eat-well

Free Baking Classes

If baking isn’t your thing, then classes might be just what you need.  Think of it this way: I’m helping you to become a more cultured, refined and talented broke girl without bankrupting you.  You’re welcome.

Every month Williams-Sonoma offers a series of “technique classes” to help teach the culinary-impaired how to use different ingredients, tools and techniques.  This month’s focus is on baking.  In more than one job in my life, the baked goods I’ve brought into work are what have given me job security.  Part of me wishes I were kidding, but I’m really not.

If you want to suck up, I mean earn financial security through sugar, attend one of the weekly classes at your local Williams-Sonoma, hosted on Sundays.  This upcoming Sunday, March 7, will focus on perfecting your soufflé.  They promise that you will be able to “impress family and friends,” which I think can also mean “coworkers” and “bosses.”

The following Sundays are March 14: “Cookies and Tarts,” March 21: “Cakes and Cupcakes,” and March 28: “Pies and Tarts.”

Every store has an RSVP list that you need to be on to attend, but I’ve been assured that walk-ins are welcome more often than not.  (I’d still call if I were you.)

Check out Williams-Sonoma’s homepage here (http://www.williams-sonoma.com/?cm_type=gnav ) where you can then locate your local store’s information.  Additional information about the technique classes can be found here (http://www.williams-sonoma.com/popup/customer-service/technique-classes.html )

Tuesday’s Links

It’s been awhile since I’ve wasted your time like this, mostly because I haven’t had the time to waste in helping you waste yours. Today I’m checked out, though, so here you go:

Ciudad is yummy, 30% off is delicious. [Blackboard Eats]

Last week I went to a makeup line launch party, and the artist asked me which cosmetic brands I prefer. My response was something along the lines of “whatever I can steal from my mom and/or get free from launches like this one.” Anyway, on the off chance I’m actually going to purchase my next round of beauty products, it’s nice to know that Topshop and H&M offer affordable options. [Refinery 29]

Part of my New Years resolution was that I’d no longer be seen at places like this. No, that wasn’t me you saw at Voyeur on Saturday…or Thursday…well, at least this offers me an alternative to Voyeur, right? [Eater LA]

This website makes me happy every day. And if you are a regular reader of this blog, you know that’s no easy task. I was particularly taken with this lovely Parisian/travel-themed posting. It has nothing to do with being broke, except perhaps that it’s my love of things like this that keeps my bank account funneled into Kayak.com. [This Is Glamorous]

LA public schools are about to get worse. My advice? Marry rich. Just kidding. Kind of. [Huff Po]

One of my exes is a reporter covering the quake in Chile. Kind of hope he falls into the rubble, but happy this little guy was pulled out. [Huff Po]

And finally, those of you interested in fighting through hordes of dbag gatecrashers should take note of this special offer from Hollywood Tans in honor of the Oscars this weekend. [Hollywood Tans]

Free Cooking Classes @ Whole Foods

This one actually has me really excited:  free cooking classes at Whole Foods!

The Whole Foods located at 11666 National Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064, is offering FOUR free classes in March.

The first class is called The Skinny on Citrus with Executive Chef Monique King from NINETHIRTY and The Backyard restaurants at W Hotel Los Angeles.  It’s going to be on Wednesday, March 3 at 6:30p.m.  Learn how to “creatively” cook with citrus and demo roasted baby beet salad with arugula, grapefruit, blue cheese and horseradish dressing, and two other recipes from Monique’s kitchen.  (That sounds like free dinner to me.)

The second, Spring Sweep Vegan Cooking Class, will teach you how to make “delicious spring detox vegan dishes to help cleanse your body.”  It’s on Thursday, March 11 at 6pm and boasts of such dishes as lemony artichoke dip, spring veggie stir fry with ginger apricot sauce, raw kale salad with fennel in a miso vinaigrette and chocolaty rice squares.  Considering my idea of vegan cooking means opening a bag of salad mix, I can use all the help I can get.  Take a look at the personal chef, Melissa Costello’s website here.

The third class, Healthy Appetizers with Chef Eric, is on Wednesday, March 17 at 6:00p.m.  Since this class is on Saint Patrick’s Day, a beloved holiday in my family, I’m going to have to pass on this one.  However, if you want to spend a drinking day getting your wild mushroom and spinach fritters on for free, please be my guest.

The fourth class is Spring Produce Vegetarian Cooking Class on Wednesday, March 24 at 6:00p.m.  The chef, LiilaYerro, is a vegan and vegetarian personal chef and cooking instructor.  This is another one that sounds like it has free food potential, which makes for one happy broke girl.

You can check out this Whole Food’s website here or Facebook page here to view the events for yourself.  Go to one, go to them all, but be sure to get there early to reserve yourself a prime food tasting/gorging spot.

Location:  11666 National Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90064
Phone:  (310) 996 8840
Hours:  M-Su 7:00 am – 10:00 pm

Photo from Girls Night Out @ The Geffen

Here’s a goofy pic of David Arquette from Girls Night Out last Thursday…I was going to post a couple of the ones I’m actually in but they didn’t turn out so cute.

Thanks to everyone who came out!!  I just got a little preview of our next show, and it’s going to be a good one.  Stay Tuned!

Varnish 1 Year Anniversary Party Tonight – Free Booze

Love, love, love this place. Enjoy!

Del Taco & Body Wash…Yes, it’s only Tuesday

While these aren’t necessarily, or at all, LA exclusive, and they might not be the classiest of finds, I have discovered ways for you to score free shrimp tacos at Del Taco and a sample of Olay body wash.

I’ll pause for you to celebrate.

Go here to become a “fan” of Del Taco on Facebook, where you can then find access to a coupon for a free Crispy Shrimp Taco.  (You might as well “defriend” them once you’ve printed your coupon… Just a thought.)

Go here to sign up for a free sample of Olay Total Effects Body Wash.  I’m assuming it will be travel-sized, which is great for a worldly broke girl.  I mean, c’mon, who really wants to spend money on those ridiculous, airline-approved sizes?!  (Even if they are adorable…)

Girls Night Out at The Geffen

Our event last Thursday was a big success!!!   Thanks as always to The Geffen for including us.  Pictures to come…

National Pancake Day – Tomorrow

Set you alarms, mark your calendars and schedule a vacation day because tomorrow, February 23^rd, is National Pancake Day Celebration at IHOP! ( http://www.ihoppancakeday.com/ ) I doubt anyone is as addicted to these carbalicious disks of love as I am, but free food is free food.

From 7a.m. to 10p.m. at participating IHOP restaurants you can get a short stack (three) of buttermilk pancakes for free.  All IHOP asks is that you consider making a donation to support local children’s hospitals through Children’s Miracle Network, which you will do because you’re not a stingy tool.

The weirdest part of this whole event?  You can actually schedule yourself a wakeup call through IHOP’s website (http://www.ihoppancakeday.com/wakeup_entry.html )and Marie Osmond, Steve Young or some other random will “call” you to remind you.  Do what you gotta do.

Website:  http://www.ihop.com/

Another Rec From Our Earth-Friendly(?) Intern

In my ongoing quest to find healthy, cheap, tasty vegan food, I recently ventured to Santa Monica because we all know you’re bound to find some organic, green, earthy something-or-other on every corner there.  And I did.

My roommate and I decided on Euphoria loves Rawvolution, an all raw food eatery with an atmosphere that suits its namesake.  (We’re talking hippie diners, mood music and little boutique-y finds.)

The menu there is intriguing to say the least.  You can order everything from cheese-stuffed jalapeños to California rolls, all made with raw, plant ingredients.

I actually really liked my meal (Big Matt with Cheese), but I want to stress that this is NOT date food.  I think I walked away wearing 10% of my meal and picking another 5% out of my teeth.  And don’t get me started on the aftertaste…

Aside from that, it’s pretty guilt-free eating, whether you’re watching your figure or you care about the environment.  As for the price?  Definitely broke girl-friendly considering the type of food and portion sizes.

Open 10am to 9:30pm daily

Location:  2301 Main Street (between Yoga Works & Urth Caffe) Santa Monica, CA 90405
Phone: (310) 392-9501
Website: http://www.euphorialovesrawvolution.com/

Reminder: Geffen Girls Night Out – Tonight

I just called the Geffen, and it appears they still have great seats available for Thursday’s Girls Night Out performance of The Female of the Species, starring Annette Bening and David Arquette (among other notables). Our $30 tickets get you a seat for the show and a wristband for the afterparty, which will have a kitschy 70’s feminist theme and will feature complimentary cocktails, appetizers, makeovers, and more. Check out the complete details here and BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW.

Box office: (310) 208-5454

Promotion code: FSBGG30

Website: http://www.geffenplayhouse.com/female