After quite a long hiatus, Spice-Monkey is back on the map! with our recent 2000 mile relocation to the Denver, Colorado area we are unpacking, processing new paperwork and researching the wonderful markets in the area.
We have been focusing on keeping our 6 year old active. Taekwondo, swimming, tennis, long walks and whatever else we can dream up! He will have the opportunity next week to meet some of his future classmates by attending the schools summer camp twice a week. Hopefully this will make his transition into 1st grade in a new state easier.
So, that means I finally have some Kid Free time on my hands to start blending a again! Since Colorado passed the Cottage Law last year, getting up and running here couldn't be easier. Its an excellent avenue for vendors at farmers markets to take. I am taking an online course and assessment for safe food handling in order to qualify under this act. I wont bore you with the details, but the law focuses on businesses like my own that sells direct to consumers.
I am in conversations with the Parker Farmers Market that is held every Sunday from 8-1 right in downtown Parker. They close down Main Street for the vendors to set up. I have visited every week so far and I have to say it is hoppin'! I am finalizing the details, but there is a chance Spice-Monkey will make their appearance at the market by the end of June! (fingers crossed).
Happy first day of summer to all!
UPDATE: Spice-Monkey is now officially at the Parker Farmers Market every Sunday. There are about 70 vendors at the market, from fresh Atlantic salmon, Angus beef, a variety of fruits and veggies, lots of ready to eat items and many other vendors selling a huge range of products! Come check it out.
Friday, June 21, 2013
Monday, January 14, 2013
Monkey Market Madness
This past Saturday was an amazing new experience for Spice-Monkey. The morning was spent at the Saco River Winter Market. What a fantastic location for an indoor market. Vendors occupying space in an old mill along the Saco River in Maine. It was "open market day" with a full house of 50 vendors selling crafts, jams, candy, bread meats, fish, pizza and of course spices! Families came to shop, enjoy the music, sample products and just be a part of this weekly community event. It is with pleasure that I am able to announce that Spice-Monkey will be there almost every Saturday through April.
Check out the story in The Courier this week, and avoid cabin fever by coming out the see all the market has to offer.
http://courier.mainelymediallc.com/news/2013-01-17/Front_Page/Saco_market_robust_say_outoftown_vendors.html
Check out the story in The Courier this week, and avoid cabin fever by coming out the see all the market has to offer.
http://courier.mainelymediallc.com/news/2013-01-17/Front_Page/Saco_market_robust_say_outoftown_vendors.html
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Creating A Name & Resolutions
It was the spring of 2012 that the concept of Spice-Monkey was born. Of all items that needed to be addressed as a new business, coming up with just the right name was the biggest challenge. I knew the name had to include the word SPICE, but Spice What? Some of the thoughts running through my head...
The Spice Girl - hmm, probably a bit of a challenge to find the right email address, website domain, not to mention the confusion it might cause that I am a terrible singer.
Mainely Spices - although a great concept for a Maine based business, I just didn't want to confine myself to only the Maine market.
The Spice-Grind - this was at the top of the list for a while. I even had the logo picked out of some sort of mortar and pestle thing going on.
I wanted to convey my passion for cooking and creating, in a way that was interesting and fun. Looking through the thesaurus I found words that would do. There were plenty to choose from, Obsession, Fetish, Devotion, Craving.........MONKEY! What? Could it be true? Like a Monkey on your back, or in my case MY back. It was perfect for my company and no one would be able to sway me from this. Spice-Monkey was officially born.
So looking forward now to 2013 I have a few resolutions.
1.) Keep up with my blog - aiming for once a week, but realistically once every two weeks will likely be the case.
2.) Adding recipes to the website. This is long overdue!
3.) A slight redesign of packaging.
4.) Add at least 3 new blends. Two blends are already in the concept phase (meaning they are in my head and just about ready for the fun filled research phase). More on the research phase in a future blog.
2013 is going to be filled with some growth, some change and always a huge amount of fun!
Happy New Year!
The Spice Girl - hmm, probably a bit of a challenge to find the right email address, website domain, not to mention the confusion it might cause that I am a terrible singer.
Mainely Spices - although a great concept for a Maine based business, I just didn't want to confine myself to only the Maine market.
The Spice-Grind - this was at the top of the list for a while. I even had the logo picked out of some sort of mortar and pestle thing going on.
I wanted to convey my passion for cooking and creating, in a way that was interesting and fun. Looking through the thesaurus I found words that would do. There were plenty to choose from, Obsession, Fetish, Devotion, Craving.........MONKEY! What? Could it be true? Like a Monkey on your back, or in my case MY back. It was perfect for my company and no one would be able to sway me from this. Spice-Monkey was officially born.
So looking forward now to 2013 I have a few resolutions.
1.) Keep up with my blog - aiming for once a week, but realistically once every two weeks will likely be the case.
2.) Adding recipes to the website. This is long overdue!
3.) A slight redesign of packaging.
4.) Add at least 3 new blends. Two blends are already in the concept phase (meaning they are in my head and just about ready for the fun filled research phase). More on the research phase in a future blog.
2013 is going to be filled with some growth, some change and always a huge amount of fun!
Happy New Year!
Monday, November 5, 2012
Winter Markets Have Begun
Just This morning when I took my son to the bus stop (AKA - the end of our driveway) it felt like it could snow any minute. Actually I am quite certain I saw a couple snowflakes! How appropriate that this past weekend was the beginning of our winter farmers' market tour.
Spice-Monkey will be a 3 different winter markets this year. The Midcoast Winter Farmers Market in Topsham, ME on Friday afternoons, the Highland Avenue Greenhouse market in Scarborough, ME on Sundays and the Winter Gateway Farmers Market in York, ME on occasional Saturdays throughout the winter.
These markets have plenty of vendors with beautiful products. In addition to our amazing spice-blends you will find fresh produce, baked goods, meats, seafood, pasta, "green" cleaning supplies, crafts, jams, pickles and much more!
Just because the seasons are changing , doesn't mean the farmers and local vendors stop producing and providing fresh goods. Take some time to come see us, meet some local small business folks and enjoy the market surroundings. It's going to be a great winter!
Spice-Monkey will be a 3 different winter markets this year. The Midcoast Winter Farmers Market in Topsham, ME on Friday afternoons, the Highland Avenue Greenhouse market in Scarborough, ME on Sundays and the Winter Gateway Farmers Market in York, ME on occasional Saturdays throughout the winter.
These markets have plenty of vendors with beautiful products. In addition to our amazing spice-blends you will find fresh produce, baked goods, meats, seafood, pasta, "green" cleaning supplies, crafts, jams, pickles and much more!
Just because the seasons are changing , doesn't mean the farmers and local vendors stop producing and providing fresh goods. Take some time to come see us, meet some local small business folks and enjoy the market surroundings. It's going to be a great winter!
Monday, October 1, 2012
Nuevo Taco Blend!
Perfecto! Make Tacos, Nachos, Enchiladas, Burritos & whatever else makes you say OLE! The perfect mix of Cumin, Garlic, Onions, Cayenne and other authentic spices makes this blend Delicioso!
So the question is "what on earth took me so long?" With my never ending love of all food Mexican, I just don't have a good answer. Maybe it is due to the fact that I have never actually written down a recipe for any of my Mexican dishes. I have used a packaged taco seasoning maybe twice in my lifetime. My preferred method is standing over the stove with the spice cabinet open, shaking spice jars into the mix until it is just right. That ended yesterday!
Add a couple tablespoons of this blend to your choice of cooked meat. Whether it be ground beef, shredded beef, pork, chicken...it's all good! This blend contains no additives or preservatives, no corn starch, no sugar, just pure flavor!
Mexican night just got a whole lot easier in this household, that's for sure.
So the question is "what on earth took me so long?" With my never ending love of all food Mexican, I just don't have a good answer. Maybe it is due to the fact that I have never actually written down a recipe for any of my Mexican dishes. I have used a packaged taco seasoning maybe twice in my lifetime. My preferred method is standing over the stove with the spice cabinet open, shaking spice jars into the mix until it is just right. That ended yesterday!
Add a couple tablespoons of this blend to your choice of cooked meat. Whether it be ground beef, shredded beef, pork, chicken...it's all good! This blend contains no additives or preservatives, no corn starch, no sugar, just pure flavor!
Mexican night just got a whole lot easier in this household, that's for sure.
Friday, September 14, 2012
Greek Blend Recipe
A good friend (technically Cousin-in-Law, but most of the people I know around here are a Cousin-in-Law!) turned me on to this recipe. She served it up at a bridal shower and everyone gobbled it up. Of course she used the Spice-Monkey Greek Blend to season it. I think I'll have to throw it together to bring to the annual "corn freezing" party following the Patriots game Sunday. Enjoy.
http://www.memoriesoncloverlane.com/2010/11/recipe-that-will-make-your-life-easier.html
http://www.memoriesoncloverlane.com/2010/11/recipe-that-will-make-your-life-easier.html
Farm Stand
Farmer's Daughters Farm Stand Waterboro, ME
As Many of you know, A select variety of Spice-Monkey blends are now available at Farmer's Daughters farm stand in Waterboro, ME. A perfect compliment to their naturally and humanely raised beef and of course their beautiful fresh produce.
Fall is creeping up on us, I am even seeing some of the leaves changing already - so get your fill of those fresh local veggies while you can!
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