Should New York’s Calorie Counts Come to L.A.?

(Pic via Weighty Matters.)

Last year, New York began requiring restaurants to include calorie counts on menu boards.

That means everything. At Starbucks, it even lists the calorie count for regular, drip coffee at “5.” Spending the week here in NY (yes, that’s why the post count has been low at Franklin Avenue), I actually began to appreciate this. Do I really want that “reduced fat” coffee cake at Starbucks? Now I know, it’s 450 calories. So no, no I don’t.

Should we bring this trend to L.A.? It reminds me of a comment the Militant Angeleno left in a post below — we’re a town devoted to hamburgers, etc., so why do we still have this “healthy eating” rep?

Should New York’s Calorie Counts Come to L.A.?

(Pic via Weighty Matters.)

Last year, New York began requiring restaurants to include calorie counts on menu boards.

That means everything. At Starbucks, it even lists the calorie count for regular, drip coffee at “5.” Spending the week here in NY (yes, that’s why the post count has been low at Franklin Avenue), I actually began to appreciate this. Do I really want that “reduced fat” coffee cake at Starbucks? Now I know, it’s 450 calories. So no, no I don’t.

Should we bring this trend to L.A.? It reminds me of a comment the Militant Angeleno left in a post below — we’re a town devoted to hamburgers, etc., so why do we still have this “healthy eating” rep?

Los Angeles: Ad Town (One in a series)

Valtrex would like you to know: Just because you’re suffering from a raging case of herpes doesn’t mean you can’t go rollerblading in Santa Monica!

A Fairytale Ending

Last year, we wrote several posts on the plight of filmmaker Christine Pechera, who had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Christine needed a bone marrow match to survive… but with so few Filipinos (and Asians in general) in the registry, it wasn’t looking good.

Christine, her family and friends went grassroots, hitting the media, churches and the Internet with her story and urging people to take the harmless test. Marrow drives were held around the country and even around the world; thousands took the test as a result — even Maria.

On July 5 last year, she underwent a transplant. I randomly checked in on her blog the other day — and read the good news. Her cancer is completely gone. She writes:

Who would have guessed that this devastating nightmare would have such a fairytale outcome. I am so thankful for every little thing, every little moment of every day.

The results of the “one-year” Bone Marrow Biopsy came back 100% donor. In the past, “100% donor” meant “promising” or “a good sign”. The marrow also came back “clear”. This triple-confirms that the cancer has completely vanished. At 13 months out, it is safe to officially say that the donor marrow has taken and that the transplant is successful.

It’s easy to sign up for the bone marrow national registry — all it takes is a cotton swab on the inside of your mouth. Go here for more details.

Saving the Wat Thai Buddhist Temple Food Court

Last year we took you to the Wat Thai Buddhist Temple in the Valley, where a row of food vendors serve up cheap and tasty grinds. Unfortunately, the food court is now threatened, and may have already even served its last dish.

The Militant Angeleno headed to the Wat Thai this weekend to do some research — and indeed, it looks like the food court is in trouble. He snapped this shot:

and learned, via one of his “reputable operatives in the Thai community,” that several factors are working against the food court:

First, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has recently made their annual inspection and will shut down the food court due to its findings. But the Militant’s operative said such closures are normally only temporary…

The second issue was general complaints from the neighborhood regarding noise, traffic and loitering, which is interesting since Van Noord Ave., the residential cul-de-sac directly behind the temple, is home to not only temple members, but most of the temple’s monks. The Militant’s operative said that Wat Thai has worked hard to address the complaints of the neighborhood…

The third issue was not directly related to the food court, but did make P.R. matters much worse for the temple, obviously attributed to bad timing. The Militant’s operative also mentioned that the LAPD is currently investigating allegations by children at the temple of sexual abuse directed at a male volunteer (none of the temple’s monks were named), who is a married undocumented immigrant (and could thusly face deportation regardless of whether the charges stand or not).

The Militant said it sounded like last weekend’s food court may have been the last for a while… here’s hoping it makes a return as these issues are sorted out.

Rate-A-Restaurant, Extreme Bathroom Edition

Funny enough, Maria and I thought about doing this a long time ago, but never did. Instead, new blog Restaurant Restroom Rater is doing the dirty work — and I mean that literally. The RRRater is hitting eatery bathrooms throughout Southern California, and pointing out the good, the bad… and the gross.

The RRRater’s reviews are simple, three- or four-word summaries of some of the highlights and lowlights. For example, this is his take on the The Cliff Laguna Beach (above):

.messy
.men’s
.funky shaving mirror
.adjacent stall laced with t.p.
.rr cleaning schedule needs tidying
.The Cliff Laguna Beach sunsets are phenom

Any of you have a fave or least favorite public restroom out there? I would have to say LAX’s restrooms make it tough to leave on a flight with an empty bladder. I’ve taken to just waiting until I board the plane…

Year of the Rat: Major Restaurants Hit With Vermin

Vermin: They’re not just for hole-in-the-wall restaurants anymore. Several major L.A. restaurants were shut down this spring by the L.A. county health department for “Prevention of entrance and harborage of vermin” and “Vermin infestation.”

Some recent closures:

THE CHEESE STORE OF SILVERLAKE, 3926 W SUNSET BLVD, LOS ANGELES
Date Closed: May 04, 2007
Date Reopened: May 06, 2007

CIRXA, 3719 W SUNSET BLVD, LOS ANGELES
Date Closed: May 03, 2007
Date Reopened: May 05, 2007

DOUGHBOYS BAKERY, 8134-36 W 3RD ST, LOS ANGELES
Date Closed: May 31, 2007
(Still closed, now remodeling)

EAT WELL COFFEE SHOP, 3916 W SUNSET BLVD, LOS ANGELES
Date Closed: April 13, 2007
Date Reopened: April 15, 2007

THE FABIOLUS CAFE, 6270 W SUNSET BLVD, LOS ANGELES
Date Closed: April 24, 2007
Date Reopened: May 09, 2007

FRANKIE & JOHNNIE’S N.Y. PIZZA, 11753 SAN VICENTE BLVD, LOS ANGELES
Date Closed: May 10, 2007
Date Reopened: May 12, 2007

HUGO’S, 8401 SANTA MONICA BLVD, WEST HOLLYWOOD
Twice!
Date Closed: May 15, 2007
(remains closed, now being renovated)

Date Closed: May 07, 2007
Date Reopened: May 10, 2007

ROSCOE CHICKEN N’ WAFFLES, 1514 N GOWER ST, LOS ANGELES
Date Closed: March 01, 2007
Date Reopened: March 05, 2007

THE STAND, 17000 VENTURA BLVD #204, ENCINO
Date Closed: March 13, 2007
Date Reopened: March 15, 2007

Hey, rats have gotta eat too! And apparently they’re getting a little more picky in their choices. (This follows up on their invasion of Los Feliz last fall.)

The Los Feliz Exercising Mommys

I see them several times a week, as I cruise west down Los Feliz Blvd. on the way to work: Young mothers, decked out in sweat gear, exercising in Griffith Park (or on the pathway down the boulevard) while their kids sit in their strollers.

Who are these moms? Is this a clique of friends who all own racing strollers and have learned to exercise in unison? How do they plan out these workouts, which frequently utilize wooden fences, steps and other features along the pathway?

Typing “Los Feliz,” “moms” and “exercise” into Google, I think I may have found the answer: StollerStrides.

Apparently the group (which costs anywhere from $15 to $12.50 to less per class, depending on how much you prepay) meets at the bear statue near one of the Griffith Park entrances at 9;30 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

This could very well be them. The time fits with when I pass by that part of Griffith Park… and that hefty price would explain why the women who participate appear very upper class. Have any of you taken this class, or at the very least have seen the Exercising Mommys of Los Feliz?

Habits of Mine That I Fear Will Lead to Health Problems Later On

An ever-growing list.

1. Using a plastic straw to drink coffee. I know, it’s kinda weird. But I started doing this when I had braces, since I was told not to get any hot beverage on them (and risk loosening the glue that held them in place). I continued doing this even after the braces came off because of habit and to avoid staining my teeth. A Starbucks employee recently warned me that the straw might melt. Mmm, have I been drinking plastic-y coffee all these years?

2. Drinking 4-5 cups of coffee a day. Or maybe even more. This can’t be good, right? Although I’ve never seen any definitive study telling me not to… sometimes I wonder if that occasional pain in my chest is from all that java.

3. Using the cell phone without a hands-free device. Most of the time I do — but sometimes I won’t have it with me, and will still conduct long (I’m talking as long as 30 minutes) conversations with the Blackberry or phone pressed against my ear. That can’t be good. Nor can…

4. Sitting in front of the computer all day long. This is one we all do… but how will it affect us long term? Sitting just inches away from a buzzing monitor for 9 hours a day, five days a week — not to mention all that time in front of the home computer — must be doing something, right?

5. My temporary lack of exercise. Haven’t been to the gym since Evan was born… 29 months ago. I try to make up for it by walking with Evan… but it’s no substitute for a real workout. But who has the time?

I’m sure there are more, but this is a start. Now it’s your turn: What are some of your bad habits — the ones you suspect are bad, but since you have no proof, you go right ahead and keep doing them?