12 Food Trends for Twenty12

To all my Foodie Friends.... this one is for you! I came across this article "From fancy salt to gourmet trucks, an appetizing look at 2012" and immediately started analyzing each trend taking over the culinary world. As an avid Top Chef fan, explorer de cuisine and possible future culinary school graduate (maybe!) I am intrigued by the trends listed below and how I'm going to explore each of them in 2012.

1. Salt - Living in Boulder, I knew this trend was on the up-and-up when SALT: the Bistro came to town in 2009. Delicious fare complimented by the intricacies of different salts make this the perfect date night locale. You also know salt is going big when cookbooks are made exclusively on the ingredient - check out "Salted: A Manifesto on the World's Most Essential Mineral, With Recipes" discussed on Salt News.

2. Artisian Chocolate - My love affair with artisian chocolates began while working at The Kitchen with Nate Miller. Nate would bring me a dark slice of chocolate on a regular basis to test his newest creation, but I knew it would taste nothing like what I was expecting. Chili powder, salt, cumin, ginger - his exploration with complimenting ingredients in his chocolates was incredible, and I was forever hooked as his test subject. Nate is doing well these days running MASSIVE and The Tasterie Truck but my chocolate fever is now fed by Chocolove Chocolate Bars - my favorites are the Almonds & Sea Salt 55% Dark, Peppermint in 55% Dark, Chilis and Cherries in 55% Dark, Hazelnuts in 33% Milk Chocolate and of course, the Pur Dark 55% Cocoa. YUM!!

3. Korean is the new Thai - I have to admit I don't have much experience with Korean food much less Thai food. Of course, we have a favorite take-out Thai place but I can't say we venture much farther into nuevo - Asian Cuisine... but we should!

4. QR's on packaging - Having a marketer's soul I've been on the QR train since inception... but really only for the marketer's side of things. As a consumer, I really have only used QRs at our events to collect quick data/feedback and to offer a "deeper dive" into some of our featured content. I just haven't seen a point to participate in the Coors Light contests via their QR code. What would be interesting, is applying the "Whole Foods Theory" to QR codes and food: if the QR's allow the consumer to read the story of where their food came from, how long ago it was harvested, etc.

5. Seaweed for lunch - I have mixed feelings on "seaweed for lunch"... Con: Seriously?! Are we really eating flattened algea because it's trendy? I witnessed this absurdity recently in a NY airport, and let me tell you, I don't care how many hippies you poll, no kid enjoys eating seaweed normally.  Pro: I can understand the marketing edge that developed the trend: kids don't like healthy, and sushi is a bit "adult" for little kids to get into (hell I was 21+ before having sushi and liking it for the first time!) so I can see how witnessing a group of kids having fun with nori and enjoying it turned it into the healthy snack of the moment. Will I try it as a snack? Probably not until the world is out of better snacks.

6. Gluten-free gets respect - I can say that my culinary aptitude has truly "grown up" at the same time as Gluten-free has exploded onto the scene so I have an open-minded opinion of it all. As a fully-addicted-carb-lover, I see the pain some people have to go through when they learn that the breads, grains and snacks they are enjoying are actually destroying their body and causing them loads of pain. I have even started to explore gluten-free options in my own cooking because of the negative effects high amounts of gluten can have - and for the adventurer in me wanting to try quinoa recipes. I am pumped to read in this article about Cup4Cup, a gluten free flour - I can literally hear the bakers of the world rejoicing! Now, what should I make first? 

7. DIY comes to food - I am SO on this trend right now... aside from the fact that Matt & I have become obsessed with our veggie garden, for Christmas, Matt gave me a Mozzarella making kit! I am so excited to have homemade caprese with EVERY ingredient made on my own! Matt and I have also taken on making a salad dressing each Sunday with enough for leftover for a few salads during the week. It's healthier and fun to taste Matt's experiments each week. Other DIY foods I'm interested in: bread (easy one but I've never done it), minced garlic (saving jars for our 112 cloves we planted!) and jam (coming Summer 2012 with homegrown berries!). Check out this list of "45 Homemade Foods You Can Make Yourself".

8. The butcher is back - You better believe it! You may or may not know this, but my absolute first "real job" was as a butcher at Carmine Lonardo's Meat Market & Deli. Hells Yeah. Partly enabling, partly creating my carnivore side, Carmine's taught me a lot about good meat, how to cut it and when it's no bueno. I'm no snob when it comes to my meat though - I'm totally okay with the regular 'ol grocery store meat (commence bitching) but the reality is it's mostly because my budget doesn't allow for me to eat organic, local meat on a regular basis and still have pennies left for necesseties. While I'm okay with buying meat this way, if I'm cooking a special dinner I absolutely go to Whole Foods to make my purchases. A dream of Matt and mine: buy me a cow clown.

9. Food trucks - Food Trucks have been all the craze for awhile now... and I have to admit I'm just not as obsessed as many are. The biggest reason I think is location, location, location. In Boulder, food trucks are currently limited to outer city limits so they typically park it near the business parks in NOBO. Still, I'd like to chase a few down someday soon to taste the craze - here are some of the local celebrities: Comida (comfort mexican), Heirloom (Farm to Truck), and of course The Tasterie Truck(desserts in all their glory).

10. Drug stores as food stores - Say Whaaatttt? I'm just not a fan... hopefully that doesn't make me snobby - I just don't really have an interest in going to Walgreens or CVS to grab some lunch. My one and only exception: road trip baby! I'm a big fan of the road trip and the gluttoness that comes with as you venture into each gas station (yes same category as drug stores) searching for the perfect snacks to compliment the road games, music and company.

11. Mindful snacks - This is a big one for me and 2012. Sitting at a desk all day makes needing to be mindful about snacking a must. My faves: Squeeze Packs by Justin's Nut Butter (shh! I tasted the Vanilla Almond Butter coming soon!!) Rosemary & Olive Oil Triscuits, and always a handful of almonds.

12. In a pickle - Ohhhhhhh how I LOVE my pickles! We started making homemade pickles a couple summers ago with all our cucumbers but we need to better master the harvesting stage so they aren't too far done. The crunchier and dillier the better! Here's a great resource for making your own: She Knows: Homemade Pickles.

What would YOU add to your Food Trends List?

Color Snap: Happy Snow!

Color Snap: Buffalo Valley

Photo Credit: Cannon Kangaroo

Domestic Goddess: Kitchen Gadgets & Accessories

1. A Dutch-Oven is super helpful in making delicious stews and roasts during the colder months. Be sure to get one that is stove-top and oven proof so you never have to switch pans.

2. Put this on your "future registry" or "when I'm super rich" list: Fingerprint Recognizing Espresso Maker - that's right! You're half asleep as you tumble to the kitchen, scan your finger and whammy: instant espresso however you like it best!

3. I desperately want a Silicone Bakeware Set like this one - super easy to pop  your goodies out and even easier to clean.

4. I love our SmartStick Hand Blender! Super easy to use to make yummy soups or sauces and the food processor accessory is the best for making a quick marinade or dipping sauce.

5. The most used gadget in our kitchen during the fall & winter: our programmable Crock-Pot! With the ability to make almost anything, a hot meal waiting for you post-skiing is a must!

6. We love to host big parties so a Beverage Server is a must! Keep drinks cool and add some decor to your table with this gorgeous hammered metal look.

7. Jumbo Silicone Ice Cube Trays - perfect for a summer drink or a cocktail!

8. The Pankcake Pen makes creating fun-shaped pancakes or waffles super easy and a whole lot let messy!

9. My good friend Jen used her Creme Brulee Torch Set to make us a delicious pumpkin creme brulee a few weeks back and I fell in love! On my wish list for sure.

10. Having a Mandoline Slicer makes a world of a difference in the kitchen prep department - perfect for even slices of eggplant or zucchini for crisping up into fritters Just don't slice a finger!

Vacation Time: Luxury or Essential?

I don't know about you, but the post-fall rush and post-holiday let down make me want only one thing: a damn vacation. We've worked ourselves to the bone since August, crammed as much family, food and holiday music as possible into the past four weeks and we topped it off with a crazy party to ring in the new year that has left an infinite amount of glitter and confetti around my house reminding me of just how often I forget to vaccuum. The (only) perfect environment right now for my sanity includes laying in the sun on a sandy beach, enjoying the view and sipping a delicious Mexican Flag (best beach drink ever! and discovered at the same resort as explained here)

Le Sigh. I digress...

... my whole point of getting your (and my) mouth watering for a vacation is This Article I read on Inc.com this week: "Give Your Employees Unlimited Vacation Days". Sounds too good to be true right? Actually, I am one of the rare and spoiled who are lucky enough to work for an employer who believes in this. Our vaction policy is no policy. Technically. We work hard and play hard - the only requirement is that you get your work done, and don't take advantage of the "no-policy" by skipping off the grid at a critical time. To add the sugar on top: my employer gives us fourteen paid days off a year for federal (and otherwise celebrated) holidays. I know, you hate me and my three-day-weekends. I may be biased, but I LOVE this no-policy. It gives me the flexibility I desire to be able to recharge my batteries and yet makes me respect the time I am at work even more.

So as the workforce continues to transition from Baby Boomers to Millenials, is vacation time a luxury or essential to success? I am arguing Essential - more than for the love of my current "no-policy" - but for the main "requirement" Millenials are expressing in a job: we want balance, we want flexibility, we want our cake and will eat it too. And from experience, when working in this type of environment, we are naturally driven to work harder, work longer, and achieve success because I know that at some point I'll have a few days strung together where I can disconnect and forget about the emails, voicemails and "oh I didn't read that can you re-send it" excitement that is accumulating at work. At. Some. Point. From the looks of this year, all travel will be work related and vacation time will be spent on family time, which while I love seeing all of you, we all know it's no vacation.

Le sigh.

Monday Medley

Happy Monday! After the first week of "back to business" after the holidays, this past weekend was truly needed and Matt and I took full advantage of two full days of R&R. Here's a snapshot into our weekend and what's on deck today:

1 & 2: January Date Night: Dinner at the newly re-opened OAK at Fourteenth (delicious!!) and saw the movie Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (having read the series and seen the Swedish movies it was surprisingly great!)

3: Finishing off our holiday returns & exchanges included snagging this super cozy Baked Saffron Half Zip Fleece.

4: I made my first Pizza Dough! Was super simple and made a delicious dough for a basic margherita pizza. The recipe made two pizzas, but they were pretty small so I'll need adjust for next time.
(Photo Credit: Baking like Betty)

5: It's Playoffs Baby! We cheered on our Broncos on Sunday during the AFC Wild Card game vs. the Steelers. Broncos Won 29-23 with a 80-yard touchdown in the first play of OT! Click here to listen to the play call by Dave Logan. Go Broncos!! (Photo Credit: Gabriel Christus)

6: With the new year comes the need to refresh our marketing strategies for my 2012 corporate events. Going to start with a bit of exploring for ideas on the 2012 trends: Biz Bash, Exhibitor Online, any other suggestions?

7: Looking forward to dinner with our friends Mary & Brian tonight at The Kitchen [Next Door]!

Calendar Collection

Somehow it's always a week or two into a new year that I start thinking about a new calendar. Even in this digital age where everything synchs I love having a physical calendar to use as well (I seem to have this same digital vs. physical struggle in other aspects of life, but that's another story.) In an effort accomplish one of my 2012 goals, and to have a calendar that's a bit different than the a-typical "Paradise" one I always get, here are a few of my favorites I'm going to use as inspiration to build my own this weekend:

Clean and Earthy "Growth Spurt" Calendar from Brown Parcel Press

Bright and Abstract by Michelle Armas

Spirograph Inspired - Letterpress Printed by paperboatstudios

Exquisite Watercolors by Flora Douville

Eye Poetry Photography

Winter Dreams

Believe it or not, it's 65 degrees and the most beautiful Colorado weather this week! I have to admit, as much as I'm loving the cool mornings, lunchtime sunshine, and breaking out all my cute fall clothes again... I MISS WINTER! If we could just order up a nice 3ft. snow dump in Boulder that would be perfection. You know what I'm talking about: the adult snow-day of snuggling up by the fire, making a hearty soup (like the above Barley Stew with Leeks, Carrots and Kale from Bake Break!) and playing several all-too-competitive games of Monopoly Deal (Matt & my new addiction). Just being able to have a couple quiet days snuggled up at home would be lovely. And certainly a nice change from all this warm weather! I know, spoiled Colorado kid... :)

Photo Credit: Top Right - Beauty & Style; Bottom Left - Bake Break!; Bottom Right - The Alpha Geek 

Color Snap: Flowers

Photo Credit: SarahBelle Studio

New Year. New Look.

Happy 2012 World!

There's something about hitting the new year that always makes me yearn to review, revise and refresh my life. Seems silly that it takes January 1 to jumpstart me into action but it's a cleanse that I look forward to each winter.

To start things off, I'm redesigning this little beaut. I want it to be classy, smart and creative - all with a little spice of personality. Hopefully you'll like the end result - and to be totally honest, I'm hoping it becomes part of my daily routine and eventually part of the 1517 Events website. Making it awesome will be a bonus.

2011 was a HUGE year for me. Travels and adventures; Long Hours and Promotions; Laughter and Love. Needless to say, hindsight is always 20/20 - and while I enjoyed 2011 with all the challenges and rollercoasters it brought, I'm exhausted and felt like I was in a constant scramble.. especially the last 6 months.

So. 2012.... how am I going to handle you? how am I going to do more than survive? how am I going to be the best me this year? Here's the quick and dirty on my first crack on goals for 2012:

1. Choices, Choices Choices. Make one "better" choice each day. Going for the english muffin? Grab a banana instead. Office snacks? Start with water and a piece of gum. Another episode of Family Guy? Take Star for a walk. Little things add up to big things.
2. Digging Out. Organize/Clean one big "item" at home each month. Office, Closets, Kitchen Pantry... it's like the lochness monster has made a home and before we know our families will be having a hoarder intervention. One item a month is a piece of cake.
3. Date Night. It's amazing how living with your partner changes the concept of romance and dating in a relationship. You wake up next to the person you love every day. You rock-paper-scissor for making coffee in the morning. You go through mood swings and food poisoning together. Believe me, I understand how easily the "romance" that was once well-thought out becomes "hey should we just order a pizza"... it's just that I miss it. And more so, this is the time in our lives where we actually have the time, energy and money (read: no kids) to be able to go out and enjoy a Saturday night on the town. Long-winded explanation, but the short story is we've decided to have one date night a month: dinner + activity. Matt has January so I better think of something creative for February!
4. Glitter and Glue. Well... probably more paint, saw, and shoot... but the point is I need to keep my creative juices flowing! I'm hoping that writing more and continuing my incredible obsession with Pintrest is going to enable my creativity, but it also requires me to slow the heck down long enough to feel the room to breathe (read: paint). One of the saddest moments for me in 2011 was when (in the midst of the scurry of fighting for a promotion) Matt turned to me and said "Babe, I know you've been busy.. but you don't paint anymore. I love watching you paint, and I know it relaxes you... so you should try to paint again." He called me on my game and shot me cold in the dark. I had let work take over my life and hadn't allowed ME time. 2012... this is our year.
5. Financial Freedom. It feels like a slow, annoying drum beat for me to keep saying I need to spend less and save more, but if the shoe fits! Honestly, I made huge strides in 2011 towards getting myself (and our family) in a better financial situation. 2012 is going to be all about kicking it up a notch: sticking to my budgets, paying extra towards my debt and fingers crossed getting rid of most of it! I'm already thinking of all the ways I can spend the extra $$ I'll have once I'm done with my debt.. which I'm not sure is a bad thing quite yet. :)

All seem pretty reasonable right? The point is to keep it simple. Little changes make a big difference and the BIG Goal: more balance.

Enjoy your Tuesday and Happy January!