travel

Friday Faves and Sunriver Resort, OR

Hello friends, and happy Friday.

Who else is with me in welcoming this change of seasons? Hopefully it will help us all literally turn a new leaf, including Mother Nature, who has been wrecking her wrath and like I said last week, leaving me to think she is truly trying to impress upon us the only way she knows how that change needs to be made and shaking us all up.

My heart goes out to all of those who are in the midst of the ravages nature has posed upon us, from Mexico to Texas, to the Caribbean. For those who are living through it, their loved ones who are worried how they’re doing it, and those who will help us all rebuild.

Signs like this make me realize how lucky I am. And also that I need to get earthquake insurance. Utah is primed for an earthquake and 80% of residents live along one of the most active earthquake areas in the U.S. called the Wasatch Fault, a 25 miles stretch along the mountains that has been designated as having the greatest earthquake risk in all of the interior of the Western United States. Oh hi. I LIVE RIGHT ON THE FAULT! YIKES! May I get my winner’s trophy please? (P.S. my geologist sister is beaming at my investigative knowledge right now!)

So while I love Utah, once Smudge is finished with high school, it might be time to find a new place to live. And after last weekend’s stay at Sunriver Resort, I think I may have found it and a few of this week’s Friday Faves.

continue to the recipe… about Friday Faves and Sunriver Resort, OR

New York City to the Hamptons 4-Day Retreat

If you’d have told me 10 years ago while I was working for “the man” that in just a few short years I would be my own boss and creating the community that FoodieCrush has become (thank you, thank you to all of you who are here!) I would have frozen in fear of leaving the traditional workforce and leaping into the unknown world of entrepreneurship.

But times change, and so did I.

Today, I thank my lucky stars each and every time I open my computer to work on the blog, hop onto Facebook, or scroll through Instagram for the opportunity to share recipes, swap stories, inspire and be inspired thanks to every one of the online connections we share.

Some people prefer the support of a co-working office situation. I prefer working on my own. And while some feel working from home to be an isolating job, surprisingly, it’s the exact reason I’ve created some amazing in real life relationships, thanks to the introductions made via this weird world of the webisphere.

Tips for a 4 Day Trip to NYC and The Hamptons

Last month I had the opportunity to meet up with a few of my blogging counterparts at a small retreat in New York City and then onto The Hamptons. Small retreats like these are a favorite component of my blogging business.continue to the recipe… about New York City to the Hamptons 4-Day Retreat

Food Bloggers’ Guide of Where to Eat in Salt Lake City, UT

Just minutes from summer’s outdoor adventure and winter’s world-class ski resorts with what is known world over as “The Greatest Snow On Earth”, Salt Lake City hasn’t relied solely on what mother nature has provided to feed the souls of local residents and worldwide visitors.

In this mountain city that just happens to border the desert, the restaurants and diners, bars and brewpubs, coffee shops and bakeries are just as vital to the local climate and lifestyle as skiing and biking and hiking in the towering Wasatch mountains of which the city is best known for.

As the epicenter of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints—aka the Mormons—Salt Lake City may be considered modest by some larger city’s standards.

Far from mundane or chaste, Salt Lake City’s original landscape was ripe with a convivial spirit, even boasting a stretch of what is now downtown’s Main Street as “Whiskey Street”, named by the founder of Salt Lake City himself, Brigham Young, where gentiles (including Mr. Young) were able to quench their thirst and enjoy in the revelry.

Today, that spirit for food and drink is alive and well and totally on point with those bigger locales thanks to award-winning craft breweries, nationally recognized 4-diamond restaurants, plus favorite local haunts that have stood the test of time.

Following are a few Salt Lake City standouts from local food bloggers, who are dining in and dining out, and always taking in the scene.

continue to the recipe… about Food Bloggers’ Guide of Where to Eat in Salt Lake City, UT

Food Bloggers’ Guide of Where to Eat in Chicago, IL

We think Frank Sinatra was onto something when he sang, “Chicago is my kind of town.” The Windy City, the latest spot in our where to eat city guide series is our kind of town as well.

With over 2.7 million residents, it’s the busiest city in the entire Midwest, but it somehow manages to feel less crowded and overwhelming than some of its other big city counterparts. Buzzing with culture, it’s known for its killer standup comedy (thank you Chi-town for giving us Tina Fey), jazz and blues clubs, and an array of contemporary art galleries. And that’s just half the appeal — Chicago is as beautiful as it is entertaining.

The scenic Chicago River runs right down the middle of the city, boasting stunning views of Lake Michigan, and one heck of a skyline (the first skyscraper in the world was built in Chicago). And you don’t have to venture far to enjoy the beach—there are over 20 beaches to lounge on when you need a break from all the hustle and bustle of the city.

If all that weren’t enough, Chicago is also home to a flourishing food scene, including a slew of diverse ethnic restaurants. From Greektown and Indo-Pak, to the authentic Mexican joints dotting Little Village and Pilsen, to the classic Chicago dog (found on just about any street corner), Chicago is an epicurean’s delight. Da Bears! The Cubbies! Deep-dish pizza! What else do you need?

We recently asked three food bloggers and proud Chicagoans about their favorite food joints in the Second City, and now we’re hungry to hop on a plane!

Ready to pack your bags?! Let’s take a tour of the FoodieCrush Guide to Where to Eat in Chicago.

continue to the recipe… about Food Bloggers’ Guide of Where to Eat in Chicago, IL

Friday Faves

Happy Friday to my friends of fall.

Yes, it’s true, fall has officially arrived. But by the look from my past weekend you’d never know it.

I’ll be getting into this week’s list of Friday Faves in just a minute, but first a little bit about last weekend’s, last of summer beach escape.

As a former resident of SoCal, even thought most would think it, I know that June and July aren’t the best summer months to vacation there. Nope. The insider secret is that September and October are always more stellar. The crowds have thinned, the ocean water is warm and you can still count on blissfully gorgeous days at the beach.

So last weekend we headed to Coronado Island for our annual pilgrimage. Actually our generous friends invite us every year to go with them to their condo and we happily oblige.continue to the recipe… about Friday Faves

travel

Friday Faves and Sunriver Resort, OR

New York City to the Hamptons 4-Day Retreat

Tips for a 4 Day Trip to NYC and The Hamptons

Food Bloggers’ Guide of Where to Eat in Salt Lake City, UT

Food Bloggers’ Guide of Where to Eat in Chicago, IL

Friday Faves

How to Make the Best Potato Salad

How to Make Classic Macaroni Salad

The Best Greek Chicken Marinade

Fresh and Easy Vietnamese Noodle Salad

Follow @foodiecrush on Instagram

5 Quick and Healthy No-Sweat Simple Meals