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

Locals Only

Oh Cozy's....how un-cozy you were. I had the sheer pleasure of attending a company Christmas party there a few years ago and vowed to never return to the beer & urine scented establishment. That all changed last night, when I realized the dark and dingy venue had been gutted and flipped into an amazing new "eat pub" called The Local Peasant.

The place truly has no remanence of its former self... thank the sweet lord. The decor is clean and stylish and the vibe is warm and completely inviting. 80's tunes filled the room all night which made this Valley Girl seriously happy. Although, I will miss the drunk middle aged men taking advantage of open mic night.

The Local Peasant serves 20 California & Belgium Keg Beers as well as 6 bottled beers, but the highlight in the alcohol department in my lush opinion would be the Pre & Post Prohibition Cocktails. My favs were the Watermelon Cocktail (Fresh Watermelon, Silver rum, Lime, Simple Syrup & Mint) and the Moscow Mule (Ginger Puree, Vodka, Lime, Simple Syrup & Orange Peel.) My husband's margarita was made with the finest tequila and fresh lime juice without any icky sweet & sour mix. They only use super fresh ingredients and you won't find anything artificial in anything they serve.

Now for the food....
The Peasant Burger comes with cheese, onion and a fried egg. If you are veggie, they offer a Portobello Mushroom Burger served on a brioche bun with oven roasted tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, pesto, sprouts, avocado, and fried onions. Holy crap.
Some other delicious offerings:
Grilled Peach Salad, Blue Cheese Fried Olives, Carlsbad Mussels, Mac & Cheese with bacon & black truffle oil, Fish & Chips, Drunken Chicken, Lamb Chops, Short Ribs...drool.

The Local Peasant is in the middle of a soft opening. There is currently no sign or website. Official launch is December 1st. I would HIGHLY recommend getting in there before the word gets out.

The Local Peasant
14058 Ventura Blvd.
Sherman Oaks, CA 91432
(818) 501-0234

Thinspiration

You know this story all too well--- "I will start my diet on Monday" "No more carbs starting tomorrow" "No more dairy, sugar, or gluten" "I'm giving up grapes- they are making me fat....but just the purple ones."

It's no secret that we are living in a diet obsessed culture and the 818 is not exempt from the Hollywood standard of looking like a hot piece of ass at all times.
I spent many years in the diet vortex, every week it was a different ridiculous plan. Grapefruits, juice fasts, I even did a series of the dreaded colonic. I was driving myself and my body absolutely bananas. (Gave those up as well by the way.)

I started to notice a friend of mine looking really good. Like, really REALLY good. Naturally, I assumed she was starving herself and working out 6 hours a day. To my surprise she gave all the credit to her healthy diet and the woman that put it all into perspective for her- obviously I called this miracle worker for an appointment STAT.

Within minutes of meeting fellow valley girl Kim Shapira, I instantly wanted to be her best friend. Not only was she completely adorable and her energy infectious but she gave me the confidence I needed to make the changes towards a healthier me. I trusted her. I loved her approach. I was excited, dedicated, and before I knew it- 6 pounds lighter. All of this occurred with good old fashioned diet and exercise my friends- no stimulants, cleanses or baby food. Kim gave me a plan that included foods I thought I would never see again-- even bananas and purple grapes!

Kim specializes in weight loss/management, eating disorders, food allergies, diabetes, IBS, high cholesterol, and much more. I truly feel like Kim Shapira has changed my life, she ended my weight roller coaster and after almost a year of working with her she has kept me on track. Do yourself and your body a favor and call her for a consult pronto. Tell her Valley Girl sent you;)

Kim Shapira
21243 Ventura Blvd, Suite 137
Woodland Hills, CA 91364
818-715-9517
kimshapira@aol.com
kimshapira.com

Don't Mind If I Do

When's the last time you visited Magnolia Boulevard in Burbank? Think somewhere between Hollywood Way & Buena Vista. Well if its been awhile you are surely due for a trip.

This hot stretch of vintage and retail heaven is no longer littered with bad thrift stores and run down pawn shops. Over the past few years, Magnolia Park (who knew it had a name?) has grown into its own little retro village. Those thrift stores still exist but they have somehow morphed into slightly cooler more hipster-esque versions with some unbelievable finds. (Yea I'm looking at you Strawberry Shortcake lunchbox.)

Not to mention that Magnolia Boulevard is home of the Best Cupcakes: http://donthatethe818.blogspot.com/2009/12/best-cupcakes.html

But I digress...

The real reason I want you to visit this street is Mindful Nest. This store is so good I cannot wait to share it with you. Inside you will find "adornments for the home, body and soul." Which in my world translates to: I want to buy everything and anything that is inside of this place.
That includes goodies such as jewelry, pottery, prints, stationary, cards, journals, and other handmade rarities. Owners Amanda Vernon & Diane Jackson could not be nicer and are always quick and happy to help you with whatever you need. They are also devoted to supporting local artists and small American companies. Don't you just love that?

Now that I have discovered Mindful Nest, I will consider this my one stop shop for birthdays and holidays as there truly is something for everyone here. Even my husband who is highly allergic to shopping, enjoys our Sunday trips to the Nest. (That's what the kids are calling it these days.) This could have something to do with the Bug House vintage record & tape prints I got him here for his birthday. No one steps foot in our house without commenting on these.

Not only do they have incredible artwork & jewelry that you won't find anywhere else but they have a store inside the store full of sulfate and paraben free body products called Klean Spa. These products smell unbelievable and I basically own 90% of the line and can tell you it's crazy yummy.

Mindful Nest has only been open for a year and they are already opening their second location in someplace called Santa Monica. Never heard of it.

Mindful Nest
3319 W Magnolia Blvd
Burbank, CA 91505
(818) 840-0123
mindfulnest.net
kleanspa.com