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Native Foods Café: Vegan Delights in Tustin

March 27, 2014 by

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

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Hit the Ground Running With These Tips for Beginner Joggers

March 20, 2014 by

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

March 6, 2014 by

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*

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

February 27, 2014 by

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

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Two of Television’s First Game Shows

February 20, 2014 by

If you love to watch Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? or Family Feud, you have television’s original game shows to thank for the popular host and contestant format. Here are two of the very first game shows to appear TV screens:

Truth or Consequences
Truth or Consequences began as a radio program, and it first aired on television in 1950. Its contestants had to answer trivia questions in no more than two seconds (the show’s "Truth" portion), but the questions were almost always ridiculous or incredibly difficult. Once the contestant inevitably could not answer, they were faced with a "Consequence," typically an embarrassing stunt or physical activity. Truth or Consequences was particularly beloved for its sentimental surprise appearances, often a long-lost family member or a son returning from Vietnam. 

What’s My Line?
This 1950 panel-style game show featured a panel of celebrities who had to question contestants about their professions. The contestants could only respond with “yes” or “no” answers, and the panelists aimed to guess the contestant’s occupation based on the obtained answers. Occasionally a celebrity mystery guest appeared on the show, in which case the panel attempted to guess the person’s identity instead. What’s My Line? eventually spawned international versions and, later on, U.S. revivals, a radio version, and even a live stage version. 

 

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Happy Presidents’ Day

February 17, 2014 by

Remembering the courage and vision of past and present leaders, we honor and share the spirit of Presidents' Day together as a nation.

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Happy Valentine’s Day!

February 14, 2014 by

Wishing everyone a day filled with fun and happy memories!

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Delicious Greens Recipes from Top Food Websites

February 6, 2014 by

We should all eat more greens than we currently do, but it can be hard to squeeze in those extra veggies. These delightful sites from around the web will help you add a bit more green to your diet without sacrificing taste.

All Recipes
The Greens Recipes section of the All Recipes site is full of creative, healthy recipes that use leafy greens as the main ingredient. From cheese dips to spinach rolls to quiches and casseroles, these dishes are so decadent, you might even forget that they’re healthy. All Recipes also offers a number of recipes for preparing traditional Southern greens, which make a perfect side dish for your next fried chicken dinner.

Food.com
Visit Food.com to find an endless assortment of greens recipes that are both healthy and delicious. A Spinach Strawberry Salad makes a great summer lunch, and its seasonal fruits add a bit of color to the variety of greens. The site also features warm, hearty soups full of green veggies, from Tuscan White Bean & Spinach to Italian Sausage with Kale. With main courses, side dishes and even appetizers, Food.com is a great resource for cooking with greens.

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The Playground: Craft Beer, Burgers, and Much More

January 30, 2014 by

Today, The Playground looks much different than founder Jason Quinn envisioned it. The beer-only, no-reservations, bar-service burger Santa Ana eatery he once dreamt of was never to be—but The Playground is better. That is, if you're up for venturing outside mealtime norms. 

The adventure begins with completely handing over your dining choices to The Playground's chefs, who are so devoted to their craft that they refuse special requests. Only their unique culinary vision and fresh, inventive ingredients drive the menu. But you likely won't regret relinquishing control when dishes begin to arrive.

Pan-roasted wild mushrooms to start, maple-glazed pork chop as an entree, and Black Mission fig toffee sticky pudding for dessert are three of your best options, according to customers. Complement dinner with a craft beer, maybe one that's brewed specifically for The Playground, or a glass of wine. Or seize an opportunity to get better acquainted with the libations and cuisine at special winemaker dinners and chef demonstrations held in 2.0, a 17-seat "culinary theater" next door.

The Playground
220 East 4th Street
Santa Ana, CA 92701
(714) 560-4444
http://playgrounddtsa.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-playground-santa-ana-2

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Healthy Eating Tips for Seniors

January 22, 2014 by

You’re in the prime of your life, and it’s more important than ever to maintain a healthy, balanced diet. If you want to manage your weight and start to feel active and energized, these simple tips from the USDA can help.

  • Make sure at least half of your grains are whole grains. When you go to the grocery store, look for breads, pastas, and rice are labeled “whole grain” or “whole wheat."
  • Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables. The easiest way to ensure that you’re getting a good mixture is by buying them in a variety of different colors.
  • Eat seafood at least twice a week to get its beneficial protein and other nutrients.
  • Eat the proper calories for your lifestyle. Senior women need anywhere from 1,600 to 2,200 calories per day, while senior men need between 2,000 and 2,800 calories, depending on how active you are.
  • If foods start to taste different or irritate your stomach, talk to your doctor. Some medications diminish your sense of taste, but changing your dosage or your medication can usually help.

For more eating tips for seniors, visit the USDA website here.

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