San FranCelia

As much as I hate mentioning what not only is such a downer, but what is also totally out of our control, the Recession is affecting us all (yes, I’ve capitalized it – sad that this will go down as such a shitty era in history, but there you have it – historic times, bad though they may be). That doesn’t mean, however, that you have to stop living in the way that those of us in the Bay have become accustomed to – good food, good company, and extraordinary living.  In the past few months, I have started to live more frugally, while still enjoying all that the City has to offer, without feeling cheated.

For date night, once in awhile (and as cliché as it sounds), stay in already.  I did this for a date night last week and it was so much fun – in some ways better than going to a restaurant.  My boyfriend and I met at the grocery store to start off the date.  Not only was this a really fun way to spend time together (you’re on a date, so not being rushed and just enjoying each other makes even the grocery store more fun), but it also saved us so much money!  We got our whole meal for probably half to a quarter less than what would be paid at a restaurant.  Right there, you’re like, ok, this is worth it.  Making a leisurely dinner that is also gourmet makes you kind of feel like a rock star in the kitchen (for those of us who aren’t frequent cooks), and was really fun.  I simply got an easy recipe online (I used the Food Networks site), and whipped it up… literally – so easy.  ‘On Demand’ is a couple’s best friend, because after a delicious meal (all organic – creamy pesto with almond chicken on penne with a Caesar salad and French bread… yum!!), a movie was right at our fingertips.  This night saved us not just the cost of dinner, but also parking and gas, plus it was much more intimate than going out.  That’s a great combo even when the economy hasn’t fallen and can’t get up. 

Deciding to keep with my budget friendly ways, I had a night with friends that literally cost $15.  Can you imagine?  We started out at the greatest cheap sushi in the City, Kitaro.  It’s on 21^st and Geary in the Outer Richmond and I got two rolls plus Inari and a tea for $12, including tip.  This place is always hopping but can always seat you quick, plus it’s super fresh with fast service.  We split a bottle of wine and went to my friend Brooke’s for a night of playing cards and making dessert.  What a great night to spend with friends, especially when the wine’s a-flowin’…  As we became more fearless, we decided to take a midnight stroll to Sutro Heights near Ocean Beach.  It was a beautiful night here in San Francisco, and so with everyone in tow, we took a hike.  There were others having an outdoor party in the park, and we even began talking with them for a bit.  Very fun.  The whole night was a blast and so cheap, so when thinking of hitting up the bars for the night, reconsider, at least once in awhile.  These nights can create some really fun memories – creativity in circumstance generally does that (and vino of course). 

Hope these ideas improve your social life and your bank account.  Just because we’ve been virally bummed out with this whole Recession business, doesn’t mean we have to let it break our spirit of enjoying life to the fullest.  Live well everyone, I mean, we ARE in the Bay Area after all.

Peace and love Xo 

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At my gym, which let me preface by saying, boasts the attendance of the older more “eclectic” crowd in the Richmond District of San Francisco, has a sauna that I like to think of as my reward for actually working out – it’s either that or a donut, hence my eternal love and devotion to and for the sauna.  As you can imagine, there are some characters that like to get their sweat on, and of course chat me up.  I’ll just let you in on some highlights of the past week:

•  Seeing/hearing an older woman who, consequently, looks as if the hard train of life has hit her whilst being tied to the proverbial tracks, wielding a stick-like crystal and waiving it frantically around her figure as she let me know about how the end of the American presidential office is near (she’s sure!) since her Russian friend let her know about a proverb saying so that she learned while growing up in Russia.
• A man who sits in the room for about 2 hours with 3 bottles of water.  He looks as if he’s dead when he leaves.  Poor man… I wonder if anyone will ever tell him you’re only supposed to be in there 20 minutes?
•  A lovely queen who told me about his being stopped by the Mexican Federallys 6 weeks ago because he had ridden a horse along the beach, and they were worried he might have gotten too close to the Mexican animals to be let back in the US.  Consequently, he kept reiterating his innocence to me, which made me wonder, “What do they mean, too close, and are you sure you didn’t?”.
•   A woman from Russia who let me know that her first sentence she wrote while taking the citizenship test was, “I like chocolate chip cookies”.  Profound.

Can’t you just see why I love it?!… I mean, where else on Earth would I meet these people, let alone strike up a convo?  They’re absolutely endearing.  I think the swimsuit gives everyone a false sense of intimacy… I know I feel closer to someone once I see them half naked and dripping.  Haha!  Lovely visual, I know.  Happy sweating!

Peace and Love  XO

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There is this great little Indonesian restaurant buried away in the Richmond District called Bamboo Village.  It’s on Geary between Cook St. and Blake St. and everything I’ve ever eaten there is delicious!  Particularly good is the Martabak Telor appetizer and the Beef Rendang… mmm… tasty.  

The first time I went there I was with some friends and we happened to see it on a walk and thought it looked cute (you know, choosing a place for all the important reasons…ha!).  Each time I go, it’s more delicious than I remember, and I try to eat new things every time. 

This is one of those places where everything is good and comes to your table piping hot, so you have nothing to lose trying anything.  It’s completely family owned, so you even see the owners’ three year old son walking back and forth from the back to the dining area at times if it’s slow in the dining section.  Cute!

It’s really tasty and something new if you haven’t tried Indonesian.  Happy eating!

Peace and love XO

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