I’ve been MIA for quite awhile. I don’t have to say how odd this last year and a half has been and how it’s changed local events and the food scene. It also made it really difficult for me to feel creative or make time for it. I’m slowly getting back there. This is a step!

My favorite time of year is fall. I love all the traditions and coziness. Here are some of my ideas to live local this October:

Go see the changing leaves. I usually go up towards Kelly Canyon and walk about. It’s generally where I get a favorite family photo.

Go grab a to go coffee and walk around the Green Belt. Villa Coffeehouse is always delicious option.

Watch a fun seasonal movie. The Colonial Theater usually puts on a couple showings of fun Halloween movies. We were able to bundle up to see Adam’s Family 2 at the Motor Vu drive in which was fun.

Go grab some pumpkins at U-pick and carve them! This year we had my mom and little brother stating with us and it was really fun to share this tradition with them.

Get soup belly from a new favorite of ours Hokkaido Ramen House. My go to is the Tantanmen ramen. It has a really rich ginger and sesame broth, tender noodles, and salty pieces of pork on top. It all comes together so well!

We attended the masquerade and murder mystery event at the Idaho Falls Zoo this weekend. It was such a good time! They had drinks and delicious appetizers to enjoy while solving the mystery. I didn’t think you could do a party like that with 30 or so people, but it really worked! After the mystery we walked around and enjoyed the lights in the zoo. Highly recommend trying one of these events the next time it comes around!

I’m looking forward to checking out the ghost tours offered by the Museum of Idaho this year. We’ve done this tour in the past and it’s been a lot of fun.

Also, it wouldn’t be a celebration without Diablas in the mix! Diablas is hosting a Halloween Carnival brunch this year and I definitely don’t want to miss that.

I’m still catching up on trying some of the new places that are opening, but am looking forward to trying Mama Fla and the Cuban Table. Comment and share any of the places you’re looking forward to trying!

I’m sure I’ll also spend a lot of time reading and baking/cooking this month. I am doing #fantasyfall and reading a bunch of fantasy books. I’m really enjoying The Court of Thorns and Roses series. This time of year is also the best for cooking, because of all the yummy comfort foods.

Hope you all have a great month and find some ways to live local this October!

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately, especially with the recent stay at home order from Governor Little. At first COVID wasn’t feeling like reality, but as events continued to cancel, stores sold out of necessities, and avoiding public areas became a priority it felt realer and realer.

However, local businesses still need our support! It is never easy to be a small business owner, and these days it’s even more of a challenge.

Here are some ideas to help support local businesses while taking some precautions to keep you, your family, and community safe.

Want to eat out?

Although, dining rooms are closed, many restaurants are seeking to bring in profits through curbside and delivery. Check your favorite local restaurants to see what they are currently offering, and remember to TIP WELL! Many in our restaurant community are struggling through this new climate and every bit helps.

Here are a few of my favorite local restaurants offering curbside/delivery:

• The Villa Coffeehouse
• Jakers
• Diablas Kitchen
• Scotty’s Drive In
• 1 Fine Cafe
• Abracadabra’s (is selling bulk items)
• Papa Tom’s
• Sandwich Tree

Need groceries?

Use the delivery options available at Broulim’s and Reed’s Dairy (currently offering a free gift to new home delivery customers!).

Buy gift cards and use them later

Get moving with online classes

These businesses are holding virtual classes Idaho Yoga Co-op, Ashley Curry Zumba, and Motion Dance Academy.

Make your retail therapy local

These businesses have online stores Bear & Blue, Chesbro (currently building their online store), and Healing Hands.

Most importantly! Remember to take care of yourself. I have been doing more yoga, meditation, talking lots of walks, and playing Animal Crossing. This is vital for managing my mood doing these crazy times. I hope you all are finding ways to relieve stress too. Can’t wait to see you all out and about when we are on the other side of this.

We are smack dab in the middle of winter. It’s crazy how much snow we’ve gotten this January. Snow is not always my favorite thing, but I am sincerely trying to celebrate all the things that I do love about the season. I don’t want to feel grumpy for what in Idaho feels like a realllly long season. Here is my list of things to do to make the winter feel a little more friendly if you aren’t a big winter person (if you are HOW!?):

Winter Tips:

• Put up lights on the outside of your house and fill the inside with twinkle lights. You should def have a Joyce from Stranger Things vibe by literally holding a ball of lights and screaming any questions you might have at it.

• For the most part going out to eat loses some of it’s flair. It’s pitch black now at dinner time. Take this as an opportunity to cook more at home and knock the socks off of your family and friends.
• However, you should still make a reservation at Diabla’s for one of their holiday dinners and any upcoming theme dinners. They book fast!!

• Bake. One of the best ways to enjoy winter is to consume so many baked goods that you put on some extra weight for warmth and cuddle-ability.

• Try a new game or get a puzzle. Weebee Toys is sure to have something delightful. Then host a board game/puzzle night!
• Try a new winter cocktail. Anything with Crown Apple is going to be festive AF
• Go somewhere especially wintery. I like going to Jackson for a weekend. It is so full of snow and expensive outdoor equipment stores. Bonus if you stay in a cabin!

• Light your fireplace or find somewhere with a fireplace and curl up with a good book. I’m thinking about re-reading The Golden Compass series, because His Dark Materials is on HBO and it is SO GOOD.
• Shop small for the holiday! Better yet make some homemade gifts. I think they are the best.
• Try a new craft or hobby. Maybe something indoors that you can do during those dark and cold evenings. Knitting? Baking tarts? Something involving wood? The sky is the limit!

• Celebrate or make a new tradition. I love making some of my Grandma’s favorite recipes.
• Go see lots of Christmas lights. My favorite is probably the Christmas light show in Iona (bring cocoa) or the Christmas village in Ogden (bring cocoa).

• Watch lots of Christmas movies and pair fun treats with them. Also rewatch all the Harry Potter movies, because you have the time.
• Still go on walks.
• Make your house smell yummy. I love cranberry, cinnamon, any additional spices.
• Watch falling snow. It is absolutely beautiful. No matter your feelings about the winter.
• Make mulled wine
• Go to Winter Brew
• Try this hot chocolate recipe
• Go out to Labelle Lake Ice Palace. I saw this for the first time this year and loved it!

• Try this recipe. Bonus: I can make fresh pasta now 😍
• Embrace all the glittery over-the-topness of the season

Oh my! Fall is here, baby! I absolutely love the fall. So, many good things like not caring about shaving my legs anymore and wearing the comfiest clothes, PSL (I don’t even care about how basic that might be. They are DELICIOUS), changing leaves, and spending lots of time cuddled up indoors.

Here is a list of my must do activities for living local this Fall:

• Take a picture with a pumpkin, of a pumpkin, or dressed as a pumpkin. The perfect place to do this is U-Pick Red Barn. We go every year! Then take it home and carve it! You can also take those delicious seeds and make something like this. I love the spicy ones!

• Host a Halloween party. We have an annual themed party/martini competition and it’s always so much fun.
• Watch something creepy even though you’d prefer not to, but your “friends” keep pressuring you into it. Then be scared to go to the bathroom alone for awhile. IT chapter 2, anyone? 😭
• Bake. Fall is the best time to bake. Cinnamon, nutmeg, apples, pumpkin! Bring it on.
• Wander through a corn maze.
• Read something spooky. I just bought “The Graveyard Book” by Neil Gaiman and can’t wait to get started.
• Go to Fall Brew downtown
• Go to Oktoberfest downtown
• Go see the changing leaves and bring something delicious and warm to drink. Get your next family photo!

• Knit/crochet yourself and your sweeties awesome hats or scarves.
• Make soup. I’m thinking this is the next one on my list!
• More Fall walks

• Check out Pumpkin Nights in SLC. I had a blast! The pumpkin sculptures are ridiculous and I drank a butterbeer and took a picture with a live owl. So worth!!

• Go on the Ghost Tour of Idaho Falls. We had an amazing time on this tour! Be sure to book early as we get closer to Halloween. They sell out quick.

• Try a new Thanksgiving recipe and blow your family away. I’m thinking I will do croissants, but I need to start training my shoulders first 😂 I almost died the last time I had to roll out that dough…
• Think about things you are grateful for and maybe do that during all seasons.
• Chai all day. In my opinion chai is not getting enough attention. Where are the chai oreos, cereal, etc!? Here is one of my go to chai recipes.
• Stockpile away all your beautiful, sunshiney summer memories for when you are vitamin D deficient.

Do you live a little local?

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Summer is here and in a big way! We have finally made it to consistent high 80’s and 90’s, which after a recent trip to Phoenix I am actually feeling grateful for. I am definitely a person who enjoys avoiding the heat, but I do have a love for a lot of summer activities. So, I decided to write another checklist. I had a lot of fun writing my spring checklist. It was really great considering ways to celebrate the season.

Here is my list to help you squeeze the most out of your summer!

• Go on lots of walks with my pup, Willow (Especially now that she isn’t a fool on her leash all the time thanks to Scotch Pines Dog Training!!)
• Eat all the ice cream
• See the fireworks show at Snake River Landing
• Go listen to the live music happening outdoors all summer ( My favorite is the Live United concert series)
• Shave ice ( I really dig the Tiki Hut off of 25th)
• Try something new ( I’m taking Hip Hop and Latin classes with Kenia at Motion Dance Academy 🙂 )
• Ride my bike everrrrrywhere
• Go on a hike (Last year we went up around the Palisades area)
• Go camping
• Make some of my go to summer recipes

Mexican Street Corn Nachos

Knock Ya Naked Margaritas That’s what my mom calls them! 😂 We sub the water for 7-up and it gives it a lil somethin extra.

• Try this boozie popsicle recipe
• Cook something over a fire This is such a cool idea!
• Watch a movie outside
• Drink on a patio ( Tap N Fill after a bike ride or Sandpiper where I can people watch near the river are my faves)
• Eat some delicious BBQ
• Stroll at the farmer’s market
• Get my tickets to see The Offspring at the Eastern Idaho State Fair
• Go on a roadtrip
• Go to a festival ( We are going to Reggae Rise Up in Heber City, UT in August!)
• Keep my lawn alive! Luckily, I have found The Yard Butler to help me out this summer.
• Date nights downtown. Downtown is perfect for date nights! My husband and I like to ride our bikes down grab dinner at any of the wonderful restaurants, go to a movie at Centre Twin theater, and then grab a drink or ice cream at Pop’s!
• Move my bod outside (Have you checked out Ashley Curry’s Zumba on the pier? You should!!)
• Reread Wild. It’s the perfect summer-time read full of adventure and self-discovery.

I hope you all have an incredible summer and make tons of memories!

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The Best of Summer series is meant to celebrate some of my very favorite summer-time eats.

BBQ is something that is synonymous with summer for me. One of my favorite traditions is starting up the grill, pouring something cold, and having a home-cooked meal outside. Even better though is visiting folks that have the BBQed meat thing down to a science!

For Best of Summer BBQ we visited almost every BBQ joint we could find in Eastern ID, so we could do the “hard work” of trying them out and let you know where you should go the next time the pang for BBQ sauce hits!

Idaho Falls

Grandpa’s Southern BBQ

2 out of 5

Grandpa’s BBQ definitely provides an at home kind of vibe. The restaurant is comfortable and feels like you are visiting a friend. The service is very friendly and attentive.

The food is filling and homestyle . I ordered the pulled pork sandwich with mac and cheese, and my husband had the brisket and beans. We couldn’t leave without trying the peach cobbler too!

All in all, my favorite dish was probably the baked beans. They were delicious!

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1540 W. Broadway St.

Idaho Falls

Grandpa’s BBQ

Pitmaster BBQ

4 out of 5

Pitmaster is more of a fast-food style BBQ, but the quality of the food does not suffer at all from this!

The food is flavorful and what I refer to as “Summer-time Comfort Food”. I ordered the Baxter sandwich, a pulled pork sammy with provolone, onion rings, and coleslaw. My husband ordered Rob’s Special, a brisket sandwich with provolone and onion rings.

My favorite thing about Pitmaster is that everything packs delicious flavor. I love their options of BBQ sauce (honey bourbon, spicy, competition).

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1305 Fremont Ave

Idaho Falls

For other locations and additional information.

Rexburg

Blister’s BBQ

3 out of 5

Blister’s is found in a small gas station in Rexburg. This threw me for awhile as my husband and I circled around trying to find it assuming that Google was broken. There isn’t much space to stay and eat here, but that didn’t seem to bother the locals. Most tables were filled.

I had the Pulled Pork sandwich with fries, and my husband had the Brisket sandwich. You can order a sweet or vinegar sauce for the pork and I tried the sweet.

I thought everything was good, but it wasn’t my favorite. I didn’t really like the atmosphere, and the BBQ wasn’t enough my style to warrant going back.

15 N 12th W

Rexburg

Blister’s BBQ

The Hickory

4 out of 5

Summer is quickly leaving us and everyone needs an alternative to grilling in the freezing cold and snow to satisfy their BBQ cravings. I was told about The Hickory and decided to put it to the test. They definitely passed.

Being my first time there, I obviously had to order ribs. It’s all about the sauce, right? I was not disappointed. They were delicious! The meat was fall-off-the-bone tender and the sauce was the perfect amount of sweet with a hint of pepper. The deliciousness didn’t stop at the ribs. It continued with the hand-cut fries. They are everything you could hope for in fries and are especially wonderful dipped in their tasty fry sauce.

All in all, The Hickory was scrumptious and satisfying. It’s definitely one solution to those winter BBQ cravings and something you’ll have to try for yourself!

485 N 2nd E

Rexburg

The Hickory

Blackfoot

Smokin’ Gun BBQ

4 out of 5

Smokin’ Gun is right across from Blackfoot High School, which means it is close to the football, baseball, softball, and soccer fields! It is very easy to order to go, which makes perfect to take along with as you enjoy your kids’ games.

It is named Smokin’ for a reason – this BBQ has a distinct smoked beef flavor. They have a nice variety of sandwiches – mine was the Razor Back with pork, bacon, and coleslaw! I’m a “sides” kind of person, so what I loved most and what easily brought it to a 4 rating was the fresh cut French fries with fry sauce. YUM! Also, the fresh coleslaw – creamy or vinegar.

This place has a deli-type feel because the kitchen is open for you to watch them cook! This helps give it a friendly local feel. There is a bigger room for more privacy if you want some distance from the kitchen. Staff was friendly and helpful.

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544 E Walker St

Blackfoot

Smokin’ Gun BBQ

Victor

Big Hole BBQ

4 out of 5

This is a wonderful little stop off the side of Center street coming into Victor. There are places to eat outside and some upper level dining which is really cool.

I had some pulled pork and brisket sliders, and my husband had a brisket quesadilla. Everything was delicious and the BBQ sauce was amazing.

The service was friendly and attentive, the atmosphere was beautiful outside, and the food didn’t disappoint.

22 W Center St

Victor

For more locations and other information.

What are your favorite BBQ joints?

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Recently I had the pleasure of attending a Scotch Pines obedience class. It is a 9 week course that covers everything from sit to off-leash exercises around a live goat!

I really enjoyed the trainer, Sarah Crozier, who was incredibly knowledgeable and easy to work with.

The class was definitely a challenge. Our pup is a year old hound/collie/shepard mix, so high-energy is her game! But with all the practice and awesome training advice from Sarah we have actually been able to walk her on a leash without constant pulling! It’s truly amazing considering where we started (my arm felt like it might fall off).

Scotch Pines class gives you the tools and the help that you need to successfully train your dog. I am so happy that I took our pup Willow there and plan on stopping by again to keep up with the progress we made.

Check out Scotch Pines on Facebook to know when their next classes are and get any information you need to enroll.

With social distancing, spring this year is a little…weird. The things I would normally do need some working around to make happen. I wanted to update my list to share things that you can do to bring some extra joy to your springtime and support our amazing local businesses.

Here are some of my favorite ways to celebrate the spring time:

• Go on tons of walks especially those that include ice cream or coffee. I definitely love going to the Greenbelt. Pop’s Ice Cream is near there and so is Villa and City Bagels. However, Community Park is really lovely too and Reed’s is over that way. Also, I really want to try the gelato at Manwaring Cheese.

• Spring clean your casa! With all the extra time in your house spring cleaning is an excellent way to make you feel productive or just make the space your in more enjoyable.
• Save your items and donate things you aren’t using anymore. Your home will thank you for it!
• Plant something. Sunnyside Gardens is bound to have what you need. I’ve been getting a lot of joy from caring for my indoor garden 🙂

• Try some seasonal recipes. Here are some on my mind:
  • Spring Cheesecake Cake
  • Creamy Spring Tortellini with Peas, Asparagus, and Bacon
• Go somewhere new! A couple new places that I want to visit are:
  • Pie Hole downtown
  • Burger Theory
• Read: I am rereading the Redwall series right now and it’s perfect. The feasts described in these books are mouth-watering. You need to get the Redwall cookbook too! These books might be possible to find at The Book Shelf.
• Plan your summer vacation. Thinking about future plans, in which life feels normal again is really important! I am dreaming about my trip to see Weezer, Green Day, and Fall Out Boy in CO this summer. Talk about nostalgia!
• Upgrade your bike and decrease your footprint while toning those calves, yo. I’m planning on getting a new bike from Dave’s this summer!

• Try a new look. I am thinking about adding some rose gold and chopping this mane. I love Urban Nook for this! I am really excited for salons to be open again…
• Get your mama something nice. She deserves it! Love at First Bite has some great gifts for Mother’s Day.
• Soak up as much sun as possible. This has been saving me with all the covid craziness. Get it wherever/whenever you can.
• Be kind to yourself and everyone else. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to be doing all the things or be the most successful at home. Take it day by day. Some days you are going to bake some sourdough bread and work on your YA dystopian novel about covid times. Other days you are going to be like a human hot dog on the couch all day watching as much TLC as humanly possible. Both are fine.

Hope you all have a wonderful spring! Can’t wait to see you all out and about sometime 🙂

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When I saw that the old Pachanga’s building was open downtown, I was so excited to see who would take it. Crossing my fingers that it would be a new restaurant. My wish was granted and in such a wonderful way!

Cardamom is such a lovely addition to downtown Idaho Falls, and I am so glad they are here.

Rating: (on a 0-5 scale, 0 not so great-5 Out of this WORLD!)

Over-all Tastiness: 5

Atmosphere: 5

Experience:5

TASTE:

I had the butter chicken, house salad, and a syrah. Everything was absolutely delicious. The salad had a tasty saffron and poppy seed dressing. The butter chicken was the perfect combination of mild sweetness and savory which paired perfectly with the fluffy basmati rice. I can not even wait until their naan oven is prepped and I can start on that!

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ATMOSPHERE:

I love this restaurant’s vibe. The walls are cream and all the tables and chairs are a deep walnut. The tables are set beautifully, the lighting is gorgeous, and the bar is so approachable. It’s one of those places that you want to eat slower just to hang out longer. You must see it for yourself.

EXPERIENCE:

They have such helpful and attentive service. The servers were so friendly and seemed to be very excited to be part of it.

It was so nice to see Cardamom in these beginning stages, because I know it is just going to get better and better as it grows. I am happy to have this new addition to downtown Idaho Falls!

Stop in and wish Cardamom a warm welcome. You’ll definitely be glad that you did!

Cardamom

501 Park Ave

Idaho Falls

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I grew up in Blackfoot, so “The Fair” has always been a big part of my end of summer activities.

I really loved going as a kid. We had early days off from school and spending all afternoon into the evening eating buttery scones, drinking limeades, and being peer-pressured into getting on rides was a way I made lots of memories.

My favorite thing to do at the EISF is eat. I mean what else would it be! So I am sharing with you my TOP 5 favorite fair foods in no particular order.

1. Dutch oven food from Let’s Go Dutch

The dinner plate from Let’s Go Dutch is a no brainer. It includes BBQ chicken, cheesy potatoes with or without jalapenos (WITH!), and green beans. I think the only time during the year where I am blessed with dutch oven food is during the fair, and IT’S SO GOOD. It also helps that it doesn’t make you feel as junky as most of the other things you will come into contact with at the fair!

2. Scone Nuggets from Kiwanis Club

Scone nuggets are so closely tied to all my fair experiences. It was always tradition to have them and for good reason. They are DA BOMB. Pieces of sweet dough covered in cinnamon sugar and dripping with honey butter. Ain’t nothin better than that!

3. Literally Anything from Fresh Lime

I remember blowing most my money at this booth when I was younger. I was hooked on those cherry limeades! I still love the fruity beverages that Fresh Lime serves up and it is a fair MUST.

4. Funnel Cakes from Snappy’s Funnel Cakes

Fried dough, sugar, and covered in fruit. What could go wrong with that!? My favorite funnel cake booth is across from Let’s Go Dutch. They have strawberry, peach, mixed berry, etc. funnel cakes, and you can get them with a side of whipped cream or ice cream. YUM!

5. Teriyaki Bowls from Good Wok

Definitely one of my fair go tos! The chicken teriyaki bowl is always delicious, and the service is so friendly!

Only picking five fair foods is so hard! There are so many others that I enjoy and others that I haven’t even tried yet (like those turkey legs!). I am especially excited to check out the new ice cream baked potato and peach churro donuts. Photos to come!

What is your go to fair food?

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Keep up with the Eastern Idaho State Fair.

Do you live a little local?

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Make sure to follow Live a Little Local on Facebook and Instagram (livealittlelocal) to keep up with fun things going on in our community!