California Pizza Kitchen Nutritional Info

Ever wonder about the nutritional content of your CPK foods? So have I. I've been searching high and low to no avail. I tried to email through the "contact us" link on the http://www.californiapizzakitchen.com/ website, but it was blocked. So I called 1-800-919-3227 and spoke to whoever first answered the phone, "Keisha."

I asked where I could find the nutritional info on their pepperoni pizza, which I had for lunch today. She said the only information they provided was on their products sold in grocery stores. I asked why... Keisha replied that the company chooses not to make public the nutritional information on their restaurant items. I asked why again, as if I might get a different answer, but added that some may like to know for dietary needs. Keisha apologized but could not offer any information.

I'm shocked. In this day and age of dieting, people are paying attention the labels. I've seen the labels on CPK's frozen pizzas and frankly, they are not that bad. I would assume the same could be said for the restaurant items, but if CPK is not willing to disclose this, I would have to believe otherwise.

CPK needs to step up and join the ranks of their competition! Besides, it's become a fad, a useful fad, but a fad nonetheless, to list nutritional info! Go to http://www.pfchangs.com/ and they offer all the nutritional details you want on every single menu item. It's quite beautiful. One can make wiser choices and still enjoy eating out.

California Pizza Kitchen: Get your nutritional information out the public! Stop hiding! Your menu looks fairly healthy... so take advantage of this marketing angle and let us know what's in there!

Jen

Griffith Park - Festival of Lights

For the most part, I love Christmas! I love the decorations, the smell of Christmas trees and festive music. I love how my nephews faces light up when they see wrapped goodies with their names on it. I love the smell of my mom's house when she's just baked some treats. I love the chill in the air that makes us all huddle a bit closer.

I live at the corner of Los Feliz Blvd near the entrance to Griffith Park. It must be one of the business boulevards in Los Angeles. I have learned to live with heavy traffic, planning for extra time just to exit my property. I've sort of drowned out the horn honking from pissed off motorists. I've even gotten used to the daily sirens, many responding to horrific accidents from reckless drivers speeding right there in front of my house.

What I cannot tolerate is Christmas time in this area. This is when Griffith Park displays the Festival of Lights (put on by the reliable DWP, but that's another blog) - a whole mile of them! I saw this the first year I moved here. Once was enough. While absolutely love colorful, twinkly lights, the visitors to the park have ruined it.

Imagine, it's the night before Christmas (and all through the house), I'm wrapping presents, carols playing in the background, fragrant candles burning throughout - and horn blasts of angry people out on the boulevard waiting in the long line to enter the park. They lay on them for minutes at a time, sometimes they open their windows and yell expletives to the person that got in front of them. Then there's the constant hum of engines sitting for hours on end.

This is not pleasant. This is unbearable. I contacted the local police one night last year and they came out to control traffic and adjust some attitudes. It was wonderful. But that's just one night out of 30-something that starts near Thanksgiving and runs until New Year's Eve, and runs from 5pm to 10pm... and later on the holidays! I cannot call the cops every night, so I have to hear assholes ruin my holiday. Assholes that cannot, for one minute or one hour, stay calm and wait their turn. Assholes that probably have children in their car.

And now Councilman Tom LaBonge is pushing for DWP's plan to restrict the first 5 nights to pedestrian only! Has anyone seen the parking situation in and around the park? Traffic will worsen, if that's possible, and attitudes will undoubtedly worsen with it.

I propose we terminate the Festival of Lights. It only creates frustration - for those that live near it and for those who live in it. At least do it for the children! Do they need to witness adults behaving badly??? Not really. Celebrate the holidays with joy and happiness, and STAY OUT OF MY NEIGHBORHOOD.

Warm Holiday Wishes,

Jen

LA Times Article 10-22-07

Photo taken by Geek_chic. Click on photo for more information.

Landing Strip Mission

You are sitting in traffic, reflecting about an earlier conversation where you could not think fast enough to respond intelligently. Now you are replaying the conversation in your head and formulating how you would’ve responded, given the chance. Maybe you’re talking out loud to yourself. It’s articulate, profound, and downright inspirational. Since the conversation has long gone, your poetry goes unrecognized.

Bring your thoughts and views here to the Landing Strip. We want to spark worthwhile conversations, whether it’s just dialogue or debate.

Our audioblog is currently in production and will draw from and trade ideas with this blog.

Regards,

Jen