los angeles – Page 14

Finding Beach Bliss in Oxnard, California!

Posted on April 29, 2013February 24, 2016 by Jennifer Fontaine

I must admit that although Oxnard, California is just under an hour north of Los Angeles, in the 17 plus years of SoCal living, we have only been once (about a year and a half ago, we drove up for a 3 day camping excursion at McGrath State Beach). Boy, have we been missing out!

Our visit was very spontaneous, extremely short (about 20 hours), but oh so sweet. Vivi and I had decided to tag along with a friend who had to drive up for a business meeting. As luck would have it, that meeting was a block away from the coast, so we made a beeline for the beach; its sand a pure, fine, white blanket and its waves gentle and lapping, perfect for toddlers!

Hollywood Beach, Oxnard, California

There wasn’t a single tourist in sight (except for us, I guess!), just the occasional friendly local walking their dog or enjoying a midday jog by the shore, so we felt as if we were on our own private beach! For hours we laughed, played in the water, built castles, threw sand at each other, rolled around and laughed some more! We were in heaven!

Hollywood Beach, Oxnard, California

V even made a friend, who’s dad was sweet enough to lend us a towel being that we had no intention of ever ending up on a beach covered head-to-toe with sand!!

Hollywood Beach, Oxnard, California

After a quick shower down, we met back up with our friend and walked into the first restaurant we saw Sea Fresh Market, which just happened to be snugly perched on the Channel Islands Harbor with a plethora of ducks to chase, a gorgeous view of the boats and an even better happy hour (did someone say oysters?!)

Oysters! YUM!

So, short story even shorter: I had no idea that 24 hours in Oxnard, California would be written down in my memory as one of the best days ever, but it has been.

[Food Series] A Cloud of Deliciousness – Leeks in Olive Oil (Zeytinyağlı Pırasa)

Posted on April 25, 2013February 24, 2016 by Jennifer Fontaine

The Turkish Cuisine is full of healthy, simple and fresh dishes. Zeytinyağlı Pırasa was one of the first “olive oil” dishes I was introduced to by my Mother-in-law, over a decade ago on my first visit to my husband’s homeland. I LOVE leeks and I LOVE olive oil. It was a match made in heaven! This dish is traditionally served cold, so it’s perfect for a picnic on a hot summer day and it’s loaded with nutrition Folate, Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Calcium and Omegas!

Leeks in Olive Oil (Zeytinyağlı Pırasa)

Ingredients:

4 Medium-sized Leeks

1 Small Carrot

1/2 Small Onion

1 Teaspoon of Rice

1/2 Teaspoon of Sugar

1/3 Cup of Olive Oil

1/2 Cup of Water

1/2 Lemon

Trim and clean your leeks, then chop them on the bias about 2 inches thick. Peel and cut the carrot on the bias about 1/4 of an inch thick and finely dice your onion.

In a deep pot, saute the onions for a minute, then toss in the carrots for 3 minutes, then add your leeks, rice and sugar and allow them to cook covered, in their own juices, on a medium heat, for about 5 minutes. Add the water and stir. Bring it back up to a boil, then turn the heat down to a slow simmer, cover and cook for about 20 minutes. (Make sure not to stir the pot so the leeks will hold their shape!) When the timer goes off, allow it to cool in the pot so all of the flavors can continue to blend. Once cooled, squeeze some lemon over the top and enjoy!

Side Note: This dish is good in the fridge for up to 3 days and is definitely tastier by the second day!

3 Places to Explore with Kids While Beating the Southern California Heat!

Posted on April 22, 2013February 24, 2016 by Jennifer Fontaine

Well, it’s official. Our two weeks of Southern California Spring are over and we have fully moved into summer! Ugh. Temperatures have been in the mid 80’s to low 90’s this week and for the sake of sanity, we have been in search of shade all over Los Angeles.

Franklin Canyon Park

Yesterday we headed to Franklin Canyon Park which is nestled on 605 acres right in the heart of the city. First, we hit the trails! There were plenty of lizards to chase and great opportunities to teach my toddler all about the concept of shade and how the sun heats things up (especially rocks!).

V doing her best Rain Dance!

This park offers three trails of varying difficulty, a nature center a gorgeous picnic area and a secluded pond where you can sit under the trees and watch the turtles, ducks and birds frolic in the water!

Ducks! Ducks! Everywhere!

Descanso Gardens

This year, thanks to Groupon, we got a great deal on a yearly family membership to The Los Angeles County Arboretum. The best part is that membership benefits include free admission to more than 270 participating gardens throughout the US and Canada! Included in that list is Descanso Gardens! One of my favorite places to bring the babe on a hot LA day!

Victorian Gazebo

There are nature trails, a lilac garden, a Japanese Garden complete with small water fall and coy and our favorite, the Rose Garden with Weeping Willows and a Victorian Gazebo, perfect for ladies trying to keep cool!

Admiring a majestic Weeping Willow

The Bronson Caves
Part of Griffith Park’s vast trail system, the Bronson Caves are a very quick, stroller-friendly half mile hike up an easy trail and hours of fun for any junior explorer!