Kat's 9 Lives

Welcome Whole Foods Market to Irvine! This will be their 59 store for their Southern Pacific region.  The doors open officially 9 am on Wednesday, March 16th! The first 300 people there will receive reusable totes and they will have a DJ throughout the day along with fun events.

They will have a new restaurant and bar area called the Irv that will provide delectable treats and drinks.  Here you will find their take of the Bloody Mary called the Chupacabra that will be made freshly juiced vegetables.  Perfect for St. Patrick's Day too!

At the Irv they will offer many refreshing cocktails made with freshly squeezed fruits and vegetables for a refreshing taste.  Patrons are also welcome to purchase the wine and beer from the store and enjoy them in the designated areas.

Feel free to try some of their unique dishes at the Irv.  The Charred Spring Onion, Shrimp, and Hummus Flatbread.  They also offer a beautiful Jalapeño Miso Glazed Halibut.  The Irv will be offering Happy Hour and specials, so be sure to check them out.

One of my favorite stations to stop by is Specialty, where all the fine cheeses can be found.  My new favorite item are the Parmesan Crisps.  They are to die for to snack on or adding it to any burger, pasta, or salad.

On site they will be freshly baking bread, cookies, and pastries.  Some cakes and desserts will be freshly made from local vendors.  The cookies that Whole Foods made were amazing and I love the huge chunks of chocolate chip that just melt in your mouth.

In the Meat and Seafood section, you can get freshly made poke bowls to eat or take home.  They also offer many pre-packed and seasoned fishes that are easy to cook and enjoy.

You can also find many pre-packed marinated meats ready to grill and eat.  I like the variety of flavors that they offer.

Don't forget to check their Whole Body section where they offer top quality facial, beauty, and body care.  Soaptopia has many wonderfully scented soaps! Not only are they visually beautiful, they can double as an air freshener.  The Hippee with patchouli has a great soothing fragrance.  Be sure to check them out!

Wednesday is also the start of Beauty Week and Whole Foods Market will have many products on sale for the new store opening and offer an extra 25% off on top of the sale price! Be sure to stop by and check out all the beauty promotions.  This Friday they will be offering a beauty bag for under $20 filled with their top selling beauty products that are valued at $80.  I may pick up a few just to try out all the great products!
Mark your calendars for tomorrow! March 16th will be the Grand Opening of the Irvine Whole Foods Market! There will be many special store opening sales that can't be missed! I am lucky to have joined the Whole Foods Team recently so I will be able to check out more of their wonderful products.

Whole Foods Market
8525 Irvine Center Drive
Irvine, CA 92618

The first Whole Foods Market to open in Northern Orange County will be in Brea and the store opening is tomorrow, February 17th, at 9 am!
Join Whole Foods for a bread-breaking ceremony on February 17th at 9 am, followed by a day-long celebration with music, samples and tasty food demos. 

At Whole Foods Market in Brea they will be offering ramen and sushi from Kikka.
They have a wide variety of fresh fruits from local farms.
I loved that they have prepacked meats and fish that were nicely seasoned and vacuumed sealed.  Very convenient for people on the go or would like a quick and tasty dinner.

The first 300 customers will also receive a free reusable shopping bag.  From 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., kids of all ages can enjoy bag decorating in the activity tent with fun stamps made of potatoes, wood blocks and corks

Customers will receive free samples, giveaways and learn about all the exciting amenities this location has to offer. 

There will be food and beverage demos by Hearst Winery, Beyond Meat, Pitman Chicken, Sambazon Truck acai bowls and Cabo Chips. 

A DJ and photo booth will be available for guests throughout the day.

The Whole Foods Market in Brea has a mezannine area for customers to sit and enjoy their purchases.  It gives you a nice view from the top.  There is also a kitchen area above that can be used for cooking classes and demos.  Be sure to check it out! I am lucky to have joined the Whole Foods Team recently so I will be able to check out more of their wonderful products.

Whole Foods Market 
3301 East Imperial Highway
Brea, CA 92823

Join in all the fun that LA has to offer this weekend! I wish I wasn't working to join the National Coffee Day Celebration so I can get an awesome new coffee machine and wake up to a fresh tasty cup of coffee.  Alas, I must make the money necessary to keep up with my own lavish spending and lifestyle =)

It's that time of again! For those of you who love avocados like I do, be sure to head on over to Downtown Disney for the week long events.  My favorite is the Guac Off where you can show off your cooking skills with some fresh made guacamole!

Event :  

Downtown Disney Presents Second Annual California Avocado Week, July 1 - July 7

 

Date :

Free interactive public events commence at 5 p.m. on July 1 and continue through July 7

Location :

Downtown Disney

1580 S. Disneyland Drive 

(at Disneyland Drive and Magic Way)

Anaheim, CA 92802 

Description :

Downtown Disney has teamed up with the California Avocado Commission to present the second annual California Avocado Week at Downtown Disney. To kick off the celebration of American Summer Holidays and the 4th of July, Downtown Disney and California Avocado Commission are hosting free chef demos and a guacamole contest that is free to the public.

Each day, beginning July 1 and continuing through July 7, a chef from one of Downtown Disney’s premiere restaurants will take center stage, demonstrating culinary creations starring fresh California avocados, which are in season now. Attendees will be invited to taste the featured dish.

Following the cooking demonstration, there will be an interactive “Guac Off” competition. A select number of guests will be chosen to create a personalized guacamole recipe using a selection of ingredients. Daily grand prize winners will receive a $100 Downtown Disney gift card and $85 California avocado gift pack.

In addition, throughout the week, restaurants in Downtown Disney will feature special California avocado menu items and Sephora will offer refreshing avocado facials.

Schedule : 

Sunday, July 1     Chef Meyer, House of Blues, California Avocado and Blue Cheese Crusted Rib Eye

Monday, July 2     Chef Thomas Keaveny, ESPN Zone, Mini California Avocado Shrimp Clubs and Grilled Chicken California Avocado Wrap

Tuesday, July 3    Chef Dore Sommer, Rainforest Café, Awesome Appetizer Adventure and Guacamole Burger

Wednesday, July 4     Chef Alejandro Reyna, La Brea Bakery, Shrimp and Salsa Stuffed California Avocado and Turkey California Avocado Sandwich

Thursday, July 5     Chef Darrin Finkel, Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen, Fried Green Tomato BLT with California Avocado and Jazz Kitchen French Quarter Salad with California Avocado

Friday, July 6     Chef Jose Estrada, Tortilla Jo’s, Ceviche de Huauchinango Shots and Shrimp and California Avocado Enchiladas

Saturday, July 7    Chef Nick Weber, Catal Restaurant, Tartare of Hamachi with Shisho, Micro Cilantro and California Avocado and Jalapeno Sorbet

Event :

Third Annual Toyota Farm to Table Tour Visits South Pasadena Farmers Market

Date :
Thursday, April 14
from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m

Location :
Historic South Pasadena by the Metro Gold Line at Mission Station
913 Meridian Ave., South Pasadena, CA 91030

Website :
www.farmtotabletour.com

Ticket Price :
FREE!

Description :

Now in its third year, the Toyota Farm to Table tour brings together notable local chefs and farmers to showcase the connection between farmers, chefs, farmers’ markets and the communities they serve. Throughout the event, celebrated local chefs will prepare thousands of complimentary bite-sized tastings that highlight fresh, local ingredients while providing guests a great opportunity to learn more about the market, the specialty farmers, the chefs, and ways to eat and shop locally. In addition, market visitors will also have the opportunity to experience Toyota’s newest hybrid vehicles.

“We are thrilled that the South Pasadena Farmers Market was selected by the Toyota Farm to Table Tour,” said Greta Dunlap, Market Manager. “This event ties in with part of our mission to support local growers which helps preserve open space, cut down on fuel costs and supports a clean environment.”

The South Pasadena Farmers market will also introduce their new logo on totes which will be for sale at this event. “Market patrons are encouraged to shop using greener practices by bringing their own containers and reusable bags to the market each week,” said Dunlap.

Some of Southern California’s top chefs participating in this year’s event at the South Pasadena Farmers Market include:

Susan Feniger – Susan Feniger’s STREET

Paul Rosenbluh – Firefly Bistro

Bill Disselhorst – Fiore Market Café

Jennifer Kreft and Derrick Shields – Nicole’s Gourmet Foods

Sally Cook – Heirloom Bakery & Cafe

Tim Guiltinan – The Raymond Restaurant

Erica Lins – Mike & Anne’s Restaurant and Bar

Luis Alfonso Ortega Banuelos – Shiro Restaurant

Kyu Yi – Gus’s Barbecue

A complete list of participating chefs will be released closer to the event date at www.farmtotabletour.com. (Chefs subject to change)

"The quality of the product I use when cooking is evident in the final dishes I serve. The fresher the ingredient the better the end result will be,” said Paul Rosenbluh, Chef at Firefly Bistro. “I think the Toyota Farm to Table Tour is a wonderful event that will help everyone see the value of farmers markets and fresh produce for the whole community."

First look at the newest addition to the Prius family – The Prius v

The Farm to Table Tour will also give market visitors a fresh look at Toyota’s extensive line of fuel-efficient, hybrid vehicles, including the newest addition to the Prius family —the Prius v— which will go on sale later this year. Attendees looking for a vehicle that complements their lifestyle will be able to preview the all-new Prius v as well as test drive the 2011 Prius, Camry Hybrid and Highlander Hybrid, which are currently on sale at dealerships. Those who take part in a test drive will take home a signature John Boos cutting board as a memento of the experience.

“For the third year in a row, the Toyota Farm to Table Tour is helping us connect with local communities while drawing attention to the importance of farmers’ markets and eating locally,” said Keith Dahl, Toyota National Manager of Engagement Marketing. “This tour lets us celebrate our customers’ passion for environmental stewardship and showcase our fuel-efficient, hybrid vehicles. Whether it’s young families looking to increase cargo space, or city drivers interested in the latest plug-in technology, there is a Prius for everyone and the Farm to Table Tour is giving farmers’ market shoppers the first chance to see our newest technology in action.”

In addition to the free tastings and test drives, visitors who participate in the day’s activities will also have the opportunity to select complimentary potted culinary herbs from the Toyota Mobile Garden. A specialist will be on hand to individually pot the plants and answer general questions about gardening. All herb plants are sourced from local vendors at the market.

In support of all of the benefits that farmers’ markets offer their communities, the Toyota Farm to Table Tour will also make a financial donation to the each participating market. In addition, throughout the tour, eco-friendly materials will be used and carbon credits through TerraPass will be purchased to offset the impact of the tour’s carbon footprint.

Date:
July 16-August 15
Wednesday - Friday: noon - midnight
Saturday - Sunday: 10 a.m. – midnight
Open Wednesdays-Sundays.

Address:
The OC Fair & Event Center is located at
88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, California 92626

Ticket Prices:
General (13-59) $10
Seniors (60+) $7
Children (6-12) $5
Children under 6 FREE every day

Parking:
$7 per vehicle
$12 Preferred Parking
$14 per bus

Free Parking & Shuttle Services:
Sat. & Sun. at the Experian parking structure located on Anton Blvd., off the Bristol exit of the 405.

Promotions:
Clothing Drive
Wednesday, August 4
Noon – 6 p.m.
One FREE admission and one carnival ride per person with donation of five gently used clothing items. Benefits Goodwill of Orange County. Acceptance of items is at the discretion of the OC Fair.

School Supply Drive
Wednesday, August 11
Noon – 6 p.m.
One FREE admission and one carnival ride per person with donation of one new school supply item valued at $3 or more. Items must be new. Suggested items include a full box of markers, spiral notebooks, calculators, reusable lunch bags and backpacks. Benefits Orange County youth with the help of Share Our Selves. Acceptance of items is at the discretion of the OC Fair.

$1 Food Tastings
Every Friday, Noon - 4 p.m.

$1 Rides (Fridays)
All rides and games are $1 each. Valid until 7 p.m.