Sannnnn Diego: My Second Home Away From Home

Israel and I like to go to LA a lot. Every chance we get, we high-tail it on out of here and trek down the mountains into the city; LA is our home away from home. But sometimes, going to LA is not enough. Sometimes, we need to get away to somewhere that makes us feel like we're on vacation, where the air is clear and the traffic doesn't make you want to cry. That magical place is San Diego. Israel and I decided to go there last weekend to ring in my 28th year (actually, to celebrate the end of it, if you think about it). Being that I went to college in San Diego and continue to be a frequent visitor, I consider myself an adopted San Diegan. On this trip, I visited some of my favorite spots and discovered some new ones- and I'd like to share them with you in case you are considering or planning a trip to San Diego this summer (DISCLAIMER: This is a LONG post, so feel free to skim for what looks interesting to you). So, without further ado...

1. Run on the Pacific Beach Boardwalk

    End of Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach, CA

I decided early on in planning this trip that the first thing I wanted to do was run in Pacific Beach. This one was more of a nostalgic choice. Pacific Beach (or PB, as the locals call it ;-)) is basically a huge party beach, and guess what I used to do there when I was in college... My reason for wanting to go back, however, had nothing to do with getting drunk or laying out for a tan. I thought, "Hey, wouldn't it be cool to go to the same neighborhood where I used to get trashed and go for a run instead?" So, we did. 

PB Boardwalk. No Meatheads in sight in this pic...

Unfortunately, 99% of the people there chose to do the former of the aforementioned rather than the latter. What did that mean for me? A bunch of drunk meatheads calling out "Hey, that girl's DOING IT!" as I ran by. In all fairness, I should have known better than to wear a shirt that says "DOING IT" (What? It's a Nike shirt!) to run on a boardwalk overrun by candidates for the West Coast version of Jersey Shore- lesson learned. Regardless, I ran 3 miles (farther than I have run in a while!) and at a faster pace than any of my recent, shorter runs; something about that ocean air really gets your legs moving! That or I was speeding away from all the creep-os. Either way, no regrets :-)



2. Dinner/Sake Bombs At Sushi Deli

    Hillcrest Neighborhood

After our run, Israel and I arrived to Eva and Chris's house in the Hillcrest neighborhood (just north of downtown) STARVING. After catching up and a quick shower (one of my favorite things about San Diego: low maintenance vibe when it comes to appearance. Especially compared to LA.), we made our way over to Chris and Eva's favorite local sushi place, Sushi Deli. Chris got sneaky (and must have forgotten what a light weight I am!) and ordered a few rounds of sake bombs. His little surprise got me tipsy enough to forget to take pictures of the food, so you're gonna have to take my word for it when I say that it was beautiful and delicious. And at 60 bucks for a very filling sushi dinner for four, it was a great deal.

Here today, gone 30 seconds later. So it is for the sake bomb.

3. Drinks/Karaoke at The Lamplighter

    Hillcrest

Still feeling the effects of the sake bombs after dinner, none of us wanted the night to end. So we crossed the street (Hillcrest is definitely a walking community- LOVE it!) to the Lamplighter, which is a relatively cheap, cash-only karaoke bar. Eva and I decided to cut ourselves off by that point, so I can't say much about the drinks (I've had drinks there before, but it's been a while); however, I can comment on the music selection with one word: random. Since the playlist consists of what customers choose to sing, you end up with everything from staples like "Don't Stop Believing" to songs that you'd like to forget exist, like "Don't Stop Believing" (I keed- who doesn't love that song?). Eva and I brought the house down with a rousing rendition of one of our old dance favorites, "Señorita" by our guy, JT. Hooked on the feeling, I went back up with Israel at midnight (thanks to Chris for setting that up!) to sing "Panic" by the Smiths- not as much of a hit, but, as I warned Israel, we weren't in LA. All-in-all, a great time, made better by the donuts we stopped to eat as a nightcap on the walk home ;-).

"I don't know what I'm thinking 'bout
Really leaving with you." JT would be proud :'-)

4. Breakfast at Hash-House A-Go-Go

    Hillcrest

After a day of running and a night of drinking, Israel and I were ready for one of the highlights of any trip to San Diego: breakfast at Hash-House. Ho-ly mo-ly. This place is amazing. It is THE number one place I recommend to people who are planning a trip down there. The food is not only delicious; it is a visual experience. Well worth the hour and a half wait that you will inevitably have on a Sunday late-morning. The pictures speak for themselves. Quick tip: if you're there with somebody, one of you should order something sweet and the other something savory, because you don't want to miss out on either and both will be way too big for you to eat by yourself anyway. Israel and I always get the griddled French toast and some kind of hash. YUMMINESS OVERLOAD!

This is what you will look at for over an hour if you choose to go to Hash-House on a Sunday. And it will be worth it.

Top: Griddled French Toast.
Bottom: Spinach, Artichoke, and Red Pepper Hash (with mozzarella cheese and avocado added).
Perfect combo!

5. Hike at Cowles Mountain
    Mission Trails Regional Park

I had this strong desire to do something active on my actual birthday. And what is a better social fitness activity than hiking with friends? Nothing (as Tara and I have discovered more than once ;-))! It also helped prevent any guilt resulting from Hash-House overindulgence.

Cowles Mountain is about eight miles northeast of downtown San Diego. We chose it because, honestly, I think we were all too lazy to commit to driving far away for a five hour hike; so, instead, we drove 10 minutes for a two- hour hike :-). Plus, Chris and Eva said it offered a nice view of downtown, and I am a sucker for city skylines. We made our way up the 1.5 mile, moderately challenging trail, with a little huffing and puffing, and a lot of conversation. And, when we made our way to the top, we enjoyed the fruits of our labor: a view that included not only the downtown skyline, but also a panorama that included much of San Diego County and MEXICO. I am fascinated by the U.S./Mexico border, and every time I am reminded how closely to each other two such different countries lie, I get the chills. Border politics, exercise, AND conversation with friends- definitely my idea of a rocking good time :-). The only bad thing about this excursion was that we had to say bye to Eva and Chris at the end of it (sniff, sniff).

Made it to the top! That girl really was "Doing It." Haha, lame-o's!

Not sure which section of the panoramic view this is, but I think the downtown silhouette  is on the right edge of this picture.

6. Dad's House
    Escondido

I can't recommend that you go to this place, because my dad probably won't make you the dinner that he made for Israel and me :-P. But you wish he did. Because it was good. Think Pollo Loco chicken without the rumors of rat infestations associated with it. I guess all that was really just to show off how good of a cook my dad is. My favorite part was when I raved about how delicious it was and begged, "HOW did you season this?!" to which he shrugged and replied "garlic salt" in Spanish while taking a bite. My dad is not overly emotive.

7. Encinitas

Pleasantly stuffed with a home-cooked meal (a rarity on weekend trips!), Israel and I got a good night's sleep in preparation for the trek home the following day. The trip home is an event in itself, because we always stop at those North County spots that are too out of the way for our true San Diegan friends to visit. Many of these places are in and around Encinitas.

The first place we stopped at was Pipes Cafe for breakfast. I heard about this place from a classmate who interrupted my proclamation that Hash House was the best breakfast place in San Diego with her own rebuttal that, Hell no, Pipes was. Obviously I had to see what all the fuss was about. Pipes and Hash-House are apples and oranges, so I can't say which is better. I can say that I ate a truly delicious, hearty, unassuming meal of eggs and potatoes there for a VERY reasonable price, so I walked out a happy camper. Breakfast was followed by San Diego's much quieter answer to Hollywood's Amoeba Records: Lou's Records. This place was much bigger and more impressive in my college days, but, like most local record stores, it has fallen by the wayside of digital downloads. Nonetheless, it has been a consistent stop on all of our recent SD trips. Another new stop is Nobu Nau, a natural and organic skincare store on Southbound Highway 101 in Encinitas. They always provide attentive and informative customer service; unfortunately, they are closing their store and will be selling exclusively online as of July 1st :-(. But, as with any dour situation, there was a silver lining (for me at least): everything in the store was 20-50% off! So I was finally able to purchase an all-natural facial moisturizer with SPF, which I have coveted for oh-so-long! (I'll be writing some kind of review on that once I have had a few weeks of experience with it...)

Pipes Cafe: quaint, low-key, Jack Johnson-fan haven.

You can't get this at Denny's. Sooooo satisfying!

Honorable Mention
North to South


I also want to mention some places that did not make the cut during this visit (mainly because time did not allow), but that are still worth checking out:

1. The La Jolla Cove: Gorgeous view, cute downtown area. Grab a cup of coffee at the Living Room Coffee Shop (crossing my fingers that it's still there- haven't made it back in a while) and walk to the bluffs overlooking the cove. Check out the seals if you can. Cute :-)

2. Hodad's in Ocean Beach: Hodad's is a culinary experience and OB is a hippy-experience. Delicious burgers, and you'll feel like the set of "The Wonder Years"took a trip to the beach when you walk outside.

3. Balboa Park: We walked to the outskirts while waiting for our table at the Hash-House (we had plenty of time to explore during our 90 minute wait!), but didn't get the full experience this time. Cross the Cabrillo Bridge to El Prado to get your culture fix with one or several of the museums along the walkway.

4. Coronado Island: I can't say enough about this place. Beautiful ocean views, amazing Mexican food (at Miguel's, my FAVORITE. Eat the white sauce!), and one the most beautiful hotels in the country, the Hotel Del Coronado. No other place in California makes me feel as much like I am on vacation. Take the ferry and walk the island to make it an extra special event.

5. Bronx Pizza: The best pizza on the West Coast. PERIOD. I don't care what your Momma told you! This is it. Comes with a free side of New York rudeness (my favorite kind :-)).

I know that I have rambled on, but I really feel that San Diego is a treasure whose offerings are under-tapped by worn-out Angelenos. I have to admit that I am fortunate to have free places to stay and so can make the trip often; but, if you ARE looking for a weekend getaway, I hope you will consider some of my humble suggestions. And if you have suggestions of your own, please let me know! Thanks for reading :-)

-Melissa

ALBUM OF THE DAY: Dookie by Green Day. It was going to be the song "Torture" by The Cure (in reference to the four hours that I spent trapped in the worst traffic jam of my life today), but then I got home and Israel surprised me with Dookie on (green!) vinyl as a belated birthday present. Positivity trumps negativity! BAM! Like many other 90s kids, this is one of my favorite albums of all time. Fast. Immature. Amazing.

"Scream at me
Until my ears bleed
I'm taking heed
Just for you."
-Green Day, "She"

   

The iPhone App(s) That Changed My Life

Anyone who has known me for more than a couple of years knows that I used to be a big, fat (well, not literally, although I did get close once!) couch potato. I think I used to joke that I was allergic to exercise- yeah, that sounds like something I’d say. Anyway, about two years ago, I found myself in the unenviable position of having very little going on in my life. My wedding was over (so no more planning), I was marginally (and unhappily, I should add) employed as a sub, and I was taking a couple of online classes to start on my path towards becoming a speech-language pathologist. As you can see, nothing really to commit to too strongly- aside from being a new wife, which I took seriously, but, being a woman of the modern age, could not allow to completely identify me.

My birthday was coming up, and I allowed my husband to talk me into getting an iPhone (he really had to twist my arm, guys ;-)). At first I was just excited about being able to navigate my way around using the Google Maps app and listen to music from Pandora in my car. But then, my husband, the shopaholic (I think he truly adheres to the YOLO philosophy), also convinced me to buy new running shoes. (At this juncture, I am realizing that I am not very good at protesting, so, if you offer to pay for my meal, please know that you probably will end up doing so!). And so, I ambivalently left FootAction, armed with my new lavender and gray Nike LunarFlys, and a serious fear of taking up running.

My supa' fly LunarFlys, 400+ miles later :-).

 You see, up until that point, I don’t think I had ever run more than about 3 minutes straight, because my mother (God bless her) convinced that I had some serious case of asthma growing up, so I never really tried. Not that that was a good excuse, but the reality was that, since I had never tried, I was going to have to start trying now, and I didn’t know what would come of that. I knew that I would start off running embarrassingly slow; I knew that I had never been one with a lot of willpower to push myself to do things that were hard for me; and I knew this was going to be hard. But, as my husband bluntly pointed out, I didn’t have much else going on to distract me.

One of my greatest challenges with running was always that I never had objective feedback to motivate me (except when running on a treadmill, which makes me feel like a hamster on a wheel). Being a goal-oriented person, I needed this. My husband (let’s give him a name now, since I’ll probably be mentioning him often. It’s Israel.) mentioned that the iPhone has fitness apps, and there was probably one for running. Excited to put my new gadget to as many uses as possible, I went to the app store and searched. I came across tens (not hundreds, but tens) of running apps. Most of them were too intimidating, and seemed geared toward “real” runners. I was a little discouraged. Then I came across Footsteps. It tracks your distance like a pedometer, by measuring your (whatdya know?) footsteps. This seemed to somehow inherently take into account the fact that its users might be doing some walking too, so I felt it was perfect for me.

Footsteps: The one that started it all...

So the next morning, off I went with butterflies in my stomach and my new shoes on my feet for my first run around the block. And boy, did my little pal Footsteps help. Being a numbers oriented person (as my wonderful friend, Tara, and I have discussed many times), it was incredibly helpful and motivating to be able to look down and see exactly how far I had gone. No more, “Yay, I made it to lightpost” moments for me! No, now I could look down and say with some certainty, “You just jogged a quarter of a mile. Good job” (internal dialogue is a MUST for beginning runners).  And I’m telling you with 100% honesty, it made all the difference. Footsteps took through my first mile, two mile, and three mile runs, and the only reason I was really able to celebrate those victories was because I could look at my phone and know for sure that they happened. I am not one who is good at “reading the signals that I my body is sending” or what not- no, I need the hard facts. And by giving me that, Footsteps motivated me to keep going.

Eventually I moved on to NikePlus and now Runtastic Pro as I progressed to longer runs. These are also fantastic apps that use GPS to track the distance that you’ve run, and provide data about records and pacing. NikePlus even has encouraging messages from celebrities when you hit a new milestone (including a gem from Tracy Morgan that had me cracking up after my fastest 5k).

NikePlus workout screen.

NikePlus History and Records screen.

But that Footsteps app, man- that’s the one that started it all. It was my validation; it was the bearer of good news every time I accomplished something that I NEVER thought I would be able to do. Yes, I had a lot of time on my hands, and I was lucky in that regard; but, I would never have used it so productively without this one little iPhone app.

Tara and I always have this back-and-forth about how I have a hard time calling myself a runner. I am still SLOW, and I definitely take breaks when life gets in the way, and, for those reasons, I have a hard time saying that I am truly a “runner.” But I have to give myself credit because, despite vacations, school, and the tears-of-frustration-inducing tragedy that is the high-desert weather, I always come back. Right now, I am not running the five and a half miles that I was at my peak. But, I still get out there whenever I can, and, even though I am not at my peak, I still revel in the fact that I can run two or three miles straight, when I could barely run a quarter of a mile when I started (I know, because Footsteps told me!). Life is definitely about the journey, the process- and physical health is part of life. Racing toward some ultimate achievement would only make it so that I would eventually be justified in stopping. Instead, I have only made one commitment to myself: to treat my body well… and, I also wouldn’t mind running a half marathon by the time I turn 30 ;-).

My first 5k: Honda LA Marathon 5k (March 11, 2011). I guess I ate me spinach that morning!

 Here are some tips for beginners that I have gathered along my journey:

1   1. Good music is motivating: I know some people get their rocks off on listening to their breathing- not me. Lady GaGa has a much better beat than my huffing and puffing.

2   2.  Develop a motivating mantra: You can have mine, some variation of which I found on a running forum: Run if you can, walk if you have to, but giving up is not an option.

3   3. Walk if you have to: Just as the mantra says. The important thing is that you start running again as soon as you feel able to.

4   4. Make running a friend (that annoys you sometimes): I like to think that I am hanging out with my friend, Run. Regardless of how demanding or inconsiderate of my feelings Run may be, I made a commitment to hang out with her for 30 minutes, so I’m going to.

     5.   Make it enjoyable: If it sucks, you won’t do it. So go at a pace that allows you to enjoy the scenery, even if that means walking a little. A run-walk three times a week is better than a hardcore run once in your life.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you’ll check these apps out if you’re part of the smart phone world, want to start running, or are already a runner. If you already use any of these apps, let me know about your experiences with them. And, also, fill me in on any other great fitness apps, because I am always on the hunt J. Aaaaaand, let me know if you have any more tips for beginners. Thanks again!

-Melissa

SONG OF THE DAY: "Ouija Board" by Morrissey. Mainly because it's stuck in my head since Israel has been listening to Bona Drag non-stop. It is pretty catchy, for a Morrissey song (it's no Smiths, though!).

Oh Morrissey, you handsome devil.

Skin Deep

So- in keeping with the theme and title of my blog, I have decided to start this adventure by writing about the most significant change that I have recently made in the name of "progress."I became really interested in skincare a couple of years ago, when I finally had enough money to start using items that cost more than $5 a bottle and realized that the products you put on your skin do, in fact, make a difference. A little Clarisonic brush here, a little Olay Regenerist serum there and -voila!- I had the smooth-as-a-baby's tooshie skin that I always dreamed of. I literally had people (including an esthetician!) complimenting me on my skin randomly and asking me what I use. Oh, how it felt so good...

My paraben-infested skin looking pretty rockin' about a year ago.

UNFORTUNATELY, science had to come rain on my parade. I don't remember what compelled me, but I began to do research about ingredients in beauty products; I learned about the active ingredients (which was great, because it helped me save money by making at home remedies ;-)), but I also came across the P-word of the beauty community: PARABENS (aaaaaaah!). I learned that parabens are linked to cancerous tumors and premature aging of the skin. Maybe I'm a little slow on the uptake here, but I was also surprised to learn that everything that we put on our skin enters our bloodstream, and it does so at a more concentrated and faster rate than ingredients that we digest. YIKES! Once I learned this, I could no longer bear to smooth my magic potions, Cetaphil and the Olay Regenerist Serum (both chock-full of parabens), on what we all know (but often forget) is the largest organ of the body.

You don't realize what a monopoly big brands have on beauty products until you decide not to use them anymore. Finding alternatives takes research. No more strolling around Tar-get, picking the item in the prettiest packaging or with the sweetest fragrance. No, now I had to go on Google, YouTube, and Make-Up Alley (a beauty products review website) to find information on the little known brands at my local health foods store and vitamin shop. But, alas, all of that research paid off, because it introduced me to the wonders of natural skincare that I already had right in my kitchen. I wish that I could say that my skin was still as perfect as it was in my Olay days, but I can't. I have discovered that I am acne-prone (sad tear) and my skin is kind of dry. But whatevs- it still looks good. I now go to sleep every night and wake up every morning knowing that most of the products I put on my face are products I would also put in my mouth (awkward pause...?). So, without further ado, here is my new skincare routine...

1. Make-Up remover: Olive Oil. Yep, I take straight-up, out of the kitchen cabinet olive oil and rub it all over my wet face. Rub, rub, rub and all the make-up (including waterproof eye makeup) comes right off. As soon as I am satisfied with my level of raccoon-eyedness (a technical term that indicates that all eye make-up has been removed), I wipe it all off with a damp washcloth.

2. Facial cleanser: Oatmeal. Ok, people, I'm not crazy (although I think my husband thinks I am when he watches me do this). No, no, no- it works quite nicely. I take a handful of quick oats (NOT the kind that comes in pouches), hold it in my fist and run my fist under water to allow the oats to become wet. When I open my hand, I add a little more water (warm!) to further break down the oats. Then, I press the softened oats against my face and begin massaging them into my face in a circular motion. It is messy, BUT it is lots of fun and feels lovely- not to mention the fact that my face feels and looks clean and smooth when I'm done. Just don't forget to rinse all the oatmeal down the drain so you don't gross out your cohabitant! (You can look up Bubzbeauty's video on YouTube for a great demo.)

1. That there is a fist full of oats. Just running them under warm water...

2. ...so that they soften, like this...

3. ...and I can rub them on my face, like this.

4. After massaging the oats onto my face for about a minute and rinsing, my face is clean and soft (if not perfectly clear :-/).

3. Toner: Lemon Water. Yum! I love when a little accidentally gets in my mouth because it's so refreshing. It's just a 1:10 ration of lemon juice to filtered water. I like to put it in a spritzer and keep it in the fridge. Just a couple of spritzes after washing my face and I get the little tingle that tells me  "Hey, we acids are working hard eating all of your dead skin." What troopers. I rinse it off after 5 minutes- God forbid I end up looking like Samantha after she got that chemical peel before Carrie's book party...

4. Moisturizer: Jojoba oil with a drop of tea tree oil. This has been a tricky area for me. My skin is dry yet acne prone (HOW?). I started with avocado oil, which worked for a while before I started breaking out (could be the change of weather). Anyhoo, I recently started with the jojoba oil (which does not leave as much of an oily residue) with a drop of tea tree oil (which is an anti-bacterial agent) and it is helping. I use a five to one ratio of jojoba oil (because it is a carrier oil) to the tree oil (because it is an essential oil). I massage the mixture into damp skin, because the moisture from the water helps the oil absorb more easily into the skin.

5. Night cream/eye cream: Shea butter. Seriously, just a dime size goes a long way. Feels like butta...because it is! I rub it in my hands so that it liquifies, then massage it onto my face. I also take another small amount (like a SPECK) and pat it under my eyes.

6. Daytime moisturizer: Gaaaah, you caught me! This is the one product that I use that is not natural and does contain parabens. I am still working on finding a good natural moisturizer with SPF, so, in the meantime, I need to finish up the Roc moisturizer I bought before I began this endeavor because- guess what- I ain't made of money! I spent twenty buck on that shiz and I am not about to throw a Jackson away!

Phew. So that's it. Why all the detail, you may ask? Well, I know some of these products are not conventional, and are not used in a conventional way. You may have trouble picturing how to use oatmeal as a cleanser and think "This broad is nuts! I'm not clogging my drain with that business!" (It doesn't clog your drain). But it's worth it to me. Now, when I think about all of those chemicals that are entering everyone's bloodstream through beauty products, I get a little angry, and since anger should be channeled into productivity whenever possible, here I am, sharing what little I have learned about the topic.

So, try out any or all of this if you are interested in natural skincare. I understand it is a pretty high maintenance routine, but, in my old age, I actually tend to enjoy it, so it is not a chore for me at all. Thanks so much for reading and feel free to contact me on Facebook or email me at melissazav@gmail.com if you have any questions :-)

-Melissa :-)

ALBUM OF THE DAY: The Ramones, Road to Ruin. Great album to sing along to and motivate you to get moving, if only to start a mini-mosh pit in your living room ;-)

Oh, Ramones. You will forever make me wish that I was from Queens (and eating refried beans).