Happy Valentine’s Day

We hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day celebrating with the ones you love!

Try a Turkish Latte Instead of Your Usual Brew at Kean Coffee

Enjoy a globally influenced menu of coffee and loose-leaf tea at Kean Coffee, a spacious Tustin cafe located in a bustling strip mall not too far from Coventry Court Apartments. Inside, Kean Coffee is cozy and polished, with an impressively large chandelier light fixture accenting the center of the room, soft, neutral decor, and handsome wooden tables throughout the seating area.

There are glass pastry cases filled to the brim with baked goods, as well as a spacious espresso bar where skilled baristas create each custom-made drink. Brewed coffees and traditional espresso drinks are served in ceramic mugs or takeaway cups, while seasonal lattes, Turkish lattes, and brewed black teas make unique and flavorful alternatives for those who want to mix up their usual coffee routine.

The Kean Coffee location in Tustin opens at 6 a.m. daily.

Kean Coffee
13681 Newport Ave
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 838-5326
www.keancoffee.com

Align Your Body and Mind at Yoga Squared

For avid yogis, first-timers and anyone in between, Yoga Squared is a great yoga studio in the Tustin area. The studio stands out from similar options in the area because of its childcare facility, which is located right on-site and gives busy parents the opportunity to attend a yoga class without finding someone to watch the little ones. The studio itself is located right above the popular El Camino Café in Old Town Tustin, so it is very near many of the area’s other shops, residences and offices.

Inside, Yoga Squared is bright and inviting, with a colorful reception area offering yoga merchandise for sale or rent. The studio features floor-to-ceiling windows that let in ample light and hardwood floors that keep things feeling clean, while the childcare room contains plush toys, mats and books that will ensure that both you and your kids leave relaxed and happy.

Yoga Squared
195 El Camino Real
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 625-7230
www.yogasquaredstudio.com
www.yelp.com/biz/yoga-squared-tustin

Gen Korean BBQ House: 30+ All-You-Can-Eat Meats

By the time you get seated at Tustin's Gen Korean BBQ House, you'll probably have worked up an appetite. That's because the eatery boasts such a following that a meal there often includes a wait for a table. But make it through the wait, and you will be greatly rewarded. At both lunch and dinner, patrons feast on all-you-can-eat cuts of Korean meats—which you cook yourself on each table's central grill.

You'll have two hours (the time limit placed on every party!) to sizzle and sample more than 30 types of meat, seafood, and veggies, so waste no time ordering your first round when you sit down. From thin slices of American waygu kobe brisket (a local favorite) and Black Angus top sirloin to shrimp and garlic calamari, the menu encompasses a wide variety of exotic and familiar meats.

Gen Korean BBQ House
13741 Newport Avenue
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 505-1800
http://genkoreanbbq.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/gen-korean-bbq-and-yakitori-bar-tustin-2

Interesting Facts About Music Icon Ray Charles

One of soul music’s most influential pioneers, Ray Charles overcame a number of personal and professional battles during his rise to stardom. Here are some of the most important highlights from his lengthy musical career.

  1. Though Ray Charles is known for being blind, he wasn’t born that way. Charles began to gradually lose his sight as a child, and he didn’t become fully blind until age seven.
  2. When he moved to Seattle at age 16, Charles befriended Quincy Jones. The legendary songwriter, trumpet player, and music producer often credits Charles for getting him into music. The two remained lifelong friends.
  3. Just one year after his first record deal with Atlantic Records, Charles saw his first number one single with “I Got a Woman." The song is now one of his most legendary.
  4. Charles has had a lot of nicknames throughout his career. When he first started to become successful, fellow musicians called him “The Genius” because of the previously unheard of way in which he blended musical styles. Later, he became known as “The Father of Soul."
  5. Charles was among the first group of musicians to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 1986, he received the honor with fellow musicians like Elvis, Chuck Berry, and James Brown.

Ray Charles [Rolling Stone]
Ray Charles [Biography]
Ray Charles Biography [Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]

Public Domain/Public Domain

The Reptile Zoo: 10,000 Square Feet of Snakes, Lizards and Tortoises

Located in Fountain Valley, The Reptile Zoo offers curious animal lovers an up-close-and-personal look at some of the world’s creepiest (and even most dangerous) reptiles. Hailing from all over the globe, more than 100 species of reptiles, arachnids, and amphibians have a home here, housed in glass displays throughout The Reptile Zoo's 10,000-square-foot facility.

Visitors can get hands-on with snakes, lizards, and turtles with the help of one of the Reptile Zoo’s knowledgeable employees. There is a small gift shop inside for those who want to take home a piece of reptile memorabilia, and you can even host a private birthday party or other celebration in one of the zoo’s catered party rooms.

Admission to The Reptile Zoo costs just $5 for children and $10 for adults.

The Reptile Zoo
18822 Brookhurst Street
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
(714) 500-0591
www.TheReptileZoo.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-reptile-zoo-fountain-valley

Bottoms Up! How to Drink More Water Every Day

Did you know that there's a miracle drink that helps to improve your skin tone, promote weight loss, and even prevent headaches? It’s true—and it’s water! Drinking enough water is very important, and not just to keep dehydration at bay. Here are a few simple ways to drink more water every day.

  1. Invest in a refillable water bottle that you’ll actually want to use. There are a number of different kinds on the market today, and some even contain cages in the middle that you can fill with fresh fruit to make your own all-natural flavored water.
  2. Replace your coffee with an herbal tea. Because teas like chamomile and mint don’t contain caffeine, they won’t detract from your water intake in the way that coffee does.
  3. Replace soda with sparkling water. You’ll still get the same refreshing, bubbly taste without all of the added sugar and calories.
  4. Eat more fruit or drink fresh fruit smoothies. Because fruit is filled with water, you’ll get a double dose of healthy each time you eat it.
  5. Make your own infused ice cubes by filtering fresh herbs and fruit through some water using a strainer or French press, then freeze in your usual ice cube tray. Pop them into your glass of water for an extra kick of flavor.

How to Get More Water in Your Daily Diet [Healthiest Life]
How-To Get More Water Into Your Diet [Skinny Ms.]
Benefits of Water: How to Incorporate More Water into Your Diet [P&G Everyday]

Watson Drugs and Soda Fountain: Enjoy a Taste of Retro Charm

When most people envision a scene from the 1950s, they think of an old-fashioned soda fountain filled with smiling faces. The Watson Drugs and Soda Fountain still offers that same retro charm in modern-day Santa Ana, creating a lively and wholesome place to bring the whole family. Like you might expect, the restaurant is decorated with kitschy signage and memorabilia all over its walls, and it contains a number of vinyl booths and even a black and white checkered floor.

The authentic soda fountain menu offers casual American lunch options like juicy burgers and French fries and homestyle dinner platters later in the day, and everything tastes better with a thick milkshake paired with your meal. If you want to ditch the modern restaurant trends and take a trip down memory lane, Watson Drugs and Soda Fountain is truly a must-see blast from the past.

Watson Drugs and Soda Fountain
116 East Chapman Ave
Orange, California 92866
(714) 532-6317
www.watsonsdrugs.com

Where to Shop Holiday Gifts for Foodies

If you have a foodie friend or family member, there are a number of great online shopping sites that provide great gifts for the holiday season. From cooking supplies to tasty ingredients and even creative cookbooks, these food-centric online stores have everything you need to find the perfect gift for any foodie.

Lette Macarons
Colorful Parisian macaron cookies are a favorite of any food lover, and this smart website makes it so that you can ship your choice of macaron flavors to anywhere in the country. Order a box of Caribbean chocolate or Sweet Wedding Almond and have them delivered just in time for the holidays.

Uncommon Goods
Just like the name suggests, Uncommon Goods offers hard-to-find kitchen supplies and foods that are perfect for the avid foodie. Shop unique gifts like herbal tea kits, Himalayan salt planks and varietal honey flights.

Williams-Sonoma
The popular home goods store is well known for its impressive selection of cookware and cooking supplies, so just about anything that you purchase from its vast inventory is sure to be a hit with a food loving friend.

Murray’s Cheese
Just about everyone loves cheese, and most foodies would agree that the more pungent, the better. Murray’s is the perfect source for foreign and gourmet cheeses that make delicious gifts.

Happy Winter!

As sweater weather approaches we hope you all stay warm and cozy this season! What are some of your favorite winter activities?

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