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My Tokyo Denim Tour ~ Tokyo, Japan

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Words & Photography by James R. Petix  

I’ve always had a magical love for Japan. Ever since I was a kid, all my favorite things seemed to come from there—Transformers, Godzilla, Nintendo. I was lucky enough to take two years of Japanese in high school when they first offered it. I was even president of the Japanese Club! My first trip was to visit a friend there in 1998. I went back two years later to film my senior film thesis—a 22 minute short about the underground indie rock scene called Tokyo Below. I went again to see the Sakura cherry blossoms bloom in 2012. This Spring, I returned for the Sakura but I had something else I wanted to explore while I was there…Japanese Denim. You may have heard before that Japanese go nuts for American blue jeans. This is kinda true and there are amazingly curated vintage stores all over Tokyo that do sell old Levi’s. But the real story is that, like a lot of other borrowed culture, the Japanese have taken denim, perfected it and made it their own.

The common myth among denim-heads is that when Levi’s upgraded their manufacturing after WWII, they sold off their old shuttle looms to Japan, who continue to make selvedge jeans in the old-school way. Selvedge refers to the self-binding edge of a piece of denim made on a shuttle loom. You can tell this from the colored lines on the out-seam of the jean. Different manufacturers have different color code selvedge lines. You can check out this cool little doc from Levi’s about the Japanese denim revolution here:

The other thing Japan has perfected is dying indigo. They’ve been doing it since Samurai times. The color is so synonymous with the country, it’s often called “Japan Blue.” So let’s just say when you combine Japanese indigo with old-school shuttle looms, you’ve got a match made in heaven.

A modern fad in jeans is raw denim, meaning when the jeans are made they don’t go through a final washing process after they’re dyed. This makes the jeans much more dark and rich in color. You’re not supposed to wash them right away either, instead waiting six months to a year before getting their first bath. This makes a unique fading pattern that you’ve totally created yourself by wearing them in (as opposed to those fake whisker lines you see on a cheap pair of Levi’s that were probably airbrushed on.)

I’ve only been getting into raw denim for the last seven years or so and I’ve never had the budget to really delve too deep into it (the most I’ve paid for a pair is around $250.) It started with Nudie Jeans from Sweden, then I had custom jeans made here in LA with Japanese denim. But I’ve never had jeans actually made in Japan…until now.

My first stop was the neighborhood of Daikanyama. This district is very cute and up-and coming—filled with boutiques, coffee shops, cafes and vintage stores.

Evisu The Tokyo

The first store I visited was Evisu The Tokyo. When you first walk in the door, you know you’ve entered another world. It looks like the den of the world’s most stylish man—complete with a line of golf accessories and fishing lures. It was also very expensive. Jeans went from $300-$400. I drooled after a raw denim jacket that cost about $500. Evisu was one of the first brands to embrace the modern selvedge movement. As you look at the jeans, you see that each one of them is a little different—from hand-painted logos on the pockets or variations of their seagull logo embroidered on. The staff must have sensed that I couldn’t really afford to shop here and, in turn, they completely ignored me. It’s a shame because I would have loved to try some on.

UES

The next store, UES, was much smaller and friendlier. They had a wall of vintage American-style hand-dyed t-shirts and some beautiful classic denim. My married friends whom I was staying with ended up buying a matching pair of their first raw denim jeans for about $250 each. They really enjoyed the experience. The staff explained raw denim to them and how to wash and care for them. Alterations were made later that day and they said they would repair the jeans for free in the future.

Okura

Okura was my favorite store in Daikanyama. All indigo everything from jeans to kimonos to socks to sweaters—everything here was in some shade of blue. This funky building looks straight out of a Studio Ghibli movie. They had both men and women’s clothes (make sure you go upstairs.) They sold the softest indigo t-shirts you’ve ever felt and each one was hand-dyed and unique. I got a pair of $115 jeans that were very soft for raw denim. There’s also a super cute organic coffee shop in the basement I would recommend. I could have spent all day here.

Blue Blue Denim

Blue Blue is a chain store that carries a house brand as well as others (like Okura.) They had some really great denim shirts for around $140.

Vegetarian friendly lunch option:  Urth Cafe

I was surprised to see this Los Angeles-based cafe in Tokyo, but I was glad I did! They have a number of vegetarian sandwiches available and some delicious boba tea as well.

Right down the street from Daikanyama is the charming neighborhood of Naka-Meguro. During the cherry blossom season, this is packed with street food vendors and tourists looking to eat and drink next to the sakura-lined canal.

Nigel Cabourn’s The Army Gym

Nigel Cabourn’s The Army Gym is a really awesome store worth checking out. Not especially known for their denim, their designs are based on actual vintage British military gear but with a modern flare. I’m still kicking myself for not buying a denim blazer I tried on.

Snack spot: Baja

Turns out the cool kids in the neighborhood hang out at this punk rock themed Mexican bar and restaurant. There’s only a handful of seats inside but you can order tacos and nachos that are actually pretty good.

Kapital

Ebisu is an older district in Tokyo that has a really fun bar scene. I hadn’t been there on my previous three visits, so I was happy to check it out. The main denim attractions here are three stores by Kapital. They’re all within walking distance of each other and each one has its own unique thing. Make sure to visit every floor. I ended up buying a pair of basic selvedge denim jeans for $150 at Kapital Leggs. The staff was very accommodating and answered all my questions–they even took some photos of me trying on pants!

Drink spot: Bar Trench

Bars don’t open until around 7pm here, so I ended up walking around for a while. Try and time your trip here in the late afternoon so you can snag a seat in one of these amazing tiny bars when you’re done shopping. Bar Trench is exactly what I wanted in a craft cocktail bar. They had all types of exotic whiskeys and aperitifs all made by a super cool dude with a mustache. I highly recommend the Tom Waits themed “Get Behind the Mule”. Although I’m sure anything you order here will be amazing.

Cat Cafe:  Cafe Melange Cat Cafe

If you have time to kill between your denim shopping and the bars opening, check out Cafe Melange Cat Cafe. These aren’t the super fancy exotic cats you may see in a Shibuya cat cafe, but the cats are cute and friendly and the cafe is a great place to recharge.

Other Places to Explore

If you’re searching for cool clothes, there are two more neighborhoods that you should definitely explore that I didn’t go into great detail about because they’re not denim specific. The first is Shimokitazawa, which is a super hip district with a ton of boutiques and a world-class coffee shop called Bear Pond Espresso. The second is Harajuku, which is a very popular fashion district and tourist destination. Towards the bottom of the hill, there are a bunch of smaller boutique shops and vintage stores where you can find some real gems.

One More Thing

One cool thing about the Narita airport is that it has a shopping mall built into it. This is a perfect place to spend any leftover currency you may have accumulated on the trip. I was very excited to find out they actually had a Blue Blue shop there and I ended up getting an amazing hand-dyed scarf for $40. They had many things from the Okura store there too, so if you were on the fence about something before, this is your second chance to get that t-shirt or pair of jeans you’ve been thinking about all week.

Scoundrel supreme James R. Petix is a filmmaker and director of It Came From Detroit, a feature-length documentary on the rise of the garage rock scene in his home town. He now lives with his Instagram famous kitty @finforthewin in downtown Los Angeles. 

Watch the trailer for James’ Detroit music doc ‘It Came From Detroit’: https://vimeo.com/2664007.

Watch James’ Japanese indie music doc ‘Tokyo Below’: https://vimeo.com/1520249.

Follow James on Instagram: @jamesrptx.

Follow Fin,  James’ Instafamous cat, on Instagram: @finforthewin.

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

Follow us on Instagram: @sirensandscoundrels.

© 2016 Sirens and Scoundrels

Joshua Tree Escape ~ Godwin Ranch

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Last week, we spotlighted our trip out to Pioneertown to see Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires perform live at Pappy & Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace—two of our favorite things colliding in one magical place! There is something about Joshua Tree that just inevitably brings about these kinds of other-worldly experiences—and not in the Burning Man kind of way. We’re talking real-deal straight-to-your-core magic that comes from just being still with the people you love and hearing your own soul speak to you of all its dreams and longings. One thing is guaranteed: when you make that drive out to the desert…you always get your Question answered. Even if you didn’t know you have one.

After experiencing The Screaming Eagle of Soul in all his soul-shakedown love-revolution glory, we packed it in for a weekend friend retreat in Joshua Tree. Whenever we head out to the desert, we love to stay with Joshua Desert Retreats. Their thirteen quaint and charming desert properties range in occupancy from 2-14 guests and are surprisingly very affordable. We love that they are well-appointed with a great eye for detail without being too precious. All the homes are comfy and inviting—no austere desert museums here. Every property feels like an old friend welcoming you home, happy to see you and inviting you in to come kick your shoes off, put your legs up and just relax for a while.

We decided to stay at Godwin Ranch and Adobe on this trip—two properties on one big expanse of desert that can be rented separately or together. As we approached Godwin under an inky blue night sky, the property’s golden lights twinkled and shined brightly, lighting our way. Pulling up to that familiar desert silence all around, we were instantly charmed stepping out of our cars and suddenly hearing old 1930’s tunes calling out to us from the house. We followed the music up the porch steps, past the wagon wheels and right into the sweetest little piece of vintage desert heaven we’ve ever seen. Somehow that desert drive must have opened up and landed us straight into 1937…except with wifi.

We only have one house rule for the desert though: it’s off-the-grid time. Which means putting away all phones and just being present with your friends, leaving the rest of the world behind completely. Time to relax, unwind, share in good conversation, take in the stillness of the desert, feel the simple joy of being together…and maybe even brush up on your lassoing skills.

But our absolute favorite desert pastime is cooking and sharing big family meals together. Everyone brings groceries to load up the fridge with provisions for the weekend. (Stopping at Hadley’s natural foods on the way in is always a foodie’s delight on any East Desert road trip.) Throughout the weekend, everyone takes turns making meals, again with one simple rule: if you cook, you don’t clean. On our first morning, the fellas all pitched in to make a giant birthday brunch in celebration of Scoundrel Travis that was insanely delicious: eggs loaded up with fresh veggies, roasted potatoes and peppers, thick-cut bacon and huge chunks of avocado to top it all off. Having a giant family breakfast all together on the porch, wagon wheels framing the endless desert horizon with no other buildings in sight, old timey music humming along in the background, that feeling of absolute timelessness took hold and washed over us. Surely there was nowhere else to be, nothing else to do, no other place that even existed outside of this little desert bliss.

After an enormous meal, everyone knows the best thing to do is dive directly into a pool for a swim. Well at least, that’s what we do…after a brief dance party, of course. Full bellies and all, we piled into the newly refurbished above-ground pool and sank into our floaties for a relaxing turn in the afternoon sun. Thankfully, Godwin Ranch provides you with a plethora of ridiculously wonderful Mexican straw hats to help shield your face from the desert rays as you bask in the afternoon glow. HOT TIP: Bring some floaty recliners and an air pump on your stay—there’s plenty of room for all to float and the half-in, half-out combo keeps you at the perfect temperature.

After pool time, take a moment to curl up with a good book or a good nap on the giant bed swing. Snooze in the hammock, hit up a round of horseshoes, or bring out some board games and puzzles over ice cream, root beer floats and a refreshingly cool cocktail. Dogs are welcome on the grounds with a small pet cleaning fee, so bring your (well-behaved) furry family member along for the desert delights. (Just be sure to clean up after them please!)

There’s absolutely nothing like the beauty of a desert sunset. The world seems to slow down and get still in a way that makes you feel like perhaps you’ve just touched Eternity. Watching the sky shift and change as the sun sets behind the horizon, the entire landscape turning from gold to orange to pink, that voice starts to call out from deep inside you—telling you everything you need to know. Your Answer arrives, even if you didn’t know you were looking for one.

After the sun sets, the stars come out and splash across the night sky like a billion fairy lights strung from above. With so little light pollution, the Milky Way appears early, arching over the property and making it the perfect time for a little outdoor fireside stargazing. Warm up some soup and hot drinks and lay out on the lounge chaises with your binoculars to take in the spectacular light show in the sky. Or hop into the hot tub and watch the stars shoot overhead as you soak in the night’s deep silence.

One thing’s for sure…you come to the desert for fun and relaxation, but you leave with so much more. Unplugging from the world, spending such good quality time with your friends and loved ones, being still for a bit and connecting to that great big desert silence…something shifts inside of you. It’s like feeding your soul something it really needed and you never even realized it. But you’ve gotten your Answer and are ready to head back out into the next leg of your journey with more clarity, focus and optimism. We don’t know how or why this happens exactly, it’s just that good old Desert Magic. And magic should always remain a mystery…

Until next time, Joshua Tree, you are always in our hearts!

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

Follow us on Instagram: @sirensandscoundrels.

Find out more about Joshua Desert Retreats properties: http://www.joshuadesertretreats.com.

Read the first part of our story on Pioneertown & Charles Bradley: HERE. 

Read about our Joshua Tree Stargazing adventure at Adobe House: HERE. 

Words by Christina Huntington // Photography by Sarah Prikryl

Contributing Photograph by: Sharon Mozgai

© 2016 Sirens and Scoundrels

Pappy & Harriet’s presents Charles Bradley ~ Pioneertown, CA

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If you’re looking for the hands-down coolest adult playground this side of the Sierra Nevadas, then today’s your lucky day. There are some places on this Earth that are so special, they literally warm your whole heart just thinking about them. There are some people you encounter who are such gorgeous souls, they practically bring tears to your eyes just talking about them. Recently, we were lucky enough to experience both of these things together over one incredible weekend…and our hearts almost exploded with joy. So gather in real close now, because we’re about to let you in on some of the absolute nearest and dearest of all our local hidden gems. Just promise to keep it between us, okay?

Tucked just beyond the main highway in Yucca Valley on the way out to Joshua Tree, Pioneertown is everything your adventure-seeking heart could desire…and more. Winding through the rocky mountain pillars on Pioneertown Road feels a lot like you’ve hitched a ride onto Big Thunder Mountain, suddenly finding yourself on “the wildest ride in the West.” But don’t let the painted façade of the tiny Wild West main street fool you into thinking this is child’s play…far from it. This is where grown-ups come to take their boots a-walkin’ into the deep desert nights and shake their tail feathers to some of the greatest bands around.

That’s all thanks to Pappy & Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace—the deliciously rustic BBQ restaurant, bar and live music venue that acts as the very heart and soul of Pioneertown. It also happens to be our favorite place to see live bands in all of California. When we heard that Charles Bradley “The Screaming Eagle of Soul” was going to be playing, we knew we had to be there. Anyone who’s ever seen a show at Pappy’s knows how much those nights stay seared into your soul forever. They’re really that special. So we called in the troops, packed up the Prius Brigade and headed out to the high desert for a weekend Soul Shakedown Party to get the summer kicked off right!

Pappy & Harriet’s throws down some seriously legit BBQ, with meats seared in the back patio on swinging “meat hammocks” over live flame. We made up that name, but that’s what they look like as the steaks swing and sway away to grilled perfection, sending that soul-stirring barbeque scent straight at you in all directions—a shining beacon of deliciousness to guide your way through the desert. We ordered a little bit of everything and split it, family-style. Ribs, pulled pork sandwiches, steak, burgers…there is literally no way to go wrong here. Our table of foodies (including some vegans and gluten-freers) cleaned their plates—no morsels left behind! Yep, they even have vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options here, never you fear. There’s a yummy something for everyone.

After your meal, take a little sunset stroll along Pioneertown’s “hoof–n-foot only” Main Street—a tiny strip of dirt road flanked by old-timey wooden buildings straight out of a Spaghetti Western. Some of the buildings are just façades, but others are fully functioning businesses, like the saddlery and the beautiful hand-made pottery shop—filled with goods from local artists who uphold the pioneer spirit of this tiny enclave. And for those in the market for an off-the-beaten-path wedding venue, the big brown wood barn at the end of the block is the stuff of every Etsy dream come true.

Located just across from Pappy & Harriet’s is the miniscule Pioneertown Motel, a long-standing institution with a revered community vibe. Its previous incarnation was a handful of charmingly ramshackle rooms that were more grandma’s-hand-me-downs than desert chic. You could take in an Edward Sharpe show at Pappy’s and then find yourself staying next door to them and suddenly having an all-night jam session sing-along bonfire til the early morning hours. Now under new ownership and having recently undergone an Instagram-ready facelift, we’ll have to report back on the new vibe to see how it compares. So far, it seems like they are trying their best to honor the original spirit of these sacred grounds.

We don’t say “sacred” lightly. Pioneertown is a destination for true music lovers. People willing to drive two hours to see a show under the desert stars just for the night because they understand that this is where music magic happens—that it’s hallowed ground. And you can feel it as soon as you step foot on these unpaved roads. Your whole body just knows…something pretty special is about to happen.

And happen it did! We first saw Charles Bradley killin’ it at FYF Fest a few years back when he made his debut. We collectively had never seen that much soul brought to one stage before, especially under a sweltering midday sun. But Charles sang and danced and made our own souls leap out of our bodies as we watched him give his all to the audience, give his all to the music. It was the only thing anyone could talk about: the unknown 65-year-old man who came out of nowhere in the 2 o’clock “time-filler” slot and ended up stealing the entire festival. From that moment on, we were converted. So when the chance came to see Charles in this most intimate sacred space, we jumped on it.

It’s a rare thing that happens when a performer can transform a concert into a holy event. Charles Bradley does it again and again. Knowing he had been selling out large concert venues where people had to sit up in balconies to see his show, getting to see him up close and personal on this little outdoor patch of desert under the shining stars felt more like being gathered together for a cozy family revival at your best friend’s backyard party. It was electrifying to get to stand directly in front of him as he took to the platform underneath the string lights in all his 60’s-soul-throwback glory. His band, appropriately titled “His Extraordinaires”, are extraordinary musicians, supporting him with their own effortless class and grace as Mr. Bradley takes to the stage to deliver his soul shakedown sermon to the people.

From his first moment on stage, the audience was rapt. The voice on this man is incredible. There is a reason they call him “The Screaming Eagle of Soul”, but don’t let that “screaming” part fool you…he is all smoothness, all joy, all love, all elegance even in his highest octaves which are, to say the least, some incredibly high heights that both he and the audience literally soar on. That must be where the “eagle” part comes from—when he sings, you feel your own soul soaring with him. It’s a joyous, exuberant and truly touching experience. Discovered much later in life, Charles Bradley went through periods of homelessness and spent time as a James Brown impersonator before finally making his own name for himself in his mid-sixties just a few years back. It’s incredible to think this musical jewel had gone unseen for so many years. But he shows no sign of bitterness, no jaded outlook on life. Whatever his struggles were, Charles has clearly managed to maintain a pureness of heart and spirit that is actually quite shocking. It embues every single note he sings, every word he speaks, every move he makes.

Our audience stood in absolute awe, moved to tears many times by the pureness of the man in front of us whose one mission in life is to SPREAD LOVE to all he meets, all he sees, all he sings to. It’s a strange thing to say you finally know what it feels like to stand in the presence of Pure Love, but that’s how a lot of people summed up their feeling from the night. When he came into the audience to give out hugs towards the end of his set, we saw adults turned into awe-filled children, as if they had just been touched by the real live Santa Claus of Soul, letting them know that they will be okay, that they are loved, that all their dreams WILL come true if they just hold onto their belief and keep an open heart. He should know. It happened to him.

After shaking our booties down and stirring us all in body, heart and soul, Charles made his final exit. A palpable feeling of quiet reverence lingered in the air for long afterwards—a knowing that somehow we had all just transcended something together and would never be quite the same. People’s eyes were alight, huge smiles on their faces, as they turned to their loved ones and held them just a little closer, already taking Charles’ message deeply to heart that only love is real, only love matters, so give it freely every chance you get.

Stay tuned for more on our Soul Shakedown Weekend in Joshua Tree! And check out our clip from Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires live at Pappy & Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace:

Take Charles’ soul-stirring tunes with you & follow us on Spotify! ~

Be sure to subscribe to Sirens & Scoundrels for more awesome happenings and local hidden gems delivered straight to you! Enter your email address on our home page & hit “SUBSCRIBE”! 

Follow us on Instagram: @sirensandscoundrels.

Find Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires on tour near you: http://www.thecharlesbradley.com.

Find out more about Pappy & Harriet’s, including hours and upcoming shows: http://www.pappyandharriets.com.

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

© 2016 Sirens and Scoundrels

Nectarine Crisp ~ (Gluten Free & Vegan Option)

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When I first moved to LA thirteen years ago, one of my first jobs was manning a stall at four different farmer’s markets selling raw cheddar. It was a fairytale of a summer. On Sunday mornings, I was flanked between the fig/berry stand and the peach farmer directly across from a live bluegrass band. As we sat back and listened to some toe-tapping tunes, we snacked on fresh fruit and chatted about life.

Now my favorite way to spend a Saturday morning is jumping out of bed, lacing up my Converse and heading down the block to my neighborhood farmer’s market. I head straight to the organic white tent to see what is in season at the moment. As the days turn longer, I know that peaches, nectarines & plums will be aplenty. Leading into summer, my favorite harvest is stone fruit season.

Although eating a RAW, ripe, organic sweet nectarine is so decadent and delicious, when I bake, I love to cook fruit into my desserts. I find that fresh organic fruit is so naturally sweet that there is no need for a lot of sugar. Every single time I visit my oldest sister, she knows that I can’t leave Texas without eating her fresh-baked apple crisp. This recipe is a modification of her delicious crave-worthy crisp. I make it gluten-free, but it can also be made vegan.  I’ve tried alterations using many different kinds of fruit. The more ripe the fruit is, the more sweet it will be. If experimenting with this recipe to make it your own, keep in mind that nectarines are super sweet versus plums that are less so, versus granny smith apples that are tart. I modify the amount of brown sugar used depending upon the fruit. Taste a raw slice of whatever fruit you are baking. If its more tart, use 1/2 cup of brown sugar. If it’s sweeter, use less.  The fruit will release more natural sugars as it bakes.

Nectarine Crisp

Serves 10-12

Prep: 15-20 minutes

Bake: 50 minutes

Ingredients

  • 12 Nectarines (medium ripe)
  • 2 & 2/3 cups Gluten Free Oats
  • 1/2 cup Brown Sugar
  • 10 Tbs. Butter or Margarine (room temp)

**Make sure your butter is left out on the counter so that it will be room temp by the time you mix the topping.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Peel nectarines. Slice the nectarine from the seed. Sometimes the flesh of the fruit sticks to the seed. Using a pairing knife, cut thick slices away from the core cutting around the seed.

Lay the nectarine slices evenly in a 9 x 13 inch pan. (You can half the recipe for an 8 x 8 pan.)

For the delicious crispy topping, you’ll need to make an oat flour. Puree  2/3 cup of the oats in a food processor or Vita Mix. Combine the remaining 2 cups of whole oats with the oat flour, brown sugar and butter. (It’s important that your butter is room temp.) With a spoon or your hands, mix the topping until all of the butter and sugar are evenly integrated. Layer the topping evenly over the nectarines.

Bake in the oven for 50 minutes, until crisp and golden brown. Serve warm and top with your favorite organic or vegan ice cream for dessert! Or you can add a dollop of Greek yogurt for a special breakfast. Violá, my favorite stone fruit crisp!

BON APPÉTIT!

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 & Mary Rychetsky // Words & Photography by Sarah Prikryl

Contributing photograph of Sarah by: Adrienne Rusk

© 2016 Sirens and Scoundrels

Crystal Sound Bath ~ The Integratron

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When summer rolls around, it means one thing: time to head to the desert. We have a long-standing tradition with our friends to pile up and make a pilgrimage out to Joshua Tree each June. Something about being in the desert around the Summer Solstice just sets your soul at ease and acts like a spiritual reset button for the rest of the year ahead. There’s no better way to gain clarity and focus than to unplug and get quiet for a bit. Our first stop is always to The Integratron for a pop-up crystal sound bath. What’s that, you ask? Read on to find out how you, too, can experience a chakra-balancing musical meditation in an alien-crafted perfect acoustic sound dome…

Go get your Summer Soul Adventure on! Happy Summering!!

~love, Sirens & Scoundrels

Do you feel like your life is really missing an alien-designed-cell-regenerating-perfect-acoustic-chamber-and-possible-time-machine-in-the-middle-of-the-desert? If so, we’ve got you covered. The Integratron—that afore-mentioned chamber—is kinda unlike any other experience you’ll have on Planet Earth. People throw around words like “magical” and “mystical”. We’d say it’s insanely cool and relaxing.

A huge white dome in an empty stretch of desert in Landers, CA just outside of Joshua Tree, you could easily believe this thing is ready for lift-off at any moment. The folklore is definitely other-worldly. It goes something like this: in 1953, George Van Tassel supposedly got instructions from an alien race from Venus declaring that humans were the most annoying species in the galaxy because we spend our entire lives being ignorant and destructive and by the time we finally learn what life is really all about, we die. What a waste! Their plan was to help us humans live longer, so we could actually do some good in the world and evolve human consciousness beyond being the bratty teenagers of the galaxy. Tassel’s idea was to build a rejuvenating dome that would slow down our aging process and help extend our lifespans so that we could finally become heralds of decency. Unfortunately, Tassel died mysteriously just weeks before the device’s opening–and the interior mechanisms of the dome were stripped without a trace, leaving just the chamber’s structure behind.

Fast forward a few decades to the year 2000 when sisters Joanne, Nancy & Patty Karl bought the Integratron and turned it into what it is today—a spiritual mecca offering crystal bowl sound baths for the curious seeker. Open by appointment only, you must sign up for a group pop-up or private sound bath if you want to be let on the grounds. Inside the dome, you’ll discover an architectural marvel—made completely of wood without the use of any metal, it’s the equivalent of being inside a giant musical instrument. Whispering from across the dome, you can hear your friend as if they are speaking directly into your ear. Infinite child-like fun abounds at this discovery…and dirty secrets can be shared without anyone else being the wiser.

The sound bath itself is a deeply relaxing experience. The “bath” part refers to the sound waves that wash over and through your body as you lay on a circle of mats on the ground. Seven large quartz crystal bowls of varying sizes are played in succession, each one’s unique tone correlating to our seven chakras. The deep tones ring and undulate, putting you into a meditative state. Some people have reported mystical experiences, visions, insights, transformative meditations or just a really nice nap. Any way it goes for you, you’ll come out feeling relaxed, refreshed, and yep…totally rejuvenated. No aliens required.

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

To make an appointment, call 760. 364.3126 or email: integraton@gmail.com. Group sound bath pop-ups are $25 a person on weekdays & $35 a person on weekends & holidays. Private sound baths can also be arranged. The Integratron is open Wednesday~Monday. Closed Tuesday. www.integratron.com

>>Here’s some Cosmic tunes to set the mood for your inter-dimensional journey<<

Words by Christina Huntington // Photography by Sarah Prikryl

© 2016 Sirens and Scoundrels

Your Weekend Hit List ~ Memorial Day Weekend!

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Happy Memorial Day Weekend, LA!! Since we’re all adults, we assume you know how to find your way to the beach or your friend’s BBQ this weekend. For those still looking for fun stuff to do, we’ve got you covered! Check out your Weekend Hit List below!

WEEKEND FESTIVALS

Go Greek at the Valley Greek Festival in Northridge—the once-a-year all-weekend festival filled with the best Greek food, booze and pastries you can find in LA! Be prepared to eat your way across the fest. There’s Greek music and dancing too for those who like to hold hands with strangers while making a happy fool of yourself. HOT TIP: the sourdough Greek doughnuts made fresh in front of you, drizzled in honey and cinnamon, will have your soul moaning for more! May 28-30. $3.00 entrance fee. http://www.valleygreekfestival.com

Join the New Orleans revival at the Cajun & Blues Music Festival in Simi Valley. Live Cajun, Zydeco, Creole and Blues musicians perform on multiple stages over two days. Shake your caboose and chow down on jambalaya and crawfish as you bring the Big Easy to life in LA. May 28-29. Single-day passes $20.00 in advance, $25.00 at the door. 2-day passes online only for $35. http://www.simicajun.org/schedule/

If you wanna get in touch with your inner hippie, head up to Topanga Canyon for Topanga Days, a weekend festival country fair full of global music, food, clothing and crafts. Patchouli and Dancing Bear shirts optional. May 28-30. $25 tickets at the door. http://www.topangadays.com

SUMMER MOVIE SCREENINGS

Our fair city is starting this Summer Movie Season off right with a little something for every type of cinema palate!

Cinefamily at The Silent Movie Theater presents their joyously raucous The Five Minute Game on Memorial Day—based on their idea that “every movie is interesting for at least its first five minutes”. They’ll screen the first five minutes of fifteen obscure films and let the audience vote which one to watch in full. Decide your own B-movie fate, then BBQ, potluck and enjoy libations on the back patio. Mon May 30th. 5:00pm Five Minutes Game, 6:30pm BBQ, 7:30pm movie. Tickets $12.00. http://www.cinefamily.org/films/special-events-may-2016/

EAT | SEE | HEAR presents The Big Lebowski Sat May 28th. Hang in the Dude’s twisted daydream for the evening—bathrobes as jackets totally acceptable. The night includes a live band, food trucks and you can bring your (well-behaved) dog. At The Autry in Griffith Park. 5:30pm doors, 7pm live music, 8:30pm movie. Advance tickets are $15.76 online. Enter promo code “TRAVELZOO1” for $7.00 tickets at checkout: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/eat-see-hear-outdoor-movie-the-big-lebowski-tickets-21452977433#tickets

Cinespia takes us back to the Golden Age of Cinema with Singin’ in the Rain Sat May 28th. Sing and dance the night away on your picnic blanket under the stars. Dress up and take pix at the photo booth—Hollywood contract not guaranteed, kiddos, but bring your best tap routine just in case. At the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. 6:45pm doors, 8:30pm movie. Advance tickets are $16.00 online. http://cinespia.org/event/singin-in-the-rain/

Street Food Cinema honors our dearly departed Prince with a screening of Purple Rain Sat May 28th. Come pay your respects to the god of sexy rock on the big screen, along with live music and food trucks. Bring your pup. At Exposition Park. 5:30pm doors, 6:30pm band, 8:30pm movie. Advance tickets are $13.00 online. http://www.streetfoodcinema.com/purple-rain/. You can also get discount Groupon tix HERE: https://www.groupon.com/deals/street-food-cinema-11-16.

Indy fans have a reason to celebrate this weekend! The Egyptian Theatre brings the original Indiana Jones trilogy back to roaring life with a triple feature on Sat May 28th. In Hollywood. 7:30pm. $11.00 advance tickets. http://americancinemathequecalendar.com/content/indiana-jones-triple-feature-0

Immerse yourself in the dark tales of the original gothic godfather, Alfred Hitchcock. The Aero Theatre will be screening a Rear Window and Psycho double feature on Sat May 28th. In Santa Monica. 7:30pm. $11.00 advance tickets. http://americancinemathequecalendar.com/content/rear-window-psycho

DANCE PARTIES

The Echo and The Echoplex in Echo Park are giving you plenty of reasons to shake your tush this weekend! http://www.theecho.com

 Saturday May 28th ~ Get your soul groove on at Funky Sole at The Echo. 10pm doors, free before 10:30pm, $5 after. Dress up in your Prom night finest and bring a date to Bootie LA Prom at The Echoplex. 9pm doors, $5 before 10pm, $10 after.

 Sunday May 29th ~ Bump & grind to 90’s R&B and hip hop at West vs. East at The Echo. 9pm doors, free before 10pm, $5 after with RSVP, $10 after w/o RSVP. Nurse your withdrawals from the recent The Cure concerts by immersing yourself in some Moz instead at the Smiths/Morrissey Nite at The Echoplex. 9pm doors, $7 early tickets, $10 after.

ART & LITERATURE

Get in on the forefront of the Chinatown resurgence with six art gallery openings along Chung King Road in the new Chung King Arts District. Receptions are Sat May 28th from 7pm-11pm. A.G.Geiger Fine Art Books & Press will be hosting LA icon Victoria Looseleaf for a live reading of her poetry at 8pm. Bonus: they are also offering a no-tax sale on all books throughout the day. https://www.facebook.com/ChungKingRoad/

CELEBRATIONS

Who better to bring us the true spirit of Memorial Day than Clifton’s Cafeteria? Sun May 29th, the Downtown institution will be hosting The Clifton’s Canteen—a 1940’s-style USO show complete with a big band and swing dancing. Food and drinks a-plenty. Come dressed “between the wars” or as dapper as you can muster and be prepared to boogie-woogie the night away with some dashing guys ‘n dolls. 7pm-10pm. $10 tickets, free for active military and veterans. http://www.cacstudios.com/uso/

HAVE FUN OUT THERE & BE SAFE!! ~love, Sirens & Scoundrels

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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Words by Christina Huntington // Photography by  Gina Cholick, Sarah Prikryl, & Becca Murray.

Film stills & event photos subject to copyright.

© 2016 Sirens and Scoundrels

Roasted Potato Salad ~ (Vegan & Gluten-Free)

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Happy Memorial Day Weekend! As we all gather together to celebrate this weekend with bar-b-ques, picnics and potlucks, I am brought back to memories of my childhood. Driving to Granger, TX. Fresh dill growing like wildflowers flanking the steps to my grandparents’ back porch screen door. The intoxicating smell of fresh dill and laundry came wafting through as I ran up the steps and into my grandparents’ kitchen to see my grandma mixing her creamy half-mashed potato salad for supper. She would set the beautiful ceramic dish on the table with sausages and sauerkraut. My boisterous entrance was always followed by big hugs and a blessing as we gathered around the table. My dad was in the military and in my childhood innocence, I associated Memorial Day with family, fun and food. But as an adult, I also think of Memorial Day as a wonderful day to take a moment to honor my Dad, along with all of the men and women and their families who have sacrificed for our country.

So in honor of Memorial Day Weekend and my Dad, I share my delicious take on the All-American Potato Salad. This experiment was inspired in part by my Grandma and in part by my obsession with French cuisine.  This scrumptious Potato Salad is dressed with a creamy mustard vinaigrette, sweet caramelized onions and fresh herbs. It is not only DELICIOUS, Gluten-Free and Vegan but is light, gratifying and easy to make.

Roasted Potato Salad

Serves: 8

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 45-50 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 Large Organic Sweet Potatoes (OR 6 small ones)
  • 6 Organic Yukon Gold Potatoes (OR 9-12 small ones)

***The number of potatoes will be dependent upon their SIZE. Once the potatoes are chopped, they should be in equal parts (even amounts between sweet potatoes and Yukon Gold). I like the buttery flavor of Yukon Gold potatoes but Purple, Red & Russet potatoes will also work well with this recipe.

  • 1 large Organic Yellow Onion
  • 3 cloves of Organic Garlic
  • 1 bunch of Fresh Organic Dill
  • 1 bunch of Fresh Organic Parsley
  • 1 bunch of Fresh Organic Mint
  • 2 Tbsp. Whole Grain Dijon Mustard
  • 2 Tbsp. Spicy Brown Mustard
  • 2 Tbsp. Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 12 Tbsp. of Olive Oil
  • 3 Tbsp. of Organic Lemon Juice
  • Salt & Pepper to taste

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. With a peeler, peel the skin off your potatoes. Chop the potatoes into small chunks. In a mixing bowl, drizzle 3-4 Tbsp. of Olive Oil over the chopped potatoes and toss. Make sure all of the potatoes are lightly coated. Salt & pepper to taste.

On a baking sheet, spread the potatoes out in an even layer. Make sure they are all laying flat and touching the pan. Bake for 45-50 minutes until soft and fork tender.

**About 25 minutes in, using a spatula or tongs, flip the potatoes so that the other side can brown.

While the potatoes are baking, you can use this time to caramelize the onions, chop the herbs and make the vinaigrette.  Chop the top off of the Onion. Using a mandolin slicer or a sharp knife, cut the onion into very thin rings, the thinner the better. Mince 2 cloves of Garlic.

Heat an iron skillet on the stovetop over medium-high heat. Add 2 Tbsp. of Olive Oil and the sliced Onion. Allow to cook stirring occasionally. Once the onions turn translucent, squeeze the juice of 1/2 of a lemon over the pan. The moisture will aid the caramelization process.  Onions release sugars as they cook and it will start to turn the onions brown. Add the minced garlic. Stir. Cook another 1-2 minutes until all the onions have turned a beautiful caramel color. Set aside.

The herb mixture makes this salad so flavorful! De-stem the Mint and mince the mint leaves. Discard the stems.

TIP: To quickly de-stem herbs, you can hold the TOP of the stem with your left hand and pull along the stock away from the grain. (Here’s a video from my Crashed Potato Recipe showing you how to de-stem rosemary. It is the same process to de-stem mint.):

 

Mince the Dill & and Parsley leaves. Discard the stems. All 3 herbs should be in equal parts. Set aside.

At this point, you should still have enough bake time left on the potatoes to mix the Mustard Vinaigrette. In a bowl or a jar, add 1 heaping Tbsp. of Stone Ground Dijon Mustard, 1 heaping Tbsp. of Spicy Brown Mustard, 6 Tbsp. of Olive Oil, 2 Tbsp. of Apple Cider Vinegar, 2 Tbsp. of Lemon Juice. Mince 1 clove of Garlic and add to the dressing. Add Salt & Pepper to taste. Whisk together in the bowl or, if using a jar, close the lid and shake until it is thoroughly mixed. Set aside.

Once the potatoes are done roasting, remove them from the oven and allow to cool.  The great thing about this salad is that it can be served hot from the oven or served room temperature and brought to a picnic or potluck.

In a large bowl, combine the roasted potatoes, caramelized onions, herb mix and vinaigrette.

***Add as much vinaigrette to your taste preference. I tend to not like to “over-dress” my salads, but still want to add enough so that every bite is flavored.

With a large spoon, stir all of the ingredients together so that every bite is evenly coated with herbs and the vinaigrette.

BON APPÉTIT! And have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend!

love ~Sirens & Scoundrels

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

© 2016 Sirens and Scoundrels

Fantastic Negrito ~ Kensington Presents at The Viaduct

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In a town built on over-hyping while under-delivering, it makes sense that when you write an article declaring an event “The Best Secret Party” in all of Los Angeles, folks might assume you’re exaggerating. “Really? The best though…?” you can practically hear them thinking. Here at Sirens & Scoundrels, we’re sworn never to lie to you and to bring you only the best of the best of LA. So we were beyond stoked when, rolling twenty friends deep to the most recent live concert event at the Viaduct, Kensington opened up their can of coolest-party-ever-whoop-ass on the very grateful crowd, proving us right once again as they delivered everything promised…and more.

In a far corner of Los Angeles State Historic Park’s seemingly abandoned neighborhood, large art sculptures made of reclaimed materials dot the path to a nondescript opening in an iron fence with only one glowing neon “VIADUCT” sign to light the way. It certainly feels like you’ve followed the cement-brick road to some strange urban Oz. Luckily, the gatekeepers here are friendly and let you in as long as you have your ticket—no riddles required. Inside the small open-air event space tucked directly beneath the Buena Vista Street Bridge with the MTA line whizzing overhead and the Downtown LA skyline sparkling and shining just off in the distance, you almost start to second guess if perhaps you are here to see the Wizard…

Having done the drill before ourselves, we were thrilled to witness the awed expressions of our friends as they walked in, looked around, felt the vibe and immediately got it…yeah, tonight was gonna be something pretty special. First order of business is always food and libations, of which there was plenty. Delicious vegan hot pockets were provided by Baba’s Vegan Cafe, while Gypsy Eats farm-to-table lamb & lentil bowls filled us deep down in our souls. Sweet tooths were satisfied by Wolfie Cake, whose array of colorful home-baked treats were perfect for breakin’ off a piece of sumthin with the ones you love.

The Haiku Guys provided their poetic services again, producing personalized haikus based on the prompts of your choosing. Our group got some real stunners. It’s amazing how you can be shot to the heart in just a few lines. These guys delivered the goods, working their word wizardry to unravel the riddle of what was at the center of each person standing before them.

THE BLUEBIRD IN ME GOT BURIED. I DON'T KNOW WHAT KILLED IT: BOOZE OR LOVE.

THE BLUEBIRD IN ME GOT BURIED. I DON’T KNOW WHAT KILLED IT: BOOZE OR LOVE.

"EVEN WHEN FILLED WITH CRACKS OF PAVEMENT GAPS, THIS ROAD WILL PULL YOU FORWARD." -for Hayley "THE BEST PLACES ARE NEVER ON THE MAP: FIND WHERE YOU ARE AND BE THERE."

EVEN WHEN FILLED WITH CRACKS OF PAVEMENT GAPS, THIS ROAD WILL PULL YOU FORWARD.
-for Hayley
THE BEST PLACES ARE NEVER ON THE MAP: FIND WHERE YOU ARE AND BE THERE.

SPECIAL SKILLS: YARN MAGIC / ENDLESS JOY / FIREWORKS / GIANT EARS CAN START TOMORROW

SPECIAL SKILLS : YARN MAGIC / ENDLESS JOY / FIREWORKS / GIANT EARS
CAN START TOMORROW

The night’s musical offerings opened this year with local East LA darling Irene Diaz. From her first note, Irene immediately set an intimately hushed tone, drawing the crowd in deep as if gathered around for a bedtime story. People hunkered down together on the ground, circled up around the blazing bonfire and couples snuggled on hay bales as Irene sang her jazzy torch song lullabies—often skipping and gliding smoothly through genres within a single song. For a little taste of Irene’s gorgeous, languidly rollicking love songs, you can take a listen to her NPR Tiny Desk Concert: HERE.

The main event was brought to us by Fantastic Negrito who took to the stage like Oz the Great & Powerful—one man stepping out from behind the curtain, doling out courage, heart and brains to the ecstatic crowd with each new bluesy, deep roots tune. He instantly brought the crowd to its feet, humming and stomping along through his set like a modern musical revival. He is an electric performer, mesmerizing his audience with each word, dedicating his full body to each dark and stormy tale he weaves before your eyes with the help of his soulful band. Part naughty preacher, part hard-travelled man, Fantastic Negrito wants to help save your soul and make you see the light by getting down and dirty with you.

After a stirring set, perhaps the best part of the night came when the sound unexpectedly went out during his last song—a brilliantly happy accident. Without missing a beat, the audience rose up to support the band, singing along loudly as one voice, providing claps and hums and melodies and belting out the haunting chorus all together, “We’re just people, lonely people, you and I…”

We promised our readers a peak music moment if they heeded the call and answered the invitation to the Viaduct. Luckily, Kensington did not disappoint. People left Fantastic Negrito’s set with chills, their eyes and souls simultaneously lit up, knowing they had just been touched by a moment of rare music magic. Huddled around the bonfire afterwards, the good vibrations still sinking in, we were reminded of our shared humanity and how great music, good food and people gathered together in celebration of both can make us feel a little less lonely and a lot more connected—even unabashedly joyous. If you want a small taste of the good feels, you can catch Fantastic Negrito’s winning performance from last year’s NPR Tiny Desk Concert Contest: HERE. But if you want a real piece of the magic, you’ll have to seek out a live show and be sure to keep your eyes peeled here for our next Kensington concert invitation. We wouldn’t miss it for the world, and neither should you. We’re clicking our heels three times to take us to the next one already! Can’t wait to see you there!

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.

Read more about Kensington Presents at the Viaduct: HERE.

Sign up for Kensington’s email invite list: http://www.kensingtonpresents.com.

Follow Fantastic Negrito at: http://www.fantasticnegrito.com.

Follow Irene Diaz at: http://www.irenediazmusic.com.

Words by Christina Huntington // Photography by Sarah Prikryl

Video by: Kaiser Bear

© 2016 Sirens and Scoundrels

Eastern Sierras, CA

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When we met up with Daniel Mansfield of The Adventure Project for our San Bernardino National Forest mountain hike last month, we arrived with one burning question in mind. Our common mission is to get people out and exploring all the amazingness the West has to offer. But Daniel’s mission is, more specifically, to get people out into the mountains. So the one thing we needed to know was…if he could choose just one place in all of California to take someone to experience the Best of the West, where would it be? Without missing a beat, his answer: The Eastern Sierras.

We were a bit surprised by this, having never heard particularly much about them ourselves. Everyone knows and loves the Sequoias, Yosemite, Mammoth, Big Bear—all our resident beauties. But “Eastern Sierras” wasn’t readily rolling off the tongues of our hike-loving friends. We had to know: what was it about THESE mountains that made them stand out so far above the rest? There was only one way to answer that question. Road trip.

Three weeks later, Sarah and I are loaded up in the Prius Brigade with our fine art photographer friend, Gina Cholick, headed to Lone Pine, CA to meet Daniel Mansfield and T.A.P. videographer Michael Peters at another undisclosed gas station for another mystery adventure into the mountains. We’ve chosen this night to take in the peaking Eta Aquarid meteor showers, offshoots from Halley’s Comet that move at lightning speed and are difficult to see with the naked eye. But with the dark new moon, we might just be able to catch them. We roll into tiny Lone Pine and saddle up to The Adventure Wagon, that huge silver tank we’ve come to know and love so well, and off we go in pursuit of another adventure.

Just past Lone Pine, the landscape opens up to an undisturbed view of the Eastern Sierras, Mount Whitney standing proudly behind them in all her white-snow-capped glory. They are, to put it lightly…astounding. My breath actually catches when I fully lay eyes on them. Giant looming majesties all dressed in white. The highest peaks I’ve seen in person, simultaneously awe-inspiring and deeply humbling. A few turns later, the pavement disappears and now we are bumping down a dirt road through what appears to be sprawling desert rock-formation mountains similar to Joshua Tree. It boggles the mind, this stark and immediate contrast: dry desert rock mountains set right up against the snow-covered Himalayas. It feels like we’ve suddenly beamed into a science fiction novel. Surely we’ve left California to find ourselves on some foreign planet. I check the sky to count how many suns are present, just to be sure. To my surprise, it’s still only one.

Having arrived at our campground in the Alabama Hills, Daniel and Michael are quick on the draw—an entire camp set up before we can even unload the trunk. Tents are staked, fire pits are dug, logs are loaded and we are ready to go. Apparently, mountain men know how to get things done. With camp set, it’s time to waste no time. Daniel is on a mission to get us up into those mountains before the sun sets. We bump our way back towards the main road—The Adventure Wagon zooming along the rugged terrain like it ain’t no thang while Prius does her very best off-roading routine slow and steady. We come face-to-face with the mountain peaks again as we swirl up into them, climbing fast and steep.

We arrive at the base of Whitney Portal and explore a gushing waterfall, all snowy white from the early May storm that just passed through. Up here, the temperature makes an abrupt drop. We pile on the layers as we take to the snowy waterfall on foot. Looking up, it’s still inconceivable how far the mountaintops loom overhead, as I discover that Mount Whitney is actually the tallest peak in the entire 48 contiguous United States. Standing below her 14, 505′ here, it feels fitting to take a moment of quiet to pay some deep respects to Her Majesty.

The sun is setting fast and we want to get down before dark, so back down the mountain we go, stopping halfway to take in the view of the sweeping Alabama Hills desert terrain and the peachy pink mountains beyond. After some quick impromptu bouldering, we’re speeding back down the mountain until we find ourselves at the base again.

We get out of our cars to take in the sun as it sets behind Mount Whitney and her Eastern Sierras brethren, lighting up the mountains and sky in the facing distance. Winter white mountain peaks and the palest blue sky behind us, dusty rose arid desert in front of us…it’s as if the land literally split into two worlds, colliding side-by-side in the center where we stand. It makes no logical sense. All we know is that it’s stunningly beautiful. So we take it all in with quiet wonder and amazement.

Back at homebase, the stars begin to peek through the night sky as the guys build a campfire. We set some Lentil Veggie Chili on the camp stove and throw some potatoes on the coals to bake. Then we sit back and relax, occupying ourselves with good tunes and good conversation until our meal is ready. The chili is healthy, light, delicious and deeply satisfying—pre-cooked lentils mixed with chopped zucchini, squash and tomatoes, served over baked potato insides then topped with avocado and hot sauce. But Sarah’s Baked Banana S’mores really put these campfire eats over the edge. We split bananas down the center length-wise inside a piece of tinfoil, then put dark chocolate squares and marshmallows on top of the banana, close up the foil and throw it on the fire to bake. After a few minutes, we open up the hot banana and crumble graham crackers on top, then eat the whole warm gooey deliciousness with a spoon. The best. EVER.

With food in our bellies and lightness in our hearts, the night is just getting started. We pile into The Adventure Wagon for a drive over to Mobius Arch to try to catch some of the meteors. We hop out and go on foot deep into the rock formations of the Alabama Hills, finding the arch looming overhead through the darkness. We climb up the rocks and then lay back, eyes on the skies. The meteors are fast enough to miss completely if you blink and the cloud cover rolls in and out, creating a dream-like other-worldly blurred reality. Where are we? Does time exist? Does space? Judging from the look of things, I’m pretty sure we’ve leapt through reality all together. Perhaps we find ourselves living now amongst the stars, like Le Petit Prince. Wherever we’ve landed, I am happy to stay here forever.

But with beds waiting back at the tent, we do end up heeding the call of the homestead and head back to our camp and her own unique starry skies. The clouds part upon our arrival, revealing a blanket of stars so bright you could almost read by them. The Milky Way arches above our campground, keeping loving watch over us as we finally bid the mountains goodnight.

We wake up the next morning still inside the dream. The enormous mountains ahead of us boast a fresh dusting of white snow, still shrouded in low-hanging clouds that hide their highest peaks, clearly not ready to unfold themselves from their blankets just yet to greet the morning sunrise. The mountains, like us, want to sleep in for just a few more minutes. Camp stove coffee and tea help to get the day started as we nibble on fruit and yummy gluten-free muffins that healthy baking goddess Gina brought. But this is just the appetizer. After we break down camp, there’s a real morning mountain meal to be had in town.

We hightail it into Lone Pine, finally getting a chance to explore the tiny main street and its quaint wooden storefronts that instantly transport you back to the Gold Rush. But we have one stop in mind: Mount Whitney Restaurant, a rustic diner that boasts “the best burgers in Lone Pine.” Offering beef, turkey, chicken, ostrich, venison, elk, buffalo and veggie burgers made fresh, they ain’t messing around with that title. Michael orders the burger and gives it big thumbs up while we dive into breakfast fixings. I’m won over by any food spot that offers free biscuits & gravy on the side of your meal like toast…and this is no exception. Light, fluffy and delicious in every way, I’d come back here in a heartbeat for all my mountain comfort food cravings.

With a little more daylight to burn before we have to return, we head off into Whitney Portal to explore some back hills, taking in our last sights of the gorgeous Eastern Sierras. With so little foot and road traffic present, it’s a joy to be able to run around like children freely, just drinking in all the beauty that surrounds us.

We continue winding our way through the back roads, finding caves built into the mountain walls, leftover remnants from some old mountain-dwelling community. These hills are a continual, ever-changing mystery. We never know what else we might find behind each turn and shift in landscape. It feels like being on a treasure hunt, with each new experience the grand prize.

It’s time to head back home, but there’s still one stop to be made. Just off the 395, a large red cone-shaped hill emerges, starkly different from any other form in the surrounding landscape. This is Red Hill, the resident volcano, and the black lava rock tossed around its vista makes up the intergalactic-looking Fossil Falls. We climb across the lava rock on foot until we reach the giant chasm at the center of the grounds—dark, shiny, metallic—isn’t this where Superman came from? Doesn’t this very rock itself give you superpowers? We sit at the canyon’s edge as grey clouds begin to gather overhead and the weather turns dark and stormy to match the deep slate of the stones. And we all fall into quiet reverence for this unfathomable beauty before us. Nothing to be said or done, but just sit here and soak it all in. And I remember Daniel half-joking that being in the mountains is his form of meditation. As a meditation teacher myself, we laughed about it, but I also get it. Being in Nature is the purest form of Presence. We should all be so lucky to get to call these beautiful, awe-inspiring mountains our mecca, our church, our holy place.

We drive home feeling lucky to have experienced another epic, gorgeous, soul-stirring adventure with The Adventure Project. The only question on all of our minds is: when’s the next one, and where? You know wherever we go, you’re riding shotgun with us! Can’t wait to share our next adventure with you!

Happy Adventuring! ~love, Sirens & Scoundrels

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Follow us on Instagram: @sirensandscoundrels

 

You can find The Adventure Project’s merchandise on their website: www.shoptheadventure.com. Follow T.A.P. on Instagram: @the_adventure_project

Enjoy our Spotify Playlist for your own Mountain Adventuring!~

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

Contributing Photography by Gina Cholick

Contributing Photography by Michael Peters

© 2016 Sirens and Scoundrels

Gluten-Free Pasta Salad (with Vegan Option)

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If you’re looking for the fastest, easiest, most delicious on-the-go dish to bring to your next summer picnic or potluck, you’re in luck! This is your new go-to recipe! I started making this Gluten-Free Pasta Salad a few years ago and it became an instant hit amongst our friends. Now whenever summer rolls around and a gathering is afoot, this salad is always requested. Light, tasty, healthy and extremely satisfying all at once, this salad can be tossed together in a few minutes and holds at room temperature. Bring it to your next Summer Outdoor Movie Night (for your LA List, click HERE) for a dish guaranteed to put a smile on your friends’ faces and have them coming back for seconds—and thirds!

Prep Time: 5 mins

Cook Time: 8-12 mins

Total: 20 mins

Serves: 8-12 people, depending on portions

INGREDIENTS~

  • 1 bag of gluten-free pasta (I use Trader Joe’s Gluten-Free Pasta)
  • 1 bag of organic arugula
  • 1 can of organic garbanzo beans
  • 1 box of organic cherry tomatoes
  • 1 log of chevre or 1 box of feta cheese (if Vegan, skip this part)
  • everyday seasoning spice blend (I use Trader Joes Everyday Seasoning)
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • organic extra virgin olive oil

*I like to use all organic ingredients, but that’s up to you. This salad can also be made with regular pasta for those who eat wheat. I prefer corkscrew pastas, but feel free to experiment. For vegans, simply skip the goat cheese for a delicious gluten-free vegan pasta salad.

ASSEMBLY~

Cook your pasta first. Fill a pot of water on the stove and add a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil and then add your pasta. Lower the heat, but keep the water boiling, stirring halfway through. Follow the specific instructions on your package, but the pasta usually cooks between 8-12 minutes. Keep checking each minute after 8 minutes. With gluten-free pasta, you want it to be slightly al dente so it doesn’t get too mushy.

Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water. Set aside to cool.

Wash your arugula and set aside.

Cut 10-20 cherry tomatoes in half and set aside.

Open the garbanzo bean can and drain the liquid from it.

In a large bowl, toss in your pasta, garbanzo beans and tomatoes. Salt and pepper to taste, but go easy on the salt since the goat cheese will add more saltiness too. Grind a healthy covering of everyday seasoning on top and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. Toss together.

If you are eating right away, toss in your arugula and chunks of feta or chevre. If you are bringing to a gathering, wait to add the arugula and goat cheese until right before serving so that the greens stay crunchy.

That’s it! Super simple and incredibly delicious! Put this one on your Greatest Hits List and enjoy all summer long!

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

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

© 2016 Sirens and Scoundrels

Dutch Baby ~ (w/ Gluten-Free & Milk-Free Options)

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As an LA native, I consider myself incredibly lucky to have my family here. In a city full of transplants, my friends consider themselves lucky to have inherited my family by proxy. Over the years, my mom has been adopted as the resident mom on duty, lovingly nicknamed “Mama Gina”. Her meals are the stuff of legend. People are always sniffing around, asking what Mama Gina’s got cooking in her kitchen. Never a day goes by where she can’t been seen buzzing away over her stovetop, pots and pans a-bubblin’, delicious scents wafting down the street through the windows so you can actually smell the intoxicating aromas from the kitchen as you pull up. A few months ago, my mom started experimenting with a new recipe that has since become a heavy-rotation favorite at Sunday Family Brunch…the Dutch Baby. If you can imagine a giant soft-yet-crispy popover pancake soufflé baked in an iron skillet, you’ve got yourself a Dutch Baby. Now, if you can imagine that drizzled with butter, a touch of sugar and fresh-squeezed lemon juice, you’ve got yourself a little slice of Heaven.

I had been going on and on about the Dutch Baby to our resident foodie, Siren Sarah, for months. But I honestly felt like a bad friend, knowing Sarah can’t eat wheat and the pictures of this puffed-up treat hot out of the oven were enough to make any mouth water uncontrollably. It just wasn’t fair. So, with Mother’s Day hot on our heels this week, we decided to share the original Dutch Baby recipe with you for a homerun Mother’s Day Brunch contender…and also experiment with gluten-free and milk-free alternatives to make it friendly for everyone.

We weren’t sure how the alternative versions would fare, if we would even be able to recreate the soufflé effect or not. To our tremendous joy, we were able to fully honor the original spirit of the Dutch Baby with each alternative recipe we tried, with just the slightest difference in consistency. Incredibly fast and simple to make (the whole thing is made in a blender, then cooked in a skillet), do yourself a favor and give these Dutch Babies a whirl this Mother’s Day! Your family will love you for it!

Prep: 10 mins

Total: 30 mins

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

3 Tbsp. unsalted organic butter

3 organic eggs

¾ cup organic half & half

½ cup organic all-purpose flour

¼ tsp. salt

½ tsp. vanilla extract

¼ cup organic sugar

1 Tbsp. fresh organic lemon juice

GLUTEN-FREE ALTS

In place of all-purpose flour, substitute:

½ cup Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour

MILK-FREE ALTS

In place of butter, substitute:

3 Tbsp. vegan butter alternative (like Miyoko’s Plant Milk Butter or Earth Balance Soy-Free Buttery Sticks)

(do not add additional salt if using salted vegan butter alternatives)

In place of half & half, substitute:

¼ cup coconut cream + ½ cup coconut milk = “coconut half & half”

***We like to use all organic products. You can use what you wish, but we do always recommend using organic flour, eggs & citrus. It really does taste better & is better for you.***

Preheat oven to 425°.

Place a medium-sized iron skillet in oven to heat up.

In a blender, combine all ingredients. Crack 3 eggs into the blender, then add half & half (or alternate milk), flour, salt, vanilla extract and sugar.

Blend all ingredients together on high-speed until frothy, 1-2 minutes.

Using a potholder, take the iron skillet out of the oven and place on stovetop. Melt 3 Tbsp. butter (or vegan butter) into the pan, being sure to coat the bottom and sides of the skillet completely.

Pour the batter into the center of the hot skillet. Place skillet in oven and bake for 20 minutes, until it puffs up and browns lightly along the top.

Take skillet out of oven and place on stovetop. It will be puffed up like a large pancake soufflé, so you will want to be fast in serving it.

Quickly drizzle or spread a Tbsp. of butter/butter substitute onto the Dutch Baby. Sprinkle with a Tbsp. of organic sugar. Squeeze half an organic lemon over the pancake and serve while hot. Cut into 4 slices and serve one slice per plate. If you want to make it even more zesty, finely grate a little bit of lemon zest over the top. Eat immediately!

The great part about this dish is that, even though it’s doughy, it still somehow feels very light, airy and not too sweet. It’s both refreshing and extremely satisfying at the same time. You can experiment with different yummy toppings, depending on your preference. Try maple syrup, preserves, fresh fruit, Nutella, powdered sugar & cinnamon, or whatever your heart desires!

If you’re making the gluten-free version, the Dutch Baby has an identical soufflé effect with only a tiny change in consistency. It’s just the tiniest bit denser, but still incredibly delicious. You probably wouldn’t even notice in a taste test.

Same thing with making a milk-free version. We created our own “coconut half & half” by using coconut cream and coconut milk combined together. But if you are using regular flour, any alternate milk seems to work just fine and produces just a slightly denser texture.

If you are making a gluten-free AND milk-free Dutch Baby, this version has an ever-so-slightly more custard-like consistency than the others, but it does puff up and is equally as delicious. We do recommend using the “coconut milk half & half” as the milk alternative for this one.

So incredibly quick, easy and absolutely scrumptious—while packing tons of dramatic “wow” factor—be sure to try this dish out for Mom & the women you love this Mother’s Day! This Dutch Baby is guaranteed to please!

Happy Mother’s Day!! ~love, Sirens & Scoundrels

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

Words & Alternate Recipes by Christina Huntington // Original Recipe by Gina Trikonis

Photography by Sarah Prikryl

© 2016 Sirens and Scoundrels

Kensington Presents Fantastic Negrito ~ The Viaduct

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If you’ve ever dreamt of somehow being invited to the coolest secret party in all of Los Angeles, you’re in luck! Consider this your invitation. After eight long months of waiting, we’re thrilled to share the good news that Kensington is finally returning on May 19th, bringing LA’s best secret concert series back to The Viaduct!

We were fortunate enough to go to last year’s summer concert featuring The Dustbowl Revival and our minds were collectively blown. The whole experience feels like you’ve followed the White Rabbit to Party Town, sans any of the annoying things about parties or that huge not-to-be-named music festival that may have just happened in the desert (ahem!). Filled with genuine music lovers gathered together to celebrate live music, dance and just have a great time, Kensington at The Viaduct is a magical night out that just has to be experienced to be fully understood. It’s a feeling. It’s a peak music moment. And you should be there.

This year, they’re presenting Fantastic Negrito, last year’s winner of the NPR Tiny Desk Concert contest, whose debut album arrives this June. If you want to get a taste of the heart and soul that will be brought to the stage, you can take a listen below…

Tickets for this event are extremely limited and will sell out, so be sure to claim your spot now: HERE.

Read all about last year’s LA hootenanny under the stars with Kensington below. Only $20 for one of the best LA nights of your life! Do yourself a huge favor and R.S.V.P. “Yes” to getting your summer music season started off right!

See you at The Viaduct!  ~love, Sirens & Scoundrels

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

Stepping into The Viaduct feels like unlocking the door to The Secret Garden—if that garden was a tiny park and entertainment venue hidden under Downtown’s Buena Vista Bridge beside the LA River with the MTA line zooming like a silver bullet overhead. If you’ve ever wondered what it would feel like if Downtown LA itself invited you to it’s “closest friends only” living room party, this is it. Located deep in the far end of Los Angeles State Historic Park with the sweeping cityscape twinkling in the background, it really doesn’t get much cooler than this.

Kensington, the folks behind the Angeleno Heights free porch concert series, has teamed up with the California State Parks Department to bring completely unique one-of-a-kind nights to this intimate space. We checked out their summer concert event, featuring local Americana roots faves The Dustbowl Revival and openers The Eagle Rock Gospel Singers. Dustbowl had the crowd on its feet all night–stomping, jumping and dancing along in a full-blown LA hootenanny. We chowed down on BBQ ribs from Earlez Grille that were so buttery melt-in-your-mouth delicious, they had us thinking dirty thoughts. Couples snuggled on hay bails around a firepit sharing homemade vegan popsicles. The Haiku Guys brought the night’s poetry, creating personalized poems based on any one word of your choosing. The night ended with the band circling up down in the crowd for a group revival sing-a-long under the stars. The best night ever for a $10 suggested donation? We’ll be coming back for much much more. You can sign up for the invite list on the link below… See you at the next one!

http://www.kensingtonpresents.com

Words by Christina Huntington // Photography by Sarah Prikryl

© 2016 Sirens and Scoundrels

Thai Curry Vegetable Soup ~ Gluten Free

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With the Daylight Savings time change and spring just flying by, I perk my head up each evening and laugh in disbelief that it’s practically May already, y’all!  With all the flurry of fun activity that comes with the lengthening spring sun, it’s usually 8pm before I finally notice the sun has gone down and it’s time for dinner. So quick and easy recipes like last week’s Chia Pudding become a staple or I end up busting out the take-out menu for some instant, warm comfort food. But what’s to be done when you’re craving the entire Thai menu? Or you can’t decide between the Thai curry or grabbing some hot Pho on your way home? This conundrum plunged me deep into some kitchen playtime this week. I thought: what can I make that gives me all my favorite Thai take-out items in one dish, but has no msg and is gluten-free, low-carb and vegetarian for all my veggie friends? And voilá–Thai Curry Vegetable Soup was created!

Just the simmering aromas wafting from my stovetop remind me of my trip to Thailand in 2011. Thailand had just experienced its worst flooding in over 50 years and I almost canceled my trip. But with a non-refundable ticket, I listened to an inner nudge that said to go on an adventure…and magic followed. I will always associate Thai Food with comfort because of the experiences I had on that trip. The kind, joyous people I met over lemograss-steamed fish when we stayed in a treehouse bungalow overlooking the crystal blue ocean. Snacking on green curry fried rice while walking underneath a sky aglow with 1000 floating lanterns. Drinking from coconuts on the white sand beaches of Koh Yao Noi. Stuffing myself on a buffet of Thai delicacies after feeding and bathing beautiful majestic rescued elephants in a rain forest reserve near Chaing Mai.

So as a warm embrace from Thailand to you, I want to share my Thai Curry Soup recipe with you. It’s spicy, salty, sour and sweet and you won’t find this on your take-out menu! This palate-tickling hotpot is a delicious gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian crowd-pleaser guaranteed to wow your loved ones at your next gathering!

Thai Vegetable Soup

Serves 8

Prep: 20 minutes

Cook: 50 minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 tsp. of Coriander Seed
  • 12 Cardamom Pods
  • 10-15 Dried Red Chilies (depending on heat preference)
  • 6 Limes
  • 6 cloves of Garlic
  • 2-inch knob of Galangal
  • 5 small Shallots
  • 3 stalks of Lemongrass
  • 9 Kaffir Lime Leaves
  • 2 Tbsp. Fish Sauce (if you cannot have this, substitute salt to taste)
  • 2 Tbsp. Brown Sugar
  • 64 oz. Vegetable Stock
  • 28 oz. Unsweetened Coconut Milk (2 cans)
  • 2 Japanese Eggplants
  • 1 large Carrot
  • 1 Red Bell Pepper
  • 1 carton of Mushrooms
  • 6 Zucchini
  • 6 Baby Bok Choy
  • 1 cup Bean Sprouts
  • Mint
  • Cilantro (leaves & stems)
  • Thai Basil
  • 1 tsp. Salt
  • 2 Tbsp. Coconut Oil
  • ***Optional: Vermicelli Rice Noodles

Most Asian markets and some regular grocery stores may carry many of these specialty items, but we are lucky in Los Angeles because our beloved Thai Town is fully stocked with so many Thai markets. My favorite grocer is Bangkok Market on Melrose Avenue. The mom & pop feel of the place transports me back to Chiang Mai. Nothing makes Thai food sing like fresh Lemongrass, Kaffir Lime Leaves, Galangal and Thai Basil.

Start by making your curry paste. With a mortar and pestle, crush 4 tsp. of Coriander Seed with 12 whole Cardamom Pods.

TIP: If you do not have a mortar & pestle, use a pepper grinder.

Deseed 10-15 dried Red Chilies, depending upon your spice preference. Discard the seeds. Crush the deseeded dried Chilies with the Cardamom and Coriander.

TIP: Be sure to immediately wash your hands when handling the chili seeds or wear gloves. DO NOT touch your eyes.

Peel and coarsely chop 6 cloves of Garlic. Cut the skin off of 5 small Shallots by cutting off the ends and peeling the dried layers off. Discard. Coarse-chop the Shallots and a 2-inch knob of Galangal. Mince 6 large Kaffir Lime leaves. Chop 2 Tbsp. of Cilantro stems. Set aside.

With a knife, cut off the top and bottom of the Lemongrass stalks. With the butt of the knife or a meat tenderizer pound the stalk so that it flattens, then mince.

In a food processor, puree the Garlic, Galangal, Shallots, Kaffir Lime Leaf, Lemongrass and Cilantro stems with ½ tsp. of Lime Zest (zest from 1 lime) and 1 tsp. of salt.

Add the dry mixture of Coriander, Cardamom and dried Chilies. Puree.

In a stockpot, heat 2 Tbsp. of Coconut Oil.  Add the curry paste mixture from the food processor to the pot with 2 Tbsp. of Lime Juice and stir until browned. Add 2 Tbsp. of Fish Sauce, 3 whole Kaffir Lime Leaves and 2 Tbsp. of Brown Sugar.

TIP: If you are trying to avoid processed sugar, try substituting tamarind paste, honey or a pureed date.

Over medium heat, add the Vegetable Stock and Unsweetened Coconut Milk. Stir. Simmer for 35 minutes.

While the stock is simmering, rinse and chop the Mushrooms into large chunks. Chop the top off the Japanese Eggplant and discard. Chop the Eggplant into 1-2 inch thick chunks. Peel the Carrot and cut into long 4-inch strips. Deseed and cut the Red Bell Pepper into long strips. Chop the root off of the Bok Choy.

If you have a spiral slicer, spiral slice the 6 zucchini. There are many versions of this type of slicer online but this is the one I use: HERE   It’s fun to use and the machine gives you long spiral “noodles” that are delightful to eat!

TIP: If you do not own a spiralizer, you can always use a peeler. Peel strips of zucchini length-wise, rotating 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.

After the broth has simmered for at least 35 minutes, increase the heat to medium. Add the chopped Mushroom, Eggplant and Carrot. After 10 minutes, add the Red Bell Pepper & Bok Choy. Cook for an additional 5 minutes right before serving. Remove the soup from the heat. Add the juice of 3 limes.

TIP: You will want the vegetables to still have some texture when serving, so if you are not serving the soup right away, wait to add the raw vegetables until 15 minutes before serving.

De-stem and chop the leaves of the Thai Basil, Cilantro and Mint in equal parts to create ½ cup of herb mix. Cut the last 2 Limes into wedges. Set aside.

In your individual serving bowl, add ¾ cup of Zucchini Noodles and a ¼ cup of Bean Sprouts.

As an OPTION to add more volume and texture to the soup, you can add cooked Vermicelli Noodles. If you choose to do this, bring water to a boil in a separate pot. Add the Vermicelli Noodles for 2-3 minutes. Strain and rinse. Set aside until ready to eat. Add them to the individual serving bowls.

Top the Zucchini “Noodles” and Bean Sprouts with a healthy serving of the piping-hot soup. Let the serving stand 5 minutes to “cook” the noodles before serving.

TIP: Make sure the soup is hot when ladling, so that the Zucchini “Noodles” cook in the bowl. I personally like to have a little bit more texture to the vegetables. If you would like the “noodles” to be softer,  add them to the soup pot and boil for 1-2 minutes before serving.

Top each soup bowl with the herb mixture and a lime wedge, then sit back & admire the cornucopia of colors, smells and flavors.

 BON APPÉTIT & enjoy sharing this taste of Thailand!

If you enjoyed this dish, check out my Zucchini Noodle Pad Thai Recipe: HERE.

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 Sarah Prikryl // Photography by Sarah Prikryl

© 2016 Sirens and Scoundrels

The Adventure Project

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The forecast called for rain. Not just a chance of sprinkles here and there…full-on El Niño rain blasting with possible freezing temps and snow. After a winter of nothing but broken promises, it seemed our elusive stormy friend was finally arriving to unleash its downpour fury on Southern California. When iPhone declares 100% chance of showers every hour, you know it must be true. In LA, people cancel dinner plans just ten minutes away because they’d rather not “deal with the rain.” But now we were asking our friends to drive two hours outside the city in possible El Niño storms to meet a guy we’d never met and go to an undisclosed location to have an unknown experience—only knowing he was “taking us to the mountains.” I’m pretty sure these are all the things our parents warned us never to do. But, hey, we get to make our own rules now. And after all, we said we wanted an Adventure…

We meet at a gas station at the base of the mountains on the way out towards Big Bear, happy for the fact that the storm clouds have yet to break and it only took us an hour to get here. It’s hard not to notice LA rolling in when our Prius Brigade pulls up, though I need no help recognizing who we’re here to meet. The Adventure Wagon sits in the parking lot, waiting like a huge silver tank. It feels like a strange version of a blind group date as two young guys hop out of the Jeep and scan our crew’s faces, landing on the one familiar from Instagram photos. “Christina…?”, the tall blonde driver asks. And I give him a hug, so happy to finally be meeting in person to go on this expedition—though I still have no idea what we’re in for.

I found the Adventure Project on Instagram, lured in by the stunning photos of mountains, lush national parks and young folks hanging around campfires amongst snowy pines. It didn’t hurt that they frequently referenced quotes from some of my favorite Transcendentalist authors under pictures of Half Dome looming above Yosemite. I was a total gonner. Whatever this adventure was, I wanted in on it.

Turns out Siren Sarah did, too. We discovered we both followed the account, admiring not only the gorgeous photos culled from the adventures of young travelers across the country, but their adorable Adventure Project sweatshirts and T’s with slogans like “I’ll love you to the mountains and back.” When a photo popped up earlier this year finally giving a face and a name to the man behind T.A.P., we decided to reach out. After all, we shared a passion and a common mission: to inspire people to get up off of their couches and get out into life. Grab your friends, family and loved ones and go explore—make your LIFE an adventure.

One brief phone call and a few texts later, we stand collected at the foot of a mountain in the San Bernardino National Forest, entrusted into the care of Daniel Mansfield—The Adventure Project Himself. Immediately warm and very funny, Daniel’s easy-going vibe makes us all fast friends. Haven’t we always known each other? The original plan was to drive up to Daniel’s favorite camp spot and set up a campfire to hang around, then take a little hike nearby to a beautiful lookout point. But all road access is closed when we arrive, so we improvise. When you’re out looking for adventure, you quickly learn that you’ll always get the perfect experience if you can just trust and roll with whatever happens.

Daniel softballs it and tells us it’s a couple-mile-hike up and back with a gentle concerned look that seems to be assessing if LA can handle it. But we’re down for the challenge and eagerly put on our packs as we set out up to the campsite on foot. We later discover the hike is more like 11 miles roundtrip but, really, who’s counting? We cruise up the road, completely devoid of all other human life. Because who in their right minds would go hiking into the mountains on a day like today? We would.

With no one else around and the clouds quickly enveloping the surrounding landscape, the world begins to shift into some alternate reality. Our second mystery man is Michael Peters, Daniel’s friendly, energetic videographer, who sports white canvas kicks for hiking à la #damndaniel. (Full disclosure: they had to explain that reference to us.) We pass babbling brooks and gushing waterfalls. Giant pine trees disappearing into clouds overhead. Huge mossy stone structures that look straight out of Stonehenge…or “The NeverEnding Story”. (Full disclosure: we had to explain that reference to them.) Soft ambient music floats out to us on the air from Michael’s pocket as we walk, our footsteps echoing into the silence all around us as the whole world suddenly starts to slow down.

Stonehenge ends up being nature’s perfect playground—with giant boulders built for flying leaps. We can almost imagine the faces in the stone walls coming to life, giant rock hands lifting us on our way. Wherever we are, it feels ancient. Wrapped in the cool white mist, we may have completely left all time and space. Sheets of damp mist whip around the trails towards us at full speed. We stand still and wait for it to come. As water begins to fall above us, we welcome the arrival of the rain. And we keep walking. It’s all part of the adventure.

Lucky for us, El Niño plays the tease, deciding to be coy yet again. Within five minutes, the light drizzle passes overhead and disappears as quickly as it came, never to be seen again. The rain leaves epic jumping puddles in its wake—giant mirrors on the road, reflecting the sky back to us endlessly, increasing the whimsical dream-like feel of the day. Like Alice through the looking glass, reality slowly begins to alter and shift piece by piece, becoming curiouser and curiouser…

As we walk deeper into the clouds, we chat with Daniel about the origins of The Adventure Project. He explains that his family would routinely pack up and head out to California’s lakes and mountains when he was growing up, instilling a love of nature that’s become an integral part of him. While our mission at Sirens & Scoundrels is to get people out into their surrounding world at large—art exhibits, restaurants, hikes, road trips, gatherings—Daniel’s mission is more singularly focused. He wants you to get out into the mountains. While he appreciates all the many incredible landscapes that California has to offer, the mountains have his heart. His love of mountain culture runs deep.

We ask about his favorite spot in all of California, if he had to pick just one. His answer: the Eastern Sierras. Hands down. Their beauty is unparalleled, he swears. We make note of this as visions of our next road trip already begin to play out in our heads. But for now, we are here. In the San Bernardino Mountains. Or is it inside a dream? It’s hard to remember these things clearly now as we’re enveloped by more clouds slowly waltzing around us in their white-plumed skirts.

As we climb higher, the temperature drops drastically. Snow banks appear, dotting the mountainside and lending prime real estate for an impromptu snowball fight. Remind me sometime to let you in on my secret, perfect-snowball-making technique. Okay, fine…I’ll tell you now. Cup your hands and blow air out from your mouth onto the snow each time you compress it, repeating just until the heat from your breath makes a smooth, round ball. Voilà! A perfect snowball!

Who knows how long we’ve been up here now. Time stopped way back there on the trail somewhere. As we arrive at our destination campsite, the landscape contorts and shape-shifts yet again. The ground seems to disappear and we float instead of walk in this higher elevation, surrounded by nothing but pops of evergreen peeking out from behind a misty sea of opaque white waves that we must gently wade through one foot at a time just to see. We could have wandered into “Lord of the Rings”. Or possibly Heaven. With this cloud’s-eye-view, I’d believe it.

Sitting on a rock at the mountain’s edge, the entire world finally melts away completely. Nothing else exists but this. This moment, this stillness, this soft whoosh of mist in our ears, this cloud-drenched evergreen mountain. This group of new friends, no longer just walking a trail but dancing in the sky. And I’m reminded again of the power of saying yes.

We could have said no so many times along the way. We could have postponed. We could have heeded the warnings of impending weather doom and cancelled. Instead, we trusted our instincts and forged ahead, knowing that all good adventures require a little risk and a lot of faith. El Niño never came, but the gathering storm provided the perfect other-worldly backdrop for our day. The blocked access road forced us to go on foot, ensuring that we fully experienced every gorgeous step along the way—proving our motto “Sirens say yes!” right once again. Always say yes when Adventure calls! You might just be gifted a little piece of Heaven on Earth. We avoided the storm…and ended up in the clouds.

 Thanks so much for the amazing adventure, The Adventure Project!! 

~love Sirens & Scoundrels

 

You can find The Adventure Project’s merchandise on their website: www.shoptheadventure.com. Follow T.A.P. on Instagram: @the_adventure_project

Check out Michael Peter’s travel videos here: http://mjpcreativefilms.com. Follow Michael on Instagram: @mmichaelpeterss

And 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

Video & Contributing Photography by Michael Peters

Contributing Photography by Gina Cholick

© 2016 Sirens and Scoundrels

Free National Park Week!

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Aside from this glorious pre-summer weather we’re being blessed with in Southern California, all you Mother Nature lovers out there have just been given another reason to strip down and do your sun-worshipping dance! It’s National Park Week—which means you can get into any National Park across the U.S. completely FREE this week!

From Saturday April 16th – Sunday April 24th, all parks that normally charge will be waiving their entrance fees. Been wondering about that rare Death Valley superbloom? Go explore for yourself! Been yearning for the epic peaks of Yosemite? Get in the car and go before the summer crowds hit! Longing for the damp moss-covered forests of Muir Woods? Let your inner wood nymph go romp!

Big bonus to all you kiddos trekking back from Weekend 1 or out to Weekend 2 of Coachella—you can enjoy free entry into Joshua Tree National Park while you’re out there! Take a break from soaking in the sounds to soak in some beautiful desert stillness. LIFE BONUS: the Lyrid Meteor Shower is also happening this week with active meteors between April 16th-April 25th, peaking April 22nd & 23rd. Get outside the festival lights and camp out under the stars to take in nature’s light show in the sky!

Here’s a list of our nearby National Parks that normally charge a fee but will be FREE all week…

CALIFORNIA~

Cabrillo National Monument

Death Valley National Park

Joshua Tree National Park

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Lava Beds National Monument

Muir Woods National Monument

Pinnacles National Park

San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

Yosemite National Park

ARIZONA~

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

Grand Canyon National Park

Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Montezuma Castle National Monument

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

Petrified Forest National Park

Pipe Spring National Monument

Saguaro National Park

Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

Tonto National Monument

Tumacácori National Historical Park

Tuzigoot National Monument

Walnut Canyon National Monument

Wupatki National Monument

COLORADO~

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Colorado National Monument

Dinosaur National Monument

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

Mesa Verde National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park

NEVADA~

Death Valley National Park

Lake Mead National Recreation Area

NEW MEXICO~

Aztec Ruins National Monument

Bandelier National Monument

Capulin Volcano National Monument

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Chaco Culture National Historical Park

Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument

Pecos National Historical Park

White Sands National Monument

Valles Caldera National Preserve

OREGON~

Crater Lake National Park

Lewis & Clark National Historical Park

UTAH~

Arches National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park

Canyonlands National Park

Capitol Reef National Park

Cedar Breaks National Monument

Dinosaur National Monument

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

Golden Spike National Historic Site

Natural Bridges National Monument

Zion National Park

WASHINGTON~

Fort Vancouver National Historic Site

Lewis & Clark National Historical Park

Mount Rainier National Park

Olympic National Park

The National Park Service is celebrating their 100th Anniversary this year, so keep an eye out for cool events all year. We’re so lucky to live so close to many of the world’s most beautiful landscapes. With National Parks just a few hours in every direction, there’s no excuse not to take advantage of this chance to explore the places you’ve always wanted to see. Grab your gang, grab a tent and GO!

Happy Adventuring!! ~love Sirens & Scoundrels

All information on National Park Week and participating parks can be found on the U.S. National Park Service website: www.nps.gov/findapark/national-park-week.htm. FULL LIST of all U.S. free entrance parks across the country this week: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks-state.htm.

Words by Christina Huntington // Photography by Sarah Prikryl

Additional Photography by Michael Peters

© 2016 Sirens and Scoundrels

Chia Pudding

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The first time I saw chia pudding was a few years ago in San Francisco. My friend had ordered it at a brunch and when it arrived, it was as if a work of art had been presented in the middle of our farm table. The black and white chia pudding with apricot compote and rough chopped almonds looked like a mosaic masterpiece. Once I found out how simple it was to make, it’s been a staple in my refrigerator as a quick breakfast, an easy snack or a decadent dessert ever since.

Not only is chia pudding gluten-free and can be made vegan & sugar-free, it is packed full of anti-oxidants, fiber, protein and has more Omega-3s than eating salmon. Because this super food is just hitting the mainstream, so far it is a non-GMO, usually organic, whole grain that has calcium, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, potassium, and vitamin B1, B2 & B3!

I love the versatility of chia. It soaks up the flavor of whatever you add to it.

My recipe for chia pudding is very basic~

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 cup almond milk
  • ¼ cup chia seeds
  • ½ tsp. vanilla extract

Whisk ingredients together making sure all of the chia seeds are wet and getting rid of any clumps. Let it set overnight in your refrigerator or at least 3 hours. The consistency will be little bit like tapioca.

I personally don’t like anything too sweet, so I don’t add any sugar to the chia. I top the chia pudding with fresh fruit and a dollop of yogurt, as the toppings will naturally sweeten the pudding. If you have a big sweet tooth though, you can sweeten it to your preference by drizzling some honey or maple syrup on top or blending it in a blender with a raw date. Once the chia pudding has set, you can now let your foodie creativity run wild.

Here’s some fun, delicious ideas to dress it up as a dessert or alternative brunch offering at your next gathering!

***The easiest way to make your basic Chia Pudding decadent is to layer it like a parfait.  Top it with with Greek Yogurt to add a bit of tartness or Coconut Whipped Cream for your sweet tooth.

Add Applesauce & Almond Butter in the layers and then top with coarse chopped almonds or freshen it up with Berries & Mint.

I experimented with steeping Earl Grey Tea in almond milk. Heat the almond milk on the stovetop for 1 minute and add 3 tea bags. Let it steep for 10 minutes. Add the milk to the chia seed with 1 tsp. of maple syrup and let it set in the refrigerator. I can tell you first hand, it is delicious!

Citrus is in season & lovely California weather has provided me with a blooming kumquat tree in my backyard. I love the sweet & sour bite of this candy fruit. Stir a few drops of lemon or orange juice into the chia pudding & sprinkle with Orange Zest for a flavor pop. Top it off with sliced Kumquats or Marmalade.

For Real Sweet Tooth Cravings~

Trader Joes makes things so simple with pre-made jarred lemon curd, chocolate spread, caramel sauce, nut butters…

Top with Lemon Curd & fresh Blueberries

Drizzle with Caramel & sprinkle with Sea Salt

Satiate your inner child with Peanut Butter & Jelly

For those who need a chocolate fix, you can make Chocolate Chia Pudding by substituting chocolate almond milk or adding 2 Tbsp. of cocoa powder, a dash of cinnamon and ½ tsp. of vanilla extract to regular almond milk. Whisk together before adding the chia seeds.

***You can substitute different milk options as well for the almond milk.  Try using Coconut Milk for a rich, creamy texture.

Chocolate Parfait Ideas

Using the Chocolate Chia Pudding above, try adding these layers:

Chocolate Banana: Top it off with banana slices & roasted almonds

Chocolate Hazelnut: Top it off with Nutella & roasted hazelnuts

Coffee & Chocolate: Steep heated almond milk in coffee grounds in a French press & strain. Whisk in the cocoa powder & vanilla extract before adding your chia seeds.  You can also substitute pre-bought coffee-flavored almond milk.

Chocolate & Mint: Add a few drops of peppermint oil. Top with minced mint leaves.

Chocolate Raspberry:  Top with raspberries and dust with cocoa powder.

The possibilities are endless…! Let your mind & your taste buds play!

Bon Appétit!! ~ Have fun with it & let us know what your favorite flavor combination is!

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 Sarah Prikryl // Photography by Sarah Prikryl

© 2016 Sirens & Scoundrels

Malibu Farm ~ Malibu, CA

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With Spring upon us and Summer close behind, the Southern California beaches are calling! Though it’s not quite warm enough for basking on the sand and splashing in the surf, you can still enjoy a day of seaside fun at the recently renovated Malibu Pier. What was once a run-down ramshackle fishing spot with less-than-stellar dining options has transformed into Malibu’s go-to destination for fresh, farm-to-table eats and treats.

Over the past few years, local rancher Helene Henderson bought up the restaurants on either end of the pier, creating Malibu Farm Restaurant and Malibu Farm Pier Café for your dining pleasure. Both establishments specialize in organic fare fresh from local farms. With overlapping menus, the main difference is that you get to choose your own dining style.

When you enter onto the pier, Malibu Farm Restaurant is first up. Split onto two sides and decorated in cheery bright beach whites, you can sit at an indoor or outdoor table and be served by their friendly wait staff. If you don’t want to wait to be seated though, do what we did and head straight down to the end of the pier to their smaller Malibu Farm Pier Café. Here, you order at the counter and take a number to your table. The Café offers their smaller “greatest hits” menu, so you can’t go wrong. And that’s exactly what we came for.

Take a lovely sun-soaked stroll for a little taste of the old pier, where old men and families still cast their lines out and chat on benches all afternoon, waiting for something to bite. The Café sits at the very end with an unassuming ordering line that starts at the front door. Grab a menu and get in line to place your order. We recommend ordering family-style if you come with friends, so you can taste a little bit of everything.

We went all-out and ordered the fried egg sandwich, farm scrambled eggs with salmon, Swedish mini pancakes and the grass-fed beef burger between our three sirens…and we finished every last bite. The eggs are delicious—you can practically taste the farm in them. There is no mistaking that they came directly from the chicken coop. The Swedish pancakes are more like mini stacks of crepes with strawberry slices and fresh whipped cream—light, airy and just sweet enough. But our favorite was the good old-fashioned burger. Perfectly sauced and not too heavy, served on a brioche bun, it had us “mmmmm”-ing aloud at the table.

Walk off your meal by cruising around the pier afterwards. The gift shop across the way is a great spot for a little post-nosh browsing. Or take a seat along the pier or the upper decks for one of the best beach views in the city. Sit back, relax, soak in the sun’s rays, smell that sweet salt air, watch the dolphins and sea lions catching waves between the surfers…and just enjoy how lucky you are to live in California and have all this at your fingertips.

Malibu Farm times, location & menu can be found here: www.malibu-farm.com.

Words by Christina Huntington // Photography by Sarah Prikryl

© 2016 Sirens and Scoundrels

Poppy Hunt ~ Lancaster, CA

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Every spring in California, the magic moment happens. We’d heard the legend for years. Fields of neon orange flowers suddenly exploding into full Technicolor glory in every direction as far as the eye can see. Mountains, hills and every surface ablaze with fiery petals. Enough California poppies to make Dorothy forget about heading to Oz. We knew this generally happens in springtime, though we had never experienced it ourselves. With spotty reports from the park service, but a few promising Instagram updates from friends, we decided to set off on our very own poppy hunt to witness Mama Nature’s majestic springtime pageant. We packed a picnic and off we went…visions of poppy fields dancing in our heads.

The Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve in Lancaster was our destination, about an hour and half up off the 5 Fwy N. We threw on some good tunes, passed the wild Martian mountains of Vasquez Rocks Park and enjoyed the wind in our hair, the sun on our skin and that thrill of freedom and adventure that always comes from a good road trip—even a mini one. Ready for whatever might greet us, we finally arrived at the poppy reserve to find…amber waves of dried brown twigs as far as the eye can see. Not one poppy in sight. Even the ranger seemed depressed, clearly having had to explain this to many a hopeful visitor before. Not to be discouraged, we decided to try Plan B. We had seen an Instagram post about a poppy field on West Avenue M. We’d try there instead. And off we went in search of whatever we might find, just happy for the adventure.

As we turned a nearby corner to consult Waze on locating Ave M, we drove by a ranch that seemed to have a little Old West town in the center—small wooden shacks part Wild West, part Pee Wee’s Playhouse. Our heads collectively swiveled with curiosity and we turned the car around to see what wonderland we may have happened upon. We pulled into the gates under a sign that read “Happy Acres Ranch” and realized that this wasn’t, in fact, open to the public. At least not yet. Two men working by a horse pen approached and we rolled down our windows to ask about the Western town.

The brothers introduced themselves and explained that some recent family events had put them in charge of the ranch. The tiny Western buildings and the even tinier colorful Pee Wee sheds were something they were building to hopefully turn the ranch into a destination for families passing through. They very graciously offered us a tour and asked if we wanted to meet their horses. Always a yes to any invitation for exploration, we hopped out of the car and had a look around, admiring the brothers’ beautiful craftsmanship. The visit to the stables felt like stepping into a Disney cartoon as we were introduced to the largest and most regal horse any of us had ever seen–Tonka. If there was ever a King of Horses, Tonka would be him. This jaw-droppingly stunning black and white spotted horse the size of three horses had a gentle and sensitive spirit that made us fall in love with him immediately. We fed him fresh carrots and met the other horses while hearing the brothers’ plans for the ranch. We were truly touched by their desire to turn family tragedy into something beautiful to share and bring happiness to others.

Wrapping up our impromptu ranch adventure, the men pointed us in the direction of a poppy-covered hill they had recently seen a little closer by. With street names still tumbling through our heads, we set off in search of this newest destination. Exactly as they said, we rounded a corner along Elizabeth Lake and there she was: a hill full of lush patches of wildflowers ablaze in the late afternoon sun. Brilliant oranges, purples and yellows shone out like they were shouting hello just to us.

Thrilled to have finally found some poppies on our hunt, we gleefully ran the trails, taking in the beauty of these majestic ladies all around us. Spotting an open patch of dirt on the ground, we set up our picnic as the sun turned to hazy gold. Homemade gazpacho and hummus, castelvetrano olives, marcona almonds, fresh farmer’s market figs, honey & goat cheese were spread out on our blanket. As the sun crept its way towards the mountain, we dined amongst the flowers, all bobbing and swaying in the breeze like Alice’s singing garden chorus in Wonderland. A Golden Afternoon, indeed…

With the sun setting, we packed up and took one last traipse through the poppies, filling ourselves up with the sheer child-like glee of being alone in the beautiful Wild. Though even in our glee, we were extremely careful to stay on the dirt footpaths that ran throughout the flowers. After all, the flowers are here to be shared and enjoyed and to LIVE their full lives, not to be trampled on by humans. If you go, please mind your manners and mind the flowers.

Heading back down Elizabeth Lake Road, we were surprised by how beautiful the area was. Huge gorgeous houses and lush green ranches and vineyards brought back echoes of Santa Ynez and Los Olivos. I wondered how I had never been here before, happy to be here now. Nothing went according to plan. Yet everything turned out better than we could have ever imagined. And I was struck by how wonderful life can be when you leave a little room for magic…

(No poppies were injured in the making of these images.)

If you want to visit the Elizabeth Lake poppy hill for your own wildflower picnic, you can find it at the corner of Elizabeth Lake Road & Munz Ranch Road. Please watch where you tread so you leave flowers for others to enjoy. We’ve also heard recent tales of Mount Figueroa in Santa Barbara being completely carpeted in orange poppies—see Instagram photo below. This weekend’s rains should ensure their full wild bloom explosion for the next few weeks. Go on your own poppy hunt & let us know what you find!

(@schroederville posted this image of Figueroa Mountain near Santa Barbara 2 days ago on Instagram!)

Happy hunting!! ~love Sirens & Scoundrels

Words by Christina Huntington // Photography by Sarah Prikryl

Additional Photos by Christina Huntington & Alexa Sau

© 2016 Sirens and Scoundrels

The Last Bookstore ~ Downtown LA

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Some people collect fancy shoes and designer bags. Some people collect the latest tech toys. Some people collect superhero action figures. I collect vintage books. In a world that has become increasingly digital, virtual and cloud-based as the new normal, I have made it my personal mission to save the world’s beautiful orphaned literature—one book at a time. If you, like me, still love the feeling of holding a REAL BOOK in your hands when you read—smelling the musty paper, feeling the crispness pass through your fingers as you turn each page, folding corners and underlining paragraphs of the passages that sing to you—then you must treat yourself to a visit to LA’s book lover’s paradise, The Last Bookstore.

Located Downtown on the corner of 5th & Spring, The Last Bookstore is a giant two-story mecca that feels like an enormous gleeful protest to the rapid disappearance of the art of the paper book. In the midst of the digital revolution, The Last Bookstore is clearly making their final stand.

The first floor houses a huge open space filled with their “new” arrivals. New in quotes because they sell both new and used books interspersed throughout all their shelves. To the left as you enter is the recently added Arts & Rare Book Annex. Home to beautiful books on art, music, theater, film and fashion, the crown jewel is the glass bookshelf filled with rare first editions and autographed copies from the likes of Kerouac and Salinger, just to name a few.

As you wander the store, you’ll discover many hidden offshoot rooms, each with its own unique theme and whimsically quirky design, lending a feel that’s much more Willy Wonka than Barnes & Noble. For those brave enough to wander to the dark back corner, you will be rewarded for your journey. Pass through the metal vault door and enter my personal favorite pièce de résistance—the vintage book room.

Adorned with dim old-fashioned reading lights and a wood bench in the center of overflowing shelves, it feels like your grandpa’s library. Some of the books come from more modern 70’s & 80’s collections that were meant to mimic the look of antique books. (Funny enough, even those are considered true vintage now.) But there are hundreds of books that are true-blue real-deal antique and vintage stemming from the late 1800’s through the 1960’s, mostly in beautiful condition. This is the room I could get lost in for hours, pouring over each and every title searching for buried book treasures.

For the music lovers, watch out. The record section on the ground floor is another place where you can literally lose hours of your life. Possibly days. Well-curated LP’s cram the middle stalls divided by artist and genre, while dollar records line the walls for you to do the dirty work and discover what amazing finds might lie beneath as you flip through covers. WARNING: Do not enter this section unless you have at least an hour to spare. You will get sucked in. You will spend your dinner money. So plan accordingly.

Meander your way upstairs to the second floor. But only if you are psychologically and spiritually prepared to handle even more Book Nirvana. Upon arrival, you are greeted by a flying book sculpture that makes you wonder if you just apparated into Hogwarts. As you wander the sci fi paperback racks, you suddenly find yourself at a book window. Yes, that’s right—a window made of books. Wait. Maybe you’ve apparated into the new Wes Anderson film…was that Bill Murray slinking by? The horror room is equal parts intergalactic and submarine. And the book tunnel—yes, that’s right, a tunnel made of books—leads you to another land like Dorothy heading to the Emerald City. Waiting on the other side is the dollar book room filled with books as far as the eye can see, some organized into literal rainbows of color. (Full disclosure: some books are $1.99.)

Be sure to walk all the way around the second floor to the artists’ stalls where local artists show and sell their work. We were big fans of David Lovejoy’s shop, filled with gorgeous repurposed old-timey trinkets and treasures. His magnifying glass “curtains” are a visual delight. Take some time to look through the hanging glasses down onto the street below. At just the right distance, the whole world flips upside down. Wait…come to think of it, maybe we’ve wondered through the looking glass. And found ourselves here in Wonderland. Is that a Cheshire Cat smile hanging outside the window…or just the waning moon in the Downtown sky?

You can sell or trade your books and records at the downstairs trading post. Join the revolution and help keep tangible art alive!

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

For exact location & hours, visit The Last Bookstore’s website: http://lastbookstorela.com.

Words by Christina Huntington // Photography by Sarah Prikryl

© 2016 Sirens and Scoundrels

Spinach Artichoke Dip

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Every spring the time warp begins. Spring catapults us into the year on a freight train to summer. Not only does it always feel like we all turn into busy bees at work, but birthdays, picnics and gatherings are a plenty. People feel the call of spring and come out of hibernation. It’s time to clean house & throw ourselves into work and play. So I thought, “What would be the most comforting, delicious dish to share and is the least time-consuming?”

My spinach artichoke dip can literally be made in 10 minutes and tastes like a warm hug. Your friends will think you channeled your inner foodie and spent all day in the kitchen. I have never gotten more audible “MMMMmmmm”s from an appetizer than this quickie dish.

I’ve always loved the idea of a good spinach and artichoke dip, but have always felt like there was too much cream and not enough spinach in every bite. Universally, other recipes include cream cheese, sour cream and mayonnaise. The result is a white creamy dip with hints of spinach and artichoke for texture or a pop of color. My recipe is the opposite. A hearty, chunky, warm dip with a hint of creaminess. This week I share with you my secrets to a homemade artichoke dip that will have your friends and family begging for more!

SPINACH ARTICHOKE DIP

Serves 6

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total: 10 minutes

INGREDIENTS

  • 12 oz. of raw Baby Spinach (2 bags)
  • 1 can Artichoke Hearts
  • 1 clove Garlic
  • 4 oz. Cream Cheese
  • 4 oz. grated Parmesan Cheese
  • 2 oz. herbed Goat Cheese (optional)
  • Red Pepper Flakes (to taste)

Drain the can of artichoke hearts. Keep the liquid to the side. Cut the artichoke hearts into chunks. Set aside.

Mince the clove of garlic. In an iron skillet, add the garlic and spinach over medium heat with 2 Tbsp of the artichoke water from the can. Stir for 1 minute, until the spinach is wilted.

Add the cut artichoke hearts. Spoon small pieces of the cream cheese and (optional goat cheese) into the skillet.

TIP: The goat cheese is listed as “optional” because my original recipe is 100% delicious without it.  I’ve tried slightly different versions over the years and have found that adding a little bit of herbed goat cheese into this recipe gives it a slight extra depth of flavor.  I also just love goat cheese. You can also add in any other cheese flavors you wish. Brie, for example, will give the dip a bold rich creaminess or you can experiment with a blue cheese version of the dip to garnish a steak. Experiment away!

Continue to stir. The liquid excreted from the cooked spinach and artichokes should help the cheese to melt evenly. Once the dip is smooth and creamy, reduce the heat and add the grated parmesan. Stir continuously until the parmesan is completely melted. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes to taste.

TIP: I have found that the artichoke hearts and parmesan add a good level of salt to the dip. There is no need for additional salt.

Voilá–the most sumptuous, comforting, flavorful spinach artichoke dip you’ve ever tasted!

Toast a gluten-free baguette or serve with crackers. Glutino brand bagel chips are delicious. I also love “Against the Grain Gourmet” gluten-free baguettes. The bread is crispy on the outside and soft inside once toasted. It is the closest thing to a crispy baguette that I’ve tried. Even my friends that are not gluten-free prefer it.  Here’s a link to see if your local market carries this brand in their freezer section: HERE.

For those of you who are more health conscious, there are other alternatives to dip with because, let’s face it, bread and chips are just an edible vehicle to get more dip or cheese in your mouth. I like to use endive leaves or some chopped fennel as an alternative to bread sometimes. Fennel has a slight licorice flavor which I happen to love to eat raw. Chop the fennel in half and cut the “butt” out. Then slice the fennel into wide long chunks.

The great thing about this dip is that it is absolutely delicious on anything. Scramble the leftovers into your morning eggs or mix into some warm pasta or zucchini noodles. The possibilities are endless.

BON APPÉTIT & let us know what you think of the recipe!

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 Sarah Prikryl // Photography by Sarah Prikryl

© 2016 Sirens & Scoundrels

Paramount Ranch ~ Agoura Hills, CA

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Tired of hearing the word “Runyon” after your friends invite you on a hike? Can’t handle the crowds of actors posting vaguely inspirational (mis)quotes as an excuse to sneak in another almost-naked photo of themselves hiking the go-to trail? Well, breathe a giant sigh of relief because we’re here to tell you that you never have to step foot on that over-run Tinder trail again. Plus, it’ll be closed April through July for repairs—so what better time to expand your horizons? For genuine hiking enthusiasts, LA offers endless gorgeous trails throughout all of our many mountain ranges. If you’re looking for something truly unique, then hightail it out to Paramount Ranch.

Located just off Kanan on the way to Malibu, Paramount Ranch is part of the Santa Monica Mountains and is overseen by the National Park Service. Most importantly, it’s also an Old West ghost town. Or, more specifically, an Old West Tinsel Town ghost town. Built by Paramount Studios back in the 1920’s to shoot their Western “talkies”, the Wild West facade set has gone through many incarnations hundreds of films and many decades later.

When you enter the park, the Western town is the first place you come across before the trailheads. There is a huge easy-access parking lot and both parking and park entrance are free. Cross the little bridge over the creek and voila—you’ve just stepped back about 150 years. Every cowboy fantasy you’ve ever had comes to vivid life as your kicks scuff the dirt between the wooden Main Street buildings—saloon and all. You can just imagine Dirty Harry standing before you, ready to draw at high noon.

Continue past the town to find the trailhead, where several lovely easy-to-moderate hikes branch off in different directions. Buried deep in the lush green mountains, the trails are beautiful and quite peaceful with not much foot traffic around you. Though people do ride horses through here, so watch your step. And furry family members are welcome, so bring your dogs, as long as they stick to the trails and stay on leash. The park is always open from sunrise to sunset, so there’s no excuse not to go explore some new territory.

For those with a taste for unique experiences, the Ranch buildings can be rented out for special events. We came to take a wander through Paramount Ranch III—the third annual art fair put on by local artists and big with the indie art and Cal Arts crowd. It’s quite a rare occasion to get to go BEHIND the facades, which are closed to visitors most days. So getting to step inside the buildings to view the art on display definitely felt like being part of some wild secret hipster club, by way of 1887. The working saloon was obviously a hot spot as people swung open the doors and ordered a cold one, Billy the Kid style. Food trucks supplied the vittles, including lots of organic and grass-fed options. Or, as they would have called it back in the Wild West, normal food. The art fair only happens once a year, so if you’re interested in an invite for the next one, follow their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/paramountranch.

If you don’t want to wait another year to get the insider’s experience, never you fret—the National Park Service holds educational events throughout the year that allow you to peek behind-the-scenes. And they have one coming up in April. NPS will host a free curated walk & talk tour on April 24th from 10am-11:30am, letting you in on all the secrets and history of Paramount Ranch through the ages. You can find all the info: HERE.

So the next time someone tries to get you to hike the dreaded “R-word”, be quick on the draw and blow their minds by taking them to Paramount Ranch instead. Chaps and spurs not required. But, hey, that’s up to you.

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

For Paramount Ranch location & hours, visit: https://www.nps.gov/samo/planyourvisit/paramountranch.htm

Words by Christina Huntington // Photography by Sarah Prikryl

© 2016 Sirens and Scoundrels

The Edible Easter Egg ~ All Natural Dyes

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One of my favorite childhood memories was on Easter Sunday when I would wake up to the feeling of magic in the air. It was a day for play.  After church, we would pile into the back of our station wagon and take the drive to my grandparents’ farmhouse where boiled eggs and beautiful dyes would be waiting for us. Decorating my grandma’s eggs made them so precious to me, those mini works of art magically became priceless Faberge eggs to be gazed at with admiration. After a late afternoon supper, we would play hide-and-seek among the fig and pecan trees in the back yard, dodging the bobbing lightning bugs at sunset. We would scan the horizon for pops of color of the hidden Easter eggs among the green grass like we were mini bank robbers on a heist.

With Easter weekend upon us, we were so excited to be invited to our friend Becca’s picnic & egg dyeing party. Becca wanted to try out some edible dyes and I am always a “yes” to a kitchen experiment and nostalgia. As an adult, it’s been maybe a decade since I’ve dyed eggs, since there are toxins in standard food dyes and I try to avoid them. We had so much fun experimenting with Becca’s all-natural egg dyes and we learned a lot in the process. So in honor of Easter weekend, we wanted to share a little whimsy and knowledge with you…

Lessons Learned in Becca’s  Kitchen

To start, here’s what we learned about what works and what doesn’t using vegetables to stain eggs. Becca wanted to experiment with 4 different types of dyes, things you would have around your kitchen or would compost:  Turmeric, Purple Cabbage, Beets & Yellow Onion Skin.

Supplies for All-Natural Dye

  • 2 Tbsp. of Turmeric
  • 1/2 head of Purple Cabbage
  • Skins of 5 Large Yellow Onions
  • Beets
  • 2 dozen White Eggs
  • White Vinegar

Here’s what we learned:

TIPS:

*A white-shelled egg is a better palette to soak up the color than brown eggs.

*The less water you use to soak the eggs, the more concentrated the dye will become. Using just enough water to cover the eggs (about an inch above the eggs–a thumbnail) works best. If there’s too much water, it dilutes the color.

*As a time saver, when trying to boil a lot of water at one time, make sure to use hot water from the sink versus cold to bring to a boil.

The onion skins were a surprising success! Shuck the skin off of 5 large onions. In a pot, boil the yellow onion skins with 1 Tbsp of white vinegar and 6 eggs for 12-15 minutes. The eggs came out a beautiful ruddy red color.

Turmeric was a winner as well. In a separate pot, add 2 Tbsp of turmeric with 1 Tbsp of white vinegar to bowling water with 6 eggs. Bring the water back up to a boil for 12-15 minutes.  Drain and let cool. The eggs turned a bright yellow gold.

Purple Cabbage will eventually make a white eggshell a beautiful pale blue color. Separate the cabbage leaves from the whole. Place 1/2 a head of purple cabbage leaves in a pot with 1 Tbsp of vinegar and just enough water to cover the leaves. Bring to a boil, add 6 eggs and let the pot boil 15 minutes. Shut off the heat and let it sit.

We discovered the purple cabbage takes much longer than the turmeric or the onion skins to dye the eggshell. We allowed the eggs to sit in the purple water for 2-3 hours while we picnicked before it really started to take on the color.

We learned a lot from the beet dye experiment.  We had used a pre-cooked package of beets from Trader Joe’s. We added the beets and beet juice to the 1 Tbsp of vinegar and boiling water. This did not work as well as far as dyeing, even after we boiled the eggs. They eventually just turned out to be a pale tan color. The main tip we learned for the future is to use raw beets.

Cut the top off of raw beets and peel off the skin with a peeler. Chop the peeled beets into chunks. Boil them in water and 1 Tbsp of white vinegar with 6 eggs 12-15 minutes…this should produce a lovely pink coloring.

TIP: Make sure to use glass or a stainless steel bowl when working with beets. Also rinse any utensils, cutting board or surfaces immediately after cutting the beets to avoid the potent red from staining.

As an alternative, Thrive Market, known for selling natural and non-toxic products, sells all natural food coloring made from vegetables such as spiralina, beets, turmeric, etc. You can also try to find these products at your local health food store. Becca bought these dyes as a back up alternative. It’s always great to make sure all your bases are covered when experimenting for the first time!

Now comes the fun part. Once the eggs are dyed and cooled to room temperature, invite over all your loved ones for a potluck picnic and craft party. Our afternoon of kitchen experiments worked up our appetite, so we set up a picnic in the backyard and let the decorating begin. Cheese, fig jam and gluten-free treats where a great accompaniment to our French tunes & Rosé for our afternoon art day. Experimentation continued as I smeared herbed goat cheese on everything from boiled eggs to crunchy purple cabbage leaves (a great alternative to a cracker).

Becca provided different ideas for decorating the eggs. The highlight of the day was edible gold. This can be used as paint to stencil or to brush onto the eggs and is completely safe to eat. They sell it on Amazon: HERE. Flick the paint with a paintbrush to create a mini Jackson Pollack-inspired masterpiece or paint the gold over a mint leaf used as a stencil.  Brush over twine to create a geometric pattern on the shell. The great thing about the left over paint is that you can use it in the future to brush gold onto other desserts etc.

If you are not going to eat the eggs, use colorful sharpies and have fun drawing designs onto your egg palette. Becca tried a beautiful decorating technique using nail polish. Swirl/drip nail polish onto the surface of a cup of water. Dip the egg into the mixture to create a webbing design on the surface.

TIP: Make sure to save the egg carton, to hold the eggs as they dry. Use a disposable paper cup so that you don’t stain your glass.

As well as the multi-colored sharpie pens which give a sharp clean line to any design, Becca’s craft basket also had thin decorative tape to play around with. Feel free to mix it up and experiment with whatever crafty fun catches your eye!

Have fun this weekend and HAPPY EASTER! ~ With love from Sirens & Scoundrels

To learn more about Becca Murray, our hostess, check out her site: www.beccabrain.com

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”! 

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Words by Sarah Prikryl // Photography by Sarah Prikryl

Contributing Photos by: Becca Murray

© 2016 Sirens & Scoundrels

Just Float ~ Sensory Deprivation Chamber

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Our mission at Sirens & Scoundrels is to go find every cool off-the-beaten-path adventure and bring it back to you so you can try it yourself. As a meditation teacher, I’m always especially curious about anything that promotes increased presence and self-awareness. So what do those things have to do with locking your naked self in a pitch-black soundproof weightless saltwater chamber voluntarily? Well, step inside and let us show you…

Sensory deprivation tanks originated back in the 1950’s as a means to research the brain’s dependence—or lack thereof—on external stimuli. What they discovered is that controlled sensory deprivation (the removal of all external stimulation) over short periods of time had the same effects as entering a meditative state—moving from beta or alpha brainwaves into theta waves for deep relaxation. Starting in the 1980’s, centers began providing float tanks to the public seeking their restorative and rejuvenating properties.

Over the years, we have heard about several float centers in L.A. But we knew the time had come to dive in with the opening of Just Float in Pasadena—the world’s largest float center, right here in our own backyard. Unlike the small pods that are used at many spas, Just Float has custom-designed eleven private float tank rooms. Each room is equipped with its own shower, dressing area and amenities. The private float tank inside is a huge walk-in chamber big enough to stand in (thankfully for all of us claustrophobes) filled with about a foot of heavily salted room temperature water to keep you buoyantly floating on the water’s surface with zero effort on your part.

Stepping into Just Float, you immediately begin to feel your stresses melt away. The quiet, immaculately clean spa environment and friendly staff instantly make you feel more at peace and put your mind at ease. Be sure to arrive at least 15 minutes early so you can fill out your paperwork and watch the short video that explains the floating experience. This is a helpful step in the process—you get just enough pertinent information to understand the logistics of what is about to happen, without laying on too much expectation for your personal experience. If you get a chance to say hi to the owner, Jim, we highly recommend it. Jim has a passion for floating that is contagious and his genuine care is so evident that you can’t help but feel inspired to just completely relax and give in to the gift he’s about to give you. This is a man on a beautifully peaceful mission who clearly practices what he preaches.

From the lobby, you’ll be led to your own private room where you take a pre-shower with provided shampoo and body wash. (HOT TIP: We recommend shaving the day before your float, not on the day. The water has very high salt content and can sting if you’re too freshly shaven.) We also recommend using your time in the shower to start letting your mind settle and your cares fall away from you. Treat it as part of your meditative experience so that you’re already “in the zone” when you step into the chamber. After your shower, open up the door to the float tank and step on in. They provide ear plugs if you need them, as well as a spray water bottle and towel in case you ever need to wipe the saline water from your face. They have truly thought out every step to ensure your maximum comfort. Once inside, you close the door while soft spa music plays and dim lights shine overhead. Lay down in the tank and push the large white button on the side to turn off the lights and begin your float. The music will fade away on its own. You also have the option to leave the music on, as well as the lights, according to your comfort level. But we recommend going full blackout to really get the most from the experience. The chamber is pitch black and silent while the water holds you effortlessly. You can move your hands for a bit, but it feels great to just let them float where they wish and then stay there—your entire body perfectly held and supported by the warm water without you having to do anything.

Now this is where every experience will differ. It’s something that truly cannot be explained, just has to be experienced, because it is unique to each individual and will be different every single time. I always advise my meditation students not to “chase experiences”—meaning that each time you sit to meditate, you are a different person with a different set of circumstances and you will never have the same meditation twice, so don’t try to. Just go with whatever shows up as it shows up—there is no “one right way”. It’s the same with a float session. The whole point is to be absolutely present. The benefit of the chamber is that it acts like a fast track to presence by removing all distractions for you so you don’t even have to think about it.

But if you do find yourself in your head as you start your session (which I did after a morning of running around), just take care of yourself so that you can make the most of your session. When I felt my mind ricocheting away, I just took a brief moment to sit up, connect to my breath and get grounded into my body in the darkness BEFORE slipping into the water. Taking 2 minutes to do this up at the top allowed me to just melt away peacefully for the next 58. When the soft music and lights came back on to signal the end of my session, I was surprised at how quickly the time seemed to have passed and suddenly understood why experienced floaters will do two hour sessions. Once you hit the yummy spot, you really wanna stay there for a while.

Once your session is ended, you have 15 minutes to shower again and wash off any salty residue, get dressed and come outside. There is a lounge with hair products and blow dryers if you need to get ready for your next destination and a relax room with tea, adult coloring books and a spa journal if you would like to make note of your experience afterwards. Flipping through the journal and reading about other people’s floats is pretty fascinating and makes you feel like you’re taking part in something much bigger.

After my float, I felt like I was gliding on air. I had such a deep sense of peace and relaxation that I was almost giddy. I just felt lighter in every single sense of the word. I can see why people keep coming back for more. And with monthly package deals that can even be split between two people, it’s a surprisingly very do-able option. I personally already have my next trip planned and can’t stop telling people about this place. Because, really, if you have the opportunity to literally lighten up your entire mind, body  and soul just by laying in a room for a bit…take it at every chance you can get.

Be sure to subscribe to Sirens & Scoundrels for more Local Adventures delivered straight to you! Enter your email address on our home page & hit “SUBSCRIBE”! For exact hours, scheduling & pricing, visit Just Float’s website: http://justfloat.com.

Words by Christina Huntington // Photography by Sarah Prikryl

© 2016 Sirens and Scoundrels

Goulash~ Beef & Potato Stew

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St. Patrick’s Day is usually celebrated by parades of shamrocks, wearing green and drinking beer. But for me, St. Patrick’s Day always reminds me of my Czech grandmother. Her birthday was March 17th, 1916. So on St. Patrick’s Day, we would go visit my grandparents, who were married for almost 60 years by the time my grandpa passed away. Being farmers and homemakers, both my grandparents were amazing cooks. The smell of kolaches baking and goulash simmering on the stovetop were nostalgic aromas wafting through the screen door of their little farmhouse. My most euphoric and vivid childhood memories are always associated with cooking or sitting around a dinner table with my grandparents.

We would cook and bake all day, then eat supper gathered around their wood dining table with the Czech radio station playing a polka or waltz in the background. My grandpa would sweep my grandma up in his arms and waltz her around the kitchen with pots bubbling and aprons flying. After a full belly, we would take a walk through the fields down to the railroad tracks at sunset listening to a symphony of crickets, then wander home, wash dishes and have dessert. It was a picturesque fantasy of what life is like when it’s centered around making food with love and sharing it.

So… in honor of my angel of a grandmother’s birthday, I am sharing my grandpa’s Czech goulash recipe with you all. This sumptuous beef stew is the perfect accompaniment to an ice-cold beer as you celebrate this St. Patrick’s Day!

 

Czech Goulash ~ Beef Stew

Serves 6

Ingredients

  • 2.5 lbs. lean beef rib meat
  • bones from the rib
  • 1-large  yellow onion
  • 2-stalks of celery
  • 2-medium carrots
  • 2-medium tomatoes
  • 2.5 heaping cups-cabbage (finely cut)
  • 5-medium potatoes
  • 1-dried chili
  • 3 & 1/2 Tbsp. chili powder
  • olive oil
  • salt & pepper to taste

**When buying the rib meat, it is important to buy the bone as well. The bone is stewed creating a bone broth that not only gives the stew its rich flavor but is nutritious and healing to your body. It heals your gut, aids your joints and boosts your immune system.  The bone marrow contains calcium, iron, phosphorous, zinc, selenium, magnesium, manganese and vitamin A, as well as essential fatty acids that are known cancer inhibitors. I’ve emphasized in my other recipes that it is very important to make sure your produce and meat is organic and grass-fed if possible, so that you are ingesting healing nutrients and not hormones or toxins.

You can ask the butcher for the equivalent of 2.5 lbs. of rib meat plus the bones on the side or just buy bone-in ribs and take them home to separate yourself.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Using a sharp knife, cut the meat off the bone and set aside.

**It’s okay if you do not have much experience cutting meat, it doesn’t have to be pretty because it is going to be diced into small pieces.

On a baking tray, rub the bones with olive oil and bake in the oven for 15 minutes. This helps to speed up the bone marrow breakdown into your broth.

While the bones are broiling, dice the raw rib meat into small pieces and set aside.

Dice the onions, celery and tomato. Chop the carrots into thin slices. Finely chop the cabbage.

On the stovetop, heat 1 Tbsp. of olive oil in a stew pot over medium heat. Add the diced onions and cook until they start to brown and caramelize. Add in the diced raw rib meat and brown. Your bones should be out of the oven by now. Pour any drippings from the baking pan into the pot. Add the broiled bones. Add the chopped celery, carrots, tomatoes and cabbage. Stir. Add 1/2 cup water, 1 Tbsp. salt and 1 tsp. pepper. Cover and cook over medium heat for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.

While the vegetables and meat are cooking, boil water in a separate pot. Peel and dice the potatoes. Boil the potatoes until fork-tender, about 20 minutes, and drain them.

TIP: This is where I went rogue on my grandpa’s recipe. I wanted to add a little bit of texture to the stew, so I pulled half of the potatoes and roasted them into crash potatoes to garnish the top of the stew. I would recommend it. If you choose to do this, my crash potato recipe link is HERE

In the goulash pot, after the meat and vegetables are cooked and boiling, add 1/2 a gallon of boiling water (8 cups), 1 dried chili and 3 & 1/2 Tbsp. of chili powder.

If you are doing the traditional version of the stew, add all the potatoes to the goulash.

If you would like to do the crashed potato topper version, pull half of the potatoes at this point and add to the goulash as they are. Take the other half of the par-boiled potatoes, smash, drizzle with olive oil and bake at 400 degrees in the oven for 25 minutes. More expansive instructions for the crashed potatoes: HERE.

Bring the goulash to a boil.

TIP: If you are sensitive to spice, remove the dried chili at this point.

Once the goulash is boiling, reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 20 more minutes.

TIP: The goulash is ready to serve, but if you have time to let it simmer for a while, the longer the bones cook the richer the flavors will be.

Add more salt & pepper to taste.

Now gather all your friends for an Irish Celebration and share your stew pot masterpiece! If you’ve made the crash potatoes, spoon a serving of the goulash into a bowl and top with a few of the crispy potatoes. Serve with a toasted gluten-free baguette for dipping and have fun watching all your loved ones devour this warm and hearty beef stew with an ice-cold beer.

BON APPÉTIT & HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY! ~From 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”! 

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

© 2016 Sirens & Scoundrels

Downtown Field Trip

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Earlier this month, we invited our readers to cut class and ditch work with your resident Ferris Buellers for our first official Sirens & Scoundrels Field Trip. We were beyond thrilled to have an awesome group of artists and innovators come together for a rogue weekday art, food & culture adventure to Downtown LA! Who knew Tuesdays could be so cool?

We started our adventure at the new Broad contemporary art museum on Grand. We first wrote about the Broad in our December article: HERE. Many readers wanted to check it out for themselves afterwards, but were surprised that tickets were booked out months in advance. So we decided we’d make it really easy: secure a bunch of tickets and invite people to just show up. This is the best way for you to do it with your friends, too. Tickets are free and you can reserve up to nine at a time, so we suggest that you just take the initiative for your gang and book the earliest date available online: HERE. The good news is so much advance notice gives everyone plenty of time to work out their schedules and make it happen.

HOT TIP: The first time we went, we got mid-day tickets. We don’t suggest doing that if you want to get into Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room—The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away, a special installation that you have to sign up for once you enter the museum and you WILL want to see no matter what. So this time we booked 11:30am tickets (they open at 11am) and had no problems. As soon as your group is allowed entry to the museum, head directly to the Infinity Room sign-up kiosk located along the grey wall on the first floor between the gift shop and the gallery entrance. Enter your name, group size and phone number on the tablet screen. They will text you when your group entry time comes up.

The private 2000-piece contemporary art collection of Eli & Edythe Broad is displayed over two floors, generally grouped by artist, not by movement. Most of the heavy-hitters are represented, without much historical narrative. But there is no denying that it’s incredibly impressive for a personal collection—Warhol, Basquiat, Murakami and Lichtenstein are all given the star treatment.

Modern art can be very divisive, but that’s also the fun of it. Does it make you feel anything? Does it need to? Does it have to “mean” something? What does it mean to you? It’s all fuel for lively conversation and different perspectives. Especially in the Koons room. It might be the photo hotspot of the museum with its large pop art sculptures of balloon animals and Michael Jackson with Bubbles, but it’s also the best place for overhearing heated debates about what constitutes art. Standing back and looking at people as they look at the art and argue its meaning is just about as meta as it gets.

But it’s not all just fun and fluff at the Broad. Robert Longo’s Untitled (Ferguson Police, August 13, 2014) appears to be a giant black and white photograph of the police during the Ferguson riots, but in fact it’s charcoal on paper…and it never ceases to give us chills. A darkly haunting image that packs a visceral punch. Barbara Kruger’s Untitled (Your body is a battleground, 1989) will have you questioning the relationship between media, politics, power and the individual. On the peaceful side, Rudolf Stingel’s oil on canvas mountainscape Untitled (2010) is deeply affecting in its simplicity when you sit in its looming greyscale beauty. Sit on the bench in front of the painting and take a Zen moment to commune with “nature”.

Ragnar Kjartansson’s The Visitors is by far our favorite piece in the museum. The nine-screen video installation of individual musicians playing the same song together from remote rooms is indescribably moving. Indescribable because it just has to be experienced. But if you can imagine being physically wrapped up in a lullaby, that’s kinda what it feels like–dreamy, other-worldly and completely entrancing. With a runtime of over an hour, you can have as much or as little of the experience as you want. We like to keep checking in throughout our visit, to continue getting snippets as it progresses. Just try to walk away without humming “my feminine ways…” aloud to yourself for the rest of the day, no matter if you’re a siren or a scoundrel.

When you get the text for your group to come to the Infinity Room, line up single file along the wall behind the velvet rope. You will go in one at a time for one minute each. Cameras are allowed inside, but our suggestion is to take a photo at the top and then put your camera away. Moving around inside is fun and gives you lots of wow factor, but the biggest impact comes from standing or sitting perfectly still for as long as you can and gazing out in front of you. You’ll suddenly understand the meaning of the word “infinity” like never before.

After the museum, we gathered up our gang and hoofed it just around the corner to Grand Central Market. Head across the street from the museum down 2nd, take a right on Hill and you’re there—just a couple short blocks away. Downtown’s mecca of all things foodie, Grand Central Market has become the go-to place for some of the best food and beverage offerings in LA, with enough options to please every palate.

LA-based Golden Road Brewing’s new tasting bar opened the day we went. With 20 craft beers on tap, it got big thumbs up from our scoundrels. Ramen Hood 100% vegan ramen and pho also got rave reviews. Sirens Sarah & Kelsey hit up Madcapra for falafel salads that were out of this world—subtly spiced, light and delicious. They were also big fans of the sparkly fresh-pressed beet juice—refreshing and earthy, but not too sweet.

Siren Christina decided to dive into Eggslut—famous for all things egg-related, as well as their extremely long lines. But today was lucky and with no line in sight, the fantasy of the egg burger was made a blessed reality. Ooey and gooey in all the right places, with a PERFECT balance of savory, sweet and saucy…it’s clear why this burger constantly tops the “Best of LA” lists. HOT TIP: Our insiders informed us that if the lines are too long at Eggslut, head on over to DTLA Cheese + Kitchen for an egg sandwich believed to strongly rival their more famous neighbor.

In beverage land, G & B Coffee is a complete experience in itself. Grab a seat at the bar for some of the best people-watching in Downtown while you wait for the barista to create your drink with the focus and care of a true artist. The turmeric latte with homemade almond & macadamia nut milk is off the hook. Seriously. Just try it.

We finished up our day the way all great field trips should end: with a visit to our favorite ice cream truck. The pastel yellow Van Leeuwen Ice Cream truck is parked outside the Broad most weekdays. The homemade ice cream is created from just a few simple ingredients: fresh milk and cream, cane sugar & egg yolks. The vegan ice cream is made from housemade cashew milk, organic coconut milk, organic extra virgin coconut oil, organic cane sugar, pure cocoa butter & organic carob bean. We never met an ice cream here (regular or vegan) that we didn’t love, though Salted Caramel, Earl Grey & Candied Ginger seem to be the biggest crowd pleasers. And you’ve never had vegan ice cream if you haven’t tried THIS vegan ice cream. It’s the vegan ice cream to top all others—so decadently rich and creamy your mind will argue with you that they must have slipped you the wrong scoops on accident, there’s no WAY this can be vegan. Well, lucky you…it is. The Vegan Cookie Dough and Vegan Mint Chip ice creams are enough to start a new addiction. But addictions can’t be bad when they include natural ingredients, right?

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

Find exact locations and hours to create your own Downtown LA Field Trip. The Broad: www.thebroad.org. Grand Central: www.grandcentralmarket.com. Van Leeuwen Ice Cream: www.vanleeuwenicecream.com.

Words by Christina Huntington // Photography & “The Visitors” Video by Sarah Prikryl  // “The Infinity Room” Video & Contributing Photos by Josh Yeo

© 2016 Sirens and Scoundrels

Le Garage ~ Sausalito, CA

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What’s a Siren or Scoundrel to do when they’re itching for the South of France but also need to pay the rent? Head up to Sausalito and experience the Riviera’s kissing cousin in all its dreamy aquamarine glory. If you really want to set the scene, go straight to Le Garage for a French Bistro dining experience that will leave you asking, “Cannes who?”

Sitting right along the waterfront with big white sailboats and shiny yachts glittering and bobbing lazily in the afternoon sun, you can relax with a glass of French rose and dust off those phrases you haven’t used since high school: “Ah oui, Monsieur, je vais tres bien, merci beaucoup. Umm…that’s all that I remember.”

Le Garage is a true fine dining experience made refreshingly accessible and delicious. The French owners wanted to bring some of their local comfort foods to the traditional bistro menu. So alongside their exquisitely executed staples like Steak Frites and Salade Nicoise, you’ll also find Country Pork Chops and Crispy Panisse—french fries made from chickpeas.

The highlight of our meal by far was the P.E.I. Mussels. Siren Sarah kept putting her fork down, rolling her eyes back in ecstasy and exclaiming to anyone who would listen, “These are the BEST mussels I have ever had in my LIFE!” Then she’d get real quiet and just shake her head in disbelief. Le Garage delivered some mussels shock-and-awe to our resident foodie that she still can’t stop talking about. Light and delicious with no hint of “fishiness” and a lemony garlic wine sauce you could drink on its own, I’d have to agree with Sarah–best mussels ever. Better, even, than the South of France.

Le Garage is open Monday~Sunday. Check the website for exact seating times and rotating seasonal menus. http://www.legaragebistrosausalito.com

Words by Christina Huntington // Photography by Sarah Prikryl

© 2015 Sirens and Scoundrels

California’s French Riviera ~ Sausalito & Marin, CA

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One of the greatest joys of living in California is that you can hop in your car at a moment’s notice and create the instant epic road trip of your dreams. Snow, surf, forest, mountains, desert—whatever your heart desires, it’s right here for the taking. And if you’re like us and dream of wearing stripes while sipping rosé by the waterfront in Nice, then it’s time to head up to Northern California for a taste of the French Riviera in our own backyard!

We feel the call of Northern California quite often. Big fans of a road trip, we answer that call by piling our gang into our (eco-friendly) cars and making the drive up the coast. It’s the perfect time to get in some 80’s-power-ballad sing-alongs, have some deep and meaningfuls, explore sleepy unknown towns and their many dried fruit & nut options, and of course—catch up on Serial and backlogged This American Life episodes.

On our last trip up, even though we were seeing Hall & Oates play The Greek in Berkeley, we opted out of staying in San Francisco for a Marin County adventure. Located just north of San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin offers a complete treasure trove of experiences for curious adventure seekers. Just beyond the Golden Gate, the fog suddenly dissipates into warm sunny skies guiding your way as you wind down to beautiful Sausalito. THIS is the French Riviera of California. The sleepy little seaside town has managed to keep its quiet charm for the past fifty years. But as you drive along the sun-kissed coast, brilliant white boats sparkling along the water’s edge, you’ll swear you’ve landed in a completely different country.

Stop off at Cibo for a coffee or tea to rival (possibly outdo) your favorite LA haunt. Take your hot bevvy and have a wander through the docks just across the way, where you can admire the gorgeous boats bobbing in the water and make up stories about their owners. For the more adventurous, you can even charter a boat for a relaxing bay sail. If you’re into arty home goods, the original Heath Ceramics headquarters is open to the public for factory tours, where you can also buy overstock of the coveted tableware at discounted prices. Check out the famous houseboats of Sausalito while you’re over there—a culture that sprang up in the 60’s and hasn’t stopped growing, full of Crayola-color homes as unique as the folks who live in them. But skip all the tourist shops along Bridgeway for the main event: the food. San Francisco is known as a foodie town and its seaside cousin Sausalito is no different.

For lunch, go to Fish. Located along the wharf, Fish focuses on sustainable fishing practices with new specials created every day accordingly. It’s the perfect place to grab a beer and the freshest seafood you’ve had in ages while supporting a conscious local business. Another popular spot amongst locals is Bar Bocce, supposedly home to the best pizza in Marin, but you can judge for yourself. Grab a drink, hang out by the outdoor firepit and even get in a few rounds of bocce ball on their tiny private strip of beach.

Hands-down, our favorite restaurant in Sausalito is Le Garage, a true French Bistro dining experience right on the waterfront. Sit outside on the patio to continue your French daydream: order a glass of wine, watch the sailboats snoozing in the bay and dig into the best mussels and steak frites this side of Cannes. Everything on the menu is delicious, there’s no way to go wrong. We recommend you order as much as possible between friends and share it all—you won’t regret it. And this is one place where you don’t want to skip dessert: the chocolate molten cake is to die for.

If you’re ready to take in some wine country, continue North into Sonoma County to Scribe Winery. Our favorite little winery, Scribe is about as picturesque as it gets. Even their bathroom is Instagram-worthy. Pick a farm table under the trees or grab a picnic blanket and spread it out on the hill overlooking the vineyard. Baskets of cheese, bread, fruit and nuts are available for purchase along with their wines, which you can also do tastings of. This is the perfect afternoon to share with friends and an even better romantic outing with your sweetheart. Just be sure to book a reservation before showing up, which you can do: HERE.

On our last trip, we decided to stay in Mill Valley. Located just north of Sausalito, Mill Valley is home to stunning Muir Woods and Mount Tamalpais. Here, you can Airbnb a treehouse-style cabin in the redwoods. Our place had a huge zen hot tub surrounded by redwood trees. Nothing beats soaking outside under the stars with the world’s largest trees looming overhead to reconnect you to the bigger picture. Take a day hike into Muir Woods, a real live Fern Gully with giant redwoods covered in bright green moss, and get in touch with your inner wood nymph. If you take the Ocean View Trail up to the top, head directly across the street on Panoramic Highway to Mountain Home Inn for a drink and light meal with quite possibly the best view of San Francisco anywhere. HOT TIP: It’s the perfect spot to watch an early evening moonrise over the city.

Continuing our foodie adventures, we headed north to Saison Farm, the local farm of three-Michelin star restaurant and culinary sensation Saison in San Francisco. The Bay Area was one of the originators of the farm-to-table movement in the 70’s and that passion never ceased. Saison recently decided to buy its own farm so it could ensure the absolute best produce, dairy and game to meet its incredibly rigorous and discerning standards. We didn’t have an extra grand to spend on dinner at Saison, but we luckily got to take a small tour of the farm to see how the operation worked, courtesy of Adam Rusk who built and runs it.

Set on a sunny hillside, Saison Farm looks like something out of a children’s story. Sprawling veggie patches, happy dairy cows, greenhouses overflowing with exotic edible greens we’d never heard of…I was waiting for Peter Rabbit to come by in his blue coat at any moment. Seeing the incredible care and attention to detail put into every single piece of food grown and raised was incredibly inspiring. Though to be honest, we’ll always take a tomato hot off the vine any day over hot off a chef’s plate….but that’s just us.

Saison Farm is not open to the public and the restaurant carries a steep price tag, but for those of you curious and with the means, they also have a bar where you can order a la carte items without having to do the traditional 18-course tasting menu. If anyone tries it, let us know what you think!

Heading back towards Mill Valley, we stopped in at adorable Fairfax. A very progressive community with a small town throwback feel, Fairfax is like taking a stroll through Pleasantville, once all the colors are shining brightly. Stop in at Casa Manana for a traditional Mexican meal to blow your mind. It’s a simple order-from-the-counter affair, so take your food to-go and sit across the way in the park where you can savor all the perfectly spiced flavors amongst a cathedral of redwood trees. Be sure to grab an ice cream cone from tiny local organic ice cream shop Fairfax Scoop for the road—creamy, delicious and handmade with love.

No trip to Northern California would be complete without at least one visit to the big city. Head into San Francisco and spend the afternoon wandering the Ferry Building Marketplace along the Embarcadero, where you can sample all kinds of delicious local delicacies from chocolates to pickled grapes and purchase one-of-a-kind handcrafts from local artisans. It’s Etsy come to life!

Be sure to do yourself a great big favor and make a dinner reservation at NOPA. If you can’t get a reservation, show up right when they open and put your name in for a sneaky table. A deeply revered modern SF institution, this place is no joke. We were almost crying with joy from our meals here—every single dish done to delicious perfection. Not at all snooty, the food here FEELS GOOD to eat and is plentiful. The roast chicken tastes more like juicy bacon somehow, in the best of all possible ways. The salads are umami perfection, hitting all the right notes. This was the meal we never wanted to end. In fact, we still dream of NOPA with hearts in our eyes—the one that got away that we’ll hopefully return to someday…

If you’re up for some unusual fun after dinner, stop by Urban Putt for a drink. A restaurant-bar unlike any other, this one comes with a small indoor miniature golf course. Lines can get long, so be prepared to have some leisurely drinks and good conversation between putts. But when was the last time you were allowed to play golf indoors without getting yelled at?

If Bay Area folks are serious about their food, then they’re deadly serious about their ice cream game—being home to many a dueling organic ice cream company. Residents line up outside the streets of their favorite ice cream shops at night like they’re waiting to get into a club—velvet ropes and all. And trust us, it’s worth it. If you haven’t had Bi-Rite yet, you haven’t had ice cream. That’s a big statement, but it’s also true. Bi-Rite Creamery makes small-batch, organic, handmade ice cream right in the heart of the city. With flavors like Blue Bottle Coffee with Alfiere Almonds & Chocolate Chips, Honey Lavender with Sonoma Honey, and Spicy Hot Chocolate with Marshmallows and Fudge Swirl, you’ll have plenty of reasons to die and go to Ice Cream Heaven. And for all you foodies, the attached Bi-Rite Market is your artisanal, organic, farm-fresh food porn dealer. Our resident foodie Sarah was almost hyperventilating in there. Gluten-free vegan home-baked French pastries? Artisanal fair-trade dark chocolate bars with locally sourced ingredients? Organic hand-churned cheeses? Got it. And they’ll teach you how to do it too in the class they’re teaching at 8:00pm. Also, all the people who shop here are really pretty. Just a side note.

We hope you’ll use our recon to create your very own build-your-own-adventure to all the exciting places waiting to be explored just outside San Francisco! Check out our spotlight on Le Garage: HERE. And if you want to learn more about Sausalito houseboat culture and bay sails, you can read our article from Destinations magazine: HERE.

Now enjoy some sultry French tunes, brush up on your French with your Duolingo app just because everything is sexier en français and start planning your Riviera excursion without ever having to leave our beautiful home state of California. How lucky are we?

*~Bon voyage et bon chance, mes amis!~*

Words by Christina Huntington // Photography by Sarah Prikryl

© 2016 Sirens and Scoundrels

Zucchini Noodle Pad Thai

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In 2011, I traveled to Thailand and my true love affair with Thai cuisine began. The explosion of flavors was unlike any Thai food I had experienced in the States. I couldn’t leave “The Land of Smiles” without uncovering the mysteries of those beautiful bright flavors–which prompted a bike ride to a little farm in the northern countryside to take a cooking class from a Thai chef. My friend Kristen & I experienced cooking Thai cuisine for the first time with local ingredients. Thai food is so satisfying because it awakens a symphony of flavor. Spicy, salty, sour and sweet, Thai cooks are masters of balancing the palate. No other dish showcases that magic like Pad Thai.

Flash forward to 2016 and that adventure still finds its way into my kitchen. As a home cook and happa, I like to experiment with Asian cuisine but with a California twist. This is not surprising since I grew up with a Korean mother who would sneak rice and kimchi onto our dinner table to accompany any international cuisine from Italian pasta to Czech goulash.

This Zucchini Noodle Pad Thai became an experiment in combining a traditional soul-nourishing dish with a healthy, gluten-free & carb-free alternative. It’s an explosion of flavor that will make you want to book your ticket to Thailand tonight.

Most Asian markets and some regular grocery stores carry many of these specialty items, but we are lucky in Los Angeles because our beloved Thai Town is fully stocked with so many Thai markets. My favorite grocer is Bangkok Market on Melrose Avenue. The mom & pop feel of the place transports me back to Chiang Mai. Nothing makes Thai food sing like fresh lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves and Thai basil.

ZUCCHINI NOODLE PAD THAI

SERVES 2

INGREDIENTS

  • 4-5 Zucchini squash (depending on size)
  • ½ cup Bean Sprouts
  • 1 Carrot
  • 1/2 Red Bell Pepper
  • 6 Mushrooms
  • 2 Eggs
  • 1 Lime
  • 3 cloves of Garlic
  • 2 Kaffir Lime Leaves
  • 1 tall stalk of Lemongrass
  • 1 inch knob of Ginger Root
  • 1 Tbsp. Coconut Oil
  • 1 tsp. Tamari Soy Sauce (Gluten-Free)
  • 1 tsp. Almond Butter or Peanut Butter
  • 1 tsp. Tamarind Paste
  • ¼ tsp. Shrimp Paste
  • 1 tsp. Honey (optional)
  • 1 Tbsp. Sesame Oil
  • Pinch of Red Pepper
  • 1 tsp. Fish Sauce

Pad Thai Toppings

1/2 cup minced Herb Mix: Thai Basil, Cilantro, Mint

Roasted Peanuts (to taste)

Sriracha (optional)

Lime Wedge

With a knife, cut off the top and bottom of the Lemongrass stalk. With the butt of the knife or a meat tenderizer, pound the stalk flat and then mince.

Mince the fresh kaffir lime leaf. Mince the garlic cloves and fine grate the ginger root. Set all aside individually.

Grate the carrot. De-seed and slice the red bell pepper into small strips. Set all aside.

With a peeler, peel strips of zucchini length-wise, rotating 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 for this dish, so that the zucchini retain more texture as they cook down.

Slice the mushrooms into chunks. Set aside. Heat a wok on the stovetop to medium heat. Add 1 Tbsp of sesame oil. Move the wok around to let the oil cover the surface of the pan, then add a pinch of each of the following: grated ginger, minced lemongrass & minced garlic. Stir with a spatula. Add the chopped mushrooms. Allow to cook. As they are beginning to brown, add a dash of water (2-3 Tbsp) just to help them steam, and to deglaze the pan.

TIP: In Thailand, the food is not greasy. When cooking in a wok, add water or broth versus more oil when you need to keep ingredients from sticking. If you don’t have a wok, you can cook everything in a skillet, just make sure to cook the ingredients individually and remove them from heat.

Add 1 tsp of Tamari Soy Sauce. When the mushrooms are brown, push them to the side wall of the wok. Add ½ Tbsp of coconut oil to the wok. Crack two eggs into the center of the wok. Scramble the eggs using the spatula. When both the mushrooms and eggs are cooked to your preference, remove them from the heat and set aside.

TIP: Reduce heat. Make sure the temperature of the wok is not too hot so that you don’t burn the sauce.

In the wok, add ½ Tbsp of coconut oil, the remainder of the minced garlic, kaffir lime leaf, lemongrass and ginger. **Make sure to stir continuously to not burn the ingredients.** Add the fish sauce, 1 tsp sesame oil, a pinch of red pepper and 1 tsp of almond butter. Add the tamarind paste and shrimp paste. Add honey (optional to preference), a little bit of water (2-3 Tbsp) and the juice from ½ a lime. Stir until the almond butter and pastes are smooth and incorporated.

Keep stirring so that all ingredients are mixed together. When the sauce is bubbling, stir in the zucchini “noodles” making sure the sauce is evenly distributed. Cook for 1-2 minutes. Very quickly, you will see the zucchini ribbons “curl up”.  Cook them until “al dente”. Do not overcook.

Add in the cooked mushroom and eggs. Stir and remove from heat. Stir in the grated carrot, red bell pepper and bean sprouts if you are serving right away.

TIP: You want the raw ingredients to stay crisp so that they contrast with the texture of the noodles. If you are not serving the Pad Thai right away, wait to add the raw vegetables at the last moment.

De-stem and chop the leaves of the Thai basil, cilantro and mint in equal parts to create ½ cup of herb mix. Coarse chop the roasted peanuts.

Plate the Zucchini Pad Thai, sprinkle with the herb mix and peanuts and dress the plate with a lime wedge. This is to be squeezed over the top before eating. Offer Sriracha as an additional option to add a little heat to the dish for those guests who delight in some spice.

BON APPÉTIT! Enjoy this healthy taste of Thailand!

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 Sarah Prikryl // Photography by Sarah Prikryl

© 2016 Sirens and Scoundrels

All Space Considered ~ Griffith Observatory

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So, it’s time for us to come clean….we at Sirens & Scoundrels are actually big secret space nerds. How can you possibly see pictures of the cosmos (like the ones below from NASA) and not have your mind absolutely blown away by how unfathomably complex and mysterious the universe is—and how miniscule we are amongst it? How can you not be filled with an undying thirst to want to know more—how it all came to be and why we still have so few concrete answers even with all of our advancements in technology?

If you have ever seriously wondered about the mysteries of the universe and our place in it, but don’t have time to go back to school for astronomy…we have something wonderful to let you in on. Once a month, the Griffith Observatory holds a free space talk. Not just a talk—but a fun, lively, often hilarious roundtable of respected scientists (seriously, we had no idea scientists could be so funny) breaking down all the latest space news in a way that we mere Earthlings can understand and, yes, ENJOY.

sarahprikryl-ovservatory-2

All Space Considered is held the first Friday of every month at the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon theater inside the Griffith Observatory. Tickets are totally free, but seats are given on a first-come first-served basis. The talks are popular and parking at the Observatory is never bountiful, so be sure to arrive early (before the sunset photo-taking crowds ascend) to make sure you give yourself enough time to park and get a good place in line. The Observatory entrance is also free, so why not get up there early, wander through the exhibits, catch the best sunset view of LA, then leisurely grab your place in line for a space talk guaranteed to BLOW YOUR MIND?

The next All Space Considered is coming up this Friday, March 4, 2016 from 7:30pm-9:30pm. Regular hosts Dr. Laura Danly, Dr. David Reitzel, Anthony Cook and Patrick So will be joined by special guest Dr. Ken Carpenter from NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center. Topics covered this month in photos & discussion are:

  • Tomorrow’s space telescopes
  • Black hole ringdown shakes the universe: LIGO finds gravity waves
  • Welcome home Scott Kelly (the astronaut who has spent the past year living in space)
  • Straight outta inverse Compton
  • Pretty pictures (the best of this month’s space captures)
  • March sky report

Bring your friends for a surprisingly lively and stimulating night out. Better yet, bring that special someone who you’d like to show your intellectual AND romantic side to. The grounds are open until 10pm, so be sure to check out the big telescope and lawn telescopes on your way out for a chance to get in a little stargazing, bringing those great big cosmos straight to you. Nothing makes you want to pull somebody close like being reminded of how tiny and fleeting we are in the grand scheme of things. And nothing seals a deal like knowing someone is willing to bring you the stars…

Now please take a moment to enjoy these astoundingly epic space photos.

This image, the first to be released publicly from VISTA, the world’s largest survey telescope, shows the spectacular star-forming region known as the Flame Nebula, or NGC 2024, in the constellation of Orion (the Hunter) and its surroundings. In views of this evocative object in visible light the core of the nebula is completely hidden behind obscuring dust, but in this VISTA view, taken in infrared light, the cluster of very young stars at the object’s heart is revealed. The wide-field VISTA view also includes the glow of the reflection nebula NGC 2023, just below centre, and the ghostly outline of the Horsehead Nebula (Barnard 33) towards the lower right. The bright bluish star towards the right is one of the three bright stars forming the Belt of Orion. The image was created from VISTA images taken through J, H and Ks filters in the near-infrared part of the spectrum. The image shows about half the area of the full VISTA field and is about 40 x 50 arcminutes in extent. The total exposure time was 14 minutes. This image is available as a mounted image in the ESOshop. #L

This image, the first to be released publicly from VISTA, the world’s largest survey telescope, shows the spectacular star-forming region known as the Flame Nebula, or NGC 2024, in the constellation of Orion (the Hunter) and its surroundings. In views of this evocative object in visible light the core of the nebula is completely hidden behind obscuring dust, but in this VISTA view, taken in infrared light, the cluster of very young stars at the object’s heart is revealed. The wide-field VISTA view also includes the glow of the reflection nebula NGC 2023, just below centre, and the ghostly outline of the Horsehead Nebula (Barnard 33) towards the lower right. The bright bluish star towards the right is one of the three bright stars forming the Belt of Orion. The image was created from VISTA images taken through J, H and Ks filters in the near-infrared part of the spectrum. The image shows about half the area of the full VISTA field and is about 40 x 50 arcminutes in extent. The total exposure time was 14 minutes. This image is available as a mounted image in the ESOshop. #L

To celebrate its 24th year in orbit, the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has released this beautiful new image of part of NGC 2174, also known as the Monkey Head Nebula. NGC 2174 lies about 6400 light-years away in the constellation of Orion (The Hunter). Hubble previously viewed this part of the sky back in 2011 — the colourful region is filled with young stars embedded within bright wisps of cosmic gas and dust. This portion of the Monkey Head Nebula was imaged in the infrared using Hubble's Wide Field Camera 3.

To celebrate its 24th year in orbit, the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has released this beautiful new image of part of NGC 2174, also known as the Monkey Head Nebula. NGC 2174 lies about 6400 light-years away in the constellation of Orion (The Hunter). Hubble previously viewed this part of the sky back in 2011 — the colourful region is filled with young stars embedded within bright wisps of cosmic gas and dust. This portion of the Monkey Head Nebula was imaged in the infrared using Hubble’s Wide Field Camera 3.

All that glitters

This striking new NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image shows a glittering bauble named Messier 92. Located in the northern constellation of Hercules, this globular cluster — a ball of stars that orbits a galactic core like a satellite — was first discovered by astronomer Johann Elert Bode in 1777. Messier 92 is one of the brightest globular clusters in the Milky Way, and is visible to the naked eye under good observing conditions. It is very tightly packed with stars, containing some 330 000 stars in total. As is characteristic of globular clusters, the predominant elements within Messier 92 are hydrogen and helium, with only traces of others. It is actually what is known as an Oosterhoff type II (OoII) globular cluster, meaning that it belongs to a group of metal-poor clusters — to astronomers, metals are all elements heavier than hydrogen and helium. By exploring the composition of globulars like Messier 92, astronomers can figure out how old these clusters are. As well as being bright, Messier 92 is also old, being one of the oldest star clusters in the Milky Way, with an age almost the same as the age of the Universe. A version of this image was entered into the Hubble’s Hidden Treasures image processing competition by contestant Gilles Chapdelaine. Links Gilles Chapdelaine’s Hidden Treasures entry on Flickr

And for all you cosmic enthusiasts out there, you can also read about the history of stargazing and the greatest astro-tourism spots from around the globe, as well as the best accessories to plan your own stargazing adventure in my new article out this month in Destinations magazine: HERE.

All Space Considered at the Griffith Observatory. The 1st Friday of every month, 7:30-9:30pm. Tickets are free. Further info at:  http://griffithobservatory.org/asc/all_space.html.

Words by Christina Huntington // Observatory Photography by Sarah Prikryl

Space Photography & Captions from NASA

© 2016 Sirens and Scoundrels

 

Say Cheese! ~Your Self-Help Guide to Cheese Pairings

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This one is for all you cheese lovers out there.

Spoiler Alert: This article may trigger impulsive behavior. It may induce intense cheese board fantasies–forcing you to go buy large chunks of cheese, then gather all your friends to eat said cheese while enjoying the best day of your adult lives. Because what’s up with being an adult if you can’t eat as much cheese as you want, whenever you want to?

Maybe that’s why I like to create moments that make me feel as if I’m living a life of leisure: lounging in a farmhouse…on a vineyard…in the south of France (where they supposedly have 452 official kinds of different cheese). My favorite thing in the world is sitting down with friends at sunset over a cheese board and a glass of Rosé. Because really, cheese just makes everything better.

I want to take your taste buds on an adventure. In solidarity over our mutual cheese obsession, we’ll learn the nitty-gritty about what makes a good cheese pairing. And what could be better than enticing your friends into the fold with a Cheese Pairing Tasting Party?

Cheese has subtle nuances in flavor and texture and, just like wine, it is enhanced by what accompanies it. There’s a reason you always see chefs pair steak with blue cheese, that mozzarella and tomatoes are a staple of pizza and that smoked salmon and cream cheese has been around since the dawn of time.  As the resident Sirens & Scoundrels foodie, I did the dirty work of fleshing out some hot tips to make your CHEESE experience even better. It’s all about the cheese pairings!

I immediately thought of “Say Cheese” Gourmet Food Market, a hidden gem deep in the heart of Silverlake (right next to the Trader Joes on Hyperion Avenue), to answer all of my cheese curiosities. Say Cheese is a little gourmet heaven stocked with everything from wine to chocolates, accompaniments and, of course, those gorgeous cheese wheels. A café is attached with regulars popping in and out for a smooth, hot cup of coffee and oven-toasted, cheesy, decadent sandwiches.  It’s been a blessing in the neighborhood since 1972. They are really known in the neighborhood for having rare products and seasonal cheeses.

They have a Briat Savion Pineapple Brie Cheese that people line around the block for when it comes to the store in the springtime. They carry Maison de la Truffle, a truffle brie that is exclusively available for sale from Thanksgiving through the New Year (if they don’t sell out before that) from The House of Truffles in France…and the list goes on.

Every time I’ve wandered in, I am delighted by the gorgeous array of high quality cheeses. But what really makes this place so special is having your own personal fromage expert to guide you along the way. Meet Glenn Harrell, the owner of 17 years, who makes you feel so well taken care of. You always learn something new, before being sent skipping on your way with a basket full of crowd-pleasers that will take you on a magical mini-trip to Europe, right in your own back yard.

With the expertise of Glenn Harrell, our local cheese monger from SAY CHEESE and sommelier of all things decadent, we are going to break down a few of the mysteries of this addictive and euphoric food.

GLENN’S TOP TIPS 

TIP: When you pair things together that are seasonal, organic and regional, it enhances the flavors of the cheese AND your accompaniment. That’s why in restaurants you usually see Manchego (my FAVORITE–a Spanish aged sheep’s-milk cheese from La Mancha) paired with quince paste. Quince fruit is originally grown from the same region of Spain.  French Brie (a creamy, buttery soft cow’s-milk cheese) and French wine are a no-brainer.  The grapes from the soil in regions of France bring out notes in the creamy brie, and vice versa.

So when pairing cheeses, the rule is: “grow together, pair together”.

TIP: Cheese in Europe is always left at room temp. Glenn recommends letting the cheese sit for at least an hour on the countertop before serving, so that the texture and flavors are the most ideal. It’s like fine wine…it needs time to breathe.

I did a taste test in the store of a gorgeous swiss cheese that had been sitting out and then a piece of that same cheese that was cold, newly cut from a refrigerated block. I was shocked that the experience was so different. The cold piece was slightly bitter and the texture was not as creamy. It had a crumbly texture and I could not taste some of the subtle depth of flavor that was very present with the room temperature slice.

TIP: Glenn was adamant that when choosing products for cheese pairings, there really is no “right way” or “wrong way”…it’s all just about taste preference. Because as we cheese lovers already know, cheese makes everything better! But it is fun to take your taste buds on an adventure and try something new. Glenn had some wonderful recommendations depending on flavor preferences, what kind of group you are sharing with and what kind of event. Are you cooking with cheese? Are you pairing the cheese for a romantic picnic? A cheese board for a party? Just GO talk to Glenn…he is now your cheese guru too. You’re welcome!

Using all of my new-found knowledge with the help of Glenn, here’s some pairings that I was inspired to take home to share with friends for my very own Cheese Pairing Tasting Party!

First, I was recommended to go with a plainer gluten-free cracker versus the rosemary crackers, so that the taste of the cracker does not overpower the subtle flavor of the cheeses I chose. I also bought my favorite olives (Castle Vetranos from Sicily). These bright green olives taste so buttery and are not too salty.

TIP: The great thing about adding olives and also smoked meats like prosciutto and salami to your charcuterie board is that they can pair with anything. They are there to accompany the cheese and are used like adding salt to food.

Now without further ado, the main event: These are the 5 cheeses I chose this time…

Gouda is a hard aged cow’s-milk cheese from the Netherlands and it pairs well with cashews, grapes & strawberries. It’s yellow color and texture add a nice contrasting aesthetic to round out any cheese board.

Of course I had to buy my favorite, Manchego, the Spanish aged sheep’s-milk cheese, with quince paste. It pairs well together with a slice of ripe pear or just a plain luscious bite of cheese with a sliver of the subtly sweet quince paste. MMMMmmmm….

P’tit Basque is a semi-hard French Sheep’s-milk cheese, from the French Basque region. In the store, Glenn paired it with a rose petal confit, and the taste was so bright and creamy. It also pairs well with dried apricots, or fresh figs and cherries if they are in season.

Brie, a soft, buttery & creamy French cow’s-milk cheese, is wonderful to spread on apple slices, or on a crispy cracker with a drizzle of honey. It’s great with nuts, pear & figs. I tried the Brillat Savarin Affiné Brie… one word, DELICIOUS. Brie can be spread like butter, or baked whole wrapped in a crispy pastry with tart cherry compote for a party.

The richness of the Le Cousin Swiss cheese with raw cashews is a real winner and I highly recommend it. The lush Swiss cheese pairs well with a Chateau Saint Ahon Bordeaux.

And speaking of wine, no picnic basket would be complete for a lovely afternoon as you dive into your magical European Cheese Tour than a wine accompaniment. I chose a crisp French Rosé and a bottle of Chateau Saint Ahon Bordeaux to accompany the spread, since the majority of the cheese tasting was regionally from France.

The best things about inviting all of your cheese-obsessed friends over to taste test the pairings you’ve chosen are:

  1. You will be a hero when you send out that invitation because you just brightened everyone’s day, because let’s face it, cheese makes everything better.
  2. It’s a great edible excuse to share the thing you love most with the people you love the most.
  3. You are now officially an adult, because you can eat cheese whenever & however you want to.
  4. You will feel like the smartest cookie in the room with your new-found foodie knowledge.

AND…

  1. You get to share all of this over your own hand-picked CHEESE board!

BON APPÉTIT!

Say Cheese Gourmet Market: 2800 Hyperion Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027     www.saycheeselosangeles.com

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

© 2016 Sirens and Scoundrels