kostina's Profile

When dogs get enough exercise (as these dogs, who are running around off leash, swimming, playing etc, do), they are always more relaxed and easy-going.

A lot of NYC dogs don't get enough exercise and get little to no off leash time, which is why they look so crazy. Mine gets off leash time in the morning and at night down by the Hudson and she's calm as can be. Give a dog a couple of hours to run around and be a dog, and you'll be amazed at the difference.

I like Better than Bouillon as well.
You could also try making your own soup base with this recipe from Heidi Swanson:
http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/homemade-bouillon-recipe.html

i made fish soup with a big mouth bass my (7 year old) brother caught last weekend. it has tomatoes, chili pepper, onions, celery, parsley, and potatoes. and fish stock that i made from the fish carcass after i fileted it! very yummy.

I lived in Paris for a while three years ago and this is the list I always send everybody:

- l'heure bleu -- serving traditional french food but really fantastic and always vegetarian options. one of my favorite places in paris. out of the way but worth the trip on the 11 (and really, paris is so small that out of the way is 20 mins away).
http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&q=l%27heure+bleue+paris&fb=1&view=text&latlng=4136546623758413866
hopefully this will give you a map. otherwise, the address is
57, Rue Arthur Rozier
75019 Paris, France
it's off the place des fetes metro [11 line]. this place is fantastic, trust me.

- le faitout -- this is the place i took you and daddy to that you loved.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&abauth=1e41262c%3AbmzkdXuQaAkHtXH3-r0LNj52gx4&view=text&q=le+faitout+paris&btnG=Search+Maps
again i dunno if that worked, but the address is
23, Avenue Simón Bolívar, 75019 Paris, France
rt off the pyrenees metro [also 11 line].
http://lefaitout.fr/
they even have a website which is in french.

-mizmiz -- really great morrocan food.
http://maps.google.com/maps?oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=mizmiz+paris&fb=1&gl=us&hq=mizmiz&hnear=paris&cid=0,0,4872166307966514656&ei=nK6sS-pKwfuXB6KNiZAB&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CAkQnwIwAA
and here is the address:
6 Rue Moret
75011 Paris, France
01 43 38 93 94
this is quite close to the 3 at rue saint maur and the 2 at menilmontant. also an easy walk from the 11 at belleville. someone's grandmother is cooking in this kitchen and you can tell. food is really affordable, portions are huge, and it's all very good and made with love.

- le cambodge -- cambodian food, some of the best in the city. this place doesnt take reservations (you dont need them for the other places mentioned) and fills up very quickly so get there right at opening (which i believe is 6 or 7?) if you don't want to wait. alternately, if the weather is nice, you can get the food to carry out and eat it on the canal st martin which is always lovely.
http://maps.google.com/maps?oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=mizmiz+paris&fb=1&gl=us&hq=mizmiz&hnear=paris&cid=0,0,4872166307966514656&ei=nK6sS-pKwfuXB6KNiZAB&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CAkQnwIwAA
address:
10 Avenue Richerand, 75010 Paris, France‎ - 01 44 84 37 70‎
metro 11 to republique or goncourt or the 5 to jacques bonsergent.

i would say the first 2 are really worth going out of the way for, esp l'heure bleu, which is really phenomenal. the kind of neighborhood restaurant everyone wishes they had.
also it is a good idea to go eat oysters at le baron rouge, esp because it is still oyster season and nothing beats oysters and sancerre / muscadet on a chilly spring day.
http://maps.google.com/maps?oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=le+baron+rouge+paris&fb=1&gl=us&hq=le+baron+rouge&hnear=paris&cid=0,0,12299704364868389706&ei=gbCsS_CxMcWclgfq19mQAQ&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CAcQnwIwAA
metro 8 to ledru-rollin. (this is in a different neighborhood for a change!)

cabbage soup!
http://smittenkitchen.com/2008/11/veselkas-cabbage-soup/#more-1426
maybe this one?

or a great addition to veggie soup in general, if the spring weather you are having is anything like it is here in new york (ie high 40s and raining).

i have a le creuset factory second that i bought at marshall's for ~$100 for a 5 quart. that being said, the lodge enameled cast iron looks fantastic, is cheaper, and i kind of wish i had just gone with the lodge.

yeah i would say 80 pounds is not the price i want to pay to get something shipped to me. but that grill is sweet.