About Me

Thank you for being here! My name is Kirsten, pleased to meet you. I cook, garden, write, throw parties, daydream, travel as often as possible, and take long walks through nature and my beloved city. I actively pursue the things that make me happy, and waste no energy on things that don’t. Living in Los Angeles is fantastic fun. I love fancy restaurants and old-man bars, museums and street art, laughing and dancing with abandon. I learn about simple ways to improve my health and my impact on the environment. Want more? I tweet at orangesavocados and have a Facebook page.

I have aways had a keen interest in the healing arts. I have studied several, some with names that many people have never heard, like ayurveda and reiki. I am a reiki master and have a thriving practice out of my home. If that is something you would like to know more about, I invite you to visit my website, Lighthearted Soul. I also write the Lighthearted Soul Blog, a collection of words and images that inspire balance, natural healing remedies, my thoughts about reiki and how to live with an open heart.

I am over the moon for this guy, who makes occasional appearances on this blog. He is my partner in most of these adventures and deserves credit for many of the photos. Among his many virtues, the Husband is a charismatic storyteller, makes phenomenal charcuterie, and can get a stain out of anything.

21 Comments »

21 Responses

on January 10, 2010 at 4:09 pm | Reply Teresa

Welcome to the blogosphere.
So glad you are here.
You have much to say and a wonderful way of saying it.
- on January 10, 2010 at 5:01 pm | Reply orangesandavocados
  
  Thanks for leaving my first comment! And thank you for visiting.
on January 11, 2010 at 9:22 am | Reply Alicia

Loving it! Though now I’m hungry… I’ll be back!
on January 14, 2010 at 5:14 pm | Reply Bridget C

Scrumtelescent! Fab start to your blog. Besos!
on January 18, 2010 at 6:04 pm | Reply crissy

oh my gosh – your incredible!!! i love your blog. mimi forwarded the link and just the name alone was enough to spark my interest. so clever so creative – rock on!!!!!! i’ll add you to my bookmark bar. lots of love! crissy and paolo xoxoxo
on January 19, 2010 at 12:53 pm | Reply Nola

Wow. Your talents are infinite….love the site and love you!!
on January 19, 2010 at 3:14 pm | Reply Roberta

Let’s give Kirsten a round of applause…all that knowledge, skill, talent, charm, poise, and beauty! Whew…!
on March 28, 2010 at 9:20 am | Reply Val

Just checking in on you. I read your food and without even eating I feel satisfied! I picked up your blog on my cousin in Australia’s website. Interesting!
on April 10, 2010 at 6:36 pm | Reply Neighbor Ann

“About Me” seems to be Kirsten, all grown up and beautiful.
Your writing ability I had the pleasure of sharing a long time ago, when I read one of your essays. You definitely have a gift and a zest for life.
You are right to keep on writing.
I continue to enjoy sharing my poetry.
Regards to all.
Ann
- on April 13, 2010 at 9:54 am | Reply orangesandavocados
  
  Ann, wow, thank you for visiting my little blog! I did not not write for many years. It feels great to be back in action. How wonderful it is to hear from you. Every time I come across your book on my shelf, I pull it out and read several poems. Best wishes to your whole family.
on May 24, 2010 at 4:05 pm | Reply terry taylor

Hi tall lady, thanks for the great compliment. It was a blast, we would cook for you any time. Love your garden knome. T.T
on August 11, 2010 at 8:26 pm | Reply Gregg Schroeder

Hurray for cashews on pizza! I’m an overseas Redlander just back in town, tonight eating the Gay 90s Special at Gourmet Pizza the former site of Pizza Chalet on State Street. Yay.
on August 26, 2011 at 6:37 pm | Reply Melanie Enid Taylor

I am a good friend of Aunt Mel’s and she shared your Blog with me – LUV it! it”s fantastic!!! I am writing a “family” cookbook.
on August 26, 2011 at 6:38 pm | Reply Melanie Enid Taylor

Oops – forgot to include my name, Mary McHale. Please “friend” me. I want to subscribe to your Blog. Thanks! Mary
on September 9, 2011 at 5:03 pm | Reply Roberto Catalano

Kirsten, love it as much as I love you and The Chief!!….and the orecchiette too, of course. Thanks for the credits, but it is all about sharing. Kisses,
Roberto
on February 27, 2012 at 12:03 am | Reply momentsclicked

Thank you for following moments clicked !! You’ve got a great blog .. Keep up the great work…
on March 12, 2012 at 2:15 pm | Reply stuart bennett

Hey Kirsten,
Catching up on you blog, fabulous!
on March 15, 2012 at 8:58 am | Reply Gene Rubin

Wow Kirsten, great blog. How did I find it? My gal, Anne Morningstar, in Ventura, CA is your mom’s cousin. Anne and I are headed down to Baja for a couple of weeks to see the grey whales at Laguna San Ignacio. I googled your mom and found her sweet 60th birthday party on your blog. I thought we might give your mom a visit but she’s in Rosarito, while we always take the Sea of Cortez route past Gonzaga Bay. So, alas, we’ll miss her. But I found your great blog! I’m an LA native, I’m glad to see you dig LA. And your guy is a great singer. I’m a jazz and bluegrass fiddler in Ventura. Gene Rubin.
on May 7, 2013 at 9:49 am | Reply Roger Williams

We are organising an Elizabeth David Picnic Sunday on May 26 – it’s her centenary this year. The website I am putting together has a gallery of picnic pictures from around the world, and I would love to use your Beach Picnic photo that I found on the web: no money, but I could put in a link/credit or whatever. We are in London, but hope people will go out and picnic around the world to celebrate.
- on May 8, 2013 at 8:22 am | Reply Oranges and Avocados
  
  Thank you for asking. You may use the image, but please include a link back to this site. I will participate in Picnic Sunday!
on May 8, 2013 at 8:32 pm | Reply just *k

Well hello reiki sister. So nice to have you drop by and check out my scribbles on The Middle Notes. Thanks for following. I love Oranges and Avocados. Now I’m off to check out Lighthearted Soul. Blessings.