First – I want to bring your attention to the right hand side of the screen.  You can search for any word, author, food, place, etc. Type out your interest  in the box and hit return.  The Search feature will bring up all posts from the past with that information for you.  Hope that helps.

Second –

Dr. Wayne Dyer reflects over a summer of pondering and writes  “I was blessed to look back on events and see clearly how every stumbling block I encountered was actually a rung on the stairway to my highest potential. Reflecting on all those years, the miracles of my life shone through. Now, from a position of being able to see much more clearly, I know that every single encounter, every challenge, and every situation are all spectacular threads in the tapestry that represents and defines my life, and I am deeply grateful for all of it. I Can See Clearly Now is a culmination of my personal life lessons and revelations and examines what we can learn from our connection to one another and to our Divine source.”

Not only do I believe and live this to the full extent (eventually seeing the gift in everything) but he says it so simply and beautifully for all to understand and appreciate.  I am grateful and admire the great writings of philosophers, thinkers and spiritually centered teachers.

I am fortunate enough to have a friend (L) who has invited me again (last time it was in LA and he was introducing his book Change Your Thoughts – Change Your Life wherein he interprets the Tao Te Ching for the western modern age), to attend a Wayne Dyer moment.  To get to go see in person and hear an inspired, wise and leading author in this genre is such a generous gesture.  Thank you, L.

Like I have written before about Marianne Williamson, he stays on stage until everyone gets to speak to him, shake his hand or gets a big bear hug.  Whatever you need.  Till everyone on the line gets through.

This particular event, on this particular day, will be taped live for a PBS special in Escondido, San Diego and the topic is the doctor’s most recent memoir titled I can See Clearly Now. The above quote is directly from his new book.

Needless to say I am ecstatic about the outing and look forward to all the gems of wisdom (last time I brought my rainbow legal pad and took pages and pages of notes) and time spent with my dear friend L (and her gems of wisdom).

If you haven’t read from his prolific published works, listened on tape or seen a PBS special of Dr. Wayne Dyer yet, you are missing out and I strongly suggest you give him a try.

My favorite book he wrote is There is a Spiritual Solution to Every Problem.  “Thinking is the source of problems. Your heart holds the answer to solving them.”  He proclaims.

That’s what my friend L has been saying to me for years!!! “You know the answer,” she encourages.  “You already have the solution, look into your heart,” she reminds.  She’s been a big fan of his for decades and “I can see clearly now” the influence and impression he has had on her.

It’s an honor and a privilege to get to go see a speaker of such depth, breadth and warmth and like Marianne Williamson, L and myself; he too believes love conquers all and the answers lie within.

Be aware that the home baked bread only comes with certain dishes, otherwise breadsticks are brought to the table (supposedly true to form to certain eateries in Italy).  There are two locations in So. Cal. – Newport Beach on Coast Highway and LA. on Highland Ave.

Insalata calabrese made with fresh mozzarella cheese, roasted cherry tomatoes, pesto, sprigs of basil and Italian Olive oil.

Fried potatoes, ceci -chickpeas (garbanzos) and sage.  A masterful trio that pleased everyone at the table.

Mussels al forno with salsa Calabrese.  This was not perfection. Mussels baked in the oven are a tricky feat and the sauce was not anything authentically Italian in my book.  I thought the dish looked sloppy but you be the judge.  Taste wise, not impressed.  The bread was fought over though.

Pizza alla Benno: Speck (a type of ham), pineapple, jalapeño, mozzarella and tomato.  I did not order this and would never personally eat pineapple and ham on a pizza but the crust was good, the sauce decent.Chocolate tartufo, olive oil, gelato and sea salt.  I preferred my homemade trio of ice cream  flavors:  peanut butter, giandula (chocolate/hazelnut) and coconut.  Sorry, no picture of my trio.

For the prices, this restaurant is a little overrated.  You are paying for the notoriety and privilege of eating at Nancy Silverton’s (La Brea Bakery), Joe Bastianich’s (Master Chef and son of Lidia – PBS matron of Italian cookery) and Chef Mario Battali’s (Food TV network star and restauranteur extraordinaire) conception.

I still recommend this restaurant because the food is freshly homemade and the burrata cheese and bread alone are worth the price of admission.  No pictures of the bread or cheese because we swarmed over it like locusts.

Next time, I would like to go for a romantic – just the two of us, not Friday family night out splurge.

The picture I use for the header on my website is from Pizzeria Mozza.  It’s the Arucula, (Arugula), funghi,(mushroom) and Piave cheese salad.  It was abundant and fresh, but nothing new.

The gelati and sorbetti are your best bet for dessert.  Other flavors on the menu, besides what I mentioned above, include tangerine, pear, olive oil, pistachio, banana, mint chocolate chip and vanilla.  The other desserts on the menu were a bit pretentious albeit interesting. Maybe next time.

Lunch/Dinner Prices:       Appetizers, $12       Salads, $13 – 16        Pizza, $11 – 21     Dessert, $10 – 12

Cafe Lafayette is located on Main St. at the beginning of your tourist trail down to the Seal Beach Pier.  The place is decorated simply with black and white photographs of Paris framed in black.  The service is attentive but not intrusive.  They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner with an extensive menu for each that is sure to please everyone.  Fresh French bread daily.

BreakfastChilaquiles – corn tortillas, scrambled eggs, tomato, green onion, chile and cheese.  Topped with avocado and chorizo.  Sour cream and fresh salsa on the side.

Eggs Sardou – Two poached eggs with spinach, cheese and Hollandaise sauce over toasted French bread. With the best tasting potatoes ever!

My next door neighbor gifted me with these summertime peaches. I walked back into my house with stone fruit aplenty and proceeded to rinse and air dry them.  I then cut them up into bite size pieces into a glass oven safe bowl (skin and all – they are organic) and sprinkled 1 tablespoon of organic sugar, 1 tablespoon of organic coconut flour, 2 tablespoons of organic coconut oil and 1 tablespoon of organic cinnamon into the dish and tossed the tiny delicacies until coated thoroughly.

I popped it in the oven for @ 30 minutes at 400 degrees, stirring every ten minutes.  Once I took out the juicy, jammy goodness, I added 2 tablespoons of organic, dried and unsweetened coconut flakes.

Once cooled, I packed a mason jar with my creation and will scoop out some peach coconut marmalade for dessert or breakfast till it’s gone.  I already had at least five tasting spoons as I was stirring, taking it out and cooling.  It is incredible.  I had a few raw bites here and there as I cut them up too.

I never weighed my peaches but I am glad I took a picture of them before I cooked them so you can approximate.  This many peaches filled one mason jar, cooked in island coconut with spicy cinnamon heat.

I bet it would be great as a side to fish, chicken, pork or savory vegetables or… spread on hot toast, served alongside french vanilla ice cream or inside eggy crepes.

Eating well is my delight.  I will be able to share some goodness back with my next door neighbor and we can all rejoice in the abundance of backyard growing.

All ingredients can be purchased organically at Mother’s or Whole Foods or Von’s

1-pound ground chicken

1 28-ounce can of diced fire roasted tomatoes (I used Muir Glen)

5 large carrots, sliced into ¼ inch rounds

1 large yellow onion, sliced

1 green pepper, thinly sliced

1 tablespoon Better than Bouillon paste seasoning, any flavor (I used organic mushroom)

1 Tablespoon dried oregano flakes

2 bay leaves

2 tsps. Olive oil

Optional: 1 – 2 tablespoons of minced garlic

Optional: 1 – 3 teaspoons red hot pepper flakes

8 oz. egg noodles

Parmesan slivers or shavings

In a large saucepan, heat oil in bottom of pan and when hot, add onions, carrots, green pepper and bay leaves.  Stir and cover for @ 5 minutes till onions become somewhat translucent.  Add garlic if using and stir and let cook uncovered till golden.

Add chicken, oregano, flakes and paste seasoning and stir frequently till chicken is cooked through and no pink remains.  Add tomatoes, combine and cover for @ 10-15 minutes so the flavors can meld.

Meanwhile, boil a large pot of water, add noodles and cook al dente. Drain and Serve immediately.  Top with cheese.

This was an incredibly easy, delicious, just put it all together in a pot kinda meal and extremely healthy!

Berkeley Campus – Sather Gate

I am proud that we are advanced enough to interpret law with vision and compassion.

To view others as equals, with human needs, wants and rights.

What a concept