Blog Posts

Celebrate Food Holidays

The Liv Northgate Blog has several different recipes to help you celebrate National Pecan Month, Caramel Popcorn Day, and Pretzel Day. April is a great month for food holidays, and we are excited to make a few of these recipes in our Liv Northgate kitchens this month. National Pecan Month Butter Pecan Cheesecake from Bake or Break This butter pecan cheesecake is amazing. Break or Break has this to say about this recipe: “The flavor of this cheesecake is remarkably reminiscent of butter pecan ice cream. If we share a mutual adoration of that wonderful ice cream, then this may very well become your favorite cheesecake. It’s like a wonderful mashup of that ice cream and cheesecake. And I have to say that I am 100% okay with that.” Butter Pecan Cookies from Sally’s Baking Addiction These simple and chewy butter pecan cookies are the snack you’ve been dreaming of. Chopped pecans, butter, sugar, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt combine for a cookie that will have you asking for another. Caramel Popcorn Day — April 6th Zebra Caramel Corn from Creme de la Crumb The only thing better than traditional caramel corn is this zebra caramel corn. The caramel can be made with butter, light brown sugar, and water. Finish off this treat with drizzles of semi-sweet and white chocolate. Pretzel Day — April 26th Salted Caramel Pretzel Cupcakes from Chocolate with Grace The star of this recipe is really the salted caramel buttercream. Throw it together using butter, powdered sugar, salted caramel sauce, salt, heavy cream, and pretzel twists. This is a dessert that wins any day of the year, but you’ll enjoy it especially on Pretzel Day. Mozzarella Stuffed Rosemary and Parmesan Soft Pretzels from Baker by Nature This mozzarella stuffed rosemary is the perfect appetizer for your Pretzel Day dinner. We recommend making this bread the day before Pretzel Day. It’s a pretty complex recipe, but it’s flavorful, rich, and delicious. The toppings are the best part of this recipe (besides the pretzel bread!). You’ll love the mixture of melted butter, fresh rosemary, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt topping this delicious treat. Do you have any recipes for us? Leave your recipes, and any events coming to the Gilbert, AZ area, in the comments. Thanks for reading our post!

Start Cleaning for Spring

The Liv Northgate Blog has some useful tips to help you with your spring cleaning this year. Spruce up your Gilbert, AZ apartment with a good cleaning before the month is through. We hope that our tips help you tidy up your space for a fresh start this spring! Remember to walk through your apartment. Which rooms need the most cleaning? Which rooms look okay? Clean the rooms that need the most work first. It’s important to tackle your biggest projects while your enthusiasm is still high. As you are walking through each room, write a list of everything that needs to be done, what cleaning supplies need to be used, and when you will complete your project. It’s important to give yourself deadlines; if you don’t, your spring cleaning may well stretch out into summer (or even winter). Need help finding inspiration for your spring cleaning to-do list? We like this checklist from Martha Stewart. Once you’ve determined what you need to do, it’s time to do it! Spread your cleaning out over several weekends, and dedicate a few hours to getting everything done! Don’t be afraid to donate items you no longer use. Ask yourself how often you envision yourself using that object in the coming year, and take inventory of how often you used it in the last twelve months. Items that got very little use should be donated, thrown away, or given away. Remember to clean everything — even appliances. Get into the corners that you usually don’t think of cleaning. Send your winter coat out to be dry cleaned, get rid of old water stains, and give your oven a good thorough cleaning. Remember that spring cleaning is a chance to deep clean everything in your apartment, so leave no stone unturned as you clean your Liv Northgate apartment! Do you have any spring cleaning tips for us? Leave us your best advice in the comments. Thanks for reading our post!

Stay Healthy This Month

The Liv Northgate Blog has several ideas to help you stay happy and healthy this month. Our tips will help you become a healthier person. Whether you want to change your diet, get some exercise, or get out of the house this month, we have a couple of tips for you. We hope you enjoy our post! Change your diet slowly It can be tempting to want to completely overhaul your diet as soon as you decide you want to eat healthier, but a sudden change in your diet can be difficult to sustain. Consider changing your habits slowly, instead. Get rid of that bowl of ice cream after dinner, stop drinking sugary drinks, or replace your chips with snap peas. Making small adjustments to your diet over a long period of time will eventually change your lifestyle drastically. Remember to drink plenty of water and to make changes that fit easily into your daily routine. Consult your doctor to find out healthy ways to lose weight. Exercise in a way that fits your lifestyle Exercising can be a great way to have a healthier lifestyle. Choose exercise that fits your activity level and lifestyle. Getting more exercise can be as simple as choosing the stairs instead of the elevator. The Liv Northgate has a 24/7 Liv Fit fitness center for anyone who would like to workout. Remember to exercise (if you choose to exercise) in a way that feels good. Talk to your doctor before you take on a strenuous workout routine. Get out of the house There are many wonderful places to visit in Gilbert, AZ. Visit Freestone Park or Discovery Park for a stroll sometime this month. Freestone Park has a skate park, sand volleyball courts, tennis courts, basketball courts, lake areas, softball fields, and more. You can find even more details about Freestone Park here . Discover Park has several multi-use fields, basketball courts, and more. Visit either park this month for a fun day out in the sun this March. Do you have any health tips for us? Leave us your best advice in the comments. Thanks for reading our post!

Celebrate St. Patricks Day

The Liv Northgate Blog has several ideas to help you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th! Dress up in your greenest outfit, head out on the town for a St. Patrick’s Day event, and make a green shake to celebrate. We hope that you have a very happy St. Patrick’s Day this month. Whether or not you’re Irish, there are plenty of fun St. Patrick’s Day activities that anyone in Gilbert, AZ can participate in! We found a wonderful guide to various places to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Phoenix here . Phoenix is home to many different pubs, restaurants, and more that have special dishes on St. Patrick’s day. Head out of town for a delicious meal on St. Patrick’s day. Phoenix also holds a St. Patrick’s Day parade each year. You can find more details about the parade by following the parade’s Facebook page . Not in the mood to go out on the town? Make your own St. Patrick’s Day shake at home. Cincyshopper has an excellent copycat shamrock milkshake recipe and Studio DIY! makes a delicious rainbow cereal milkshake . For a fun snack on St. Patrick’s Day, try these shamrock shake macarons from Baking a Moment or these leprechaun hat s’mores from The Cake Blog. Deck out your apartment with green streamers, balloons, tablecloths, and more. Landeelu has a wonderful guide to decorating your Liv Northgate apartment for your St. Patrick’s day celebrations. (We especially like the DIY Pot of Gold ). Invite some friends over, make snacks, and celebrate with the people you know and love. We have a couple of fun facts about St. Patrick’s Day from Mental Floss. You can find the original article here . —The original color of St. Patrick’s Day was blue. — Leprechauns earn their own gold. What are your plans for St. Patrick’s day? Let us know in the comments. Thanks for reading our post!

Dentists Day

Celebrate clean teeth and white smiles on March 6th. Today is Dentist’s Day and the Liv Northgate Blog is helping you keep your pearly whites bright with a few tips. We hope that you enjoy our post! It’s important to remember to brush your teeth everyday. Set an alarm or reminder on your phone to help you remember to brush your teeth. Experts recommend brushing two to three minutes a day; we recommend playing a song while you brush. Once the song is over, you can finish brushing. Use alcohol-free mouthwash (alcohol dries out your gums) after brushing. Mouthwash is NOT a replacement for brushing your teeth, but it can be a great way to strengthen your teeth and freshen your breath. Floss at least once a day before or after brushing. Schedule an appointment with a local dentist here in Gilbert, AZ at least twice a year. Visiting a dentist twice a year can help you fight cavities, strengthen your teeth (especially if your dentist offers fluoride with each cleaning), and keep your teeth healthy and clean. During your appointment, a dental hygienist will clean your teeth and take X-rays before the dentist comes in to see you. The dentist will run over any problems he sees and give you a few tips on how you can take better care of your teeth. Visiting the dentist is an easy way to keep your smile healthy. Whiten your teeth professionally by asking your dentist about their methods. You can also whiten your teeth at home with whitening kits and toothpastes. Not a fan of store bought products? Everyday Roots has an article on 3 Natural Ways to Whiten Teeth at Home . Avoid foods that stain teeth (like coffee, red wine, and cranberry juice) or brush your teeth right after you eat. You will probably need to whiten your teeth every couple of months to keep them pearly white; keep this in mind while you decide how you will whiten your teeth. Do you have any teeth tips for us? Leave them in the comments. Thanks for reading our post!

Desserts

The Liv Northgate Blog has five dessert recipes for you to try out this month. We hope you enjoy making (and eating!) a delicious dessert sometime this month. Invite friends over for a dessert party or make yourself a chocolate cake to indulge in after a long day at work. Mint French Macarons with Minty White Chocolate Ganache Filling From Sweet & Savory This recipe is a little more difficult than the other recipes we’ve included on this list, but it’s well worth it. These mint French macarons are light and sweet, and they taste great when paired with a cup of tea or a cup of hot chocolate. Cinnamon Infused Thick Italian Hot Chocolate from Just a Little Bit of Bacon We love Italian hot chocolate. It’s thicker, sweeter, and more decadent than your regular cup of hot chocolate. Use half-and-half (or whole milk), sugar, cornstarch, your favorite chocolate, powdered cinnamon, and your favorite brand of whipped cream to make this dreamy hot chocolate. Triple Dark Chocolate Truffle Brownies from Sprinkle Some Sugar Had a bad day at work? Destress with a pan of triple dark chocolate truffle brownies. These fudgy brownies are loaded with chocolate. You use regular cocoa powder, dark cocoa powder, oreos, and chocolate chips to make this treat. It’s also loaded with a lot of butter (and not very much flour) making for the fudgiest brownies we’ve ever tried. Remember to have these brownies with a scoop of ice cream or a tall glass of milk. Chocolate Mousse Mini Oreo Cheesecakes from OMG Chocolate Desserts These chocolate mousse mini oreo cheesecakes take cupcakes (and cheesecake) to the next level. We love how the oreo crust, cheesecake filling, and chocolate mousse layer for a delicious and elegant treat. Caramel Poke Cake from Yummiest Food This easy dessert is perfect for sharing at a potluck or a dessert party with friends. This recipe makes a generous serving for guests, tastes amazing, and has just the right blend of caramel and chocolate. Use your own caramel or salted caramel recipe if you’d prefer. Where’s your favorite place to get dessert in Gilbert, AZ? What are your favorite desserts? Let us know in the comments. Thanks for reading our post!