On your mind: Amrit Davaa World Health


Amrit Davaa World Health is a non-profit corporation with a mission to provide sustainable humanitarian aide, health and wellness education and healthcare to children and families in need. Consisting of a diverse array of healthcare practitioners, Amrit Davaa World Health serves our global human community from local urban youth programs to international relief trips. Their first humanitarian aid trip will be to the Manjushree Vidyapith Orphanage in Tawang India, 10,000 feet in the Himalayan mountains at the border with China.

For millions of children, even basic health concerns not only stop them from reaching their dreams, but threaten their very survival. It's so overwhelming that we as a nation don't like to think about it, or we don't know what we can do to help... but Amrit Davaa World Health does!

Join them on Sunday August 19th to learn about Amrit Davaa World health, and discover how you can help make a difference.
Golden Bridge Yoga
Amrit Davaa Wellness Center
6322 De Longpre Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 988 4051
www.amritdavaaworld.com


On the wall: Daena Title's "Broken Dreams" Art Exhibit


The wife of actor Jason Alexander happens to be a pretty incredible artist, and now she's showing her works for a very short time at the L.A. Contemporary Gallery. Drop by sometime between now and September 1st to broaden your mind!
Daena Title's "Broken Dreams"
LA Contemporary Gallery
2634 South La Cienega Blvd.
August 11th to September 1st, 2007

On the menu: Red Pearl Kitchen's Shanghai Tuesdays Uncorked


Looking for something new to do on the dining scene? Look no further than Red Pearl Kitchen's Shanghai Tuesdays Uncorked, starting next Tuesday night. From then on, the second Tuesday of every month will see Adam "The Wine Guy" Leemon – an award winning sommelier, producer and co-host of the nationally syndicated radio show, "The Tasting Room with Tom Leykis" – introduce guests to over a dozen different varietals of wine and sake, each paired perfectly with Red Pearl Kitchen's killer Asian cuisine.

The first go-around will feature a selection of red and white wines, including Rusden 'christian' Chenin Blanc; Pure Evil Chardonnay; Phillarbox red; Burge Family Garnacha; Lengs and Cooter 'the victor' shiraz paired with a selection of dishes from the restaurant's southeast Asian menu. Advance tickets at $45 a pop can be purchased at www.adamthewineguy.com. Red Pearl Kitchen is located at 6703 Melrose Avenue, or you can find them online at www.redpearlkitchen.com.

On the Netflix queue: Sandcastles For Everyone

A few years ago professional master sand sculptor Todd Vander Pluym had to undergo a series of surgeries resulting from his Type 1 "childhood" diabetes. His ability to work during this difficult time decreased significantly, so his daughter and her husband came up with an idea to help him make some money, working with him to make a DVD teaching people how to make amazing sand castles. And you have just enough time left in summer to get a copy for yourself! Visit his Web site (http://www.sandsculptors.com) so you can start building those skyscrapers.

On the menu: Beer-flavored desserts

Usually beer is reserved for pubs and Superbowl celebrations, but some enterprising L.A.-area restaurants have been making it into dessert. Seriously! Beer has been added as a secret ingredient in many desserts, including ice cream, to create some of the most innovative desserts on menus today. So where can you find them in L.A.? Try the Study of Chocolate at Santa Monica's Abode Restaurant & Lounge. It's a trio of heaven featuring Saffron Chocolate Mousse, Hot Cocoa, a Chocolate "Egg" and a cool serving of homemade Guinness-flavored ice cream prepared by Executive Chef Dominique Crenn. Then there's Whist at the Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica, which is serving a Guinness Cake made with Bailey's Irish Cream ice cream, whiskey sauce and caramelized sugar, created by Pastry Chef Brooke Mosley. Fabulous.

On the bar: The Bacardi Mojito

You've seen the ads. Just give in already and make one!

Muddle 12 fresh mint leaves and ½ of a lime.

Cover with 2 tbsp of sugar or simple syrup, then top with ice.

Add 1 ½ oz. of Bacardi rum, then add club soda.

Stir and garnish with lime and mint.

Wasn't that easy? Vary it a little with some flavored rums, like Bacardi Limon, Big Apple or Razz. Then revel in the fact that you're just as cool as Jason Biggs and Ian Ziering. (They're fans.)

On the menu: Blue Velvet's White Chocolate Bombe


Swimsuit season is almost over – let it go. It's time to bulk up a little for fall weather anyway, so you might as well do it right and dig in to the white chocolate bombe. Featuring white chocolate mousse, lime curd and candied pistachio, it's the perfect way to celebrate your bikini body. Seriously – go ahead and eat the whole thing. It does a body good.

On the menu: Katana's Red Sun BBQ Garden


Work may slow down in the summer months, but it has to – otherwise, how else would we enjoy all the great parties going on? The hottest party on the Sunset strip is happening at Katana, blending a mix of good food, good music and good people for their 5th annual Red Sun BBQ Garden. Every Sunday evening on its chic patio deck overlooking the Sunset Strip, guests can listen to KCRW DJ Thomas Golubic spin while enjoying dishes such as Miso Glazed Popcorn Shrimp Tempura, Robatayaki skewers, Premium Wagyu Kobe Beef from Japan, Lobster with Yuzukoshu Butter and Shallots, and an assortment of sushi. How can you go wrong? The Red Sun BBQ is happening now until September 2nd, from 6:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. every Sunday night.

On the menu: Kado Restaurant

Just adjacent to The Grove on the Farmer's Market side right above Bath & Bodyworks lies an incredible experience for your taste buds. Kado Restaurant is a newly opened feast for the senses. Its slick, sexy design is spread across a square footage usually reserved for multiplex theatres (okay, maybe it's not that big, but it is big!), but that's all the better to accommodate foodies with, my dear. One side of the restaurant is dedicated to the art of Kaiten, which is a never-ending conveyor belt of sushi that parades past diners who are allowed the option of picking and choosing what they want to eat. The bill is tallied at the end of the dining experience courtesy of color coded plates, which denote who ate what... and how much of what they ate! The best part? It's all you can eat for $20 from 11:30am to 4pm, 7 days a week.

There's an outdoor patio on the other side, which leads into the bar and Teppan stations, where diners can pick and choose combinations to be cooked right before their very eyes. But if Teppan's not your deal and you're not into the Kaiten, you can always opt for classic Japanese courtesy of their expansive menu. Their rolls are typically delicious, but don't ignore their entrees. The halibut with yuzu kosho cream sauce, garlic lotus potatoes and swiss chard is melt-in-your-mouth good, while the filet mignon with seasonal vegetables is outstanding. Save room for dessert – the cheesecake is fantastic, but you might want to opt for the pot of chocolate with Chantilly cream if you're a chocoholic. No matter what your druthers, Kado likely has something to satisfy you beyond your wildest dreams.

On the menu: Goodies from Ford's Play at Ford's Filling Station

Let's face it – you're not going to get any work done now that summer is officially here, so you might as well have some good eats and drinks while you're playing hooky from the office. This is where Ford's Play comes in. Every Wednesday through Friday from 4 – 5:30pm, Ford's Filling Station offers a special menu coupled with killer cocktails. Some of the best stuff in terms of eats? The Fried Ricotta with Chestnut Honey is lovely and the Duck Taquitos aren't too shabby, but the belle of the ball is the Kobe Corn Dogs, with the Kobe Sliders running a close second. Pair all this with a Blood Orange Margarita or a Grapefruit Basil Martini, and you've got yourself a new summertime ritual.

On the menu: Anything from Blue Velvet

Everyone is talking about how downtown is coming up lately. It's no lie, but knowing where to go is still a bit tricky as hotspots take their time making their mark. If you want to make things easy on yourself, just set up permanent shop at Blue Velvet. You could be pedestrian and order off the menu, which features goodies like the Crispy Yogurt appetizer or the Long Island Duck entrée, then top it off with the White Chocolate Bombe for dessert. Or, if you're much more daring, you could ask the chef to cook to his heart's desire... which means many things that don't exist on the menu, but a far more personalized touch to your evening. Whatever your choice, you won't be disappointed. Just make sure you have your hollow leg ready.

On the small screen: The PlayStation 3

Now that the madness that surrounded it at Christmas has died down, you can safely leave your home to pick up a PS3 for dad. Games like MLB (the most realistic baseball simulation available) and MotorStorm will keep him busy, plus, he'll feel cool for having kids that consider him hip enough to play with and own one of his own.

(It's okay – no need to justify. We know you're getting him one solely so you can play with it yourself.)

On the bar: Angel's Temptation

· 1 ¾ oz Gran Centenario Plata Tequila

· 3 ½ oz Fresh Apple Juice

· ½ oz Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice

· ¼ oz Squeezed Lime Wedge

Combine all ingredients over ice in a mixing glass. Shake vigorously. Strain over fresh ice into a Collins or highball glass. Garnish with a green apple slice, then sip and imagine you're sitting poolside at a Mexican villa, a slight breeze in the air, a mariachi band playing "Don't Cry For Me ..." Oh, wait. Where were we?

On the menu: Boa's New Spring Menu

Okay, so we're a stone's throw from summer – that doesn't mean you should ignore the latest additions to Boa's already delicious menu. After all, they're not just about steak. You might want to try one of their new starters, like the Blue Fin Tuna Carpaccio with Jalapeno Vinagrette and Tortilla Crisps ($14), or my new favorite, the Lobster & Caviar Balboa stacked three inches high with Potatoes in a Dijon Dressing, Lobster with San Francisco Vinaigrette, American Paddle Fish Caviar, topped with a Quail Egg, Micro Greens, and a whole Lobster Claw ($36). It's almost enough food to justify ignoring a main, but what fun would that be? Grab four of your friends if you need help deflecting your calorie guilt, but trust me – it's worth it.

On the shoulder: Versace's Fringe Hobo Bag

I'm having a hard time finding an exact picture of the bag that I'm referring to... there's this, which is similar, but it doesn't really do what I've seen justice. The bag that I fell in love with is definitely of the Hobo variety, with the fringe starting on one side and swooping down and across, all the way to the other side. The leather was like butter, the fringe danced against my ankles, and the color – champagne – complimented everything in my wardrobe. Alas, the price did not. At $4500 a pop, this baby isn't cheap... but a girl can dream...

On the big screen: Knocked Up, because Judd Apatow is a genius.

On the small screen: Shot in the Dark, because it's interesting to see Adrian Grenier's personal side.

On the Netflix queue: Alpha Dog, because it's disturbingly dark, but in a good way. Sort of.

On the MP3: Before He Cheats by Carrie Underwood, because your friend can't get it out of her head, so it drives you nuts by association. And you know what they say: if you can't beat 'em...

On the menu: Stone Fire Pizza's #17 with Goat Cheese and peppers with Goat Cheese, Mozzarella, Roasted Peppers, Roasted garlic and Herb Oil, because it's mouthwateringly good.

On the big screen: Pirates of the Carribbean: At World's End, because you've never gotten over your crush on Johnny Depp.

On the small screen: Reunited: The Real World Las Vegas, because you never got over Steven and Trishelle, either.

On the Netflix queue: Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl, because you might as well make it an all Johnny weekend.

On the MP3: Umbrella by Rihanna (with Jay Z), because it'll help you get your groove on.

On the menu: Smoked Salmon from Bottle Rock, because it's the perfect thing to whet your appetite.

On the bar: The Xotic Cocktail from X Bar, because it's equal parts refreshing, delicious, and saucy.

On the shoulder: The Titan 360 Trolley in red, because it's so stylish that not only will you toss your other suitcases, you'll find more excuses to travel.

On the cheap: Issac Mizrahi for Target's seersucker swimwear, because it's time you retired last year's suit and tried something new.

On the neck: Tattooed Steel's Davy Jane Tag, because you're taking that sailor theme one step further in a far cooler direction.

On the heel: Christian Louboutin's patent t-strap sandals, because they're 40's glam in a modern package.

On the back: Viridis Luxe's pieced coat, because not only will you support the environment by wearing this hemp and bamboo number, you'll look damn good doing it.

On the wish list: White nail polish from NYX Cosmetics, because it's attention getting.

On the list of looks that shouldn't work, but do: Eva Green's Christmas explosion dress, because it's unique and flaunts her killer body.

On the reading list: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver, Camille Kingsolver, and Steven L. Hopp, because it's a fascinating look at sustainable eating.

On the radar: Deborah Messing's grey gown, because it's clean and regal.

On the big screen: Fay Grim, because you're over Shrek.

On the small screen: The Last Days of Left Eye, because you're still chasing Waterfalls.

On the Netflix queue: Catch and Release, because watching sappy "rom coms" is safer in the comfort of your own home.

On the MP3: 'Makes Me Wonder' by Maroon 5, because you can't help but get sucked into their siren songs.

On the menu: Bottle Rock's vintage cheese plate, because it's delish, especially when paired with the right wine.

On the bar: The Farmer's Market Lemon Drop
1 1/2 oz Modern Spirits Candied Ginger Vodka
1 oz lemongrass simple syrup
1 oz Meyer lemon juice
1 oz blood orange juice
Shake & strain into a candied ginger sugar rimmed martini glass, because it's good for your soul.

On the shoulder: The Barfly Maritini Bag from Cuffz by Linz, because it's Hilton prison chic.

On the cheap: The Patrick Robinson Knotty Strap Knit Dress because it's cute and kicky.

On the wrist: Zoe DuFour's Vintage Mix Bangle in Golds, because carnelian, citrine, crystal quartz, vintage crystals, dyed pearls and vermeil bead in a 14k gold-fill bangle do the body good.

On the heel: Juicy's Mandy Quilted Ballerina Flat, because it's plushness for your feet.

On the wish list: Jouer Cosmetics' Les Naturels, because the natural look is in this season.

On the tip of your tongue: TalkingMind.com, because a roundup of independent audio podcasts that explore the science, spirituality, philosophy, mystery and controversy of human consciousness is just what the doctor ordered.

On the list of looks that shouldn't work, but do: Kate Walsh's wedding-esque day wear, because it should be overdone, but isn't.

On the reading list: 'Eat, Pray, Love' by Elizabeth Gilbert, because it's simply incredible.

On the radar: Penelope Cruz because spring may have sprung, but she proves you can't beat a black dress.

On the big screen: The Ex, because it looks like ridiculously dumb fun, and the lines for Spiderman are too long.

On the small screen: America's Next Top Model, because we finally get to find out who she is.

On the Netflix queue: Dreamgirls, because you missed the fuss the first time around.

On the MP3: Rehab by Amy Winehouse, because it's the new black.

On the menu: Stonefire Pizza's Greek Pizza with Sliced Tomatoes, Feta cheese, Mozzarella Cheese, Pinenuts, Kalamata Olives, Red Onion Mushrooms with a drizzle of Greek Vinaigrette, because it'll make you feel like you're on the Isles themselves.

On the bar: The Cactus Berry Cocktail, because it's sweetly refreshing.

On the shoulder: Titan's Xenon Champagne Beauty Case, because it's just decadent enough to be fun, but functional enough to cart around your beauty goodies.

On the cheap: Patrick Robson's cropped utility pants, because they're simply smashing.

On the heel: Stuart Weitzman's "Chit Chat" Patent Peeptoe Flat, because they're simply a must have.

On the wish list: Victoria's Secret Dream Angels "Heavenly" perfume, because your mom deserves to feel angelic and beautiful this Mother's Day.

On the list of looks that shouldn't work, but do: Charlize Theron's one-shouldered number, because the 70s are way over, and yet this still looks hot.

On the reading list: The Noah Confessions by Barbara Hall, because it's a compelling tale no matter what your age.

On the radar: Ali Larter's casual chic, because she's simply stunning when she doesn't try so hard.