Pure Luck Restaurant and Pub

707 N Heliotrope St
LA, CA 90029


So after an amazing matinee show of West Side Story at the Pantages Theater, Steven and I wanted to find a good place to eat and I suggested we use my fancy phone app that finds vegan restaurants and it suggested Pure Luck. I picked this one because it was right across the street from Scoops which serves vegan ice cream, but it was too cold to get some afterwards haha maybe another days

It is a small restaurant off of Melrose with good service and good atmosphere. Some may call it a "hole in the wall" place, but I think it has character:)
They serve vegan "mexican", but I had the chickpea salad, which was similar to chicken salad but made with garbanzo beans and served over romaine lettuce with a vegan caesar dressing. I really enjoyed my meal.

Steven ordered a tofu taco and a baja burrito with a side of sweet potato fries. I can personally say the fries were great and he said he really enjoyed his meal and would like to try the burrito with the tofu next time because the he liked the tofu in the taco. He also got Mexi-Coke and said it was good and came in an awesome bottle.

The coolest thing that happened though was at first they forgot or lost our order so we had been sitting and waiting without food for about 45 minutes and the waitress came to apologize and the meal was free!
"Patience is a virtue friendos."-Taylor Bouknight

We gave a good tip though because they were kind and the food was still good.

Overall, I'd say it was a good restaurant and I would go back to try something else at some point, however, it was not the most amazing place in the world. Fun place to sit and talk with friends and I will go back when I can get some vegan ice cream afterwards:D

I am excited to try out more vegan places in LA though because there are so many. Half the fun is the spontaneity and exploration!

hope you enjoy:)
you are loved.

Personalization

I really don't crave anything on my avoid list anymore...which is nice. But I have been talking to Kim and Jess and Crystal at the Valencia Wellness Center a lot and they tell me the blood type diet is really very personal. Once you have been really cleansed of all the junk in your system, you can start trying things one by one on your avoid list and see how you react.
For instance, Jess says there are eight items on her avoid list that she knows for sure will trigger an attack of some kind and one of them is cinnamon. She has an immediate reaction no matter how much or how little. They all say it is about being aware and avoiding the foods that are especially bad for you.
So I made pumpkin bread the other day and the only thing that was "bad" for me was the cinnamon I put in it. I had a TON of it and had no reaction. So I tried it again yesterday by putting cinnamon in a waffle recipe I made and still no reaction. SO I am safely assuming I can have cinnamon now and be fine.
HOWEVER...
I had sushi the other day with soy sauce. And little did I know the first ingredient in soy sauce is wheat-gluten. UG! I had incredible stomach cramps and felt extremely bloated. Wheat-gluten is just horrible for me. So now I use Bragg's Amino Acid substitute for soy sauce. It is cheap and delicious and I don't get the horrible feeling afterwards.
Also, this morning I was drinking my green tea and my mom had a cup of coffee with peppermint creamer. I wanted to taste it so I took a sip...a really really tiny sip...and had stomach pains and nausea. I do miss coffee...but not enough to endure that every time I take A SINGLE SIP.
crazy right?
so my advice, stick to the diet for a few months then start experimenting and testing. We all react differently to foods. I might try brussel sprouts next because I do miss them in stir frys...
but enjoy living and eating and digesting!
And have a wonderful holiday season!

YOU ARE LOVED.

It's What You Make Of It...

that really counts.
I'm so happy for everyone who is attempting the blood type lifestyle...it is an amazing experience and worth while life change.
something I have been encountering lately though are the warped views of the "diet" and how negative people are. For instance, I am blood type O so I don't eat dairy, I eat very little carbs, and I am supposed to eat a lot of meat which I don't due to my previous years of being vegetarian. Basically, I am a wheat free gluten free vegan, except for the fact I eat fish.
I love eating...and I eat a lot
I am constantly making desserts and rice dishes and experimenting in the kitchen. I come home everyday from school and prepare myself a huge lunch of fresh veggies, sometimes fish, tempeh, salad, rice...whatever am in the mood for. So when I tell people about my diet and they ask "what do you eat then?" I usually say "whatever I want". Half the fun is in experimenting with new ingredients!
The part that frustrates me is when they apologize and say how much it sucks. But it doesn't! It really really doesn't suck. I love it. I feel great and look great and don't a crave a single thing. I can still eat ice cream (hemp ice cream), I can still make pasta (rice pasta), I can still have stir fry, I can still have cheese (vegan cheese), I still go to starbucks and I still eat out all the time...I'm not being deprived at all. I've learn to live with the change and fully embrace it.
I am aware of the restaurants that don't accomedate at all though...that's when I eat a big meal beforehand and tell the group that I am with I am not terribly hungry and I will order a side salad or drink.
The other little problem I have is when people are on the blood type diet and they insist on making others feel bad for not following the diet. Saying things like "I wish I could eat that...I miss it so much! But it's bad for me..."
Not only is that self-defeating, but you are also criticizing someone else's lifestyle, which is not the point of this at all.
Don't complain, this is a choice. You can choose to do this or not, but I hope you do:)
it gets easier as time goes on...trust me.
just stay positive and I am here for support!

you are loved.

TIPS when approaching the blood type lifestyle

SO I have heard many people recently wanting to switch over to the blood type lifestyle and eating patterns for health reasons which I think is absolutely AMAZING. It really makes me excited to hear how many people are interested in becoming healthier and treating their bodies better.
But...I have also heard people kind of getting confused, frustrated, or super strict when trying to adapt the diet guidelines. And trust me,if you look at it as a "diet" or as "limitations", it will drive you crazy.
so this blog entry is just some helpful hints when you are trying to make the switch over to the blood type lifestyle. hope it is somewhat helpful and makes you happier:D

1. don't try it cold turkey. ease into it. you will be less frustrated. start with the most important things to cut out, because once you notice a difference in how you feel, you will want to change and adapt more. for instance, blood type O's, cut out the gluten and wheat products right off the bat. start buying Ezekial 4:9 bread and tortillas. Or spelt bread. or rice based products. start cutting down on carbs all together. and slowly start eliminating the dairy products on the avoid list. the changes you see will be dramatic and only encourage you to start changing more.

2. don't be afraid of the neutral list. I know some people start the program and think "I'm only going to eat beneficial. neutral only when absolutely necessary". but to be honest, that's a little ridiculous. it's an amazing feat you are even considering the health change, so why torture yourself? that's when it seems more like a major diet than a sustainable lifestyle. Even now, and I've been following the program for months, I still eat a lot off of the neutral list. I love bananas, and hemp ice cream, and cereal. I'm not giving those things up and I shouldn't have to. they aren't hurting me. Once you start getting used to the program, try thinking "I'm going to eat something beneficial at every meal". that way you will be feeling better but not depriving yourself of good food.

3. don't be stuck at home. enjoy eating out every once in a while. it may be scary at first, but it's just because you've never looked at a menu so closely before to check ingredients. when first starting, have the mind set of "avoiding the avoid foods", not "only eat the beneficial foods". majority of the time, you will find a number of entrees you can eat, even if it's mostly neutral ingredients. check the menu online before you go out to make sure there is something you will enjoy. Suggest a place you know you can get something truly satisfying. I will be continually blogging about restaurants that have a number of options for the blood typers out there:D

4. it's not a diet. so don't deprive yourself. eat when your hungry. eat as much as you want. don't eat when you're not hungry. learn to listen when your body is telling you to eat or not to. the best part about this lifestyle is that as long as you are eating the right things, you are digesting food easily, allowing you to eat more. I eat more now than I ever have and am at a thin, stable body weight.

5. have fun and experiment in the kitchen. get creative! start making "mock meals" and playing around with ingredients. look up other gluten free bloggers or watch for the links I will start posting of good recipes and blogs to follow. if you are in the mood for something, try making it with your new lifestyle in mind! like i wanted pizza tonight, so i made it with a tortilla and mock cheese and vegetables. or i wanted ice cream but we didn't have any hemp or almond ice cream one night so i made my own pumpkin ice cream! don't be afraid to make new creations! it's all about trial and error. make it a game and it doubles the fun lol


hope these helped. and if you need motivation or advice, don't hesitate to ask:-)
you are loved.

Sooooooooy Delicious

this is a quick blog about a discovery I made.

I love Tofu and Tempeh and I thought since it is neutral, I was fine eating everyday. And not only did I have soy at least every other day, but I was drinking soy milk, eating soy ice cream, and using soy sauce numerous times throughout the week.
Soy is a delicious dairy substitute and amazing for blood type A...but I found after a few days I was moodier than normal and after a week, I was having stomach issues and starting to inexplicably cry again.
I thought back on my diet and realized how much soy I was consuming...all the extra estrogen was probably wreaking havoc with my digestive system (and hormones).
So I have only been using soy when I use soy sauce now, which is only once or twice a week. I wouldn't hesitate ordering it at a restaurant...but I am not making tofu a staple in my diet by any means.
So basically the point of this blog is to caution everyone to be extremely conscious about what you put in your mouth. Don't be afraid of the neutral list...I eat off it all the time. But be aware if you start feeling different. Try and find out what changes you have made to your eating regime and if it is helping you or hurting you.
SO ya...hope this is helpful to someone haha
you are loved.

Positive Forces

So I have been pursuing this new lifestyle for the past two months (more or less) and could not be happier with the results. I feel better all the time, I'm happy, I'm awake, I'm healthy...
I have not eaten anything off of the avoid list once since I have started and I am astounded at how much I eat and yet I haven't gained any weight. I mean...it really blows my mind
But the reason why I titled this positive forces, is because not only am I receiving support and guidance through all of this, but I feel other people are turning to me for comfort and support and motivation.
And I am encouraging everyone who inquires about the blood type diet to find out their blood type and really research the science behind it. The information is astounding. And if anyone has questions about blood type O, I am always willing to answer to the best of my ability.

go to www.4yourtype.com to research the blood type diet a little further if you are interested.

One of the most positive influences and means of encouragement has come from the Valencia Wellness Center. (www.facebook.com/pages/Valencia-Wellness-Center)

Everyone over there is helpful and welcoming and compassionate and they only have your health and wellness in mind when you come in. They probably think my mom and I are crazy for going in there sometimes 3 or 4 times a week. But I truly trust them with my life at this point.
When I first started trying to figure out what was physically and emotionally wrong with me, all of the doctors checked my blood and told me I was fine. They even tried to put me back on birth control which I had said made me pass out and black out and have hormonal mood swings. They told me that I should try again and that's about all they could do for me. I am not in anyway undermining what doctors do, but they are concerned more with test results than with trying to find the the answer as to why a patient is feeling so abnormal.
The Valencia Wellness Center sought after something more than what was on the test results. They wanted to heal my body, mind and soul. And little by little I am healing without the use of medications, birth control and numerous invasive tests.
Ever since that turning point, I have been researching homeopathy and alternative herbal remedies because I find it extremely interesting. Like for instance, vitamin D levels in the blood should be at a minimum 40ng/ml. When I had my blood work done, I was at 22ng/ml.
Vitamin is the vitamin you get from sunlight (UV rays) but unless you live on the equator and stay outside majority of your day, you don't get enough of it. This vitamin is super important for your immune system. To learn more about the major importance of vitamin d go to www.grassrootshealth.com.

just consider everything. I can testify to the fact that this stuff works.
feel free to contact me with any questions or want to know where to find more information.

you are loved.

Quick Update

so the other day I was rushing out of the house and grabbed an apple and some walnuts for breakfast which is fine, but then for lunch I was at school and ended up eating only fruit and carrots. This was basically my diet before starting the blood type diet.
I was full and all, but by 2 PM I realized I was exhausted physically and even a little bit irritable. Crazy! I thought back to what might have triggered it and it wasn't lack of sleep.
The only thing I could attribute it to was lack of protein.
For dinner that night I had a huge piece of salmon and was more alert than I had been all day.
so ya... this diet is constantly making me more aware of what I am putting into my mouth and what my body needs to function at its best.
that's all for now. just thought it was interesting:-)

One Fish, Two Fish...

What a difference a fish makes...
Actually more than A fish, but many fish.
For the past few weeks, I have been eating fish 4-5 times a week. And experimenting with the ones on my beneficial list too! Cod, Halibut, Mahi Mahi, Swordfish, Sole...even Salmon! It was really weird starting out, but I am beginning to enjoy creating my own marinades and using different methods of preparation (I have more options than I did with simply vegetables).
Also, I have two protein shakes a day, either Hemp protein, vegan protein, or rice protein. All are good but my favs are the vegan and hemp ones. I even stirred it into my soy-based yogurt and it was awesome!
now for the update:
I have been feeling so much better! I think the increase in protein, the added fish oils and the flower essence therapy has done wonders for me. Before I started this, people would come up to me and ask if I was ok...if I was down...or tired. Something was off...something noticeable.
But now people are saying my skin looks great and I look much happier and awake.
And I am.
I'm more awake and aware.
I"ve only had one minor mood swing in the past three weeks compared to the ones happening a few times per day before.
more cool things:
I get hungry more often...which I thought would be bad thing...but despite the fact I am eating nearly double what I used to, I have not gained a pound. I have had no hypoglycemic episodes or acid reflux. The only thing I can attribute it to is the diet and when I am eating everything that benefits my body, my body will reward me and love me. Everything is connected: body, mind, and soul. I think I'm starting to get them all in sync. :-)

O the places you will go...

Just a little background on the blog:
I never imagined I would end up here.
I haven't eaten red meat since third grade. I have completely vegetarian since sixth grade. I have been wheat and gluten free for a while. And going back a few months I decided to become completely vegan.
All of these changes were well thought out and due to my extremely health- conscious lifestyle. However....as healthy as I was physically, emotionally I was on a steady decline.
Though I won't go into detail, the past few months have not been a piece of cake. I have dealt with mood swings and hormonal periods of depression that have been completely exhausting me emotional and physically. Somedays, I literally couldn't do anything but lay in bed, hold my stomach and cry. With a wacked out hormone level and digestive system, I decided to start searching for some answers.
Of course I started with the medicinal approach...but every doctor told me the same thing: all the blood tests came back fine and I am healthy.
Great...but I needed more help. So being the homeopathic remedy-believing naturalist that I am, I went to the Valencia Wellness Center where I was first turned on to the blood type diet. Of course I was skeptical...but I was willing to try anything. Not to mention, these were the first people who actually listened to me and agreed that something was not in alignment. I started on some supplements and herbal teas and slowly eased onto the new diet regime. The only problem: I was a vegetarian and the diet was a MAJORLY based on protein (specifically animal protein). So for a while I tried the 0+ diet vegetarian style...but it was hard considering I had to give up dairy and I still wasn't getting enough protein. So I was vegan for a while until a voice kept telling me something was wrong. After many discussions ( and a TON of praying) I decided I was going to slowly introduce animal proteins into my diet.
SO I started eating fish which I had never done before (besides sushi). It was traumatic at first, but now I am eating it almost everyday! It will be a looooooonnnggg while before I add any other meat though. baby steps.
I am not setting goals with this diet, nor am approaching it skeptically. I have heard the success stories and I am ready and willing to add to that list. This blog is to keep myself accountable as well as inform others of how my endeavors are going.
So enjoy the recipes and updates and feel free to email me any questions if you are curious about the diet yourself:-)