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Lo's Favorite LA Restaurants
Hey guys! Today we are sharing Lo's favorite spots in LA for good food, lattes, acai bowls and more. Scroll down for the spots + her favorite things at each place. Send this list to anyone you know in LA or save it if you are considering taking a trip to the west coast. P.S. Reading this will make you hungry, just a heads up! xx
(Malibu)
*forbidden rice bowl and the squash soup
(Beverly Hills)
*acai bowl with crunchy almond butter
(West Hollywood)
*matcha pearl and chai tea spirit dust latte
(West Hollywood)
*reishi cappuccino
(Beverly Hills)
*teriyaki bowl and almond milk matcha latte
(Laurel Canyon)
*the best salmon with sauteed spinach and green beans, vegan soup of the day
(Venice)
*homemade pomodoro pizza
(West Hollywood)
*wagyu short rib tacos, hellfire roll
(West Hollywood)
*spaghetti squash primavera, sesame crusted salmon
(Malibu)
*crispy rice spicy tuna, baked hand crab roll, spicy acai martini
(West Hollywood)
*long-cooked cavalo nero, sweet potatoes, grilled pork tenderloin, arctic char
(West Hollywood)
*chilled peel & eat shrimp, fried chicken sandwich, crispy brussel sprouts
(Downtown)
*sweet miso salad, spaghetti alla carbonara
images of Lo via ragdoll LA
The Nespresso Life
Spring makes me feel refreshed and enlivened; it gives me extra ambition to clean out the closets, fill our house with fresh, colorful flowers, and make extra time for rest and peaceful morning rituals. The change of seasons consistently seems busy but yet there is always a sweet, subconscious reminder to slow down. Coffee in the morning (and sometimes in the afternoon) seems to be the perfect way for us to escape the daily grind, and it’s how I make sure to have a little “me time” in between all my to-do’s. What do you incorporate in your daily routine to rest from the hustle and bustle? To think. To reflect. To just sit. P.S. Sometimes a cup of coffee is a fun excuse to invite your bestie over to sip a cup with you!
My mom introduced me to Nespresso a few years ago when she made me a frothy cup of coffee that was dairy free (win win). This goodness in a cup won me over from the very first sip, and now it is a staple in our house. We are kind of obsessing over the new Nespresso VertuoPlus because it always delivers an extraordinary cup of quality coffee or espresso with ease. We are all about the quality of coffee in the Kennedy household, hence the fact that we are big fans of Nespresso, and we love the all-new design and fresh new colors of VertuoPlus. Cheers to Spring renewal! Not to mention, I love that this dreamy coffee company brings together the know-how of all its coffee experts, who have sourced the top coffee beans from around the world and perfectly roasted each coffee blend.When I am researching kitchen products, I love to know what it does. The VertuoPlus machine conveniently makes two cup sizes, 8 oz. Coffee and 1.35 oz. Espresso, all at the touch of a button. It uses two different capsule sizes: large capsule for Coffee, and a small one for Espresso. And it's easy! What to do: press the lever (it automatically opens), insert a capsule, and press the lever again (it automatically closes). Then press the button, which will start the brewing process. The machine delivers the optimal in-cup results for each blend using barcode reading technology to recognize if it’s espresso or coffee, how much water, how hot, etc. Then you get a beautiful cup of crema-topped quality coffee or espresso. Umm...taking a writing break to go make a cup now.
The most fun part: Nespresso’s Aeroccino milk frother is ideal for preparing hot or cold milk froth. The milk frother creates a soft and finely textured milk froth in a convenient way. Who else is on that homemade almond milk latte kick?
A major bonus: Sustainability is at the heart of everything Nespresso does. They are committed to having a positive impact, including giving their capsules a second life through recycling. With the Nespresso recycling program, they provide several options to send in your used capsules for them to recycle, free of charge.
The Nespresso VertuoPlus truly is one touch to extraordinary!P.S. You know we are all about health over here, so I am kind of obsessed with the fact that all of the water tanks are BPA free.This post was created in connection with my participation in Nespresso’s VertuoPlus program.
Winter Recipes To Try
I love cooking home-cooked meals all times of the year, but especially in the winter months. There is something so comforting and cozy being inside when it's dark and cold outside! Below is my current list of recipes to try and I would love to hear any recommendations that you have in the comment section. xx meliss
*basil cashew chicken via half baked harvest
*creamy roasted red pepper and cauliflower soup via closet cooking
*garlic butter mushroom risotto via pinch of yum
*chicken tikka masala via savory tooth
*leek frittata via coveteur
*garlic butter white wine pasta via savory nothings
*beet risotto via well plated
*asparagus and smoked salmon pizzas via from the kitchen
In The Kitchen: GreenPan
image via GreenPan Pinterest
Eating healthy is something that both Lo and I are very passionate about, as is toxic-free living. Living completely toxin free is nearly impossible since there are toxins in the environment that we are exposed to that are entirely out of our control. However, there are toxins that we can control, like what sort of home cleaning products we use, what beauty products we put on our bodies, and what cookware we use to cook our food.
Buying and eating organic is great, but what if you cook those organic vegetables in a skillet that releases toxic fumes once it gets super hot? So bad! Enter GreenPan. Their ceramic technology is intentionally designed to prevent the toxic fumes from happening, but still allowing for a nonstick cooking surface. How amazing is that?
I am now totally hooked on GreenPan products and have a few pieces. You can shop the line over at Sur La Table as well- below are our favorites!
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the kitchen gift guide
you know that person that just loves to be in the kitchen, cooking up a storm? we racked our brains for what to get said person, and the list is below!
a GreenPan ceramic skillet
a gorgeous stand mixer
washed denim pot holder
a beautiful spoon rest
the malibu farm cook book
walnut cutting board
this apron
a Staub dutch oven
paris themed mini spatulas
a lovely brass serving bowl
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entertaining tips.
My mom gave me the best birthday present last year. She read through the wonderful book, Bread & Wine, and wrote notes all through out it on what she felt personally spoke into my life. This insight has given me a new picture of what community and the table is all about. The messages in this book by Shauna Niequist spoke so directly to my heart, and my mom's underlining and scribbles made it all the more meaningful.
I was just looking over this book tonight as sometimes I revisit the chapters and the incredible recipes at the end of each chapter. I was just glimpsing over the appendix, and Shauna shares her best entertaining tips that truly help the idea of the table being the heart of the home. Not to mention, they really spoke to my OCD neat freak tendencies ha! I couldn't help but share with you guys. See the point summaries below.
- Find a way to entertain that works best for you. Hospitality is about love, not about performance. Everyone should have a simpler meal and a happier host.
- When the doorbell rings, have yourself ready (aka hair dried and clothing on), music on, candles lit, something to eat, something to drink. It's okay to have some food that's not done, but you don't want people to think that you are not ready for them.
- Be prepared and make a detailed plan. Time it out and create lists if needed so you don't feel rushed and overwhelmed. Helpful note: allow yourself 30 minutes to putter around lighting candles, putting on music, putting on lipstick, having a glass of wine.
- Develop a repertoire and make only one last-minute dish per meal. Avoid trying new recipes for a dinner party. Stick to recipes you are really comfortable with. Tips: choose an appetizer that can be prepped early, an entree that can be in the oven when guests are arriving, easy salad and bread, and a dessert that's already prepared.
- Accept help. Let people bring things, help you cook, clean up - again, it's not a performance. People love to help. It makes them feel included and at home.
Gatherings around the table are not about what will look great on Pinterest or Instagram later. It's about loving the people in your life by gathering them close into the private spaces of your home, about giving them soft places to land in hard seasons, about meeting their needs for food, for listening, for peace, for rest.image via pinterest
Join Us for a Gluten Free Week: Recipes Inside! #loloGFweek
Hey hey! The girls at LOLO are starting a week of gluten free eating! Who is with us? Good news: you're not alone in this escapade! Keep up with the progress of your fellow participants, and pour out all of your gluten free thoughts and experiences with this hashtag on Twitter: #loloGFweek. Warning: you might get hooked on this lifestyle, and our recipes are so darn good, you may just dare to go another week. Don't worry, gluten free doesn't mean boring-- you'll still be eating waffles and lasagna. Let the party begin (aka a whole new, skin-glowing, great feeling, healthier you!). P.S. We are not just doing this because it's trendy. 
The Dish on Gluten
What is gluten anyways? To put it simply, it is the sticky protein substance in wheat. Why should we avoid it? Our guts are simply not adapted to digest gluten and break it down into individual amino acids.Did you know that one in every seven people has gluten sensitivity? In fact, most people go their entire lives with knowing this to be the culprit of consistent symptoms: abdominal distention, anemia, depression, anxiety, bloating, migraines, low energy and fatigue, stubborn weight, and even infertility to name a few. Sometimes even medical testing does not reveal this to be the issue. That's why it is important to test by elimination.If you feel completely different after a week of a gluten free diet (like I did), then you can be sure you have an intolerance to this substance. Continuing to eat this when you have a sensitivity can cause an array of health problems, so make sure you act with that in mind.Before you college students try to back out now, check out this totally sweet guide on how to be Gluten Free when you are living in a dorm!
Before you get discouraged, this change in lifestyle can be super fun! I have discovered so many amazing recipes from breakfasts to desserts, and I have found some of my favorite meals at restaurants after adopting this way of life. In fact, many restaurants offer gluten free dishes and menus (even PF Changs!). I encourage you to try a gluten free diet for a week with us LOLO editors and readers! We have made it easy for you with these daily meal plans. P.S. Gluten free does not be expensive. Many people save money because they cut out all the fluff--the unnecessary snacks and the wasted bulk amounts of processed foods for instance. Plus, when you are eating to nourish your body, your body will desire less grub. Warning: you may feel worse before you feel better, but I guarantee that if you can stick with this for 2 weeks, your cravings will disappear, and gluten-filled food will actually taste undesirable. Scroll on for a week of prepared gluten-free recipes!! 
Snacks for the Week
AlmondsFruits and VeggiesPumpkin Cinnamon ApplesauceCoconut Dark Chocolate Banana BreadGranola Bars
Desserts (strategically placed before the real meals, duh.)
Chocolate MoussePumpkin Pie with Gluten Free CrustBanana Coconut Chocolate Chip CookiesFlourless Chocolate Cake
Monday
Breakfast: Pumpkin Spice Protein Pancakes Lunch: Turkey Club Sandwich Dinner: Chipotle Lime Salmon with your favorite veggie
Tuesday
Breakfast: Sunbutter and Banana Muffins Lunch: Asparagus Basil Salad Dinner: Seared Chicken with Garden Kale and Tomatoes
Wednesday
Breakfast: Healthy and Hearty Quinoa Waffles Lunch: Quinoa Salad with Lime + Fresh Mint Dinner: Wild Garlic Burgers with Garlic Pesto
Thursday
Breakfast: Baked Eggs with Sweet Potatoes and Spinach (or whatever you want to throw in there!) Lunch: Baby Zucchini and Shrimp Salad Dinner: Beef Stew
Friday
Breakfast: Homemade Porridge (buy gluten free oats!) Lunch: Brussel Sprouts with Soft Boiled Egg Dinner: Delicious Lasagna
Saturday
Breakfast: Confetti Pancakes (I love rainbow sprinkles a tad too much.) Lunch: Green Bean Salad Dinner: Sweet Potato Black Bean Enchiladas
Sunday
Breakfast: Wintertime Crepes Lunch: Raw Kale, Apple, and Avocado Salad Dinner: Greek Sliders
We want to hear from you. Share your gluten free thoughts, experiences, and favorite recipes with us in the comments section or on Twitter by using this hashtag: #loloGFweek!!! Want more? See more of our favorite LOLO gluten free recipes like GF pizza and delicious cinnabun muffins here!