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FRIDAY · AUGUST 26, 2016 LA JOLLA VILLAGE NEWS
Dining & Health
Annual San Diego Spirits Fest returns Aug. 27-28 San Diego Spirits Festival calls out to all whiskey and bourbon worshipers, tequila aficionados, gin guzzlers, rum radicals, vodka vixens and mixologists. Come join the biggest happy hour at the eighth San Diego Spirits Festival's two-day celebration of all things cocktail 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28, at Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier, 1000 N. Harbor Drive. The festival, the largest cocktail and culinary festival in San Diego, promises to be a feast for all your senses with a weekend of cocktails, food, live music, risqué entertainment, bartender competitions, grand tastings, mini seminars, and celebrity sightings. This is a “must-attend” event for industry professionals, cocktail enthusiasts, interested newbies and anyone who enjoys outstanding spirits, great food, fun, and an opportunity to experience the Californian lifestyle. Here is a small sample of offerings to whet your whistle: Camus Elegance XO Cognac retails for $145 a bottle, Glencadam 15year Highland Scotch retails for $85 bucks, and that’s not all; Wood Ford Reserve Bourbons; Old Forester Bourbons. Rums from Passers Rum, Blue Chair Bay Rum, Tanduay Rum, Squeal Rum, Gubba Rum. Sweet Potato Spirits with their entire line of vodka and gins, from London we have Gins that have just been released in California: Geranium Gin, Old English Gin & Sacred Gin; Don Loco Tequila with his incredible flair bartenders; Choice Celebrity brands and much more. The 30-foot Wild Turkey Bourbon Bus tastings and educational seminars on the back pier. Catch this year’s celebrities including: Cheech Marin, Dwight Eubanks, the infamous Hatfield’s & McCoy’s. Enjoy food delights from
Gut feelings
Healthy Mediterranean diet recipe Lentils and rice or Mujaddarah. This is a classic Middle Eastern dish, which can be eaten by itself or accompanied by a generous dollop of yoghurt or a salad of mixed greens.
Dr. Eva Explains By Dr. Eva Abbo
Indulge with Style; The Fish Market; Feast on this Catering; Ruth Chris Steakhouse; Barely Made it BBQ Smoker; Authentic Flavors Catering; Big Front Door; The Melting Pot; Masters Kitchen & Cocktail; Lady & the Chef ’ J Street Tacos & Ceviche. A highlight of the festival is the San Diego International Spirits Competition, led by the George Manska, inventor of the NEAT glass. Judges include: Philip Dobard - Museum of the American Cocktail; Andrew Faulkner VP American Distilling Institute; David Rippentrop, Brian Christensen, John Fluke, Forrest Cokley, Rich Manning, Roberto Loppi, Brian Cary, Paula Dezzutti Hewlette and Christine Crnek. Entertainment includes artists: Anna Dellaria, Tyler Parks, The Fresh Brunettes, Drop Dead Dames, Cirque Aerialists; Samba Dancers, and the incredible Marine Rock Band. Daily prices for Saturday and Sunday are $85 plus service charge. Group tickets of five or more will receive an additional 10 percent off (and use the promo code as well). Admission includes all spirits and food samples, entertainment, chances to win prizes, and more. Purchase tickets directly from sandiegospiritsfestival.com. Festival attendees can save $20 using promo code: COCKTAILS. For more information on the San Diego Spirits Festival visit, SanDiegoSpiritsFestival.com.
The next time you visit your family doctor when you suffer from cold or flu symptoms to get him or her to prescribe an antibiotic, think twice! A single antibiotic course given for what almost always is a viral infection, can alter the bacteria in your intestines for weeks and often months to come. Why is that important? Well, recent research has focused on the importance of intestinal bacteria on a person’s immune status and overall health. The human body is home to trillions of bacteria, outnumbering one’s cells by a factor of 10. Most of these bacteria reside in the intestines and are called microbiota, or gut flora. The bacteria making up the gut flora are not merely “tenants,” they serve a variety of functions in maintaining one’s health. The byproducts of their metabolism influence are not only critical for proper bowel function, but have also an affect on the brain. An altered gut flora can disrupt the blood brain barrier and lead to cognitive and behavioral disturbances. Factors affecting one’s microbiota start at birth and differ depending whether it is natural childbirth versus a cesarean section. With normal vaginal delivery the maternal flora is acquired. In contrast, cesarean delivery delays the development of the gut microbiota and the infant is more prone to allergic diseases such as asthma. Likewise early exposure to antibiotics (antibiotics disrupt the bacterial flora) within the first two years of life predicts a higher likelihood of becoming obese and developing diabetes later in life. Breastfeeding, by providing the baby with bifidobacteria and prebiotics via the breast milk, helps to develop an optimal gut microbiota.
Ingredients: 1 1/4 cup green or brown lentils 1 cup Basmati rice 3 medium brown onions, halved and thinly sliced 1 1/2 cups water 2 tsp of salt 1 tsp ground cumin 1/4 cup of olive oil plus 2 TBL Preparation: Wash and rinse the lentils, add water and 1 tsp. of salt. Bring to a boil in a covered saucepan for 12 to 15 minutes until lentils have softened, but still are firm. Drain and set aside. Heat olive oil in a heavy sauce pan and sauté sliced onion in batches till brown and crispy, do
The biodiversity of the gut flora changes over time and can increase susceptibility to diseases, especially in the elderly. This can lead to overgrowth of so-called bad bacteria such as Clostridium Difficile, with often serious consequences. Most of the bacteria in the gut belong to two groups called Firmicutes, the bad bacteria and Bacteroidetes, the good bacteria. An overgrowth of the Firmicutes is associated with obesity, since they process mostly fat, causing more calories to be absorbed. In contrast, the Bacteroidetes are important for the digestion of carbohydrates and protein. A person’s diet is the key factor to a diverse and healthy microbiota or gut flora. The Western diet, being high in sugars, saturated fats and refined carbohydrates while low in fiber, results in a disturbance of the gut flora due to a reduction in the diversity of the bacterial flora. The typical Western diet favors the Firmicutes resulting in obesity, fatty liver and heart disease. On the other hand a Mediterranean diet favors the good bacteria
not burn. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels Wipe the pan and add 2 TBL of olive oil, heat, then add rice, remaining salt and cumin and stir to coat. Add the cooked lentils and the 1 1/2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, cover with a lid and simmer for 15 minutes on low heat. Remove from the heat, lift off the lid and quickly cover the pan with a clean towel. Seal tightly with the lid and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes. After that remove the lid and towel, fluff the mixture with a fork and work half of the sautéed onion into it. Pile the dish into a serving bowl and top with the remaining onions. This dish is also good reheated, prepared on the weekend it can be used for several meals during the week, serves 8 to 10 people. It provides plenty of fiber, at least 8 grams per serving, as well as complete protein from the lentils and rice.
known as Bacteroidetes, with its whole grains, vegetables and fruit. The Mediterranean type of diet not only promotes good health it can also actually restore the gut flora by providing the body with natural fiber which acts as a prebiotic. A prebiotic is fiber that is incompletely digested by the intestine however the bacteria in the lower intestine are able to digest the remainder. Probiotics on the other hand, consist of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria that support the beneficial gut flora. It is best derived from foods such as yogurt rather than supplements which are unreliable and vary widely in efficacy. In summary, for optimal health it appears that having a diverse gut flora can be achieved with a healthy diet and lifestyle. Dr. Eva Abbo is a board-certified internist and geriatrician, who has been in practice in La Jolla over 30 years. She also practices high quality personalized medicine, advocates prevention of disease through healthy life style and diet. 858454-9045.
The Broken Yolk Café The Broken Yolk Café offers a large selection of home cooked meals in a comfortable and casual atmosphere. There are more than 20 different omelets to choose from, as well as a wide variety of other breakfast favorites which include pancakes, waffles and french toast. Feel more like lunch? Try one of our juicy half-pound burgers or one of our large sandwiches. 1851 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach | 858-270-YOLK
Donovan’s
Donovan’s sets the standard of fine dining excellence. A classic steakhouse. A stylish, lively atmosphere. Cordially friendly. We like to think of Donovan's as your own special place. A place where you can celebrate with friends, family and associates. donovanssteakhouse.com. Join us at our new La Jolla location over looking the Cove!
Richard Walker’s Pancake House
TOP 25 RESTAURANTS IN SAN DIEGO Highlight Reviews — "Great selection of 'not just breakfast' items. Very unique. Highly recommended. Fun for the whole family." "Great breakfast, large tasty portions, fast service and good coffee — you just can't ask for more." "The apple pancake was fantastic!" "Believe the reviews, this place is amazing!" TWO LOCATIONS: La Jolla 909 Prospect St. (in thedheart of The Village) 858.459.8800| Downtown 520 Front St. (south of Market St.) 619.231.7777 Open Daily from 6:30 - 2:30 richardwalkers.com