Food, Drink & More | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mountain Views News, Sierra Madre Edition [Pasadena] Saturday, October 29, 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||
8 FOOD AND DRINK Mountain Views-News Saturday, October 29, 2016 If you have followed my adventures throughout Southern California you know I love three things: wine, great food, and horse racing. Just a few miles east of my home in Pasadena is my home away from home, the “Great Race Place” Santa Anita Racetrack. Established many years ago by horse breeder Lucky Baldwin, it burned down in 1912, and was resurrected in 1933 Charles Strub and a few friends who re-opened Santa Anita in 1934. Over the years, it has attracted many movie stars and been the background to many Hollywood movies. It’s where the Marx Brothers spent a day at the races. Fast forward to present day, Santa Anita will host the Superbowl of horse racing on November 5th and 6th. The Breeders Cup has planned a few events to lead up to this great day in Santa Anita racing history. Zenyatta, arguably the greatest Santa Anita racehorse of all time, has an event named after her on November 3rd. The event is at a few blocks from the race track on N. First Ave. between Huntington Drive starts at 7 PM, and is free of charge. On November 5th Pasadena Fan Fest takes place at the Pasadena Civic. The event is open to the public, with a $45 admission fee. One of my favorite 80’s cover bands, the Spazmatics, will be live. The event also includes food trucks, cash bars, and is limited to 1000 attendees. I’ll be there! Nov 2nd An evening with California Chrome is being held at a favorite local restaurant Matt Denny’s Alehouse on Huntington Drive. You can talk to owners Perry Martin and Frank Taylor, trainer Art Sherman, and jockey Victor Espinoza. Tickets are $100 and include hors d’oeuvres\ Breeders Cup is a day-long event and features top horses from all parts of the world. Tickets range from $10 to $400. Santa Anita Racetrack features many dining choices, or you can just have a drink while you are betting the horses. I recommend getting advance seats - it is the biggest party of the year!!! Call (626) 574-race for more details Here are a few of my local choices for dining in the San Gabriel Valley Paul Martin’s American Grill has a special Breeder’s Cup 3 course meal 455 S. Lake Ave Pasadena (626) 773-7600 Parkway Grill considered by many as the Spago of the east. 510 S. Arroyo Pkwy. Pasadena (626) 795-1001 Nikki C’s winner and losers flock to this Pasadena restaurant after races 470 S. Rosemead (626) 792-7437 Panda Inn Best of the best of the local Asian restaurant scene 3488 E. Foothill Pasadena (626) 793-7300 Robin’s Wood Fire BBQ, the real deal when it comes to Q !! 395 N. Rosemead Pasadena (626) 351-8885 TABLE FOR TWO by Peter Dills thechefknows@yahoo.com Julie’s Favorite Family Recipes ZUCCHINI PIZZA CASSEROLE RECIPE Ingredients 4 cups shredded unpeeled zucchini 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 large eggs 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese, divided 1 pound ground beef 1/2 cup chopped onion 1 can (15 ounces) Italian tomato sauce 1 medium sweet red pepper, chopped Directions Preheat oven to 400°. Place zucchini in colander; sprinkle with salt. Let stand 10 minutes, then squeeze out moisture. Combine zucchini with eggs, Parmesan and half of mozzarella and cheddar cheeses. Press into a greased 13x9-in. or 3-qt. baking dish. Bake 20 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, cook beef and onion over medium heat, crumbling beef, until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add tomato sauce; spoon over zucchini mixture. Sprinkle with remaining cheeses; add red pepper. Bake until heated through, about 20 minutes longer. Freeze option: Cool baked casserole; cover and freeze. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350°. Unwrap casserole; reheat on a lower oven rack until heated through and a thermometer inserted in center reads 165°. Yield: 8 servings. HEALTHY LIFESTYLES THE JOY OF YOGA ARE YOGA TEACHER TRAININGS FOR EVERYONE? In the past 10 years, yoga teacher trainings have become ever popular. This trend reflects the increasing number of people practicing yoga. According to the 2016 Yoga in America study conducted by Yoga Journal and Yoga Alliance, over 36 million Americans are yoga practitioners. It’s finally sinking in that individuals (and the world as a whole) need a holistic approach to health and wellness. On the surface, the physical practice of yoga is a great start. However, it’s through the wisdom the deeper teachings of yoga and advanced practices of pranayama and meditation that transformation takes place. By integrating practices for wellness and spiritual health into everyday life, we are able to make an impact on long- term health and happiness. It’s in the foundational teacher training, that the deeper teachings of yoga are introduced. Yogic Philosophy, Meditation, Subtle Body Energetics, Ayurveda and Anatomy are just a few of the rich topics explored in teacher training. Therefore, it’s the perfect setting to satisfy your curiosity and deepen your yoga practice. It makes sense, even though, these trainings are called ‘teacher’ trainings, and they are not just for students who want to teach. The experience serves as an in-road to awareness, knowledge and ancient wisdom. The process of learning to teach provides the student with multiple benefits and unexpected growth opportunities. One of which, is knowing how to create a personal yoga sequence. This is essential for bringing yoga home and weaving it into your personal routine. Of course, learning to teach a group asana class is paramount in a yoga teacher training. However, in my opinion, the real nuggets are in overcoming fear while learning how to teach. Also, learning how to handle a room of people with grace and authority is instrumental and incredibly empowering. All explored in a safe, nurturing environment. These skills translate into real life, at home and at work. Not all teacher trainings are the same or created equal. I am proud to say that Yoga Madre offers the best teacher training in town (and out of town). The next foundational training begins January 27, 2017 and takes place one weekend per month for 10 months total. Consider it if your curiosity and love for yoga has grown. It’s where you will learn to bring ancient wisdom into everyday life. Namaste friends and keep exploring the vast greatness of yoga. Keely Totten Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com | ||||||||||||||||||||