FINDING ARIZONA KITCHENS: PEANUT BUTTER PUPPY BISCUITS

When we adopted WInter 2 months ago I was shopping for dog treats and after reading the ingredients list I said to myself- I can make all this! So I went to my kitchen and started pulling ingredients. Now I’m back at it in the Finding Arizona Kitchen and sharing my recipe, but this time I’m cooking up biscuits for my biscuit. Here is a delicious treat for your dog- Peanut Butter Puppy Biscuits.

Ingredients:

• 1  C Coconut Flour

• 1/2 C Natural Peanut Butter

• 2  Lg Eggs

• 1/2 C Water  

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and begin to mix your ingredients.

2. Cream eggs, peanut butter and water together in a large mixing bowl.

3. Next add the coconut flour to make a dough.

4. Shape into balls all the same size and place them on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 20 (chewy) to 40 minutes (crispy). Depends on your dog’s preference and age on the texture of your biscuit.

5. Thoroughly cool before rewarding. Store in airtight container up to two weeks. Because this is a natural product with NO PRESERVATIVES you want to serve them fresh!

Let me know what you think, and how it turned out! Also if you are in the market for a new furry friend, remember to #AdoptDontShop. Check out the Adopt-a-Pet.com website to learn how you can sign up for alerts for certain breeds and areas to find your next best friend.

XoXo Britt

TAROT TIME

I have always been drawn to the metaphysical world. From Ouija boards to crystals to manifesting and meditating I find the mind so fascinating and all the connections we have to the universe. If I lost you in my woo woo words already then maybe this isn’t the post for you, but recently, I was called to cross the line and share my experience into this world.

A few weekends ago I attended a girl’s night event put on by Simple Jane Co. with a tarot card reading and after my session I was called to another one. For some, these cards maybe just pictures and words meaningless. I actually watched a reading from someone who was so closed minded to listening not only to others, but herself. It was so hard to watch and the energy needed to be cleared and the deck knocked before we could move on. But to others, these 15th century italian card cards showcase answers to the “Acana” or mysteries of life.

Tarot is not a fortune teller. Nothing is set in stone. I use it as a way to guide me and listen to who truly matters the most, myself. Often times noise disturbs our thoughts and ability to make decisions or accomplish goals so tarot, for me, allows me to quiet the mind and listen. Each card helps me focus on what is right in front of me.

CHOOSING A DECK

I always read a deck had to be gifted to you, but I was told you can be called to pick your own. For my half birthday I was gifted the Universal Tarot Deck and have found the cards easy for me to see and hear and the deck includes a breakdown of every card meaning for me to continue learning.

READING THE CARDS

First ask a question of what you need to hear, see, understand to the universe. Then, shuffle the cards and see what you are called to pull. First see what that card means to you. WIthout over thinking, what is the first thought this card brings. Next look at the symbols and what meanings they hold. Now apply those meaning to your own life and questions. Be open to insights and that the answers are not always right in front of you. Lastly, look up the meaning and how you can apply it to what you just unintentionally saw .

SPREADS AND REVERSALS

I’m not practicing this to be called for hire at your next party, but being aware of events in my life and creating a tarot spread to guide me has been something to look forward to. Pinterest has several spreads for moon cycles, calendars and many more events. There are spreads for past, present and future. There are spreads for mind, body and spirit. And although, I haven’t dabbled too much into spreads I am always aware of how the card is laid out. If it faces me or if it is in reverse. This has an enormous effect on the message and should be noticed.

CLEANSING AND JOURNALING

I make it a point to write down my cards in my planner everyday to notice any trends or reoccuring cards. I take my cards in my purse with me and pull my cards in all different places. I make sure every few days to sage and smudge my deck to clear the energy and create new space.

This is a new journey for me and I am learning everyday, but one thing I constantly remember is to be grateful. I am thankful for any guidance I receive in any and every way. My relationship with my deck will get stronger and I look forward to sharing with you my journey into all things new and obscure. Check out the links throughout this article to learn more about Tarot and when you are ready, pick up your own deck by clicking on the one above!

XoXo

Britt

PLANTING THE SEEDS

Time for an episode of This Old House with Brose. If you have been watching my weekend insta stories then you know we have been tackling a project every Saturday and Sunday. February, being a wet month, helped and hurt us in the home renno section. It helped because we were able to actually dig and get through the tough soil, but hurt because the rain soaked everything. But, overall, the month of February was dedicated to our front yard curb appeal Phase I: Winter Grass.

I'll be breaking down our step by step guide from hot mess to no stress when it comes to sprinklers, tilling, and seeding. All you need is an afternoon, a couple tools, and grit.

We purchased a tiller on Offer Up, which we highly recommend as homeowners on a budget. Why buy new when you can negotiate from someone who maybe only used what you need only one time? Grass seed, lawn food and a hand held spreader are reasonably priced and sprinkler heads are just a few bucks. We purchased one bag of rock and two bags of manure, but you can easily find for free on Craigslist and used our compost dirt from our own backyard to top top it all off!

After the materials were laid out we began the work. First, we removed all the weeds and pulled any current shrubs we wanted to move or remove.

PRO TIP: Any plants you don’t have a space for, replant in a large pot and save for later. It’s also great to have to mobility and flexibility of beautiful foliage.

Next, we mapped out the sprinkler system. We were fortunate to have purchased a home that already had it installed, but we had to replace the heads and make sure the pipes were level and had proper drainage. After hand digging around each head I added rocks and replaced with new heads. Jose began tilling the entire yard while I replanted our rose bushes for a more welcoming entryway.

PRO TIP: If you have a plant overgrown, like a succulent, dig out smaller plants and roots and replant indoor or outdoors. We turned one large agave into 6 smaller curb appeal plants lining the house.

Honestly, tools like the hand help spreader made seeding the grass effortless. We also did the research to get the proper seed that didn’t need to be aerated and also won’t just be bird feed. We purchased the Scotts Heat Tolerant Blue Mix Grass Seed. After spreading it we added grass food and manure. Then, we took our compost mixture from our backyard and spread all the throughout the mix.

Now we wait. Watering every 3 days in the winter and making sure the frost doesn’t kill us is our biggest struggle now, but we are literally just watching grass grow. Less than $100 and a weekend later we have the seeds planted for a beautiful front yard. Our next phase includes adding planters and pavers to really create that curb appeal. Stay tuned.

XoXo

Britt

THE DINNER PARTY SERIES

The dinner party series was a project started by Jose and I back in late 2018 as conscious effort to connect with some of our favorite people. As adults approaching 30, okay will be 30 this year, we wanted to create a get together in our new space once a month with a few of our favorite couples to catch up and, of course, gather over a delicious home-cooked meal. We believe connections made face to face, like dinner parties, are often priceless. Whether we are inviting new friends to meet up or renewing friendships the dinners we host are about so much more than eating.

No formal invitations or dress code is required. Table settings provided by local thrift store finds featuring antique coral plates and Ball Mason jars, Walmart flatware and World Market cactus linens finish it off. I always make sure to have a glass carafe filled with a seasonal fruit to flavor the water. The menu is usually catered to our guests, gathering inspiration from Joanna Gaines Magnolia Table Cookbook and of course some of my own personal favorite family recipes, which I’ll be sharing more throughout this blog, but we’ve all also gotten creative when it comes to diet requirements and restrictions. But you better believe we’re all sharing something sweet and savory by the end of the night.

No games no agenda we talk about what we want to talk about not what we have to talk about. We are raw, we are real we are just being adults. No kids, no pets, no stress we want to just get away mentally for a few hours and we invite you to join us.

As 2019 continues, so does the dinner party series. We have even extended the dinner party to a our book club for a collaboration that will be so much fun! But,  of course,  as you know we’re planning the ultimate dinner party for October 12. So whether you’re on the invite list for any of those, or not, we would love to gather over a delicious meal and just be real.

XoXo

Britt

LOVE LANGUAGES

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY! Everyone has an opinion about today and this post is not to share mine or give you tips to celebrate or boycott. This is about showing love every day of the year. February 14th is my parents anniversary, so on this day I honor their love, but why do you have to wait till 1 day a year to show those who matter the most to you. how much you care.

When I first heard of the concept of Love Languages I was intrigued. I love love and I love learning new languages or attempting to. But, Love Languages are things we already speak, but have selective hearing. This concept, written by Gary Chapman, assesses 5 different profiles of connecting with others. Each one of us resonates with dominate language, but its important to know the language of others so you are best heard.

Don’t worry, you dont HAVE to read the book. You can take a simple quiz. You can also take it for your child to really connect on every level with everyone. There are five languages and I will break them down. We show dominance in one over the others, but making note of your second and third languages are helpful too!

WHAT ARE THE LANGUAGES?

1. Physical Touch - Just like it sounds. It doesn’t have to be intimate, it is as simple as a high five or a pat on the back. This gentle nudge connects to that person on level they will appreciate and remember.

2. Acts Of Service - This is the old saying, “Actions speak louder than words.” You can tell someone you love them till you are blue in the face but DOING something for them speaks volumes. In my opinion it is the most high maintenance language because it requires planning and executing!

3. Words of Affirmation - For some, those words really to mean everything. Thinking of what to say and selflessly expressing it when it is needed vs when its asked for makes all the difference.

4. Receiving Gifts- This is NOT a spoiled language, in fact its the opposite. It is not the value of the gift that matters, but how the gift is valued.

5. Quality Time - Quality over quantity. You don’t have to spend hours with someone for it to count, but what are you two doing with the time. This shows you enjoy being together, just you.

My love language is gifts and Jose’s is physical touch. BUT it is important to take note: just because my love language is gifts and I love to give them I know they are not fully received as a language of love to Jose. He will appreciate them, but we would rather have a massage. And Vice Versa. He wants to show appreciation and hold my hand watching a movie on the couch, but I will use my other hand to eat the heart shaped Papa John’s Pizza he gifted us for dinner.

Take the quiz and comment bellow letting me know your language. You can also use this in business and life because everyone knows my favorite quote:

“Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care.” President Theodore Roosevelt / John C. Maxwell / DJBJ

XoXo

Britt

30 REASONS FOR MY BEST FRIEND'S 30TH

My best friend is 30 years young! WOW! We met in preschool and grew up side by side in the 619. Now we live 350 miles away, but it always still feels like she helps me conquer each and every day. Even though I cannot be with her to celebrate, I will be honoring this beautiful lady with 30 reasons why she is ah may zing!

Evelina, Happy Birthday!

1. You’re practically my sister.

2. We pick up where we leave off.

3. You’re always down.

4. You know all my secrets, we can never not be best friends.

5. You show how proud you are of my accomplishments.

6. Inside jokes for decades.

7. Trust +

8. Loyalty +

9. Love =

   THE INGREDIENTS THAT MAKE YOU UP.

10. You give the bet hugs.

11. Nothing we say is awkward.

12. We have the best time going nowhere.

13. We have the best time going everywhere..

14. You are the best listener.

15. You will always have my back and I will always have yours.

16. You know how to cheer me up when I am down.

17. You love me at my worst and best.

18. You’re always a phone call away.

19. You care about my family.

20. You give the best advice.

21. All we need is eye contact to communicate.

22. You believe I deserve the best and I believe you deserve the best.

23. Getting ready to go somewhere with you is just as fun as going there.

24. You will break all the rules for me #illegalday.

25. Nobody compares to you.

26. You love lazy days as much as me.

27. We can ride in silence, but you have the best taste in music.

28. We get through every awkward stage together.

29. You make me feel home, no matter where I am.

30. SECRET FOR BEST FRIEND TO REVEAL ONLY ! (UPDATE: SEE PHOTO BELLOW)

Here are just a FEW ridiculous photos I have around the house that have a special memory attached. Enjoy this beautiful day and many more to come bestfriend!

XoXo

Britt

KNOW PHOENIX: WE'RE ON THE RISE

Imagine a book featuring 100 of the most influential women making moves in your city! Well Sarah Benken imagined it a little over 1 year ago and when she sat down to record with the Finding Arizona Podcast about her business, Metro’s Other Woman (listen here) we wanted to promote, support and see to it her dream became a reality. In February of 2018 Volume I was launched and after meeting, connecting and conversing with these powerful women, Sarah asked me to be apart of Volume II.

Being in the “Tribe” is an honor, but also a responsibility. I decided to take on an On the RIse Women to Watch Page because our podcast is “On The Rise!” Our 9-5s are not the podcast, yet, but I know my connections in this organization will lift me by boosting others. Thankfully, the skills I have learned as a business owner have allowed me to practice being a tenacious producer in the media industry, but also keeping a student mentality.

We are more than a publication. This tribe was created to spark women relationships and cultivate growth by networking and getting outside of our industries and comfort zones. My favorite thing about the tribe is there are “No Mean GIrls Allowed.” To much of what we do is criticized and compared and this community is all about support and love!

Vol I and II have had a few guests of the podcast, but I look forward to establishing many more relationships and seeing what the future holds for our business through this publication and tribe. The events are amazing! The cocktail hour mixers have been spectacular from the food and drinks to the locations, the Know Tribe utilizes the resources within: For Us By Us. Also, I cannot wait for the conference! The first ever Know Summit will take place this April in Phoenix and we have so many amazing things planned for it!

Our launch party this year was in the Southwest Airlines Airplane Hanger at Phoenix Sky Harbor and we got 150 powerful women on the plane to celebrate! These photos were taken by Desert Peak Productions and you can see the full album here. The final photo was taken by MiMI Paris Photography for the AZ Foothills Magazine. You can see the entire album here.

So as I sit here finishing up my first hustle to go home to my second hustle I am wearing my Know Tribe 2019 rose quartz bracelet and excited to see what new opportunities bloom from the beautiful relationships. Watch out 2019, you are going to KNOW The Finding Arizona Podcast, were On the Rise, I am a Woman to Watch!

XoXo

Britt

The Know Tribe

FINDING ARIZONA KITCHENS: ZUPPA TOSCANA

Practicing my wifey skills in the kitchen I have learned to make a damn good soup! And once you master a skill you really see how far you can take it. I have done it you guys! I have recreated The Olive Garden’s Zuppa Toscana! And here it is- Print it and add to your recipe collection.

Ingredients:

• 1  Lb Ground Italian Sausage

• 3  Tbls Butter

• 2  Tbls Flour

• 2  C Milk

• 4  C Chicken Broth

• 3  Lg Potatoes Thinly Sliced

• 1  Bunch De-stemmed Kale

• Salt & Pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Get yourself a nice ground italian sausage meat. I like a spicy one and recommend getting fresh from a deli. Yes, I have made it with the Walmart meats, but there is a difference. After you brown the sausage remove from pan and leave the grease!

2. Melt butter in grease and whisk flour. We are making a ROUX people! Basically the best beginning to a gravy- flour and fat! This is an important step: cook flour a few minutes to remove flour taste, like 35 minutes on low heat.

3. Once the Roux is thick, add the milk 1 cup at a time. Wisk in with fork. (if you stop after 1 cup you have an amazing gravy and my family’s secret gravy recipe, so you are welcome). Add salt and pepper if desired. 

4. Next add the chicken broth. One cup at a time, stir until it reaches rolling boil. Re add the sausage.

5. While the broth is boiling up, slice potatoes into 1/8 - 1/4 inch add to boiling broth. Drop in slowly as not to splash and burn yourself.

6. While the papatoes cook, wash and de stem your kale. Once potatoes are fork tender (about 10- 15 minutes) add kale and lid stirring occasionally. Boil for 10 minutes to soften kale.

7. Serve it warm and feed 4-6 people. You can store leftovers for only a day if they last but also because the potatoes start getting mushy after day 2. There probably wont be left overs thought, js.

Let me know what you think, and how it turned out!

XoXo Britt

Copy of FINDING ARIZONA KITCHENS: ZUPPA TOSCANA

Practicing my wifey skills in the kitchen I have learned to make a damn good soup! And once you master a skill you really see how far you can take it. I have done it you guys! I have recreated The Olive Garden’s Zuppa Toscana! And here it is- Print it and add to your recipe collection.

Ingredients:

• 1  Lb Ground Italian Sausage

• 3  Tbls Butter

• 2  Tbls Flour

• 2  C Milk

• 4  C Chicken Broth

• 3  Lg Potatoes Thinly Sliced

• 1  Bunch De-stemmed Kale

• Salt & Pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Get yourself a nice ground italian sausage meat. I like a spicy one and recommend getting fresh from a deli. Yes, I have made it with the Walmart meats, but there is a difference. After you brown the sausage remove from pan and leave the grease!

2. Melt butter in grease and whisk flour. We are making a ROUX people! Basically the best beginning to a gravy- flour and fat! This is an important step: cook flour a few minutes to remove flour taste, like 35 minutes on low heat.

3. Once the Roux is thick, add the milk 1 cup at a time. Wisk in with fork. (if you stop after 1 cup you have an amazing gravy and my family’s secret gravy recipe, so you are welcome). Add salt and pepper if desired. 

4. Next add the chicken broth. One cup at a time, stir until it reaches rolling boil. Re add the sausage.

5. While the broth is boiling up, slice potatoes into 1/8 - 1/4 inch add to boiling broth. Drop in slowly as not to splash and burn yourself.

6. While the papatoes cook, wash and de stem your kale. Once potatoes are fork tender (about 10- 15 minutes) add kale and lid stirring occasionally. Boil for 10 minutes to soften kale.

7. Serve it warm and feed 4-6 people. You can store leftovers for only a day if they last but also because the potatoes start getting mushy after day 2. There probably wont be left overs thought, js.

Let me know what you think, and how it turned out!

XoXo Britt

SECOND SUNDAY FREE ART LIBRARY

Anyone that knows me knows that I like to know the 411 on all things FREE. From food, to events, to random contests I like to get involved, save, and, of course, share! One of our favorite places to adventure is the Phoenix Art Museum and this year they are partnering up with Discount Tire Co. to bring you free admission every second Sunday of the month.

We have been to the museum a handful of times, but this Sunday we watched the Chargers get spanked in the first half and decided to not bear the pain any longer and get out of the house. We drove down to the Phoenix Art Museum and joined the long line of families to take advantage of the first free Sunday of the year.

If you have yet to visit the Phoenix Art Museum here are 3 reasons why you should mark February 10, 2019 in your calendar to go check it out! FO FREE!

1. Learn Something Everyday!

Life is all about learning lessons every minute. One of our favorite questions to ask each other at the end of the night is “What did you learn today?” Going to the museum together allows us to learn about artists and the art history of our beautiful world. We love spending time on the third floor where specific installations capture all senses.

2. See Faces

We always run into a familiar face. In this small big world we live in getting out in the community gets you connected with people you can build a face to face relationship with. Whether it is a work college, a friend from school or a small business owner we love running into friendly faces out and about.

3. Break the Norm

Opposites attract because oddly enough I can spend hours staring at the European paintings of the 15th century imagining the time the piece was painted: where the artist drew inspiration from and how many eyes have admired this beauty over the centuries. Jose loves the Asian and American collections especially for their stunning artifacts. The detail and the story telling capture his attention.

To learn more about the Phoenix Art Museum please visit their website.

To learn more about the Discount Tire Free Family Sundays visit this website.

If you don’t live in or around Phoenix, be sure to check our your local museum and check around for any special event days!

XoXo

Britt