Blog Posts

Treat to Try

Welcome back to Liv Ahwatukee’s blog. In our last post we shared some ideas for getting in a nutritious breakfast. Today we’re sharing a new favorite recipe. An afternoon spent baking is a great way to relax and unwind on the weekend. Your apartment’s kitchen is a great place to bake and create delicious dishes. Make sure your apartment kitchen is always stocked. Kitchn has a great list of items you should keep in your kitchen . When you’ve got all the essentials, you’ll be able to bake without having to run to the store last minute and get a ton of ingredients. For those specialty dishes, you may have to grab a few items, but that’s a lot easier than having to buy a bunch of ingredients for just one dish. With today’s recipe, we decided to throw it back to childhood. Remember those super sweet, frosted pastries? Pop Tarts were a fun treat to toast for breakfast and take for an on-the-go go breakfast on the way to school. From Lauren Conrad we found a grown up version that you can make yourself. The link and full directions can be found here . The site says, “These sweets are packed with rich chocolate chunks and sweet cherry jam, making them an irresistible breakfast in bed or Sunday brunch treat. We won’t tell if you steal a couple of these heart pop tarts for yourself…” Our favorite way to enjoy treats is to share them with others. Grab a few and arrange them on a paper plate (that way they won’t have to worry about returning the plate). Take some to work or to neighbors here at Liv Ahwatukee. We hope you enjoy trying out this childhood approved recipe. Let us know what your favorite sweet treats are. Thanks for reading The Liv Ahwatukee blog. Check back next month for more apartment living tips and tricks.

Boost Your Breakfast

Your busy morning is all about getting out the door on time. Adding one more step to your morning routine might seem like too much to handle. But eating breakfast will give you the boost you need to get through the day. According to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Report , research suggests that children and adolescents who don’t eat a regular breakfast are at an increased risk of overweight and obesity. This can lead to an increased risk of, among other ailments, heart disease and type 2 diabetes, both of which are among the leading causes of death in Americans today. Add a quick and nutritious meal to your morning for some increased energy. We think a great way to add breakfast to your morning is by whipping up something healthy and homemade. Plan ahead of time by purchasing some fruit and yogurt to mix with granola. A little breakfast parfait makes a great breakfast that can keep you full all day. By making a large batch, you can ensure you’ll have some for every morning. We liked this healthy peanut butter granola recipe from Joy Food Sunshine for a homemade version. The site also gives some tips on making your granola extra crispy. The blogger says, “In order to be extra sure your granola is done baking, remove a piece or two from the pan and let it cool on the countertop. If it hardens relatively quickly {in 1-2 minutes} then it’s done. If not, continue baking until it is crunchy at room temperature. No worries if you do under bake this healthy peanut butter granola and it becomes soft the next day, just pop it back into the oven for a few minutes to re-crisp it!” As mentioned, this granola can pair well with fresh fruit like berries or kiwi as well as yogurt, flaked coconut, or simply milk. Eating breakfast will help you accomplish more throughout the day, in or outside of your apartment in Phoenix, AZ, and avoid that mid-morning slump when doughnuts come around. Enjoy! Thanks for reading the Liv Ahwatukee Blog!

Local Shopping

Spring cleaning is just around the corner. It isn’t the most appealing of activities, but there’s a plus side to getting it done soon. Getting rid of old things makes room for the new! With the change of seasons comes a change in styles. Forget the chores for a second and focus on the fun. This week’s Liv Ahwatukee Blog has some ideas. Spring style brings out new prints, cuts, and colors. Located right near your Liv Ahwatukee apartment is Nordstrom Scottsdale. This is one of our favorite places for that new pair of shoes or jeans that you just can’t live without. Offering a wide range of designers and clothes at all price points, there’s something for kids, men, and women! For spring, we want to share a few of our favorite picks that we think you’ll love as well. A dress for spring is definitely our number one pick. Lighter florals and smaller prints are fun and delicate. Dresses are pretty versatile, and with the right accessories, they can be taken right from the office to dinner to an afternoon lunch. This striped shift from Caslon comes in a beautiful classic stripe. The orange and ivory stripes are also perfect for the season. This Vince Camuto heel is the perfect shoe to pair with jeans for spring. The lighter taupe brightens up an outfit and the cutouts give a springtime update to your wardrobe. We love the tie on the shoe for a more sophisticated touch. If you’re unable to find something you love in stores, Nordstrom offers free shipping and free returns, so you’re certainly going to be satisfied with your finds. You can also find kids’ clothing, men’s clothing, cosmetics, and accessories. Don’t be afraid to try something new with your style this spring. Scottsdale offers many different shopping and eating options located close to home. Thanks for reading Liv Ahwatukee Blog.

Local Eats

In today’s post we are sharing with you a few local restaurants not far from your apartment at Liv Ahwatukee. Discovering new foods and new dishes is a great way to explore your home here in Phoenix, AZ. As you find new spots to dine, pass your recommendations on to friends so they can try them as well! Listed below are a few spots we are excited to try. Little Miss Barbeque — “Our Central Texas style BBQ is served meat market style! All of our freshly barbecued meats are served by weight on butcher paper with onions, pickles, jalapenos and white bread. Our meats are the best we can get and our sausage and sides are made fresh in house. Our food is cooked using Arizona oak and pecan wood by massive offset Camelback Smokers.” Veggie Village — “The Fundamental reason of being a vegetarian is to develop unconditional compassion, loving, kindness, respect of all life and for environmental protection. Veggie Village’s objective is to provide an environment in which more people can understand about vegetarian food and discover that vegetarian food can be delicious and have a wide range of food choices.” Ten Handcrafted American Fare and Spirits — “TEN is not only the heart of Chef & Owner Jeff Hostenske’s name, but also his passion. Approachable American cuisine covering every moment of his life, starting with Midwest Classics from his childhood, to the culinary upbringing in the low country of Charleston, SC. Solidified with the inspiration from his nomadic culinary career in the United States.” Be Coffee + Food + Stuff — “We feature coffee from both ‘local’ roasters in Arizona + from across the United States. Our coffee bean selections rotate frequently + we often carry multiple roasters. Just like our coffee, both our hot + iced tea selections vary throughout the year as well.” We think you’ll certainly find a place to love as you explore local eateries. Thanks for reading!

March New Movies

Welcome back to Liv Ahwatukee’s blog! Today’s post will be all about new releases that you can expect to see at the theater. A Saturday night at the cinema is our idea of a good time. Any of these flicks paired with a sweet treat and a cold drink make for a great night out. The Shack (March 3rd) — After suffering a family tragedy, Mack Phillips spirals into a deep depression that causes him to question his innermost beliefs. Facing a crisis of faith, he receives a mysterious letter urging him to an abandoned shack in the Oregon wilderness. Despite his doubts, Mack journeys to the shack and encounters an enigmatic trio of strangers led by a woman named Papa. Through this meeting, Mack finds important truths that will transform his understanding of his tragedy and change his life forever. Before I Fall (March 3rd) — When a popular teen girl is killed in a car crash, she relives the critical day seven times and makes changes in an attempt to affect the outcome; in the process, she changes as she tries to make up for previous heartless, self-absorbed behavior and gains a better understanding of herself and others. As she evolves and makes the connections necessary to save a bullied, depressed girl’s life, she comes to accept her own fate. All Nighter (March 24th) — When his daughter (Analeigh Tipton) disappears in Los Angeles, a tough-minded businessman (J.K. Simmons) recruits her awkward ex-boyfriend (Emile Hirsch) to help him find her. Beauty and the Beast (March 17th) — Belle (Emma Watson), a bright, beautiful, and independent young woman, is taken prisoner by a beast (Dan Stevens) in its castle. Despite her fears, she befriends the castle's enchanted staff and learns to look beyond the beast's hideous exterior, allowing her to recognize the kind heart and soul of the true prince that hides on the inside. Enjoy one of these movies this week and let us know what you think.

Explore Arizona

Spending time outdoors in this beautiful state is a great way to get some exercise and explore your home. There are so many places to visit that you might not have seen yet. Some of these are close to your Phoenix, AZ home and others make a great weekend trip. At Liv Ahwatukee, we love seeing new sites and recommending them to our friends. We found some great ideas from The Crazy Tourist. Find the whole list right here . Lake Mead — Lake Mead is the largest reservoir in the United States, measured by water capacity. It is on the Colorado River about 24 mi (39 km) from the Las Vegas Strip southeast of the city of Las Vegas, Nevada, in the states of Nevada and Arizona. London Bridge in Lake Havasu — “London Bridge initially spanned the River Thames in London until it was discovered that is was sinking into the river Thames. The founder of Lake Havasu City purchased the bridge for $2,460,000 and spent another $7,000,000 transporting the bridge to its current location. It was then rebuilt as the structure you see today.” We think this would make the greatest Instagram opportunity, and we can’t wait to check it out! Mystery Castle — This site is listed on Discover Phoenix, find the information right here . The site says, “Enjoy a tour of the castle, and savor the beautiful surrounding desert landscape and great views of Phoenix. There are a number of hiking trails nearby, including Holbert Trail in South Mountain Park.” We think you’ll enjoy exploring your home. As you visit these sites please be safe and check out the websites beforehand to get information on how to visit these places. As mentioned, these are awesome spots to feature on your social media. Grab some friends and make some memories together. Let us know what your favorite places are!