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Green Sea Shells

@greenseashells_mag

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LA-based lifestyle magazine
Travel • Culture • Wellness • Lived experiences
Curated by @chroniclesbykk
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Who can resist pink hummus? 💗

The roasted beet hummus at Saint & Second in Manhattan Village looked like something out of a fairytale—and tasted excellent. That vibrant pink comes from beets, and yes, I’ve already bought beets and chickpeas to try my own version at home.

But the sweetest part of our date night was the service. My husband and I shared a salad, with salmon added to his portion, and they thoughtfully brought it out on two separate plates. Such a small gesture, such a difference.

As a vegetarian, I always check the menu before getting too excited about a restaurant. This one worked for both of us. Indoor and outdoor seating, lovely food, and people who made us feel welcome. We’ll be back. #losangeles #food #southbayla #manhattanbeach by @greenseashells_mag

🪔 2.6 million oil lamps. LA’s No. 1 restaurant. And an unexpected discovery in Idaho.

Welcome to Episode 2 of The Green Sea Shells Edit—three discoveries from three very different places!

✨ THE WOW: DIWALI IN INDIA

In 2025, Ayodhya set a Guinness World Record by illuminating an astonishing 2,617,215 tiny oil lamps along the Saryu River. More than 30,000 volunteers helped create that sea of light!

This November 7, organizers are aiming even higher, with approximately 3.3 million diyas planned. Imagine seeing that in person!

🍽️ WITHIN REACH: LA’S NO. 1 RESTAURANT

I was at the LA Times Food Bowl when Lielle was announced as the city’s top restaurant. It had opened only months earlier!

My husband happily sampled his way around the festival while I, the vegetarian, asked plenty of ingredient questions. I even discovered a restaurant called Komal. Naturally, we had to meet!

I’ve written about the evening, the restaurants, and the big reveal on GreenSeaShells.com

🫐 THE FIND: HUCKLEBERRIES IN IDAHO

On my recent trip to Boise, I spotted a huckleberry protein shake on the menu and decided to try it. Delicious!

Then came huckleberry ice cream. Suddenly, I was noticing huckleberries everywhere—in jams, syrups, sweets, and pancake mixes.

Here’s what surprised me: wild huckleberries are notoriously difficult to cultivate commercially, so much of the harvest still comes from mountain forests.

🌎 A little culture, a little food, and a few discoveries worth sharing.

Read more, including my LA Food Bowl experience, at Green Sea Shells. Link in bio!

Which discovery surprised you most?

#GreenSeaShells #TheGreenSeaShellsEdit #Diwali2026 #LosAngelesFood #idahotravel by @greenseashells_mag

Coastal calm, mountain air, and a long soak. 🌊♨️ These 28 places feature in Green Sea Shells’ guide to affordable U.S. wellness getaways, with options for different budgets:

@lodgeatbodegabay — Sonoma coastal calm.
@thespringsresort — Pagosa riverside soaking.
@murrieta_hotsprings — Palm-lined mineral pools.
@omnihomestead — Virginia hot-spring traditions.
@1440multiversity — Retreat into the redwoods.
@kripalucenter — Yoga in the Berkshires.
@esalen — Big Sur reflection.
@ojocalienteresort — Desert mineral soaking.
@himalayan_institute — Woodland meditation.
@omegainstitute — Learning and renewal.
@delamarsouthport — New England spa escape.
@artoflivingretreatcenter — Blue Ridge retreat.
@sivanandayogaranch — Catskills yoga.
@glenwoodhotsprings — Classic Colorado soaking.
@ironmountainhotsprings — Riverfront relaxation.
@indianspringscalistoga — Napa mineral pools.
@mtprinceton — Mountain hot springs.
@ojosantaferesort — Gardens and soaking.
Strawberry Park Hot Springs — Rustic Colorado escape.
Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort — Forest and mineral pools.
@safetyharborresort — Florida spa break.
@hiltonheadhealth — Immersive wellness.
@innatserenbe — Nature and farm life.
@mohonkmountainhouse — Lakeside mountain retreat.
@omnigrovepark — Asheville spa escape.
@belknap2018 — Oregon riverside gardens.
@chenahotsprings — Alaskan soaking.
@quinnshotsprings — Montana pools and cabins.

Some are simpler retreats; others offer opportunities for seasonal value. Compare dates, packages, and inclusions.

Find “Affordable Wellness Weekends” at GreenSeaShells.com. Save your shortlist!

Photos via Expedia affiliate resources. Our guide includes affiliate links; we may earn from qualifying bookings at no extra cost to you.

#WellnessTravel #USGetaways #HotSprings #WellnessRetreat #greenseashells by @greenseashells_mag

🇨🇭 Switzerland just won World’s Best Wellness Destination 2026—and if your idea of a perfect trip involves mountain views, mineral water and a little time to slow down, this is one to save.

Here are three ways to plan your own Swiss wellness escape:

💧 For thermal water and architecture: 7132 Thermal Baths, Vals
Designed by architect Peter Zumthor, these stone baths are tucked into a mountain village. Pair your visit with a stay in Vals and give yourself time to enjoy the alpine setting.

🏔️ For a spa with a view: Bürgenstock Alpine Spa, Lake Lucerne
That famous infinity pool overlooks the lake from high above the water. The Alpine Spa was also named Switzerland’s Best Hotel Spa in the 2026 World Spa Awards.

🩺 For a more structured wellness retreat: Clinique La Prairie, Montreux
Set by Lake Geneva, this is a place to explore a more personalized, health-focused stay. It won Switzerland’s Best Wellness Retreat in the 2026 awards.

Before you book: These are different kinds of experiences, so check whether spa access or treatments are available to non-hotel guests, what’s included in your stay, and whether advance reservations are needed.

You don’t have to build an entire vacation around a spa, either. Add a mountain walk, a lakeside afternoon or a scenic train ride, and let Switzerland do what it does best.

Save this for your future Switzerland itinerary
@visitswitzerland @worldspaawards

#SwitzerlandTravel #WellnessTravel #SwissAlps #SpaTravel greenseashells by @greenseashells_mag

What do a cave beneath Tuscany, a giant blue balloon dog in LA, and a pair of Portuguese sandals have in common? 👀

They’ve all made our first Green Sea Shells Edit—three discoveries worth a closer look!

🇮🇹 THE WOW | @grottagiusti

Beneath a five-star Tuscan resort lies a 200-meter natural thermal grotto, with chambers named Paradise, Purgatory, and Hell! This extraordinary underground spa just won World’s Best Thermal Grotto Spa 2026—its tenth win. Add Monsummano Terme to your Tuscany itinerary.

🎨 WITHIN REACH | @thebroadmuseum

A giant blue Balloon Dog, colorful Jeff Koons sculptures, and contemporary art that makes you look twice. The Broad in Downtown LA is one of our favorite cultural outings—and general admission is FREE! Reserve tickets ahead; exhibitions rotate, so there’s always a reason to return.

👡 THE FIND | @wearmessage

What does Portuguese wine cork have to do with happy feet?

Meet the Shaw Slide. These Portugal-made sandals are wonderfully soft to walk in, with a stretchy upper and an upcycled cork footbed designed to mold to your feet over time.

Recognized by Oprah Daily and available through Nordstrom, they’re a lovely gift idea for birthdays, Valentine’s Day, or Christmas. 🎁

Gifted by MESSAGE. These are our first impressions after trying them.

Three discoveries. One weekly Edit.

📌 Save this for your next trip, LA outing, or gift list!

📷 Grotto images: Expedia Affiliate Program.

#GreenSeaShells #TheGreenSeaShellsEdit #TuscanyTravel #LosAngelesTravel #giftideas by @greenseashells_mag

We went to World Market to research gift baskets. Naturally, we took the scenic route!

🇮🇹 Italy, with a little extra. A miniature truffle sampler, basil olive oil, and a spicy garlic-rosemary balsamic glaze caught our eye. Plenty of inspiration for the friend whose idea of a good evening starts in the kitchen.

🇵🇪 A little Peruvian personality. Divina’s Peruvian Pepper Jam had us thinking beyond the usual sweet preserves. We’d pair it with crackers and a little serving dish for a host who likes some heat.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland brought the Scotties. Walker’s shortbread shaped like tiny dogs? An excellent candidate for a tea basket—and a particularly charming find for a dog-loving friend.

🇿🇦 South Africa, in a small package. The Oryx desert salt and black pepper set stood out for its colorful packaging. A useful little addition to a cooking basket that has room for more than another jar of sauce.

🌺 Something for the glass rim. Mr. Gigglepants hibiscus sugar practically volunteered for a party basket. We’re picturing pretty glasses, a festive drink, and a host who enjoys the finishing touches.

💚 For the pistachio person. A little jar of pistachio cream sparked thoughts of a breakfast basket: pastries, coffee, and something interesting to spread.

🐕 And then we met the holiday dachshunds. Those little plates with dogs in Santa hats were difficult to walk past. Sometimes the serving piece gives you the whole gift idea.

Still browsing, still researching, and now imagining rather more baskets than we planned. by @greenseashells_mag

L.A. knows how to bring the world to the table!

Spent Friday night at L.A. Times Food Bowl at Barker Hangar at Santa Monica Airport, surrounded by talented chefs, an enthusiastic crowd and the cultures that make this city such an exciting place to eat.

Being vegetarian meant fewer things for me to taste, but there was plenty to take in. I loved seeing how culinary traditions meet, mingle and become something distinctly Los Angeles.

A highlight: the live top 10 countdown to No. 1 on the Times’ 2026 101 Best Restaurants list, alongside recognition for its restaurant Hall of Fame.

Between the indoor-outdoor setting, the fantastic DJ and the energy of people celebrating their craft, this was a very fun night to be out in L.A. So glad I went.

@lafoodbowl
#LAfoodbowl #LosAngelesFood #LACulture #greenseashells @latimes by @greenseashells_mag

Two nights in Boise, and I’m making a case for the pizza.

The Wylder belongs on a best-pizza-in-America list, in my opinion. A decades-old sourdough starter, potato pizza on the menu, and an excellent mocktail called “My Nana Takes Her Wig Off When She’s Drunk.” Try ordering that with a straight face.

Downtown had evening energy: Boise State students out for sushi, movies, and ice cream. We walked from Inn at 500 Capitol and left the car parked. For live music, check Treefort Music Hall’s calendar.

Save these stops:

🍂 Fork — lovely fall decor and a commitment to local ingredients.

🍸 Red Feather — locally sourced food, cocktails, pasta, and salads. A date-night pick.

🍽️ Kibrom’s — Ethiopian and Eritrean food, over a decade in Boise, and plenty of vegetarian choices. Our platter: vegetables, lentils, and injera.

🥞 Madurai Virundhu — dosa, chutneys, and a curry alongside.

🫐 The Protein Spot — my purple “Be My Huckleberry” protein shake.

👻 Rise & Grind — another protein-shake stop, this one with a Halloween sticker reading “Shake Your Boo-ty.”

🍦 The STIL — a line outside when we visited. Our picks: blackberry and salted dark chocolate; lemon and olive oil.

🔥 The Highlander at Hotel Renegade — a quieter stretch of downtown, an older, dressed-up crowd that evening, and fireplaces that added to the charm.

Between meals: Lucky Peak, a Greenbelt run, roses still blooming in October, and the Basque Museum and historic boardinghouse.

At Fall Flights, we bundled up in the outdoor amphitheater—and I ducked more than once as birds flew overhead. Check seasonal demonstration dates at the World Center for Birds of Prey, and leave time for the Archives of Falconry.

And yes, that’s a dog sculpture behind our bed at Inn at 500 Capitol.

Would I go back? Absolutely. Especially for another dinner at The Wylder.

Save this for your Boise plans.

—Komal Kapoor, founder & editor, Green Sea Shells

#GreenSeaShells #Boise #BoiseFood #visitidaho by @greenseashells_mag

The potato pizza is called Gem State of Mind. We were in Idaho. How could we not?

At The Wylder in downtown Boise, they let us order half-and-half: fingerling potatoes, caramelized onion, rosemary, and sage over Parmesan cream sauce on one side; Margherita with tomato, mozzarella, basil, and extra-virgin olive oil on the other.

Two very different halves. Both excellent. And the sourdough crust, made with a decades-old starter, was every bit as good as the toppings.

Lovely service, excellent drinks, and a dinner I’m still talking about. Very glad we made a reservation.

My opinion: The Wylder deserves a place on a best-pizza-in-America list. 🍕

📍501 W. Broad Street, Boise

#TheWylder #BoiseFood #BoiseRestaurants #BoisePizza #sourdoughpizza🍕 by @greenseashells_mag

A few times during this experience, we instinctively ducked. The birds flew that low. 🦉

At Fall Flights at Boise’s World Center for Birds of Prey, we sat in an open-air amphitheater surrounded by dry grasses and sagebrush, watching six birds take flight, one at a time. An owl, a vulture, two hawks, and two falcons—each with its own presence, movements, and extraordinary wings.

When those wings opened fully, you could appreciate their span. We could hear the flapping as birds passed close by, sometimes close enough that we squinted and lowered our heads. Watching them fly across the amphitheater and return to a handler’s glove was remarkable.

The handlers made the experience especially engaging. They brought the birds around for a closer look and explained their behavior, abilities, and the challenges facing their species. Their skill and familiarity with the birds were evident throughout.

These are trained avian ambassadors, and meeting them makes conservation feel immediate. You begin to connect the bird in front of you with the habitats it needs and the work required to protect its species. The Peregrine Fund, headquartered here, works to conserve birds of prey around the world.

Even the landscape became part of the lesson. The dry, open country surrounding the amphitheater can look sparse at first glance, but sagebrush habitat supports a rich community of life. Spending time here gave us another way to appreciate the scenery around Boise.

The peregrine falcon closed our show—a memorable finish to a morning that combined wonder with learning. If you’re planning an autumn visit to Boise, this is an experience worth making time for.

📍 World Center for Birds of Prey, Boise, Idaho
🍂 Fall Flights: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 11 a.m., September–October. Advance online reservations required.

#greenseashells #WorldCenterForBirdsOfPrey #VisitBoise #VisitIdaho #raptorconservation by @greenseashells_mag

There’s a very large dog behind our bed. 😂

Our dog-themed room at Inn at 500 Capitol had plenty of personality, including a four-legged roommate who required absolutely no walking.

The downtown location made our Boise weekend easy. We could walk to restaurants, shops, and the Greenbelt without taking the car out, with the beautiful Idaho State Capitol a short stroll away.

Complimentary beer or wine on arrival, snacks and drinks, and a little butler’s pantry for deliveries were thoughtful touches. Having a refrigerator and microwave in our room was useful, too.

A memorable base for exploring Boise—and a fun place to return to after a day out among the fall colors. 🍂

#InnAt500Capitol #DowntownBoise #VisitBoise #BoiseIdaho #greenseashells by @greenseashells_mag

An afternoon run along Boise’s Greenbelt turned into a little sightseeing, too. Golden trees, river views, people walking their dogs, cyclists, and an angler fly-fishing in the water. Along the way, we passed the art museum and Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial, found roses still blooming, and caught snippets of live music. A lovely way to get to know Boise on foot. 🍂

#BoiseGreenbelt #VisitBoise #FallInIdaho #GreenSeaShells by @greenseashells_mag