carmel

My Summer Bucket List Update

0 · Aug 7, 2017 · 1 Comment

Ever since I was in middle school, I have made a bucket list filled with adventures, restaurants, little things and big things to check off each summer. This year I wanted to be sure to experience all that I could in Indy. I was scrolling through my iPhone photos the other day and was smiling because of all the fun I have had crossing off my bucket list this year. I have a few things left, but here’s a update on what I’ve been up to this summer.

Make shakshuka.

This is one of my favorite new recipes! The North African-inspired dish has a tomato sauce base with onions, peppers, paprika and cumin. You cook the eggs right in the tomato sauce and serve with crusty bread. Have it for breakfast, lunch or dinner, but don’t forget to snap a picture when it’s garnished with tons of fresh cilantro. Isn’t it stunning?

Walk to the famer’s market every Saturday.

The best way to start a Saturday! Here is my blog post about five reasons I love the farmer’s market. I have been lucky enough to live about a mile away from the Carmel, Indiana farmer’s market this summer and love picking up fresh produce that inspires my meals for the rest of the week.

Take a road trip somewhere.

One Sunday night, my uncle Timmy called to say hello and he said they were pulling in the city of Chicago on a family road trip! It’s a quick three hour drive away from Indy, so I took off the afternoon off work the next day and drove up to meet them in the city. We walked around and went to a Cubs game that night! The spontaneity was the best part and I loved exploring the city with them for the evening.

Then a few weeks later I went to Dallas for a work conference and my friends and I got to fly in early and take a road trip to Waco, Texas. We visited Magnolia Market at the Silos (read my post about it here) and I got the biggest surprise: my dad, step-mom and cousin surprised me for my birthday! Magnolia Market and the Silos Baking Co. were an absolute dream – exactly like it looks on Fixer Upper.

Get my nose pierced with a tiny stud (!!!)

I have been wanting a nose piercing for years and years so I finally decided now was the time to do it! I am obsessed with my little stud and I am so glad I finally did it. My friend Danielle snapped this photo in the moment of the piercing and I think it’s hilarious! It didn’t hurt that bad, it just makes your eyes water like crazy.

Go to an Indianapolis Indians Game.

My friends Melinda and Sean have a Jeep, so Sean took the top off the car one evening and we cruised downtown to the Indian’s baseball game on a perfect summer night. Hot dogs, beers, good company and gorgeous weather – what a blast!

Try Nicey Treat Popsicles in Broad Ripple.

Nicey has been on my list since I moved to Indy two years ago! Their popsicles, like Mexican paletas, are handmade all-natural ingredients and they have a big rotating list of unique flavors. This avocado one was amazing – creamy and naturally sweet all at once!

Go to an outdoor concert at the Rathskeller.

The Rathskeller is a German beer hall in the heart of downtown. It’s the perfect spot to listen to a live bands on Saturdays, enjoy some German beer and dance with friends. One night, a group of friends and I went to one of their concerts and the weather couldn’t have been more perfect for outdoor music!

Walk down the Monon Trail to Bub’s Cafe for burgers and milkshakes, Soho Cafe & Gallery and Union Brewing Company.

Union Brewing Company is a cool little spot along the monon trail in Carmel. It’s casual with tables and chairs outside, but it feels like the neighborhood spot I would visit over and over again. Soho is a coffee shop right next door and Bub’s is a burger spot right along the path to both of these spots. I loved being able to walk somewhere for coffee, after work beers or ice cream on a summer evening!

Eat pie at Locally Grown Gardens in Broad Ripple.

Indiana sugar cream pie is absolutely my new favorite pie. It’s exactly what it sounds like – creamy, sugary, kind of shortbread cookie dough tasting. It’s luxurious and decadent, but light and summery at the same time. Locally Grown Gardens is one of my favorite spots in Indy now and I would recommend it to anyone!

Here’s what’s left to do…

Get to 3,000 followers on Instagram (Help me out here!)

Check off these restaurants from my list: Public Greens, Festiva and ~~Black Market.~~

Read Judy Blume’s book In the Unlikely Event.

Catch up with more family and friends on the phone. (Ongoing!)

Celebrate more food holidays. (Any and every opportunity!)

What’s on your summer bucket list? Share with me in the comments below!

Love food. Love self. Love life.
Gabriela

Five Reasons I Love the Farmer’s Market

0 · Jul 6, 2017 · Leave a Comment

Ever since the start of summer, one of my favorite things to do on a Saturday morning is wake up to the sunshine, mix up a quick iced coffee, lace up my Converse and walk to the farmer’s market. I used to love sleeping in on Saturdays, but there is something about waking up when the grass is still dewey and the morning light still has that glow to it. It was on my summer bucket list to go to the market every Saturday, and so far I’m making great progress. Here are my favorite parts about the market and a few tips I’ve learned.

Talking with the Farmers

If you are able to get to the market on the earlier end when it first opens, I highly recommend it. Before the rest of the crowds roll in, the market is calm and you can talk to the farmers about their products. Visit with them, ask their opinion and always follow their recommendations! They know what produce tastes the best, what are a hit or what you could to do prepare them.

Catching up on Podcasts

On my walk to the market, I listen to a few episodes of podcasts and people watch. My go-to podcasts right now are Side Hustle School and Jenna’ Kutcher’s Goal Digger podcast. They are both super entrepreneurial-based and fire me up with ideas while I walk.

The most gorgeous sunflowers at the market each week.

Grab Lunch for Later

Because I am such a morning person, I love to have my regular breakfast when I get back from the market. Yogurt, granola, fruit and a slice of peanut butter toast go with with a second cup of coffee. A few hours later after my relaxation and Food Network watching, I like to warm up something for lunch that I found at the market. Last week at the Carmel farmer’s market I got some tamales and they were so good! This weekend I’m eyeing Rosie’s barbecue.

Spend Less at the Grocery Store

One thing my weekly trips have gotten me thinking about is how to spend less time and money at the grocery store. You all know I love Trader Joe’s, but it’s no secret their produce is not always prime. Now I’ve been able to cut down my visits to only getting the essentials that I can pair with fresh produce from the market!

The sweetest “ugly tomatoes.” They were absolutely scrumptious on the inside, despite their not-so-perfect exterior.

A Whole New Look at Produce

Remember the Instagram story I filmed about the “ugly tomatoes?” I found these huge cartons of tomatoes you could buy for only $5 because they were not as pretty as the perfectly round unblemished ones next to them. I love how the produce is REAL at the market. The tomatoes are not perfect, the lettuce is still in big full leaves on the head, fresh garlic has the green tops still growing on it and the berries are not super sized. Shopping seasonably reveals the true beauty of produce that was meant to be grown during this specific time of year for a reason.

A Few Tips

Make your own iced coffee in a tumbler to bring with you. It will save you a few dollars that you can use for produce instead! (Try this Trader Joe’s cold brew concentrate that I’m loving.) Be sure to bring reusable grocery bags or a beach tote to save from carrying plastic bags from each vendor. Wear sunglasses or a hat and sunscreen because it’s always sunnier than you think it will be! Bring cash so you can make quick transactions. And the #1 tip: do a circle around all the vendors before you start buying – you won’t have buyers remorse that way and you can see what inspires you!

Here I am with Liz Biro, a food writer from the IndyStar. She is a very influential in the food scene in Indy and it has been a privilege getting to know her.

What are you doing this Saturday morning? Do a quick search and see if there is a farmer’s market you can drive to or, even better yet, walk to! Even if you don’t purchase anything, it’s a simple way to get morning exercise, enjoy the fresh summer air and explore your city. If you have any questions about shopping at the market, send me a Tweet!

Love food. Love self. Love life.
Gabriela

Saturday Farmer’s Market

0 · Jul 14, 2015 · 1 Comment

Indiana is surprising me more and more every week. I’m finding gems that are making me swoon for the mid-west. Last weekend, my friends and I went to the Carmel Farmer’s Market. The town is about north of Indianapolis and more of the suburbs. Not only is the name adorable – I mean come on, it’s named after candy! – but it’s so quaint. The downtown area has boutiques and public art. The residents are the cutest young families. The houses have gardens and are painted pastel colors.

This farmer’s market is behind the Palladium, this stunning building that houses the Center for the Performing Arts. Green grass, blue skies and warm sunshine painted the perfect scene for us while we walked around scoping the produce, drinking iced coffee and eating donuts. My hands were full and my stomach was happy. What more can I ask for?

I’m searching for just the right way to use the sweet corn, zucchini, squash and onion I bought. I want to preserve the natural flavor of the produce because it’s so dang fresh. And with most meals in the summer, I’m hoping to spend as little time in the kitchen so I can savor the beautiful weather. If I can make my way down to our community grill, I may grill up the corn with some turkey burgers this week. The zucchini, squash and onions may get tossed in the oven for roasting so I can drink a glass of wine on the patio while I wait.

I think this farmer’s market is going to have to become a weekend tradition for the next few weeks of summer. Next time I think I’ll snag some heirloom tomatoes for a caprese salad and some cherries to eat by the pool. What are your favorite farmer’s market finds?

Love food. Love self. Love life.
Gabriela