ocean

 The long Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start to summer here in San Diego, and this is the first weekend of the year that beaches are well and truly packed with slowly reddening bodies roasting in the late-May sun. Speaking of barbecues, potlucks are an unofficial Memorial Day tradition along with – you guessed it – beer!  Here are our beer suggestions for your celebration: In hot weather, light beer reigns supreme; it's best for keeping you cool on sunny days. We recommend the wonderfully named Witch's Wit from The Lost Abbey, which includes grapefruit, orange, and coriander.  And let's not forget hops. Stone IPA is one of San Diego's iconic IPAs, and it's perfect for a backyard picnic. Taking it down a notch, hefeweizen is a nice accompaniment to the coleslaw and ambrosia that somebody inevitably brings to…

One of my favorite dishes growing up was my grandmother’s beef stroganoff. Recently, someone offered me the challenge of re-creating this wholesome comfort dish… WITHOUT using dairy. Considering the main ingredients in a beef stroganoff include CREAM of mushroom soup and sour CREAM, it was quite the challenge. After some careful thought, I developed my…

This past week, I have been practicing my vegan dishes. It’s fun to find new and healthier ways to prepare some of your favorite meals. Ever try making a chocolate cake … using an avocado? I did! In order to prepare a vegan chocolate cake, you eliminate all ingredients that stem from animals. A healthy…

While out at Dave and Buster’s for a holiday party, I discovered that the tickets you earn playing silly games could actually amount to taking home some decent prizes. I’ve been wanting a crock-pot for some time and I was delighted to discover that with 2,500 tickets, I could earn a little, green crock-pot. So,…

In San Diego, Saturdays are always so nice and sunny. So, it’s hard to resist just grabbing the bikes and seeing where the road takes us! Last weekend, we discovered the Silver Strand bike path. It’s a beautiful, flat trail with the ocean on one side and San Diego Bay on the other. We left…

At 3pm on a Friday in La Jolla Village, what better way to spend your time than with your family and friends enjoying local craft beer and delicious food. Cheers to La Jolla and the fantastic food and beer it has to offer! Two sisters, Pam and Cindy along with their husbands, Steve and Larry…

With such a warm night, I decided to enjoy a delicious and healthy meal on the rooftop deck of my apartment building in Banker’s Hill. Tonight’s menu: Teriyaki stir-fry, sticky rice and dumplings. A quick stop at Ralph’s and I was loaded up with London Broil strips and vibrant colored bell peppers. Back home I…

The weather in San Diego this past Saturday was gorgeous! After spending the last three winters in NYC, its lovely to spend a warm, sunny day out biking on New Year’s Eve. This New Year’s Eve I combined two of my favorite things: cycling and Mediterranean food! While out on the bikes, we stumbled upon…

There are so many delicious neighborhoods in San Diego to explore. I recently moved within walking distance of Little Italy, so I decided to check my new local eateries. After only a few blocks, I came across Pete’s Quality Meats and Grilled Sandwiches.  Their window claimed to have the best homemade sausage sandwiches in town!…

Being born and raised in Ireland makes me quite the expert in Irish Whisky, ha! Here’s a tasty and healthy lemonade (Shira Bliss Style) that’ll set you up right during this cold/flu season. Simmer astragalus, licorice and ginger root for 20 mins in purified water. When it cools add lots of raw honey and fresh squeezed lemon juice. Mash/Muddle fresh mint leaves and add. Serve over ice or hot. Optional: Add whisky (quantities may vary depending on how sick you are!) Cheers! Shira Bliss