Showing posts with label Stacey Kuhns. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stacey Kuhns. Show all posts

Saturday, December 9, 2017

Three New North County Restaurants You Will Want to Try

Three New North County Restaurants You Will Want to Try

by Stacey Kuhns

Last weekend, my boyfriend and I would up eating out a lot because he was moving and things were crazy. We are eating healthy (for the most part), so wanted to try and stick with healthier options. We tried three new restaurants in North County.

Here is my breakdown on the places we tried:

The Flame Broiler

This restaurant is located at 3295 Business Park Drive, Suite B in Vista (right off Palomar Airport Road, across from Target). This place is great for takeout or eat in. You order at the counter and wait while your food is served up, then you pay. They offer a small bowl, large bowl, or large plate to choose from (kind of like the Poke places). You have a choice of chicken or Angus beef or a combo of both. They also offer a tofu option*. You can choose white or brown rice and veggies.

We both got a combo plate with veggies. The meat was good and the veggies were cooked perfectly. The cool thing is they have a condiment station with various sauces. I tried a red hot sauce and a green hot sauce and both were delicious on all the food. I apologize as I cannot find the pictures I took there. They weigh the meat and veggies separately and I am not sure how that will go when they are busy, as it seems very time consuming. All of their pictures show green onions on the top of the food served. We were not offered green onions and I would have liked that option. Not even sure if they had them.

Either way, the prices are reasonable and I would recommend this place as we felt good after eating there. They also have a very nice outside eating area. The prices range from $5.05 to $9.50.

*Flexitarians and Vegetarians love the uniquely charbroiled, organic, and non-gmo project verified tofu, cut and prepared on a bed of White or Brown rice.

 

Ichiban Ramen & Sushi

This restaurant is located at 3265-C Business Park Drive, Vista (same center as The Flame Broiler). This restaurant is clean and has lovely decor. It is a large place with plenty of seating and you are immediately greeted by staff (which appears to be a family owned business). The menu is extensive.

Ichiban Ramen & Sushi - Review by Stacey Kuhns

Ichiban Ramen & Sushi - Review by Stacey Kuhns

We started with three different kinds of Ngyiri. You get two pieces per order and have to ask for the paper menu that you make your selections on. The fish was amazing. It did not look like the usual Ngyiri you get in most sushi places. The salmon had an extra piece of salmon wrapped around it! It was like we got a free piece of shashimi! I could go there and just order the Ngyiri. There selection of sushi rolls also looked amazing. They have counter seating at the sushi bar where you can watch the chefs making your rolls. I do have to mention that their wasabi was out of this world. It tasted so fresh and biting. Way different than what I have had in other restaurants.

Ichiban Ramen & Sushi - Review by Stacey Kuhns

We both got different kinds of Ramen. We did the build-your-own version where you can pick your broth and your add-ins. I chose the Shoyu (which is what I normally order when eating ramen). Ed ordered the Tonkotsu (a pork bone broth). I also chose the spicy paste. I would recommend you order that on the side. I can take a lot of spice and heat but I was choking because it was so spicy. They offer a number of interesting add-ins, including pork belly two ways, sweet corn, tofu two ways, a wood ear mushroom, and other options. I chose bamboo shoots, corn, soft boiled egg and green onions. They left out two of my four ingredients but rectified it quickly when I pointed it out (although I did not receive any sort of credit on the bill for that). Ed loved his ramen. I would give the ramen another try. I found the flavor of the broth really different and not to my taste. It almost tasted sweet with notes of cinnamon or something along those lines. That with the heavy fiery spice was difficult to handle. They have so many options, I would give it another try.

Ichiban Ramen & Sushi - Review by Stacey Kuhns

Ichiban Ramen & Sushi - Review by Stacey Kuhns

This restaurant also offers nice to go containers for the ramen. I would recommend it because of the quality of the Ngyiri, sushi, and the comfort and cleanliness of the place. The family also came out and said, "Arigato" when we left which was very nice.


Varanda

This restaurant is located at 1020 W. San Marcos Blvd, San Marcos, in Restaurant Row. It is in the old India Princess location and I must say a huge step up from India Princess. I have been here twice already and will be taking an out of town friend there next week. They have a regular menu but offer their buffet every day, including weekends! It is reasonable for all you can eat Indian food at approximately $15.

Varanda - Review by Stacey Kuhns


The staff there are amazing and very friendly and welcoming. One of the girls remembered us from our previous visit. Edward and Chelsea were very helpful and answered all of our questions about the food. They were quick to refill drinks, ask if we wanted more Naan, or if we needed anything. The inside has been given a fresh facelift that makes a world of different from the previous owners place. It is very comfortable and welcoming.

Varanda - Review by Stacey Kuhns

Varanda - Review by Stacey Kuhns

Varanda - Review by Stacey Kuhns

Varanda - Review by Stacey Kuhns


There are so many choices that it is best to take a small spoonful of each and decide which ones you like for a second trip. They did not have all of the same items both times we were there so we were able to try a wide variety of Indian dishes. Some I absolutely loved, some others, not so much, but all the colors were vibrant and the food was cooked perfectly. The chef is a master.

Varanda - Review by Stacey Kuhns

Varanda - Review by Stacey Kuhns

Varanda - Review by Stacey Kuhns

Varanda - Review by Stacey Kuhns

Varanda - Review by Stacey Kuhns
Varanda - Review by Stacey Kuhns


I highly recommend this restaurant as I could not find fault with anything there. Let's support our small business owners! If you like Indian food, this is a fabulous choice because you get so many options with the buffet. They brought us extra garlic naan, which we could not finish. They were happy to wrap it up for us to take home. Usually, buffet restaurants don't want you to take anything home.

I was adventurous and tried most things there, which were pleasantly surprisingly yummy. The beautiful dessert above, that kind of looks like a sticky funnel cake, was cold, which I was not prepared for, but boy was it good. Hats off to this place!

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

El Dorado Park – Long Beach, California

El Dorado Park – Long Beach, California

Almost Like Being There


The El Dorado Park neighborhood of Long Beach, California is on the east side of the city adjacent to the large El Dorado Regional Park.


  • Hours of Operation:
  • Fall/Winter 7:00am-5:00pm Nov 1- Feb 28
  • Spring/Summer 7:00am-8:00pm Mar 1 – Oct 31

Photos by Stacey Kuhns

 


The park is bounded on the east by the 605 Freeway, on the north by the Long Beach Town Center shopping mall, and on the south by Stearns Street. Because of the barrier of the freeway and park between the neighborhood and the rest of Long Beach, as well as the barrier created by near Norwalk Blvd and the Coyote creek and the neighboring cities, the El Dorado Park neighborhood feels quite separate.

The regional park sits in a flood zone, and it protects residences from spillover from the neighboring San Gabriel River. Additional undeveloped land south of Willow street near the confluence of Coyote Creek and the San Gabriel River is held by Southern California Edison, and some designated to become part of the park's Nature Center.

The park was developed in 1968 after the land was sold to the City of Long Beach by the Bixby Family and was financed using bond money floated in the 1950s and 60s, and the varied topography comes from soil removed to construct the San Gabriel Freeway.


Friday, August 25, 2017

Living with Pain - A Long Rough Road

Living with Pain - A Long Rough Road

Be Strong

by Stacey Kuhns

Living with Pain - A Long Rough Road - Be Strong
Stacey with Service Dog Henson


As I embark on the road to a healthier lifestyle I reflect on the trails that got me to this point in life. After much research, reading, and just plain living, I realized that I have been dealing with the same health issues since I was a child.

Back then, doctors would have never guessed what was going on and no one ever looked at my issues globally, taking the entire body and its systems into account.

College is when everything came to a head for me and I was extremely sick, physically and well as depressed. My mom came down to the school a few times to take care of me and take me to and from the hospital. Still, no one figured out what was wrong with me. Doctors seemed stumped.

I got to the point where I assumed being in pain throughout my entire body was normal and something I would have to live with the rest of my life.

While working in law enforcement, I spent a year in a wheelchair, thinking I would never walk again. I still came to work every day (except when I had medical appointments), and I feel continued to work at 100%. When Defensive Tactics classes became a requirement for the County of San Diego, my doctor advised me that I could become permanently injured if I took the class. It didn't take the County long to decide I could no longer do my job (even though I was an investigator and they have since put those classes on hold). Anyway, water under the bridge. Point is, I had to retire 9 years early, giving up a 21 year career and losing a lot of pay.

It took until my 40's until I was diagnosed with one of my diseases and until my late 40's until a pain management doctor finally put the pieces together for me, diagnosing me with my second disease. That diagnoses also made me permanently disabled in the eyes of the state, but I do not receive a monetary payment for being disabled. I was not medically retired from work either, as they felt my conditions were not caused by the job. I do receive Medicare as my sole benefit of my "settlement".

It has been a long rough road. There is no cure for either of my diseases. There are lots and lots of medications that supposedly help ease the pain a bit and make me "comfortable." Some days, that is a laugh as comfortable is not even in my vocabulary.

Many days I wanted to die and felt there was no reason to go on. Why live every day in intense pain. What does being here serve when I can barely dress myself or get undressed by myself? And chores and grocery shopping...sometimes I cannot wait to get back out to the car so I could burst out sobbing.

My diseases are two of the long list of "invisible diseases*." People don't believe you are really sick. They think if you lose weight, you will be cured. If you just go out and exercise a lot, you will be cured. I was advised by my doctors to swim (as walking is extremely painful for me.) I love swimming but one hour of water aerobics would put me in bed for two days with excruciating pain. I persevered, went to counseling, cried a ton, and luckily have an amazing group of close friends who helped me and supported me. (You all know who you are). I also had many friends who dropped out of my life because of all this. People that I felt were almost family, that I had known over 20 years. I don't get it, but whatever. And I even had family members pull away because I was no longer the one doing everything for everyone and was no longer superwoman.

I am so thankful to Ed who loves me unconditionally and accepts me and has provided me with adventures I never thought I would be capable of doing. I am so thankful to my amazing parents for always being there for me, for Ed who loves me unconditionally and accepts me and has provided me with adventures I never thought I would be capable of doing.
Ed and Stacey
I am so thankful for the people in my life now and those who have remained by my side. I am thankful to the trainers at Kindred Spirits Dog Training who made me feel that training my service dog was possible (even though there were times I was overwhelmed and wanted to give up). I am thankful to David for suggesting a service dog might be a help to me. I am so thankful to my amazing parents for always being there for me, for Ed who loves me unconditionally and accepts me and has provided me with adventures I never thought I would be capable of doing. For Chuck who has always been there. For my amazing girlfriends old and new who I love so much.

I know that eating right and exercising as much as my body can handle will provide wonderful benefits for me. Losing weight has never helped my pain levels but I am finding alternative things that are helping. I am getting good medical care.

I plan to keep keeping on. I plan to live each day as it comes and listen to my body and do what I can.
Henson
I plan to keep keeping on. I plan to live each day as it comes and listen to my body and do what I can. I hope to keep volunteering (as I have come close to quitting so many times due to how physical the job is and how high my pain levels have been), and I hope to keep learning and growing with Henson, eventually completing the Therapy Dog class and taking him to make others feel better, even for a short time.

For all those suffering invisible diseases. I get it. I am with you. Be strong. Never give up because there are so many people to reach out to, people who really do care. Hugs!

Related Posts

  1. Liberty Public Market (#LibertyPublicMarket)
  2. San Diego Botanical Gardens
  3. Anza Borrego Desert Bloom
  4. Dog Training Kindred Spirits Dog Training
  5. Gem-O-Rama....Is it Worth It?

*According to one study, more than 125 million Americans have at least one chronic condition (defined as a condition that lasts a year or longer, limits activity and may require ongoing care) and nearly half of those have more than one. These chronic illnesses often share one major characteristic: they are not visible to an onlooker; thus the term “invisible illness.”

Thursday, June 8, 2017

Liberty Public Market (#LibertyPublicMarket)

Liberty Public Market (#LibertyPublicMarket)

By Stacey Kuhns


Liberty Public Market (#LibertyPublicMarket)


Well Worth a Visit

 

On Sunday, June 4, my boyfriend and I decided to check out Liberty Public Market.  I had heard many good things about it and my kids gave it great reviews. My boyfriend was very curious about it as he went to Boot Camp at Liberty Station many years ago. He said it looks very different now. (I bet it does).

It is definitely a busy place so be prepared for a lot of traffic. Located at 2820 Historic Decatur Road, San Diego, 92106. The facility is open from 11am to 8pm. They also have a Farmer's Market on Thursdays.

We had a bit of difficulty locating the entrance as all we saw when we drove in were restaurants with lines in front of them. We began walking around and most of the galleries and stores were closed on Sunday, which was disappointing.

There are stores and a women's museum around the perimeter of the grounds (large grassy areas, fountain, sand area for kids to play in). The grounds are beautiful though and many families were walking around with their children and everyone seemed to be having a good time. I think we were too early and the reason we could not find the place itself was because it was not opened yet. We finally found it!

Liberty Public Market (#LibertyPublicMarket)

Liberty Public Market (#LibertyPublicMarket)


I found the hallways to get into the main area to be dark and dingy. There were kiosk vendors in the hallways and they were getting very little business from what I observed. The area with the food vendors is well lit and there is a "mess hall" where you can take your purchased items and sit and eat.

It gets very crowded so my boyfriend and I found a table in the dark hallway outside Parana (an empanada vendor). We purchased three empanadas (small). I thought it was cool that the flavor of the empanada is stamped into the dough with initials. The empanadas did not taste homemade and I would not purchase them again. It appeared they were pulling them out of a refrigerator or freezer and putting them into an oven already made.

Liberty Public Market (#LibertyPublicMarket)

Liberty Public Market (#LibertyPublicMarket)


My boyfriend bought a roast beef roll from the Roast Meat and Sandwich shop. He loved it. He bought me a lobster roll from Wicked Main Lobster, which was excellent. I got the traditional style and it was just loads of wonderful lobster meat and not much else, just the way I like it. They were so busy, they were giving people buzzers to come back and pick up their food when it was ready. (Difficult to get good pictures because it was so dark in the hallway).

Liberty Public Market (#LibertyPublicMarket)

Liberty Public Market (#LibertyPublicMarket)


We purchased some fresh ravioli, from Pasta Design, to take home and cook (chef's special, which was chipotle chicken and also a bacon/mozzarella one). I made a homemade marinara sauce and the bacon ravioli was my favorite. Delicious. They package the pasta in nice boxes. It lasts two days in the fridge or a month in the freezer. Cook in boiling salted water for approximately one minute in a large pot (so they do not stick together).

Liberty Public Market (#LibertyPublicMarket)

Liberty Public Market (#LibertyPublicMarket)


When you go to Liberty Market, be prepared. Everything is pricey. There are healthy options, such as a salad place to the not so healthy fare, such as sweet treats.

Liberty Public Market (#LibertyPublicMarket)

Liberty Public Market (#LibertyPublicMarket)


We purchased several items from Crafted Baked Goods. All wonderful. (And yes, there is a bite taken out of the "brookie"). LOL.


Liberty Public Market (#LibertyPublicMarket)

Liberty Public Market (#LibertyPublicMarket)


These three items set us back $16! There is also a fish market (very expensive). You can purchase live prawns and sea urchin.


Liberty Public Market (#LibertyPublicMarket)

Liberty Public Market (#LibertyPublicMarket)


All in all, I am not sure I would return to Liberty Public Market. The aisles are very small and with the crowds it is difficult to navigate through everything. I was underwhelmed with the selection of eateries and was expecting more of a variety of ethnic foods to try.

Some skylights in the hallways would be a welcome addition. Also, for us, the expense was a once in a blue moon splurge. I almost forgot to mention the proximity of the Liberty Public Market to the airport. If you are dining outside or just walking around outside, the constant air traffic is quite noisy. Overall, I would say "meh."


Liberty Public Market (#LibertyPublicMarket)