Doggy Style

The good old Valley heat has officially arrived, so I've decided to dedicate this post to our friends in permanent fur coats.

I don't know about your dog, but my dog does not enjoy the bathing process one bit so taking her to a grooming facility is not an option for us. (She may or may not have pooped in my car more than once on her way there.)

A few years ago, I met a woman who changed our lives. Belinda the Grooming Goddess (my cheesy title- not hers) and owner of Sophistidog Grooming is my best friend's best friend.

Using eco friendly grooming products, Belinda rolls up to your home or office in a hybrid grooming van ready to make over your pooch. You choose the Silver, Gold or Platinum package and then sit back and wait for your dog to return to you smelling like heaven and sporting a super chic coif complete with a bandana or bow. Belinda even leaves your mutt with treats and an adorable report card! (She always give my dog an A when I know she really deserves and F-.)

Belinda's kind demeanor can calm even the nuttiest of dogs and she even gives discounts to rescue groups and non-profit pet organizations. My very favorite thing about her....a portion of all sales benefits homeless dogs! LOVE THAT!!!

Sophistidog Grooming
(626) 485-1589
sophistidog.com
*Serving parts of Los Angeles, Orange & San Bernardino Counties*

Texas Hold Em

Spring has officially sprung and Summer BBQ's are just around the corner. Sure you can sweat it out over your own backyard grill - but I have discovered a place so yummy that you may think twice the next time you are craving a little smokey meat.
(Gross guys... I'm talking about RIBS.)

Hidden between the car dealerships on Van Nuys Boulevard, Smoke City Market is real deal authentic Texas barbeque. So authentic, they don't even put sauce on their eats- they offer it but want you to take in the natural smokiness flavor before saucing it up.
They smoke their meats over natural oak, without the use of gas or propane to start or maintain the fires. All sides and sauces are made from scratch, using only natural (organic when possible) ingredients.

There is nothing fancy pants about this joint- you order at the counter, sit at panic tables and eat your food with your hands on butcher paper. Utensils are available for the faint of heart. (Ummm....me.)

Smoke City Market has all of your favorites: Ribs (beef & pork), Chicken, Brisket, Sausage, Chopped Beef, and Pastrami. The shining star for me was the brisket. Being a recently converted vegetarian, I'm not a giant brisket person- but this stuff was too delicious to pass up! Lean yet flavorful and full of smokey bite.

Now for the sides: Mac N Cheese, Pit Beans, Cabbage & Apple Slaw, Potato Salad (German & Creamy), Red Chili, Tomato & Cucumber Salad, etc. All fantastic and paired perfectly with the brisket that I ate solely for this damn blog.

Just a heads up: When they run out of meat, they close their doors. So if you are having a party or event, call ahead to place your order.

Smoke City Market
5242 Van Nuys Boulevard
Sherman Oaks, 91401
(818) 855-1280
www.smokecitymarket.com

The Raw Deal

I'm not gonna lie, but the first time I heard about SunPower Natural Cafe I completely wrote it off. I'm all for eating healthy, but the raw/vegan combo of this joint made me a little nervous.
But as your unofficial Valley Girl Representative, I decided I needed to check it out. (Plus, it's the new year and lord knows my badunkadunk could use a kale salad.)

I swear on the EIGHT ONE EIGHT this place is amazing!!! Truly! I stand corrected Raw/Vegan-ites: your food is fab.

My meal started out with the Sweet Kale Shake (before you gag, keep reading!) This yummy treat is packed full of vitamins and minerals (Beta Carotene, Vitamin K, Vitamin C & Calcium) and tastes like a vanilla milkshake with almost no trace of kale. For lunch I split the Kale Colossus Salad (Sunflower "sausage," marinated mushrooms, red peppers and onions, nacho "cheese," cashew cheese, sliced bananas and cranberries) and the Italian Sandwich (Sunpower "sausage" sundried marinara, cashew cheese & veggies served on a fluffy wheat bun) and it was BEYOND delicious. My fellow 818 girlfriend and I were blown away by how un- veganish it all was.

Sunpower's mission is that they "don't fry it, kill it or overcook it. All dishes are dairy-free and most are gluten free and low glycemic." They also make all of their own dressings, sauces, pizza crusts and burgers from scratch with fresh, organic ingredients that are not only taste amazing, but are nutrient dense and good for you!

When your body is craving something healthy- get your booty to Sunpower Natural Cafe. If I'm wrong, there is an In & Out across the street;)

SunPower Natural Organic Cafe
3711 Cahuenga Blvd
Studio City, CA 91604
(818) 308-7420
sunpowernatural.com

Too Drool For School

Two years ago, I confessed to my husband A.K.A "Valley Guy" (let's never tell him I call him that -mmmkay?) that I had never tried Indian food. He couldn't believe this news and within minutes I was devouring an assortment of curry delights.
I LOVED it.
The flavors, the spices, the butter! I have always felt super guilty about indulging in Indian cuisine- it can't possibly taste that delicious and be good for me, right?
That was until I discovered the healthiest most amazing Indian spot- right here in the old 818!

Family owned and operated, Gangadin has been serving up mouthwatering food since 1984.
Every dish is cooked from scratch with no MSG, butter, sugar, preservatives or animal fat added. All of their sauces (green mint chutney, tamarind sauce and mango chutney) are fresh and flavorful and available for purchase every Sunday at the Studio City farmers market.
Gangadin imports Basmati rice, Basmati Brown Rice, gram flour, organic wheat flour and spices directly from India. Their samosas are handmade and I literally have no words for the warm garlic naan.

Vegans flock to this place (one hipster we spoke with comes all the way from Silverlake to get his tofu curry on) as Gangadin truly cares about your weird eating habits and does whatever they can to accommodate you.

Delivery is hassle free and speedy and they even have an iPhone app so u can order Tikka Masala on the fly.

Gangadin
12067 Ventura Place
Studio City, CA 91604
818-509-0722
gangadin.biz