Everyday

Yeah That Greenville

A Trip To South Carolina with Garden & Gun Magazine
May 17, 2018
Story By: Mandy Kellogg Rye
Filed Under > Everyday

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Recently I had the opportunity to head back to one of my favorite cities, Greenville, with one of my favorite magazines, Garden and Gun. On our agenda; eat, drink, and see my way through the city in two short days.  Which proved to be harder than I had anticipated.

If you’ve never been to Greenville, South Carolina you’re missing out.  Located a short drive from Atlanta; Greenville is a small but mighty city.  Mighty in the sense of activities, culture, shopping, food and drinks.  While Greenville is a place I escape to a few times each year I’m always shocked by how it’s constantly changing and evolving.  I swear I was just there a few months ago and half of the restaurants that I went to this go-round weren’t even there last time.  Case in point, Husk.

I’d been to Husk in Charleston and loved it, so I couldn’t wait to see what spin Husk brought to Greenville. And Husk did not disappoint. Led by James Beard Award-winning Chef Sean Brock, Husk’s Greenville location reinterprets the bounty of the surrounding area, exploring an ingredient-driven cuisine that begins in the rediscovery of heirloom products and redefines what it means to cook and eat in Greenville. The menu was completely unique and true to it’s location and I foresee it having a long life in this highly food-driven city.

I also had an opportunity to hit up other parts of town that I hadn’t seen last time. I spent an entire day in West Greenville where I checked out The Village Grind, Anchorage, GBD, and Kuka.  All three are places I highly recommend next time you’re in town.  At the Village Grind try a Methodical coffee with lavender. At GB&D you must get the flat iron steak and mac and cheese. The entire menu is order worthy at Anchorage. And definitely pick up a few juices at Kuka. I loved the Cocoa Loca and the Green with Envy. 

I also spent some time over in Traveler’s Rest where I devoured crepes for breakfast at Tandem Creperie & Coffeehouse and pizza from Sidewall Pizza for lunch.

Lastly, I spent some quality time downtown taking advantage of the views with drinks at Up On The Roof, and grabbed a great cheese plate, salad and a few bottles of wine at Caviar & Bananas.

All in all, Greenville did not disappoint, as it never does. And I’m already planning a trip back there this summer.  Make sure to check out the story over on Garden & Gun Magazine, and let me know in the comments what you love about Greenville!  Truly, MKR

Photography, Kathryn McCrary | This post is sponsored by Garden & Gun Magazine and the city of Greenville.  Opinions and images are 100% my own.

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What I’m Reading: Vegetarian & Vegan Cookbooks

7 Vegetarian Cookbooks to consider adding to your collection...even if you're not a vegetarian
March 14, 2018
Story By: Mandy Kellogg Rye
Filed Under > Everyday

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The best vegetarian and vegan cookbooks

The Vegan Pantry, The Better Bean Cookbook, Superfood Soups, Vegetarian Tagines & Couscous, Deliciously Dairy Free, The Oh She Glows Cookbook, The Vegetable Literacy

8 years ago, I embarked on the journey of becoming a full-time vegetarian, part-time vegan.  And that journey all started with a book, The Kind Diet, and a movie, Food, Inc. 

During my 7 years of being vegetarian the number one question I received was, “what do you eat?” This always baffled me, because I NEVER felt like I didn’t have options at restaurants or recipes to make at home.  And to answer the question you’re probably thinking…no I did not eat a lot of salads.  In fact I’d say I only ate 1 or 2 salads a week.  Sure, I had to sometimes get creative with my meal planning, and I also invested in vegetarian cookbooks. Vegetarian and vegan cookbooks was the easiest way to stretch outside my cooking comfort zone.

Educating myself on our food system and how food fuels and functions in our bodies was one of the most important, and best decisions of my life.  And I urge you to do the same.  This post is not about guilting, or standing on a soap box of any sort. But I truly believe we are at our best when we stretch our boundaries and learn new things. 

Those boundaries can be as simple as eating one more vegetarian or vegan meal a week. That’s why Meatless Monday became a thing. Did you know that an estimated 1,800 to 2,500 gallons of water go into a single pound of beef. A single pound! Think about that. Anyway, I could talk about this all day, but my intention when I sat down to write this was simply to share the vegetarian and vegan cookbooks I’m loving now.

Today, while I’m no longer a full-time vegetarian (read about that here), I am still very invested in vegetarian cooking. In fact, I’d say I eat vegetarian/vegan about 60% of the time. So that’s why I still love picking up vegetarian and vegan cookbooks.  Especially now when it seems there’s a new cookbook on the shelf every week.

I’ve listed the vegetarian and vegan cookbooks I’m currently reading above and below. And if you need some other vegetarian recipes check out our vegetarian and vegan section in my recipe index. Some of my favorite recipes would be my breakfast nachos, stuffed sweet potatoes, and best every veggie burger.

I’d love if you’d share if you have a current favorite vegetarian recipe?  Truly, MKR


 

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Working Smarter, Not Harder

Simplifying my Home & Office with Samsung Connect
February 9, 2018
Story By: Mandy Kellogg Rye
Filed Under > Everyday

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This year my motto in life and business is to worker smarter, not harder.  So what does that look like? Well it looks different in all areas, but in the area of tech it looks like finding ways to simplify my household and my office. 

When I first began thinking about how to simplify, I felt a bit overwhelmed by the options. I mean there are more “smart home” devices on the market than ever, and none of them feel simple.  So, I sat down with the expert, my husband, and together we came up with a plan. For running our household we’d go with the Samsung Connect Home.  

The Samsung Connect Home Smart Wi-Fi system is a Wi-Fi router and SmartThings hub: all in one. I know I’m starting to talk tech, so let me try to simplify this as best I can. As a Wi-Fi router it optimizes your signal, so you can upload, download or stream your favorite shows and movies with no wheel of death, or no “36 hours to download messaging,” just fast, uninterrupted service.  And the “mesh” Internet connection delivers a strong blanket of coverage across the entire home! For me this has been a game changer, allowing me to work wherever and not worry about connection or speed issues. Plus, each hub covers 1,500 square feet, so even if you live in a large home, you can just add more routers so it’s customized to your need.  The starter kit actually comes with 3 different hubs!

Another big bonus, with the Samsung Connect App, I didn’t need to mess around with multiple apps, because one app controls it all. Yes, ONE app! Built to work with most existing smart home devices, Samsung Connect Home and the Connect App is compatible with 100’s of smart products such as your Samsung TV, Nest Thermostat, Philips Hue, Netgear Arlo Camera, Ring Video Doorbell, and more.

And it’s easy! I was able to connect my devices with a tap and manage my entire home right from my phone. I can adjust the temperature of my Nest, the brightness of my Philips Hue lights, or simply create a secure network access for my guests. This aspect of Connect Home has simplified so much of my life, and gives me peace of mind….especially when I travel.

For example, I’ve been known to forget to unplug my curling iron and straightner….hello fire hazard.  Well now, I can turn them off through my phone because of my connected outlet.  Another way I love to use my Samsung Connect; I start or stop my Samsung Washer and Dryer with a touch of the button, and also get notifications when the wash is complete.  I can check to make sure the hubs actually locked the front door like he thought he did.  And if I’m going to be late, I can turn on the light and TV so my Cavalier Addison doesn’t feel so alone.  

And did I mention it’s appearance.  The Samsung Connect is small, and sleek, so my home can be a complete “smart” home without looking like a tech nightmare. 

I’m telling you no matter how big or small your home is the Samsung Connect Home will truly revolutionize your home and lifestyle. Tell me, have you thought about getting a smart home system? Do you have one? How does having strong Wi-Fi coverage help you to simplify your life? Truly, MKR

Photography, Rustic White | This post is in collaboration with Samsung, a brand I love and adore.  All opinions are 100% my own.

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