Taste Savant’s vegan fix round up!

March 26, 2014

We are rounding up the best restaurants to get your vegan fix in Los Angeles. We’ve enlisted Taste Savant to help us. If you haven’t heard of them – Taste Savant is THE place to start any search before dining out. They compile all the best critic, chef, and now fitness experts for reviews of only the very best restaurants. They’re based in New York and have added Chicago, Boston and Los Angeles to their restaurant discovery repertoire. Taste Savant makes everything easier for us providing menus, reservations through Open Table, delivery by GrubHub Seamless. You name it. Keep your eyes peeled for more food-centric cities from Taste Savant this year and an iOS app on the way.

1. Café Gratitude

Café Gratitude is the royal throne of the LA vegan food scene. Part of the Eater 38, it’s a local favorite for organic raw & vegan cuisine. While not a new addition to any vegan list in LA, Café Gratitude deserves to be on the list over and over again. Check out both their Larchmont and Venice locations.

Vegan highlights: The LA Times loves their Polenta, Potatoes, Pizza, Chocolate Mint Cheesecake, and Key Lime Pie

2. Crossroads

Vegan food can be fancy too! Tal Ronnen is chef to the stars and as of last year, all of us can now enjoy his delicious plant-based food. Crossroads has solid reviews from many of the critics including industry vet and carnivore, Jason Berkowitz. Be sure to check out their very popular pre-fixe Sunday Supper.

Vegan highlights: LA Weekly likes the Tortelloni. Time Out and LA Mag touts the “Meaty” Lasagna and Crab Cakes.

3. Sage Vegan Bistro

 With 2 locations in Echo Park and Culver City, Sage Vegan Bistro is one delicious destination for vegans without sacrificing flavor. One of the best parts of Sage Vegan is they have live music every Thursday and Sunday. Don’t miss it! The folks at Sage describe themselves as all things to all people, satisfying all walks of life while being decadently healthy. Sage Vegan’s fans include Flywheel’s Jesse Brune.

4. Greenleaf ChopShop

LA doesn’t lack in salad hot spots, but Greenleaf is taking the formula to another level by revolutionizing salads with their clean principles. And they don’t stop there. Come into Greenleaf for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. And even stick around for their daily happy hour with half-off small plates. Barry’s Bootcamp instructors, Joey Gonzalez and Astrid McGuire, can’t stop raving about Greenleaf.

Vegan highlights: Grilled Vegetable Salad and tons of vegan friendly sides.

5. M Cafe

Both Flywheel’s Jesse Brune & Barry’s Joey Gonzalez recommend M Café. There are tons of vegan options at this contemporary macrobiotic staple. M Café serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with a great outdoor space at all locations.  With a fresh deli bar as well, M Café also caters to healthy eats on the go!

Vegan highlights: Jesse’s favorite is the Spicy Peanut Kale Salad.

 6. Suncafe

Flywheel’s Jesse Brune loves Suncafe which isn’t just vegan but it’s also raw and all organic. Many dishes are gluten free or can be made gluten free. This restaurant accommodates everyone.  For anyone coming down from an exhausting hike at Runyan Canyon or Griffith Park, this is a great spot to relax and recharge.

Vegan Highlights: Jesse’s favorite is the cream of mushroom soup.

Color + Cut at Benjamin w/Negin Zand with the amazing Deanna & Jennifer

BENJAMIN SALON

HAIRDRESSING THAT REINFORCES
AN UNDERSTATED AND INCLUSIVE APPROACH TO SIMPLE BEAUTY

Salon obsession 2014.  I don’t know where to start.

Jennifer and Deanna took my over-processed, straw,  broom-y, orange-y, hair from well…just that….to silky, blonde, bouncy and healthy.  All I can say is…I’m going back in two weeks to continue with my brass to blonde transformation. I am in love.  I had been holding out for weeks to get my hair did and all I can say is Praise Be Benjamin.  You amassed an incredible team and a drool worth space. Bravo.

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These are some photos from SELECTS – the blow your mind apothecary next door!

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JENNIFER LOURA
Stylist

“Hair is everything, is it not?”

Jennifer merges East Coast street style with the effortlessly chic energy of the West. From piercing, minimalistic pixies to an alluring display of bohemian layers – and everything in between. She brings it into being. To her, it’s the total look.

Jennifer specializes in men’s cuts, from the uber cool east side hipster to the clueless business man. She could make Homer Simpson land a GQ cover.

Aside from being at Salon Benjamin, she works independently with notable photographers on various shoots/corporate campaigns, and creating new looks for her red carpet clientele. She’s had the pleasure of being part of nationally accredited salons, such as UMI Salon and Prive Salon, educating peers and making passion permanent in every Hair Designer.

Now Jennifer invites you to join her at Salon Benjamin.

Website
www.jenniferloura.com

Blog
www.dontjeneralize.tumblr.com

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DEANNA BEAVERS
Senior Colorist

In her passionate pursuit in becoming a world-class colorist, Deanna came to Los Angeles to work at the salon of her dreams.

Deanna’s journey of cultural experiences and diversity during her world travels has given her an obsession with hair that is beautiful, classic, yet trendy. Hair that’s equally at home on your best friend, neighbor, wife or celebrity. Inspired by her upbringing in the vast, blank canvas of Texas, Deanna feels freedom to explore the contrast of fresh possibility within the unlimited urban world of Los Angeles. She has had the pleasure of working along side top colorists in the industry today who inspired her to reach new levels. Deanna has perfected her skill in techniques such as classic foiling, balayage, and ombre, using these to create the most natural flowing hair that looks as though God had done it himself.

Deanna’s work has been featured in film, magazines, television, red carpet and among some of the top models and actors in the industry today. She joined the team at Salon Benjamin when Benjamin first opened the doors, helping establish the salon’s renowned color department with some of the newest and freshest colors we have seen yet.

 

BENJAMIN with NEGIN ZAND
8910 Melrose Avenue
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(Between Robertson & Doheny)

p. 424.249.3296
e. info@salonbenjamin.com

Tuesday – Saturday: 8:00am – 7:00pm
or by appointment 

 

So much to share! Magnolia Tropical Ice Cream

As you can see we have been a bit outta commish as we moved to WordPress from Typepad – personally I am finding it a massive headache and I miss Typepad so much.  WP gives me anxiety!

That being said – let me try to get you up to speed with what’s been going on the past month!

First – food for thought.

 

Tropical ice- cream – what?!  www.magnoliaplease.com.  This passed the kiddo taste test – yes, even the Avacado!  And while it’s milk based, I am giving the brand props for offering a vegan line.  When I eat ice-cream I am strictly a chocolate and caramel and well, anything in THAT category, kinda girl – but I love getting my kids hooked on fruit flavors!

It was recently featured in SELF Magazine as the go-to tropical ice-cream.  
Magnolia is a tropical ice-cream made in the US with real California milk and 33% fresh fruit purees (like avocado, lychee, mango and baby coconut.)
 

Guava Ice Cream: Light pink ice cream made from the sweet guava fruits, grown on trees in tropical climates.

Calamnsi Ice Pops: Golden Lime, aka Calamansi is a small citrus fruit that looks like a mandarin orange, is smaller than a lime, and is bursting with a tangy sweetness. Ramar Foods created this Icepop flavor from their best selling juice – Calamansi.

Magnolia All Natural Products include:

• Magnolia Ice Cream: Guava, Mango, Coconut, Lychee, Thai Tea, Avocado and Purple Yam

• Magnolia Single-Serve Novelty Milkbars: Azuki Red Bean, Halo Halo, Coconut, and Mango

• Magnolia Icepops (vegan-friendly): 

  • All natural, made without use of any synthetic hormones.
  • Made with real California pasture-raised premium dairy milk.
  • Gluten Free
  • Kosher certified by Earth Kosher
  • 30% fresh fruit purees from exotic fruits, sourced mostly from family farms on islands of Southeast Asia.
  • Magnolia’s new tropical packaging design wins 2013 American Graphic Design Awards by editors of Graphic Design USA ( i love this obviously!)

WRINKLES BEWARE Introducing Skinn Cosmetics’ Deep Wrinkle Protocol

March 25, 2014

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Wrinkles, beware – there’s a new protocol in town.

 

Skinn Cosmetics introduces a dynamic trio of active ingredients and cutting edge technology to treat those deep-set, stubborn wrinkles: Deep Wrinkle Protocol System.

CEO, Founder and the man behind all things Skinn Cosmetics, Dimitri James, says the Deep Wrinkle Protocol trio is the result of Skinn’s deepest research into dermal anti-aging technology, proven to dramatically reduce the appearance of deep lines and wrinkles.

THE TRIO!

Collagenesis Deep Wrinkle Protocol Line Peel Solution

This resurfacing solution boasts a multi-fruit acid complex, cocktailed with Mandelic Acid, White Tea Extract and Vitamin C, to exfoliate, resurface and help obliterate the appearance of deep lines. The solution also features Luremin, a more effective, next generation non-retinoid ingredient that is more effective than retinol at line reducing, yet non-irritating and non-inflaming. This controlled-release peel is designed for concentrated areas on the face to gently resurface and exfoliate lined areas, stimulating the appearance of smoother, softer, younger-looking skin while protecting against environmental damage.

Collagenesis Deep Wrinkle Protocol Deep Line Erasing Serum:

An advanced anti-wrinkle treatment packed with new innovative peptides that visibly plump deep lines and wrinkles. Utilizing a unique patented amino acid encapsulation technology to provide a lipo-filling effect, the serum will effectively help to stimulate and rebuild the lost suppleness that occurs as skin ages – skin will appear plump and more lifted. The serum also features Syn-ake peptide, a synthetic tri-peptide that mimics the effects of reduced muscle contractions resulting in a Botox-like effect, leading to a reduction in wrinkles and smoother skin. Additionally, this concentrated serum is packed with firming, regenerative peptides, HA spheres and 3D intensors for an emblematic Collagenesis® global approach.

Sonic Infuser Deep Resonating Tool

Skinn’s Deep Resonating Sonic Infuser amplifies the overall effectiveness of the Collagenesis® Deep Wrinkle Protocol Deep Line Erasing Serum or any of Skinn’s advanced serum formulations. Apply any serum directly onto problem-lined areas, then activate the Infuser to penetrate treatment to the deepest levels with the power of ultrasonic induction. Be assured that this gentle Infuser is safe to use around the delicate eye area without risk of breaking capillaries.

Use daily (morning and night) for most dramatic results.

 

The Deep Wrinkle Protocol System retails for $99.50 and is available for purchase on www.skinn.com.

About Skinn Cosmetics

Skinn Cosmetics is a line of premium skincare and color cosmetic formulas developed by professional make-up artist Dimitri James.  Skinn formulates and manufactures all of its own products, using highly active, concentrated natural ingredients and avoiding excess water, fillers or packaging. From concept to compact, from brainstorm to bottle, every product worthy of the Skinn name comes to life under one roof, and under James’ watchful eye. Skinn Cosmetics can be purchased at www.skinn.com and on ShopNBC.