Today, I’m covering Redondo Beach…what a great town!

I found this resource on Redondo.org – Senior Clubs – how nice. Here they are for easy reference:

• North Park Senior Citizen Club @ Anderson Park
• North Redondo Senior Citizen Club @ Perry Park
• South Redondo Beach Senior Citizen Club, Inc. @ Veterans Park

Looks like the Sixth Street Self-Help Center at 169 Sixth Street is offering more opportunities for the Sassy Seniors of SF. Since San Francisco has a high percentage of seniors (14.6%), thus is great news. More Bingo for everyone!

Here’s the scoop:

They also had these cards for sale created by participants in their art program to benefit homeless and low income folks. Win win win!

Well done SF–thanks for making silver living safer and more fun. The Sassy Assassin approves!

And here are my taco soaps…

I’ll be focusing on the Holiday Season but hope to keep this going throughout the year. Thought it would be nice to share with my 5.2 readers what I find. I’m going on some field trips to the senior centers, too — horray — pics to come.

Without further ado, here’s today’s opp around GIVE (from my Something Sweet for Senior 3 Point Plan of ACT, GIVE & HELP).

I found Be a Santa to a Senior at Spectrum Club in Redondo Beach. There are paper ornaments on the tree with the name, gender, size and an idea of what they’d like — playing cards, lap blankets, stationery, sweaters. Bring the gift back into Spectrum by 12 December and — WALAA! — they will wrap and deliver the gifts to Home Instead Senior Care in Torrance.

(Names & ID number removed for privacy)

Had a blast shopping with the hub picking out handsome shirts, cozy blankets, decadent bath towels and sweet note cards. It was simple & something we could do as a couple during the hip-hip-horray holidays.

Go on…make their day!

As you may or may not know, I’ve been on the quest for the most perfect, delicious & sassy tuna sandwich, caesar salad & fish tacos. Why? I don’t know.

I will admit I’ve had some WONDERFUL options, but nothing that I would say, “I don’t ever need to have another tuna sandwich, caesar salad, ceviche, or fish tacos again.” (not totally true because Crow’s Nest in Santa Cruz’s Caesar Salad is THE BEST…and Wildflower Cafe in Redondo Beach serves a mean Tuna Sandwich…also LOVE the ceviche at Fishbar in Manhattan Beach & fish tacos at Old Tony’s in Redondo Beach…

Okay, I digress — to my utter surprise & excitement, I made one up today with all kinds of stuff from my tiny pantry & empty fridge. Here’s what I made & I’m going to stick to it:

Before I share my secret recipe, I’ll just say…THIS IS SO GOOD!

Combine in a bowl — one that you can store in fridge so you can eat this often:

1 Can Tuna — I just discovered Sprouts Market in Redondo Beach and love their Sustainable Seas Albacore
Dijon Mustard from Whole Foods — Redondo Beach crew is AWESOME
Almonds — I ground them in my Magic Bullet — love that thing!
Relish
Scallions
Apple — chopped finely
Black Olives — chopped
Celery — chopped finely

You can serve w/ apple slices (sooooo yummy) or with a spinach / tomato garnish on rice cakes or bread.

Not total vegetarian but totally delicious…And easy peasy lemon squeezy!

Aloha for now…

I’ve been substituting apple slices for bread lately to keep my starchy cards at bay (except I LOVE Brasserie Bread and get their bread delivered locally to me so I always have a heavenly loaf on hand).

Today’s experiment was a success – simple, yummy & perfect for a lazy Sunday.

Apple Bacon Cheese Snacks:

• Apple Slices – thin slices
• Vegie Delights Bacon Rashers – fried up in olive oil so crispy
• Simply Better Foods Soy Cheese w/ Chives – thinly sliced – this flavour is my favourite & goes well w/ apples.

Once you fry the bacon, make the sandwiches with apple slices & cheese.

Enjoy and make hubby happy – that’s the most important.

Till the next desperate attempt to cook something fast & delicious…

Even though my Real Beauty blog is about a women’s best quality’s being on her insides, it doesn’t mean we can’t pamper ourselves to feel absolutely fantastic on the outside. Bon Appetit!

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My little secret is out – I just turned 40 – and though I’m not upset about this milestone, it did inspire me to think about how well I was taking care of myself — specifically my skin. I have shunned facials and spa treatments and expensive creams my whole life. I’m frugal and I had acne. It took me years to find Proactiv (been using successfully since 1993) and I didn’t believe that spending a ton of money on a spa treatment would do anything for me.

But as I approached 40, I started thinking that maybe I could help my complexion (especially motivated by the beautiful women of Sydney), by getting microdermabrasion. I don’t like to wear foundation, so camouflaging my face was not an option. So, encouraged by the lovely Amanda (Realize Beauty), I began to hunt for a place that would beautify me.

I found Lotus Spa in Bondi Junction - an elegant & friendly oasis – where I was told my skin had sun damage and would need extensive therapy. This was no surprise to me as I’d already taken a beating at another spa (and wasn’t keen to go back) but it still pricked my ego. But the lovely woman was nice, honest and right. So after she explained the details, I booked an appointment.

I really thought microdermabrasion would be harsh and I would have to go into hiding with scraggly skin – I was SO wrong! It was a wonderful experience. I received the crystal method (not diamond) with a device from Beauty Culture. It was more of a sucking vacuum than a face blasting. What a relief.

The treatment started with a soothing cleanser to prepare my skin. The the microdermabrasion. The beautician (she was globally and locally certified) gently smoothed my skin so the vacuum didn’t bruise the fleshy areas like my cheeks. It was enjoyable and didn’t feel like I was losing a layer of skin.

After the main treatment, she put on a soothing masque and serum and treated me to a hand/scalp massage. It was decadent!

She did warn me to wear sunscreen — that’s a given — and sent me on my way after telling me I looked radiant! Thank you very much. I came home and took pictures but didn’t notice too much difference. My skin was definitely brighter and clearer and I looked pampered – my skin was definitely softer, too. My skin felt just a little tight but there was no obvious redness. The next day, my skin still had that pampered look and I noticed I looked rested and a bit younger.

Success!!

I am certainly going back in a few months for another treatment. Will I go back to Lotus Spa? Maybe. I’m going to visit a few others and see what I find. I am on the quest for the friendliest and most feminine spa in Bondi Junction. The kind of place that makes me feel like a beautiful woman — before my treatment. I’m looking for ambiance…an ultimate experience. It will take a lot to surpass Lotus Spa, and I’ll share what I find.

Thanks Amanda, for inspiring me to treat myself to a much-needed and loved treatment. I’m a believer!

The other night, I cooked one of my best: Vegan Stroganoff – yum yum yum! The tofu/sour cream is divine – this time I put lemon in it.

But today – to mark the end (almost) of such a great month, I cooked Vegan Tacos. I love tacos – I especially love them because my mum is the Taco Queen. She’s been cooking them since I was born so they will always be special to me.

So I vegan-ed the recipe and I’m pleased to share:

Shells:
You can use pre-made but I don’t. I fry Corn Tortillas in extremely hot Olive Oil – watch your fingers. Let dry on paper towels.

Filling:
Vegan Meat – my new favourite it from Vegie Delights canned Casserole Mince. It’s in the Health Food section of Coles.

Kidney Beans – I used the mexican chili flavoured ones today but you can use Taco Seasoning, too. I added some extra Enchilada Sauce, too.

Vegan Cheese – the Low Chol Soy Bean Cheese from Kemeny’s in Bondi is superb.

Spring Onion

Avocado Cream Sause – I used the leftover tofu sour cream from Stroganoff (above) and added Avocado – basically it’s tofu, lemon, garlic, avo & cumin – blend until smooth.

You can add other onions (Mum LOVES onions), lettuce & tomato, olives, etc.

Isn’t the picture divine? It tasted even better. Rob agreed – he had a heap of them.

I’m sad to see Veganuary end, but I shall continue to create vegan meals and share. I love cooking vegan even if I don’t eat 100% vegan. It makes home life easy & healthy.

Adios & Via Con Comida,
Senorita Rohan

But tonight was a stay at home and cook for the Rohans night. I threw this recipe together quickly – it’s a slight variation of my baked cauliflower recipe - and goes to show that I can scrounge up anything from the fixin’s in our fridge and Rob will eat it. That’s why I love him so much.

Here’s the scoop for Fakin’ Bacon-tastic Mashed Potatoes:

Boil water – put cut potatoes in and cook until soft.

Fry Bacon – I LOVE Vegie Delights Bacon-Style Rashers from Cole’s. I used about 6 or so pieces in olive oil. Fry until crispy – as crispy as fake bacon can get. Let drain and cool – cut up into little chunks.

Boil peas.

Cut Spring Onions.

Shred Soy Cheese – Kemeny’s in Bondi has an incredible Low Chol Soy Bean Cheese. It’s out of this world and melts/tastes like REAL cheese. Huzzah!

Mash potatoes and put in baking dish. Layer peas, bacon, spring onions & cheese on top. A little dash of  cayenne pepper for the top and bake at 200 degrees Celsius for 20 minutes until cheese melts.

IT”S YUMMY and easy and fun and healthy. What more to life is there?

Happy Veganuary – but don’t despair! I’ve decided to continue with Veguary and Vegarch. I’ll keep cooking if you (my 3 readers) keep visiting!

Hasta la vista, baby and happy eating!

So super excited to start Veganuary that I had to post a delicious and mega-quickie recipe that will get you off on the right foot.

Sweet & Sassy and Berry Yummy Berry Smoothie:

Berry Mixture – I used frozen (you can use fresh) berry mix of Strawberries, Blueberries & Raspberries – about 2 cups

Chocolate So Good Ice Cream – about a cup

Vanilla So Good Ice Cream – about a cup

Mix in my FAVOURITE mixer – the Magic Bullet

You can add other fruit, play with the amounts of soy ice cream, or add orange juice/apple juice depending on your preferences.

It is SOY GOOD and makes a perfect mid-meal snack.

I loosely follow the Great Australian Diet by Dr. John Tickell where I try to get in 15 plant foods a day (grains, seeds, fruit & vege). This has 4.

Great boost to your day – great boost to mine!

Cheers & happy healthy plant eating,

kristin

I also like to share. So it is with the spirit of both of those, that I present to you my super secret but scrumptious Granola – to prepare for Veganuary – HORRAY!

This is my Pop’s and Pop-in-Law’s favourite (or so they tell me – and they wouldn’t lie to me, would they? Not if they want more granola, right??!!). So without further adieu…

Super Sweet & Sassy Granola – Kristin Style:

In a big bowl:

• Rolled Oats (I like organic)
• Mixed Nuts – broken in small pieces – Almonds are especially healthy
• Coconut Flakes
• Sunflower Seeds
• Olive Oil
• Maple Syrup
• Honey

Mix together with your hands until the Oil, Syrup & Honey cover all other ingredients. Heat oven to 150 (in Aus) and stir every 15 minutes. If your oven is too hot, cook at lower degrees. It will take about 45 – 60 minutes.

It’s ready when the oats are golden and taste crunchy.

You can add sultanas (raisins), dried cranberries or carob chips – you can even experiment with different kinds of nuts. The possibilities are endless.

This will keep for quite a while in a container in the fridge. Tastes awesome with soy milk.

I know this is delicious because when I make a new batch, Rob eats it for brekkie, lunch & tea everyday until I yell at him to stop eating it so fast. If that is not a positive testimonial, I don’t know what is!

Happy & healthy eating!!!