Okonomi-what?

Whenever I tell people I spent a year in Japan, people ask, “Oh my gosh, did you lose so much weight?”

Actually,  I gained 20 pounds.

I blamed my second chin on my host family who fed me a steady stream of fried food, but the start of the third could have been a result of Okonomiyaki.

Even just saying it is a mouthful.

What is it? A Japanese pancake made from cabbage and flour, smothered in “Okonomiyaki sauce,” mayo and fish flakes…and if you’re lucky, paired with noodles and a fried egg. It’s considered street food throughout Japan, but to me, it was a giant plate of wonderful.

After my return home, I was saddened to find that virtually NO ONE serves Okonomiyaki in the states. In L.A., I had to drive nearly an hour to Lomita to find a place that serves it. In New York, there is a tiny stand in the East Village that sells it. But I’m not in the East Village all that often.

My husband and I have tried making it, with some success, but still, it would be nice to be able to stop in somewhere and get the real thing.

Sigh.

Today, my husband told me about a Tweet from Hana:

Say it all together now…Okonomiyaki! You asked for it, get yours tonight at Hana Japanese Eatery.

Elastic pants…here I come!

My two left feet

At this very moment, I have two left feet.

And two right feet.

Over the weekend I visited a shop dedicated to little flats. In it, I found a pair of brown suede shoes that will supposedly conform to my feet. “There is no right or left,” the salesgirl told me.

Riiiiight. So now, I’m sporting toddler chic.

Find more ballet flats at my Spinning Wheels blog >>

Phoenix things to do: September 25-27

FRIDAY
Phoenix Home & Landscape Show @ Arizona Fairgrounds
Visit the Arizona Fairgrounds Friday through the weekend for sustainable garden lectures, home improvement seminars and the Queen of Clean!

Maricopa County Home Show
Arizona State Fairgrounds, located at 19th Ave and W McDowell Rd
Friday, September 25th & Saturday, September 26th from 10 – 7
Sunday, September 27th from 10 – 5.
Tickets $5. Get 1/2 off by visiting MaricopaCountyHomeShows.com
Parking $7

17 Again @ Civic Space
Don’t miss pretty-boy and one of Time’s most influential Zach Efron break from his High School Musical persona to play…another high schooler. The difference, this time there’s gratuitous chest baring. And fewer songs. And you’ll be sitting outside.

Movie Night at Civic Space
Central/Van Buren lightrail station
8 p.m.

Grand Avenue Festival on Grand Avenue
When was the last time you took a walking tour in Phoenix? Now’s your chance! Take a walking tour of historic Grand Avenue followed by an afternoon of live music from local artists, art and fashion shows.

Tours begin at Tilted Gallery @ 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.
919 W. Fillmore
Phoenix, AZ
Live music from noon – midnight
Tickets for the walking tour $10

$28 Prix Fixe meal at Zinc Bistro
Enjoy the almost-outdoor-ready weather and sample a 3-course dinner at Zinc French bistro. Through the month of September (or another few days), they have been offering a rotating menu from Sundays through Tuesdays.

Zinc Bistro
15034 N Scottsdale Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85254-8140
(480) 603-0922

Phoenix farm food: Day 1

Today I picked up my first batch of food from the Maya’s Farm CSA, which includes 1/2 dozen eggs, a bunch of flowers, a bunch of radishes, a bag of mizuna, a bunch of eggplant, butternut squash, a bunch of mints and some turnips (see spread below).

It’s going to take some doing to figure out some good radish and turnip recipes, but I’m up for the challenge!

My husband was most excited about the pretty bunch of flowers.

Check out more Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) groups in Phoenix >>

Purple for fall

So many good purple things for fall, like:

Pleated Tunic, $39
Suede Fringe Flats, $106

Simple Jersey Scarf, $4.50
Wings of Fortune Bag, $249
Call Girl Shades, $8
Well Cowl-culated Top, $37.99