#10 Mountain Biking and Fresh Strawberries!

Who knew there was solid mountain biking near Encinitas? Check out the miles of trails near La Costa. Make sure to wear a helmet and bring lots of water!

The Rancho La Costa Preserve is a the small mountain open space located near where the communities of Carlsbad, Encinitas, San Marcos, and Olivehain converge in coastal north county San Diego. 

 Directions:

• From downtown San Diego: Travel North on I-5 for about 26 miles. Take the Leucadia Blvd exit and turn right. After 1.7 miles Leucadia blvd becomes Olivehain Rd. After .9 miles Olivehain Rd becomes Rancho Santa Fe Road. After 1.8 miles turn right onto Camino Junipero. At your first left turn onto Corte Romero and on the street alongside the green belt area.
• From Orange County: After passing through Carlsbad while going south on I-5 take the La Costa Ave exit and turn left. Take La Costa Ave 4.1 miles and turn left onto Rancho Santa Fe Rd.After .7 miles turn right onto Camino Junipero. At your first left turn onto Corte Romero and on the street alongside the green belt area. 

Check out this helpful website loaded with local information on the mountain biking routes in the area. 

http://www.mountainbikebill.com/LaCosta.htm

On the way home you can swing by the Leucadia fresh produce stand on La Costa Blvd and Saxony. They have lovely plants, flowers, fresh strawberries and vegetables. 

Try this Vegan Strawberry Shortcake Recipe compliments of 

http://www.chooseveg.com/

Strawberry Shortcake

4 cups strawberries, sliced 2 tbsp. granulated sugar, plus additional for sprinkling 1 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 tsp. cream of tartar 1/4 tsp. baking soda 4 Tbsp. margarine 1/2 cup soy milk mixed with 3/4 Tbsp. lemon juice (let stand 5 min.) 1 1/2 cup nondairy whipping cream (try rich's at Richs.com), whipped according to package directions, or nondairy cream-cheese sauce (recipe on back)

Preheat the oven to 450°F. Grease a baking sheet and set it aside. In a medium bowl, gently stir together the strawberries and 2 Tbsp. of sugar. Set aside. In a large bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, cream of tartar, and baking soda. Cut in the margarine until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients, then pour in the soy-milk mixture all at once. Using a fork, stir until just moistened.
Divide the dough into quarters and drop each quarter in a mound onto the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle them with sugar and bake at 450°F for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden.
Split the shortcakes into 2 layers. Place the bottom layers into individual serving bowls. Spoon some of the strawberries and nondairy whipped cream or cream cheese sauce (see below) over the bottom layers. Add the top layers. Spoon more strawberries and the remaining nondairy whipped cream or cream cheese sauce over tops. Serve immediately.
Cream Cheese Sauce: In a small bowl, stir together 1/4 cup nondairy sour cream and 4 Tbsp. nondairy cream cheese (try Tofutti brand at Tofutti.com) with 2 tsp. sugar until smooth.