The hot summer weather causes people to sweat a lot. Sometimes, excessive heat can make people feel weak. In cases like this, it is good to eat a lot of healthy foods.

Some of the best foods to eat during the hot summer are fruits.

Among these fruits are watermelons.

Watermelons have a nutrient called lycopene.

It is said that lycopene can help prevent cancer and heart disease.

According to studies done at Harvard Medical School, people who have higher levels of lycopene in their diet are 33% less likely to get cancer than people with lower levels of lycopene. Also, an amino acid called citrulline that is present in watermelons, create another amino acid called arginine, which is beneficial for men’s health. Watermelons also have beta-carotene in them, which prevents the aging of eyes. It helps older people maintain their vision.

But what do I know?

I just found all this information while looking up watermelons on the Internet.

I just wanted to suggest that eating a refreshing watermelon on a hot summer’s day so that you can enjoy a healthy summer.

Also, if by chance you stain your clothes from the juices of the fruits while you eat them, know that we would be more than happy to take care of that for you!

Enjoy a very healthy month of August!

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Jean Youn is the owner of Value Village Cleaners at 912 West Glenoaks Boulevard in Glendale 91202. For details on services, coupons and more, check out the Value Village Cleaners website  here.

DIMPLES

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Dimples Restaurant 3413 West Olive Avenue, Burbank 91505

Dimples Restaurant is known more for its karaoke than its food and drinks. The exterior is a bit shabby, but for years it’s been a popular joint to hang out and have a good time. Also, it claims to be the first karaoke club in the country. 

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Dimples Restaurant 3413 West Olive Avenue Burbank 91505

Photo courtesy Guest Blogger Jean Youn

Is a tomato a fruit or vegetable?

This was a question that was on a test I took in elementary school.

Regardless of its correct label, everyone knows that tomatoes are good for you. Times magazine listed tomatoes as one of the 10 foods that prevent cancer.

There are many different ways to prepare tomatoes to eat. I however, simply enjoy cutting up slices of tomatoes to eat raw while dipping them in sugar.

I have two different tomato stories to tell you.

Tomatoes were first introduced to the United States during the time Lincoln was president. At the time, tomatoes were only kept as house plants but not eaten. People used to think that it’s bright red color meant that it was poisonous.

I don’t know if this is a true story or not but it is said that because it was thought to be poisonous, it is said that enemies of President Lincoln had tried to poison him by giving him tomatoes. However, it turned out that the more tomatoes he ate, he became healthier. We know today that tomatoes are a great source of vitamin C and therefore indeed healthy to eat

The other story I wanted to tell you was about how 100 years ago, it was declared in the US Supreme Court that the tomato is a vegetable and not a fruit. The reason that this went up all the way into the Supreme Court was because in the 1880s, US tariff laws imposed a duty on vegetables but not on fruits. The reasoning that was used to declare a vegetable was that tomatoes aren’t eaten as desserts so therefore are not fruits.

It really doesn’t matter to me whether they are fruits or vegetables because I enjoy them either way.

I feel like people often get caught up in similarly trivial situations in their lives. Tomatoes are a very tasty and refreshing food, why does it matter whether it’s a fruit or vegetable? We spend too much time concerning ourselves with things that don’t really matter when all we should be doing is enjoying a tasty tomato. (figuratively and literally)

I hope that your week will be as tasty and refreshing as a tomato.

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Jean Youn is the owner of Value Village Cleaners at 912 West Glenoaks Boulevard in Glendale 91202. For details on services, coupons and more, check out the Value Village Cleaners website  here.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- The oldest Bob's Big Boy restaurant anywhere is on Riverside Drive in Toluca Lake neighborhood of Burbank

Something new at an old favorite. Built in 1949, Bob’s Big Boy at 4211 West Riverside Drive,  is the oldest triple-B restaurant in the country and a local and state landmark as well. And it’s still packing them in — tourists and local folks. A while back, I hung out at a counter seat taking care of serious business with one of those triple-B burgers and grooving to the back-in-the-day oldies music.

My server, a smiley guy named Alex, was terrific. He recommended the raspberry ice tea which had a great taste– not watered down like some restaurant drinks. Alex has  worked at this Boy’s Big Boy nine years. When I asked for his favorite dish, he didn’t hesitate: “Hot turkey sandwich with the cranberry sauce.” Well, I’m gonna have to skip the burger and try that the next time.

A fan-favorite returns to Dodger Stadium tonight. The dazzling eye-popping Friday night fireworks are back this season and kicks-off tonight, after the Dodgers play the San Francisco Giants. Fans can watch the fireworks show from the outfield grass.

Pizza Hut is sponsoring this series of fireworks shows on Friday nights from now through the end of summer. Here is the schedule: April 1, April 15, April 29, May 13, May 27, June 17, June 24, July 8, July 22, July 29, August 26, and September 16. Also, the fast food chain is offering specials to fans who attend games on those Friday nights.

For more information on 2011 giveaways and the Dodgers’ schedule you can visit Dodgers.com

Yesterday, the boys in blue opened their 54th season in Los Angeles with a 2-to-1 win over the defending World Champion, Giants. Also, it was a debut victory for former New York Yankee star/now rookie Dodger manager, Don Mattingly.

Dodgers go for a second win against the Giants tonight. Game time 7:15 p.m. Dodger Stadium.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- A crowd waits outside for tables on Thanksgiving at the popular Burbank restaurant, the Tallyrand November 25, 2010

 I joined friends for Thanksgiving dinner at the Tallyrand located at 1700 West Olive Avenue in Burbank. Surprisingly, there were several different entrees on the special menu, but I went for the traditional turkey dinner — which is one of the specialities at the Rand. I was not disappointed.  It was a very good meal, except they only served pumpkin pie and I had a taste for apple pie.

The holiday season is a busy time at this long-time Burbank eatery known for its great breakfast, home style cooking, and reasonable prices. Oh, and they don’t seem to mind if you spell the restaurant name as one word or two.

The  family run business opened in 1959. Click over to the Tallyrand website for more on its history and menu as well as hours of operation and directions.

By the way, the Rand will be open on Christmas Eve, but closed on Christmas day.  Do call  for special holiday hours (818) 846-9904.

Photo: Chuck Kennedy/ White House -- Assistant pastry chef Susie Morrison puts some finishing touches on the White House gingerbread house in the China Room November 29, 2010

Assistant pastry chef, Susie Morrison, adds some final details to the gingerbread house — one of many holiday traditions at the White House.  The confection weighs 350 pounds!  Oh, that doesn’t include the mini-replica of Bo Obama out front.  The gingerbread White House is covered in white chocolate. It’s truly a one-of-a-kind creation.

Photo: Lawrence Jackson/White House -- First Lady Michelle Obama and White House Pastry Chef Bill Yosses watch a young visitor taste some freshly baked holiday cookies December 1, 2010

 A holiday craft demonstration at the White House yesterday for the children of military personnel. Not only did the kids get to help decorate holiday cookies — they got to eat some of the treats as well.

Photo: Hiroko Masuike/Getty Images/Mrs-O.org --First Lady Michelle Obama toured a New York herb garden with local school children and some First Ladies from various countries September 24, 2010

Catching up on some of the activities of First Lady and Health Advocate, Michelle Obama.  Mrs-O, a website dedicated to the first lady’s fashion, style, and special interests, is a faithful follower of almost everything Michelle. Also there’s a ton of comments, from some of the thousands of Michelle fans, on the two-year-old site. I’m a Michelle follower and an occasional visitor to Mrs-O.

In the photo above, Mrs. Obama toured an herb garden with a group of curious school children, last Thursday, September 24. Several First Ladies, from a number of countries, joined the tour at the Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture in Pocantico Hills, New York.   

The tour included a farm-to-the-table-lunch – part of Mrs. Obama’s healthy eating program.

Also in the Mrs-O post, a description of who and what the first lady was wearing — down to her “silver pointed toe flats.”  Mrs. Obama is no Lady Gaga, however, she has many admirers of her fashion taste and sensible style.

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G –A couple enjoys some ice cream at Baskin- Robbins on South Victory Boulevard in Burbank, back in May 2007

Hey, what’s going on? The ice cream giant, Baskin-Robbins, is sending an old favorite, French Vanilla, to its “Deep Freeze,” as part of the company’s 65th birthday celebration. Last week, BR announced the retirement of not one, but five of the 31 signature flavors.  Also getting the boot Caramel Praline Cheesecake, Campfire S’mores, Apple Pie a La Mode, and Superfudge Truffle.            

Srinivas Kumar, Chief Brand Officer, Baskin-Robbins Worldwide, explained the decision in a press release on PR Newswire : “Over the decades we have retired some of our iconic flavors into our Deep Freeze — like Miami Ice from the 1980s and Beatle Nut in the 1960s — but never before have five flavors gone into the Deep Freeze at one time. By retiring these great flavors we are marking Baskin-Robbins milestone birthday celebration but also making room in our flavor library for new flavor innovation.”

Baskin-Robbins is the world’s largest chain of ice cream speciality shops. The company got its start right here in the Southland by Burt Baskin and Irv Robbins in the mid-1940s. 

I haven’t been to a Baskin-Robbins shop in a while, probably since the 2009 31 Cent Scoop Night event. This new development just might be the excuse, I mean, reason I need to go by a BR shop for a final scoop or two of their French Vanilla and Superfudge Truffle. Apparently, the BR outlets have received their final shipments of the retired flavors — so supplies aren’t expected to last very long.

Oh, July is National Ice Cream Month — another reason to go get your scoop on!

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Landmark Warner Bros. tower in Burbank

Yes, things are changing here. Media City Groove is the new name. Many of the elements of A Writer’s Groove will remain, while new ones are going to be added. Stay tuned. 

Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- A happy shopper bags some bargains at the popular Burbank Farmers' Market held on Saturday mornings in the city hall parking lot at Third Street and Orange Grove Avenue.

Photo: Chuck Kennedy/White House  — Hundreds of chefs from around the country gathered on the south lawn of the White House for a “Let’s Move” event on June 4, 2010

 First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” program has expanded to include hundreds of chefs from communities all across the nation. Chefs from 37 states assembled at the White House on Friday, June 4, 2010 to support “Chefs Move to Schools” phase of the first lady’s program.

“Let’s Move” is aimed at fighting childhood obesity. The chefs will be paired with schools in their local communities to work with students, parents, school nutritionists and administrators. Mrs. Obama explained it this way: “And together, you’ll be helping students learn where food comes from, and develop healthy habits. You’ll be elevating the role of food in our schools, and working to create healthy meals on a budget…You can make a salad bar fun — now, that’s something — and delicious. You can teach kids to cook something that tastes good and is good for them; and share your passion for food in a way that’s truly contagious.”

Food Diva/Author/Cookware Designer/TV Chef, Rachael Ray, posted a story on the White House Blog today about the program and her own experience called “Cooking as a Way of Life.” Ray says: “Understanding what good nutrition means and the basics of cooking are some of the most important tools kids need for the rest of their lives. Knowing how to put together a good, nutritious meal really improves the quality of one’s life.” More of Ray’s post here, which includes a video clip, too.

Want to keep your holiday calorie in-take in check, remember to go for white meat instead of dark. A decision like that can save you a few hundred calories during this holiday season of eat, drink, and be merry. The InStyle website has a nice reminder post on how you can make some sensible choices with a little extra effort.

Jackie Keller, a celebrity wellness coach for stars like Reese Witherspoon and Charlize Theron, has this suggestion for slowing down the urge to graze at the food tables:”Trick yourself into allowing the brain to kick in and make healthy choices by occupying your hands with a glass of water or wine.”

Some suggestions from the post: pick red wine instead of fancy cocktails, snack on almonds rather than cheese and crackers, and stay away from pecan pie — go for pumpkin and you’ll save more than 100 calories per average slice. If you can make some smart food choices you probably will not gain weight during the holidays. Or you can just feast now and worry about your weight in the New Year. Been there, done that. Either way, enjoy!