Shot through the heart

I had my first wheatgrass shot yesterday, which technically was the first shot that I ever had that wasn't alcohol or NyQuil. Jamba Juice, which I love, sells 1 oz and 2 oz shots of wheatgrass, which the company dubs, "liquid sunshine in one little shot!" 

I've often seen people order the tiny green shots served on little treys  and have heard about it's health benefits, but I had never tried it. So, with the encouragement of a colleague, I ordered a 1 oz shot and watched as they cut a handful of grass at the roots of a growing plant paddy and put the contents into a grinder press. Then the resulting liquid was collected in a tiny plastic container and the freshly squeezed mulch of grass was collected and tossed. (I wonder if they use the particles in a compost for growing new wheatgrass...hmm). 

I then received the shot accompanied with and an orange wedge as if I was taking a tequila shot or something.  It took me three sips to drink the little ounce and then I happily bit into the sweet orange. When asked how it tasted all I could say was "grassy." It smelt and tasted like fresh grass (and yes, I've tasted grass before). It was sweet and not terrible though. Not something I would normally enjoy but considering the health benefits of wheatgrass I think I can handle a 1 oz shot of it once and awhile. 

What benefits? Wheatgrass supposedly is an all-natural detoxifier loaded with 23 essential and non-essential amino acids, enzymes, phytonutrients, vitamin K, folic acid, potassium, selenium, vitamin C and other powerful antioxidants to neutralize free radicals, aid in healthy complexion and digestion.

Wheatgrass juice boasts 60% of the body's recommended daily allowance for vitamin K in a one-ounce shot and 120% in a two-ounce shot (other sources include broccoli, soybeans, brussel sprouts and cabbage). Vitamin K is necessary for blood clotting and bone formation and may help prevent osteoporosis. It's supposed to provide natural energy as well.

I didn't feel like I received a shot of espresso, but considering I hardly eat veggies I did feel healthier for drinking it, even if it was only in my mind. 

Ski School

I still can't get over the fact that I went from looking at the Pacific Ocean to snow capped mountains in just a two and half hour drive and not even going to another state or boarding an airplane. Crazyness, but I love it.

Friday evening after work and dinner, we headed to Big Bear Lake for a skiing weekend. I've been skiing since I was four-years-old, while my boyfriend had only been once in an unsuccessful venture. However, I got him to try it again despites his claims that "Mexicans don't ski" and his fears of being late to the game. My mother, after all, had learned to ski  at the same time as I was but she was 31. 

We stayed at a really cute bed and breakfast only a half a mile away from one of the two mountains nearby, Snow Summit. Raphael was scheduled for a beginners ski lesson but I tried giving him my own lessons on the bunny hill before and after, which I think really helped him because he was  in control and stopping easily. It wasn't easy trying to explain the movements I was doing since it had been a long time since I was being taught, but I tried my best. 

The second day and another ski school lesson and more private instructions from me, he was really skiing. I can't believe he got it so fast, he was turning and following my leisurely zig zag motions down the beginner hills with ease, and he only fell once the whole time. I was quite impressed and eager to do more and looking forward to skiing together again. The town was also charming. 

Oh and I got new snow goggles since my Oakley's were still back on the East coast, these ones are a clear pink and by Crush. I should have gotten them the first day though, since I got a sun burn from wearing just regular sunglasses and no sunblock. 

Extra: If you live in Chicago and Greater Illinois, Kansas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City or Tampa Bay you can buy your own Valentine's Day gift this year and get expensive spa treatments for only $59 at famous local places in honor of national heart month (Feb). Go to PrettyCity.com/love to find out where.  

Found on the Venice boardwalk

Since moving to Venice Beach, I've likened its vagabond roots and earthy feel to a West Coast East Village. The boardwalk, which doesn't have boards, but travels along the beach and looks almost like Coney Island minus the gangs and the homeless people here wear less clothes. In fact, in the 1890’s, Abbot Kinney dreamed of transforming a deteriorating marshland west of Los Angeles into a renaissance resort that he called the "Coney Island of the Pacific." He also envisioned a resort town culturally reminiscent of Venice, Italy, complete with canals, gondolas, amusement piers, hotels and Venetian-styled structures. Over the years, Venice, CA, became the birthplace of the musical group The Doors, which is why there's a mural in tribute to the band along the beach here. Now, instead of rides and games at this boardwalk though, you have artists selling their wares or "performers" asking for tips, dozens of tattoo shops, palm readers, Chinese massage tents, muscle beach, rollerbladers and well, you name it.

Here are some colorful photos I took of a woman selling Mexican Dia de los Muertos items. We bought one of the male crosses for our wall and the skull photo makes for a great desktop wallpaper on my laptop.

 

 
Video: Totally unrelated, but it's been cracking me up for over a week now, it gets better as it goes on, Simba meets Kelly remix 

IV and the stomach flu

At 3 a.m. on Sunday I woke up to stomach pains and continued to throw up until the next day for a total of 7 times. I couldn't keep any substance down not even water and I had body aches, so around 5 p.m. I went to a 24 hour clinic. They had me waiting in the waiting room for awhile though, to the point where I was wishing I was just sleeping at home. Being the fainter that I am, I fainted on the floor in their hallway there, which although sucked did prompt my care from them. I was wheeled into a room and put on a cot after throwing up one last time.

The doctor said I probably had the stomach flu and that he already diagnosed seven other people today with the same thing. He ordered blood work to be done and an intravenous fluid to be put in. I was so dehydrated though that they couldn't draw blood, so they had to try in two areas. All the while I'm trying not to faint again from the needles and my body aches were feeling even worse by the fact that I was shaking uncontrollably. I was given two bags of I.V., which felt so weird and uncomfortable. I could literally feel the freezing liquid spread throughout me. They had to put an extra blanket on me. I was there for 4 hours. It was miserable and was taking forever. In the end I was told I had the a stomach virus after all and given a drug to stop the vomiting. I was also told to stay home from work and to keep hydrated. Now that it's not coming right back up, it's been easier to do.

I've slept most of today and last night. I don't recall ever sleeping so much, but I guess my body needs it since I keep doing it. *sigh* Hopefully I can get back to work tomorrow, but if I feel like I do today, I doubt I'd be able.

News: Stomach-churning virus on the rise, here and across the U.S.

Surprise Muffins

While doing a mini Star Wars marathon on Saturday (we watched the 3rd and 4th one) I made some Surprise Muffins.  They are muffins with, surprise, jelly inside of them. Take a look, I used my heart shape silicon cupcake pan.

They are pretty easy to do, here's the recipe:

Surprise Muffins

Yield: 12

Oven: 400 degrees

1 egg
1 cup milk
1/4 cup oil
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract (I used almond this time)
2 cups flour
3/4 cup of Jelly/Jam any flavor (I used blueberry, grape and strawberry, since that was what I had in the fridge.)

Heat oven to 400.

Line 12 muffins with paper liners or lightly grease

In large bowl whisk the egg, milk and oil and then add and mix dry ingredients. Do not over stir though it should be slightly lumpy.

Fill muffin cups about 1/2 full, then drop 1 teaspoon or desired amount of jelly or preserves in the center of each. Add remaining batter to each muffin cup, over the jelly to fill area.

Bake 25 minutes until golden brown. It is common to have some of the jelly leek out.

Remove from pans immediately. Best served while hot. Enjoy!