Culinary Adventures await at Harney Sushi

Posted on July 7, 2011 by jenboydsd — 1 Comment

Tuesday night, I had the opportunity to preview the first ever Nook Dining Experience at Harney Sushi.  Those who were in attendance were Food Bloggers @ErinJax, @JensRad. Blogger @DiegoonaDime and produce extraordinaire @KellyOrange. The theme was “A Day at the Fair.” Imagine having food that you never thought could be prepared. I had a dish that tasted like In-and-Out but it was so different – the “fries” was turned into an frozen treat. Chef Sinsay did capture the flavors and I give him applause for his creativity. In order to truly experience this culinary journey you really need to have an open mind and like different food textures. I momentarily imagined I was on the show Iron Chef. Also an epiphany came to me while I was dining, “oh, this is what Anthony Bourdain experiences,” as I bit into the Uni (yes this is Sea Urchin).  This experience is approx.10 courses with drink pairings. With each course Chef Sinsay will describe his thinking behind the course and answer questions on preparation. Allow time to sit and socialize, it takes approx. 4-5 hours to complete this experience. There will be a Nook Dining the first Tuesday of every month, which is limited to 6-8 people. (We had 6 people in our booth and we became friends very fast). The cost is $150, which is worth this one-of-a kind, unique experience.  What you get is a chef’s creative interpretation on gastronomy that will never be repeat ever again. The August Nook experience is going to be based on ingredients from a local’s organic garden. To reserve your seat at the next Nook Dining Experience contact Harney Sushi in Old Town.

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Posted in Culinary, Food, Restaurants, San Diego

Mia Hamm Talks About Being Healthy, San Diego and Dannon Yogurt.

Posted on June 18, 2011 by jenboydsd — Leave a comment

PHOTO: PR NEWSWIRE

Mia Hamm will be making an appearance at the San Diego County Fair this Tuesday, June 21st at the Dannon’s “Live Your Active Culture” Booth. Hamm will be there to be setting a “Soccer Goal Record” for fair attendees to break for a chance to win a prize. I had chance to talk with Mia in a conference call where we talked about soccer, promoting a healthy lifestyle, San Diego and her favorite Dannon yogurt flavor.

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Mia’s favorite flavor of Dannon:
“I really like blueberry, I’ve always liked blueberry and their new Greek yogurt is really good too…  ___________________________________________________________________
Jennifer B (SecretsInSanDiego): Do you still play soccer for fun?

Mia Hamm: Occasionally, It was always fun when I played. But I played at a much higher, competitive level. I love getting out and kicking around the with my kids. I just did a camp in Dallas…Trying to stay involved in the game and just share kind of my love and passion with as many young kids and especially girls as I can.

JB: My kids are 9 and 13, a girl and a boy. Both my husband and I work, what are a couple of tips you can give for a busy family to stay active?
MH: I think as much you can do together and that may be hard, but even if that is you with you with your daughter or you with your son.You know I was just doing a camp and saw how many parents out there would just kick around with their kids. I thought that was great. Even before practice… I think that time together is just as important for your physical and mental health. When you think about it your connecting with your kid, you are not telling them what to they should be doing or hey its time to go grab your stuff, did you do your homework? Your really not doing the strict part of parenting you’re more like spending time together. Growing up those are the moments I remember the most. I mean we would drive cross country and stop at camping grounds because there was 8 of us. Those were the times I remember. Going swimming there. Having my dad throw me in the pool, my mom paying pickup soccer with my siblings. Nothing really organized, just so much more kind of organic.
JB: Sounds great, sounds like you were a busy family as you were growing up.

JB: What are your favorite healthy activities in San Diego?
MH: When I went to San Diego, I was playing (soccer), in 2000, we trained for the Olympics so we were down at the Olympic Training Center. So would come into Downtown San Diego usually for fun to go to a nice restaurant…and then with the WSA coming in and playing. I was talking to my mom about this cause she’s from the Los Angeles area so when we would come and visit she had friends in San Diego. I’ve been to San Diego Zoo growing up and SeaWorld. I’ve been to Coronado Beach, I’ve been down to PETCO (Park) with my husband playing professional baseball, we’d go down there… what a beautiful stadium. Beautiful area of the city. I was able to take my daughters there too…We also went down to Seaport Village. I have a picture of my daughter with a little parakeet on her arm… We are just walking around there with the girls. When their one and half or two it is like the most exciting thing for them…

JB: …I know that San Diego is basically the playground of healthy activities…You just need to get out there and have parents encourage their kids to be active.
MH: There is no excuse in San Diego for not being active. I’m here with my parents in Texas right now and it is going to be 105 degrees today. So in San Diego your like its raining, or its way to hot or way to cold it is pretty much near perfect there.
JB: So there’s no excuse to go out there and be healthy
MH: You pretty much said it, Jennifer!

JB: Thank you Mia for being a role model and taking the Dannon Live your Culture Pledge.

Come see Mia Hamm at the San Diego County Fair on Tuesday, June 21 from 1pm-3pm at the Dannon “Live Your Active Culture” Booth located near “Livestock Way” and take the Live the Active Culture Pledge.

THe Dannon Live the Active PLEDGE:

  • Provide a healthy snack for my family every day
  • Add more occasions of 30 minutes of fun physical activity
  • Bring the family together for a healthy dinner
What activities do you do to live healthy? I’d like to hear from you. 
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Posted in Healthy Living, San Diego, Special Events

Home away from Home – Hyatt Regency Mission Bay

Posted on June 16, 2011 by jenboydsd — 1 Comment

The secret to being a San Diegan is to take mini-vacations in your own town. The trick is to pretend you are somewhere else. This past weekend, I had the chance to take my family over to the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay. As a busy mom who works during the week and on the weekends I am surrounded with busy things to do around the house which is not exactly how I like to spend my weekend.  I really needed to get away but didn’t quite have enough time to completely get out of town. The Hyatt and a weekend on the Bay was what I needed to rejuvenate my sense of self.

The views from the room are magnificent, I saw the of the boats on the bay and the ocean for miles away.  I do recommend a room in their Tower on a higher level. Every room in the tower comes with a private balcony. I can testament that the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay makes you feel like a home away from home without the worries. The kids forgot their toothbrushes, I called the front desk and in minutes they sent up a couple of toothbrushes with travel sized toothpaste. The kids were busy with activities as soon as we arrived, my 9 year old was ready to go swimming and take on the water slides. Later on she participated in the watermelon eating contest. She didn’t win but she had a blast eating the watermelon using no hands.

At night, several fire pits are on at the resort to hang out, the kids enjoyed making Smores (kits are sold onsite). There is a perfect view of the fireworks from SeaWorld from the front of the property and lots of people watching along the marina side at night. For Family Fun the hotel is offering the following through Labor Day weekend:
Family Fun
Mission Bay Minnows Movie Night: Guests can pull up a lounge chair or soak in the pool as a favorite family film will be shown in the pool area every Saturday night.

Water Taxi to SeaWorld: Guests can take a boat ride to a private entrance of SeaWorld, avoiding long lines into the park. Cost is $5 per adult roundtrip, $3 for children ages 3-9 (children 2 and under are free).

Adult Rejuvenation
Happy Hour:  Enjoy The Red Marlin’s specially priced drinks and hors d’oeuvres every Sunday through Thursday from 3 to 5:30 p.m.  Enjoy the atmosphere of the bay and the two fire pits on site.

Blue Marble Spa: Hyatt Pure’s first eco-friendly spa, Blue Marble, offers fully organic and all-natural treatments including facials, massages, body treatments, manicures and pedicures.

Bingo: Guests will have a chance to win exciting prizes every Sunday at 2 p.m. Bingo cards are $5 each.

Water Sports: Water sport rentals such as kayaks, sailboats and jet skis are available at the Mission Bay Sportcenter, located on the resort’s grounds.

Have you ever had a getaway in your own town? Let me know what you did and how long you stayed away from home, I would love to hear from you.

The Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina is located at 1441 Quivira Road.

Disclosure: The Hyatt comp’d my one-night stay. Meals and extras were not. Pictures and opinions are my own.

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Posted in San Diego

Race to the San Diego County Fair

Posted on June 14, 2011 by jenboydsd — 1 Comment

San Diego County Fair has lots to offer this year. This year’s theme is “Race to the Fair”.
CARS
Car manufacturers Ford, Toyota and Chevrolet each have an area in the fair to showcase their latest and greatest. Their newest models are on display and open to let fair goers sit, touch and experience their vehicles. Toyota had their plug-in electric hybrid Prius on display, which was one of my favorite cars there. Celebrity Cars were on display, I saw the GhostBusters Ecto-1 Replica in the Cruisin’ California Exhibit area. Other Celebrity Cars that will be on display in that area will be General Lee from the Dukes of Hazard (June 14-19), Gypsy Lee from Chico and the Man (June 21 – 26) and Herbie the Love Bug (June 28 – July 4).

FOOD
As always, the Fair is synonymous with the food. There has to be at least a half a mile of food booths at the fair. I had a chance to try a variety of Chicken Charlie’s specialties. Fried Kool-Aid (above), Fried Girl Scout Cookies (Chocolate Mint), and their famous Frog Legs. Chicken Charlie comes up with something every year. Unfortunately, not all his concoctions are kept every year, so get your fried Kool-Aid while you can.

I also got to visit with the founders of the Original Australian Battered Potatoes. The sisters Carmel and Annie work alongside with the rest of their staff. Carmel is the “spokeslady” of the business, so I spoke mostly with her. Their battered potatoes are so popular that they started packaging them and even did a Costco Roadshow or two. Because of the labor intensiveness of making their battered potatoes (their potatoes are hand battered) you can now only buy their take home bags of potatoes at the fair. Something that is unique to their potatoes, there is a secret ingredient and that they always stick a toothpick flag of Australia in each order. Carmel splits her time her time between Carlsbad, CA and Sydney, Australia. Carmel also shared with me that she has to take a box of toothpick flags to America each time she travels to Sydney, Australia. Nice to think that each plate of those battered potatoes really have a piece of Australia in each order.

THE MIDWAY
Kids of all ages will enjoy the fair rides. The rides have become more sophisticated, they have gotten faster and higher. Traditional carnival games are still the same but the prizes have gotten bigger and better than the traditional teddy bear and big stuffed dog. Now there are stuffed modern day characters such with cartoon characters from South Park, SpongeBob and Shrek. Even characters Domo and Angry Birds are represented at the fair. You can even win a goldfish with it’s own tank. The price is right for $5.

TIPS before you go to the Fair
1. Check out the San Diego County Fair  Tickets and Promotions for the best possible deals.
2. Wear Comfortable Shoes- The fair is pretty big. I think I could spend another day there.
3. If you plan to go more than once this year, the best bet is to buy the “Best Pass Ever.” You get all 22 days of Admission to the fair for $22 from now until July 4th (they are closed Mondays except for July 4th).

If you have any other tips or tricks for the fair, please leave a comment- I’d love to hear from you.

Disclosure: San Diego County Fair comp’d parking, entrance and food samplings. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I even took the photos.
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Posted in Entertainment, San Diego

Harry Griffen Dog Park and #DogCollarCharms

Posted on June 4, 2011 by jenboydsd — 1 Comment

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Dog Parks in San Diego are a treat…for dogs, but they can also be a treat for their owners. There are many regulars that frequent Harry Griffen Dog Park in La Mesa.  The Dog Park is run by Canine Corners an all-volunteer organization that maintains this lot which is split into 3 different dog areas in Harry Griffin Park, which works out great for those owners who are nervous of their small dogs playing with the big dogs. I got to give away a couple of customized dog charm courtesy of DogCollarCharms.com.  I took pics of the dogs and their owners but didn’t let them know that I had made them a charm. A week later, I returned and handed the charm over to owner of the dogs. The recipients were thankful and thought they were are a great addition to their dog’s collar. They thought the presentation of the charm was adorable. Happy Owners equal happy Dogs.

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias . All thoughts are my own. My dog got a lovely charm for her collar.

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Posted in Free, San Diego

2011 Secret Garden Tour of Old La Jolla

Posted on May 15, 2011 by jenboydsd — Leave a comment

I volunteered again this year for the 13th Annual Secret Garden Tour of Old La Jolla. This is an annual fundraiser for the La Jolla Historical Society. La Jollans graciously open up their beautiful homes and gardens for this occasion. I did double duty-  I  filmed a mini-video for a video class I am taking and afterwards, I guided attendees through a lovely house near Birdrock. Here are some of my favorite photos from the homes I visited:

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Posted in Green Living, La Jolla, Nature, Special Events

Asian Cultural Festival of San Diego

Posted on May 3, 2011 by jenboydsd — 2 Comments

Mochi Maid Cafe' performing

Last Sunday, I went to the 2nd Annual Asian Cultural Festival.  May is Asian Cultural Month- a celebration of cultures and our diversity. This is what makes San Diego so special…people getting together to enjoy the arts, entertainment and food that is multi-cultural yet so similar.  I enjoyed the experience of people watching and browsing through the numerous booths. I even had a “Barona” moment. I won a $50 voucher to use at their casino.  The lady made me do a little embarrassing dance like I just won the lottery or something. It was kind of funny.

There was something for everyone at this Festival, the playground was nearby and my youngest enjoyed that, I enjoyed the craft booths and my son enjoyed the food. It was a picturesque San Diego day.  Liberty Station used to be a Naval Academy. So what makes this place unique and special is the little touches of Naval memorabilia. Buildings have some of the original signage and there are monuments with old 50 caliber guns on display. It is little community festivals like these that makes San Diego a nice place to live and enjoy your Sunday afternoon.

Liberty Station is located at Roosevelt and Rosecrans Ave. in San Diego

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Posted in San Diego, Special Events

Pizza Port OB has a brewery and more

Posted on April 11, 2011 by jenboydsd — 1 Comment

Who knew? Pizza Port brews its own beer. It even has house made root beer. It was my first time at the Pizza Port in Ocean Beach. It was the “family at the beach” day and spent the afternoon eating pizza and walking on the beach. I was quite impressed with the variety of beers and the pizza selection.  I had a St. Louis Framboise (Raspberry Lambic). Pizza toppings are more daring than others places I’ve seen. I have never seen Butternut squash, Asparagus, or Portobello mushrooms being offered as a topping at any other pizza place before. Nevertheless, My family has this affinity to pepperoni.

Pizza Port is more than a restaurant they also have events such as a party bus to see the Padres games and eat-in specials like 35 cent chicken wings (see their event calendar for more information).

Pizza Port Ocean Beach is located 1956 Bacon St. (Great name for a street) in San Diego. (619) 224-4700 but also have locations in Solana Beach, Carlsbad, and San Clemente.

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Posted in Restaurants, Uncategorized, Wandering

Thread Show is coming to San Diego April 3 and Ticket Giveaway

Posted on March 28, 2011 by jenboydsd — 6 Comments

I have been a fan of Thread for a long time. This is where you can find new up and coming  local designers and get the new 411 in style. I knew Thread as a quarterly show that would show up at places like the Wonderbread Factory and and Balboa Park’s Air and Space Museum. Thread has since evolved to a huge space in Horton Plaza (where Steve and Barry’s used to be)  and besides their location in San Diego they have also expanded to various cities such as Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

A little about the what will be at the Thread Show this time:
A brilliant day of shopping the latest spring trends created by local designers. Plus, enjoy cocktails, gift bags, photo booths, DJs, giveaways, a style lounge, DIY Lounge, Nail Bar, Live Style Series, THREAD Well Lounge and a Man Cave.

***Giveaway– I will be giving away 2 pairs of tickets to Thread for this upcoming Sunday, April 3. DL is Thursday at 6pm for entry- Winners will be announced Friday morning.  All you have to do is comment below…Tell me something good : ) .

Here are a few of my oldie but goodie posts on going to the Thread Show.
Baby Mantras to live by and The Adult Version of Pin-the-Tail on the Donkey
Thread Show and Year-end Recap


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Posted in culture, San Diego, Special Events

Cups Culinary Farm-to-Table Class

Posted on March 26, 2011 by jenboydsd — Leave a comment

Last Sunday, I went to the Cups Culinary
Farm-to-Table Class. First, let me say, my idea of cooking is boiling spaghetti noodles and adding a bottle of sauce. I simply don’t have the cooking gene. But after taking this class, the awareness has kicked in and now I know there is much more than store bought pre-packaged food.  Chef Jesus has a colorful imagination and knows how to take a simple ingredient and make it into something magnificient. Jesus was very patient and knows his food. Jesus is a chef formerly from  Rancho La Puerta and Golden Door spas. When I found this out, I know he knew how to cook and more importantly, he knew how to cook healthy. I realize after taking this class that the key to cooking is baby steps.

My takeaways:

  • There are variations to everything- by using one sauce recipe, you can marinate, stir fry and bake anything from tofu, chicken and vegetables
  • Garlic is a staple ingredient in my favorite foods
  • You can make a great tasting dish from simple healthy ingredients

The ingredients from this Farm-to-Table Class came from a local CSA.  You can subscribe to a CSA or you can go to a local Farmer’s Market to get local produce. You can get information on all of the San Diego Certified Farmer’s Market’s at SD Farm Bureau.  Below is a simple recipe for Apple and Goat Cheese Egg rolls. Which is delish, and requested by my friends who saw I took this class. Enjoy!

Apple & Goat Cheese Egg Rolls (Recipes courtesy of Jesus Gonzalez)
Ingredients
Ø 1 Packet Egg Roll wrappers 8’x8′
Ø 1 lb. Fresh creamy goat cheese
Ø 2 med.  Gala apples Cored and Small Diced

Directions

1)    Maintaining egg roll wrappers cold cut sheets in half and hold.
2)    Using one half of a sheet at a time place 1 TBS of goat cheese and 1 TBS of diced apples 1 in. from the bottom.
3)    To start rolling, fold flap over creating a roll. Using a little water, wet sides and keep rolling tight till finished. Once done wet the end of the roll closing it like an envelope as well as pinching the sides down making sure they are closed
For Baking
1)    Pre- heat oven at 350F
2)    Place finished egg rolls on a non-stick pan.
3)    Bake rolls till golden brown.
4)    Serve with Peanut sauce (recipe attached)
For Frying
1)    Heat oil to 325F
2)    Depending on the size of the fryer place half a dozen of the egg rolls at a time
3)    Fry till golden brown
4)    Place on paper towels to soak excess oil
5)    Serve with Peanut sauce (recipe attached)

Peanut Sauce for Apple and Goat Cheese Eggrolls
2 TBS Garlic Minced
½ C light Soy sauce
½ C Mirin (sweet sake)
½ C Red wine vinegar
½ C Syrup of Agave or Maple syrup
½ C Natural Peanut butter
½ C Fresh Cilantro stems removed and coarsely chopped
Directions
Place all ingredients, except cilantro in the cup of a blender or processor. Puree until smooth. Add the cilantro and pulse until just blended.

 

 

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Posted in Culinary, Green Living, Healthy Living, La Jolla

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