Diet

Several weeks ago we wrote an article that was a brief overview of the Ayurvedic diet, and a lot of people have been expressing interest in knowing more. Sid Fanarof, owner of Z Pizza, told us about a friend of his who happens to be the teacher of Rob Talbert, the gentleman we interviewed for our first article on the subject. What got our attention was that Sid said, ?She is a fabulous cook!? Vijaya, a.k.a. Vicki Stern, graciously offered to talk to us and to give us some recipes. As we walked the path to her charming and tasteful cottage in North Laguna, we noticed her container garden with its herbs, squashes, tomatoes and peppers.

Art history class includes field trips A new class in art history will be offered this fall through Laguna Beach Senior Services and Irvine Valley College Emeritus Institute. The course will include numerous field trips to local museums, art galleries and artist studios. Discussion topics will include the artist today, trends of art, art styles, art history, exhibits, the jury process, the psychology of art, artist lifestyles and the circle of individuals that assist artists including framers, printers, artist's representatives, appraisers and conservators.

Montage offers wellness retreats Spa Montage is offering specially designed wellness retreats for pregnant women and those who want to explore a raw food diet. ?The Prenatal Gift of Giving Life? will be from March 21 to 24, led by Dana Sara of White Lotus Yoga at Cho?s Academy. Designed to ensure a healthy pregnancy and post-partum recovery, the retreat includes remineralizing beach walks and prenatal workshops that incorporate stretching, meditation, yoga, belly dancing and diet recommendations.

Laguna Beach has something seductively sweet to offer this Valentine's Day. Casey's Cupcakes, 303 Broadway, brought to you by former MTV "Laguna Beach" sweetheart and TV personality Casey Reinhardt, will host a grand opening celebration on Monday with "Cupid's White Chocolate Cherry" cupcakes, free balloon giveaways and a live performance by the Rudie Dane Band from 3 to 7 p.m. The fruity cake confections, made with fresh cherries, cherry-vanilla...

A large bull California sea lion, twice rescued from Newport Beach?s shores covered in fishing hooks, set sail aboard a Coast Guard cutter Monday morning bound for a new home on San Clemente Island. The sea lion was dubbed ?Captain Hook? by Pacific Marine Mammal Center workers in Laguna Beach who rescued him with more than 70 fishing hooks, lines and lures caught in his mouth and around his face. He washed up on the beach near 23rd Street on the Balboa Peninsula Oct. 28. ?

It’s not enough that we’re all hemorrhaging money, now it’s Christmastime and we have to buy gifts for our loved ones. Will the rain never stop? In an effort to help those of you who are down to the bone, today’s column will feature dining recommendations for lean times. I recently tested these dishes myself, and I can testify that they’re cheap. We’ll start with a staple from the old days. When I left college I was afraid of starving, and as a theater major, I had reason for my fear.

SHERWOOD KIRALY My wife Patti Jo was out of the country for four days last week, so I was solely responsible for our daughter Katie and the house. I didn't panic. In fact, when Patti Jo leaves, there's usually a one-day period during which I'm pretty full of myself. I survey my domain like Lorne Greene used to do during the opening credits of "Bonanza." It's a lot to ride herd on, but it's all mine -- the driveway, the kitchen counter, the pillows.