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The Sacred Art of Self Love

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Words by Christina Huntington // Photography by Sarah Prikryl // Contributing Photography by Christina Huntington

As we deep dive into all things L-O-V-E this month, we come face-to-face with the most crucial form of love to master: self love. It’s easy to look at seemingly endless social media feeds overflowing with infinite selfies and moment-to-moment replays of every minuscule activity as if everyone is engaged in broadcasting their own 24/7 reality series and think that self love is maybe the last thing we need to be worried about right now. But self promotion and even self confidence are very different from self love. As “look-at-me” culture skyrockets, studies show that our collective self worth seems to be plummeting to an all-time low, proving true the old adage that comparison is the thief of joy. In my work as a meditation teacher and spiritual counselor, self love is Issue Zero…the singular point of origin of all our issues, disappointments and challenges. Of course a healthy relationship to self love is something we all want. And if it were easy, we would all have it. But like reaching out for shooting stars we can never get close enough to, no amount of trying, efforting or chasing seems to allow that love to finally drop in our laps. Which is why we then fall back on those easy quick-fixes for the little hits of confidence that never seem to last, creating an endless cycle of needing more attention from external sources to continue to prop ourselves up on. Frankly, it’s exhausting. I’m tired just from writing that. So…what can we do?

Actually, we need to start by taking self love off the table completely. It’s a great idea but being a “concept”, it’s really hard to put into practice. How do you just suddenly start loving yourself if you’ve never been given the tools to do that, have a litany of stories and experiences in your head to prove otherwise and you don’t even know what it actually means? The simple secret is this: self love boils down to SELF CARE. If you want to learn how to love yourself, you have to learn how to care for yourself first. Like a parent put in charge of a newborn baby, at a certain point in adulthood you finally realize that your life (and heart) is now in your own hands. You are responsible for your own sense of comfort, safety, nurturing, protection, well-being and security in the world. So the first step to self care is learning to self-soothe, self-parent and fill our own needs. This doesn’t mean forcing ourselves to try to be happy and put on a smiling face whenever things get tough in an effort to just “make things okay”. It means meeting ourselves exactly where we really are and being okay with whatever that is. Allowing feelings like sorrow, loneliness, frustration and anger to be there if that’s what we are feeling. The important part is that we feel safe enough in our own company to build a trusted line of open communication—being able to both SPEAK our truth to ourselves and HEAR our truth from ourselves without judgment. Simply being able to listen to exactly what is happening inside of us and say, “Okay. I hear you. And I’ve got you. What do you need right now?” Then giving ourselves the things we need.

“FILL YOUR OWN NEEDS”~

In my meditation classes, I teach a few very simple exercises that can instantly transform your relationship to self love. The first one is literally just learning how to fill your own needs. It doesn’t require years of therapy or personal growth, just the ability to ask yourself three questions each day. Every morning when you wake up, take a moment to close your eyes and focus your attention on your heart (the energy center right in the middle of your chest). Then ask yourself these three questions…

In order to feel peaceful, nourished & cared for today…

  • What do I NEED?
  • What do I WANT?
  • What do I DESIRE?

Just write down a one or two word answer for each in a small journal. Then your only assignment is to give yourself at least ONE of those things each day.

There are subtle differences between phrasing here. “NEED” is just about our baseline survival—what do I absolutely HAVE to have in order to feel at peace today? “WANT” is something that is a preference that we would like and enjoy if it happened. “DESIRE” is something that feels really yummy, like a special treat for the soul. Don’t try to control the answers. Create a space of silent listening instead and wait for the answers to come through and show themselves to you. Maybe one day you NEED to get a good night’s sleep. Maybe the next day you really WANT to see friends and share some laughs. Another day you might DESIRE turning down the lights and slipping into a hot bubble bath with your favorite mood music. Be open to whatever you might hear from your own heart and soul and know that the answers will be different each day because YOU are different each day.

In emergency situations, this exercise can be distilled down even further. When you feel yourself experiencing an uncomfortable emotion or heading into the internal danger zone, simply put all of your focus on the center of your chest (you can even put your hands here if you wish, as a gentle physical reminder that you are present and listening with yourself) and ask: “What do I need right now to feel cared for and at peace?” Just this exercise alone will transform your entire relationship to yourself if you practice it regularly.

“50 HAPPY THINGS”~

This exercise is not only easy, it’s really fun and fills your life with delicious doses of daily sweetness. Sit down and make a list of 50 things that make you happy for no reason. (They are not going to further your career or skyrocket you to success.) These are little simple tangible experiences that you enjoy just because. Preferably inexpensive or free and easily accessible on a daily basis. Perhaps you like the feeling of grass beneath your bare feet. Eating fresh organic berries from the farmer’s market. The way the light comes in the window of your apartment in the late afternoon and your pet watches the tree shadows dancing on the floor. Gazing at the stars when everyone else is asleep. A hot jacuzzi. Scented candles. 60’s soul records. Okay…maybe those are all things I love, but you get the picture. The point is to create a list of things you love that you can give yourself EVERY DAY. And then that’s the next step: just commit to giving yourself ONE of these experiences every single day. Actively seek out these little ways to bring more simple joy into your life.

As with everything, that only way you’ll know that any of this works is if you try it yourself. So just for this week, your assignment is to take on a Great Self-Care Experiment. Practice asking yourself what you need in the morning and then meeting one of those needs each day. Get curious about what fills you with joy and then actively bring those Happy Things into your daily life. Try this out for seven days straight and see how you feel. I promise you can turn your entire relationship with yourself around in just a week if you really take this on as a spiritual practice. Be willing now to take responsibility for your own happiness, feelings of worth and sense of well-being. Give yourself the thing you have been craving your entire life: to know that you are heard, you are cared for, you are loved.

HAPPY LOVING!! xoxo, Sirens & Scoundrels

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© 2017 Sirens and Scoundrels

 

Make Your Life a Love Story!

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Words by Christina Huntington // Photography by Sarah Prikryl // Video by  Sarah Prikryl & Christina Huntington

Happy Valentine’s Day!! Sure, it may be a holiday that was made up to sell greeting cards, chocolate hearts and long stemmed roses…but we are always huge fans of any excuse to celebrate and spread more love in the world! But if we’re being totally honest, even just the word “love” can be challenging for a lot of people. We all have different interpretations of what love is from our own history and experience—how we’ve “gotten” it, how we’ve “lost” it and how well we have or have not managed to give it to others and ourselves. Love can also feel like a lot of pressure, inundated since birth with so many versions of what love “should” look like from, let’s face it, not necessarily the best sources. It’s left many people feeling confused about how to love and be loved in a healthy way that leaves us feeling joyful, secure, fulfilled and freely self-expressed. While, oh yeah…also having some fun.

This is the simplest guide to love that I have been able to distill from years of spiritually counseling people: get present. Forget about trying to figure out how to generate love and what it all means and where it’s all going. Just get present. This is how you make your ENTIRE LIFE romantic. Your life itself becomes a great love story when you drop away thinking about your life and simply be in it instead. If that sounds fantastical, it is. Life experienced this way becomes wonder-filled, awe-some, magic-al—all those words from childhood when the world was still brand new and full of hope and possibility. Becoming present requires a willingness for a return to innocence. Allowing yourself to be a beginner again, giving up what you “know”, being willing to see things differently and allowing life to be a constant state of curiosity and discovery.

So how do you just “get present” in our over-stimulated, over-extended, over-whelming modern world? Literally just start by opening your eyes and opening your heart to the beauty all around you. That means put your phone down, step away from the computer, put the video games away, turn the TV off. Step outside and watch the sunset in your front yard for ten minutes at the end of your day. Watch the pink clouds swell and fade as the stars twinkle to life and the moon begins to rise in the night sky. Feel the breeze on your face, the fresh air rushing into your lungs. Feel the ground beneath your feet. Pet your dog or cat. Feel your own heart beating. Allow yourself to just BE. The big secret of life is that all of its sweetness is hidden in the silence. When you allow yourself to get still with life, you are inviting intimacy.

It’s the same exact thing with people. When you invite stillness and a space for quiet listening, intimacy blooms. If you want to create real intimacy with the people in your life, you need to learn how to bring stillness into your relationships. When was the last time you really took in your partner, just looked into their eyes? Or the last time you shared secrets and dreams under a makeshift blanket fort? Vulnerability and a deep sense of connection blossom whenever we feel: seen, heard, valued and cared for (the four things all human beings crave most). So take a moment to just look into your partner’s eyes without having to do anything. Allow yourself to just enjoy the feeling of their touch, like the first time you ever held hands. Just breathe and be still together. Watch the sunset outside. Build that blanket fort and giggle. Just remember that life is meant to be lived in the here and now—which means collecting ALL of your five senses and bringing them into each and every moment.

So if you want to create more love in your life, this is your assignment: for this entire week, practice bringing your sense of sight, sound, smell, taste and touch to as many moments as you possibly can. Feel what happens when you slow down, stop thinking about your life and allow yourself to fully experience it with every part of you instead. We promise—your whole life will become a beautiful love story!!

Wanna see what happens when you get present & gaze into your partner’s eyes? Watch our celestial stop motion fantasy below! Click arrow in center of screen for your Valentine’s Day Love Story! 

 

 

HAPPY LOVING!! xoxo, Sirens & Scoundrels

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© 2017 Sirens and Scoundrels

Sounds Like Love!

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Happy Month of Love! In these parts, we like to take the entire month of February to celebrate love in ALL its forms. To kick things off right, we’d like to offer you a little mood music to help set the scene for whatever type of love you want to indulge in this month…with your self, with your partner or with the world. Anything that uplifts the heart and soul uplifts the whole world! In these chaotic times, take a moment to reconnect to the simple things that bring you joy and make you FEEL GOOD. We promise these tunes will start moving you in the right direction…

DREAMY NIGHTS // MONTH OF LOVE PLAYLIST ~

 

And stay tuned for this month’s articles on the many ways to celebrate and spread more love in your life! 

Happy Loving!! xoxo, Sirens & Scoundrels

FOLLOW US ON SPOTIFY FOR EASY LISTENING FROM ANY DEVICE!~ https://play.spotify.com/user/sirensandscoundrels

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Words & Playlist by Christina Huntington // Photography by Sarah Prikryl

© 2017 Sirens and Scoundrels

 

Setting Goals From Your Soul

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Words by Alicia Lipinski of Quietfire Healing // Photography by Sarah Prikryl  //  Featured Photo by Gina Cholick

Welcome to February, dear Sirens and Scoundrels! Around this time, you might be revisiting the goals and intentions that you set for yourself at the beginning of the year. You might be congratulating yourself for all the progress that you’ve already made or you might be berating yourself for not having done more or for already falling off the wagon. Or if you’re like me and many of my clients right now, you might see so many things that you want to change, both in your life and the world at large, that you feel paralyzed with fear and indecision and don’t know where to start.

There is a very real, biological reason for this. In times of stress or panic, our sympathetic nervous system kicks in, sending our body into fight or flight mode. This response doesn’t require being chased by a bear. It can be triggered by a daily pile-up of stress at work or in your personal life. We’re even seeing this play out in the current political landscape.

In the wake of the election, some people took immediate action by organizing protests, attending marches, calling their elected officials and rallying around the causes that they believe in. Their natural instinct was to stand and fight. On the other hand, you may have heard others say they want to move to Canada or England or anywhere but here. Their natural instinct was to flee. Now let me make this clear: neither response is better than the other, so please don’t judge yourself for not reacting the same way as someone else. Both of these biological instincts are completely natural and appropriate.

Yet another common (and much less talked about) instinct is to feel totally immobilized and unsure of how to act. This is known as the freeze response. You’ve probably heard the phrase “like a deer caught in headlights.” In this instance, we feel so scared or overwhelmed that we can’t seem to think or react clearly. We physically, emotionally and/or psychologically shut down in order to cope. Remember, we’re not just talking about lions, tigers and bears here. This same thing can happen when we find ourselves faced with a goal or challenge that feels insurmountable—like wanting to solve all the world’s problems but not knowing how.

They say the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. But when your line looks like an Everest-size peak, it’s easy to feel frozen. So how do we make that massive mountain of change feel more like a molehill? We break it up into a series of steps. We choose small, manageable, sustainable actions that we can take on a daily basis. In time, these actions add up to our larger goal. In yoga, we call this process Vinyasa Krama.

You want to write a novel? Congratulations! Instead of worrying about finishing the entire book, start with writing for 10 minutes a day. Then gradually move up to 20 minutes, then 30, then maybe a full hour. You want to start a new fitness regime? Instead of feeling like you have to go to the gym every single day or else you’re a failure, start by committing to even just a day or two a week, then gradually increase the number or length of your visits over time if that feels appropriate. You want to take that big trip you’ve always dreamed of but don’t have the cash? Start by setting aside a few cents or dollars at a time. It doesn’t have to be a whole paycheck or last night’s lottery winnings.

We have a tendency to want to change everything overnight: our job, our relationship status, our body, our habits, our world. Just remember, whatever your goal, you don’t have to do it all in one day. As an intuitive healer and life coach, I’ve seen time and time again the synchronicities and absolute miracles that can occur when you begin to take even the smallest steps toward your dreams and the callings of your spirit. With every action that you take, the energy and momentum builds. Before you know it, your tiny snowball of steps has turned into an avalanche of action that completely changes the landscape of your life.

On the evening of the Women’s March, a friend asked me to do a tarot reading for our country—to look at where we are collectively and what we can be doing as individuals to make an impact right now. So I pulled a card from my favorite tarot deck and flipped it over to reveal the 10 of Wands. The image on the card is a woman climbing up a steep mountain, carrying a heavy burden on her back (the ten wands). Although the mountaintop is within sight, she is not looking at her final destination. She is focused on the next stone step that she is about to climb and reaches one hand out to steady herself on it. To me, this card doesn’t signify rapid movement but, rather, a slow and steady progression. It reminds us that even the tallest mountain can only be climbed one step at a time.

Therefore, it is important to be mindful of the step that you are currently on and to meet yourself WHERE YOU ARE AT and not where you think you should be. What can you do, right now, with what you already have and who you already are? What talents and resources are available for you to use in this very moment? (For help with this, try the exercise below.)

To continue with our climbing metaphor, maybe you’re the Eagle Scout who knows how to light fires out of twigs when the sun goes down and the temperature drops. Or the baker who filled her backpack with homemade granola bars to hand out when hunger strikes. Or the cheerleader who encourages everyone else to keep climbing when they feel tired or discouraged. Or the navigator who can help steer the group up the safest and most direct path.

Remember, you don’t have to be an expert at everything or take on every cause. As you focus on sharing your unique talents and passions with the world, you leave room for others to fill in the gaps with their unique talents and passions. This is how we all come together as a community, as vital pieces of a whole, finding ways to work together towards our individual and collective goals.

EXERCISE: Take Inventory of Your Time, Talents and Treasures

In your journal or on a blank sheet of paper, free write your answers to the following questions. Don’t censor yourself or overthink your answers. Just put pen to paper and see what comes out. The answers may surprise you.

Time: Where can I make time in my schedule or space in my life for my goals, passions and the causes that are important to me?

Talents: What am I good at? What skills, trades or training do I have? What do others compliment or praise me for? What do I enjoy doing? What lights me up? When do I feel fulfilled?

Treasures: What physical and financial resources do I currently have access to that I can use in service of my goals? (This might be money, locations or equipment.) What relationships do I have and what communities am I a part of? What are my hobbies and passions? What do I value in life? What causes are meaningful to me? What issues are close to my heart?

Every morning, you can then ask yourself this simple question: how can I best use my time, talents and treasures today? What one small action can I take toward my goals and the life I want to create for myself?

As you then move through your day, if you find yourself getting caught up in that fight or flight response or feeling frozen in fear, pause and take a few deep breaths to re-center yourself and calm your nervous system. Come back to the present moment—to the step that you are on—by simply noticing how you’re feeling and what is happening around you.

With daily focused action from your soul, you’ll find yourself up on that mountain peak in no time! 

sarahprikryl-aliciaweb-sq-1

Alicia Lipinski is a gifted intuitive healer and spiritual counselor based in Los Angeles. She is also a certified Holy Fire Reiki practitioner, RYT 200 Yoga Instructor and herbalist who brews her own tonics and tinctures. She has studied a wide range of healing modalities, including Ayurveda, nutrition, life and wellness coaching, tarot, aromatherapy, crystal therapy and various forms of energy work and incorporates elements of each into her healing work. Yet her real medicine is her ability to see others for who they truly are and reflect that truth back to them.

Sign up for Alicia’s newsletter:  Quietfire Healing

Be sure to subscribe to Sirens & Scoundrels for more health, food & travel adventures delivered straight to you! Enter your email address on our home page & hit “SUBSCRIBE”! 

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© 2017 Sirens and Scoundrels

What Now? ~ Your Positive Action Plan!

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Words & Meditation by Christina Huntington // Photography & Video Images by Sarah Prikryl

So that happened. We officially had a transfer of power this weekend. We now find ourselves in a nation seemingly never more divided…while simultaneously never more united. As with everything in life, it all comes and goes in seasons. Each season leads into the next in cycles we don’t have to fully understand to know that eventually life will always find a way of rebalancing itself. Amongst massive change and upheaval, it is more important than ever to find time to care for yourself and those around you. To focus on what you want to be creating, what positive forward movement you can make towards actualizing your hopes, dreams and visions into reality. It may feel like a long road ahead, but you can start with just a few small steps. Here’s a helpful guide on what to do this week and in the weeks to come to take care of your heart, your dreams & your world.

SELF CARE SURVIVAL TIPS~

  1. Just through Friday, get off of Facebook. Call or meet up with friends instead. Real life togetherness brings connection and a sense of well-being you can’t get through a screen. Put the metal machine away and go be with other humans. Human touch is one of the most healing powers in the world (studies prove it). We are supposed to receive a minimum of EIGHT hugs a day just to keep a baseline level of happiness. So go rack up your eight hugs each day. Your heart will thank you for it.
  1. Practice some random acts of kindness. Say “Hello” to at least three strangers a day while you’re out in the world. Ask your neighbor how they’re doing, for real. Help someone get their groceries in their car. Offer to babysit for your friends with kids so they can go have a night out together. Call a friend you’ve had some distance with and reconnect. Apologize to someone if you owe them an apology. Volunteer with a local charity in your community. In Los Angeles, we love The Midnight Mission, which serves three hot meals a day to our homeless community and has a program to help get people off the streets and back into life. http://www.midnightmission.org . These are all small but powerful ways to make your immediate world a better place.
  1. Make a list of all the nice things you meant to do for yourself over the Holiday break but never got around to. An all-day pajama day? A massage? Alone time to read or journal? Give yourself the gifts you had most wanted but ran out of time for. Let Santa come reeeeeeal early this year.
  1. Take some Positive Inventory in your life. Take a moment to acknowledge your successes from this past year and envision what you want to create for the year ahead. Look at where you’ve come from, what you’ve accomplished and how you’ve grown. Then envision your 2017 goals—from your deep heart and soul instead of your head. Our mind tends to fill our New Year’s Resolutions list with “shoulds” that are often based in fear and lack mentality. Let’s circumvent all that and go straight to the heart and soul of the matter to discover intentions that feel inspiring, invigorating & in alignment with the absolute Truth of who you are. Listen to our New Year Envisioning Meditation to guide you and help chart a course for an enlivening and fulfilling 2017!

NEW YEAR ENVISIONING MEDITATION (click arrow to play)~

TAKE ACTION!~

If you are feeling inspired to take action for our country, there are many ways to get empowered and get involved!~

  1. Find out who your representatives are and call them to weigh in on the issues that matter most to you. Experts suggest making six calls a day—to your two Senators & one Representative at both their D.C. and local offices. Speak to the person who answers the phone and tell them what issues you are calling about and where you stand. Pick 1-2 issues to discuss each day, favoring the ones that will be voted on soonest. You can find all of your elected officials here: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials.
  1. Show up at town hall meetings or anywhere your representatives will be meeting with the public. This is the single most productive way to have your voice heard. Stand up, ask questions, ask them where they stand on the issues and let them know how you expect them to represent you. Sign up for your representatives’ email lists and social media pages so you can follow their appearance schedules and know when and where to show up.

  1. Donate to causes that will need your support now more than ever. Some of our favorites are:
  1. Many organizations will provide you with easy weekly action plans delivered straight to your inbox, taking all of the guess work out of it for you. Find the organizations that are right for you. These are two of our favorite progressive action plans:
  1. Keep showing up. If you’d like to continue being counted, come march on March 5th for International Women’s Day. https://www.facebook.com/events/221499078304152/

Now get out there, start creating your better world & get your eight hugs a day in!!

Sending you tons of love!

xoxo, Sirens & Scoundrels

Be sure to subscribe to Sirens & Scoundrels for unique local, travel & food adventures delivered straight to you! Enter your email address on our home page & hit “SUBSCRIBE”! 

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© 2017 Sirens and Scoundrels

Meet the Sirens~ Our One Year Anniversary!

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We have so much to celebrate! Aside from welcoming in a brand new year, we also recently rang in our one-year anniversary over here at Sirens & Scoundrels! It’s been quite a wild ride, bringing you our most beloved local, travel and food adventures every week! We are thrilled to see our readers answering the Siren call—seeking out our favorite places in your own lives. Our greatest hope is to inspire you to get out into the world in a bigger way. As Californians, we are so incredibly lucky to have all the Best of the West right at our fingertips! We can’t wait to bring you along on many more beautiful adventures this year!

To celebrate our 1-Year Anniversary, we are taking a little inside look at the real Sirens behind all the adventures. We sat down for a joint interview to reflect on our favorite moments from the past year and what we are most excited to share with you in the year ahead. Thank you so much for all of your love and support. We’re so happy to have you on board this incredible journey…we’ve got a lot of living to do!

Q: What was your favorite adventure from 2016?

Christina: Well, the first Adventure Project hike to Running Springs in all that deep winter fog was really special. And our trip to Bodie Ghost Town made my inner history-loving nerd crazy happy. But if I had to pick just one, I’d say our trip to Zion. It felt like entering the land of unicorns and dragons—it actually felt more weird that we didn’t see them flying around there! Every inch is just jaw-droppingly stunning. I don’t remember ever feeling so deeply serene in every moment for so many days on end. I spent my birthday sitting in the Virgin River watching the sun set and the moon and stars rise behind those giant mountains and it felt like time could just disappear forever.

Sarah: Mine was Sierra Fall Colors for sure, that was a magical trip. Not only did we get to play in a Technicolor dreamland, we saw breathtaking views and gazed at landscapes that didn’t feel like we were on Planet Earth. I will never forget laying in a bed of golden yellow leaves in a white wooded forest, watching the clouds blow by overhead. We saw a breathtaking sunrise, sunset …and on our late trek home, a double NIGHT rainbow appeared lit by the glow of the full moon! I didn’t even know that existed in real life! I couldn’t believe we were the only ones on the road seeing this wonder—like it was just for us. The two of us, standing on the side of Hwy 395 for 45 minutes just staring in awe and then it dissipated and was gone. But that will forever live as one of my favorite life moments and a lesson in what a gift it is to be present–present enough to notice magic when it’s happening right in front of you.

Q: If you had to choose just ONE place to take an out-of-towner visiting LA, where would it be?

SP: The Old Place. Its down-home feel in the wooded mountains of Malibu, live bluegrass, the great barbeque and wine-tasting next door…it’s so special. I’m from Austin, so that Old West vibe and the smell of smoked ribs surrounded by trees and peacocks wandering the grounds—it feels like a magical version of home to me.

CH: I agree, the Old Place is always the favorite for a special meal. But I think I might actually go with the Griffith Observatory because there are just so many cool things to experience, it’s a true one-stop shop. You start with a little yummy nibble and hot drink down at Trails Cafe on the Los Feliz side followed by a short hike up to the Observatory to get those 360° city views and a clear shot of the Hollywood sign. Stroll through the Observatory to see the Tesla coil and discover what your weight would be on Mars. Then step back outside to watch the sunset over LA as all the city lights come on. The first Friday of every month, the Observatory hosts a free space talk called All Space Considered that’s fascinating and entertaining. It’s space science with humor. Afterwards, you can go take a peek through the giant mama telescope and the smaller telescopes spread out on the lawn to see all kinds of celestial bodies right in your own eye! Seeing Saturn’s rings literally changed my life. It alters you somehow…getting that kind of immense perspective.

Q: What is your favorite West Coast spot?

SP: The whole stretch from Big Sur to Napa is Heaven on Earth. Northern California has the best food, wine and people. The natural environment there is a whole other world—cliffs meet the ocean inside the mountains, surrounded by ancient redwoods. I am always a “Yes” to traveling up the coast!

CH: Big Sur, hands down. It really does feel like you have left Earth completely. The whole town is set on these curving cliffs perched so high above sea level that you’re often looking down upon the ocean and even the clouds way below. That kind of perspective makes you feel like you have the angels’ view. The redwood forests are green lush fairylands. The community itself is filled with artists, philosophers and foodies. I highly recommend staying at Deetjen’s for the full storybook experience (and the best food in town). Then treat yourself to the midnight public bath at Esalen’s hot springs for something completely out of this world—totally mind, body and soul blowing.

Q: What was your funniest 2016 behind-the-scenes story?

CH: I have to say, most of our travel adventures really are as incredibly magical and dream-like as they appear. But being on the road can also bring unexpected kinks in your fairy tale and I think this moment from our trip to Lake Tahoe last summer brings a fair representation of both sides. After a long hike in the sun to a hidden beach without us drinking enough water, Gina (our fellow Siren & photographer) woke up the next morning with a crushing migraine right as the power went out in the little town we were staying in. She had to throw up in a pitch dark hotel bathroom while all the girls waited in the car because we had checked out and were moving on to our next destination. We had to stop at Walmart (a first for me) because it was the only place with any electricity and we needed to buy Excedrin and water for Gina. So Gina & I went inside to get her supplies and then went into the Walmart public restroom so she could brush her teeth and recover before heading out for another day of exploring. I took my first bathroom selfie ever to document the highly glamorous behind-the-scenes moment—the two of us standing with our plastic Walmart bags and Gina brushing her teeth in a public toilet. Luckily, it all actually helped. Gina perked up and we enjoyed a lovely afternoon at Bodie Ghost Town afterwards that truly was magic. So I guess, thanks Excedrin, Vitamin Water, Walmart and disposable toothbrushes for making it all possible! And to Gina for being a road-tripping, no-migraine-in-a-power-outage-will-stop-me badass!

SP: People always ask how we get our portraits of the two of us when we don’t have fellow photographers around. The truth is, we’ve had to learn to be self-sufficient out of necessity if we want to both be in a shot sometimes, so I’ve become an expert at the tripod selfie portrait. I have tried to buy MULTIPLE hand-held shutter releases, but they always seem to have some malfunction. So I’ve learned to set up my shot, framing, lighting, have Christina stand in for herself, then have her stand in for me and mark each spot. Then I set the timer on the camera and have 10 seconds to run to my spot, get in position and try to take a breath and look effortlessly relaxed until we hear the click. Then I run back to the camera and repeat 40 times and usually something comes out. So we have this weird system in place that is already funny and complicated but absolutely impossible without a tripod. So on one of our recent Mammoth shoots (which is about 5 hours away from LA), I realized I forgot my tripod mount for my camera. On a wing and a prayer, I had to call on my inner MacGyver to just make it work. Thus, the birth of the Toyota Prius tripod shot. This entails framing up my shot, backing my car into position with some precision driving, stabilizing my camera on the roof of my car on top of a sweater, climbing off of the roof and running into position. For the video version of this, it’s the same except for measuring if we are in focus by using a belt from my trunk to make sure the distance from the camera lens and car stays consistent.  The lesson here is that we just make it work, what ever you gotta do to be creative and get the shot.

Q: What are you most excited about for 2017 with Sirens?

SP: Creating art video content.

CH: Definitely video content for me too. And adding a bunch of new contributors to our roster—I’m excited to hear what kind of inside scoops they’ll have to bring to the table through their various expertise!

Q: What are your passions outside of Sirens?

CH: Meditation teaching, film making, writing. Anything that has to do with art, music and nature. Being cozy with my dogs. And dancing, of course.

SP: Photographing pets, chefs and food, directing art videos, a good meal with friends, frolicking in nature and spontaneous dancing.

Q: What did you want to be as a kid?

CH: I wanted to be the 1st female president. Seriously. I wanted to change the world.

SP: A superhero. My magical powers entailed the power of invisibility so I could see into people’s inner lives without disturbing them. I could also fly, morph into water and my dance moves could magically soften any villain’s angst.

Q: What might surprise people to know about you?

CH: I’m not a serene yogi—I’m really playful, I’m a dancing machine (I’ll go 4 or 5 hours straight without stopping just on pure natural joy) and can rap along to most Beastie Boys songs by heart.

SP: Maybe not a surprise, but I’m obsessed with dogs, trees and farm tables. I’m a Czech-Korean hapa. I didn’t have my two front teeth for a year when I was a kid because I fell and it took forever for my adult teeth to come in. My Grandpa nicknamed me “Open Gate”. I’m a secret living room hip hop dancer. I went to clown school. My brain loves the weird—the weirder perspective the better.

Q: What is your favorite song to dance to?

CH: Uh…”I Wanna Dance With Somebody” by Whitney Huston. Obviously.

SP: I’ll dance to anything from bluegrass to The Bangles, but I HAVE to stop everything and move if I hear any old school Missy Elliott.

Q: Any sage advice for 2017?

SP: Be present with yourself and others, you’ll be surprised by the magic that’s right in front of you. Speak up for what you believe in, be a voice against the bully. Always start everything with gratitude and compassion. A sense of humor and spontaneous dance sessions will make every situation that much better.

CH: Go big. Go bigger than you have before. Widen your reach. Help more people, make a bigger contribution. And…get curious again. Get excited again. Make your every day life an adventure.

Check out our “Meet the Sirens” 1 Year Anniversary video below! ~

(click arrow to play) 

THANKS SO MUCH FOR A BEAUTIFUL YEAR!  

MAY YOUR 2017 BE FILLED WITH LOVE, JOY & ADVENTURE!!

Love,

Sirens & Scoundrels xoxo

OUR EDITORS~

Christina Huntington~ Meet Christina, our resident content creator, writer, adventure babe and spiritual advisor! In her spare time between writing, directing and teaching meditation, our native Cali Girl can be found burning up any dance floor, curled up with a book and some Sam Cooke records, piling friends up in the car for an epic road trip and helping people live their best possible lives. Enjoy all her build-your-own adventure guides, travel tales and tips on the best things to do in LA to help make your life one big delicious beautiful adventure!

Sarah Prikryl~ Meet Sarah, our resident content creator, photographer, chef and adventure babe! Sarah’s whimsical art videos will put a smile on your face while her mouth-watering, easy, gluten-free recipes make all your foodie fantasies come true! A Cali Girl by way of Texas, Sarah can always be found dancing in her kitchen, taking iphone snaps of all the dogs and babies of Silverlake and organizing bountiful garden feasts for friends in her spare time. Check out all her video and foodie offerings to warm your heart and hearth!

Be sure to subscribe to Sirens & Scoundrels for unique local, travel & food adventures delivered straight to you! Enter your email address on our home page & hit “SUBSCRIBE”! 

Follow us on Instagram: @sirensandscoundrels

Words by Christina Huntington // Photography & Video by Sarah Prikryl

Contributing Photography by: Becca Murray,  Daniel Mansfield, Christina Huntington

Contributing Video by: Michael Peters

Music in Video by: Allah-Las , The Drums, Beastie Boys & Missy Elliott

© 2017 Sirens and Scoundrels

 

Stuffed Baked Zucchini (Gluten-Free)

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Words, Photography & Video by Sarah Prikryl 

We recently had the opportunity to tend an organic farm in Santa Cruz, CA which was, let’s be honest…my foodie dream come true. Every day we would stroll down to the garden and pick fresh zucchini, squash and tomatoes fresh off the vine. My favorite kitchen experiment  during my dream stay in the mountains was my Stuffed Baked Zucchini recipe. I’m so happy I get to share this delicious gluten-free meal with you! Especially now with these wintry, cold and rainy California days, who couldn’t use a warm plate of healthy comfort food? Enjoy!

STUFFED BAKED ZUCCHINI

Serves 10-12

Prep & Cook  Time: 40 minutes

Bake Time: 35-40 minutes

Total: 1 hr. 10-20 minutes

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 lb. Organic Ground Meat (bison or beef; vegans can use 1 carton of diced mushrooms or pea protein meat substitute instead)
  • 6 large Organic Zucchini
  • 2 Organic Lemons
  • 4 sprigs of Rosemary
  • 4 medium Organic Tomatoes
  • 3 cups cooked Rice (which is 1 cup of uncooked Rice)
  • 1 Yellow Onion
  • 5 cloves of Garlic
  • Olive Oil
  • Salt & Pepper
  • Red Pepper Flakes
  • Grated Parmesan (optional)

 

A few quick notes:

*The zucchini, pictured above, was picked at the farm and was a massive giant.  When picking your ingredients from a farmers market or grocery store, look for 6 medium to large zucchini, preferably at least 8-10 in. long. The larger and thicker the better, so that once the core of the zucchini is gutted, there is still a large enough “boat” to fill with stuffing.

*Last week we featured my favorite food hacks to save you time in the kitchen. I love to use onion, garlic and herbs in a lot of my recipes.  Check out these game-changer tips that will save you time on this recipe and many more. (click HERE to view)

*For this Stuffed Zucchini recipe, you can use leftover rice or even pre-cook the rice a couple days before to save you time on the day. If you don’t have any leftover Chinese takeout boxes hanging out in your fridge, don’t fret. The rice can cook while you are prepping and chopping.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. If you do not have pre-cooked or leftover rice, start to cook your rice first, by adding 1 cup of rice to 1.5 cups of water with a pinch of salt in a pot. Bring to a boil. Cover. Reduce the heat to a simmer and allow to cook for 15-18 minutes. The water should be fully absorbed. Remove from heat and set aside. If you are using leftover rice, there is no need to pre-heat it at this time.

While the rice is cooking, dice the onion into small chunks. Mince the garlic. Set aside. On the stovetop, heat 2 Tbsp. of olive oil in a pot. Add the onion and allow to cook down until translucent. Squeeze half a lemon into the pot and allow the onions to caramelize. Add the minced garlic. While the onions and garlic are cooking, dice the tomatoes into small chunks. Add them to the pot and let them cook down. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Stir occasionally.

stuffedzucchini-9

Cut the zucchini length-wise in half. With a spoon, scrape out the middle “meat” of the zucchini until there is only enough of the zucchini boat left to keep its shape, about 1/2 an inch. Set the insides of the zucchini aside. It should be shredded from scraping with the spoon, but if you have larger chunks, dice them into small pieces.

On a baking sheet, place the zucchini boats, flesh-side up and sprinkle with salt. Let them stand 5 minutes. The salt will cause the zucchini to excrete moisture.

While the zucchini is resting, add the inner flesh of the zucchini to the pot and allow to cook down. De-stem and mince the rosemary. Add to the pot.

TIP: To see the fastest way to de-stem rosemary click on our Sirens Food Hack Article HERE or click the arrow below.

Add the ground meat to the pot. If you are vegan or vegetarian, add diced mushrooms or crumbled pea protein as a meat substitute. As the meat browns, squeeze the juice from the remaining lemons and zest the lemon peel into the stew. Add salt & pepper to your taste preference. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes to your spice preference. Do not overcook the meat (it will cook further as it’s baking in the oven). Fluff the rice with a fork and add it to the stew pot. Stir.

Dab any excess moisture off of the zucchini boats with a paper towel. Drizzle with olive oil and rub. Fill the boats with heaping spoonfuls of the rice stuffing. To keep the zucchini boats from falling over, place them close together so that they can rest on each other while baking.

Bake in the oven for 35-40 minutes until the zucchini is tender. Remove from heat. Drizzle the top with more olive oil, salt and pepper.

Gather your loved ones. Dinner is served. Toasted gluten-free garlic bread and a side salad of tomato & basil dressed with a balsamic vinaigrette make a wonderful accompaniment.  Sprinkle generously with grated parmesan. Break open that bottle of red wine and enjoy your rainy day comfort food feast!

I’m going to let you in on a little secret: a friend of mine surprised me with a loaf of gluten-free sourdough for this meal. I am now addicted to Bread Srsly. It is wildly delicious. Cut a slice. Toast it. Dip it in olive oil & vinegar with a sprinkle of Maldon’s Salt. It will take this meal to the next level. You’re welcome!

Check out our many other Zucchini-based recipes from Zucchini Noodle Thai Soup to Zucchini Rollatini by clicking on our Recipe section or typing  “Zucchini” into the search bar at the top of the page (look for the magnifying glass).

BON APPETIT!~love, Sirens & Scoundrels

Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel for more fun videos! Click this link and hit “SUBSCRIBE”:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO7ED79LVOdMVvgmQn-LS1A

© 2017 Sirens and Scoundrels

 

 

 

 

Sirens Food Hacks

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Words, Video & Photography by Sarah Prikryl  

Happy New Year!! In 2017, we want to inspire you to go have adventures, make some art, be present, instigate friend gatherings and always play with your food! To kick off the year, I’m sharing my most used Food Hacks to encourage you to cook up some fun. I hope this helpful video series saves you time in the kitchen and brightens your day!

One of my favorite painters is Giuseppe Arcimboldo. His playful still life portraits predominately feature the close relationship between humans and nature. As a true believer in the magic found in the ordinary, Arcimboldo’s paintings inspire me to dream big in the kitchen. So without further ado, here’s my Arcimboldo-inspired love story and my Top 5 Food Hacks for some foodie fun!  (Click the arrow for some inspiration.)

SARAH’S TOP 5 FOOD HACKS 

Sirens Lettuce Hack

The fastest and healthiest meal you can throw together is a savory and delicious salad. Did you know you can core a head of lettuce in about 3 seconds? Click the arrow to watch our Lettuce Hack Video:

Sirens Onion Hack

(Click the arrow to watch our Onion Hack Video.)

The kitchen question I am most frequently asked is: how in the world do you cut an onion without crying? There are a lot of remedies you can try~

  1. wear swim goggles
  2. freeze the onion before cutting
  3. chew gum

BUT, the number 1 always successful HOT TIP to avoid that red eye weeping…drum roll, please…cut the root out of the onion and discard quickly before slicing the onion into pieces. (See image below.) The root releases a liquid once cut that is the culprit for all those tear-stained cheeks. You’re welcome!

Sirens Food Hack: De-stem Your Herbs

If you look at my savory recipes (click to peruse our recipe section: HERE), many of them call for fresh herbs. Fresh organic herbs will always send a dish’s flavor profile over the moon! For the fastest way to de-stem your herbs, hold the stem in one hand. With your other hand, pinch your fingers down the stem, away from the grain, towards the root.

Click the arrow to watch our Herb Hack Video:

Ricing Cauliflower

My ricing cauliflower article was the first food-related article we ever published and I use these tips again and again. From substituting cauliflower for rice to making Cauliflower Pizza Crust or an Egg-in-a-Hole brunch dish, these hot tips can help you make this easy, healthy, delicious grain substitute. Click the article for my top tips for Ricing Cauliflower: HERE.

Sirens Garlic Hack

My Korean, Czech and Texas roots have engrained in me the need to use garlic in almost every savory dish I make. It can be very time consuming to peel those little cloves clean. There are two ways I like to peel garlic. If I need a clove or two, I place the flat side of the blade of a large knife over a clove and pound down with the butt of my hand. After they are crushed, the peel easily falls off and they are halfway to being already minced. I finish off mincing the garlic with the knife.

If I am going to use a lot of garlic, I like to peel the entire bulb at one time and this is the easiest and most fun way to do it! Click on the arrow to watch my Garlic Hack Video:

Happy feasting, all you sirens & scoundrels! BON APPÉTIT!!

Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel for more fun videos! Click this link and hit “SUBSCRIBE”:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO7ED79LVOdMVvgmQn-LS1A

 

© 2017 Sirens and Scoundrels

Descanso Gardens ~ Enchanted: Forest of Light

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Words by Christina Huntington // Photography by  Sarah Prikryl // Contributing Photography by: Gina Cholick

Two simple white string lights illuminate the long dirt path that leads to the entrance of Descanso Gardens. Despite being sold out tonight, I find myself alone on the path with only the sound of my own footsteps as my companion in the inky dark night. I can see my breath clearer with each step I take, amazed at this simple joy that almost never happens in LA as I practice blowing clouds around me, giggling in delight. A full moon peeks through wisps of mist above, a feeling of magic fills the air—and I’ve barely left the parking lot. My fellow Sirens await at the front, all bundled up for a surprisingly chilly Los Angeles evening. We’ve been drawn here by the promise of light. Enchanting light, to be exact. Never ones to turn down an opportunity for enchantment, we dive in…ready to be immersed in some light magic.

The moment we step foot inside Descanso Gardens’ “Enchanted: Forest of Light”, the world suddenly starts to slow down, get still and fall silent. Even with people milling around, a deep hush permeates the 150-acre botanical garden underneath all the commotion. Perhaps it’s the 4:30pm sunset giving way to an evening sky dark as the dead of night. Perhaps it’s the full moon already directly overhead that makes us feel like we’ve slipped out our bedroom window after midnight for a secret garden rendezvous. Perhaps it’s the fact that none of us have ever walked around a botanical garden at night before. But it all combines to feel like we’ve landed in a secret after-hours party for nature lovers—one that includes a treasure hunt for light.

If you’ve ever wished that Alice in Wonderland and Tron had a baby that lived underneath the Northern Lights…that’s pretty much what Forest of Light feels like. (C’mon…we’ve ALL dreamt about that, right?) Eight interactive light installations stretch throughout the garden grounds, waiting to be discovered with each new twist and turn in the meandering path. In truth, it’s best to go in knowing as little as possible and allow yourself to be surprised. Because isn’t that the best part of a treasure hunt—the joy of not knowing exactly what you’re looking for until you find it? And there’s A LOT of treasure to be found here, if you have your eyes open.

So while we don’t want to give away too much about the installations themselves, we will offer you some key tips to get the absolute best user experience:

1) Get a map. Or at least double-check to make sure you have discovered all eight installations before leaving. There is an entire section at the end with several displays that can easily be missed. The illuminated number sign posts at each station can help you keep track.

2) Slow down and take your time. This is not a sprint-through situation. It’s also not a passive situation. Each installation has its own unique interactive experience with light and sound design. Explore each one from different angles. See what it’s like standing or sitting, on one side versus the other. Find different perspectives. Take the time to stop and smell the proverbial illuminated roses.

3) Take photos, but then put your phone away. The exhibit is meant to be a fully immersive experience, so be really present if you want to get the most from it. Let your eyes, ears and body be awash in each new wonder. Immerse yourself in the magic. Connect to your inner child and your inner artist, the part of you that believes in fairy tales. If you do, it’s better than being at The Happiest Place on Earth…plus you get to keep $170 in your pocket where it belongs.

4) Speaking of connecting…this makes a great date spot, so be sure to bring along your sweetheart. Did we mention the late-night magic and wonder? The dark meandering paths for snuggling up in the cold night air? The little pockets of pure joy to laugh and play in? It all adds up to a très romantique destination for those looking to set hearts aflutter. For those currently flying solo, bring your gang with the best sense of fun and let the big kids run wild.

5) Hit the coffee stand near the entrance to grab a hot beverage as you start your stroll. It’s a great food-meets-function hand warmer that you will be grateful for. Midway through, stop at the little lakeside pub, take in the beautiful view and grab some wine or beer before launching into the second half of your enchanted journey. For those of you on a first date, it’s the perfect spot for a little “getting to know you better” conversation over drinks.

6) Dress warmly. Descanso Gardens is in the mountain base of La Cañada Flintridge and has a steep temperature drop at night. Hats, scarves, mittens, winter coat—bring them all in the car and feel it out once you get there. It’s colder in the gardens than the parking lot. All the better for cozying up in!

7) Advance timed-entry tickets are required, between 5pm-10pm most nights through January 8, 2017, and are available for purchase on Descanso’s site: HERE. A limited number of discounted tickets are currently available on Goldstar: HERE. We recommend getting one of the earlier time slots so you can make the most of your visit and enjoy it at your own pace.

Make all your winter woodland wonderland fantasies come true with a trip to Enchanted: Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens. Immerse yourself in awe and celebrate the magic of the Holiday Season with the ones you love as it begins to look and–most importantly–FEEL a whole lot like Christmas!

Happy Holidays!!  love, Sirens & Scoundrels  

xo xo xo ho ho ho

Be sure to subscribe to Sirens & Scoundrels for more awesome L.A. happenings delivered straight to you! Enter your email address on our home page & hit “SUBSCRIBE”! 

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© 2016 Sirens and Scoundrels

Mile-High Apple Pie (Gluten-Free)

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Time for gatherings and holiday festivities centered around family, friends and feasting! In late October/early November, we at Sirens & Scoundrels make our annual pilgrimage to Oak Glen, Ca. (Check out our Oak Glen adventures: HERE.) We wander through apple orchards for apple picking season, watch a mountain sunset and end the day at Apple Annie’s for a piece of Mile-High Apple Pie. Being gluten-free, I’m usually the one in the group observing all of the delight and minds being blown as friends consume a hot buttery piece of Mile-High Pie. I always ask, “How is it? How does it taste?” To which the reply is always, “Absolutely. Perfect.” The Apple Annie’s famous Mile-High Apple Pie is 5 pounds of pure apple. I’m told it’s not too sweet…a buttery, flaky piece of heaven, especially when served warm and á la mode.

Partially out of pure eating envy and partially out of curiosity if I could replicate this masterpiece without actually having tasted it, I wanting to experiment with the idea of a pure fruit, flaky, gluten-free, sugar-free, optional diary-free version of a Mile-High Apple Pie. It was an absolute success over Thanksgiving and I am happy to share my recipe with you to enjoy throughout the holiday season. Happy Holidays!

Mile-High Apple Pie

Serves 8-10

Prep Time: 40 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2~ 9″ Gluten-Free Pie Crusts
  • 5 lbs. of Organic Apples
  • 2 Tbsp. Butter (or Coconut Oil)
  • 1 Organic Lemon
  • 1/2 to 1 tsp. Cinnamon (depending on preference)
  • dash of Nutmeg
  • pinch of Salt
  • 1 Egg
  • 1 tsp. Honey

There are so many varieties of apples. Depending on which apples you choose to bake with, your pie will be more or less sweet. I prefer Granny Smith apples because they are a little tart. All fruit when cooked down excrete sugars. The sweeter your apples are raw, the sweeter your pie will be. I have experimented with a mixture of sweet and tart apples for baking, which is a nice balance, but choose whichever apples are to your taste preference.

You can make your own pie crust or, as a time-saver, you can buy frozen pre-made gluten-free crusts in your grocer’s freezer. If you choose to do this, pull your crust out of the freezer and let it thaw on the counter at least 1 hour before you bake or you can place the frozen crusts in the refrigerator over night.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Peel the skin off of 5 lbs. of apples. Cut the peeled apples into 1/4 inch slices. Discard the peel and cores. In a pan, melt 2 Tbsp. of butter (you can substitute coconut oil if you are baking dairy-free). Add the sliced apples, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Stir. Squeeze the juice of the lemon over the top. Zest the lemon peel into the pan. Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until the apples are fork tender. Remove from heat.

It is a lot of apples, so depending upon how big your pan is, you can divide the amount of sliced apples and cook them in stages. I cooked about 1/3 of the apples at a time. As a batch was done, I pulled the cooked apples out of the pan and added the next raw batch to the leftover apple juices. After all of the apples are cooked down, set aside.

You can use the pre-made pie crust in the pan as-is or transfer the dough to an iron skillet or pie dish.

TIP: If you choose to transfer the dough and do not own a rolling pin, you can use a bottle of wine to flatten the dough between parchment paper.

Depending upon the type of apples you choose, there will be more or less liquid when you cook them down. Drain off the excess liquid. This will keep your bottom crust crisp and flaky. Spoon the cooked apples into your pie crust. Pat down and position the apples so that there isn’t any excess space between slices. The apples should pile high towards the middle so that they do not fall out of your pie dish.

Take your second thawed pie crust and place it over the apples. I have found that thawed gluten-free crust tends to crumble. The best method is to scrape the dough out of your pre-bought pan and roll it flat. (See tip above.) Patchwork pieces of it over the top of the apples in as thin a layer as possible. Use your fingers to seal the edges together. It’s fun! It reminded me of playing with Play-Doh as a kid.

In a bowl, crack the egg and use a fork to whip it with 1 tsp. of honey. Brush the top of your crust with the egg wash. This will give your crust a beautiful golden brown color when baked. If you do not have a basting brush, you can use a wadded paper towel and dab a coat of the egg wash over the top.

Bake the pie in the oven for 45-50 minutes, depending on how tender you prefer the apple filling to be. After 30 minutes, place aluminum foil lightly over the top of your pie to keep the crust from burning. Place the pie back in the oven and finish the remaining cook time.

Serve á la mode by adding a creamy spoonful of Alden’s Organic Vanilla Bean Ice Cream onto a warm slice. For a dairy-free version, top with a scoop of Vanilla Bean Coconut Bliss.

Bon Appétit and Happy Holidays!! ~ love, Sirens & Scoundrels

If you enjoyed this recipe, try our other decadent Gluten-Free and Vegan Baked Apple Dessert Recipes~

Apple Oat Cookies: https://sirensandscoundrels.com/2016/02/18/vegan-gluten-free-apple-oat-cookies/

Apple Crumble: https://sirensandscoundrels.com/2015/12/23/gluten-free-apple-crumble-with-vegan-option/

Apple Castles: https://sirensandscoundrels.com/2015/11/08/apple-castles/

Be sure to subscribe to Sirens & Scoundrels for more awesome recipes & adventures delivered straight to you! Enter your email address on our home page & hit “SUBSCRIBE”! 

Follow us on Instagram: @sirensandscoundrels

Recipe by Sarah Prikryl // Words & Photography by Sarah Prikryl

© 2016 Sirens and Scoundrels

Mama Gina’s Greek Hummus (Vegan & Gluten-Free)

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What you are about to read is very coveted, top-secret information. As a Greek girl, hummus has always been a staple at our family table, especially on holidays, when family gatherings traditionally start with mezethes. Fresh-cubed feta cheese, Greek olives, grape leaves and creamy dips with pita bread are dug into by hand over lively conversation before moving to the table for the main meal. The star of our mezethes spread is always my mother’s homemade hummus. This recipe has been passed down from generations of Greek women, originating with my grandmother’s relatives on the island of Samos, traveling with my Yiayia to America where it settled into New York’s immigrant city blocks and finally landing with my mother in sunny Southern California and onto our suburban table. Over many years in LA, our family hummus was the favorite attraction at every gathering even before it became the de rigueur go-to Cali party snack. Many of our friends growing up were exposed to hummus for the first time at our house. But no matter how popular it gets and how much other hummus exists in the world these days, the consensus remains the same from everyone who has ever tasted it…my mom’s hummus is The Best. Hummus. Ever. So much so that people talk about it for years afterwards. Maybe it’s the generations of perfecting the recipe, maybe it’s the love poured into every batch, maybe it’s a little bit of unknown Greek magic. But one thing is for certain: once you eat Mama Gina’s Hummus, there’s no going back. So with my mom’s permission, we share our top-secret family hummus recipe with you here now, but try it at your own discretion. Your hummus eating days will never be the same again. Enjoy!! And as always…share the love!

Mama Gina’s Greek Hummus

Prep Time: 5 mins

Assembly Time: 5 mins

Total: 10 mins

Serves: 6-8 people

Ingredients

  • 1 can of organic garbanzo beans, strained
  • 1 clove of garlic, peeled
  • ¼ of a small white onion, peeled
  • ½ cup organic extra light olive oil (*do not use extra virgin olive oil, it’s too heavy for this recipe)
  • juice of 1 small-medium organic lemon
  • 2 Tbsp tahini
  • salt & pepper (to taste)
  • 1 rind of lemon zest (optional)
  • cayenne pepper (optional)
  • paprika (optional)

ASSEMBLY~

Put garlic cloves, white onion and lemon juice in a food processor and pulse until chopped into small chunks. Add garbanzo beans and pulse until blended. Add tahini, salt & pepper. Add optional lemon zest for a little more tanginess and/or a pinch of cayenne if you like a little more heat. While blending, slowly drizzle in extra light olive oil a bit at a time until it emulsifies. Taste test and adjust the final seasonings to your liking. If you prefer it a little thinner, you can add a bit more olive oil at a time until it reaches your desired consistency.

Pour hummus into a bowl and let sit in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours (if possible) so the flavors fully emerge. Drizzle olive oil on top before serving. Top with a dash of paprika, cayenne, red pepper flakes or ground pepper to garnish. Serve with vegetable crudités, crackers, pita and gf toasts. Bon Appétit!!

If you enjoyed this recipe, try our other Delicious Dips~

Pumpkin Fondue: https://sirensandscoundrels.com/2016/11/11/baked-pumpkin-fondue/

Tuscan White Bean Dip: https://sirensandscoundrels.com/2016/08/31/tuscan-white-bean-dip-vegan-gluten-free/

Spinach Artichoke Dip: https://sirensandscoundrels.com/2016/03/31/spinach-artichoke-dip/

Texas Caviar: https://sirensandscoundrels.com/2015/12/30/texas-caviar-a-new-years-appetizer/

Be sure to subscribe to Sirens & Scoundrels for more awesome recipes & adventures delivered straight to you! Enter your email address on our home page & hit “SUBSCRIBE”! 

Follow us on Instagram: @sirensandscoundrels

Words by Christina Huntington // Recipe by Gina Trikonis // Photography by Sarah Prikryl

© 2016 Sirens and Scoundrels

Your De-stressing Remedy ~ Guided Gratitude Meditation

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No matter what side of the line you stand on, we can all agree it’s been a crazy few weeks for America. We find ourselves in a country incredibly divided, which for many people was shocking in its immediacy. As a meditation coach, I have been hearing non-stop stories of irreparable rifts between friends, loved ones, co-workers and family members that exploded in a seeming instant. Fear, anxiety, sorrow, heartache and anger pervade all over our social media pages and in our conversations as people fight, unfollow and unfriend each other. As a country, we are in a 24-7 argument with ourselves right now. And people are collectively exhausted.

To move through this difficult time, it’s important to have some tools to help navigate these choppy waters. Now more than ever, it is vitally important to stay grounded, practice self care and connect to the things that you love to stay in balance and not get swept away in all of the emotional turmoil of the moment. So take your fingers off the keyboard, step away from that Facebook argument for a second and take a few deep breaths. It’s time to remember who we are and how we truly want to behave in the world. The best remedy for getting unstuck from negative feelings is to get into ACTION. So here is a meditation to help you de-stress and reconnect to what is good in your self, in your life and in other people. Connect to your goodness, grace and gratitude and remember that we are all one people living on one earth. The Kinks definitely said it best, “We are not two, we are One.”

Click arrow below for your Guided Gratitude Meditation:

Happy Thanksgiving!! Give thanks & love one another! love, Sirens & Scoundrels xoxo

Be sure to SUBSCRIBE on the Sirens & Scoundrels homepage for weekly DIY local adventure guides, recipes & wellness tools delivered straight to you! Enter your email address on the home page & hit “SUBSCRIBE”!

Follow us on Instagram: @sirensandscoundrels

Words & Meditation by Christina Huntington // Photography & Video by Sarah Prikryl

© 2016 Sirens and Scoundrels

Baked Pumpkin Fondue

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Starting with Halloween and ending on New Year’s Day, the Holidays are a whirlwind of feasts and gatherings. I recently attended a Halloween Potluck Pumpkin Carving hosted by the best hostess and foodie, the lovely Hayley McCarthy (who was previously featured over the summer in my camp cooking article with her delicious gluten-free Banana Fritters recipe: HERE). For this festive gathering of costumed guests ready to show off their pumpkin carving skills, Hayley baked the most perfect, comforting and gorgeous Holiday dish I had ever seen! As she stepped out of the kitchen dressed in true Halloween fashion as Rosie the Riveter, her Baked Pumpkin Fondue was greeted with oohs and aahs and tasted even better than it looked–if that is even possible. Hayley made this special dish gluten-free to make sure I could partake. As soon as I tasted it, I could not wait to share this recipe with you! It’s absolutely the perfect Holiday dish and a wonderful way to use those leftover pumpkins you have been using for your fall decor. I’m so happy to feature this recipe share from one of my favorite foodies.

Hayley: “My hometown of Orange, a small country town in the Central West of Australia, is currently boasting some of the best restaurants and wineries that Australia has to offer.  Their local chefs and vineyards have the Sydney locals escaping the city madness for a weekend away of wonderful fresh produce, music and stunning views of the picturesque countryside. But Orange holds a special place for me, away from the 5-star restaurants and cold climate wine tastings. It’s the place I go for quality family time with home-cooked hearty meals over a glass of Rolling Cab Sav and the soundtrack of my niece’s laughter.

Certain recipes always bring this feeling of home to me. Especially as I write this from my apartment in the bustling city of Los Angeles. A particular recipe comes to mind when the autumn leaves start to fall and the winter woolies come out of the closet: Baked Pumpkin Fondue. This special recipe has been passed down from one wonderful woman to another, all born and raised in our small town. It’s the dish to welcome the changing season and it truly warms the soul. From Jeannie, to Jennie Duff, my Aunty Jude, my mother Meredith, my sisters Kate and Francie, landing excitedly into my hands and now perfectly placed with Sarah and Christina at Sirens & Scoundrels. I honor these women by sharing my favorite side dish and appetizer with the world! Enjoy!”

Baked Pumpkin Fondue

Serves: 8-10

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1.5  to 2 hours

Ingredients

  • 1 large pumpkin – about 4kg’s or 8.5 pounds with the stem.  (Japanese pumpkins are best or any baking pumpkin that is sweet and has a lot of flesh)
  • 6 Tbsp butter
  • salt & pepper
  • 1 tsp nutmeg
  • 1 cup grated Swiss cheese
  • 1-2 bay leaves
  • 1 ½ cups of soft chunky breadcrumbs (**we used gluten-free)
  • 1 large brown onion, diced
  • ½ teaspoon of sage
  • 2 ¼ cups of cream

Tips when choosing your pumpkin: The ingredients are in proportion to your pumpkin size and the thickness of the flesh.  If you are using a large pumpkin but it weighs less than 6.5 pounds after the seeds and string have been discarded, feel free to double the recipe. Always try to find the pumpkin that has the most flesh. Japanese/Kent/Queensland Blue all have a lot of flesh to them and are particularly sweet. The more flesh, the more juicy the pumpkin and the more accurate the amount of ingredients to fill the pumpkin is for this recipe.

Preheat your oven to 400°.  Cut the top off of the pumpkin, about 4 inches in diameter. Keep this as the lid of the pumpkin for baking.

TIP: Cut the lid off at a slight 45 degree angle in towards the center versus straight down. This is so that the lid will sit on top of the pumpkin while baking and not fall into the hole.

Scrape out all the seeds and string from inside using a large spoon and discard.

TIP: If you have time, set the seeds aside. Later you can separate the seeds from the stringy flesh and toss them in a little olive oil and spices. Bake the pumpkin seeds in a single layer on a cookie sheet at 300° for 45 minutes…delicious!

Rub 2 Tbsp of butter along the  inside walls of the pumpkin and the top of the lid. Season with salt & pepper.

Dice the onion into small pieces. Set aside. You can make your own breadcrumbs by chopping a loaf of bread or gluten-free bread in a food processor. Grate the Swiss cheese. Set aside.

TIP: Swiss cheese adds a lovely mild taste, but you can experiment with your favorite cheese combination. I have used gruyére as well in the past.

Cook the onions in a large frying pan with the remaining butter. Add the breadcrumbs to the onions, letting it soak up the butter. Add salt, pepper, sage and nutmeg. Remove from heat and stir in the grated Swiss cheese.

Place your pumpkin on an iron skillet or a sturdy baking dish. Spoon the mixture into the hollow pumpkin. Pour the cream into the pumpkin, adding the bay leaves. Gently stir the mixture and place the pumpkin lid back on top!

Note: The ingredients should fill the inside of the pumpkin up to the lid. So depending upon the thickness of the flesh and the size of the inside, you may need more or less ingredients. Alter the proportions accordingly.

Bake the pumpkin for 1 ½ to 2 hours until the flesh is cooked on the inside.

TIP: If the pumpkin becomes too brown on the outside after the first hour, you can wrap foil around the outside while it still cooks the inside.

You will be able to tell if your pumpkin is cooked by its soft flesh and oozing sauce rising from the top. Once it is cooked, pull your pumpkin out of the oven, ready to serve.

While the oven is still hot, feel free to grab some French bread and bake it for 5 minutes or until it becomes hot and crunchy. Cut bread into pieces and scatter it around the base of the pumpkin. Using a spoon, scrape and stir the soft pumpkin flesh into the fondue before serving. Dip the bread into your gooey baked pumpkin fondue and enjoy as an appetizer.

Alternatively (and my personal favorite), cut your pumpkin up and enjoy it as a side dish to a perfectly cooked roast leg of lamb. I hope you enjoy this little gem over the Holidays. It’s a wonderful sharing dish and the perfect excuse to bring family and friends together.

Bon Appétit! ~ love, Hayley and Sirens & Scoundrels

Be sure to subscribe to Sirens & Scoundrels for more awesome recipes & adventures delivered straight to you! Enter your email address on our home page & hit “SUBSCRIBE”! 

Follow us on Instagram: @sirensandscoundrels

Words & Photography by Sarah Prikryl // Words & Recipe by Hayley McCarthy

© 2016 Sirens and Scoundrels

Jackalope ~ Joshua Desert Retreats

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As the year draws to a close, the air gets a little crisper and the longing for snowy log cabins starts to set in, something else begins to call our names over here at Sirens & Scoundrels…the desert. It might not seem like the obvious choice for a winter getaway but there is something about the deep stillness of our dusty wide-open spaces that seems to push our inner “reset” buttons whenever we answer that call. The desert brings the perfect opportunity to slow down, unplug and reconnect to some delicious peace that feels heaven-sent for this time of year when we all naturally start to turn inward.

So in pursuit of some “quiet nights of quiet stars”, we set out for our beloved Joshua Tree. Most Californians know Palm Springs as the haven for any mid-century enthusiast. But here on the outskirts away from it all, we uncovered a secret vintage gem to make all your Mad-Men-in-the-Desert dreams come true! Allow us to introduce you to Jackalope, one of thirteen charming desert compounds owned and operated by the lovely folks at Joshua Desert Retreats.

The early-1960’s come alive as you walk through the door of the quaint ranch house, its midcentury décor instantly propelling you back to a more dapper moment in time. In true 60’s fashion, all cell phones and computers should be locked away and forgotten…this place is about being present and soaking in the ambience, allowing it to elevate each moment into something truly special. Nothing makes you feel more classic-desert-chic than reclining in an Eames chair while watching the sunrise over the mountains. Throw some Getz~Gilberto bossa nova on the stereo and let your inner Bardot or Newman out to play as you explore each little nook and cranny…

The grounds offer plenty of desert delights for both levity and quiet self-reflection. Swing in the hammock with your favorite book, knock some golf balls around, toss a few rounds of horseshoes, play cards or board games, or just take a moment to commune with the elements. Gentle winds, soft sunshine, rolling clouds, mountainscape rainbows…it’s all here for the taking.

Later, take a dip in the above-ground pool or soak in the hot tub to soothe your body into complete relaxation. There’s no better way to clear your mind, heart and soul than watching the clouds pass overhead and the stars come out in that Great Big Sky while the warm water caresses you into quietude.

When evening rolls around, grill up some outdoor BBQ for your noshing pleasure or use the full kitchen to create your ultimate fantasy feast. If you can dream it, you can eat it here—as long as you BYO groceries! Just beware of the strange urge to suddenly cook things in Jello molds and serve your friends powdered beverages. More Cool Whip, anyone?

But our favorite parts of any desert excursion are the evening sunsets that light up the horizon in giant swaths of bright electric peach, pink and orange. Step outside and take a moment to watch these gorgeous nightly works of art painted across the sky in real time knowing that (like all  great art) no two will ever be the same.

In winter months, we are blessed with tons of celestial events to light up the night sky, providing plenty of awe-inspiring heavenly entertainment to keep you up all night if you feel like getting cosmic…which we always do. Bring a good set of binoculars and lounge under blankets or in the hot tub beneath the dark inky skies peppered with the light of a billion stars. Seriously, more stars than you have ever seen and so bright, you’d swear you could reach out and scoop them up with a spoon. Frequent meteor showers put on dazzling light displays, shooting overhead in all directions and reminding you that the world really is a wondrous place.

Speaking of wonder…on Monday November 14th, the largest Full Moon Supermoon of our lifetime will make its world debut in our night sky. The moon will be the closest it has been to Earth since 1948, making it appear 14% larger and 30% brighter than any other full moon, especially as it rises. Plan your trip around any of these celestial events and dive into some real-life magic…

Nov 4 & 5 ~ Taurids Meteor Shower //  Nov 14 ~ Full Moon Supermoon (largest full moon of our lifetime) // Nov 16 & 17 ~ Leonids Meteor Shower // Dec 13 & 14 ~ Geminids Meteor Shower (“the king of meteor showers”) // Dec 14 ~ Full Moon Supermoon // Dec 21 & 22 ~ Ursids Meteor Shower // Jan 3 & 4 ~ Quadrantids Meteor Shower

Whether you’re wishing for quiet nights of quiet stars, peace in the great wide open or just a return to a simpler time, you can make all your vintage desert dreams come true at Jackalope! Treat yourself to a little piece of timeless heaven! Just don’t forget the Cool Whip…

Joshua Desert Retreats properties & rental info is available on their website: http://www.joshuadesertretreats.com

Read about our stargazing trip to Joshua Desert Retreat’s Adobe property: HERE.

Read about our summer concert-going trip to Joshua Desert Retreat’s Godwin Ranch property: HERE.

Enjoy this classic fave for your vintage desert listening pleasure!~

Be sure to SUBSCRIBE on the Sirens & Scoundrels homepage for weekly DIY local adventure guides & gatherings delivered straight to you! Enter your email address on the home page & hit “SUBSCRIBE”!

Follow us on Instagram: @sirensandscoundrels

Words by Christina Huntington // Photography by Sarah Prikryl

Contributing Photography by: Christina Huntington

© 2016 Sirens and Scoundrels

Sierra Fall Colors ~ June Lake Loop, CA

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October in Southern California. That exciting time of year when pumpkin patch corn mazes start popping up around town, the smell of autumn candles wafts through the air, thoughts of warm apple pies baking in the oven fill your mind and the internet explodes with #pumpkinspice mania. A deep primal need to pull on a sweater, snuggle by a fire and see trees bursting with fall colors begins to take over. Until you realize it’s 90° outside and we’re still stuck between our two seasons of green and greener, warm and insanely hot.

Growing up in LA, we only got to experience “real fall” by hopping on a plane to visit our family on the East Coast once in a while. New England always seemed to hold the title for Best Fall Colors in the country. Clearly the Charles Wysocki puzzles I diligently put together fireside on my sunny-and-clear 75° holidays would back that up. I would place each little puzzle piece of bright orange, red and yellow trees next to mini Americana homes with great care and dream of a world where fall existed each and every year.

As an adult explorer, my annual trip out to Oak Glen apple orchard country on the way out to Big Bear satiated that autumn craving a bit with its quaint 5-mile loop of picturesque landscape and fall festivities. But I always knew there had to be more. Somewhere, a California Fall Wonderland must be waiting for me. So when we got the invite from the folks at Visit Mammoth to join them for a Sierra Fall Colors Instameet at Silver Lake in Mammoth this year, it sparked that tiny hope that just maybe this Angeleno’s lifelong prayer was finally going to be answered.

With Siren Sarah in tow, we hop in the Prius and set off to chase some Autumn in California. Just a couple hours up the 395 past Bishop, something called “weather” starts to appear. Beautiful grey clouds and gusty winds roll through as new twists in the road reveal our first smattering of trees all dressed in orange and mustard yellow. We gasp and pull over, stepping outside to revel in our discovery and commune with the trees as trucks honk at us to stop looking at nature and get back on the road, whydontcha. Apparently some people are used to this fall thing around here. As we make our way up towards Mammoth, a huge moon begins to rise, winking at us and playing hide-and-seek behind giant wisps of cotton candy clouds over amber waves of grain and we know…something truly magical is beginning. We arrive in Mammoth just as the clouds break open and rain starts to fall, singing us off to sleep with the sweetest lullaby and visions of autumn leaves dancing in our heads.

The Instameet is called for 7am, so we wake up before dawn and slowly make our way through silent pine-flanked mountain roads until we reach the June Lake Loop turnoff. A huge mountain crest offers a morning greeting, proudly showing off its first dusting of snow for the season. Never ones to miss a chance to canoodle with a handsome gentleman decked out in his finest, we stop to take in this gorgeous sight before easing on down the road.

We wind past the tiny sleepy mountain village of June Lake until the view suddenly opens onto a breathtaking vista of snowcapped mountains looming over deep blue waters. This is Gull Lake and, stunning as it is, it’s another passing hello, leaving us something to come back for as we make our way towards the main event.

We roll into Silver Lake and find a group of people sporting serious cameras all bundled up in their winter gear. Yep, it’s extremely cold and windy…and we couldn’t be happier. Sliding on our hats and mittens, we bound outside to say hi to Daniel Mansfield, owner of The Adventure Project. Dedicated to getting people off their couches and into the mountains, T.A.P. has become a close friend and ally for sharing other-worldly California adventures. (Read about our dream-like hike in Running Springs HERE and camping in the Alabama Hills HERE.)

We meet the event organizer, Josh Wray, and his team from Visit Mammoth, Mammoth Lake’s tourism board, and are immediately struck by their infectious passion for these great outdoors. Looking around, I can understand why. This Silver Lake is nothing like the one back in Los Angeles. A gorgeous crystal blue alpine lake surrounded by bright yellow aspen trees beneath mountain peaks that could be mistaken for the Swiss Alps, this is definitely not your hipster’s Silverlake. As the sun begins to rise over the mountains and light up the yellow aspens with a golden glow, we collectively gasp and take in the moment. Then just as quickly, the cameras come out, attempting to capture the teeniest bit of this thing we’re all feeling…total and complete awe.

A few delicious breakfast burritos and a cup of the smoothest ever local Black Velvet Coffee later and it’s time to bust out the paddleboards. POP Paddleboards is on hand with their inflatable fleet ready to hit the glass. Having never done a SUP sesh before, I figure this is as good a time as any. Why not start it off in a freezing alpine lake while dressed in a cashmere sweater and flannel? What could possibly go wrong? Lucky for me, POP’s Joe Sabina suggests starting off a little less hardcore for my first time out and lets me enjoy a tandem sit while he steers so I can get acclimated. The ride is smooth and we float along serenely as the sun rises higher above us and the lake explodes into bright glittering gold sparkles of light as far as the eye can see. Joe paddles us through this sea of golden diamonds surrounded by mustard yellow trees and I think my heart might burst from all this beauty as I realize this is my own backyard…all my Autumn in California dreams are coming true and it’s barely even 10 o’clock.

Tons of gorgeous photos and many wonderful new friends later, it’s off to the next adventure. Us Sirens are here to experience every inch of fall these mountains have to offer, so with a few Scoundrels as our guides, we dive in deeper. Continuing down June Lake Loop just past Silver Lake, the entire landscape opens up into an ocean of aspen trees, all shimmering and swaying in the morning light. If Heaven does indeed exist somewhere on Planet Earth, this is it. We get out to explore on foot. Enfolded in dazzling yellow leaves dancing against sunbeams, creating a blazing golden halo all around us, we can literally hear angels singing overhead. Having now seen Heaven on Earth before noon, it would be easy to leave well enough alone. But we push on, asking California to reveal all of her glorious magic to us. Because that’s the secret with big magic. If you’re willing to see it…you’ll find it everywhere.

After a quick bite at June Lake Brewing with the Silverlake Instameet crew, Josh suggests we check out Lundy Canyon, just a little north of here in the Inyo National Forest by Mono Lake. Since Josh basically IS Mammoth, we take his word that this is a not-to-be-missed spot on our autumn hunt. The winding drive into Lundy is like something out of a movie. The clouds have started to roll in again, so now the mountain peaks are punctuated by dark grey puffs outlined in brilliant diffused light, reflecting back endlessly on itself from sprawling Lundy Lake below. We could easily be in Lord of the Rings. If you told me the elven people resided amongst these trees, I’d believe you.

Betty White the Prius has seen a lot of tough terrain in her day, but at a certain point along this trek, she can go no further. Joe motors us in on the back of his bike and drops us at the edge of some tall yellow bushes. Stepping through them gingerly, we hold our breath for the big reveal…and discover a giant beaver pond waiting on the other side. Piled wood logs create endless water dams amongst a landscape blanketed in electric greens and yellows. Towering mountains jut into the wintry sky, providing the perfect epic backdrop. Just when we thought it couldn’t possibly get any more magnificent, Nature comes in to show us that she’s just getting started.

Heading back out towards Lundy Lake, we take a moment to explore the campgrounds that are available here throughout the year. Each campsite becomes its own secret to be discovered, with nooks and crannies of private mini aspen forests and woodland wonderlands. One campsite has a bed of grass and freshly-fallen aspen leaves, the perfect spot to watch the clouds pass overhead through the swaying tree limbs. Completely wrapped up here and supported by the earth, all time begins to recede and fade away. Cloud puffs roll across the sky framed by delicate flittering yellow leaves that fall on our faces and in our hair as if in stop-motion. If Snow White, the Cheshire Cat and the Last Unicorn all showed up right now to join us, I would not blink an eye.

Further down the trail, another campsite offers a private Fantasia forest, if you can make your way down to it. If you don’t have mud-proof shoes on, you may be in need of a gentleman friend with proper footwear and a penchant for chivalry. But the trek is worth it. A babbling brook and mossy trees provide a bridge to an enchanted land pulled straight from the tomes of Walt Disney.

Having experienced Heaven on Earth, Wonderland and AND legit Autumn in California, it’s time to call it a day. But Daniel has one more surprise in store for us. Heading back down Highway 395, we pull over on the side of the road to view an abandoned wood shack standing alone against a stark expanse of the Eastern Sierras, known simply as “That 395 House”. The tin roof lights up with just the right glint of sunlight peeking from behind the overhead storm clouds, its decrepit beauty another stunning jewel in the crown of Mono County.

As we slowly return to “real” time and space, we bid our adventure scoundrels adieu and pack up Betty White to hit the road. Heading back down the 395, a full moon Supermoon begins to rise in the east while storm clouds hang over the mountains in the west. It’s by far the largest moon either of us has ever seen. And it’s here to light our way home. Still floating and aglow from so much incredible beauty today, we chat about the magic that happens when you say yes to adventure. The incredible friends you make. The once-in-a-lifetime experiences. How time stretches, expands and even holds still for a while. How these moments sear themselves into your soul and become a part of you, fuse into your very fiber. And bring a joy that is so pure, it lights you up from within.

And right in this moment, Sarah screams to stop the car. Outside our window in the dead of night hanging over the Eastern Sierras…is a double night rainbow. Lit from the light of the Supermoon. A double. Night. Rainbow!! Not knowing such a thing could exist in the world, we pull over and sit with the moonbows for a full forty-five minutes in utter amazement, knowing no one else in the world is seeing this except us. A powerful heavenly confirmation that magic really is everywhere…if you only know how to look.

The Eastern Sierras and Mammoth Mountain have just experienced their first major snowfall of the year and as of now, the fall colors are still holding strong. So go find your own California Autumn Magic while you can! Get out into Nature & light up your life!!

~love, Sirens & Scoundrels

Check out Visit Mammoth’s video on the Silver Lake Instameet~

Be sure to SUBSCRIBE on the Sirens & Scoundrels homepage for weekly DIY local adventure guides & gatherings delivered straight to you! Enter your email address on the home page & hit “SUBSCRIBE”!

Follow us on Instagram: @sirensandscoundrels

Words by Christina Huntington // Photography by Sarah Prikryl

Contributing Photography by: Daniel Mansfield, Christina Huntington, Josh Wray & Joe Sabina

© 2016 Sirens and Scoundrels

Italian Vegetable Stew ~ (Gluten-Free & Vegan)

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As summer ends and we step into fall, I can think of nothing more satisfying than a piping-hot, hearty bowl of homemade stew!  The seasonal changes are sometimes subtle here in California but it allows for fresh produce year round.  I love that we can easily get seasonal, organic produce from our local farmer’s market throughout the week or even grow it in our own home garden. At a recent Sirens & Scoundrels trip to Northern California, my friends generously shared their backyard harvest with me and I couldn’t wait to start experimenting in the kitchen!

These were some of the best tomatoes I have ever eaten and the beautiful bounty of squash, zucchini and basil ran rampant in their garden. My Italian Vegetable Stew began as an experiment inspired by our farm-to-table experience and became an instant hit! It’s so easy, healthy and delicious (plus it’s vegan and gluten free)!  This crave-worthy, comfort bowl is so rich in flavor because of the quality of the produce. I highly encourage you to use organic ingredients, especially the tomatoes, when making this stew. I’m so happy to share this recipe of “real food” in one pot from my backyard to your dinner party!

Italian Vegetable Stew

Serves: 6

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 cloves of Garlic
  • Olive Oil
  • 6-8 medium-large sized Tomatoes (depending upon size)
  • 3 medium Zucchini
  • 2 small Squash
  • 1 15 oz. can Artichoke Hearts
  • 1 15 oz. can Cannellini Beans
  • 1/2-cup Basil
  • 1 tsp. dried Oregano
  • 2 Tbsp. de-stemmed chopped Rosemary
  • Salt & Pepper to taste
  • Red Pepper flakes
  • grated Parmesan (**optional)

Mince the garlic.  Over medium heat, add 3 Tbsp. of olive oil and the garlic to a soup pot.

Chop the tomatoes into small chunks and add to the pot. Simmer over medium heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes have broken down into a sauce.

While the tomatoes are simmering, peel strips of zucchini length-wise using a peeler. Rotate around the core until you are down to the “core” housing the seeds. Discard the middle seeded area (this core is bitter). Set “noodles” aside.

TIP: I have a spiralizer, but I tend to like the texture of the “fettuccini” flat noodles that you get from using a peeler for this dish. The zucchini tends to retain more texture in the “fettuccini” form as they cook down.

Chop the squash into small chunks and add to the stew. De-stem and mince the rosemary. Coarse chop the basil. Add the dried oregano, rosemary and ¼ cup of chopped basil. Stir in 2 Tbsp. of olive oil. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes to taste. Let the stew cook an additional 10 minutes.

TIP: Click the video to see the fastest and easiest way to de-stem rosemary!

While the stew is simmering, drain and rinse the cannellini beans. Drain and chop the artichoke hearts into chunks.  Add the zucchini noodles, artichoke hearts and beans to the stew. Stir.

Let the stew simmer an additional 10 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the remaining chopped basil (1/4 cup) and it’s ready to serve!

I’m going to let you in on a little secret…it tastes even better the next day, if you happen to have leftovers.

Toast some gluten-free bread for dipping. Sprinkle with parmesan or vegan cheese. Pair this hearty meal with an Italian red wine and…Bon Appétit! ~ Love, Sirens & Scoundrels

If you enjoyed this quick and easy recipe, try our other Soups & Stews:

Thai Curry Vegetable Soup: https://sirensandscoundrels.com/2016/04/26/thai-curry-vegetable-soup-gluten-free/

Goulash ~ Beef & Potato Stew: https://sirensandscoundrels.com/2016/03/17/goulash-beef-potato-stew/

Chicken Vegetable Soup: https://sirensandscoundrels.com/2016/01/21/chicken-vegetable-soup/

Vegan Roasted Vegetable Stew: https://sirensandscoundrels.com/2015/11/25/vegan-roasted-vegetable-stew/

Vegan Lentil Stew: https://sirensandscoundrels.com/2016/07/15/camp-cooking-lentil-stew-gluten-free-vegan/

Be sure to subscribe to Sirens & Scoundrels for more awesome recipes & adventures delivered straight to you! Enter your email address on our home page & hit “SUBSCRIBE”! 

Follow us on Instagram: @sirensandscoundrels

Recipe by Sarah Prikryl // Words & Photography by Sarah Prikryl

Contributing Photography by: Christina Huntington & Jessica Sattelberger

© 2016 Sirens and Scoundrels

République ~ Los Angeles, CA

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If you’ve been jonesing for a little taste of the French countryside recently but don’t quite have the time or money to head overseas right now, then why not allow the French countryside to come to you? République on La Brea is the stuff all your Provence dreams are made of: long wooden farm tables inside a château courtyard, fluffy pastries overflowing from pâtisserie cases, thick creamy butter slathered over fresh-baked bread loaves still warm from the oven and just perfect for dunking those bright orange farm-fresh egg yolks into. From your very first step inside the door, you find yourself filled up with a burning desire to parlez et mangez français.

Set inside the old La Brea Bakery and Campanile building, République has been restored back to most of the original architecture from when Charlie Chaplin first built it in the 20’s. The interior courtyard has been exposed with large skylights overhead so that it seems to glow from within. The vibe is relaxed, airy and casual. We went for brunch and it was the perfect spot for a morning friend catch up in a beautiful atmosphere that offers something truly delicious for everyone.

As you enter, the pâtisserie counter is the first thing you see—overflowing with home made croissants, éclairs, mini cakes and tarts alongside giant pies whipped and creamed to perfection. They even have gluten-free options to satisfy your gf sweet tooth. HOT TIP: If you are there on a day when they have the Key Lime Pie, buy the whole thing. It’s a pure slice of rich, tangy-sweet joy that will have your soul moaning ooh la la! The shelves behind the counter hold the pièces de résistance—a vast array of golden, crunchy, fresh-baked bread loaves that waft their sweet scent out to welcome you as soon as you open the door. Another HOT TIP: buy the Normandy butter. Yes, you have to order the butter as a separate item on its own. Yes, it’s $7. But it. Is. Worth it.

At brunch, service is laid back and casual. Order your meal and drinks at the counter, then take your number to a table and wait for your food to be delivered. They have a lovely self-service water station, including sparkling water that you fill in large empty glass wine bottles—a simple, but lovely touch. Our coffee and tea lattes were first to arrive, made to perfection, with beautiful thick frothy whips somehow garnered even with our almond milk substitutes.

For brunch, we went egg crazy. The eggs here are insanely delicious and so bright orange, you’d swear they just grabbed them from a henhouse out back and threw them in the pan. We got the Corned Beef Hash, Today’s Quiche, BLT Toast, and “Regular Breakfast” which is basically eggs with what they call “bacon steak”…pork belly cut and fried like a thick chunk of bacon. It was all divine—crisped and flavored just right. A little bit of breakfast Heaven on Earth. We split some pastries for the table and they, again, were artfully done. Not too sweet, not too heavy. République seems to balance all their rich menu items into a Goldilocks perfection…everything just right.

Dinner is supposed to be amazing here, but is a completely different experience—trading in morning casual for nighttime fine dining. The dinner menu expands to include decadent country-style favorites and updated twists on old provincial comfort foods. But beware that it can also become très cher, with steak frites offerings running from $56-$155.

For those just looking for a lovely jaunt to France to start your day off right, République is everything you can hope for. The daytime atmosphere is easy, delicious and accessible to all, although we do recommend coming on a weekday if possible to avoid the weekend crowds. Stop by next time you’re in the neighborhood and treat yourself to some delicious morning comforts. Soak in the slowed-down pace of the provincial life and enjoy the simple pleasure of lingering over a hot drink, fresh farm eggs and good conversation with the ones you love. Bon appétit!!

République. 624 South La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles. Open daily for breakfast, lunch & dinner. http://republiquela.com

Be sure to subscribe to Sirens & Scoundrels for more local food adventures & unique L.A. happenings delivered straight to you! Enter your email address on our home page & hit “SUBSCRIBE”! 

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Words by Christina Huntington // Photography by  Sarah Prikryl

Contributing photos by: Adrienne Rusk

© 2016 Sirens and Scoundrels

Ghost Town ~ Bodie State Historic Park, CA

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A couple years ago, I started seeing photos pop up around Instagram that literally haunted me. Images of antique rooms covered in thick layers of dust, wrought iron beds with beautifully decomposing mattresses and dainty wallpaper peeling away in long layers, hats left dangling from chairs awaiting owners who will never return. Perfectly preserved decay, simultaneously frozen in time and ravaged by it. It seemed like a strange fever dream, no way it could exist in reality. Surely these were just film sets, all Hollywood smoke and mirrors built for some weird music video shoot. But as I researched, I discovered that not only was it 100% real, it was right here in our own backyard. Never able to resist a good ghost story, the Sirens packed into the Prius and headed out to investigate the truth behind one of the largest gold rush ghost towns in California and the U.S.…Bodie State Historic Park.

Located off the 395 about an hour northeast of Mammoth, things start to feel strange early on as the paved road with signs pointing you towards Bodie State Historic Park suddenly disappears without warning and you find yourself very slowly bumping along the twists in the mountain pass as if instantly transported onto the covered wagon trail. We pass the dried-out carcass of some large animal on the side of the road, carrion ominously circling overhead in the stark sunlight and dry heat. Turning one final corner, the winding dirt road opens up to a vast expanse of open fields, a large metal mill and dozens of wood shanties blanketing the landscape. This is Bodie. And in its heyday, it was notorious.

After a collapsed mine accidentally led to the discovery of a rich cache of gold ore in 1875, people began flocking to Bodie in droves from all over the world in hopes of staking their claim and striking it rich. Between 1877-1881, it was a boomtown, home to 7000-8000 prospectors and their families and folks looking to provide services for the hopping town. The mile-long main street was packed with storefronts and businesses, including many saloons and entertaining diversions for the men who worked the mill—rough characters who gave the town a reputation for lawlessness run wild.

To that end, Bodie even had its own flourishing red light district behind Main Street. Ladies of the night set up inside one-room cabin “cribs” along Bonanza Street, a.k.a. “Virgin Alley” and “Maiden Lane”. Women with names like Beautiful Doll and French Joe received local men here each night. Just down the way, hundreds of Chinese immigrants populated Chinatown which offered an array of saloons, gambling halls, boarding houses and launderettes. For those looking for something more, their opium dens were a popular destination.

Although Bodie is considered one of the richest gold strikes in the state with the Standard Mine excavating $18 million worth of ore over 38 years, the boom time was short-lived. As the initial gold yield dried up, the population rapidly decreased into the early 1900’s (although mining continued up until 1942). Townsfolk took what they could and left the rest of their belongings behind, off to seek their next opportunity.

It’s hard to imagine that what we see of Bodie now is only five percent of what once stood here, the town falling victim to fires, time and the elements. The remaining buildings range from the original 1870’s heyday to the 1940’s when the mine finally closed for good. In 1962, the land was bought by California State Parks as a historical site to be preserved in a state of “arrested decay”—buildings are repaired only to stay stable, but are not restored. Everything is kept exactly as it was left.

This is where the ghost town part comes in. As you travel the self-guided streets with your map in hand, peering into windows of homes and businesses kept like eerie museums of lives still being led by the invisible, you can’t help but feel simultaneously thrilled and spooked. Egg cartons sit eternally on decaying lace tablecloths awaiting their journey to the frying pan. Coats hang on wall hooks in their endless abandoned slumber. The schoolroom’s lessons remain frozen in time on the chalkboard, lecturing rows of empty desks all covered in dust.

Due to the preservation effort, most buildings are sealed off and can only be viewed from the outside, windows acting as our portals into what once took place within each room’s walls. Thankfully, a few buildings are open to the public for up-close investigation. Standing inside the actual buildings, you can feel the many lives passing beneath your feet and flashing before your eyes, layers of different floorboards and wallpaper slowly exposing themselves amongst the abandoned belongings. The provided map assists you in filling in the gaps with helpful information about who lived in each home. But as you look around, you can’t help but wonder who used that baking pan, played with that toy baby carriage, read in that chair, peered through those curtains each night and why they chose to leave these items behind…ghostly mementos that they once lived and breathed here.

Life during the gold rush was brutal and uncompromising. The man who first discovered gold in Bodie and for whom the town was named after never even made it to see any gold mined, dying in a blizzard during one of his initial prospecting attempts. The ensuing town may have earned its notorious reputation, but we Native Californians are raised with a fascination and respect for the Wild West, understanding that the rough-and-tumble men and women of the era literally laid the foundation of our great Golden State. Their brazenness paved the way for future generations of California pioneers in all of our current fields—inspiring that spirit of courage, boldness, forward-thinking and, of course…adventure. So if adventure is what you seek, be sure to make your way up the 395 and explore the many ghost stories lurking inside every room of Bodie State Park—a stunningly beautiful haunting you’ll be happy to experience!

Entry to Bodie State Park is $8 per person. Evening ghost walks and star tours are available on select nights during the summer season. For more information, visit the Bodie State Historic Park website: http://www.parks.ca.gov/bodie/.

Be sure to SUBSCRIBE on the Sirens & Scoundrels homepage for weekly DIY local adventure guides & gatherings delivered straight to you! Enter your email address on the home page & hit “SUBSCRIBE”!

Follow us on Instagram: @sirensandscoundrels

Words by Christina Huntington // Photography by Sarah Prikryl

Contributing Photography by: Gina Cholick

© 2016 Sirens and Scoundrels

Sirens & Scoundrels Playlists

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You can now find all of our Sirens & Scoundrels travel playlists in one place! Our new PLAYLIST page features our hand-crafted playlists for your listening pleasure! Take us along on your next road trip!!

Bookmark the link to our PLAYLIST page for some awesome mood-setting jams right at your fingertips!~ 

https://sirensandscoundrels.com/playlists/

And be sure to follow us on Spotify for easy listening from any device! https://play.spotify.com/user/sirensandscoundrels

 

Words by Christina Huntington // Photography by Sarah Prikryl

© 2016 Sirens and Scoundrels

Organic Beet Greens (Vegan & Gluten-Free)

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When most people buy a big bushy bunch of organic beets down at the local farmer’s market or harvest them from their home garden, they immediately begin dreaming up all kinds of delicious things to do with those plump red juicy bulbs. Stewed beets! Roasted beets with root vegetables! Beet salad! Fresh-pressed beet juice! They excitedly prep their beets, chopping off the greens on top and throwing them…right into the trash or compost. (Cue record scratch.) Hold it right there, Quick Draw. Those leafy greens on top are not only incredibly delicious, but are also one of the most nutrient-rich parts of the beet plant. With a look and taste very similar to swiss chard, those leafy beet greens are a yummy, nutritious side dish that will instantly bring a gourmet farm-to-table touch to any meal. The best part? Sautéed beet greens are unbelievably simple and take only 10 minutes to make, start to finish.

Beet Greens

Prep Time: 5 mins

Cook Time: 5 mins

Total: 10 mins

Serves: 4 people

 

INGREDIENTS~

  • tops of 1-2 bunches of organic beets
  • ½ an onion
  • 2-3 cloves of garlic, peeled
  • 2 Tbsp organic extra virgin olive oil
  • juice of ½ an organic lemon
  • salt & pepper (to taste)

ASSEMBLY~

Dice half an onion into small chunks. Cut garlic cloves width-wise across, making small circular slices. Chop the beet greens from the base of the bulbs and rinse them well. Set aside. (Save the beet bulbs in your fridge for whatever you wish to make with them later.)

Heat olive oil in a skillet on the stovetop. Turn heat down to medium and add diced onions, cooking until they begin to turn translucent. Add garlic spheres, mixing them in with the onions.

Using kitchen shears, cut the beet leaves directly into the pan, including stems. Toss all together in the skillet for 1-2 minutes, until the greens begin to slightly wilt.

Squeeze the juice of half a lemon directly on top of greens and toss again. Remove from heat. Add salt & pepper to taste.

Can be served immediately while hot or at room temperature. Sautéed beet greens are fantastic on their own as a dinner side dish, tossed into a lunch salad or even served on top of a savory breakfast. Try this one out for a sweet, tart & crisp surprise taste sensation to add to any meal!

BON APPÉTIT!! 

Try our delicious Detox Salad recipe with the remaining beets!  https://sirensandscoundrels.com/2016/01/07/detox-salad/

Be sure to subscribe to Sirens & Scoundrels for more awesome recipes & adventures delivered straight to you! Enter your email address on our home page & hit “SUBSCRIBE”! 

Follow us on Instagram: @sirensandscoundrels

Words & Recipe by Christina Huntington // Photography by Sarah Prikryl

© 2016 Sirens and Scoundrels

Sunset Swim ~ The Annenberg Community Beach House

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If you ever wished you could’ve been alive in the days when you drove your woodie down to the beach for a surfin’ safari and a little beach blanket bingo, then your time has finally come. The Annenberg Community Beach House is a throwback to the days when cool guys and gals gathered on the shores to enjoy some California fun in the sun.

Open daily to the public during the summer months, the Annenberg Community Beach House is still somehow one of LA’s best-kept secrets. A gorgeous pool. On the beach. Right in the heart of Santa Monica. Open to everyone. It’s almost too good to be true.

It has a rich history, too. The Beach House is actually on the old Marion Davies Estate, the beachside love pad built by William Randolph Hearst for his silent film starlet mistress back in the Golden Age of Hollywood. The pool is the estate’s original, all marble and tile refurbished by hand. Marion’s lavish guest house still stands and you can tour it during the day. But beware—we’ve heard the mistress of the house still likes to appear to handsome young gentlemen sometimes.

On a normal day during the summer season, the beach house is open to the public of all ages on a first-come, first-served basis. It costs $10 to get in and you can stay as long as you want. You can take advantage of the pool, the beach volleyball courts right outside, take a dip in the ocean and use their updated pool house to shower off when you’re ready to go home. They even offer classes including swimming, beach volleyball and Esther Williams-style water ballet to make all your MGM musical synchronized swimming dreams come true!

But it gets even better. Just three times a season, they throw their Sunset Swim party, opening up the pool for an adults-only night swim. The final Sunset Swim of 2016 is happening this Friday September 9th from 7pm-10pm. It costs $10 to get in and includes s’mores, frozen fruit bars, big pool floaties for relaxing in and poolside games like ping pong and giant connect four. Basically, a big kid’s paradise.

Always huge fans of a secret party, we brought our Sirens & Scoundrels gang to check out last month’s Sunset Swim and had the time of our lives. There is no alcohol permitted on the grounds, but you can BYO snacks and beverages in non-glass containers. We brought a big group and set up shop in one of the poolside cabanas, then headed straight to the shining star—the pool. It’s huge, gorgeous and deep. Luckily, there were plenty of golden swans for lounging on, bringing that old world musical flair to life.

It’s a rare thing in LA to get to enjoy a night out that also feels like going back to a much more innocent time. Our inner kids came out to play as we splashed around in the setting sun, watched the stars come out overhead, roasted endless s’mores of different flavor combinations and just enjoyed each other’s company. It felt like stepping into a Beach Boys ballad and seeing it come alive all around us…slowed-down, beautiful, full of innocent nostalgia and pure joy for the good stuff in life.

If you wanna travel back in time yourself, be sure to swing by the Annenberg with your gang this Friday night for some good old-fashioned American fun in the sun. Or in this case, fun in the sunset!

Sunset Swim at The Annenberg Community Beach House in Santa Monica. Friday September 9, 2016. 7pm-10pm. $10 entry, adults only, no RSVP required. For more information, visit the Annenberg website: https://www.annenbergbeachhouse.com.

Be sure to SUBSCRIBE here on Sirens & Scoundrels for weekly DIY local adventure guides & gatherings delivered straight to you! Enter your email address on our home page & hit “SUBSCRIBE”!

Follow us on Instagram: @sirensandscoundrels

Words by Christina Huntington // Photography by Sarah Prikryl

© 2016 Sirens and Scoundrels

Tuscan White Bean Dip (Vegan & Gluten-Free)

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In California, it seems you can’t hit a single party without ten different people bringing hummus. Don’t get me wrong—I LOVE hummus. As a Greek girl, it comes with the territory. But if you’re looking for a new way to spice up your Mediterranean bean dip offerings for your next gathering, look no further than this unbelievably fast and tasty Tuscan White Bean Dip. Creamy, delicious and flavor-packed with just the right amount of chunk, this vegan and gluten-free side dish can be served warm or room temp. It’s a savory, hearty, mouth-and-soul-satisfying twist on a white bean dip to leave your guests begging for more. The best part? It literally takes ten minutes from start to finish, possibly less if you’re a Speedy McGee—the fastest gourmet meal you’ll ever make! It all happens in one pan with basically no clean-up. Try this recipe out and keep it in your back pocket as your secret weapon and be prepared to impress with zero fuss. Serve with vegetable crudités and crackers as an appetizer or with crostini and gf toasts as an accompaniment for a cheese board. Bon Appétit!

Prep Time: 5 mins

Cook Time: 5 mins

Total: 10 mins

Serves: 4 people

INGREDIENTS~

  • 2 cans of cannellini beans, strained
  • 3 cloves of garlic, peeled
  • 1-2 sprigs of fresh rosemary
  • ½ cup organic extra virgin olive oil
  • juice of ½ a lemon
  • red pepper flakes (to taste)
  • salt & pepper (to taste)

Mince garlic cloves into small chunks. De-stem rosemary leaves.

HOT TIP: Check out our video on how to de-stem rosemary in a flash.

 

Pour olive oil into a skillet on the stovetop and heat until it begins to bubble. Switch heat to low and add minced garlic, cooking until it turns a light golden brown. Using kitchen shears, cut rosemary leaves into chunks directly into the oil. Allow to simmer for 1-2 minutes, until it begins to slightly crisp.

Pour drained cannellini beans directly into the pan with the flavored oil. Mash beans into the oil using a potato masher. I like to leave chunks of beans so that the dip feels really hearty, but you can mash to your own desired consistency.

Squeeze the juice of half a lemon into the pan and stir. Add red pepper flakes, salt & pepper to taste.

Serve hot in a bowl. Top with a dash of red pepper flakes, ground pepper & a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil on top. Garnish with a fresh sprig of rosemary.

MAGNIFICO!!

Be sure to subscribe to Sirens & Scoundrels for more awesome recipes & adventures delivered straight to you! Enter your email address on our home page & hit “SUBSCRIBE”! 

Follow us on Instagram: @sirensandscoundrels

If you enjoyed this recipe, try our other Delicious Dips~

Spinach Artichoke Dip: https://sirensandscoundrels.com/2016/03/31/spinach-artichoke-dip/

Texas Caviar: https://sirensandscoundrels.com/2015/12/30/texas-caviar-a-new-years-appetizer/

 

Words & Recipe by Christina Huntington // Photography by Sarah Prikryl

© 2016 Sirens and Scoundrels

The Grand Canyon ~ Arizona

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If you were a kid growing up on the West Coast, pretty much everyone has a story about being packed up into the car between siblings, Mom and Dad popping in a John Denver cassette tape on repeat and making the long desert drive out to see the Grand Canyon, where you took a bunch of photos that got tucked away in an album, never to be seen again. As a native Angeleno, I somehow made it into my third decade without ever seeing our great Canyon—a strange and shocking fact to most people, including myself. I was equally shocked when last year out of nowhere, I suddenly had a burning urge to see it. It just hit deep in my soul one day, like a command. As a meditation teacher, I’ve learned to listen to these Soul Calls, even if they don’t seem to make sense. So with one adventurous friend in tow, I headed out to see what this whole Grand Canyon thing was all about—knowing it’d probably be a very different experience seeing it for the first time as an adult.

When I first laid eyes upon the canyon, my breath literally caught in my chest. I had heard it was beautiful, a great view, a pretty place to take a picture, but this was something totally unexpected. I was instantly humbled by its hugeness—the vast stillness and many-million-year-old umber majesty laid out for endless miles, as close to eternal as I had ever touched. It felt…holy. We immediately dipped into a quiet reverence as we walked the canyon rim, stopping to sit on the ledge along the way and listen to what the great silence had to say. As other visitors hit the designated photo ops with their selfie sticks and hopped back onto tour buses, we took the entire afternoon to slowly walk the rim, stopping where we felt called, sitting on the edge of the canyon for sometimes hours, like a spiritual pilgrimage we had no idea we’d be taking, but now it was clear this was the only thing to do.

We sat in silence and watched the way the light changed from pastel pink to golden peach to fiery orange as the sun shifted in the sky, creating dappled layers of light and shadow that changed the entire landscape of the canyon with each passing hour—as if we were watching God Himself paint an ever-changing canvas right in front of us. The original Bob Ross. And this was certainly his Masterpiece.

I was at a major crossroads at the time. Having pushed the eject button a little earlier on a life that was no longer a fit, I found myself here at the canyon’s edge with a head and heart full of questions about which new paths to take. And I suddenly understood why I’d been called here. Sometimes our heart’s deepest desires can only speak to us in absolute stillness. And there was no bigger stillness than this. So I sat on the rim and quietly asked for the answers I had been seeking. And from the canyon’s deep silence, they echoed back to me, clear and true—their wisdom informing the choices I made thereafter, still carried with me to this day.

So when the opportunity came up this year to spend a day at the Grand Canyon on our way back from an epic sirens road trip, I was excited to share this beautiful experience with our friends, who also had somehow never been before. I wondered if it would be the same, if it would still feel so deeply reverent, or if that was just a one-time experience and I’d soon discover that it really was just a very pretty backdrop for some souvenir photos to show the kids one day.

The forecast called for warm weather and sunny skies. Instead, our Prius full of adventure-seeking babes was greeted by gorgeous grey swirling storm clouds as if on instant command for our resident fine art photographer, Gina Cholick, who specializes in capturing light and had requested clouds from whoever was in charge of those things. Already, the Great Artist in the Sky was showing off its most exquisite work—a moment worth pulling over for to revel in all its grey-streaked windblown glory.

With only a few hours to spare, our plan was to walk the South Rim’s paved footpath for as long as we could, making sure to catch the sunset before having to head back out. Walking into that first canyon view, it happened…the girls stopped in their tracks and gasped, falling into sudden silence, the immense beauty of the canyon completely overwhelming. Nothing else to do but stand there in complete awe and soak it in through all the senses.

As we set out on the trail, the grey sky broke apart into giant blue and white puffs, the sun playing hide-and-seek as it rolled immense tufts of light down towards the canyon floor before our eyes. Sunrays shone brightly in all directions while a lightning storm flashed off in the distant horizon, putting on the largest display of God Light any of us had ever seen. If I ever wanted confirmation that the Grand Canyon actually is holy ground, I’m pretty sure I got my answer loud and clear.

We meandered the twisting path, communing with the ever-changing view and the resident flora and fauna along the way, even stopping to have a lengthy conversation with a very chatty raven. Finally…the time was upon us. We chose a secluded ledge and sat to watch the sunset over the canyon, each taking a private moment to consult the great silence for our soul’s most needed wisdom and guidance. The sunrays danced slowly across the canyon walls, the light melted into misty golden wisps…and our questions were answered. The most important perhaps being that deepest inner knowing that we always get when we allow ourselves to simply connect with the beauty in life. The voice that tells us without a doubt: “It’s okay. It’s all going to be okay. You are loved. You are Love.”

Whenever you have a question that needs a resolution, go out into nature and listen for the answers that come back to you in the stillness. It is the quickest access point to that Something Greater Than Ourselves that always knows our deepest truth. There is a reason that the Buddha sat under a tree to reach Enlightenment. Sit still and listen…and make your life a thing of Beauty.

Be sure to SUBSCRIBE here on the Sirens & Scoundrels homepage for weekly DIY local adventure guides & gatherings delivered straight to you! Enter your email address on the home page & hit “SUBSCRIBE”!

Follow us on Instagram: @sirensandscoundrels

Words by Christina Huntington // Photography by Sarah Prikryl & Gina Cholick

© 2016 Sirens and Scoundrels

Kensington Presents at The York Manor

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As a native Angeleno and unabashed lover of Los Angeles, I’m always curious how transplants feel about our great city. One common theme seems to emerge when I ask people how they’ve been faring here…they like the city but miss the feeling of community. We’ve all heard it: LA is huge, friends are spread all over the place, it can be hard to find what feels like “home”. Well then, please allow us to introduce you to Kensington.

We’ve written before about Kensington’s concert series at the Viaduct as the best secret party in LA (and it’s true). But they actually started out much smaller—showcasing live music on the porch of their own backyard. You really can’t get any more “neighborhood” than that. What’s remarkable is how Kensington has been able to create that same incredibly intimate feeling even as their event spaces grow and expand. Whether it’s a backyard porch, a park under the bridge Downtown or a refurbished church in Highland Park, it all just feels like hanging out at your coolest friend’s house, appreciating some good tunes, good food and good people together. Creating community is what they do best.

So naturally, we were thrilled to check out their newest venue and inaugural concert at The York Manor in Highland Park (that afore-mentioned refurbished church). Entering the wrought iron gates, you already feel like you have stepped into a small town Sunday gathering. The simple white church has a little wrap-around yard of green astroturf all aglow under strings of globe lights, groups of friends hanging out in clumps on the grass, kicking back and enjoying some bbq and popsicles on a hot summer night.

The first stop is the Earlez Grille stand, where men who have dedicated their lives to the sacred art of the hot dog evangelize about how to do dogs right as they help you pick your favorite—all beef, turkey or veg—and decide whether you’re a chili topper kind of person or not. They pour their passion into each and every meal they hand out as you wait your turn and it shows in the taste—their dogs are simple but incredibly delicious. Down-home dogs in the best way.

Wandering to the backyard, chowing down on our dogs and chili fries, we find the libations table and Wild Pops popsicle cart awaiting our Round 2. We order a bunch of popsicles and share them all because with flavors like dark Belgian chocolate, watermelon, coconut, coffee and strawberry mint, how can you pick just one?

“you have creamed me, my love. each kernel of my heart a starchy promise.” -for whitney & clayton

“nature teaches us emerging, each day the ground I slowly break through.”

“they say I have an old sole. I hope it doesn’t smell. really, who cares.” – for jonathan

“change is a sweater never outgrown, learning your movements, it expands.”

As always at Kensington events, The Haiku Guys are here, set up at a corner table in the yard, ready to type up a personalized haiku just for you based on any one word of your choosing. There’s something really special about participating in the creation of art on the fly like this. And the fact that they seem to have the ability to peer into your soul and bring back a message from the creation gods to take home with you feels reminiscent of visiting the Oracles of Delphi. Tell us…what will our fortunes be, oh sages of the typewriter?

The opening act begins to play and we follow the beautiful chamber music melodies into the church. Salastina Music Society is on the small stage of the open hall under the gilded words “Enter His Gates with Thanksgiving”. A mix of auditory wonder and nostalgia simultaneously stirs up inside of us as the quartet performs a Star Wars suite before launching into some classical Americana to get our toes tapping.

The main event takes to the stage as folks pile in and sit on the floor, making fast friends with their neighbors. The Raising Sand Tribute Band is made up of the members of Pretty Polly and The Get Down Boys who have gathered together here tonight to perform the Grammy-award winning Robert Plant and Alison Krauss collaboration album Raising Sand for us in its entirety. A reverent hush falls over the crowd as the band launches into their first song, the Pretty Polly gals harmonizing like Americana angels taking us straight to folk rock Heaven.

After quite literally taking us to musical church, no one wants the night to end. The crowd demands one more song, even after the entire album is performed. The band obliges with a rollicking bluegrass tune that gets the crowd on its feet, clapping and dancing along as if at an old town hall social. The only things missing are the home-baked pies.

Afterwards, folks spill back out into the Highland Park night with a gleam in their eyes and lightness in their step—all warmth and smiles, lit up from the inside. This is what inevitably happens at any Kensington event…you leave feeling like you just took part in something really special, something sacred that can never be recreated. You just have to be lucky enough to be there when the moment strikes and get that little piece of LA heaven, that little piece of Home.

Don’t miss out! This weekend Kensington has two outdoor screenings at the Viaduct with live improvised scores from Dave Harrington of Darkside. No Country for Old Men screens Fri Aug 12 and The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari screens Sat Aug 13. Tickets are available here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/two-outdoor-screenings-wlive-scores-by-dave-harrington-of-darkside-tickets-26757903610

Read more about Kensington Presents at the Viaduct: HERE

Sign up for invites to Kensington’s events: http://www.kensingtonpresents.com

Be sure to subscribe to Sirens & Scoundrels for more awesome L.A. happenings delivered straight to you! Enter your email address on our home page & hit “SUBSCRIBE”! 

Follow us on Instagram: @sirensandscoundrels.

Words by Christina Huntington // Photography by Sarah Prikryl

© 2016 Sirens and Scoundrels

Highland Park Bowl ~ Highland Park, CA

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In a city that habitually tears down our beloved historic spaces in favor of erecting yet another strip mall full of dry cleaners and spray tan salons, we gladly give our full support to any business that stands for the preservation of our architectural history. So when we heard that Highland Park Bowl had recently opened after a major preservation project, we knew we had to take the new digs for a spin and go knock some pins around.

Located on Figueroa in a burgeoning strip of Highland Park, Highland Park Bowl really does feel like stepping back in time. From the moment you enter the wrought iron gates under the peeling-paint façade, it’s as if the decades instantly begin to roll away behind you with each step until you find yourself right smack in the middle of a bygone era, perhaps meeting Nick Carraway for some tales and a stiff one over a game of tenpin.

The original establishment dates back to 1927, giving it the unique distinction of being the oldest bowling alley in Los Angeles. The 1933 Group (responsible for Big Foot, Thirsty Crow, Sassafras & Idle Hour) has lovingly restored the space with a keen eye for detail. As you walk in, the view is quite literally breathtaking. I actually gasped when I laid eyes on it. The giant open-air, high-arch, exposed-beam ceiling houses a huge restored forest mural from the 30’s, two large horseshoe bars with vintage pin chandeliers, cages of alcoholic trinkets and treasures all aglow along the walls and eight brilliantly shining lanes with exposed pin machines so you can watch the pins reset and follow the ball on its journey home to you. The leather couches gathered around wooden tables at each lane give the distinctive feel of lounging at an elegant speakeasy or crashing a Coen Brothers set for a couple sneaky hours before they call security.

Aside from the truly stunning environment and décor, one thing I was struck by was the vibe of the place. Having already been publicized by the de rigueur “what hipsters should do” sites, we were frankly a little skeptical going in and were not sure if we would actually share it with you unless we genuinely dug the place. Though we whole-heartedly support historic preservation, we are not big fans of anything too precious or self-aware. But we do love to bowl, so…. We came on a Sunday afternoon and were surprised by the warm, breezy, inviting vibe. The crowd was a mix of all types—old school Highland Park families, bearded dudes having low-key guy time and groups of friends celebrating birthdays. The staff was friendly and seemed to genuinely care that we had a great experience and enjoyed ourselves. (And no, they didn’t know we were writing about them.)

At night, I’m sure the space feels deliciously dark, sexy and romantic. During the day, it was all brightness and soft hazy sunshine filtering in through the many skylights overhead, giving it a dream-like quality. Our group kept looking around in awe between hitting pins, big smiles on our faces, genuinely experiencing that rarest of gifts in life…wonder. Every corner holds some new thoughtful delight to tickle your senses. And it doesn’t hurt that they pipe in a killer playlist of new vintage tunes to set the mood just right and get your toes a-tappin’ before launching into your next strike. No detail has been left unattended.

That’s to say nothing of the food. The open kitchen and wood-fired pizza oven is the first thing you see upon entering and that’s for good reason—the food here is straight-up delicious. As major foodies, we don’t say that lightly. We’ve all had french fries everywhere in town to varying degrees of pleasure. But these french fries were a Perfect 10—hot, crispy on the outside, soft on the inside and seasoned to perfection. And the pizza…oh, the pizza! The best pizza we’ve had in town, hands-down. Their dough is out-of-this-world crazy delicious. Soft and chewy, fluffy but crispy where it counts with an almost sourdough flavor, we could have eaten it all day. In fact, we did. BIG BONUS: they have somehow managed this same level of epic doughy fluffy crust goodness with a GLUTEN-FREE version! Siren Sarah was losing her mind with each bite, her eyes actually rolling back in her head with delight. Did we mention how much we loved the pizza? Do yourself a favor and go just for that, even if you don’t get up to bowling.

Surprisingly, it was quite easy to get a lane on a Sunday afternoon, no long wait required. Lanes are booked for an hour at a time and can fit up to six people. Prices vary by time from $50-$70 an hour. We were in a $50 timeslot at noon on a Sunday, so two hours of bowling two games cost us each a little under $17 total, plus a $5 shoe rental fee. Very reasonable considering all the amenities and this level of atmosphere. Specialty craft cocktails are served all day long, so if that’s your thing, it’s a fantastic addition to your overall bowling pleasure.

All-in-all, we walked away very impressed with every detail at Highland Park Bowl. Unique, gorgeous, welcoming and just good-old-fashioned fun, we could have stayed all afternoon and been perfectly happy. The one and only question as we all said our goodbyes was, “When are we coming back?” Don’t doubt it, plans are already in the works. If you’d like to join us on an outing to Highland Park Bowl, drop us a line at: sirensandscoundrels@gmail.com.

Location, hours, menu and pricing are available on the Highland Park Bowl website: http://highlandparkbowl.com

Be sure to subscribe to Sirens & Scoundrels for more local adventures & unique L.A. happenings delivered straight to you! Enter your email address on our home page & hit “SUBSCRIBE”! 

Follow us on Instagram: @sirensandscoundrels

Words by Christina Huntington // Photography by  Sarah Prikryl

Contributing photos by: Jessica Sattelberger

© 2016 Sirens and Scoundrels

Hidden Malibu ~ Malibu Hills, CA

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Cruising along PCH with the top down, laying on golden sandy beaches with the sun on your skin, surfing the crashing waves of the Pacific, strolling into a romantic ocean sunset…that’s usually what comes to mind when people suggest a trip out to Malibu. As Cali girls, we’re naturally big fans of the beach—that just goes with the territory. But what if we were to tell you that our absolute favorite parts of Malibu are nowhere even close to sand or sea? That tucked in the mountains far away from the ocean crowds are countless secret treasures just waiting to be explored? There is, in fact, gold up in them there hills! So come take a little trip with us to discover…Hidden Malibu.

MULHOLLAND WINE COUNTRY

Did you know that Napa Valley exists right here in the middle of LA? Deep within the Malibu Hills just off of Kanan, a couple-mile strip of Mulholland turns into Los Angeles Wine Country. As you hit the mountain crest, suddenly little green vineyards begin to stretch across the hills, pointing the way to the several local wineries buried right in the heart of our city. Our favorite is Malibu Wines—the perfect place to gather for a romantic picnic, friend gathering or special celebration any time of year. In summer, it’s all about chilled wines and sundresses on the green as you take in the blissed-out sounds of local musicians and laze away in the afternoon sun. Buy a bottle or a sampler flight and BYO picnic nosh to enjoy one of the best under-the-radar outings the city has to offer.

More info on Malibu Wines: HERE.

Just down the street on Mulholland is Malibu Café at Calamigos Ranch. Stop in here for some Afternoon Delight of drinks, snacks and lawn games. This sprawling hidden adult playground sits on a small pond where you can rent paddleboats or just enjoy a cocktail in an Adirondack or swinging hammock chair. On the lawn, you can get a little competitive and dominate at shuffleboard, pool, giant jenga and our personal fave…corn hole. Since we’ve sworn to always tell you nothing but the truth though, we offer you this word to the wise: do not order a meal here. Food is expensive and mediocre at best. Just order a stiff drink and a cheese board and you’ll have the time of your life letting your inner child run rampant in this mini mountain wonderland.

OUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT IN L.A. PERIOD.

How many ways can we possibly sing the praises of The Old Place? If you want to escape all time as you know it and travel to a foreign frontier without ever leaving our city, do yourself a favor and head out to The Old Place pronto. The size of a shoebox, this Old Western saloon is hands-down our favorite restaurant in all of Los Angeles. Come for dinner or brunch and be blown away by the quality of the down-home cooking that arrives in personal cast iron skillets while your mind tries to make sense of where you left your time machine. This original settler’s general store and post office has been converted to a handful of tiny booths and one “large” family room in the back, so seating is extremely limited and reservations strongly encouraged. But don’t fret if you make it a last-minute destination—you can always belly up to the bar and talk to some real live cowboys over a strong one while you wait for your meal to arrive. Be sure to step outside at some point to commune with the wild peacocks that roam the grounds and be reminded of how much magic there is to experience in the world, if we just take the time to find it.

Your full details on The Old Place are right: HERE.

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UNIQUE & UNUSUAL HIKES

LA is a city of literally hundreds of hiking trails in our sprawling mountain ranges, so there are no excuses for being basic. (We’re looking at you, Runyon.) If you’re ready to step up your LA hike game, then it’s time to get in on Paramount Ranch and Solstice Canyon. Both locations offer completely unique and unusual hiking trails unlike anything else in the city. Paramount Ranch starts off at an old Wild West main street—remnants from the hundreds of westerns that were shot here since the early days of Hollywood and still used for filming today. Meander through the tall grassy trails to a little river with overhanging trees or head up into the lush oak tree covered mountains for some stunning valley views. Solstice Canyon is off of PCH and is the closest you’ll get to “seaside” in any of these Hidden Malibu treasures. Nestled up off of Corral Canyon Road, the hike leads you through the ruins of the original homestead that occupied the property before winding your way to a waterfall, running stream and mountain trail that opens up to a gorgeous sweeping ocean view.

Everything you need to know about Paramount Ranch is right: HERE.

PILGRIMAGE TO INDIA

For the real off-the-beaten path city explorers, you can take a mini trip to India right off of Las Virgenes at Malibu Hindu Temple. That beautiful white and gold structure you see peeking behind the trees is an intimate Hindu temple with shrines to some of the most popular Hindu gods and goddesses. Take your shoes off out front and saunter through the temple courtyard for a quiet meditative moment and some personal reflection. Peace, quiet and spiritual pilgrimage provided—no passport required.

*HOT TIP: For the world’s greatest date or entertaining out-of-town guests, consider combining all of these Hidden Malibu treasures into an epic build-your-own adventure day. Stop in at the Temple to ground inward before getting the blood flowing with a stroll through Paramount Ranch. Lounge with a light picnic lunch at Malibu Wines, then go play some lawn games and enjoy a cocktail at Malibu Cafe. End with a cozy dinner at The Old Place and bask in the glory of a day truly lived to the fullest! You can thank us later!

Be sure to subscribe to Sirens & Scoundrels for more unique L.A. happenings delivered straight to you! Enter your email address on our home page & hit “SUBSCRIBE”! 

Follow us on Instagram: @sirensandscoundrels.

Words by Christina Huntington // Photography by  Sarah Prikryl

© 2016 Sirens and Scoundrels

Camp Cooking ~ Lentil Stew (Gluten-Free & Vegan)

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With summer in full swing, it’s time to go camping! Last week, I let you in on a delicious, quick and easy campout breakfast idea: Hayley’s Crave-Worthy Banana Fritters. As promised, I am continuing to divulge all of my Campout Secrets. There’s nothing like a warm home-cooked meal, especially after a day in the sun.

After mountain hiking, dog chasing and river plunging all day, the act of gathering around a glorious campfire in your dusty clothes with an iced beverage in hand is so satisfying.  While the sun sets over the mountains and through the trees, the harmony of the crickets and crackling fire are hypnotizing as you smell supper ready to be devoured. What could satiate better than a piping hot bowl of delicious hearty stew? My favorite camp eats to cook are always quick and easy, no-fuss, healthy hot-pots.

The last thing you want to think about when you’re hungry and ready for some serious campfire lounging is making a complicated dinner for the crew. My recipe for delicious Lentil Stew is probably the easiest camp food you will ever eat. It is so hearty, healthy and  flavorful, I make it at home and keep it in the fridge for a quick meal. This bowl of guilt-free, gluten-free soul food (with vegan option) is not only packed with flavor but with nutrition, fiber and protein. I hope you enjoy!

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CAMPFIRE LENTIL STEW

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Serves  ~ 8

Ingredients

  • 1 medium Onion
  • 3 large Carrots
  • 6 Celery Stalks (with leaves)
  • 1 carton of Mushrooms
  • 2 large Zucchini
  • 3 Garlic Cloves
  • 1 lb. package of cooked Lentils
  • 8 oz. can of Fire-Roasted Diced Green Chilies
  • 32 oz. low-sodium Vegetable Broth
  • 4 links of Chicken Sausage (**Optional)
  • 1 cup of chopped Kale (**Optional)
  • 2 Tbsp. Olive Oil or Coconut Oil
  • Salt & Pepper to taste
  • Lemon, Avocado, Hot Sauce, Shredded Cheese (topping options)

Chop the onion into chunks. Heat the olive oil or coconut oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onions. Cook over medium heat until the onions are translucent and start to caramelize. While the onions are cooking, chop the mushroom, zucchini, tomato, carrots and celery (including the leaves) into small chunks. Mince the garlic.

Once the onions are caramelized, add all of the vegetables. Allow to cook down 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, then add the vegetable broth, cooked lentils and green chilies. Cover and cook for 1 hour over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the lentils break down and thicken the broth. Salt and pepper to taste.

If you and your fellow campers are not vegetarian, add sliced chicken sausage to the stew for more protein.

This stew can be pre-made at home and frozen to take on your camping trip for a quick reheat over a campfire or can be made on the spot for a warm dinner under the stars. The great thing is, it keeps well and becomes more flavorful the longer it sits.

When I make this recipe at home, I like to add chopped kale to the stew in the last 15 minutes. I don’t use kale or other greens when I’m camp cooking because it browns if it overcooks, especially if the stew isn’t eaten right away. At home, I have more control over the temperature of the stew on my stovetop. If you like, I encourage you to add greens as a wonderful nutritious addition for an at-home version.

Top the stew with a squeeze of lemon or lime to really bring out the flavors. Top your individual portion with shredded cheese and/or avocado.  Add a dash of hot sauce for a bit of spice.

This stew is so hearty and versatile, the possibilities are endless. Crumble tortilla chips over the top. Throw some sweet potatoes in the fire and ladle the piping hot stew into them. Reheat the leftovers in the morning and crack some eggs over the top as a shakshuka-esque breakfast dish.

BON APPÉTIT & HAPPY CAMPING! ~ Sirens & Scoundrels

If you enjoyed this quick and easy recipe, try our other Soups & Stews:

Thai Curry Vegetable Soup: https://sirensandscoundrels.com/2016/04/26/thai-curry-vegetable-soup-gluten-free/

Goulash ~ Beef & Potato Stew: https://sirensandscoundrels.com/2016/03/17/goulash-beef-potato-stew/

Chicken Vegetable Soup: https://sirensandscoundrels.com/2016/01/21/chicken-vegetable-soup/

Vegan Roasted Vegetable Stew: https://sirensandscoundrels.com/2015/11/25/vegan-roasted-vegetable-stew/

And our other Campout Favorites:

Camp Out Banana Fritters: https://sirensandscoundrels.com/2016/07/07/banana-fritters-gluten-free-sugar-free/

Campfire Cider: https://sirensandscoundrels.com/2016/01/14/campfire-cider/

Be sure to subscribe to Sirens & Scoundrels for more awesome recipes & adventures delivered straight to you! Enter your email address on our home page & hit “SUBSCRIBE”! 

Follow us on Instagram: @sirensandscoundrels

Recipe by Sarah Prikryl // Words & Photography by Sarah Prikryl

Contributing Photography by: Craig Welzbacher

© 2016 Sirens and Scoundrels

Eat|See|Hear ~ LA Outdoor Movie Night

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Summertime is all about combining the two things LA does best: movies and the outdoors. At the start of summer, we created your Los Angeles Outdoor Movie Guide, which we continue to update with new films from our favorite outdoor movie venues. We recently checked out Eat|See|Hear’s screening of Dazed and Confused at The Autry in Griffith Park. There could not be a better way to celebrate the fact that school’s out for summer than kicking back with our friends, pups and some good food and hopping into that slowride to party at the Moon Tower.

Eat|See|Hear screens films every Saturday night in multiple venues across town from Silverlake to Santa Monica throughout the season. This was our first time heading to The Autry for a screening and we gotta say, we were really impressed. Our $15.76 ticket got us free entry into the Autry Museum. Their fantastic new exhibit Revolutionary Vision: Group f/64 showcases the stunning work of the California photo-modernist collective that included Ansel Adams and is definitely worth checking out.

The main grounds are huge with plenty of room to spread your blanket out and enjoy a picnic with friends under the evening sky. You can BYO picnic or buy food from the dozens of food trucks and the bar serves up a signature themed cocktail for each film. We hit up the Good Greek Grub and Arroy Thai Fusion Cuisine trucks and they were DELICIOUS. As big do-it-yourselfers, we have to admit it was actually kinda nice to just roll up with only our blanket in tow and order food, instead of having to bring an entire picnic set-up.

We settled into our big patch of lawn with food and friends…and our furry friends too. A big bonus for dog lovers, Eat|See|Hear allows your well-behaved dog to join in on the action. Part of all ticket proceeds goes to Best Friends Animal Society and No Kill Los Angeles, both causes we are very happy to support. There is something really wonderful about being able to snuggle up with your pup while taking in a film—just one more level of coziness to add to the charm of the night.

We’ve done tons of LA outdoor movie nights, but we really fell in love with The Autry. The screen is huge, the sound is great and they have stars from the films lead the introduction to share stories from filming. Michelle Burke, a.k.a. Big Sister Jodi in the film, introduced Dazed and Confused. You get free museum entry, live music and DJ’s, they have real bathrooms that are very clean, parking is free in the huge lot directly across the street, yummy dinner, dessert and drinks are available, your money goes towards a good cause AND you can bring your dog! Eat|See|Hear at The Autry might have just moved itself up to the very top of our list for favorite outdoor movie screenings in LA. We’ll definitely be coming back for more throughout the season. In the words of Wooderson, we give it a resounding, “Alright, alright, alriiight…”

Eat|See|Hear: $15.76 tickets. 5:30pm doors, 7pm live music, 8:30pm movie. Visit their website for more info:  www.eatseehear.com.

Check out our updated Summer Outdoor Movie Guide for a full list of summer outdoor screenings around town: www.sirensandscoundrels.com!

Be sure to subscribe to Sirens & Scoundrels for more awesome L.A. happenings delivered straight to you! Enter your email address on our home page & hit “SUBSCRIBE”! 

Follow us on Instagram: @sirensandscoundrels

Words by Christina Huntington // Photography by  Sarah Prikryl

© 2016 Sirens and Scoundrels

Banana Fritters ~ (Gluten-Free & Sugar-Free)

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I can’t think of anything better than being surrounded by nature and eating around a campfire. Some people pack granola bars in their backpacks when they go camping and call it a day.  But when my crew makes their way out into the wilderness, the cars are loaded down with everything you could possibly need to make a feast under the stars. Half the fun of setting up a camp for a few days is impressing your fellow campers with a gourmet meal by firelight or waking up in your cozy sleeping bag to the aroma of fresh brewed coffee and the sound of bacon sizzling in unison with the river rapids in the distance.

It is not a secret how much I love California. We have every magical adventure you can think of at our fingertips within a car ride’s distance. I have camped out under the astounding constellations overhead in the Sequioa National Forest on many occasions. So when I got an invite from my crew of besties to celebrate our gorgeous Hayley’s birthday in the mountains, I was an immediate “Yes!” To make things even better, the group decided to campout at Mineral King campground, a part of the National Park that I had never experienced. Our camping spot was perfect–in the middle of a grove of trees right above the icy Kaweah River. From the moment we arrived, cooking and feasting was on the agenda.

I will be letting you in on my best camp cooking tips and campfire recipes throughout the summer, but I wanted to start off by sharing my favorite dish of the weekend. This delicious and surprising side dish was made with love by Hayley, our resident Australian foodie and birthday girl. She wanted to “wow” us for brunch with her homemade Banana Fritters. And “wow” us she did! Not only were they light, flaky and tasted like a roasted banana Dutch Baby (trust-me: YUM!),  but she made them gluten-free for me with coconut flour.  I was so impressed at how simple and quick the recipe was!

So for all of you brunch lovers out there, Hayley is sharing her gluten-free, sugar-free, milk-free, decadent, delicious, crispy Banana Fritters with all of you! You’re welcome!

Banana Fritters

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

INGREDIENTS

  • 4 eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup coconut flour
  • pinch of  sea salt
  • coconut oil or butter for frying
  • 4 x ripe bananas, peeled and quartered

Toppings

  • lemon juice
  • maple syrup or sugar (optional)

 

In a large bowl, add the eggs, coconut milk & vanilla extract.  **If you would like the batter to be a little sweet, add 2 teaspoons of maple syrup. Add coconut flour and salt to the mixing bowl. Whisk together until batter is smooth.

Peel and cut the bananas into quarters. Place the bananas into the mixture. Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat. Add 1 Tbsp of coconut oil or butter and allow to melt. (I prefer butter,  as there is nothing like the taste of crispy, buttery edges of a fritter.) Take out the quartered pieces of coated banana and place them one by one individually on the pan.

Allow to cook 2 minutes on one side or until golden underneath. Then using a spatula, flip them over.

TIP:  If you see any spaces where the batter has separated from the banana, spoon some extra batter onto the banana and wait for it to cook until the edges are crispy. This should be done as soon as possible to allow an even cooking time.

Serve with a slice of fresh lemon to be squeezed over the top and sugar or maple syrup!

TIP: If not serving right away, place them in a warm oven to keep them hot. Don’t foil them, as the steam will make them soggy.

The fresh squeezed lemon and sugar/maple syrup make the fritters taste like heaven!  These banana fritters were so easy to make for a camp cookout and decadent enough for your next breakfast at home.  Eat them as a meal or share them as a side dish to accompany eggs and bacon at your next brunch!

 

 

BON APPÉTIT! ~ love, Sirens & Scoundrels

If you enjoyed this recipe, try our other BRUNCH RECIPES :

Dutch Baby: https://sirensandscoundrels.com/2016/05/03/dutch-baby-w-gluten-free-milk-free-options/

Chia Pudding: https://sirensandscoundrels.com/2016/04/14/chia-pudding/

Breakfast Oat Cookies:  https://sirensandscoundrels.com/2016/02/18/vegan-gluten-free-apple-oat-cookies/

Breakfast Loaded Potato:  https://sirensandscoundrels.com/2016/01/14/breakfast-baked-potato-with-vegan-option/

Morning Detox Salad: https://sirensandscoundrels.com/2016/01/07/detox-salad/

Breakfast Crash Potatoes:  https://sirensandscoundrels.com/2015/12/10/crash-mixed-potatoes/

Cauliflower Crust Egg-In-A-Hole:  https://sirensandscoundrels.com/2015/11/20/cauliflower-crust-egg-in-a-hole/

Be sure to subscribe to Sirens & Scoundrels for more awesome recipes & adventures delivered straight to you! Enter your email address on our home page & hit “SUBSCRIBE”! 

Follow us on Instagram: @sirensandscoundrels

Recipe by Hayley McCarthy // Words & Photography by Sarah Prikryl

© 2016 Sirens and Scoundrels

Free Live Music ~ Amoeba Hollywood

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For music lovers, LA is a musical paradise. We are so lucky to have plenty of great live music here any night of the week. But for those times when you get tired of ticketing agencies doubling the price of your ticket, it’s nice to know that you can always find some awesome free music right outside your door. One of our favorite places to catch a free live show is Amoeba Music in Hollywood. With a great mix of bands and DJ’s coming through, including some pretty big heavy-hitters, it’s worth bookmarking their schedule and keeping it in your concert-going rotation.

We recently caught a live set from Band of Horses, one of our favorite live bands. We’ve seen BOH play all over Southern California—The Masonic Lodge, The Majestic Ventura Theater, The Observatory—and they have never ceased to blow us away with their pure heart, soul and grace on stage. So when the chance came to see them up close and personal right at home, we jumped on it.

There are a couple ways you can do the free show. You can start to line up outside the building along Ivar just South of Sunset 1-2 hours beforehand. That’s enough time to guarantee entry into most any show. But if it’s a big act or you just HAVE to be up front and center, you might want to get there even earlier and just sit in the shade to hold your spot. You can switch off with friends heading across the street to Groundwork Coffee which serves delicious healthy food along with organic coffee and tea for all your street-side provisions. We highly recommend their short rib hash any time of day. BONUS: their many gluten-free pastries are the best in town.

But I had some DVD’s to sell and an old credit burning a hole in my pocket, so instead of waiting outside, I opted to indulge in one of my other favorite musical pastimes—record shopping. Amoeba has a great selection of new and used LP’s of every genre and their “new arrivals” section is always filled with plenty of gems. It’s a thrill to search through the unfiltered smorgasbord and see what you might find. If you’re shopping, they won’t kick you out of the store. You can just shop and enjoy the show without the hassle of the line. However, the center aisles do get blocked off for only those people who have stood outside, so you just have to get a little creative about where you stop to take in the show. We had no problem getting a place right up front off to the side for perfect viewing.

Even doing an in-store performance in the middle of the afternoon on a random weekday, Band of Horses did not disappoint. The pared-down acoustic setting created a very intimate vibe, allowing the soul of their music to shine through and take center stage. The band played some new tracks and old favorites to promote their new album Why Are You OK, with advance copies available for purchase along with a beautiful signed poster made just for the show. These guys are always so gracious on stage and they perform with so much heart, you can’t help but want them to keep playing forever. But sets here are short and sweet, so make sure you arrive on time and pay attention.

We loved what we heard off the new album and the classics are always slayers. If you’ve never seen Band of Horses live, do yourself a favor and go. If real live rock ‘n roll angels exist, it’s these guys. Their music always elevates you and makes you feel like you’re suddenly in church, in the best sense. We’ve yet to see a BOH show that has not felt reverant, the audience rapt with attention, feeling like we’ve entered some Musical Holy Land by way of South Carolina. They’ll be in Southern California this summer, so be sure to check them out if you get a chance. You can find their tour dates: HERE.

For your listening pleasure, enjoy this gorgeous song off Band of Horses’ new album, currently on heavy rotation on our summer playlist. Sit back, relax and soak in the sweet summer seaside vibes…

Be sure to subscribe to Sirens & Scoundrels for more awesome L.A. happenings delivered straight to you! Enter your email address on our home page & hit “SUBSCRIBE”! 

Follow us on Instagram: @sirensandscoundrels.

Words by Christina Huntington // Photography by  Sarah Prikryl

© 2016 Sirens and Scoundrels