Blog Posts

July Celebrations

July is full of fun holidays to celebrate. The Liv Northgate Blog brings you some reasons to celebrate this month here in Gilbert, AZ. We have some fun internet holidays to share. We hope you get a chance to celebrate some of these holidays this month! National Ice Cream Month What better way to cool down in the Arizona heat than to enjoy some ice cream this month! Head to your favorite Gilbert ice cream shop or try one of these recipes. Toasted Marshmallow Ice Cream from Happy Food Dance Toasted Marshmallow Ice Cream brings the comfort of campsite food to your apartment kitchen. The broiler-toasted marshmallows and sweet, vanilla-y base really make this recipe stand out. You’ll love the smoky taste of this cool and refreshing dish. No Churn Blackberry Chip Ice Cream from How Sweet Eats Any excuse to visit our local farmer’s market is a good excuse. Use locally-grown blackberries to make this Blackberry Chip Ice Cream. Mix the creamy ice cream base with fresh berries and dark chocolate, freeze for six hours, and enjoy. National Fried Chicken Day (July 6) Who doesn’t love some delicious fried chicken? Try out this Garlic Fried Chicken recipe from Allrecipes. You’ll need skinless, boneless chicken breasts, garlic, pepper flakes, salt, paprika, seasoned bread crumbs, 1 egg, flour, salt and pepper, butter, and vegetable oil. This is a fried chicken recipe that’s sure to please everyone. Hammock Day (July 22) Hammocks are a great way to relax this summer. Invest in a hammock to hang outside around the neighborhood or at the local park. Bring a good book and have a relaxing time. You can find some great hammocks online . Find one that fits your needs and enjoy! What are your favorite holidays to celebrate in July? Let us know in the comments. Thanks for reading and have a great month!

Abracadabra Bow Wow Teaching Your Pet Tricks

Here at Liv Northgate in Gilbert, AZ, we are happy to be a pet-friendly community. In fact, we have a dog park and host events for our residents with pets at our apartment community! Today our blog post is focused on training your dog or pet tricks. Enjoy! Basic Training Principles Once your pet has some basic commands down, you can begin expanding your training. Cesar’s Way shares Five Essential Commands You Can Teach Your Dog which are sit, come, down, stay, and leave it. Visit the blog for step-by-step directions for teaching each of these commands. Another skill, worth mentioning, is to teach your dog when it’s appropriate to bark. If this isn’t an issue, wonderful. However, if it is, the Humane Society’s directions are helpful: How To Get Your Dog To Stop Barking . Pet Tricks Fetching may seem basic, but it can come in handy in all sorts of situations. If your pet doesn’t already have this down, try the tips suggested from Josh Weiss-Roessler at Cesar’s Way for teaching your pet effectively how to bring things to you. Roll Over While this may seem to be a basic trick, it never fails to delight and is one of the easier tricks to teach. Follow the directions from The American Kennel Club and soon your dog will be rolling over on command. Playing the Piano This trick is a bit more advanced and it requires a lot of dedication and persistence in getting your dog not only interested in a piano or keyboard but also in getting them to play it. But take it in steps and reward them generously for their actions and you’ll have the next Mozbark in no time! Have you successfully taught your dog tricks? What are your favorite tricks, games, or skills to teach your pet? Leave a comment and share your tips with other members of our apartment community.

Stocking Up Tips for Creating a Well Maintained Pantry

Welcome back to the Liv Northgate Blog. This week we are sharing some tips for stocking your kitchen with the foods you use the most —plus suggestions for what to keep on hand to make a quick meal without having to run to the nearest Gilbert supermarket. Pantry Organization Tips Keep heavier seldom-used foods and cooking ware on the bottom shelves; lightweight seasonal items on the top shelves, and the things you use daily on middle shelves within easy reach. Use uniform size containers for storage. Square or rectangular containers use available space more efficiently. Labeling is your friend! Create a space in your budget for pantry items; that way when something you use often goes on sale, you can stock up. Keep the fixings for several meals on hand. When you are too tired to figure out something for dinner or you have unexpected guests, a well-stocked pantry is a godsend. Food to Keep on Hand Pasta and Grains — spaghetti, fettuccine, rolled oats, couscous, white rice, bread crumbs Baking Essentials — flour, baking powder, baking soda, yeast, white sugar, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, chocolate chips, maple syrup, brownie mixes, cake mixes Herbs and Spices — salt, pepper, thyme, rosemary, cinnamon, nutmeg, basil, curry powder, taco seasoning, allspice, parsley Beans and Nuts — peanuts, almonds, pecans, walnuts, chia seeds, kidney beans, black beans Canned Goods — tomato sauce, tomato paste, chicken broth, olives, peanut butter, salsa Oils and Sauces — olive oil, coconut oil, white vinegar, balsamic vinegar, ketchup, mustard, hot sauce, sriracha These items will help you to be able to make a lot of dishes. Of course, before making any meal, check your pantry to see if you have everything you need. Compile a few of your favorite recipes together and make a grocery list to ensure you can always make those things from Arizona’s southwestern specialties to gourmet European inspired meals. As you cook and entertain others, you’ll figure out what you need to get each time at the grocery store. No matter what essentials make the list, purchase things you love and will eat. This will eliminate waste and help to save you money in the long run! Thanks for reading this edition of the Liv Northgate Blog.

Celebrating June Holidays at Liv Northgate

June is here, and while it isn’t home to a major holiday, there are lots of things to celebrate this month in addition to Father’s Day (June 17) and Flag Day (June 18), including these food-related holidays: National Corn on the Cob Day (June 11), International Picnic Day (June 18th), Ice Cream Soda Day (June 20), and Waffle Iron Day (June 29). Take advantage of our outdoor kitchen and lounge area and celebrate these foodie holidays throughout the entire month at our Liv Northgate apartment community here in Gilbert, Arizona. National Corn on the Cob Day Eating corn on the cob is one of the pleasures of summertime. Celebrate this year by featuring corn on the cob for dinner tonight. There are a variety of way to cook corn on the cob from grilling it in its husk to simmering it in a pot of buttered water. However you fix it, enjoy! International Picnic Day Have a French-inspired picnic. All you need is a loaf of French bread, cheese, and grapes. For something a little more substantial, add some cold cuts from your local deli. Don’t forget a bottle of your favorite wine to complete the experience. Go All American with foods like fried chicken and potato salad , the Cutestuff Cooks blog has recipes for both! Create a picnic with hints of England by throwing an Austen inspired gathering complete with a tea service. Bite from the Past is the perfect place to find suitable food for your Regency outing. Ice Cream Soda Day Host an Ice Cream Soda Bar for this holiday. It’s a fun idea that’s easy and delicious! Buy some plastic 18 oz. cups, canned whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, soda (Jones soda is perfect and fun for this), maraschino cherries, and utensils. Find a cute bucket and fill it with ice to store the ice cream and sodas. This is a great tradition that’s easy to put together and definitely memorable with family and friends. Waffle Iron Day Try a new type of waffle recipe to celebrate! How about some Pizza Waffles from Spend with Pennies ? Pizza waffles are amazing. Trust us. Make this easy treat for dinner or lunch on Waffle Day. All you need to make this dish is a package of crescent rolls, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, and pizza sauce. For a more traditional take on waffles, check out this recipe for Belgian Waffles from Cooking Classy . There’s nothing like a basic Belgian waffle. Sprinkle your waffle with powdered sugar and cinnamon, top it with white chocolate mousse or ice cream, and decorate your waffle with your favorite fruits. This versatile recipe works well with a variety of toppings. We hope you take time out to enjoy one — or all of these June holidays with some tasty food! What is your favorite? Please share in the comments!

Father's Day Gifts

Father’s Day is coming up on the 17th, and we know you don’t want to burden your father (or other important father figures) in your life with a lame offering — like another “World’s Greatest Dad” mug, cheesy ties, or another cheap tool. So, today, Liv Northgate Blog is bringing you a list of ideas to spark your imagination for things he would appreciate receiving this Father’s Day. Practical While getting an appliance or tool is probably not the best gift idea for women in your life, for the fathers (or other men) in your life, it can be a highly appreciated gesture. Before you get it though, do some research. Check into the brand of tools he likes, find out what he already has and what he might need. Some sleuthing may be in order! If tools are completely out of your realm of experience, get advice from a trusted friend about what to get. Sentimental A gift that harkens back to your childhood or even your father’s younger years can be a hit. Was there a particular hobby you shared? Perhaps choose something that reminds you (and him) of that time spent together. Did you share a love of collecting baseball cards with your Dad? Get one to add to his collection. Did you listen to vinyl records together? Get him a record player and some records from the past. If you’re going to go with a mug, instead of “World’s Greatest Dad” have one made featuring a favorite photo of the two of you. Gift of Time Spending time together may be the best gift you could give to your dad. Get tickets to a sporting event, a theatre production, or a concert that you know your dad would enjoy — throw in dinner, and you’ve got the recipe for a meaningful gift. If you are not able to spend time together physically, sent a letter with your gift or in a card expressing appreciation for all your father had done for you and what he means to you. Be specific, recount memories and what they taught you. If writing isn’t your thing, make a phone call and spend some time connecting with your father. He’s sure to feel loved. Whether you pick something up at your favorite Gilbert shop, online, or if you head to visit your father, the point is to honor the men in your life who are amazing fathers. What is your favorite idea for a Father’s Day gift? Share with us in the comments. Enjoy June in sunny Arizona!

Frozen Treats to Beat the Summer Heat

Summer with its scorching heat is on its way here to Gilbert, AZ. With plenty of summer sun to heat you up over these next few months, we’ve pulled together some refreshing summertime recipes to help you cool down in your Liv Northgate apartment. Make one (or more) of these treats soon for a cooldown! This fresh Raspberry Sorbet only takes 30 minutes to make, so be sure to prepare this for your next summer outing. We think adding lemon juice to the mix is a great way to add a bit of tang to the sweetness of this thick dessert. Garnish with some fruit or sprigs of peppermint to add some complementary color and texture. Fresh Peach Lemonade sounds delicious. This smoothie recipe comes from Gather for Bread. It’s the perfect refreshing summer drink. You’ll need 3 large peaches, pitted, and cut into quarters, ½ cup sugar, 1 cup of real lemon juice, and water. Click on the link above to learn the tips and tricks to make this delicious and thirst-quenching drink. Want a s’mores shake? We think that this recipe from Country Living looks delicious. When it’s too hot to make a s’more outside, try making this new twist without leaving your apartment. Key Lime Mousse Tart from Garlic & Zest — Crush together NILLA Wafers, sugar, butter, and sweetened coconut flakes to make the delicious crust for this key lime mousse tart. You will love how the sweet and crunchy crust, tart filling, and creamy garnish combine for a flavorful summer treat. What’s better than pistachio flavored ice cream? Frozen Pistachio Pie , that’s what, and we found an easy-to-make recipe from the Cutestuff Cooks blog. All you need for the filling is pistachios, vanilla ice cream, instant pudding, and green food coloring (optional); swirl the top of the pie with fudge topping. Yum! What is your favorite recipe for summertime eating? Please share in the comments. Thanks for reading today’s post!