Becca Borawski’s Blog

Yesterday morning, Michael and I had the honor of escorting the members of CrossFit Los Angeles who were running the LA Marathon to the start of the race.  Because the race started downtown and ended at the Santa Monica Pier, we met them at 5:50am in Santa Monica to pick them up near where they were leaving their cars.  We then had a bit of an adventure attempting to drive them to Dodger Stadium for the start of the race.  The traffic was backed up for miles on the 110 – people were even getting out of their cars and walking along the sides of the freeway!  Luckily Michael is very knowledgeable when it comes to getting around downtown and got us onto the city streets, around the various blockades and nearly to the gate of Dodger Stadium.  We saw our gym-mates off and wished them well!

Then it was time for us to enjoy a morning exploring a little of downtown Los Angeles.  For living in LA as long as I have (13 years!), there’s a few basic things I’ve never seen….like Pershing Square or Angels Flight.  Turns out neither is terribly exciting, but still nice to see in that they are iconic LA.  It would be fun to go back down to Pershing Square in the winter when they have the ice rink set up.  Angels Flight I always wanted to see, just because of the historic aspect of it — I had no idea they had actually moved it from the original location.  We also didn’t actually ride it since we could only think of the old man who died on it a few years ago before they shut it down.  I’m sure since it just reopened it’s perfectly safe…but…you know.

Since we were downtown, we also decided to hit up one of the diners we are always hearing about — the Nickel Diner.  And, of course, we had every intention of trying out the infamous maple bacon donut while we were there.  We ordered the maple bacon donut as an appetizer and split it between us.  It was tasty — I mean, how could you not like something fresh and sugary, covered in maple glaze and bacon?  And yet, strangely, it wasn’t anything special or mind-blowing.

The decor of the restaurant would make you believe it has been there for decades, when in reality it is relatively new.  The service was great and the place was clean and inviting, but the food was nothing terribly special, despite all the attention the restaurant gets for some of the more gimmicky dishes.  The portions were very generous and it tasted good, but I wouldn’t drive all the way back down town for any of it.

All in all it was a fun adventurous morning, though.  Sometimes, when I’m downtown, and seeing all the cool lofts and how much the area has developed in the last decade, I think it would be fun to live down there…

Somehow, even though I must have driven by it a thousand times, I have never really noticed Amandine Cafe in West Los Angeles.  The other day, my boyfriend and I were discussing finding somewhere new to try for breakfast, and I drove by Amandine for the one thousand and first time and finally saw it.  It looked adorable and I thought, that place MUST serve breakfast.

I went home, checked out the website and yelp, and discovered it not only serves breakfast, but specializes in french toast, omelets, and pastries.  Well, you can’t lose with that combination, so we decided to try it out this past Sunday.

My boyfriend ordered the French Toast with Berries confiture, while I ordered the Amandine Omelet (ham, gruyere, and bechamel sauce).  We took it as a good sign that they warn you the French toast will take fifteen minutes, and were not disappointed when it arrived.  The omelet was also excellent and was served with potatoes and cheese, fruit (I liked the banana slices) and a couple slices of brioche.

The pastry and dessert display was probably one of the most beautiful sites I have ever seen.  It was simply over flowing with beautiful creations of every type.  The items were all quite large as well, and reasonably priced.  We did not try anything this time (we just drooled on the glass display), but next time we are going to sample some of the goodies for sure.

My only complaint about the restaurant would be the layout.  It can be quite crowded inside and the tables out front are very limited.  We did not realize until we left that there was a back patio area with picnic benches.  Next time we are sitting back there, for sure!

Rest Day – Massage

I really wanted to work out today.  I’m tired of sitting around.  But, when I woke up this morning, I was really congested and I decided even if I did a super light weight, I’d still be tiring out my system when I shouldn’t be.  Bummer.

But, I did go over to Willow Spa (just 2 doors down from CrossFit LA on Santa Monica) and treat myself to an awesome Sports Massage.  They are a little pricey there, but they are totally worth it if you want to treat yourself to really good massage.  My massage therapist was great and knew her stuff. Plus, the ambiance there is so mellow and relaxing and they definitely take care of you and make you feel comfortable.  I highly recommend checking them out.

Today my boyfriend and I decided to spend the day exploring Little India.  Little India is located about thirty miles south of Santa Monica, in Artesia.  While it lacks the glitz and cohesiveness of someplace like Chinatown, it also feels more authentic and provided us with an entertaining day.

First we went to the Naz 8 Cinemas to catch a Bollywood film.  Naz 8 boasts to be the first multi-cultural cinema showing international films seven days a week…but I’m not so sure as to the veracity of that claim.  The theaters reside in a mostly vacant strip mall and have a very aged feeling to them, but the staff was quite friendly and there were many families out together.

On the recommendation of a friend, we went to see Three Idiots and thoroughly enjoyed it.  I know it is playing a couple different places around Los Angeles, so if you get a chance I highly recommend it.  It is quite long (there was an intermission an hour and a half into the movie), but it moves quickly and the characters are very endearing.

After the movie we went to one of the local restaurants that is very well reviewed, The India Restaurant.  Despite its unoriginal name, the food was exciting and delicious.  Service was fast and everything tasted great.  For about twenty-five dollars each we had an entree, naan and rice for two, as well as crispy bread and chutneys for an appetizer.  I would visit this place again, for sure, to try all the different dishes.

As a final stop, after reading about it in my 2010 Eat: Los Angeles guide, we visited a sweets shop, named Ambala Sweets & Snacks.  Upon walking in and glancing up at the undecipherable menu, we promptly turned around and went back out to the car to reread the page in the food guide.  We weren’t sure what they were, but the guide recommended the rasmalai and cham-cham.  So we went back in and ordered those as well as a rasgulla, because I thought it looked cool.  On the whole, we decided maybe we were just not cut out for Indian desserts, as they all seemed to be cold and soggy.  Of the three, the rasmalai, soaked in a bowl of milk, was the most tasty.

Now, here I am at home, quite content with my stomach full of Indian cuisine and my heart warmed by the Bollywood film.  I would recommend a day in Little India for anyone in LA looking for a mellow but interesting near-home adventure.

Mr. America: How Muscular Millionaire Bernarr Macfadden Transformed the Nation Through Sex, Salad, and the Ultimate Starvation Diet by Mark Adams

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book was a fun and enlightening read. I had never heard of Bernarr McFadden before and was intrigued to discover what a large figure he was in the creation of the modern fitness industry, the newspaper business, and beyond. As you read, you will discover his life was intertwined with many people you know as household names in history.  You will find the seeds of such ideas as intermittent fasting, avoiding white starchy foods, regular exercise, and more.  Inspiring men like Jack Lalanne, Joe Weider, and discovering none other than Charles Atlas, Bernarr McFadden was a man before his time.

A unique and idiosyncratic character, Bernarr McFadden’s story is a tragic success story, and yet inspirational in his crusade for better human health and lifestyles.

View all my reviews >>

If you are looking for a great gift for a blossoming chef, or you yourself are looking for a great cook book to get started, you can not go wrong with Mark Bittman’s How to Cook Everything.

The book is well organized, both with sections on food groups (vegetables, meat, etc.) and also useful lists of food — best sauces, quick meals, etc.  One of the things I like is that if you look up a vegetable, say eggplant, Bittman will explain how to shop for eggplants and how to slice them, as well as provide a variety of recipes.  Each recipe will also have multiple variations listed.

I use this cook book regularly and have enjoyed all the recipes I have tried – the latest dishes being herb stuffed eggs and bacon wrapped dates.  There are endless ideas for every meat, vegetable and fruit you can imagine, as well as ideas for meals and instruction on kitchen basics.  It is a well rounded book and a kitchen essential!

You can also sign up for a weekly recipe and newsletter, by visiting howtocookeverything.com.

I took a day to rest and rejuvenate today.  I went to Willow Spa and experienced the Enzyme Bath and Athlete’s Stretch.  Willow Spa is right next door to CrossFit LA —http://www.willowspa.com/index.html

When we first arrived, we changed into robes provided by the spa and were treated to foot massages.  We were also given an enzyme drink and ginger tea to go with our enzyme bath treatment.  The enzyme drink was sort of like syrupy teriyaki sauce.  The ginger tea was great.  Our technicians were also very friendly and took great care of us the entire time.

The enzyme bath was HOT HOT HOT.  Holy cow.  It’s a bit like being buried up to your neck in hot compost.  I was focused on breathing to get through each 5 minutes between visits from the spa attendant with water and a cool towel for my face.  It was amazing how my heart rate was up the whole time just from the heat and enzymes.  It’s also a bit crazy that the heat does not come from an outside source, but from the chemical reactions happening in the mulch.

After 20 minutes in the enzyme bath, it was time to get out and rinse off.  I’m not sure if it was me or the shower, but the water felt painfully cold and I felt pretty dizzy.  I must have looked a little dizzy too, as the attendants walked me back to the lounge area.

After that it was time for the Athlete’s Stretch, which was essentially a Thai Massage.  I chose to have her focus on my upper body as it’s my upper back and shoulder area that I believe cause my migraines.  She also did some work on my hamstrings because the ridiculous soreness from Friday’s workout was causing my whole back to tighten up.

I definitely need to get back to my commitment to get regular massages.  I felt MUCH better after this treatment.  Plus, Willow Spa is such a nice little hideaway.  You would never know it from the street, but it’s a peaceful getaway inside that gate.  I definitely recommend it as a great way to treat yourself for a day!

Today I had the privilege to do a photo shoot with Karen, of Karen Leah Photography.  Karen is a student at CFLA and a a great photographer.  What makes Karen a great photographer is that not only does she take wonderful photos, but she is totally honest with you about what is working and what is not and really works to get what is naturally you.  If you are looking for a photographer for an event or for portraits, I would definitely recommend chatting with Karen.

Here are a couple samples of what we did today (they are also in my photo gallery) – there will be more in a few weeks…

If you’re looking for a simple and potentially healthy place to eat, check out Lemonade Cafe.  They have three locations – Beverly, Downtown and Venice.  A fourth location is coming soon at MOCA.  While they are named for their fresh squeezed lemonades, they specialize in salads and pot roasts.

Salad choices include things like:

• Spaghetti Squash, Farro, Pomegranate Vinaigrette
• Avocado, Cherry Tomatoes, Pine Nuts, Lime Vinaigrette
• Chicken Breast, Butternut Squash, Grapes, Oregano Vinaigrette

There are about fifteen more salad choices available.  Pot roasts include a variety of meats – turkey, chicken, beef, lamb, etc.  I tried the Lamb Tagine with figs, apricots, and almonds.  The meat was deliciously tender.  They will also allow you to sample as many pot roasts as you like so you can decide which one you want to order.

In addition to all this, they have soups, sandwiches, and a decadent little dessert counter full of largely portioned and highly satisfying treats.

For a full menu, go here — Lemonade Cafe Menu

Be forewarned, it’s not particularly homey inside and can be quite noisy due to the hardness of the decor.  It is definitely a “cafeteria” feel to the restaurant, but the food is tasty and something different than the standard lunch fare.

So, anyone who knows me knows I love cats.  I love animals in general, but am particularly partial to cats.  I have two of my own – Henry, a Ragdoll, and Casper, a Japanese Bobtail.

This weekend was the annual Santa Monica Cat Show.  Yes, they have cat shows and yes, they’re kinda like dog shows!  There are judges and all sorts of categories based on breeds.  Unlike dogs, they don’t walk around, they’re just taken out of their cages, placed on the judge’s table, examined, and put back in the cage.

In between the judging, the cats all hang out in the general arena area in their cages.  Attendants of the event are welcome to go up and down all the aisles checking out all the different breeds.  Some owners are more than happy to have you pet and hold their animals, others are adamant you do not touch the cats.  There is a lot that goes into the grooming and care of the animals, so it is pretty understandable.  While my cats are both purebreds, they would never tolerate sitting still long enough to be groomed like these cats.

All in all, it was a lot of fun and I learned a bunch about some new breeds I was not familiar with.  I also did a little early Christmas shopping and picked up a bunch of food samples for my kitties to try out. One of my cats is like a goat and would eat tin cans, the other is incredibly sensitive and barfs up just about everything.  The joy of cats.

I also got them a great new bed/carrier called the “Sleepypod“.  The top zips off so it can double as a cat bed at home, which is great because then they’re not scared of it when it comes time to visit the vet.  What I really love about it, though, is that it can be strapped into the seat with the seatbelt!  Puts me much more at ease when transporting my little guys.