#Giveaway

Venice is a must for those who desire the complete Southern California experience. Rollerbladers and bicyclists glide on pathways paralleling the Pacific Ocean. In the sea, surfers in wetsuits frolic like dolphins in the waves.  On occasion Chef Eric Lechasseur, co-owner of Venice’s macrobiotic Seed Kitchen is one of the surfers…If he’s not prepping meals for Hollywood celebs or updating the macrobiotic menu for Seed Kitchen.

Seasons (as in Japanese cooking) are honored in macrobiotic food creation. Chef Eric traded in his cream-heavy French sauces for organic, healthy cooking when his wife, Sanae Suzuki (co-owner of Seed Kitchen) was diagnosed with cancer. Sanae is now cancer-free. She is, of course, a fan of her husband’s wholesome cuisine. You may also be a fan after a Seed Kitchen meal. You won’t be alone. Seed Kitchen cookbooks (on sale at the restaurant) are sprinkled with praise from stars. Madonna says, “Eric’s macro desserts are so indulgent, you would think they are sinful!”

2016 may be your lucky year. Especially if you win my giveaway of Native Foods Celebration Cookbook: Delicious Vegan Recipes to Celebrate Every Month of the Year.  (Scroll down for details.)

Of course, you are already lucky if you live in LA and live close to a Native Foods restaurant.  Even if you don't care about healthy eating, one bite into a Native Foods dinner or dessert may change your mind forever.

One of my first jobs in LA upon arrival from Tokyo was a seating hostess at a prestigious Japanese restaurant. I stood at the front with the cashier. My nimble with coins and credit cards colleague was a native Californian. Her parents were born and raised in Japan. As assimilation into America was important, speaking, reading and writing English were encouraged. My cashier friend did pick up snippets of Japanese phrases at home. Her mates and work at school, however, required English. When Japanese customers walked into the restaurant, they’d ask my colleague a question. She’d turn to me and I’d answer. The situation did produce some comical moments.

Celebrations call for cakes, right? To celebrate my third Glutino Giveaway, I created 3 Gluten-Free and Divinely Decadent Cakes. The recipes are simple and the results are splendid. While friends admire your cakes, you may even find yourself saying, “It was nothing.” You will be telling the truth! For a minimum of effort, you’ll get maximum dessert excellence. Warning: Be prepared to assure your friends and family, “Yes! The cakes are really gluten-free!”

I’ve created 3 Easy Gluten-Free On The Go Kid-Friendly Breakfasts so your schedule can be freed up to cuddle those close to you. And, yes, to free up a bit of time for that pampering you’ve been putting off. So, no more excuses. Make the 3 Easy Gluten-Free On The Go Kid-Friendly Breakfasts and skip off guilt-free to the day spa or to that mani-pedi or to the time-out on the couch to watch the Days of our Lives!  

Halloween is creeping up on us fast! In a blink of an eye, many of us will be serving Thanksgiving turkey. (And scolding spouses to stop watching football in favor of family time. Not any spouses I know of course!) Soon after, snow may alight in time for Christmas in colder climates. Along with the fall leaves and flurries, the season ushers in holiday parties. I love the festive spirit of this time of year. It’s like we’re given an extra excuse to celebrate life! For greater ease  during the holidays, I’ve prepared 5 Tricks to Tantalizing Treat Trays...And a giveaway!

Quick Quiz:

1. Do you watch Buddy Valastro, the Cake Boss, on TV?
2. Are you addicted to the Next Great Baker show?
3. Do you own the cookbook entitled Cake Boss: Stories and Recipes from Mia Famiglia?
4. Have you tried recipes out of the Cake Boss cookbook?
5. Are you a frequent visitor of Carlo’s Bakery in Hoboken, New Jersey and/or in Las Vegas, Nevada?

Diagnosis: You may be a Cake Boss fan if you answered yes to any of the above questions.

If your reply was no, here’s a chance to meet and be inspired by the TV celebrity chef and successful owner of Carlo’s Bakery on Facebook. 
 

Monica Holland is living the dream! A publisher fell in love with the recipes on Monica's Lick the Bowl Good blog. Months later, Monica's cookbook Lick the Bowl Good was born. Flip through the pages of her book and you'll see mouthwatering photographs and recipes for  Oreo Cheesecake Cupcakes, Lemon Shortbread Tarts, Chocolate Cranberry Oat Bars and...