Is there a restaurant you’ve been meaning to try? Is there somewhere that’s usually out of your budget? Or is there a foreign cuisine you’ve never tried? If you answered yes, Restaurant Week is the perfect opportunity for you.

If you’ve never tried Restaurant Week, or you’ve never strayed from your favorite dining spots, the biggest recommendation to pass on is to try something new. Take a step out of your comfort zone and go some where you’ve never been, order something you’ve never tried, or treat yourself to a three-course meal when you’d normally skip dessert.

As a Bay Area transplant, I’ve been in San Diego for going-on eight years. I’ve tried my fair share of restaurant weeks, and usually my expectations far exceed the $20, $30, or $40 price tag associated with each meal.

Last season I enjoyed a wonderful meal at Whisknladel in La Jolla. As a self-proclaimed foodie, I’m always in search of something I haven’t tried. And as a girl on a budget, I have to keep the price tag in mind when ordering. So, imagine my surprise when Whisknladel had bone marrow and beef carpacio on the menu. While I’d had carpaccio before, I was anxious to try the bone marrow. The rich, succulent, incredible flavor of bone marrow, capers and lemon on a crunchy piece of bread made my heart skip a beat. It was quite possibly one of the most decadent things I’ve ever eaten.

This time around, I had the pleasure of tasting the offerings from the kitchen at Tapenade (also in La Jolla). As a person who typically orders the most interesting, out-of-the ordinary thing on a menu, I was pleased by two things in particular: duck pâté as an appetizer and wild boar as an entree.

I’ll have to admit, I’ve had pâté before, but never duck pâté. The lackluster gray color of the pâté sitting on the plate isn’t the most visually appealing thing, but countered with the bright salad of pickled vegetables and greens, my mouth began to water. I first tried the duck pâté, first alone, then on top of the crispy bread jeweled with sweet walnuts. The crunchy bread and fatty duck were a great combination. The salad of pickled vegetables and salad with vinaigrette cut the richness nicely.

The second course was scallops on a bed of butternut squash risotto. The dish itself isn’t the most unique interpretation of scallops, as the combination is on many menus around the city, but the execution was on par with what you could expect from a fine French restaurant. The creamy risotto was seasoned perfectly to balance the sweet squash and the savory sauce. There was a slight bite to the risotto, which combined with the tender succulent scallops to create a perfect marriage of flavor and texture. It was quite possibly the best risotto I’ve had — ever.

Technically, my dinner guest ordered the wild boar, but I couldn’t pass up on the offer to taste it. The meat was slow braised and served with a red wine sauce that brought a deep flavor to the dish. Served over tender noodles, it was a spectacular plate of comfort food. The tiny pearl onions were “little sweet gems” as referred to by my friend as her eyes rolled back in her head from pure enjoyment.

Then came dessert. We had the profiteroles with ice cream and chocolate sauce and a rich dense chocolate cake with an espresso sauce. Both were individually paired with a sweet port and a dessert wine to generously end the amazing meal.

The staff at Tapenade was incredible too. The were quite helpful determining what we should order and made us feel welcome as if we were dining in their own homes.

Needless to say, Tapenade will be a highly memorable meal in my repertoire of Restaurant Week feast I’ve enjoyed over the years.

Other than my meal at Tapenade, I can provide a few suggestions for this season’s Restaurant Week. First, if you can afford it, go with a $40 meal. While there are great options at $20 and $30 restaurants, the most memorable meals I’ve had have been at $40 spots. For $40 you can get a classic steak house dinner, a technically flawless French meal, or whatever genre of food tickles your fancy.

There are so many restaurants to try in San Diego, it can seem like a daunting task to hit all the spots recommended by family and friends. Restaurant Week is the time to try the best offerings from some of San Diego’s hottest dining destinations. Restaurant Week is just one more shining example of the incredible food culture we have in this city. So get out there and start eating. You won’t be disappointed.

San Diego Restaurant Week is taking place now through Friday, January 20. Visit http://sandiegorestaurantweek.com for more information.

The addition of Timeline is not a subtle change. Rather it fundamentally changes with how we interact with Facebook and the online social world in general. The question is, are we ready for the change?

After the backlash over the most recent changes to the newsfeed, the home page layout and privacy settings, it’s quite surprising that Facebook has decided to introduce such a large change so quickly. Only time will tell what the public’s reaction will be.

Now, before going into details of the features of Timeline, please remember that change is inevitable — so get over it. After all, if Facebook never changed it would only be for college kids and all we’d know about was what class everyone was in. For those who remember back to the beginning of Facebook, there were no photos, there was no wall, there was no newsfeed. Remember? See? Maybe change isn’t that bad.

We don’t know what the new Timeline feature will bring to the social media world until everyone gets a chance to try it out, so keep an open mind and see what it’s all about  before jumping to conclusions.

In their blog, Facebook says, “Over time, your profile evolved to better reflect how you actually communicate with your friends. Now you can can share photos of what you did last weekend, and updates about how you feel today. But since the focus is on the most recent things you posted, more important stuff slips off the page. The photos of your graduation get replaced by updates about what you had for breakfast.”

Timeline is their answer to this problem. Features include:

Your Cover

This is a large photo that takes up top of the page. It’s the first thing people will see and learn about you.

Your Stories

This is most similar to your wall, but with much more control. Show your most memorable posts and moments you’d  like to share with the world (or just your friends).

Apps

A new world of apps for Facebook will be integrated into your Timeline. For example, apps from Spotify and Hulu will post your favorite music and movies if you choose to share it with Facebook. “These apps also help you discover what your friends are up to. You can even join in if you want: play the song they’re listening to, or watch the same TV show,” says Facebook in their blog.

So, what now? Are you ready to preview Timeline? You’ll have 7 days to get it just right before showing it to anyone. Facebook starts by selecting some of your top photos and stories from your past. You can choose to highlight or hide any of these stories, or add elements that are missing.

Privacy

We all know privacy in the digital world is essential. Facebook says, “Only the people you originally shared a post with can see it on your timeline. If you want, you can go back and change who sees a post, delete it or just hide it from your timeline.”

Learn more about Timeline and get it now: Facebook.com/about/timeline

When it comes down to it, it’ll take time to figure out Timeline, it’s features, the privacy settings, and more. So, what do you guys think?

Since then, each passing First Family has altered and added to the Thanksgiving tradition with their unique contributions of food preferences and customs. Did you know that Harry S. Truman started the annual White House tradition of pardoning a turkey before Thanksgiving?

The Obama family tradition includes one of the First Family’s favorites — sweet potatoes. This delicious and healthy recipe for White House Whipped Sweet Potatoes was enjoyed by the Obamas and around 50 guests in 2009, and is featured in “A White House Garden Cookbook: Healthy Ideas from the First Family for Your Family” by Clara Silverstein.

White House Whipped Sweet Potatoes
Serves 4

3 medium (12 to 16 ounces each) sweet potatoes
2 tablespoons butter
⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
⅛ teaspoon ground cumin
⅛ teaspoon chili powder
Pinch of ground cloves
4 tablespoons orange juice
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
Salt to taste

1. Set the oven at 425 degrees.
2. Wash the potatoes, pat dry, and wrap each one in foil. Place on a baking sheet and bake until soft all the way through, approximately one hour cooking time will vary depending on the size of he potatoes).
3. Remove the potatoes from the oven. Unwrap the foil and allow them to cool enough to handle.
4. Cut each potato in half. Scoop out the inside and place in a large mixing bowl.
5. Add the butter, cinnamon, cumin, chili powder, cloves, orange juice, and lemon juice. Using an electric mixer with a whisk attachment on medium speed, whip the potatoes until smooth and all the ingredients are incorporated, 1 to 2 minutes.
6. Add the salt and serve.

“A White House Garden Cookbook: Healthy Ideas from the First Family for Your Family” includes other Thanksgiving recipes from the White House and community gardens around the country, such as Fennel-Parsnip Puree, Pear & Fennel Salad, Kohlrabi & Carrot Stew, Tasty Greens with Turnips, Baby Carrots with Orange Juice & Cinnamon, Nutty Carrot & Cabbage Salad, various salsas, White House Baked Sliced Apples, and White House Apple Pie.

The book is now available at 40% off, for just $15. Learn more about the book and how Thanksgiving is celebrated at the White House by visiting www.CommunityGardenRecipes.com.

Photos and recipe courtesy of Red Rock Press.

The 2011 festival culminates this weekend, but activities throughout the week also feature a high-profile lineup of celebrity chefs, winemakers and culinary personalities. The best talent in the food and wine industry will headline the festival’s cooking and wine tasting classes this year.

This year’s lineup includes countless James Beard Foundation award-winners as well as winners of The Next Food Network Star, The Hearty Boys and former contestants on Bravo TV’s Top Chef. Local favorites Chef Bernard Guillas, Executive Chef of The Marine Room and Chef Denise Roa, Executive Chef of Rancho La Puerta will also be attending.“Wine and food enthusiasts can expect a world-class epicurean experience at this year’s 8th annual festival,” said Michelle Metter, the Festival’s co-producer.  “This year’s star-studded lineup of celebrity chefs touches on every end of the culinary spectrum, from James Beard and Michelin Star award-winning chefs to television personalities from Top Chef and The Next Food Network Star. Additionally, this year we are also pleased to announce the Bocuse d’Or Culinary Council Dinner, featuring four celebrated American chefs from around the country.”

Wine enthusiasts will enjoy tasting seminars and discussions from award-winning winemakers, sommeliers and master sommeliers.

Many of these celebrity chefs, winemakers, and culinary personalities will be present at the Grand Tasting Event held on Saturday, November 20. Seen by many as one of the highlights of the festival, The Grand Tasting features 170 wineries, 70 of San Diego’s top fine dining restaurants, 30 gourmet food companies, the lively “Chef of the Fest” competition, live entertainment, and more. Tickets start at $125 and are a great deal for such an amazing array of gourmet food and high end wines.

A complete schedule of events and online ticketing is available at www.worldofwineevents.com.

The event benefits the American Institute of Wine & Food’s culinary and enology arts scholarship program.

Not only is Napa Valley a wonderful destination for wine and food lovers alike, it is a perfect place to experience the changing season without the need to pull out your snow gear.

This November Napa Valley welcomes a great wine tasting event called Flavor! Napa Valley where the best of America’s wine and food capital will be showcased. If you’re looking for a pre-holiday getaway and a chance to relax with that special someone, book your travel arrangements now. The event is something that cannot be missed.

Taking place November 17 – 20, 2011, this four-day culinary exploration of tastings, cooking demos, dinners, and more.

Click here to view the embedded video.

One of the weekend highlights includes an event called “The Appellation Trail: Tasting Napa Valley” which is being hosted on Friday evening, November 18th, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the historic Culinary Institute of America (CIA) at Greystone in St. Helena, Napa Valley.

More than 120 wineries will offer their wines. Some of the best names in wine making will be there including Beringer Vineyards, Cakebread Cellars, Chiarello Family Vineyards, Crocker & Starr Wines, Etude, Grgich Hills Estate, The Hess Collection Winery, Michael Mondavi Family Estate, Mumm Napa Valley, Robert Mondavi Winery, St. Clement, St. Supéry Estate Vineyards, Silver Oak Cellars, Staglin Family Vineyard, Stags’ Leap Winery, and William Hill Estate.

In addition to the most sought after wines, guests will be treated to delectable treats from over thirty of Napa Valley’s best restaurants and artisanal food purveyors, including Ad Hoc, La Toque, Morimoto Napa, and The Restaurant at Meadowood.

Not only are the best brands and boutiques represented at this fantastic event, but many local and national food celebrities will be in attendance. Food Network chef, Restauranteur of the Year and local resident Tyler Florence will be there along with Richard Blais, the winner of “Top Chef All-Stars.” They will be doing demonstrations around a live fire grill where attendees can watch and enjoy the dishes prepared.

Local chef Dave Cruz from Thomas Keller’s Ad Hoc Restaurant in Yountville says that this event is going to be “an extraordinary way to experience the foods that are born from the same soils that produce the Napa Valley wines known around the world.”

Napa Valley is a world-renowned wine and food destination, and this event is something that any food or wine connoisseur will enjoy. The event makes a perfect destination to get away before the holiday madness begins. Tickets for “The Appellation Trail: Tasting Napa Valley” are only $150, and can be purchased online at www.FlavorNapaValley.com. Net proceeds from the event support programs and scholarships at The Culinary Institute of America’s Greystone Campus in St. Helena.

Make it a complete weekend of food festivities by heading to www.flavornapavalley.com to find other events and local destinations to check out.

With the introduction of the White House garden, the First Family and White House guests have a plethora of fresh, sustainable, organic produce at their fingertips. And while many “average” American’s don’t have the space, time, or knowledge to grow their own produce, it doesn’t mean we all can’t enjoy fresh seasonal flavors in our own home.

In the spirit of Halloween, Red Rock Press is sharing a sweet treat directly from the White House kitchen. We all know it’s not easy to eat healthy during the holidays, and the temptations start now. Sweet, sour, and chocolaty treats are everywhere, so why not try and add a more health conscious treat to your Halloween and holiday repertoire?

White House Honey Cupcakes are perfectly delicious without being too sweet. They’ll balance out your sugar high, but still allow you to indulge.

This cupcake recipe originally used honey gathered from the Executive Bee Hive at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. If you’re not able to get your hands on a coveted jar from Charlie Brandt (the White House beekeeper) or Michelle Obama (who gives away the honey in hand-blown vases), a bottle of the store-bought variety will do just fine.

White House Honey Cupcakes

Cupcakes:
1/4 cup butter, left out on the counter for approximately 1 hour to soften
1/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup honey
2 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Icing:
2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup honey
3 tablespoons lemon juice

For the cupcakes:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
2. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer on high speed, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. On medium speed, mix in the honey, eggs, buttermilk and vanilla until blended.
3. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. On medium speed, mix into the batter until just blended. Scoop the batter evenly into the lined muffin cups.
4. Bake about 20 minutes; cupcakes are done when the tops spring back lightly to the touch or a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

For the icing:
1. Place the icing ingredients in a small saucepan. Over medium heat, whisk the ingredients until the sugar and honey dissolve together; keep whisking to avoid clumps.
2. Using a spoon, drizzle over the tops of the cupcakes, or carefully pour over the cupcakes.

This recipe is featured in “A White House Garden Cookbook” by Clara Silverstein, a collection of recipes and gardening tips from First Families past and present as well as from kids’ community gardens around the country. Mrs. Obama’s upcoming spring book “American Grown” is expected to offer more garden recipes, but Honey Cupcakes can be enjoyed this Halloween.

To learn more about “A White House Garden Cookbook: Healthy Ideas from the First Family for Your Family,” please visit http://www.CommunityGardenRecipes.com.

Jobs was a true innovator and it is safe to say the world would not be the same had it not been for his innovations. He not only transformed Silicon Valley during the tech boom, but he reinvented the personal computer and personal electronics. From the Mac, iPad, iPhone, and iPad, Steve paved the way for true inventiveness, not only in the functionality of computers, but in their beauty as well. Steve Jobs once explained that he wanted to make products that were at “the intersection of art and technology.”

Apple has released a statement saying, “We are deeply saddened to announce that Steve Jobs passed away today. Steve’s brilliance, passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives. The world is immeasurably better because of Steve. His greatest love was for his wife, Laurene, and his family. Our hearts go out to them and to all who were touched by his extraordinary gifts.”

Not only did Jobs oversee the wildly successful releases of recent Apple products, he helped create one of the most loved and easily identified brands in the world. Who doesn’t know the apple symbol? And who doesn’t love commercials like this one featuring the cool Apple dude?

Click here to view the embedded video.

Thank you Steve Jobs for transforming the world as we know it.

A study released yesterday announced findings that women who drink four cups of coffee a day are 20 percent less likely to become depressed than women who rarely drink coffee.

Caffeine is the world’s most widely used stimulant, with approximately 80% consumed in the form of coffee. Americans are no strangers to coffee consumption, with a daily cup of joe (or more) a part of many adult’s morning routine. While we hear about caffeine addictions and dependency, yellowing of the teeth, insomnia, and more, researchers have determined coffee may actually help alleviate depression.

The study focuses only on women, and relies on self-reporting of physician-diagnosed depression, so additional testing is necessary to draw broader conclusions. But for now it appears increasing coffee consumption may reduce depression risk in women. While women who drank 4 cups of coffee saw the greatest risk decrease, women who consumed 2-3 cups also saw a decrease in depression risk.

On the other side of the genetic spectrum, men who are concerned with heart problems may want to consider fatherhood. A recent study by AARP suggests that fathers are a little less likely to die of heart-related problems than men without children. The results of the study do not suggest a direct relationship between fatherhood and heart health. Rather, contributory factors likely play a larger role.

For instance, men who have children are likely more concerned about their overall health and ability to provide for their families. Dads may also have moms around to nag them to exercise. As a result fathers are more inclined to eat better and exercise. In addition, if one subscribes to the “survival of the fittest” theory, men who are unable to father children may be genetically predisposed to additional health risks compared to men able to bear children.

So women, doctor’s orders are to drink up. As for the men, you can look forward to a life of parenthood and lower medical bills. But in the end, let’s all cross our fingers and hope for good health and prosperity for everyone, including the caffeine lovers and haters, and the child-bearing and child-less men.

Photos from Marcelo Alves and mrhayata via Flickr

The professional video facility has everything one might need to shoot a commercial, movie, music video, documentary, or independent film. The 2000 sq. ft. sound stage was already the site for filming a horror film being produced by local artists.

Not only is the sound stage available for films large and small, a wide range of equipment is available for rent. Lighting is installed, makeup and dressing rooms are available, full editing bays are available for use in post-production, and a sound-proof recording studio can be used to record original music, and more.

One of the most important aspects of video production today is the ability to film with green screen technology. Pixel Productions is the only site in San Diego where you can find a green screen cyclorama wall with cove, ideal for the most detailed graphics and special effects.

In addition to film and videography resources, the studio is home to a cove covered flat-finished white background in a customizable shot area. This space is great for still photography, portraiture, and product shots for businesses.

Pixel Productions will be partnering with local colleges to provide internships as well as a professional studio where they can complete projects. Working with Pixel Productions will give students exposure in video production, pre and post production, script writing, lighting techniques, editing, marketing, studio management, and more.

Producer, Paul Hentschl says, “Working with students from local schools puts us and our clients at a great advantage. Not only do the students get hands-on experience and exposure in a wide range of areas, but it also provides a great pool of young new talent that we can hire for future projects.”

Apart from working with local colleges and students, Pixel Productions is excited to work directly with videographers, photographers, musicians, and local artists. Not only can they benefit from having a great facility at their disposal, but services can be traded for studio time, facility rentals, and equipment rentals.

“We are excited for the prospects of working with talented people in San Diego,” says Hentschl. “The local artist community is vibrant and exciting. We’re planning on working closely in the community to support artists in their projects. If they need space for an art show, a place to meet with clients, or a facility that can accommodate their need, we are ready and open for business.”

Pixel Productions San Diego is located at 6875 El Cajon Blvd. Suite B, San Diego, CA 92115. Call 619-303-1008 for more information, to schedule a tour of the facility, or to reserve your rental. More information is available online at pixelproductionssd.com. Or fan them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.

The sewage contamination is said to be a result of the power outage. The spill sent an estimated 3.2 million gallons of contaminated water from the San Diego Metropolitan Wastewater System, Pump Station #64,  into the Los Penasquitos Lagoon.

An additional sewage spill occurred at Pump Station #1 near I-5 and Highway 54. This spill sent nearly 120,000 gallons into the Sweetwater River which flows into the San Diego Bay.

The spills were discovered at just before 6 p.m. on Thursday night and some sewage continues to leak into the surrounding areas, according to the county.

As a result of the first spill, all beaches north of Scripps Pier through Del Mar and Solana Beach will have signs warning of contamination posted at major beach access points. The smaller spill affects areas around Bayside Park in Chula Vista and the San Diego Bay area near Silver Strand. It is recommended that no one enter the water.

Looking for another way to keep cool in the heat? Read our latest article for non-beach ideas.

Photo by Ryan Leighty via Flickr.

The crime was caught on video surveillance and can be seen here:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Reports say that the clerk thought it was a joke, and didn’t initially report the crime until hours later. In the video you can see the Gumby-man come into the store with an accomplice. He approached the clerk and proceeded to reach into his pockets for what could have been a weapon, although a weapon was never seen. After fumbling around for several minutes and dropping change on the floor, the man in the costume gave up and walked off.

This isn’t the first foiled robbery attempt in San Diego. The website ClumsyCrooks.com reports the following crimes:

June 2011 – Reports say that a man wearing a flowered shirt and “lots of lip gloss” tried (and failed) to rob a bank.

March 2011 – A man who robbed a Jack in the Box at gunpoint was arrested when he returned to the same store for lunch the next day.

February 2010 – A man attempting to rob an elderly man called the police after a bystander punched him in the face while to try and stop him. The cops put the story together and arrested the robber for assault and elderly abuse.

This is also not the first robbery attempt in a funny costume. ClumsyCrooks also reports:

Michigan – A man in a batman costume was arrested after he was found dangling from a rope on the roof. He was charged with trespassing and weapons possession.

New York – A teenager’s bike was stolen by two people in a gorilla costume and one in a chicken outfit.

Washington – A man wearing a banana costume was arrested after flashing himself to restaurant patrons and waving a gun in the air.

According to the official website, “Fashion’s Night Out is an unprecedented global initiative created in 2009 in a partnership between American Vogue, the Council of Fashion Designers of America, NYC & Company, and the City of New York to celebrate fashion, restore consumer confidence, boost the industry’s economy, and put the fun back in shopping.”

The event has expanded around the globe, and is being celebrated throughout San Diego. The biggest event will be taking place at Fashion Valley Mall where stores will offer special deals and previews of new styles. Arrive between 6 and 11pm and enjoy the perks.

Fashion Valley Mall events for Fashion Night Out:

6:30pm – 7:00 pm – Fall Fashion Show

7:00pm – 9:00pm - Shop and enjoy in-store events.

Not sure where to go first?  Here are our top picks:

Bare Escentuals – Make a reservation for a free “make-under” while you preview the new “Drop Red Gorgous” line. Plus, take home a free tote with $50 purchase.

BCBGMAXAZRIA - Watch a runway show and sip on champagne. Guests will also receive special gifts with purchase.

Betsey Johnson – From 6-9pm the Betsey Gals will be modeling new looks for fall. Enjoy light appetizers & champagne while you browse the store.

8:30pm – 10:00pm – After-party in Macy’s Court with light bites and skinny martini’s. Also enjoy spa treatments from Spa Gregorie’s. The first 200 guest will also receive a swag bag.

As if we needed another reason to shop, the Fashions Night Out event is taking place to kick off the fall season. So get ready to put away those summer styles and bust out the fall colors and trends that are sure to be hot for the season.

The team of astronomers from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the University of California at Berkeley who found the supernova were using a specialized survey telescope at the Palomar Observatory in San Diego. They suggest that while you may be able to see the supernova with binoculars, you may need a very strong pair to get any real glimpse (80mm on a tripod). Almost any telescope should be able to capture the supernova.

Another issue hindering the average star-gazer is the moon (and the city lights). Not only do city lights, fog, smog, etc. make it more difficult to see the supernova, the moon is getting brighter in the night sky.

While the astronomers at Palomar Observatory are recording thousands of images and video from this event, there is a good chance the average person could get a glimpse as well. The exploding star is in the Pinwheel Galaxy, approximately 21 million light-years away, and can be seen in the Ursa Major constellation, also known as the Big Dipper. Scientists explain that the last two stars in the “handle” of the Big Dipper will form an equilateral triangle with the supernova. Listen to one of the astronomers from Berkeley Lab, Peter Nugent, explain more on how to spot it:

Click here to view the embedded video.

So, focus your binoculars or telescope tonight and get ready. We may not see anything like this for another few decades.

Don’t have the equipment? Want to see it in more detail? This is what it looks like with the right equipment:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Photos from Rallyroo and Nasa via Flicr

Each month San Diego Entertainer Magazine brings you the best entertainment and lifestyle segments on E&L TV. The show airs the first Sunday of the month at 5pm on Channel 6 (CW).

Past shows have included segments with financial expert Steve Sexton, local artists like The Riders, and local businesses from the Coronado Boathouse to Vasseur Day Spa. In this month’s show, you’ll be treated to find even more great San Diego stories.

The show is hosted at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. This location is a true San Diego staple for visitors and locals alike. It’s a hot spot for celebrities and has played host to past presidents and Hollywood royalty. It’s tucked in the hills in North County San Diego and overlooks rolling hills and riding trails, giving guests a taste of the country just a few miles from downtown. Hear from Kerman Beriker, the managing director at the Inn about what makes the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe so special.

Join host Angel Star as she talks to representatives from Plum District, a new daily deals site in San Diego that offers a great spin on the traditional concept. Plum District is designed “for moms, by moms.” Moms living right here in San Diego are out in the community sourcing deals. Each day a new deal is available, targeted directly for moms and families in the community. Plum District is helping San Diegans save money and at the same time is providing moms opportunities to start businesses by working as a district consultants. You can find much more about Plum District and the great things their doing in the community by tuning in this Sunday.

In the September show you’ll also see a familiar face — expert financial advisor Steve Sexton. Steve has been providing financial advisories to Entertainer readers for over 2 years now, and we’re happy to share more advice on how to manage finances in these turbulent economic times. In Steve’s segment you’ll also learn more about finding money that has “fallen through the cracks” and how many people in San Diego have used those monies to help charities in need.

Set your DVR or tune in this Sunday for E&L TV airing on local channel 6, The CW, at 5pm. You can also check back on SDEntertainer.com Tuesday to watch the show online. As “Your Source for Everything San Diego,” we want to thank you for watching. Be sure to tune in every month to learn more about the latest and greatest this city has to offer.

Watch July’s show:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Watch August’s show:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Giada De Laurentiis is a household name, making various television appearances from her numerous Food Network shows, Today Show appearances, as a spokesperson for Bella Sera Wines, and most recently as chef to the royal couple during their visit to California. Despite her celebrity status, she is surprisingly like every other California mom – stretched between work, numerous projects, and her family. In our conversation she explained how she balances it all and where she’s going next.

On Her Past, Present and Future

The Food Network star’s career began with her first show, “Everyday Italian.” Giada would put her culinary expertise to work showing easy techniques to integrate Italian cooking into the lives of Americans. Her passion for food was apparent early on, and continues to shine today.

In the beginning, filming the show was a challenge. She explains, “I was having problems shooting ‘Everyday Italian’ because I felt like I was stuck; I couldn’t move in the homes we were using. It’s also a little weird when you rent a house because the people have to move and you’re in their things. I really wanted to cook like I was at home and be able to go to the pantry and grab something. So we ended up building a set.”

The set of “Giada at Home” is a replica of the kitchen in her home in Malibu; everything from the ocean view to the countertops is just like it would be in her home. “I felt that if we could recreate my house, we would have more stability.”

Stability was surely needed as she and her husband Todd welcomed a beautiful baby girl in 2009. When she got pregnant she realized like many mothers that she had to set her priorities. “I decided I couldn’t add more. I had to keep the projects I had going to see where the new world as a mom would take me.”

Looking down the road, you may see Giada working on projects including children’s programming or animated shows involving cooking. She also wants to begin her travel show again. “This time I’d like to do specials where I can bring my daughter and husband with me to be part of the exploration. At this point, I’m just going to dabble in different areas and see where it takes me.”

One of the natural places that her career has taken her is as a spokesperson for Bella Sera Wines. Not only does Italian food involve cooking with quality wines, but the Italian culture is centered on wine, food and family.

“I got involved with Bella Sera because Stephanie Galo of the Galo family is a good friend of mine. We have a lot in common. Both our families came to this country to start a new life; we have a very similar story and cultural background.”

Giada understands that it is hard to find a good quality Italian wine that is affordable for everyday. “Bella Sera is not too expensive. You can not only cook with it, but actually drink it too. The grapes are all from Italy, so it’s truly an Italian wine.” The wine is also very easy to find says Giada, “They can be found in most grocery stores.”

The combination of Bella Sera and Giada’s food is delicious. Something special happens when you add wine to a recipe. “I feel like it really brings the Italian culture together. It’s about the Italian experience, and that’s truly what I try to sell. It’s what they try to sell too. We teamed up to sell the whole package.”

On Balancing Family

Giada is always working on one project or another; when we spoke to her she had just published her most recent cookbook “Giada at Home” and was in the middle of filming her TV show by the same name. She feels the constant demand of work and family and tries her best to spend time with her 3 year old daughter Jade as much as she can.

“Work can be a bit hectic, but we make it work. During the week I leave the house before 6 a.m. and I get home when Jade is already asleep, so I barely get to see her. When I’m away on weekends I try to get home in time to see my daughter so I can put her to bed.”

Not only does Giada make time for her family, but in the age of processed foods and growing obesity in children, she is paving the way for healthy eating for kids. Giada shows first hand how children can be introduced to healthy eating from an early age.

“We underestimate what children really like. If you start feeding a kid something when they’re really young, it doesn’t take long for them to get used to it. There are people working night and day to make sure those fast food burgers taste a certain way. There’s a sugar/salt component that they put in there that drives your taste buds insane and you get addicted to it. But if you start kids on fresh foods, the other stuff they eat it doesn’t taste as good.”

Although her daughter Jade enjoys many foods that kids her age may have never tried, that doesn’t stop her from being picky from time to time. “Sometimes she will look at broccoli and say, ‘I don’t want that.’ Or her tastes change, so I adapt with her.”

Favorite Foods to Eat and Cook

Giada’s favorite foods include Neopolitan pizza, the flavors of fresh pasta, fresh tomatoes, and olive oil. “I like lighter food,” she says. Giada is both Roman and Neopolitan, which explains her love of fresher flavors. She explains that “Northern Italian food is very influenced by Germany and France, so the food is heavier and based in tomato sauces, soft cheeses, and lots of meat. Central Italy does a lot with stuffed pastas. The coasts do a lot with fish.”

“There’s a lot of lemon in my food, with is the California influence. I like light, clean, visually stimulating food that’s vibrant rather than heavier cream sauces cooked for a long time.”

One way to add some fresh flavor to food is by cooking with wine.  “While Pino Gricio is one wine I use the most for cooking, Bella Sera has a chianti that’s very good. My favorite is actually the Moscato, especially in the summer time because it tastes like peaches and apricot. It makes me think of Capri in the summer. It brings back all the memories from growing up. That’s something I want to share with people.”

When it comes to cooking this summer, Giada likes to incorporate what’s fresh for the season. For the summer you can look forward to fresh tomatoes and basil along with fresh fruit like peaches, nectarines, cherries, and apricots.

“All of these fresh fruits also go so well with the Moscato wine from Bella Sera. It hs so many flavors of the season that it makes a perfect summer wine. Really perfect.”

Read more about Giada in the Entertainer’s latest interview.

For Dinner:
Piadina with Fontina and Prosciutto

3½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
½ teaspoon baking soda
Fine sea salt
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into ½- inch pieces, at room temperature
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 (15-ounce) container (2 cups) whole- milk ricotta cheese
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest (from 1 to 2 lemons)
Freshly ground black pepper
3 cups (6 ounces) grated Fontina cheese
4 ounces prosciutto, thinly sliced
1 cup chopped fresh basil leaves

Combine the flour, baking soda, and 1 teaspoon salt in the bowl of an upright mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment. Add the butter and mix on low speed until incorporated, about 2 minutes. With the machine running, slowly add up to 2/3 cup water, until the mixture forms a dough around the hook.

Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface and knead 5 minutes, or until smooth. Cut the dough into 4 equal pieces. Form into disk shapes and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Place a grill pan over medium- high heat or preheat a gas or charcoal grill.

On a lightly floured work surface, roll out each piece of dough into an 8- to 10- inch circle, about 1/8 inch thick. Brush each circle with olive oil. Grill for 4 minutes on each side. Remove the piadini from the grill and let cool slightly.

Combine the ricotta cheese and lemon zest in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Spread each piadina with ½ cup of the ricotta mixture. Sprinkle with the Fontina cheese evenly over the ricotta cheese. Arrange the prosciutto slices on top of the cheeses. Cut each piadina into 8 wedges and transfer to a serving platter. Garnish with the chopped basil. Pair with Bella Sera Pinot Grigio.

Reprinted from Giada At Home by Giada De Laurentiis. Copyright © 2010. Published by Clarkson Potter/Random House, Inc.

For Desert:
Ricotta with Honey and Raspberries

1 pound ricotta cheese
1 tsp sweetened cocoa powder
1 cup fresh pear
2 Tbsp honey
2 biscotti cookies

In a serving bowl, add ricotta cheese. Using a small sieve, sprinkle cocoa powder over the
ricotta. Top with fresh raspberries, and drizzle with honey. Use the biscotti cookies as spoons.

Pair with Bella Sera Moscato for a real treat.

Recipe courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis
Show : Everyday Italian “Weeknight Dinner”

With the 4th of July right around the corner, Jillian has come up with some healthy eating tips to help America celebrate its birthday. Though it’s a time for friends and feasts, those that want to maintain their beach body may want to be careful about their Independence Day food selections.

Tip 1: Chose a Leaner Meat
Though beef burgers and hot dogs are traditional, choose a leaner cut of meat such as a tuna steak, chicken or white meat turkey, lean grass fed ground beef or flank steak, even a vegetarian option like a portabello mushroom is a great choice.

Tip 2: Skip the bread
Pick a whole wheat bun or even better – go bun less and wrap a piece of lettuce around your protein.

Tip 3: It’s all about the Veggies
Incorporate veggies into your meal whether its summer salad, extra fun toppings on your burger or a side of grilled vegetable skewers.  Just be sure not to douse your food in dressings or condiments.

Tip 4: Snacking is ok…just pick the right ones
Choose healthier snack options like Popchips over fried potato chips. (Want some of our choices for healthy snacking options? Read more.)

Tip 5: Watch Your Alcohol Consumption
Try to cut out some of the alcohol and drink non sweetened ice teas and water.  If you must drink go with a light white wine, or a vodka soda. Leave out all the sugar laden high calorie mixers like juice or sugar soda’s.

Whether or not you believe in global warming, there is something to be said about lowering the cost of energy and helping to live a healthier life. The film Carbon Nation is a documentary film about new energy solutions that boost the economy, increase national & energy security and promote health & a clean environment. The film will be screened this weekend in Balboa Park, thanks to the help of one San Diego native, Lee Barken.

A few months ago, Haskell & White’s energy and clean technology practice leader, Lee Barken, had the pleasure of watching the film while attending a conference. Lee’s passion for the environment goes well beyond providing clean technology services in his professional life. He aims to have everyone in the community more  knowledgeable about energy practices. So when Lee found out his hometown of San Diego was not one of the film’s distribution cities, Lee contacted the director.

The challenge was to find 100 people to sign an online petition in order to have a screening in San Diego. Lee and his wife created the petition, proactively mobilizing the community in an effort to bring a showing of the movie to San Diego. Lee didn’t just succeed in registering 100 names; he did it in less than 48 hours. In fact, he not only organized a San Diego screening, but one in Orange County as well.

As all proceeds from these screenings are going to the director’s nonprofit organization, it’s clear that Lee Barken exemplifies a business professional whose mission does not come and go with the beginning and end of his business day. He’s living proof of the power of passion and persuasion.

Are you interested in clean energy and energy awareness? Do you want to learn more about Carbon Nation? Watch the trailer and reserve your space at the screening.

The screenings will be Sunday, May 22nd at the Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park from 1-3pm and 4-6pm. The event includes a Q&A with director Peter Byck.

Click here to view the embedded video.

UltraStar Cinemas is based right here in San Diego, and provides wonderful programming in addition to the biggest blockbuster movies for our viewing pleasure. With 141 screens at 14 sites throughout Southern California and Arizona, the company tries hard to stay at the forefront of technology, while providing the best movie-going experience to every guest that walks through their doors.

They also offer discount days and great matinée pricing to help everyone that has been struggling in this sluggish economy. For a list of their specials and showtimes, head to their website for more information. With locations in Oceanside, Bonsall, Poway, Del Mar, Mission Valley, and Chula Vista, there’s a location close to you.

As part of this wonderful partnership, we will bring you coverage on hot summer releases, family friendly programming, new releases, and the newest cinematic technology like 3-D films and movies being shown in DBOX.

UltraStar was the first exhibitor in the world to be equipped with D-BOX Motion Seats. D-BOX Technologies created D-BOX Motion Code which uses codes specifically programmed for each film, which are sent to a motion generating system integrated within the seat. D-BOX Motion Seats  capture some of the best action scenes in all types of movies. Whether it’s the anticipation of Freddy Krueger coming through the wall or Sylvester Stallone kicking the bad guy, feeling the action immerses the guest in the movie like never before.

The D-BOX seats move in sync with the action unfolding on the big screen, immersing the viewer further into the world of the film. The latest films to be offered in the DBOX experience are Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, opening May 20th and Super 8, opening this June.

For reviews and previews of upcoming films, stay tuned to SDEntertainer.com, subscribe to get updates in your inbox, or get our RSS feed now!

As part of this special announcement, the Entertainer will be giving away 10 4-packs of movie passes to our loyal readers so you can check out UltraStar Cinemas yourself.*

Sign Up Now for the Giveaway! Enter by Friday, May 27th at 4pm for your chance to win a 4-pack of tickets to UltraStar Cinemas.

*Tickets expire October 31, 2011 and are not valid for 3D films, DBox, or Special Engagements

Thursday, May 26th will serve as a special night of celebrating our country, our veterans and active military as we head into the Memorial Day Weekend, featuring special guest Pat Boone.

The Sexton Advisory Group, home of the Entertainer’s financial expert Steve Sexton, announces “An Evening With Pat Boone and Friends,” a special celebration to be held at the upscale Tommy V’s restaurant in Del Mar on May 26th.

Legendary entertainer Pat Boone will share some thoughts on our country and sing a few songs as he joins in the celebration. “I’m so pleased to be a part of such a great event,” Pat shared. “To be able to honor our military in this way is such a great way to start off the Memorial Day weekend.”

Pat Boone’s legendary career includes 45 million albums sold, 38 Top 40 hits and appearances in several Hollywood movies. His talent as a singer and actor, combined with his old-fashioned values, contributed to his popularity in the early days of rock and roll and continue to this day.

According to Billboard, Pat Boone was the second biggest charting artist of the late 1950s, behind only Elvis Presley. He is ranked at No. 9 in its listing of the Top 100 Top 40 Artists 1955-1995 and Pat Boone still holds the Billboard record for spending 220 consecutive weeks (that’s over 4 years) on the charts with more than one song.

Pat continues to perform today and he enjoys speaking as a motivational speaker, a television personality, a conservative political commentator and even a preacher on occasion.

“We are so pleased to be able to bring this event to San Diego,” says Steve Sexton, President of the Sexton Advisory Group. “Pat Boone is not only a legendary entertainer, but he truly epitomizes the patriotic and thankful spirit we want to celebrate with this event.”

Local favorites, The North Coast Jazz Quintet (featuring members of The Joe Satz Trio) will also serve as entertainment for the special evening event.

Guests will be greeted with tasty hors d’œuvres and sparkling wine, followed by a sumptuous dinner, including a special prix fixe menu, and of course, one of Tommy V’s famous homemade desserts. Plus, each two guests will enjoy sipping from a complimentary bottle of fine wine as part of their evening.

There will also be a special VIP Event that will include a private wine tasting with “sommelier to the stars” Gino Campbell, one of only 44 Cellar Masters in the country. As a VIP you will also be treated to a private meet & greet with Pat Boone, followed by dinner and entertainment.

Gene “Gino” Campbell is an Advanced Member of The Court of Master Sommeliers and has been awarded the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs distinction. He has served as the general manager of San Diego’s La Jolla Marine Room, helped to open Lombardi’s and Bertolini’s for Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas and Chef David Burke’s first Vegas restaurant, he master-crafted Donovan’s Steak & Chop House in La Jolla and has managed Pamplemousse Grille in Solana Beach, Turning Stone Casino in New York, and Delicias in Rancho Santa Fe.

Steve Sexton of the Sexton Advisory Group is also a Director of The Financial Knowledge Institute, a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization, which has already pledged to donate $10,000 to selected charities as a partner in the event.

In addition to its mission of providing individuals proper education on financial matters at no charge, the Financial Knowledge Institute also supports charities by providing free financial analysis to individuals,with the goal of finding money that has “fallen through the cracks.” If you watch Steve’s “Money Minute” segments on Channel 6 or have read the financial advisories he’s provided the Entertainer, you know how much Steve focuses on finding (and preventing) money that has “fallen through the cracks.”

These monies can often total a significant amount, and Steve simply suggests that those who have “found money” should consider giving a portion of those dollars back to charity. Sexton will be offering a free evaluation for guest’s of the event in an effort to find the “money that has fallen through the cracks.” Steve’s hope is that some of the “found” money will be further designated to charity with the local Rotary Club and Ryan’s Reach as two of the beneficiaries of the event.

To date, Sexton has garnered $10,000 to donate to charity and will present the checks at this landmark evening celebration. “We have been so fortunate that people have really embraced the concept,” Sexton says. “And because of this, we are so pleased to be able to present $10,000 to selected charities the night of the event.”

The Rancho Santa Fe Rotary Club and Ryan’s Reach have been named two of the beneficiaries for this celebratory event. Patrick Galvin, the Rotary Club President says, “It is wonderful to be acting as a beneficiary of this event with someone as iconic as Pat Boone and at such an incredible venue – Tommy V’s – overlooking the ball fields in Rancho Santa Fe.”

Ryan’s Reach is a charitable organization that was created to honor Ryan Corbin and other brain
injured adults as they work towards full rehabilitation.

In 2001, Ryan Corbin, a 25-year-old young man who was a star basketball player at Irvine High School and the President of his fraternity at Pepperdine University fell through a skylight onto concrete and suffered bodily trauma and brain injuries. Working with High Hopes, a non-profit full-service day treatment program in Tustin, California, Ryan’s Reach began.

50,000 people a year across the country need the help that High Hopes offers with its comprehensive rehabilitation services and programs. Ryan’s mother, Lindy Michaelis, describes Ryan’s Reach this way, “with one hand Ryan has reached out for his own recovery.With the other hand, I know Ryan wants to bring along as many people as he can.”

San Diego favorite, Tommy V’s restaurant, will host this fabulous event. Nestled between two beauties: Del Mar and Rancho Santa Fe, across from the Polo Fields in Del Mar, Tommy V’s provides the perfect location for this celebration.

“When we heard about this event, we wanted to be part of it,” says Tommy V’s General Manager, Tyler Williams. “Our chef has preparing a special menu and we’re pleased to host this special celebration.”

Doors will open for the VIP Event at 6:00pm with the event beginning at 6:30pm. Doors will open for the Main Event at 6:30pm and the event will begin at 7:30pm.

Tickets are limited and cost $29.95 per person. For just $19.95 you can upgrade your ticket to include the VIP Event which includes wine tasting with celebrity sommelier Gino Campbell.

Call 858-356-2296 or purchase your tickets online at Event.SextonAdvisoryGroup.com

According to NASA, the weather forecast calls for a 70 percent chance of favorable conditions at launch time.

The crew members for space shuttle Endeavour’s STS-134 mission are Commander Mark Kelly (husband of Congressman Gabrielle Giffords, victim of a shooting rampage January 8, 2011), Pilot Gregory H. Johnson and Mission Specialists Michael Fincke, Greg Chamitoff, Andrew Feustel and European Space Agency astronaut Roberto Vittori.

Most of the headlines for the mission surround Ms. Giffords’ presence at the launch. Her doctors have cleared her for travel, but shortly after the launch she will return to Houston to resume her rehabilitation.

While Gabrielle Giffords’ attendance is very meaningful to her family and her constituents, the real reason for the shuttle launch is for the crew to embark on a 14-day mission to the Space Station where the Endeavour crew will deliver an Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer and spare parts.

The NASA website explains what the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer is: It is a state-of-the-art, high energy particle physics experiment that will search for clues on what the universe is made of and how it began, the origin of dark matter, antimatter and strangelets, pulsars, blazers and gamma ray bursters.

This will be the final launch for the Space Shuttle Endeavour. After 19 years traveling into space, this will be it’s final mission. Congress authorized the construction of Endeavour back in 1987 to replace the Challenger, which many may recall was lost in a launch accident in 1986.

Photo from Jurvetson via Flickr

The Artwalk will bring more than 400 artists and musical performances to the expected croud of 120,000. There will be 16 blocks lined with art for display and purchase, so put on your walking shoes and bring your wallet. Bring the kids too because there will be a special KidsWalk with free hands-on art activities throughout the day.

Young and old will enjoy activities and performances, not to mention art and food. The event, brought to you by Mission Federal Credit Union, is free to attend. In these tough economic times, a free event that’s good for the whole family is surely needed.

Schedule of Performances

Featured Artists

The ArtWalk will stretch from Beech Street to Grape Street, filling Little Italy with both visual and performing art.  For more information visit www.missionfederalartwalk.org.

A new workout system is hitting San Diego by storm, and is geared for anyone at any fitness level. And by anyone, we mean anyone — whether you need to loose 50 pounds or you’re an Olympic Athlete. In fact, the program was designed by an Olympic athlete.

Three-time Olympian and San Diego resident Flora Hyacinth has developed a new exercise system called Flo Fusion Fitness. Flora has blended her years as a track athlete, fitness enthusiast, chiropractor, and entrepreneur into this great program that will get you toned and ready for the beach in no time.

Flo Fusion Fitness fuses yoga, pilates and resistance training into a powerful workout that has proven to deliver results in weight loss, strength and conditioning, rehabilitation, and improved flexibility, balance and endurance.

The fitness system utilized cables for resistance training while performing pilates/yoga inspired moves. A combination of cardio and calistenic exercises combine with the unique strength workout to provide real results. During the testing phase of the program, San Diego resident Melissa Robinson went from a size 7 to a size 3 in three months. Based on our own testing, it works. After trying a short portion of the workout I could feel my legs, abs, and arms burning.

Above each fitness station sits a flat-screen TV with Flora demonstrating the movements for visual instruction, while a personal trainer is hands-on to motivate, coach and correct movements for the ultimate workout experience.

The first Flo Fusion Fitness center will have its grand opening in Mission Valley on Wednesday, April 27 from 5:30 to 7:30pm.

The new fitness center provides a unique cobination of services and ammenities to meet anyones needs. Combined with the fitness studio you’ll find an on-site nutritionist, massage therapist and chiropractor. So if you want to get in shape, relax, or get a personalized assessment of your fitness, chiropracic, and health needs, you’ll find what you need in one place.

The grand opening of the first Flo Fusion Fitness center marks the latest advancement infitness and brings together San Diego’s health, fitness and athlete community to share the experience. Following years of research and a hugely successful three-month pilot program comprised of 50-minute sessions three times a week, Dr. Hyacinth has led participants to experience proven results ranging from significant weight loss to the elimination of chronic lower back pain to an increase in tone and strength, as well as improved overall flexibility, balance and endurance.

Flo Fusion Fitness’ grand opening event will the opportunity to witness a physicalfitness contest using the Flo Fusion Fitness exercise system, as well as prizes and giveaway opportunities consisting of free Flo Fusion Fitness trial sessions for massage therapy, chiropractic care, fitness training and more.

Check it out tomorrow or stop in to check it out for yourself.

2555 Camino Del Rio S Ste. 209 San Diego, CA 92108
619.794.2740

Courtesy Photos by Tony Duffy

There are so many food options that claim to be healthy, but have you ever looked at the labels? Can you find the ingredients at the grocery store or farmers market? Probably not. So what if you could get customized, fresh, healthy, and tasty meals delivered to your door? What if that option cost roughly the same as you spend on groceries and restaurants right now?

Susan’s Healty Gourmet pioneered the concept of fresh, nutritious, and calorie-controlled meals delivered to your door. They have been bringing meals to San Diego, LA, and Orange County for nearly 20 years and as a service to the community, have now developed their Good $ense Menu which offers extremely affordable meals that are healthy for the whole family.

The program was designed by nutritionists with health and taste in mind. It accommodates busy working professionals, seniors, families with young kids, and even diabetics. The menu choices and the variety of tasty options are perfect for everyone from kids through seniors, so if you’re too busy to get a healthy breakfast, lunch, or dinner prepared for your busy family, this could be what you have been waiting for. Meals are offered for lunch and dinner, or all three meals if the client chooses. Menu items vary from week to week, so you won’t get bored.

So often people use the excuse that they are just too busy to eat healthy. Don’t let your health or your family’s heath suffer because of your schedule. With the Good $ense Menu, healthy eating is convenient and affordable, not to mention really easy. Where else do you get meals delivered right to your door?

The menu is approved by nutritionists and maintains the daily nutritional requirements of the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, and American Diabetic Association. All meals meet all requirements. But despite what you think, they don’t sacrifice taste.

“This new program option is perfect for customers who make affordability and healthy eating priorities, but do not want to sacrifice taste,” said Susan Johnson, founder and CEO of Susan’s Healthy Gourmet.

Company President Kerry Johnson says, “This year there’s even more variation on the menu with more sensitivity to the economic realities our clients face.”

Menu options include parmesan crusted tilapia with lemon asparagus risotto and broccoli; rosemary orange-glazed salmon with risotto, peas and onions; lemon oregano rubbed chicken breast, scalloped potatoes and sugar snap peas; as well as a daily snack selection of fruits, vegetables and baked goods.

Meals are individually packaged and ready for pick-up or delivery throughout Southern California, including San Diego. Orders are really easy to place at www.susanshealthygourmet.com or by calling 888-EZ-MEALS. Once you place your order you’ll get a packaged cooler delivered to your house. They’ll even deliver to your work if you need healthy lunches during the week.

The service and quality can’t be beat; and the level of customization makes the company really unique. Susan’s Healthy Gourmet is not only one of the oldest meal delivery services in Southern California, it is family owned by people who care deeply about their products. The healthy and delicious meals are a great solution for the days or weeks when your calendar leaves you wondering when you will have time to sleep.

While the total number dropped, the university admitted 3,512 underrepresented students, up 15.4% from Fall 2010.

Overall demographics of admitted students include:

• 45% from Southern California
• Average GPA is 4.09
• 54.2% females compared to 45.7% males (.1 didn’t report)
• Average SAT scores of 633, 681 and 654 respectively for Critical Reading, Math and Writing.
• 394 African-Americans (up 2.9% from 2010),
• 2,317 Mexican-Americans (up 19.6% from 2010)
• 721 Latinos (up 17.2% from 2010)
• 4,568 first-generation students (up 4.6% from 2010)
• 2,272 out-of-state students (36% increase from 2010)
• 2,021 international students (47.7% increase from 2010)

Chancellor Marye Anne Fox released a statement saying, “The academic quality of our admitted students is truly impressive and we look forward to welcoming these bright minds to our campus. We are also pleased that the number of underrepresented students admitted to the university went up 15 percent this year and we remain committed to ensuring accessibility and affordability for all students who want to attend UC San Diego.”

With ever increasing interest in the University of  California, San Diego campus, the school and administrator constantly struggle with the budget realities facing California today.  The University of California campuses have received a $500 million cut for next year. UC San Diego is looking at a reduction of at least $60 million.

The persistent lack of state funding has been detrimental to UC San Diego’s enrollment capacity. Enrollment targets for in-state students are based on how much state funding UC San Diego receives per student. Because of this, in 2010 UC San Diego enrolled more than 1,200 students for whom it received no state funding. To combat this, Fall 2011 will see an increase in the number of out-of-state and international students.

Admitted freshmen have until May 1 to indicate whether they will attend UC San Diego. At that time the campus will begin preparations to welcome a new class of freshman. Most of these freshman will be members of the 2015 graduating class.