6 Healthy, Low-Sodium Recipes That Don’t Sacrifice Taste

When you begin a low-sodium diet, you may worry about not being able to eat your favorite foods. Because the majority of the sodium you consume comes from canned, frozen, or processed foods, it can be easy to continue to eat the things you love, provided they’re made fresh instead. Here are a few delicious recipes that will help you stick to your reduced-sodium eating plan without sacrificing taste.

Artichoke Dip [Mayo Clinic]

Pizza Margherita [Mayo Clinic]

Grilled Asparagus Salad [All Recipes]

Lemon Garlic Tilapia [All Recipes]

Filet Mignon with Rich Balsamic Glaze [All Recipes]

Scalloped Potatoes [All Recipes]

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Happy Spring!

The sun is shining and the flowers are starting to bloom. Wishing everyone a lovely Spring!

Hike, Ride and Birdwatch at Peters Canyon Regional Park

Peters Canyon Regional Park is one of Orange County’s natural wonders, comprising 340 acres of coastal sage scrub, riparian, freshwater marsh, and grassland habitats. The 55-acre reservoir draws migrating waterfowl and the reservoir landscape of sycamores, cottonwoods, and black willows create a lush, dramatic background for your picnic.

In the mood for something more active? The park offers plenty of opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Bring your camera for the stunning views, especially along the Ridge View and Nature Trails. Keep an eye out for bobcats, coyotes, opossums, raccoons, the occasional mountain lion, and many interesting birds, including several varieties of hawk.

Check the site for seasonal park hours, maps, and more information.

Peters Canyon Regional Park
8548 E. Canyon View Avenue
Orange, CA 92869
(714) 973-6611 / (714) 973-6612
www.ocparks.com/parks/peters
www.yelp.com/biz/peters-canyon-regional-park-orange

Espresso Drinks Are Made With Care at Kéan Coffee

You could say that coffee is in Martin Diedrich’s blood. The coffee entrepreneur traces his roots to Costa Rican and Guatemalan coffee plantations, and his family started importing beans to California in 1972.

After building the internationally successful Diedrich Coffee chain in the 1980s and 90s, Diedrich founded Kéan Coffee to put the focus back on the beans. From roasting to pouring to maintenance, Diedrich talks about coffee with the love, care, and detail usually reserved for fine wine. The goal, he says, is to restore “coffee culture,” the leisurely appreciation of coffee in all its mystery—coffee as the center of family, business, and relaxation. Coffee beans, many of which are organic and fair-trade, are roasted on-site at Diedrich's cafe, imparting a whole-bodied, nuanced flavor to Kéan's coffee drinks.

Kéan Coffee's Tustin location is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Kéan Coffee
13861 Newport Avenue
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 838-5326
www.keancoffee.com
www.yelp.com/biz/kean-coffee-tustin

Native Foods Café: Vegan Delights in Tustin

Vegan meals aren’t all celery sticks and tofu. The best vegan fare can fool—or convert—meat eaters, but they require creativity, versatility, bravery. That’s what you’ll find at Native Foods Café. Founded in Palm Springs in 1994, the chain is now America’s top fast-casual vegan restaurant, serving fresh and memorable international cuisine. From tempeh and seitan to cheese, sauces, drinks, dressings, and desserts, everything is totally plant-based, made fresh daily. Locals find it hard to pick favorites from the big menu, so check the site and drop in for a new perspective on vegan cooking. You’ll find slick, modern tastes for the whole family.

Prices are a bit higher than comparable restaurants, but that reflects the fresh ingredients and from-scratch process. Service is top-notch.

Native Foods Café
2453 Park Avenue
Tustin, CA 92782
(714) 259-0400
http://www.nativefoods.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/native-foods-cafe-tustin

Hit the Ground Running With These Tips for Beginner Joggers

Before you run, you must learn to jog, but sometimes even that can be a struggle. If you simply aren’t the running type, these simple and motivational tips can help you to get out on the trail and actually enjoy a relaxing jog.

  1. Wear the right clothes. Feeling comfortable and prepared can make all the difference when it comes to working out. Your tattered old sneakers and oversized sweatpants likely aren’t doing much for your motivation level, so trade them in for supportive running shoes and breathable, close-fitting shorts or leggings.
  2. Go for a few walks. Build up your stamina by going on a few 15 to 20 minute walks before you begin your jogging routine. This will also help you to plot routes in your area.
  3. Learn proper warm-ups. Begin by stretching your legs, torso, and arms for 5 to 10 minutes to avoid cramping. Make sure that you get your heart rate up by doing a few jumping jacks as well.
  4. Don’t overexert. It’s tempting to jump into a jogging routine head first to see faster results, but resist this urge. Build up your distances slowly to avoid strain and prevent becoming burnt out too quickly.
  5. Cool down. Cooling down is just as important as warming up. Walk a few laps after a run, and stretch your legs to avoid muscle cramping.

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Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

May the luck of the Irish be with you today.

Santiago Oaks Regional Park: Take a Hike Today

Santiago Oaks Regional Park, tucked away in East Orange, boasts over 1700 acres of scenic parkland just minutes from downtown. The park offers scenic views along several trails of varying length and difficulty level, making it popular for families and hikers of all ages. In addition to the hiking trails, the park is home to a nature center that offers educational programs on weekends, and park rangers lead various walks and activities throughout the year. The park has many amenities, including an amphitheater, barbeques, picnic areas, a playground, and a scenic overlook. Additionally, several trails are suitable for bicycles or equestrians, and the park allows dogs on leashes. Regular visitors love the serenity and quiet of Santiago Oaks, as the park rarely feels crowded or overrun, truly allowing visitors to relax and connect to their natural surroundings. For views of the local scenery and a peaceful hike, head to Santiago Oaks Regional Park.

Santiago Oaks Regional Park
2145 Windes Drive
Orange, CA 92869
(714) 973-6620

Pina’s Bistro: Authentic Italian Dishes in a Cozy Setting

This intimate little Italian eatery has quickly become a favorite stopping spot for scrumptious authentic dishes in a cozy, relaxing setting with friendly, attentive service. Maybe part of the reason fans of the place love it so much is because owner and chef Pina makes all of the sausage, manicotti, cannelloni, lasagna, gnocchi, bread, sauces, and desserts in-house.

Settle in with a glass or bottle of wine and an antipasto like calamari fritti, Atlantic littleneck clams with garlic sauce, or a caprese salad. Move on to the main event with a pasta dish like cheese ravioli marinara, penne with sausage and peppers, spaghetti bolognaise, and penne with sauteed sausage and asparagus. Chicken marsala, grilled pork chops and veal parmigiana are also served.

Pina's Bistro is open Tuesday through Saturday in Tustin.

Pina's Bistro
640 W. 1st Street
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 730-5442
pinasbistro.com

Read the reviews on Yelp.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Kanko*

Sake 2 Me Sushi: All-You-Can Eat Sushi With a Side of Sake

Tustin's Sake 2 Me Sushi considers each customer a member of its family. So don't be surprised by the customer photos that cover its walls—they're the family photo album. And snapping a picture is just one way that the staff makes its guests feel at home. They might surprise you with a complimentary bite to eat or nip of sake before you even order, since they value creating community almost as highly as crafting fresh, inventive sushi.

Enjoy an endless sampling of the sushi at all-you-can-eat lunch or dinner, where a flat rate of $19.95 (lunch) or $23.95 (dinner) covers virtually every sushi roll. Try a salmon hand roll, baked lobster California roll, or specialty roll like the Heaven In Ya Mouth (stick crab, mango, avocado, asparagus, romaine lettuce gobo in soy paper). And then wash it down with sake, soju, or another tasty libation.

Sake 2 Me Sushi
13951 Carroll Way
Tustin, CA
(714) 731-6980
http://sake2mesushi.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/sake-2-me-sushi-tustin-2

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/zoeshuttleworth

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