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Showing posts from March, 2025

Foodie Review: Seneca Italiano - San Diego

Delizios is what you will be saying once you experience  Seneca Italian joint in Downtown San Diego. They are within the top 3 best authentic Italian restaurants in the city. Reserve your lunch or dinner in advance because everyone is trying to get a taste of their spicy meatball! You won't be disappointed with the ambiance nor the view as the seating overlooks the San Diego, Coronado Bay on the rooftop, but dress warm. The bathrooms are pretty boogie too as they are lined in gold. The kitchen has an open concept, so you can sit at your table sipping your Sicilian wine and watch the chefs whipping up some authentic pasta or wood fire pizza. Who is Seneca one might ask? " Lucius Annaeus Seneca the Younger, usually known mononymously as Seneca, was a Stoic philosopher of Ancient Rome, a statesman, dramatist, and in one work, satirist, from the post-Augustan age of Latin literature." according to Wikipedia. (1) The ambiance is warm and my favorite starter is the Heirloom to...

Foodie Review: Ipoh Garden Malaysian Cuisine - Bay Area

This family-owned authentic Malaysian spot  IPOH Garden Cuisine is one exit away from San Francisco Airport. Hop off the public transit - BART and your there on El Camino Real. My office where I worked was around the corner, so I used to love grabbing lunch at this gem. The Chicken Laksa Curry is epic, and my go to which is bursting with flavor. The eggplant, herbs and Malaysian spices are memorably unique. Honestly, I love all curries from all Countries. Rather its Indian, Japanese, Thai or Malaysian count me in! The staff is very kind, and service is fast.                                                                                  (Chicken Laksa Curry) They are also known for Roti Canai dish which is fresh roti thin bread that is flaky, c...

Foodie Review: Tartine Bakery - San Francisco

  The first time I experienced  Tartine Bakery  & their sourdough bread, my Mother was visiting from the Midwest shortly after my move to San Francisco, CA in 2019 (Photo: Lombard Street). She was raving about it. While hosting, we eventually made it to the area where the bakery was located, after visiting nearby Haight Ashbury hippie row & Delores Park. Shockingly there was a line wrapped around the corner. She wasn't lying. These Bay area natives were serious about their bread and it became a cultural icon for the city! I moved from San Francisco in 2022 but when I come visit this is always a must! We purchased the Country Loaf traditional sourdough, delicious pastry deserts and a quiche. I can truly say I have never tasted bread so fresh, airy, dense but doesn't leave you feeling bloated. I am a health guru, so if I can eat some carbs without feeling guilty about it and know I am getting some beneficial compounds produced during fermentation than it's a wi...

Foodie Review: Pho Ca Dao & Grill - San Diego, CA

  Pho Ca Dao & Grill  has phenomenal authentic Vietnamese food! This is my go-to favorite. They have 5 locations throughout San Diego, CA and its family owned and operated. If you are on the hunt for fresh, fast service and great flavor they serve Banh Mi, Bao Buns, Fresh Spring Rolls w House made peanut sauce, Vietnamese Coffee, PHO House special combination of sliced rare steak, brisket, flank, tendon, tripe and more. Pho Ca Dao & Grill is owned by Duke Huynh. According to side note (1) Duke states "I started Phở Ca Dao & Grill 24 years ago with my mother and older brother’s recipes. We wanted to have the opportunity to share a piece of our culinary culture in a way that everyone could enjoy through outstanding customer service and quality Vietnamese comfort food at the centerpiece. I started with a location in City Heights in 2001 with the name Phở Ca Dao; “Ca Dao” means folk songs, a cultural tradition that’s been passed down from one generation to the next; si...

Travel: Amsterdam, Netherlands 2024

  Amsterdam, Netherlands was an amazing experience. The streets are full of bicyclist, the buildings have amazing architecture, and the people were very kind and personable. The Dutch pride is evident amongst its citizens. The city obtains unique character correlating to its 17th century Dutch Golden age. The city is known for outburst of rain from time to time so I assured to equip with a rain coat. I was shocked to find out the sun doesn't set until 10pm in the month of June. What I loved the most about this city is how environmentally conscious they are. The Netherlands energy grid is very progressive in its wind, solar and geothermal. Additionally, according to side note (1) Parkmead discovered a massive gas supply off the coast in 2023 that the Dutch will hold as reserves and distribute to compensate for Russia gas supply in Europe. My trip was centered around Ripple XRP Apex convention. Finance and technology leaders traveled from all over the World to attend. At the event Ri...

Growth & Wellness: Beet Juice, Nitrates and heart health

  In the last decade we have seen a growing popularity of pre-workout supplementation. These supplements are packed with nitric oxide precursors, high caffeine, B vitamins, Creatine and beta alanine. At the end of the day these supplement companies are in business to turn a profit and its questionable how safe these over-the-counter products are long term. Additionally, the accuracy of ingredients claimed on the label as FDA regulation is lacking.  Beets added to your diet is a highly beneficial alternative to pre-workout supplementation. Beets have high concentration of nitrates which dilates blood flow and helps blood pressure. Beets contain betalains which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidants to help reduce inflammation and help with oxidative stress. You may find taking control of your whole foods intake to be more wholesome with better energy levels, muscle pumps and overall health benefits.  I personally juice my Beets with a  Hamilton Beach Juicer  and...

Foodie Review: Romolo's Cannoli Factory, Bay Area - San Mateo, CA

  Romolo's Cannoli Factory in San Mateo, California has the most amazing Cannoli I have ever tasted. Established in 1968 this authentic Sicilian shop has deep roots to the Bay area as a family owned and operated business and has many loyal customers. Romolo and Angela started the shop 50 years ago, and in 2007 their son Joey inherited the operation.  The Cannoli shell dough recipe consists of cacao, red wine and cinnamon, giving it a signature unique flavor. The shells are freshly baked daily and filled per order with fresh Ricotta. You can choose between a variety of garnishments such as pistachios, chocolate chips, toffee and cherries. Romolo's is also known for its specialty flavor Gelato Spumoni. From the texture to the flavors your sweet tooth is guaranteed to be satisfied. The shop is open Tues-Sat 11-6pm, 12-4pm Sun.

Business Block: Blockchain ETF Investments

  Crypto ETF's allow you to indirectly invest in the upside without the technical activities involved with owning a digital wallet or managing digital keys. ETF's or Exchange traded funds have gained popularity in the millennial or Gen Z lifetime. The first ETF being S&P 500 - SPY ETF, filed by State Street Global Advisors in 1993. In 2025, ETF assets under management has reached 15 trillion dollars. As ETF's have been on the uptrend in 20 years, we have seen mutual funds and financial advisor managed funds lose popularity. Investment information has become more readily available with the growth of the internet, so investors can manage their money with less expensive fees from advisors.  XRP Ripple ETF - Filed with SEC for approval on February 19th, 2025 - Grayscale, Bitwise, Franklin Templeton, Pro shares. Estimated approval by Q2 2025. BITI ETF - Inverse leveraged ETF tracking the decrease in price of bitcoin futures contracts. Therefore, you can invest in the bearish...

Growth & Wellness: Benefits of NAD+, Resveratrol, TMG Supplementation

  NAD+ (Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) : NMN is a precursor to NAD+ which is a Coenzyme that is found in all living cells and helps cellular repair. If you’re battling fatigue and looking to optimize your health regimen this may be a supplement worth speaking to your physician about. This  Harvard Study  noted findings within its clinical research. The supplement has gained popularity in the last few years as the benefits from research are promising to help with: - Increasing Energy Levels - DNA structure Repair  - Anti Aging - Brain Health - Immune system Health Support Resveratrol is an anti-oxidant found in blueberries, grapes and wine that helps mitochondrial function for increased overall energy levels. TMG helps lower homocysteine levels, an amino acid linked to heart disease, liver support, Methylation support, improves insulin sensitivity. Personally I use  Verso - Cell Being  which contains NAD+, TMG & Resveratrol. Verso supplement is HSA/F...

Business Block: Crypto Reserve, ISO 20022

  A Federal Crypto reserve is in development within US. As we see the digital infrastructure develop and mature the Federal government finds it a bullish strategy in its portfolio. Questions are surfacing as if some of these digital currency projects are in the best interest of Americans Tax dollars. Decentralized and Centralized projects are key differentiators within the portfolio. We have seen Bitcoin increase by 58.7% from 52k to 109k as a decentralized digital asset. Other projects such as XRP, Ethereum, Solana, Cardano digital instruments may or may not have decentralized characteristics but will be pinned to the decentralized flows of bitcoin.  As we see industries such as AI, Real estate, Insurance, Supply chain, CBDC (Central Bank Digital Currency) evolve into the digital business infrastructure many of these smart contract instruments and tools will be utilized. Larry Fink, CEO of Blackrock discussed tokenization of assets such as Bonds & Stocks at World economic...

Foodie Review: Raki Raki Japanese Ramen & Curry

  Raki Raki Ramen & Sushi  is a must try in San Diego, CA. The authentic flavors, detail and ambience assure you will not leave disappointed. They are open until 1am, 7 days a week. My go to favorite dishes are - Chicken Karaage Curry & Setagaya 27 Ramen.    The mastermind behind RakiRaki Ramen is Chef Junya Watanabe. Born in Tokyo, Japan, Watanabe moved to the United States as a teenager and later pursued a Master's degree in Economics at UCLA. His passion for Japanese cuisine led him to train under renowned ramen chefs in Japan, where he learned the art of crafting delicious ramen. Watanabe is known for his innovative approach, including the creation of mochi noodles, which incorporate mochi for a unique texture and taste. His dedication to quality and creativity has made RakiRaki Ramen a beloved spot for locals and visitors. Hit happy hour next time your out and grab an ice cold Japanese Sopporo beer and enjoy!

Foodie Review: Por Vida Coffee Shop, Barrio Logan San Diego, California

The art of coffee is on full blast at this local coffee shop  Por Vida located in Barrio Logan, San Diego CA. Milo (owner) is a leader, artist and entrepreneur within the Barrio Logan community -  Bio Video . A fun fact Milo shared with me is that the building Por Vida is located was previously owned by New York Times Best seller Don Miguel Ruiz. Don Miguel Ruiz is a Mexican author and spiritual teacher, best known for his works on personal growth and self-help inspired by ancient Toltec wisdom. The legacy of Barrio Logan lives on through Milo,  Tribal Streetwear and @SpiritualHomeboys (Instagram)  Podcast . This group of guys utilize experience from the struggle of humble beginnings to inspire and uplift future generations.  The area was originally residential and became a hub for Mexican immigrants in the early 20th century. Despite challenges like gentrification and environmental issues, Barrio Logan remains a center of community pride and resilie...