As you know, I'm an avid gardener - and I love growing fruits and vegetables. My backyard holds a plethora of many different varieties of edibles including lemons, figs, tomatoes, kale, oranges, chard, and more. I'm always looking at unusual plants that I can add to the herd. I also love purchasing unusual fruits and veggies at the Mar Vista Farmers' Market - they have an amazing selection including some of these below. A few I have tried, a few … [Read more...]
If you have been active in your garden during the last two months – planting, weeding, trimming and mulching -- May is the month when you can now take a little time to sit back and start to watch things grow. Not only is the physical act of gardening a great way to stay in shape, numerous studies have indicated that humans have a basic need to keep nature close. According to a 1980s research paper by Dr. Roger Ulrich, Professor of Architecture … [Read more...]
The Aman Resorts are some of the most exclusive and prestigious resorts in the world, with locations in Vietnam, Morocco, France, Italy and Greece, among others. They are beautiful and luxurious and their attention to detail is second to none. In the starkly beautiful Utah desert, the exclusive Amangiri Resort is known as the most secluded resort hotel in the country and is a favorite destination for Hollywood's elite when they need to "get … [Read more...]
Do you subscribe to a low sodium diet? There are all sorts of reasons that some choose to reduce to lower the amount of salt in their diets: to lower risk of heart disease, help reduce swelling, and more. While I have no problem using salt on my meals, there is a good reason to cook without sodium (or with a reduced amount) on some occasions: you learn to appreciate the natural flavors of your foods. Oversalting can dull the taste buds and you … [Read more...]
The month of April remains a busy time for Los Angeles gardening, with plenty to do in order to keep all the new growth in check. If there were any plants that hesitated in blooming last month, you'll see them soon - because April is when spring steps forth in all her vibrant beauty. It’s little wonder that April was chosen as the month to celebrate the Earth. Special Note - as you are likely well aware, on April 1st Governor Jerry Brown … [Read more...]
There have been a number of articles written about the shortage of housing in Los Angeles, especially on the Westside, a shortage that has exacerbated housing prices and intensified commuter traffic to and from the Westside neighborhoods. With the influx of new high tech jobs around “Silicon Beach,” demand to live close to those jobs has driven up home prices in the coastal communities nearby - namely Venice, Mar Vista, Santa Monica, and … [Read more...]
My neighbor Jay is a smart guy. He reads the newspapers and has been following how the severity of the drought is affecting our state. He finally said, “It’s time. I’m getting rid of my lawn.” He didn’t tell me anything, but one day I walked out my front door and he had workers digging in his front yard. The lawn had been pulled up and the yard was filled with workers, wheelbarrows, and upturned dirt. It’s not a large front yard, but it had grass … [Read more...]
Friends and neighbors: I recently wrote about the issue of “mansionization” in a November blog post. The concern has been simmering for some time, and members of the Los Angeles City Council have been hearing from a number of their constituents - mostly from those who are upset by the impact these large homes are having on their neighborhood. Anti-mansionization laws have been in place for years (see the Baseline Mansionization Ordinance), but … [Read more...]
My wife is an amazing cook, and she's good about using fruits and vegetables that are in season to make some tasty dishes. Strawberries are one of our favorite fruits around my home, and while they are available all year, they definitely have a season when they are at the height of their deliciousness. Strawberry season is officially from mid-March to June 1st, so that means right now is the time to purchase your fruit and make some recipes that … [Read more...]
Just off of scenic Highway 1, Carmel is one of California's coastal gems. It was my wife's birthday and we decided to leave town, slow things down and take a long three day weekend trip to enjoy the beautiful landscape, great food, shops and all that Carmel has to offer. A beautiful drive from Los Angeles, there are lots of options as far as accommodations, but here are Carmel's top 5 luxury hotels, based on TripAdvisor user … [Read more...]
