Curry Plants Seen at Pebble Beach, California by Ruth Paget

Yellow Curry Plants Seen Along the Coast in Pebble Beach, California by Ruth Paget 

While out bird watching at Pebble Beach (California), I saw clustered yellow flowers along the walking path in the pull-out after China Rock going toward the direction of Bird Rock along 17-mile Drive which follows the Pacific Coast. 

Three yellow clustered flowers like the ones I saw are called curry plants for their turmeric-colored yellow flowers according to the Google lens app. 

I used Google lens to identify the plant by photographing it and then asking for its characteristics. It is drought resistant, which is important in our region. The curry plant is not used for cooking. It gets its name from its color. 

Pests do not like the curry plant and neither do deer. Curry plants are useful to homeowners for this reason. 

The curry plant’s country of origin is Turkey, which indicates that the plant does well in climates similar to that of the Mediterranean. (Pebble Beach has a mild to cool Mediterranean climate.) 

An image of a curry plant follows: 

https://www.gardenia.net/plant/helichrysum-italicum-curry-plant

Nursery information about the curry plant follows: 

https://crimsonsage.com/product/curry-plant/

Happy Coastal Strolling!

By Ruth Paget 

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France 

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games and Classical Western Civilization War Games 

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games 

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Museum 

-creator French Travel and Culture Games

Highly Nutritious Chicken - Corn Soup at Golden Star Restaurant in Salinas, California by Ruth Paget

Highly Nutritious Chicken – Corn Soup at Golden Star Restaurant in Salinas, California by Ruth Paget 

The title chicken – corn soup on the menu at Golden Star Restaurant in Salinas, California contains much more than you would think when you look at how it is described. 

Chicken – corn soup is almost a secret menu item for all the protein and vitamins in this delicious dish at a reasonable price. 

The flavor base for the chicken – corn soup at Gold Star is hot oil and chopped green onions. Previously steamed chicken breast tenders are added and stir-fried with sliced mushrooms and cabbage squares. 

Chicken broth is added to the stir-fried chicken along with soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, and maybe some oyster sauce. Sweet corn kernals, peas, and carrots are added to the chicken broth. Everything is then brought to a boil. 

Once the soup boils,  you gently swirl the soup and add in beaten eggs as if you were making egg flower soup. The eggs should flower out. 

At this point, you can add in a cornstarch slurry to thicken the soup. 

To finish the soup, you sprinkle chopped green onions on top and serve. 

I like this savory soup with bites of sweetness from the corn, because it is packed with vitamins like the following: 

-cabbage – Vitamin C 

-carrots – Vitamin A and Vitamin C 

-peas – Vitamin C 

-mushrooms – B Vitamins 

-chicken – selenium to support thyroid health 

-eggs and chicken – protein 

For flavor and nutrition, the chicken and corn soup at Golden Star Restaurant in Salinas, California is a great value for the price for people without any allergies to the ingredients or dietary preferences. 

By Ruth Paget 

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France 

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games and Classical Western Civilization Games 

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games 

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Museum 

-creator of French Travel and Culture Games

Swooping Red-Tailed Hawks Seen at Pebble Beach, California by Ruth Paget

Swooping Red-Tailed Hawks Seen at Pebble Beach, California by Ruth Paget 

The usual birds you see flying along the coast at Pebble Beach (California) are seagulls, brown pelicans, and black, long-necked cormorants. 

As you drive through the Del Monte Forest though, you can see many hawks swooping down from tree tops and power lines after small prey and sometimes carrion (dead animals). 

Red-tailed hawks exist throughout the US in a variety of landscapes. They are considered useful and have an economic value for property owners thanks to eating small- to medium-size animals like snakes, mice, and rats. 

Red-tailed hawks are famous for their song, which you can hear on the Audobon link below: 

https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/red-tailed-hawk

Happy Birding in Pebble Beach, California! 

By Ruth Paget 

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France 

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games and Classical Western Civilization War Games

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games 

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Museum 

-creator of French Travel and Culture Games

Fresh Herb Markets in Salinas, California by Ruth Paget

Markets Selling Fresh Herbs in Salinas, California by Ruth Paget 

A quick Google Search listed the following outlets as selling fresh herbs in Salinas, California: 

*Gold Leaf Spice and Teas 

*Del’s Farmers Produce 

*Windmill Market  

*The Farm in Salinas 

(located on Highway 68, which becomes Main Street in town) 

*Bokay Nursery 

*Rocket Farms 

Happy Herb Market Marketing! 

By Ruth Paget 

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France 

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games and of the Classical Western Civilization War Games 

-developer food and beverage knowledge games 

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Museum 

-creator of French Travel and Culture Games

MBARI Open House about Marine Research on July 11, 2026 reposted by Ruth Paget

MBARI will host an open about marine research in the Monterey Bay Area on July 11, 2026 in Moss Landing, California.

Details about the open house follow:

https://www.mbari.org/about/events/open-house/

Reposted by Ruth Paget

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games and Classical Western Civilization War Games

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Museum

-creator French Travel and Culture Games

Artisan Cheese Shopping in Salinas, California by Ruth Paget

Artisan Cheese Shopping in Salinas, California by Ruth Paget 

The following stores sell artisan cheese in Salinas, California or close to it: 

*Nob Hill Supermarkets, part of the Raley’s Chain along with Bel Air Supermarkets 

-very good for Brie and goat cheese 

*Star Market 

-sells Californian cheese like those from Point Reyes and French cheese

*Schoch Dairy and Creamery 

-sells artisan Swiss cheeses made on site

-owned by the Grossen family. 

-carried in local markets and online 

*Costco 

-for Swiss Gruyère and Gouda 

*The Cheese Shop in Carmel, California

-located about 20 minutes away from Salinas by car using Highway 68 

-sells over 200 cheeses from around the world 

*The Cheese Fairy’s Charcuterie 

-online corporate and special orders including boards 

-located in Salinas, California 

*Trader Joe's

-located about 10 minutes away from Salinas in Marina using Blanco to Imjin Roads

Happy Marketing! 

By Ruth Paget 

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France 

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games and Classical Western Civilization War Games 

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games 

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Museum 

-creator of French Travel and Culture Games

Walking Groups in Salinas, California - A Blue Zones Project reposted by Ruth Paget

I found some interesting information about walking groups in Salinas, California organized by our local Blue Zones Community.

These walking groups are called walking moai, named for an Okinawan social organization groups.  The Blue Zones website has more information about moai.

More information about walking moai in Salinas, California follows:

https://montereycounty.bluezonesproject.com/move-naturally/

Happy walking!

Reposted by Ruth Paget

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games and Classical Western Civilization War Games

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and Carmel Valley History Museum

-creator of French Travel and Culture Games