Kreation Juice

Hold the phone!  Doah went on a 3-day juice fast?!

It's true, folks.  I sacrificed one of my favorite things ever -- food -- to try out 3-days worth of freshly-pressed Kreation juice.

What was the motivation behind this?  I'm still not entirely sure, but it probably had something to do with the fact that I was regularly eating steak, bacon, donuts, cheese, wine, beer, fried foods (basically, all things delicious), but had also stopped running and exercising.  After living in oblivion/ denial since... Thanksgiving or so, I came to the realization that I needed some detoxification in my life.  (The sobering wake-up call came through when I almost split my skirt).

Juicing cleanses have been around forever, but it wasn't until recently that more people I knew were participating.  Some claim it's a fad, others call it fab.  Curious, I ventured to my friend's juicery to pick up my [three heavy bags of] Kreation juices.

Because I'm a proponent of "Go Big or Go Home," I opted for the Level 3 in the Kleanse series.  Level 3 has more green juices than the other two levels.  Basically, it's the most intense of them all.  Good idea for 1st attempt at juicing?  Unclear. 

My main concern before juicing was my impending hunger.  Depending on what I eat, I'm usually hungry again after 30 min.  So going from eating 5+ meals a day to just juice was a daunting thought.  But much to my surprise, I drank my daily set of juices (6 a day) and I was hardly hungry (Doah's Not Hungry dot com?!)!  It was the oddest feeling ever.  Something in these juices tricked my brain into thinking I was full!  I'm still blown away by this.  Now, this helps me be more mindful of what I decide to eat... or at least how much I decide to eat of it.

As previously mentioned, the Level 3 Kleanse has 6 daily juices, 4 of which are "Gree[ee]n" juices.  Unless you decide to customize your Level 3, the juices are already pre-selected.  You just drink them in the order labeled on the cap, about 2 hours apart.  It's pretty boring, but at least you don't have to think about what to eat next, which, let's be honest, consumes approx. 90% of my day.

So, let's begin!

Juice 1: Greeeen #3.  Advertised as a "Powerful Anti-Inflammatory & Detoxifier," this juice tastes like... grass.  But a tasty kind of grass (I must sound delusional).  Kale, cucumber, parsley, celery, spinach, and romaine are pressed into this juice, and oddly enough, there's something refreshing about it!  Of the green juices, this is my probably my fave.

One down!

Juice 2: Master Cleanse, the "Jumpstart to Cleanse."  This juice includes water, agave, lemon, and cayenne pepper.  I love the slight spiciness from the cayenne and the agave rounded out the lemon-y flavor well.  This was an easy juice for me to drink.

Juice 3: Greeen #2.  Voila, the 2nd green juice in the line-up.  This one includes the usual suspects (kale, cucumber, parsley, celery, spinach, romaine), but also includes apple and lemon.  The sweet and tangy from the apple and lemon respectively, are noticeable, making the whole drink less denser in greenness flavor.  

Juice 4: Protein Power.  Instead of Green #1, which is another green juice that includes ginger and mint, I opted for the Protein Power because I needed something more substantial when I worked out (if I worked out).  Consisting of almond, date and vanilla, this juice has a nutty texture due to the crushed almonds.  I like it, but had trouble finishing it all -- I was full! 

More than "juice."

Juice 5: Master Cleanse (see above).
Juice 6: Greeeen #3 (see above).

In addition to the regular juices, the Kleanse includes 6 different "Better Than Water" juices, which you can drink at any time.  I got mine in Lavender, Peppermint, Coconut Water, Chlorophyll, Aloe Vera, and Lemon.  My faves were Peppermint, Lemon, and Coconut.

Disclaimer: While I was successful on Day 1, I made small cheats on Days 2 and 3.  Does this disrupt the whole cleansing experience?  Yes.  Does this mean I didn't get the full benefits of juicing?  Most likely.  Does this mean I regret having done this at all?  No.

I'd like to try this again some day, committing 100% to the process.  (I felt pretty great after Day 1!)  The huge downside is that this juice cleanse, like most juice cleanses provided by a company, is very pricey.  A 3-day Kleanse is priced at $147 (about $50/day), 5-day package for $245, and 7-day package for $343 (all pre-tax).  While I see the benefits of juicing, I probably won't be buying juices anytime soon.

If you want something more than juice, but want to feel healthy, check out Kreation Kafe in Santa Monica! { link }



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cuisine: Juicery
location(s): Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach, and soon, Venice!
websites: { KJ | yelp | facebook | twitter }
attire: Casual/ Ultra Casual (yoga pants galore!)
parking: Street
more info: { the difference | is it right for you? }

Cheers to 2013!

h a p p y  n e w  y e a r !

2012 was an eventful year.

I accomplished several personal and professional goals; deepened my appreciation for the abundant blessings in my life; and above all, developed friendships with folks whom I'll cherish for many years.  I don't have anything particularly wise to say, but there're a couple of things on my heart I'd like to share.*  (These aren't New Year's Resolutions, but rather ongoing self-reminders for the year).

Eating and traveling can bring so much joy to one's life.  

Though I can hardly say I've eaten many obscure culinary dishes or ventured off to exotic countries, 2012 was full of unforgettable adventures with invaluable people.  Remember: You don't have to eat at a three Michelin-starred restaurant to eat "well" or hop on a plane to "travel often."  Stay open-minded.  Stay hungry for food, for life.  Make every little thing count, because what may seem insignificant to you may be the world to someone else.  

Worthwhile results don't get handed to you on a silver platter.

I don't think I've ever worked as hard as I did this year.  I pushed myself physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally.  Each time I wanted to give up, I somehow made it (by the grace of God).  Despite earning some bragging rights, I learned humility is a key factor in testing perseverance, managing self-improvement, and building character.  Stay mindful, always.

Be the best version of yourself.

Look forward and strive for the best.

Generally, the beginning of something is exciting, whether it be the start of a new year, new job, new friendship, or life in a new city.  Rather than being worried or nervous, try to think positively about any given situation.  Be bold and relish all upcoming opportunities, even if (especially if) they're not what you expect.

To my dear readers:

THANK YOU for your continual support and inspiration!  I promise to be more consistent this year.  Stay healthy and be well!

Cheers to 2013,

Doah's Hungry [dot] com

* All photos are from Ian Coyle's "73 Letterpress" project. { link }

Will Return Soon

Hello!

I admit, my blog hasn't been very exciting since turning two.  In fact, the inactivity has probably peeved some of you.  Sadly, my regretful neglect will continue until the end of July due to a pesky thing called the California Bar Exam.

Until then, remember: "One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well." (thanks, Virginia Woolf).

Peace.

Tas

Yes, I still have a few more straggling London posts in my hefty backlog.  Don't judge.

First, I'd like to start with the fact that this was my first Turkish food experience (that I could remember).
Second, I was recommended to try Tas for Turkish by several friends because of its reliably good reputation and fair prices.  All in all, I was not disappointed with the food or the experience.  The company, is however, what made it the best time ever.  (I love when that happens).

I spy a double decker bus!

Instead of ordering a single entree, my friend and I decided to venture into small plates by splitting a set mezze meal from the "Renk menu." (£10.95 per person).  Here're a couple of the small plates we sampled:

Though the food may take some time (it's made to order), the grilled meats are incredibly tender, flavorful, and worth the wait.

Chicken

Tavuk shish - marinated chicken cubes with couscous

Steak

Soganli Dana Kavurma - sliced sirloin steak cooked with onions, almonds, tomatoes, red and green peppers, and oregano

Fish

Grilled sea bass

Tas is a great place to hit up during the day for their lunch specials or at night with a lovely date.  Try something different.  Go Turkish.

cuisine: Turkish
location: Bloomsbury (multiple locations)
nearest Tube station(s): Tottenham Court Road; Holborn
websites: { T | yelp }
attire: Casual
notes: It's generally a good idea to call ahead of time and make reservations for dinner.

Barcelona

My first impression of Barcelona was two-fold: (1) Hm, quite dirty and more metropolitan than I imagined; and (2) Holy moly, why is it so chilly??  Sadly, my plans to go swimming in the Mediterranean was quickly deterred by the fact that the daily high barely hovered around 65F.  So instead, I stopped by a H&M and bought a pair of ballet flats and skinny jeans (my flip flops weren't working for me and as for the jeans, they were only 10 euro!).  What - the weather made me.


Perhaps what requires less justification is what I consumed physically (maybe).  First, I was pleased to finally see what I believe to be "traditional tapas."  Yet among the traditional small plates, there were some unusual players as well.  Case in point: 

Baked Camembert on a stick, rolled in honied peanuts and topped with a drizzle of fruit preserve

It was delicious.

Sampler tapas plate (anchovies, clams, prawns, croquettes, grilled chiles)

Fresh seafood Paella

For C's birthday dinner, we trekked to the beach area for some bomb [dot] come paella.  I was holding out on paella up until this point (7 days in Spain), so I knew this was going to be a special dinner in more ways than one.  I ordered seafood paella, and about 40 minutes later*, a heaping plate greeted my salivating face.  Naturally, I cleaned it like a champ.  I might as well have licked the plate and gnawed on the shrimp heads and mussel shells, but I'm not THAT barbaric.  But seriously, delish!

*Note: If your paella order takes less than 30 minutes, be wary.  Some places will try to trick you by serving you frozen paella.

For lunch the following day, we trekked back to the beach area for lunch at a local champagne/ sandwich bar called Xampañería Can Paixano or La Champagneria.  Since two of my friends recommended this place to me on separate occasions, I knew this had to make my "must-visit" list... and oh my, was it worth visiting!  First, the "cave" of a place is probably the size of your standard tennis court in length, but much skinner in width.  Half of the width is dedicated to the "kitchen" and counter, and part of the length acts as a cellar for the different champagnes.  When we pushed our way in, we were greeted by sheer madness -- people were yelling orders, merrily drinking and laughing, and noshing on rolls stuffed with fatty meats.  The ambience reminded me of Grand Central Market in Downtown LA with far less space and a heartier vibe.  After several minutes of being pushed around, we managed to place our sandwich orders and A and I split a bottle of rose champagne (on top of the individual glasses we initially ordered).  Because of the overall energy of the place and the underlying feeling of being rushed, we downed everything in record time... and suddenly, the world became a happier place.  In our happy place and before my usual post-drinking sleepiness kicked in, we walked towards the beach for our afternoon siestas.  

Post-beachside nap, gelato was consumed.

Espana is great!
(But America is greater). :)

Granada

When people ask me about my favourite place to visit, my thoughts keep returning to Granada, Spain.  My initial impression of Granada when we pulled into the bus station was "Wow, it's like Mexico... a decade ago."  Those same thoughts crossed my mind during our cab ride from the station to our hostel, the White Nest, which by the way, was probably the raddest hostel in all of Granada.  But as we roamed the streets -- the many narrow streets that twisted and turned and unexpectedly ended -- I began to really love the city... more than Madrid.

Here's the scoop on Granada: it's relatively small compared to Madrid and Barcelona, but it's rich with culture, it is one of the few Spanish towns that still offers free tapas (with any beverage, alcoholic or not!), and it's beautiful (La Alhambra - nuff said).

The Alhambra alone, is a reason to visit Granada.  This is where the high government officials and Nasrid sultans lived in the 13th-14th centuries.  Aside from being the last Moorish stronghold in all of Europe, it boast a fortress, palace, and beautiful gardens.  While I don't really know much about architecture, there's something breathtaking and appreciative about the ornamental architecture about adorn all the buildings (great Arabic influence).  Book early, though!

Anyway, did I mention how the entire city serves free tapas with the purchase of any single beverage?  We're talking any kind of beverage, and we're talking sandwiches, fries, "ham"burgers -- atypical tapas that were all very delicious and increasingly got better with each additional drink.  My travel mates and I did not buy a single meal during our 2-day stay in Granada.  Incredible.  Here're are some of our freebie foods:

Churros con chocolate were purchased... but for like 5 euros.

If you're a fan of big cities, Granada won't be for you.  But for those who like to escape the hustle bustle of the cityscape, this humble town may be for you.

Barcelona comes next!

Orixe (Madrid)

Where to eat, where to eat?

We often come across this question multiple times a day.  Some of us pore over Yelp reviews, as if a 5-star place will guarantee a well-chosen meal.  Others employ deeper research methods; everything from searching the hottest, most talked about, Michelin-star awarded restaurants to soaking in every word of reviews provided by critically-acclaimed (current or former) cooks, restauranteurs, and food connoisseurs.  And further still, others rely on sheer luck and nonchalance to stumble across a hidden gem.  The latter was our experience, annndd it worked out pretty damn well.

Orixe is a unassuming restaurant located in the La Latina neighborhood of Madrid.  The space exudes modern chic, the menu is straight-forward, and the servers are very welcoming.  Most importantly, we were famished and they offered a promising three-course meal for 20 euros.  While it wasn't mind or tastebud-blowing, it was a simple, but clean afternoon meal.  We walked away feeling pretty satisfied.

Gazpacho

Gazpacho is a cold Spanish tomato-based vegetable soup that is mostly consumed during the summertime.  Gazpacho in October may be a bit unusual, but I welcome it any time of the year!  So refreshing.

Chicken kebob w/ a side of creme fraiche

Orixe Croquette (beef stuffed in peppers and fried)

Caramel tart

Chocolate ice cream

Madrid

Here now begins the start of my Spanish adventures.
One country (Espana), three cities (Madrid, Granada, Barcelona), ten days.

Though I've cataloged my experiences in some detail (understatement) and shared them with my close friends, this is my first attempt to document all of the delightful food I ate and beverages I drank (Sangria, I love you forever). I really ought to jot down notes so I don't fumble through my entries nearly three months later, but alas, I am simply an amateur food blogger and have no aspirations to go pro. (If there are pros reading this, more power to you!).

My "water" source for 10 days straight.

My tens days in Spain consisted of eating, walking, sight-seeing, eating, drinking, eating, and more drinking.  Perhaps the perpetual cycle of eating and drinking might've been justified if I were eating fruits & veggies and drinking water, but such was hardly the case. By the time we left the land of plentiful tapas and free-flowing sangria, I was sick of pork and definitely looking more rotund. My paunch gives full credit to the following:

Fried calamari - fresh and lightly battered.

Interesting tuna mixture in puff pastry. It came out cold, so in our ignorance, we turned it back, requesting it to be heated up. You're supposed to eat it cold.

Grilled shrimp - perfectly marinated in a simple salt and lemon sauce that brought out the freshness of the shrimp

Abondigas (meatballs) with fries - greasy, but oh-so-good

Pork hash with fries and a fried egg on top - wait, do I feel my arteries clogging up?

LC, my trusty (eating) partner-in-crime resting atop more fried and sugary stuff.

This is just a glimpse of what I devoured in Madrid. The Spanish saga will continue in two more segments. Stay tuned.