1. If I sharply reduce my calories, I will lose weight faster. When you cut your calories drastically, your body goes into starvation mode. And when this happens, your metabolism SLOWS down rather than speeds up, making it more difficult to lose weight. Don’t starve yourself! Find out what your caloric intake should be, and stick to that number.
2. Snacking is bad. You’ll be happy to know that snacking is actually good for you, since it helps regulate your blood sugar. When you gorge on three big meals a day, it can cause a blood sugar spike. Snacking on small, healthful foods throughout the day helps to keep your blood sugar on an even keel. Of course, make sure those are organic snacks you’re noshing on to avoid filling your body with toxins, chemicals, preservatives, and other nasty stuff.
3. Cutting out carbohydrates will make you thin. A healthy diet incorporates roughly 45-65 percent of your daily caloric intake. It’s when you overeat complex carbohydrates, usually in the form of corn syrup and cane sugar, that weight gain becomes a problem. Switch to whole grains and stay away from white bread at all costs!
4. You can lose weight in a particular, isolated area. Ah, one of the most persistent weight loss myths there are! It’s simple—you can’t target certain body parts for weight loss. The energy you spend doing thousands of crunches will be disseminated throughout your body, not just your abdominal area.
5. You have to work out two hours a day, every day at a high intensity to lose weight. Not true. Studies show that 30-60 minutes of moderate exercise—think brisk walking or jogging—is enough to stay fit with a healthy food intake.
6. Fat is always bad for you (This is the myth that we’re busting – that all fats are bad for you). It’s true—too much fat will make you, well, fat. However, not all fats are bad for you, and some are necessary for good health. Eating unsaturated fats, such as polyunsaturated fatty acids and monosaturated fats, in moderation, can help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. You can find these “good” fats in olive oil, avocados, almonds, cashews, walnuts, and fatty fish like salmon, trout, catfish, and mackerel. As always, buy these food products organic!
7. Brown eggs are better for you than white eggs. There is no nutritional difference between brown eggs and white eggs. Eggshell color has no impact on quality, flavor, or nutritional value.
8. Fat-free foods will not cause you to gain weight. It’s about calories, not if a food is “fat free.” Fat-free foods still have calories and if you’re taking in more than you burn off, then you will gain weight.
9. Eating after 6pm will cause weight gain. Whether you eat something at noon or midnight, it still goes in your stomach, right? It doesn’t matter when you eat, just how many calories you burn off during the course of time.
10. To lose weight, I have to quit eating my favorite foods. You don’t have to stop eating the foods you love. You just have to watch how much of them you eat. Moderation is the key here. A little splurge now and then will help keep you motivated, so long as you’re disciplined about your diet in the long term. 

Organic Liaison is the premier weight loss program created by Kirstie Alley and experts in science and nutrition, Organic Liaison provides a healthy solution for easy weight loss and long-term control. They help you embrace healthy diet plans, regular exercise, put you in control of your goals.

For more information please contact Organic Liaison.

Organic Liaison / Los Feliz

1864 N. Vermont Ave.

Los Angeles, CA 90027

323-446-2039

“‘Desert’ is a riveting, profound, and moving portrayal of a middle-class family from the 1960s to the present that offers a particular version of the Mexican-American experience.  You might want to see it before the next GOP presidential debate”……..“this one-act, 80-minute production is packed with so many vivid scenes — many of which involve running, jumping, or fighting — that it simply couldn’t last any longer. Rivera would appear to have the stamina of an NBA point guard.”……“In autobiography — or biography written by one’s spouse — what doesn’t make the cut is as important as what does.  From what must have been hundreds of possible scenes, Martino and Rivera have chosen wisely.  Their collaboration and the directing of Sal Romeo has produced a superb play that could not be better-timed.  ‘The King of the Desert’ is more genuinely American than any super-sized patriotic rally.”    – Thomas Waldman, www.nohoartsdistrict.com,
 
“ René Rivera Gets Royal Reception Opening Night.  A near capacity crowd at El Portal Theatre gave René Rivera a standing ovation at the end of his one-person performance at last Thursday’s opening night production of ‘The King of the Desert.’ ….  Both the writing and the acting are brilliant and insightful.  Martino’s intricately structured script and crisp sentences provide the material that Rivera uses to build a highly polished and deeply moving performance….Rivera and director Sal Romeo we see true masters at work….Rivera’s performance was masterful last year and is masterful this time.  What’s taken a quantum leap is the physicality of what he does on stage….  ‘What we saw was a dance!’….“Romeo and Rivera have taken full advantage of the opportunities which the larger stage has offered them. Don’t miss the opportunity to see the fruits of their work.  If you missed the play last year, don’t blow it again. If you did see the play last time, you’ll enjoy it even more the second time around.
-    Andres Chavez, The San Fernando Valley Sun
 
 
” Visceral and electric……Rivera buzzes with energy, a human pinball careening around the stage. Incredibly passionate and expressive, he demonstrates a cheeky sense of humor as well as determination and drive….. Jeremy Pivnick perfectly set scenes with his moody, evocative lighting, beautifully blending with Danuta Tomzynski’s simple, elegant set. Both anchored by strong visual images projected that further refine place. The King of the Desert grabs you by the seat of the pants and doesn’t let you go.” - Mary Mallory, The Tolucan Times 

“ A Passionate, dramatic, oft times humorous account of one actor’s life and his journey of self discovery.”.……” Rivera gives an amazing performance with humor and high energy.” -  Theda Kleinhans Reichman, Valley News Group

 ” Like Rivera, we discover how art can transform our history and release our inner beingness.”-  Robert Machray, Blog Critics.org

The Silver Lake Chorus is a symphonious blend of joy-mongering LA Eastsiders who’ve been rocking choral arrangements of indie music since February 2010.

Aussie crooner Ben Lee is slated to produce TSLC’s debut record, premiering all original, never-before-heard tracks written by artists who knock our socks off, then on, then back off again, including: Beck, Sia, Of Montreal, Aimee Mann, The Bird and the Bee, Tegan and Sara, Zoey Deschanel, Jon Brion, The New Pornographers and Justin Vernon (Bon Iver).

TSLC can be heard singing the theme song for the SNL feature film MacGruber as well as backup vocals on Andy Samberg and Akon’s single, “I Just Had Sex.”

The twenty-five-ish members of The Silver Lake Chorus are a talented array of warmhearted go-getter/songsters. Their likes include: existence, sandwiches, inappropriate nicknames, Tecate, diminished chords, sharing feelings while sitting in a circle, and YOU. They really like you.

We are looking for TENORS to join our group!  Rehersals take place on  Monday nights from 8-10pm and we often perform at clubs in LA such as The Satellite (formerly Spaceland), The Bootleg, Largo, etc.  If you are interested, please send a short video of yourself singing 2 songs (16 bars each) along with a little info about yourself, to tslcaudition@gmail.com by FRIDAY NOV 4TH.

Please make sure your song choices befit the Chorus’s indie aesthetic.

Looking forward to “singing” with you soon!

Originally produced at the El Centro Theatre in Hollywood, CA in 2010 under the direction of Valentino Ferreira, “The King of the Desert” has been hailed by BroadwayWorld.com as “astounding, electric, passionate and luminous.”  Hoy, Los Angles wrote, “an inspiring and intense story with one extraordinary actor, and many, many souls.”  The Los Feliz Ledger raved René Rivera’s performance is “a tour de force,” while Campus Circle mentioned “the audience is left totally spellbound,” and Latin Heat Magazine commented the production “has legs” and is “New York bound.”
 
The play is based on actor René Rivera’s true-life story.  Rivera grew up in a barrio in Texas and had a very rough beginning. Along the way, one of his schoolteachers noticed he had talent and suggested he audition for the Acting Department at The Juilliard School in New York.  Rivera eventually got an audition for The Juilliard School, and not only got it, but he got a full scholarship to study acting there.  After graduating from Juilliard Rivera began working as a professional actor including appearing opposite Al Pacino in “Salome” on Broadway.  Since then, Rivera has appeared opposite Al Pacino in the movie, “Wilde Salome,” which just debuted at the Venice Film Festival.  Rivera is also currently filming a new movie entitled “Smash” directed by James Ponsoldt, starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Aaron Paul and Octavia Spencer.  Rivera’s life has completely changed from his early days growing up in a barrio in Texas.  He is now a successful actor in film, television and theatre.

Concurrently throughout the run of the play an art exhibition celebrating Mexican American culture by the artist Maja will be on display in the lobby of the Forum Theatre at the El Portal Theatre, along with Milagros (artwork created by young Spanish children representing their dreams and aspirations).  A portion of the proceeds from performances throughout the run of the show will benefit the National Latino Children’s Institute, The Oscar De La Hoya Foundation and The Youth Policy Institute.  A Talk Back Question and Answer Session with members of the play’s cast and crew will be held at the conclusion of each Sunday matinee performance.

Performances will be given on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 3:00 p.m., October 28 – December 4, 2011.  There will be no performances on Friday and Saturday, November 11th and 12th at 8:00 p.m., or on Sunday, November 13th at 3:00 p.m.  Instead, that week there will be performances on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, November 8, 9 and 10, 2011 at 8:00 p.m.  After that, the performance schedule of Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 3:00 p.m. will resume for the rest of the run.

Tickets are $20.00 each for General Admission. Tickets for Students, Seniors, Veterans and Guild Members are $15 each.  Tickets for Groups of eight or more are $10. For reservations please call the Box Office at 866-811-4111 or 818-508-4200, or buy online at www.elportaltheatre.com.  For Groups of eight of more, please call 323-315-0015.
 
 For more info CLICK HERE
To view some performance footage from the play CLICK HERE
 
The co-production will be presented in the El Portal Forum Theatre; 5269 Lankershim Boulevard (at Weddington Street), North Hollywood, CA  91601 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 3:00 p.m., October 28 – December 4, 2011.  Parking is available in parking lots surrounding the theatre and on the street.
Los Feliz Today readers can MENTION “COACTIVE” WHEN ORDERING AND SAVE $5 ON GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS.
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ShoeboxLA Presents:

Amy Maloof: Grave Architecture
Saturday, September 17, 2011 from 4-7pm

Little Tokyo Galleria – Second Floor
333 S. Alameda St.
(at 3rd), Los Angeles, CA 90013
Our inaugural exhibition will feature Pomona-based artist Amy Maloof.  Maloof explores the odd-ball and humorous architectural motifs of mini-mall and strip mall culture seen around Southern California. The artist isolates these strange icons, calling more attention to their general weirdness beyond their original environments. These images have a cartoony or folksy look yet are used for serious marketing purposes.  Maloof’s monuments celebrate our submission to the passive pleasures of mass visual consumption. 
ShoeboxLA gives Los Angeles artists an opportunity to do one-day, site-specific exhibitions outside the traditional gallery setting. Founders Sophia Allison and Paul W. Evans provide an intimate space that challenges artists’ and viewers’ expectations of size and scale. Locations change for each show but the space remains the same.
Email: shoeboxla@gmail.com for more info or press images. Private appointments are welcome.
(Little Tokyo Galleria is easily accessible via public transportation with plenty of street and on-site parking. One hour free with validation.  Visit www.littletokyogalleria.net for more info.)
 
Please visit our blog, YouTube channel and Facebook page for updates as to where we’ll be turning up and for general fun stuff.  We have a great year ahead of us, with an amazing lineup of artists:
 
www.shoeboxla.blogspot.com

     We are not really sure who put up the banner,  up however, Whole Foods Corporate offices have confirmed (via LAist.com) that the inforamtion is false and they will not be opening up a store in that location any time soon.  Until then, we have many other organic/gourmet stops that get our full attention.

     We will keep you posted as soon as we know…what is “coming soon”!

Thinking about the perfect gift? Tired of buying another gift card? Want to send a gift that would definitely stand out?  A special event to be remembered forever?… Romy’s Scrapbooking Creations can help you personalize and customize the memorable occasion;  Proms, Graduations, Engagements, Weddings, Baby &  Bridal Showers, Birthdays,  Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, all preserved for years to come.   What a unique touch to show someone just  how special they are!

Romy’s can also help you with your own pictures, making every moment perfect.  These beautiful scrapbooks will always remind you of your special moments and events.  Pictures, invitations, balloons, and flowers can all be kept in the scrapbook, as well as among other personalized mometos making it a one of a kind item.   

Los Feliz Today followers are offered an exclusive 10% off  their first order using promotion code  LosFeliz.  You can check out the web-page at www.facebook.com/RosemaryRomyBoyadjian or  email romyb1127@yahoo.com for more information.

Spring Mixer:

Wenesday, April 27, 2011; 7:00-9:00 PM;

Please RSVP to i...@losfeliz.biz.  We look forward to seeing you there!

Turner Classic Movies and Time Warner Cable are bringing the Road to Hollywood tour to Los Angeles in celebration of the TCM Classic Film Festival this April in Hollywood.   Join TCM host Ben Mankiewicz and Academy Award winner Ernest Borgnine for a free screening of FROM HERE TO ETERNITY on Thursday, April 21 at 7:30 PM at the American Cinematheque at the Egyptian.   Los Feliz Today followers can log on to tcm.com/roadtohollywood to get your free tickets!

Authors, speakers, musicians, and more! Fun for the whole family!

Please take a moment to  vote YES on Measure L next Tuesday, March 8…And pass this along to your friends, family and co-workers!

The city libraries of Los Angeles needs your support. Please get
yourself to the polls and vote. You can make a difference.

What is Measure L? Measure L is a City Charter amendment, which means it’s not a new tax. It means that you are telling the City of Los
Angeles to give ONE more PENNY per $100 of taxes paid to the library
department. Since 1878, voters have done this for the library five
times; most recently in 1999.

A voter-approved charter amendment will guarantee that neighborhood libraries will receive a dedicated and consistent percent of the city’s budget. Last year, the Los Angeles City Council and the Mayor did nothing to protect libraries and the services libraries provide to the public. In fact, the library was hit with the biggest cuts of any city department.

The Library laid off 28% of the staff and the budget was cut by $22
million dollars, the result of these losses: reduced hours, closure on
Sundays and Mondays, fewer programs and less assistance for residents. With over 18 million visitors last year, the library is one of the busiest destinations in the city! It’s truly a shame that the cuts
were made.

This charter amendment increases the library’s already guaranteed
share of city funds from .0175% to .03% over four years. As the
funding becomes available, the library will resume its 6-day service
at all 73 libraries and Sunday service will be restored to 9
libraries, all by 2015. Additionally, our materials budget and
staffing will be restored.

Right now, the amount of property taxes that go to libraries is just
under 2 cents per $100. And, to place the amount into perspective, you may compare it to police department funding, which receives about $67 per $100 of property tax paid.

Many social and cultural institutions are facing cuts right now, and
the library is no different. If Measure L does not pass, the city
library will face an additional $28 million cut, which will mean
further reduced hours, closures of 2/3 of the branches, reduced
programs, a slashed materials budget and of course, fewer librarians.

Libraries improve property values, are crime deterrents and provide
much, much needed access to computers and books all over this city. They teach literacy to adults and children and are advocates for learning, self empowerment and discovery. They teach people how to access information and show them the tools they need to achieve.

Libraries are essential to daily life for residents all over the city.
The services we provide range from computer access to look for jobs
and retain employment, to providing books needed for homework, to
giving guidance on how to do research for homework, to being a safe
place for kids to go after school, to programming that fuels the
imagination and expand the boundaries of participants.

Vote Yes on L and save Los Angeles from the distinction of becoming
the only major American city without a public library system.

Thank you!