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!
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
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!
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Building A Display
So I found this amazingly perfect size, shape and design for displaying my product today. Inspired by the simple design, my husband and I headed to the local hardware store to purchase some supplies. Assembling time approximately 5 minutes!
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| I snatched this up at the local church bizarre for a whopping 25 cents! |
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| going to make a few more of these babies - perfect for my market table! BTW, check out my new labels that arrived yesterday :) |
Monday, July 9, 2012
Blending 101
Last night I was inspired by a friend to create some blends for a party. This is the first of many that I will be selling and it is delish!
This Italian Dipping Blend is perfect for some traditional crusty Italian bread. Added to a plate of olive oil it is heaven. Garlic, basil, oregano, pepper....okay I am not giving you the recipe, but isn't your mouth watering?
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Spice Discovered America
A significantly shortened version of the history of spice and America. (a history class flashback)
In the 1400's some of the worlds spices were more valuable than gold. Even the aristocrats had difficulty affording shipments of spices. The Kings and Queens of Europe decided to fund "spice-Hunting" expeditions in order to try and change the balance of the world spice trade.
In the late 1400's, while searching for a quicker route to India, Christopher Columbus accidentally discovered America. Columbus' name for the natives he encountered seemed to stick. Believing he had actually reached India, Columbus called these American natives "Indians".
By the 1800's Salem Massachusettes became the center of the American spice trade industry.
In the 1400's some of the worlds spices were more valuable than gold. Even the aristocrats had difficulty affording shipments of spices. The Kings and Queens of Europe decided to fund "spice-Hunting" expeditions in order to try and change the balance of the world spice trade.
In the late 1400's, while searching for a quicker route to India, Christopher Columbus accidentally discovered America. Columbus' name for the natives he encountered seemed to stick. Believing he had actually reached India, Columbus called these American natives "Indians".
By the 1800's Salem Massachusettes became the center of the American spice trade industry.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Friday, June 22, 2012
Heat Wave Grilling Time
I am not certain that we made an "official" heat wave, but these last few days have been brutal. I am not pleased to see the temperature in my bedroom hit 86 degrees - ugh!
In an effort to minimize my body movement (and avoid sweating too much), I decided to do alittle lot of Internet research on steak rubs. I found all sorts of great ideas and suggestions. Most of the recipes I found today involve some type of chili pepper and/or sugar. I was looking for one with A.) no sugar added and B.) although I do love chili peppers, this time I was interested in no chili peppers added. I was able to find a couple that looked just about right. I added (and subtracted) a few items to create what, I think, might be a winner! Now it just needs a name ;)
On the side we're having our favorite "smashed potatoes". I am still playing with just the right seasoning for them, it's in the trail and error phase. Our veggies will be fresh green beans sauteed with mushrooms and a little butter. I promise to post pictures before we eat it all!
In an effort to minimize my body movement (and avoid sweating too much), I decided to do a
On the side we're having our favorite "smashed potatoes". I am still playing with just the right seasoning for them, it's in the trail and error phase. Our veggies will be fresh green beans sauteed with mushrooms and a little butter. I promise to post pictures before we eat it all!
UPDATE 6/23/12
Okay, here is is. Not the best picture, but you get the idea. The Rub will definitely be in the Hot and Spicy category. It had awesome flavor, but HOLY HOT!
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Marginal Way
Today with a forecast of mostly cloudy (but no rain) we drove to Ogunquit, ME to take a stroll up Marginal Way. This is a beautifully maintained path with benches for breaks along the way.
We veered slightly off course to climb some rocks and check out the tide pools. It was a bit of a down hill climb at first (literally) but these 5 year olds quickly got the hang of it. I tend to become a bundle of nerves watching our kids jump from rock to rock in such a carefree manner, but it is an amazing adventure for them. There were plenty of snails - thousands of them actually all along the rocks and pools. The kids made sure that any shells they took had no living creatures in them.
We veered slightly off course to climb some rocks and check out the tide pools. It was a bit of a down hill climb at first (literally) but these 5 year olds quickly got the hang of it. I tend to become a bundle of nerves watching our kids jump from rock to rock in such a carefree manner, but it is an amazing adventure for them. There were plenty of snails - thousands of them actually all along the rocks and pools. The kids made sure that any shells they took had no living creatures in them.
After arriving safely back on the trail, we decided to stroll down a few neighborhood streets. The homes here are amazing and I am quite certain have the price tag to match. It was an awesome 4 hour diversion from every day life.
Friday, June 8, 2012
The Spice of Life
June in Maine is usually teeming with rain. As a matter of fact the first June I ever spent here, after moving east from Colorado, it rained every single day. I have decided to embrace this month with gusto this year. If it is sunny, we are outside soaking it up. But when it is rainy, we are finding ways to entertain ourselves.
Three days ago we drove south to Boston. When I say we, I am referring to my 5 year old son Camden, along with my close friend Sue and her 3 girls. The forecast was rain, so we ventured to the Boston Children's Museum. A place I haven't been to in about 30 years. (That makes me sound really old, I'll be 43 next month)!
Above is a picture of the kids taking a lemonade break. (Left to right: Camden 5, Addie 6, Ruby 5, Charlie 5).
I think we were all on sensory overload with as much as there was to see and do. Everything in the museum is interactive and we all did a lot of interacting! I was disappointed to find out that the Recycle Room was closed last summer. This was my favorite memory of the museum. At the end of the day we could grab a bag and fill it with recycled items - incredible treasures for crafting. To any typical person I am pretty sure it looks like trash - but to a child it is a creation just waiting to happen.
All in all it was a successful and productive rainy day.
Three days ago we drove south to Boston. When I say we, I am referring to my 5 year old son Camden, along with my close friend Sue and her 3 girls. The forecast was rain, so we ventured to the Boston Children's Museum. A place I haven't been to in about 30 years. (That makes me sound really old, I'll be 43 next month)!
Above is a picture of the kids taking a lemonade break. (Left to right: Camden 5, Addie 6, Ruby 5, Charlie 5).
I think we were all on sensory overload with as much as there was to see and do. Everything in the museum is interactive and we all did a lot of interacting! I was disappointed to find out that the Recycle Room was closed last summer. This was my favorite memory of the museum. At the end of the day we could grab a bag and fill it with recycled items - incredible treasures for crafting. To any typical person I am pretty sure it looks like trash - but to a child it is a creation just waiting to happen.
All in all it was a successful and productive rainy day.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
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