY. Yes, stewardesses have been known to ask if I would "benefit from an oxygen mask" or two. I’m surprised they don’t have my name on their personal bulletin boards with a disclaimer: “PASSENGER KATIE HENRICKS IS INSANE. Just keep the bottled $6 wine coming and you’ll have no problem”. But this time, I felt at ease the whole way through.

I spent about an hour trying to put my finger on it, and once I did, I was quite surprised by what I found. It’s not that I’m on a huge indestructible plane, have an Air Force veteran as a pilot (which I would love), or even that I love whom I am going to see, which I do. I wholeheartedly felt at ease. Once aboard, I took in the people around me, and this is what I experienced: old people, people who had lived their lives (probably great lives fully of dramatic war stories, creating families, enduring deaths and lives abound, wealth, and now… relaxation in their old age), a man in front of me, in pain, who had just lost his partner due to suicide, a gay couple in the back who I had spoken to who are part of Shriner's and believe in community, philanthropy, ethics and taking care of one another.

I couldn't help but wonder… is your flight experience, or any experience for that matter, due to the people who are around you? I had never had a flight full of so many wonderful passengers with such open hearts and generous stories. Or, are they directly related to how open and relaxed YOU are? When I think about it, concerts and festivals are this way. Movies are this way. Trips are definitely this way. It is all about whom you are around.

Any experience can be good or really really bad depending on your attitude and numerous uncontrollable factors, but when you are around people who are at peace and are calm… it has a similar effect on you, or at least it did on me on this day.

My mom is known for many, some nerdy, sayings, but ALL ARE TRUE. She says “surround yourself with positive people”. Well, tell that to someone who’s boarding a plane full of strangers. One really has little control over that. Her point is- when you are around positive people, you become positive, and all those other little, joyous things in life. Also the opposite is true. And she never lets me forget this.

So, as I find myself sitting next to an old woman drenched in an emerald green, rose patterned sweat suit, I see she is reading a book called “The Obsessive Traveler”. I like to experience anyone I can, so I turn to her and say “how’s your book?” She looks up at me as if she barely understood what I just said and answered “oh, good”… and that was it… the end of our flight relationship. We all have them.

Tyler Durden says that all flights have "single-serving sugar, single-serving cream, single pat of butter. The people I meet on each flight? They're single-serving friends." We sit next to a before stranger for 1 hour to 10 hours and make buddies, exchange business cards, talk life, relationships, books, professions. You can promise to call, meet up for lunch, visit their website, etc, but does it really ever happen? Every once in a while, yes. But I’ve had these encounters numerous times, probably because I’m literally “chatty Kathy”, or rather “chatty Katie”, but nonetheless, it never fails. I intended to stay in contact with the girl who’s husband was in IT, like mine, the woman who understood my frustrations when I boarded a plane frustrated and struck up a conversation with me and ended up being a celebrity chef for Prince and Spielberg, but I never did. I’ve lost their cards. Because flight relationships are just that… meant to stay on the plane they began on, most likely destined to go no further. Tear!

And like all relationships, whenever you finally find your seat next to that special someone that you will share hours with, the only thing we can really hope for is a positive person.

Today I vow to be a wholly positive person! Follow my mom's advice and join me! If just for today.