A Day in Paradise (Malibu, California)

I guess I’m a little more spontaneous then I’ll admit. A 90 minute car ride in Los Angels traffic and I made it to Paradise Cove beach, in Malibu, California. Just a simple day for a simple girl. 

If you’ve never been to Paradise Cove, I will warn you that parking is pricey at $35 (Mon-Friday), close to $50 on the weekends. A local restaurant will validate your parking for four hours with a minimum food/drink tab. 

Also, it’s a rather small beach in comparison to my usual favorite beaches to visit, such as Huntington, Laguna, Dana Point, and La Jolla, which are located in Orange County, California and San Diego. But, like my usual response to things that don’t meet my  expectations, I made the most of it! I noticed a  small, flat surface at the bottom of a cliff that looked like water was only slightly covering the surface, which made my mind start thinking, “There’s something more on the other side.” So in true Lisa fashion, I went past the boundaries that most people stay behind and went trucking through some waves and rocks to climb around a mini cliff to another, more secluded, beach.  I’m inquisitive by nature, and thankfully so, because the private spots are always the best! Enjoy!

San Diego Getaway!

I recently visited San Diego, California, again, but this time it was going to be a girls only trip!

After other plans fell through for both my friend, Ness and I, we decided to meet up mid-week for morning mimosas, and within seconds a quick invite of, “Wanna go to San Diego this weekend?” Followed by a  “yes,” from myself had us booking a hotel and embarking on our next adventure, and first ever local road trip, together. The stars aligned just right, everything was ready to go, and Friday morning we took off to SD! 

We visited awesome beaches, trekked Torrey Pines hiking trails, munched on crispy bacon and avocado toast, sipped mimosas, gorged on juicy burgers and hit up the notorious Gas Lamp District for some dancing—something neither one of us had done in years! We had a blast, and filled much of the space between with discussions over life, relationships,  singing and major giggles. 

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Windansea Beach, San Diego 

Black’s Beach, San Diego 

Torrey Pines State Park 





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GasLamp District, San Diego, California 

La Jolla Cove

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Brockton Villa Restaurant

The weekend was just what we both needed,  an affair to remember! Finding good people that care about your soul in a world full of shallow living can seem so few and far between, but when you find a genuine heart, whether a friend or romantic partner, hold onto them! It just might make you see the world a little differently, and will definitely make your life richer and worth the ride!

Newport Beach - Fun in the Sun

The weather is finally warming up in California, and what better way to enjoy it then at the Beach! 

If you live in Southern California, or plan on visiting soon, check out Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Dana Point and Balboa Island. Many spots to surf, sun bathe (safely of course, with SPF 30+); build sand castles, and explore marine life. 

Here’s a fun day trip spent with my friend Alex, out in Newport Beach, California. 

Bike rentals are everywhere around Main Street in Newport Beach, and the board walk is a few miles, making it perfect for a little cruise. 

Hope you visit soon! :) 

Hiking: Eaton Canyon

Trailed an old favorite—Eaton Canyon. The 3.5 miles round trip trail is best suited for those who enjoy agility training as it includes crossing back and forth over a stream, and hurdling over rocks and logs. I absolutely love it! The only downfall is the crowd. If you’re a fast walker or athletic at minimum, start your hike early (between 6am-8:30am) otherwise you run the risk of getting stuck behind slower or inexperienced trekkers. 

Also, wear the appropriate shoes. It’s best to wear hiking or trail running shoes with enough traction to keep you from slipping off rocks. Bonus if your shoes are waterproof! 

As for any additional essentials, it’s always a good idea to carry  a bottle of water, and to apply sunblock and bug spray before you head out on the trail. 

For those with any previous or current leg injuries, not in good health, or have poor balance, I would avoid this hike as you wouldn’t want to further injure yourself. However, if you’re athletic and have a brave heart to take on the challenge, then by all means! Enjoy! 

Hot Chocolate Marshmallow Cookie Recipe

Sunday's are a day of rest; to reflect on your life's journey, count your blessings, and do something that makes you feel happy. While I would have enjoyed a few extra hours of sleep, I had to run a few errands. While waiting in line to purchase some Christmas gifts, I had an idea to try something new today, so I searched up a new cookie recipe, and the rest is history.

Have you ever heard of Hot Chocolate Marshmallow cookies? You heard right, "hot" chocolate.

The name stunned me for a moment as well, until I realized the recipe called for chili powder.  And it all made sense, however at first I was a bit weary, but as it turns out, you can't even taste the chili!

And trust me when I say a few were sampled rather quickly in my home.

If you're up for a challenge, or just want to try something new, follow the directions below and enjoy a batch of your own!

Ingredients:

• 1 roll pillsbury™ refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough 
• 1 cup Nutella® hazelnut spread 
• 3 tablespoons unsweetened baking cocoa 
• 3/4 chili powder 
• 1/2 teaspoon  ground cinnamon 
• Large marshmallows, cut in half 

Directions:

STEP 1 Heat oven to 350 degrees. STEP 2 In large bowl, break up cookie dough. Add hazelnut spread, cocoa, chili powder and cinnamon. Mix with electric mixer on low speed about 5 minutes or until well blended.STEP 3 Shape dough into two-inch balls. Flatten each ball into three-inch round. Add 1 marshmallow half into the dough and cover it completely. Repeat with remaining dough rounds and marshmallows. Place 2 inches apart on cookie sheets.STEP 4 Bake 12-15 minutes or until surface of cookie appears cracked and marshmallow shows through. Cool 5-10 minutes, remove from cookie sheets. Serve warm or store tightly covered. 

Enjoy!

We Love Our Public Lands: How You Can Help

"Today, the President announced his plan to dramatically reduce the size of two national monuments in Utah—Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante. This is the largest rollback of protected lands in American history. The decision also undermines the integrity of the Antiquities Act, which 16 presidents from both parties have used to designate and protect national monuments over the last 111 years."  --REI, American retail and outdoor recreation services corporation.




On December 4, 2017, our United States President spoke of his plan to drastically reduce the size of two national monuments located in Utah.  The decision followed Administration’s four-month review (April 2017 to August 2017) of 27 national monuments designated during the last two decades.




During this time of review, more than 2.8 million Americans submitted comments to fight for protection of these monuments. The voices were snubbed by administration and the decision was made, and took away 2 million acres of public land. A decision that has caused extensive outrage amongst all Americans who love the outdoors and appreciate it's beauty, including what it does for the welfare of people and the ecosystem. Large outdoor supplier and clothing store, REI has created a full page dedicated to helping those interested in voicing their concerns to our administration. To learn more, go here.


I am personally heart broken to hear what our admin would do to such precious places that millions of Americans call home. It's time to fight back so that our children and their children can continue on a legacy of God's beauty.


Show your colors and place this image on your social media platforms with the hashtag #UnitedOutside

Perfect balm to heal blisters and bug bites

 Hi All!


I recently ventured back to Yosemite National Park (I'll be posting pics soon), and as anyone is aware, when you're in the great outdoors and hiking long miles and tough terrain,  you're bound to encounter a few itchy bug bites and potentially painful blisters. Thankfully with the help of Bodyceuticals, I was able to soften my skin, and keep it from getting more chafed and irritated on my extensive journey by dabbing on this essential first aid salve with calendula and honey.

What is Calendula?
Calendula is a flower most commonly known as Marigold. The term "marigold" refers to the Virgin Mary, and the flower is often used to honor her during Catholic events.


Egyptians are said to have used the flower for rejuvenating properties.


In as recent as 70 years ago,  American physicians have been said to use Calendula for fevers, cuts, scrapes and minor infections.


The flower, or herb rather, helps reduce pain and can be a very great disinfectant and treatment for minor skin irritations. As in my case, blisters, bug bites and chafing brought on by a lot of walking.

The salve created by Bodyceuticals has honey added to it, right from their very own apiary!
If you're an ingredient reader like myself, you'll want to know everything, so here is a full list of their ingredients:


Extra-virgin, unrefined, first cold-pressed oil from olives grown in volanic soil, whole golden calendula flowers which are Kosher, Organic/wild crafted grown using biodynamic methods, fresh, local organic beeswax, fresh Pacific Northwest honey, high potency vegan, non-GMO d-alpha tocopherol and mixed tocopherol Vitamin E.


Additionally, there product is currently harvested, certified organic, vegan and kosher.

If you're interested in learning more, about the product or the team behind it, just go to their website. Also, "Like" them on Instagram. They are all so friendly and kind and willing to answer any questions you may have about their products.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

The weather is changing and starting to cool down. Well, it’s a bit fickle here on the west coast, but it’s getting there. In the meantime I’m enjoying the smell of pumpkin spice everything!

To embrace fall, and welcome October, I’m dusting off an old favorite, and making my delicious pumpkin-chocolate chip muffins. Last year, my recipe was slightly different by adding a pinch of salt and pumpkin spices, but this year I decided to spruce it up, and I have to say—the muffins came out absolutely delicious!

To make your own, just follow this year’s recipe below, or click here to follow last year’s version.

Enjoy!

What You’ll Need:

•  1 large mixing bowl
• Automatic hand mixer
• Plastic spatula
• 2 Cupcake tin holders
• Cupcake wrappers
• Oven mitts
• 2-4 cooling racks

Ingredients:

• 4 eggs
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 can Pumpkin (I used the Sprouts label)
•  1-1/2 cups vegetable oil
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose unbleached white flour
• 1 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoon baking powder
• A few good dashes of Cinnamon;
• A few good dashes of Nutmeg
• Couple drops of Vanilla Extract
•  1 bag of semisweet ENJOYLIFE mini chocolate chips

Baking directions:

• Preheat oven to 400°. 
• In a large mixing bowl, mix up the following until smooth: eggs, sugar, pumpkin, oil, flour, baking soda, baking powder, canned pumpkin, nutmeg, cinnamon and dash of vanilla extract.
• Once mixture is smooth, fold in the mini chocolate chips.
• Fill paper-lined muffin ¾ of the way, to almost all the way, full.
• Place cupcake trays into oven.
• Set timer, and bake for 20 minutes.
• (Be careful not to burn them. Tops can scorch before center is fully cooked, so keep a close eye on these.)
• Once ready, grab oven mitt and remove hot cupcake trays from the oven and place onto cooling rack.
• Allow muffins to cool down for 15 minutes before removing onto a separate cooling rack.
• Allow muffins to cool 10 minutes.  Insert toothpick to make sure center is fully cooked. If not, add back into the oven for 10 minutes.

Makes 2 to 2 ½ dozen muffins.

Earth Day: Reduce Plastic

In honor of earth day I felt it was appropriate to share some insight on why it's important to recycle and reduce the use of plastic.

From toothpaste to kale chips to straws, nearly every product we buy is packaged in plastic. And although recycling facilities now exist in most U.S. cities, experts say that just a fraction of consumer plastic is actually recovered—roughly 5 to 10 percent of plastic material is remade into more durable products. The rest? Much of it ends up in the ocean, according to the 5 Gyres Institute. There, plastic breaks down into tiny particles, which are toxic to sea life, threatening biodiversity that keeps the ocean healthy. This is a big problem. As oceanographer Sylvia Earle says, “No water, no life. No blue, no green.” So what can you do? Kick your plastic habit by choosing products that make living the zero-plastic life easier than ever.

Klean Kanteen is one of those companies ready to shine, and help our planet. The family owned business  is constantly creating ways to produce healthier choices for people of all ages and lifestyles.

Their story:
In 2004, the inventor of Klean Kanteen created and introduced the first Kanteen on the market. The mission was to provide people a better bottle option than plastic and lined aluminum bottles, a healthy, reusable bottle free of Bisphenol (BPA) and other toxic substances.

Klean Kanteen sought out ways to significantly reduce their environmental footprint, and became a member of the 1% For the Planet in 2008,  to donate more than 1 percent of their annual sales to non profit organizations that are dedicated to preserving and restoring wild places.

Pretty awesome, right? As the thought has been shared, our planet is Plan A; we have no plan B, so do what you can to preserve it before mindless attitudes and carelessness erase it for good.

Ready to help the planet?
Check out Kleen Kanteen today! I picked out the NEW insulated reflect 20oz stainless steel water bottle.   Crafted using three materials: sustainably harvested bamboo, food-grade silicone and stainless steel, this quality 18/8 double-wall, vacuum-insulated bottle keeps drinks cold for 24 hours or iced for 40.

Let's save our planet! Make #EARTHDAY EVERYDAY!

Steal A Booch Smooch



Hey There!

Valentine's Day might be over, but that doesn't mean you have to stop spreading the love.

Clearly Kombucha  has a slew of delicious flavors for you

to shake, rattle and roll into a delicious cocktail, any night of the week!

Just add a bit of sparkling wine, or gluten-free fizzle to make any day an extended V-day.  Better yet, check out their list of recipes to find your perfect combination.



 Photos by @shoesdogsandchocolate

TRY THIS JUICE BY OPEN SOURCE ORGANICS

Open Source Organics

"Raw. Vegan. 100% Organic" - Open Source Organics

Talk about being in the right place at the right time! About a year ago, I did a three mile hike in the West Hollywood hills area, and upon my final steps back to the parking lot, a food truck was waiting there. Being a girly girl and a lover of country-chic designs and clean lines, I locked my eyes on the cute mason jar full of juice. They were large in size, and if I recall correctly, about $9.

 "Hmm...Not bad," I thought, for something that was vegan, healthy and only made up of simple ingredients.

I was excited to try it, and picked out my juice, "Apple Pucker."

 The gluten-free, 100 percent organic and "made with LOVE," mixture of apple, lemon and mint tasted delicious, and its mojito resemblance (sans alcohol and additional sugar) was the perfect resource my body needed post-cardio sesh.

For weeks, er, months after that initial meet and greet, I couldn't forget that juice. Something about it was just THAT different to me. Thankfully through a diligent search and determination to not give up, I found out the name of the company that made this joyous concoction, Open Source Organics, and the rest is history.

If you're a foodie, like to live healthy, on a special diet, or just want to try something new, check them out. You'll be happy you did.

Open Monday-Sunday 7 am - 8 pm  7107 W Sunset Blvd, Hollywood CA, 90046 

 

Photo by @shoesdogsandchocolate

Photo by @opensourceorganics

Photo by @misoo_hungry

 

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