30 before 30 - the complete list

my best friend put together a list of 30 things she wanted to do before she turned 30. it’s been fun helping her cross things off of her list and she recommend i make one, too. so here i sit, on the eve of my 29^th birthday.

i know many of us want to get more organized, clean out that upstairs closet and the like, but that’s not very fun to do or write about. so i’ve decided to make this list a bit more adventurous. some of these things i’m already planning to do and some are just wishful thinking.

in no particular order:

1) run the ucla perimeter

2) visit a state or national park

3) do 1 pull-up (without jumping!)

4) bake a new type of dessert/pastry

5) go to a music festival

6) perform at a karaoke bar

7) try a new sport

8) try a new food

9) see a new band

10) visit a new la landmark

11) go to the santa monica farmers market

12) explore a new trail

13) spend a day in a new city

14) enter a baking contest

15) go on an adventure in las vegas

16) volunteer

17) go to a new local music venue

18) do the splits on my right and left side

19) morning run for 7 consecutive days

20) go to house of blues’ gospel brunch

21) visit a bakery kitchen

22) bike the strand in santa monica

23) switch over to organic cosmetics

24) plant an herb garden

25) bake the momofuku birthday cake for someone

26) go to a drive-in movie theatre

27) swim in the pacific ocean

28) visit mom’s family

29) visit dad’s family

30) host a theme party

feel free to join in on the shenanigans!

treats - blueberry cornmeal cake

ucla's food science class hosted a "science of pie" lecture, featuring christina tosi of momofuku milk bar and zoe nathan of huckleberry and sweet rose creamery. as i mentioned in an earlier post, i'm a huge fan of christina and momofuku. i've also enjoyed all of zoe nathan's amazing restaurants, so needless to say i was very excited to go to this lecture.

and did i mention there was a pie contest with samples? yes please!





the goods:
- 13 1/2 tsp unsalted butter (room temp)
- 3/4 cup + 3 tbl sugar (plus 2 tbl for the top)
- 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 2 eggs (room temp)
- 4 1/2 tsp canola oil
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbl vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 3/4 cup cornmeal
- 2 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 1 cup + 2 tbl plain yogurt
- 1/2 cup + 1 tbl ricotta cheese
- 1 cup blueberries

the equipment:
standup mixer, 9 inch cake pan, parchment paper

the how to:
- preheat oven to 350F
- line 9 inch round pan with parchment paper and grease with butter
- in stand mixer, cream together butter sugar and salt on medium-high for 2 minutes
- reduce to low and add eggs 1 at a time for approximately 3 minutes each

super creamy, similar texture to cake frosting

- add in oil, maple syrup and vanilla
- pause mixing and add in flour, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, yogurt and ricotta

you can see the cornmeal in the batter

- scrape down sides of bowl and gently mix before turning mixer back onto low and mix until just incorporated
- scoop batter into pan, top with blueberries and sprinkle with sugar

blueberries will sink down

- bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes
- allow to cool for a minimum of 15 minutes in pan before transferring to serving plate

blueberry cornmeal cake

treats - salted double-chocolate cookies

i was first introduced to these delicious specimens when i stumbled upon momofuku milk bar in manhattan. not only did i fall in love with these cookies, but i was blown away by their entire menu of unique creations. cookies, pies, cake truffles, cereal milk pana cotta and so many other whacky sweets.

i was also delighted when i discovered the milk bar cook book by christina tosi. i've tried a few of the cookies and i still can't decide which one is my favorite. these salted double-chocolate cookies are definitely fighting for the number one spot.

the goods:
the crumb
- 2/3 cup flour
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 6 tbl butter (melted)
the cookies
- 16 tbl butter (room temp)
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1/4 cup glucose (or 2 tbl corn syrup)
- 1 egg
- 1/4 tsp vanilla
- 2 oz 55% chocolate (melted)
- 1 1/4 cups flour
- 3/4 cup cocoa powder
- 3/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1 3/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 recipe of chocolate crumb

the equipment:
standup mixer, sheet pans, plastic wrap

the how to:
the crumb
- preheat oven to 300F
- combine flour, cornstarch, sugar, cocoa powder, salt into bowl
- add melted butter and mix together until small clusters form
- spread clusters onto sheet pan lined with parchment paper and bake for 20 minutes, breaking them up occasionally
- allow crumb to cool before using in other recipes

*store crumb in tupperware in fridge for up to 1 month

the cookies
- combine butter, sugar and glucose (or corn syrup) on medium-high for 2-3 minutes
- add egg, vanilla and melted chocolate and beat on medium for 7-8 minutes
- on low, add flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt and mix until dough just comes together for about 1 minute

batter should feel fluffy and creamy, like icing

- add in chocolate crumb until incorporated, for about 30 seconds
- measure out 1/4 cup of dough and place onto parchment-lined sheet pan
- tightly wrap pan(s) with plastic wrap and store in fridge for 1 hour to 1 week (i recommend 24 hours)
- preheat oven to 375F
- set dough onto parchment-lined sheet pan and bake for approximately 18 minutes

set cookies 2-3 inches apart before baking

yes, it's a bit of work but the results are amazing! and i promise you'll impress your friends and family with these brownie-like cookies. enjoy!

trails - betty b dearing

also off mulholland, the betty b dearing trail starts from the nancy hoover pohl overlook. parking is free in the lot. this trail leads you down the mountain to a jungle ravine. if you keep on trekking, you'll end up at the base of fryman canyon trail.

the trek:

- from the parking lot, walk down trail about 30 feet
- at the fork, stay to the left and go down the hill into the trees
- keep heading down until you get to a T
- hang a left to go towards the "jungle"
- the "jungle" area is complete with a small creek and fallen trees
- if you keep following the trail out of the jungle, you will reach base fryman canyon in .7 miles

inside the jungle

total distance: 4+ miles

travel time: 1h15m
gain: 400 ft

difficulty: easy to moderate

wilacre park - betty b dearing trail

the tips:

- dog-friendly trail
- there's a lot of tree coverage and trail get get a bit chilly

trails - franklin canyon

just southwest of the mulholland and coldwater canyon intersection is franklin canyon, a beautiful park hidden in the middle of los angeles. the park has a duck pond, a few trails and park spaces you can rent for private parties. there's a lot of tree coverage before you hit the trails and plenty to explore without making a climb. we wandered around the park for a bit before we got to hastain trail.

the trek:

- from the parking lot, walk down the main road until you reach the pond
- walk around the pond, keeping it on your left
- after you circle the pond, get back on the main road and follow the signs to beverly drive
- turn left onto lake drive
- hastain trail entrance on your left
- once you reach the peak, head back the way you came
- about 1/4 mile back down, you'll see an unmarked trail sign straight ahead of you
- take the trail to head back down and you'll end in a park
- stay to the right as you walk through the park and you'll end up back on lake drive

duck pond

view of west LA from hastain trail peak

total distance: 5.5 miles

travel time: 2h00m
gain: 680 ft

difficulty: moderate

franklin canyon - hastain trail

the tips:

- park in the main lot, to the left of the entrance sign
- wear a hat, as the trail offers no shade
- the trail gets steep in some areas, so bring plenty of water
- the trail is mostly gravel and sand with steep areas so wear proper shoes to avoid slipping

trails - will rogers

on the west side of town and right off sunset blvd sits will rogers park. there are 3 trails to explore in the park, including the popular inspiration point trail below. this trail offers beautiful views of the palisades and the pacific ocean.

the trek:

- head up to the visitors center, near the bathrooms

- climb the stairs to the trail and you'll see the marker for inspiration point 30 feet ahead

- turn left up the trail

- when you get to the end of the trail, turn around and go back up and over to get a 4+ mile hike

panoramic view from peak of inspiration point

total distance: 4.4 miles

travel time: 1h15m
gain: 515 ft

difficulty: easy to moderate

will rogers - inspiration point trail

the tips:

- skip the $12 parking lot fee and park along the side of the road before you get to the entrance

- bring picnic supplies to lounge in the grassy park after your hike

- come back to the park for a polo match

tunes - live picks (may)

as snow continues to cover the mid-west, the temperature in southern california continues to rise. that's good news for all of the bands migrating this direction for may. there's a wide variety of concerts to check out this spring.

may concert calendar below:

5/1 - old crow medicine @ el rey
5/2 - maps & atlases @ the echo
5/2 - metallica @ club nokia
5/2 - the killers @ la memorial sports arena
5/3 - the rolling stones @ staples center*
5/4 - matt costa @ the observatory (santa ana)
5/6 - iron & wine @ grammy museum
5/7 - prince @ city national grove (anaheim)
5/8 - prince @ city national grove (anaheim)
5/9 - of montreal @ the echo
5/9 - yo la tengo @ fonda theatre
5/10 - delta spirit @ playboy mansion
5/11 - jim james @ the fonda
5/11 - the egg + sophie barker @ the glass house (pomona)
5/14 - sara bareilles @ el rey
5/16 - dale earnhardt jr jr @ el rey
5/17 - digitalism @ troubadour
5/17 - sea wolf @ the glass house (pomona)
5/18 - kroq weenie roast @ verizon wireless amphitheatre (irvine)*
5/18 - the black angels @ the glass house (pomona)
5/19 - primus @ fox theatre (pomona)
5/21 - the black angels @ the mayan
5/22 - arctic monkeys @ majestic theatre (ventura)
5/22 - the presidents of the united states of america @ the observatory (santa ana)
5/24 - cold war kids @ fonda theatre*
5/25 - fleetwood mac @ hollywood bowl
5/30 - tame impala @ fox theatre (pomona)
5/31 - chvrches @ fonda theatre

*top live picks:

5/3 - the rolling stones @ staples center
the rolling stones are celebrating their 50th anniversary of their first ever live concert with a world-wide tour. there are a few select dates around the US and the LA show kicks off the festivities. i cannot wait for this show!!

5/18 - kroq weenie roast @ verizon wireless amphitheatre (irvine)
LA's iconic rock station KROQ is celebrating their 21st annual weenie roast with a huge lineup including the black keys, vampire weekend, jimmy eat world, of monsters and men and atlas genius. ticket proceeds benefit heal the bay and surfrider foundation so if you can make the drive out to orange county, i suggest you go.

5/24 - cold war kids @ fonda theatre
cold war kids have been touring their new album "dear miss lonleyhearts" since it's release in april. i caught a sneak peek of a few of their new tracks during their sxsw performance and am looking forward to hearing more of the album later this month.