Sprout It App

Posted on April 24, 2013 by Andrea

I was recently contacted about a new online app that is geared towards home gardening. It helps families learn what they can grow, how they can grow it, and when to start planting.

The app is called Sprout It and after playing around with it, I have to tell you that I’m kind of in love.

Here’s the description from their webpage:

Sprout it is a web-based application designed to make growing simple. Helping people get in touch with a better way of growing, living and eating, Sprout it is the app that partners with gardeners. Allowing users to explore what they can grow, Sprout it helps people set up customized plans uniquely suited to their gardens. Supporting your gardening activities throughout the season with notifications, reminders and encouragement, Sprout it provides gardening guidance from sowing to harvest. Sprout it is empowering everyone – from experienced gardeners to first-timers – to grow with more success and confidence, right at home.

As a very much beginner homesteader, this app is right up my alley. Not only does it provide tips on what I can grow but I can also use it to plan out a garden and keep track of everything I decide to grow.

Childhood Sandwiches

Posted on March 13, 2013 by Andrea

I’m not big on sandwiches. They just aren’t something that appeal to me.

However I sometimes get cravings for a nice big sandwich and then nothing will do until I get one.

The past few weeks I’ve wanted nothing but sandwiches. Not just any sandwich though, certain sandwiches from my childhood.

First up was a ham sandwich with homemade mayo and chips on top.

That’s right, chips.

They have to be plain chips though. Nothing fancy and nothing flavored. Some folks might do flavored chips but for me, it’s got to be plain.

Have you ever eaten your sandwich that way? I love it! I introduced Scott to this delicious twist on a ham sandwich and he digs it too.

Chips for all!

Sometimes I like to get down and dirty. That means I want a sandwich that’s going to make a mess and probably get all over my face. We’ve had one of those as well.

Snowy Day Weekend Breakfast

Posted on March 11, 2013 by Andrea

After sharing with you how breakfast is a little different out this way, I finally had homemade green chili for breakfast this past weekend.

Fort Collins was supposed to get hit with a strong snow storm starting Friday evening and last all day Saturday. As with most weather predictions, this was completely unreliable news.

It started snowing early Saturday morning and it was coming down pretty heavily. I decided this would be the perfect time for a hearty comforting breakfast!

This isn’t for the faint of heart and isn’t one that you would eat daily but man it’s a nice treat once in a while.

Cheddar grits topped with a fried egg and smothered in green chili. With a side of roasted potatoes, this will fuel you through a winter storm for sure!

What delicious thing did you eat this weekend?

Kitchen QT

Posted on March 5, 2013 by Andrea

It felt like forever since I had spent some quality time in the kitchen. I was starting to get cranky. I hadn’t really cooked much, tried new recipes, or had any significant amount of time with food. I needed to change that and quickly.

Last Friday when I got back home after volunteering at the shelter, I spent the rest of the day in the kitchen.

I made some mayo. Homemade mayo is so much better than store bought and yes there will be a recipe soon!

I made some veggies for Avery’s meals. Very similar to the veggies that I used to make for Rocks.

I experimented and made some new BBQ sauce.

I also made chocolate chip cookies and banana bread.

Whew!

I also spent time with this punk.

Being able to cook and spend time in the kitchen made a huge improvement on my mood! This week I plan on making sure that I get even more time in the kitchen cooking up some stuff.

Leash and Tails Required

Posted on March 1, 2013 by Andrea

We have a lot to talk about with Avery!

We’re doing so much with him that I realized he needed a dedicated space to openly share all that we are working on.

I’m happy to introduce Leash and Tails Required! A blog that will be focused on training and nutrition along with exploring Fort Collins!

I would love it if you followed along!

Beef with Udon Noodles

Posted on February 20, 2013 by Andrea

I love leftovers. I know they get a bad rap but I think that just stems from people not being creative with what they have in the fridge. Leftovers have the ability to turn into something totally new. It’s all about how you view the food before you.

I was rummaging around in the freezer earlier this week when I spied a package of leftover prime rib roast chunks. We had that for Christmas dinner.

Knowing that I needed to use that right now or it was history, I pulled the package out and started brain storming what I could make.

I asked Scott if he would rather have stir fry or an Asian inspired noodle dish. He went with noodles and Beef with Udon Noodles was born.

It was easy to put together, the longest prep was waiting for the water to boil for the noodles.

I cooked one 8oz package of udon noodles first, drained and let those hang out while I sauteed up some chopped:

Changing Breakfast Tastes

Posted on February 15, 2013 by Andrea

The thing that I love most about moving to different regions of the US, is learning about the little differences each region has when it comes to food.

I’ve noticed that the west definitely likes meat with breakfast. Oh sure you’ll see bacon or breakfast sausage on the menu but that isn’t really what I’m talking about. What you’ll also see is a variety of other pork options as well.

Pork seems to be top choice, everything from pork chops to tamales. Pork green chili is always an option at breakfast and every place that serves breakfast has it on the menu.

I have fallen in love with this style of breakfast. Pork tamale with scrambled eggs smothered in pork green chili is freaking heaven on a plate.

It didn’t take me long to adopt this breakfast style and start incorporating it into our breakfasts here at home.

When I want a hearty breakfast, I really like the idea of adding in some sort of protein that isn’t always sausage or bacon.

Read more on Changing Breakfast Tastes…

On the local beer scene

Posted on February 13, 2013 by Andrea

Scott and I were recently interviewed by a local blog, Serving Up Fort Collins, about the local beer scene.

Please head over to check out the interview where we discuss our big move across the country, why we picked Fort Collins, and our love for beer!

Cheers!

Introducing Avery

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Andrea

Posting was off these past couple of weeks because Scott and I have a new family member. He arrived in a whirlwind of activity and we’ve been spending time getting to know each other.

As some of you know, our baby Rocky (boxer-pit bull mix) passed away last May. He was 11 and passed away from kidney cancer.

While our life has been very exciting since then due to our move across the country, it seemed like something was missing.

Christmas was a little harder this year with no extra stocking by the fireplace and no doggie snorts as presents were opened. I was extremely sad and melancholy the entire time.

After being honest with myself and being willing to open my heart up again, I realized that I truly missed having a dog around the house.

Scott was a little more reluctant to jump into dog ownership again but he also realized how sad I had become. We talked about it a lot. Like everyday and every night.

A Lot Of Nothing

Posted on January 30, 2013 by Andrea

Talking with my mom on the phone the other night she asked me, “Are you doing anything with your website?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean like are you even writing for it?”

“Oh.”

And I had to tell her that recently I have not been. Normally I don’t fall victim to blog slumps. Writing a food blog pretty much means limitless inspiration and topics to discuss. I have a little note taking plugin that fits right on my WordPress dashboard where I jot down topics I want to discuss.

It’s currently empty.

I have been doing a whole bunch of nothing for the last few months. We haven’t really gone anywhere or done anything exciting. Save for our poutine and stout adventure. I haven’t been experimenting in the kitchen too much or making any new recipes. I guess that I really haven’t been inspired and I’m not really seeing anything new in the blogsphere. Maybe I should browse Pinterest more?