Have You Tried the Shawarma at The Genie Den?

“The Genie Den has granted my three wishes…1) great service 2) great food 3) great ambiance!” That’s the word of one regular Genie Den patron. Many other Yelp reviewers agree. The Genie Den has an ambiance that transports diners to the Middle East, and the eatery serves authentic and flavor-packed food that does the same. With family roots in Saudi Arabia, the owners create dishes with a distinct Gulf flavor that hearken back to old family recipes.

Freshly fried falafel with hummus, plump dolma, and tabouleh are favorite appetizers of regulars, but the real star of the menu is the shawarma, Yelp reviewers say. The roasted halal meat is juicy and delicately seasoned, carved off the spit, and packed into a pita sandwich stuffed full of hummus, pickles, tabouleh, tahini, and veggies.

Don’t leave without trying the homemade baklava, a light, flaky and sticky-sweet Mediterranean treat.

Genie Den
12531 Harbor Boulevard
Garden Grove, CA 92840
(714) 636-8600
www.genieden.com
www.yelp.com/biz/genie-den-garden-grove

Happy Memorial Day

Today we remember those who have sacrificed their lives for our great country. We hope you have a great Memorial Day!

Foodies Will Have Fun Over Multi-Course Dinners at Playground 2.0

With a creative menu of tapas dishes and inventive theme dinners, Playground 2.0 is one of Santa Ana’s most standout eateries. This foodie favorite is perfect for your next date night or dinner out with friends, as it stylish atmosphere and in-demand dinners make it feel truly special.

Stop in to Playground 2.0 and discover what’s new at the exciting theme dinners, which often include meat-centric dishes using premium beef from around the world. At the Ultimate Steak Dinner, guests will enjoy multiple meat courses prepared by skilled chefs right in front of their eyes, creating an immersive dining experience that you won’t find anywhere else nearby. Some themed dinners center around seafood, while others, like the Trust Dinner Party, have no set theme, but rather a delicious mish-mash of dishes that somehow work perfectly together.

With exceptional wine pairings and desserts, you’re in for a wild ride at Playground 2.0.

Playground 2.0
220 E Fourth St
Santa Ana, CA 92701
www.yelp.com/biz/playground-2-0-santa-ana-3

Facts About Flax Seeds You Might Not Already Know

If you’re trying to improve your health and maintain a healthy diet, you may want to start incorporating flax seeds into your meals. These tiny seeds are said to be great for digestion and vascular health, and they may even help to prevent certain types of cancers. Here are just a few fun facts about flax seeds that you might not know.

  1. Flaxseeds have more omega-3 fatty acids than any other foods in the world. These acids remain stable for up to three hours in the oven, which means that you can bake flaxseeds into breads and muffins without losing the omega-3s.
  2. Flaxseeds have the highest amount of lignans of any other food. Lignans are fiber-related polyphenols that offer benefits similar to antioxidants and fibers, and they are beneficial to all humans.
  3. Flaxseeds provide support to the intestinal tract through their mucilage, or “gum” content. This water-soluble gel improves nutrient absorption into the small intestine.
  4. Flaxseeds are proven to reduce metabolic syndrome. Studies show that people who eat 30 grams of flaxseeds each day had a 20% decrease in metabolic syndrome over a 12-week period.
  5. By eating more flaxseeds, you can improve your cardiovascular system. These powerful seeds help prevent excessive inflammation in the blood vessels, keeping your blood pumping and keeping the body safe from diseases.

Flaxseeds [Vegetarian]
What's New and Beneficial About Flaxseeds [The World’s Healthiest Foods]
Flax for Consumers [Ameriflax]

Transport Your Senses to Bali With a Visit to Mandara Spa

Mandara Spa is located within the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa in Anaheim. The Zen-like atmosphere at this luxury spa intends to transport you across the world with high-end services adapted from the Far East and West. The tranquil, Balinese-inspired ambiance immediately puts you at ease and ready to de-stress, according to regular spa-goers.

From facials to aromatherapy, the menu of services likely has something for everyone. Start with a steam in the sauna, a 60-minute luxurious massage, an herbal body scrub, a specialized luxurious facial, or a decadent body treatment. Spoil yourself with a Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing facial that promises to leave your skin even and clear, or enjoy a detoxifying Aroma Spa Seaweed Massage. All services use specially formulated products leaving you rejuvenated and revived.

Mandara Spa
Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
1600 South Disneyland Drive
Anaheim, CA 92802
(714) 300-7350
www.mandaraspa.com/spa/Anaheim-Disney-s-Grand-Californian-Hotel.aspx
www.yelp.com/biz/mandara-spa-anaheim

Happy Mother’s Day!

Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate Mom! Are you doing anything special for your mother today?

Feel the Burn With These 6 Low-Impact Workouts

Whether you’re recovering from an injury or simply looking to begin a workout routine from scratch, low-impact workouts are often just as beneficial as more explosive styles. Here are a few low-impact workouts that will take it a bit easier on your body while still showing major results.

  1. Kettlebell swings. Any exercise that burns up to 600 calories in just 30 minutes should be on your list, and that’s just what you’ll get with kettlebell swings.
  2. Swimming. If your gym has an indoor or outdoor pool, try swimming some simple laps to get in a great cardiovascular exercise that burns fat without putting much impact on your body.
  3. Barre classes. This trendy, ballet-inspired workout actually lives up to the hype. Barre’s sequences of pliés, squats, and repetitive arm movements are proven to burn major calories, and they also go easy on your joints.
  4. Cycling. If you love running but simply can’t handle the strain that it puts on your knees and ankles, try cycling instead. The average hour-long class burns between 600 and 750 calories.
  5. Power yoga. While all types of yoga are beneficial to your health, more traditional styles don’t particularly burn a lot of calories. If you’re looking to lose weight, try a power yoga class instead.
  6. Fast-paced walking. Speed up your usual walk to torch calories without going too hard on your joints.

Low-Impact Exercises That Burn Major Calories [SparkPeople]
8 Low-Impact Workouts That Still Burn Major Calories [Shape]
8 Low-Impact Workouts That Torch Calories [Prevention]

Veggie Grill: Delicious Vegan Fare

Vegetable lovers will delight at the Veggie Grill in Irvine. If you are apprehensive about vegetarian food this completely vegan restaurant will change your mind. The delicious, fresh, healthy food is sure to satisfy any meat lover or vegetarian alike. Try the All-American Stack, with grilled veggie steak, pickles, lettuce, tomato, crispy onion rings, and thousand island dressing. You'll feel like you're eating a pulled pork sandwich. Chicken lovers will rejoice in the Santa Fe Crispy Chickin' sandwich and Crispy Chickin' wings. Diners insist the soy-based based meat substitute tastes just like chicken. Pair your meal with one of the delicious sides like the Steamin' Kale or Vegan Mac and Cheese. If you're a vegetarian or just trying to eat a little healthier the Veggie Grill is sure to be a hit.

Veggie Grill
81 Fortune Dr
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 727-9900
http://www.yelp.com/biz/veggie-grill-irvine-3

Spring Forward: How Start Your Warm Weather Workouts on the Right Foot

Whether you want to tone up before bathing suit season or you're striving to lead a healthier lifestyle, the spring season is a good time to begin an exercise routine. If you’re struggling to find the motivation to begin your spring workouts, these tips can help.

  • Put it on paper. If you write down your fitness goals and a loose schedule, it will help you to remain accountable and stay on track.
  • Start slow. Remember to keep your schedule light at first and work up to more difficult workouts. Begin with 30 minutes of moderate cardio exercise three or four times per week, and be sure to switch up your workouts to keep things interesting.
  • Enlist a partner. If you’re still feeling sluggish, ask a close friend to work out with you and help to keep each other motivated.
  • Invest in new workout gear. If your sneakers from last season have seen better days, invest in a brand-new pair that will get you excited to exercise.
  • Get outdoors. Now that the cold weather is over and the days are longer, you likely want to get outside as much as you can. Schedule early morning runs before work, go for weekend bike rides, or even sign up for yoga in the park.

Spring-Clean Your Exercise Routine [Health]
20 Ways to Spring Clean Your Fitness Routine [Shape]
Spring Clean Your Workout Routine: 21 Bad Habits To Toss Today [LiveStrong]

Get in Touch With Mother Nature at the Santiago Creek Wildlife & Watershed Center

If you’re looking for a way to explore Santa Ana’s natural areas this weekend, Santiago Creek Wildlife & Watershed Center is a great place to visit. This diverse facility contains activities that are fun for the whole family and visitors of all ages, from the youngest children to adults looking for some relaxing fun in the sun.

Take a walk, ride your bike, or go for a jog along the numerous nature trails, which wind through the park’s scenic natural areas filled with lots of greenery. You're likely to see a diverse assortment of native birds, squirrels, butterflies, and other creatures along your route. Venture over to the archery range and learn to handle a bow and arrow on a course filled with targets, and then bring the kids to for a run down the long sliding boards along the hillside.

The Santiago Park also offers lawn bowling, which is a fun way to take your favorite activity outdoors!

Santiago Creek Wildlife & Watershed Center
510 E Memory Lane
Santa Ana, CA 92705
(714) 647-6904
www.yelp.com/biz/santiago-creek-wildlife-and-watershed-center-santiago-park-nature-santa-ana

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