Hello! I’m so glad you stopped by! Let’s get to know each other – let me start by telling you a little about myself.
In my professional life, I am a science nerd turned business woman, working in the BioTech space to connect other scientists with cool technology. In my personal life I love adventuring in all things homemade – cooking from scratch, backyard gardening, wood crafting, jewelry making, and more.
I live in sunny and warm Scottsdale, Arizona with my hubby Chris, and our three fur-babies Aria, Reggie, and Paige. They are all rescue animals that have joined our clan over the years. They hold a large place in my heart, so I can’t help but share a tidbit with you about each of them.
Meet the Fur-Family
Aria was our first – a lynx point Siamese, at least in part, who loves to be near by, and can’t end her day without some lap time with one of her favorite humans.
Reggie was next, as soon as we had a house with a yard. He is a lab/shepherd mix that is my shadow, and oh-so-serious. But he does get excited for a few things: stuffed toys with squeakers, car rides, walks, “puppuccino’s” from Starbucks, “toothbrushes” – his favorite nighttime treat, and me 🙂 – when I’ve been gone for a few days (or let’s be real, a few hours).
Paige is our most recent addition. Our “COVID-puppy” who has been a joy and blessing during a crazy 2020. She is a lab/cattle dog mix who is expressive, athletic, and full of energy. She starts every morning greeting everyone with a lean-into-you sort of hug, and sometimes even kisses for the kitty. If she’s not outside eating sticks or wrestling with Reggie, she loves relaxing with us on the couch.
So What About Cook Craft Cultivate?
I started Cook Craft Cultivate as a sort of online journal to track my journey in cooking, crafting, and gardening. When I started, I was new to all of those things, and this site was my way of recording my progress, watching my growth, and hopefully helping someone along the way by sharing things I was learning.
As I have gone on in this journey, I have developed a keen interest in the “Homesteading” lifestyle of self-sufficiency. Maybe one day we will have land that we can turn into a true homestead farm. But until that day, I am making the most of my small suburban backyard garden, and continuing to expand my “from scratch” cooking skills. I want to know where my food comes from, I want to be self-sufficient enough to generate some of that food on my own, and I want to use all of this to nourish my family with whole, unprocessed, good-for-you foods.
A Resource for YOU
So the content I am publishing here on Cook Craft Cultivate is meant to be a resource for others that are on a similar path. You don’t have to be living on a farm to start gaining control of the food you eat. There are small, measurable, and fairly simple steps that anyone can take. My motto? Start small! Start with what interests you, and what you feel you can manage.
Maybe that means growing some herbs on your patio, or starting some micro greens on the kitchen counter. Explore local farmer’s markets for a close-to-you source for fresh produce. Commit to making at least one extra meal a week at home. Re-asses the packaged foods you purchase and make some decisions on what you can cut out or substitute with a whole food or homemade option instead.
Every little change makes a difference, no matter how small. I hope you find some tips and inspiration here, to help you along on your own journey!
My Other Creative Brands
If you want to learn more about my other creative brands, or see handcrafted products available to purchase, follow the links below: