Good idea: Tovolo

With summer hitting high temperatures here in LA, I was researching for ice cream molds (I had some ideas...) when I found Tovolo.
This company has some really cool things, not just for kids (as you can see per my enthusiasm!) and it goes far beyond the popsicle molds which, by the way, are super cute. They have pie molds, ice cream sandwiches molds, sandwiches cutters, colorful utensils and the list goes on...

Fun food all year long!

Cheers! (no alcohol this time!)

To fight the heat it's doing here, nothing better than a fresh juice. So a good tip is to stop at the Beverly Hills Juice. A tiny shop, very simple with delicious juices!

It's been quite some time that Los Angeles is all about pressed juices (fruits processed by hydraulic pressure which, they say, have a higher nutritional content and does not oxidize as fast as the other methods).
These juices have become a must in the healthy/zen world, specially for those people who go on liquid diets, or want to detoxify, energize, etc.
The juice is very tasty. I bought this apple ginger coconut and I really liked! The juice is not too sweet and you get that "burning feeling" from the ginger (you have to really like ginger!)

For those familiar with the variety of juices and fruits in Brazil and its cheap prices, this is more expensive (I paid $ 6 a bottle), but it is worth if you want something different to keep you hydrated and refreshed especially during summer time.

Details...

The weekend was very hot here in LA, so what's better than spending the day at the beach, the park and watching an outdoor concert? Nothing, right? And that was exactly what we did: lots of sun, sunscreen, light fresh food and fun!

Beach-front restaurant, Paradise Cove

Cool car, Venice Beach

Staying hydrated at the park

Finishing weekend with an outdoor opera

Light fresh food before the show! (and again our beloved quinoa. This time with walnuts, cranberries, feta cheese and cherry tomatoes)

This photo is just to show you one of the nicest moment of American patriotism: if you look closely, you will see that everyone is singing the National Anthem facing the flag (for those who don't know, before every classical concert, the musicians play the American National Anthem)

And here comes another new week! (I promise this week I'll give you a delicious recipe)

Road Trip: Pismo Beach, CA

This weekend, hubby and I took a road trip and drove 220 miles, heading North, toward Pismo Beach.

The drive is beautiful. We took PCH which is the same highway that takes you to Santa Monica, Malibu, Santa Barbara and San Francisco.

We were enjoying the scenery and having a good time. And when was time for lunch, we stopped in Santa Barbara and picked a restaurant, randomly, called Cafe Stella.

It's a bistro with delicious and simple food. We ordered two salads and a cheesecake!

And then we arrived at the hotel late afternoon ...

The next day we visited one of most historic cities in California called San Luis Obispo. It's an old town with numerous shops, restaurants and visitors. And, again, randomly, we chose a restaurant that, to our pleasant surprise, served delicious salads! I ordered quinoa salad (second photo) and it was very similar to those I make at home, but there was one thing that stood out: watermelon! But the combination worked and I loved it! (they also used that balsamic drizzle I already told you about here)

After this delicious lunch, we drove back home and enjoyed - one more time - all the beauties California has to offer! It's going to be a great summer!

This Week's DELIGHT: Salmon Tartare

I love raw or smoked salmon, but I confess that the fish was not part of our meals as much as it should be. But now that I learned to make Salmon Tartare, I'm sure it will be more present in our house!

Salmon Tartare is a super simple, light and refreshing dish, made with raw fish (you can use tuna too). Easy to make, it's a great option for an appetizer. But in my case, it was a hot Sunday, so I made it as my main dish, with spinach, feta cheese and dried cranberries salad.

Check here to get this super healthy and very tasty recipe!

In love: French Bull

It's Spring time in the States, so we're already blessed with beautiful ideas for the summer. And one of them is French Bull. With super colorful designs, it's tabletops are perfect for setting an amazing outdoor table, for a barbecue, a party, for the beach house or even every day. They're all made of melamine which means practicality and durability!

On their website you will find dishes, plates, glasses, knives, bowls, kids utensils, oven mitts, placemats, containers, floor mats etc. It'll be hard to pick one!

Get your home ready - and colorful - for the summer! (if you're not in the States and the company doesn't ship internationally, some items are available at Amazon)

This week's DELIGHT: Salads

I don't know you but, even during cold seasons I eat lots of salad (after all, I need to compensate for all the sweet I make and eat!). So I decided to share with you some easy, simple and tasty suggestions.
PS: there is no recipe. I make them by heart and change them up depending on what I have available in my fridge that day!

Baby spinach, tomato and dried cranberry

Cherry tomato and avocado

Cannellini beans, tuna and balsamic drizzle (I use this)

Red quinoa, corn and raisins (I had nothing in the fridge that day but I generally make this salad with tomato, and chopped cheese and turkey breast)

Baby arugula, cherry tomato, shredded carrot and cannellini beans.

These are my "basic"salads, but I have many others that I will post in the future. I use balsamic vinegar or lemon; love mixing sweet and savory by using dried fruit (raisins, cranberry, fig, apricot), and I also use lots of beans (chickpea, cannellini, corn), and tomato and avocado almost every time!
Don't forget the crunchy broccoli salad (I made again this week. So good!).

This week's DELIGHT: Broccoli Crunch Slaw

I know the weather is not perfect for a salad, but if you're spending your holidays in a hotter place, at someone's house or want to have a break from all the heavy food you had for Thanksgiving, here's a delicious recipe: broccoli crunch slaw.

It's different and tasty, and can be served as a side or even main dish. It travels well and can be made in large quantities. This salad and a glass of wine, humm... delish and guilty free!

Cheers!

Summer is getting closer in Brazil so this week's Cheers! I chose a very refreshing Italian drink: Sgroppino

Ingredients
1 cup chilled prosecco
2 tbsp chilled vodka
1/3 cup lemon sorbet
1/4 tsp chopped fresh mint leaves

Pour the prosecco and vodka into 2 flute glasses, equally divided. Add one scoop of lemon sorbet into each flute and sprinkle fresh mint.

This drink is great for a hot day, brunch or cocktail. I also think that you can try your our version using other flavors of sorbet (such as orange, peach, etc..)

Enjoy this weekend and I hope you finish buying your Xmas gifts and foods, because we only have one week!!

Cheers!

Summer decided to be back again around here, and as is also hot in Brazil, this week's Cheers! is a refreshing drink that I love and it is a guaranteed presence in my brunch, whether at home or not: Mimosa!

4oz chilled sparkling wine or champagne
1oz chilled orange juice (with pulp or not, homemade or not)
Optional: 1/2oz triple sec (orange liqueur)

Place the orange juice (and liquor) in a flute and fill it with sparkling wine/champagne.
This drink is light, refreshing and easy to please everyone. Excellent choice to serve brunch, weddings and celebrations.

Enjoy your weekend! Cheers!

Cheers!

Friday is even more delicious with the drink of the week: Gin Tonic
60 ml gin
120ml tonic water
1 tsp lemon juice (optional)
ice cubes
slice of lemon to garnish

In a tall glass, place ice cubes and pour the gin, lemon juice and tonic water. Stir well and garnish with a slice of lemon.

Very refreshing, this drink is perfect for hot days (if you prefer, you can substitute vodka for gin)

In love! - Bodum Portable BBQ

The winter is ending in Brazil and people start to get out more, take walks outdoors and also the BBQ season begins!
But you are not in the mood to face the waiting list for using the grill in your building? Want something more private? Or just to change a little bit the family lunch on Sunday? My suggestion is a portable BBQ from Bodum.
Small (measures not exceeding 16'), has a cool design and is available in different colors. The price is super affordable, and by its size, is easy to carry and store during the colder periods. I saw it at the store and, as the post title says, I was in love!

Good excuse for barbecue on the weekends!

Details...

Regular weekday on Rodeo Drive...

Picnic two thumbs up!

Yesterday was my last show at the Hollywood Bowl and this season will be missed: the shows were great, the weather was super nice and the task of bringing food and drink was delicious!
This time, my hubby and and I went to concerts along with another couple, so we took the opportunity to bring something different, tasty and easysuch as: sandwiches (wraps type), hummus, baby carrots, chips, melon with prosciutto, brie with jam, grapes, cherry tomatoes salad, sliced ​​breads (different styles like focaccia, baguettes), water and wine.
This menu is perfect not only for concerts but also for the park, museums or on the road. But remember to take everything chopped and ready, and do not forget cutlery, disposable plates and cups (good tip here), napkins and bottle openers.
To carry all this, you can take a normal bag (the one below was used by me in my first trips to the Hollywood Bowl!)...

Or if you are - or will be - a fan of picnics, you can invest a little more in thermal bags with compartments and dividers like these (some of them cutlery is already included):

Or the most traditional, English style, charming like these:

All products above are from Picnic at Ascot. An amazing store with everything to make your picnic even more enjoyable (and they also have blankets, chairs, coolers, etc.). But the important thing is to do everything with love and affection, have fun, and enjoy these delicious moments with your loved ones.

Hollywood Bowl: we'll be back next year!!