My last day here in Los Angeles and I'll be boarding another plane in just a few short hours. I'm tired of traveling and can't wait to be home in NYC where I can begin preparing my own food again and pay attention to my nutrition to really get my body back to optimum functioning capacity. This week has been disastrous for me. It has proven the necessity for me to be on a disciplined diet, not from a 'low-fat, carb cutting, calorie watching' perspective. But to be more mindful of making the best possible choices for me and my body. Pay attention: This does not necessarily equate with RESTRICTION or DEPRIVATION. All I'm saying is I know what my body needs to run like a well oiled machine and I haven't been giving it that. My energy is low, I've been supplementing with more caffeine, (never a good option) and feeling, well, just blah. Next week, I'm home and going to kick off Spring with a 3 day cleanse from my favorite provider of all things good and fresh, Blue Print Cleanse and so I don't feel completely deprived, am planning on testing out their new program, the  Juice til Dinner package which is more up my alley. I know it's not the BEST way to eat, and contrary to what all the other 'experts' out there proclaim, but I can make it through my day with very little sustenance and really need some nourishment come 6pm or so. I am constantly on the go, teaching, taking classes, etc. and for the most part, a heavy lunch does not sit well with me. Hey, cut me some slack. I just started eating breakfast a little over a year ago. Anyway, judge if you'd like. It works for ME, but I am not recommending it for everyone. If you are able to sit and digest your food in the afternoon, or do your workouts in the morning or plan your workouts for after work, then, absolutely. A good filling, satisfying lunch is best. Period. End of story. Ok then. Enough about future plans and on to the present. While I'm in LA, I, unfortunately rarely cook. My breakfasts usually consist of my morning latte (those of you who read my blogs or writings frequently know what this is all about!) and a raw food bar and/or a piece of spelt bread with some almond butter slathered on it. Lunch, well, we've already discussed that above. I'm usually running around picking up a snack here and there from Whole Foods or Erewhon or wherever else I can pull over and pick up something to eat in the car (I know, I know . . . ). Dinner is my time to sit with friends that I haven't seen and catch up. The usual haunts? Real Food Daily, M Cafe, blah, blah, blah. But I was over them this week. I needed a fresh perspective, something new. And I found a few great places this trip. First and foremost, my new favorite,  CRU in Silverlake. It's a little out of the way for me, but worth the drive. This vegan and mostly gluten free restaurant serves up both raw and cooked food. It's AH-MAAAA-ZING! I started with the raw squash and curry soup last night and chose the mushroom and asparagus crepes for my main course. Caroline, my wonderful friend, had the risotto. To DIE for. And of course, being the dessert whores we both are, Caroline ordered this 'off the menu' treat of yummy-ness with carmelized manna bread, raw vanilla ice cream and homemade caramel sauce. (Our waiter actually apologized for the wait on our dessert because the kitchen was making some fresh caramel sauce. Uh, we forgive you.) I love three hour dinners with nourishing tasty food and wonderful company. Thank you to Cru, Chef Rachel and Caroline for making my final LA meal memorable. (FYI, Cru also offers kick ass cooking classes every Sunday. Check it out!) Some other new and noteworthy joints in my Los Angeles restaurant book: HealthyCa in North Hollywood for those of you on the 'other side' of the hill, and, for something with a little more atmosphere and a great place for both vegetarians and none alike, AKASHA in Culver City (some of the BEST sweet potato fries I've ever had my hands on!) Akasha also makes KILLER drinks with all organic ingredients and fresh squeezed juices. You have to have the 'Emerald City' with Tru organic gin, house made basil elixir and fresh lime. Seriously? It's too good. Be careful! If anyone else has some recommendations whether in LA or your city of choice, post them here! I love to hear from people in the know about where to go! Happy Passover/Easter everyone and have a great weekend!