Mother in the Mountains

Navajo tacos is a “traditional” Navajo recipe. Basically take any variety of beans or chili and layer on top of a scone or fry bread. Typical topics include any usual taco topping, cheese, sour cream, lettuce, avocado, or whatever else sounds good. If you skip the beans you can slather it in honey butter and it is equally good.

A brief history on Navajo Tacos

This recipe was created in response to the rations the US government allocated the Native Americans after they were displaced from their Native lands. Essentially the US government would give them flour, beans and lard and this recipe was created from the ingredients they had available. This was the history we got in Idaho history when I was in elementary school. I think it’s interesting to know the stories of how we got our recipe.

My personal recipe is adapted from my families recipe; my dear aunt Cathy included it in a recipe book she gave to my mom. Aunt Cathy scrapbooks and gifts recipe books and my own is a treasured possession.

Method

I include the recipe for our Navajo taco beans (chili) but really any version of chili or beans will work with this. I also typically make my chili in my pressure cooker because it’s so much faster than this several hour long recipe. When you beans are about half hour away from being finished you’ll want to start your fry bread.

Fry bread is a quick dough made of milk (or water), flour, baking powder, and salt. It takes a few minutes to knead or mix with a stand mixer. Then simply shape a golf ball sized lump of dough into an approximate circle. The outside of the circle is a little thicker than the center which creates a bowl shape as the dough fries in hot oil.

Place fry bread on paper towels to cool. When ready to serve, pile on beans and whatever taco toppings desired. Enjoy your Navajo tacos!

Partnership with ButcherBox

The last time I made this recipe I used beef I received from Butcherbox and I was very happy with the quality. I’m pretty picky about the quality of the ingredients I use so I love that Butcherbox’s beef is 100% grass-fed and finished, pasture-raised. Until May 30th new customers get $100 off ($20 for 5 months), no code required!

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

XO Faith

When my son turned one I knew I wanted to do a fun first birthday shoot but I had no inspiration on what to do. I had looked all over online for something that might fit his fun personality as well as something that would be relatively easy for me to pull together. Nothing seemed to fit until finally, the night before I saw one picture of a softball-themed shoot and decided that was what I would do. Most of my family has all played softball and/or baseball and we’re huge fans of both. Unfortunately, I had one photo as inspiration to go on so I had to make it up as I went!

I already had him a baseball-themed pajama set so I grabbed him another outfit at Walmart. Then I pulled out all of our softball and baseball gear plus a wooden crate we had on hand. The only things I purchased were the second outfit, the cap, and the ingredients for the cake.

Making the One banner

Materials: Brown paper bag or kraft paper, brown twine, scrapbook letters, white paper, red marker

I found a paper bag and using a ruler measured out by eyeballing the shape of one of the banners. I cut it out and adjusted it as needed. I used it as a template for the other two.

For the ball, I cut out a circle and freehanded the red lines. I did consider doing a softball but a baseball is more recognizable.

For the other letters, I found scrapbook letters, traced them, cut them, and glued them on.

I folded the top of each banner piece over the brown twine and glued it the paper to itself.

It took about an hour but most of that hour was spent tracking down materials. I was at my mom’s house so I didn’t know how to find everything as I do at home.

First Birthday Smash Cake

I baked two small round cakes stacked. I frosted it with whipping cream stabilized with gelatin. The only sugar in the cake was the red licorice I used to make the traditional baseball markings.

Photoshoot

We went out to the local ball field and set up all the props. We added the baby last and quickly started taking pictures while he played with all the props. I feel like this is a great theme for any kid because balls and bats are so much fun to play with.

Halfway through we switched outfits and then added the cake. In hindsight, I would pick a second location without gravel or dirt for the cake smash. He ate equal parts whipping cream and dirt!

What is your favorite cake smash/first birthday shoot theme? I think this one fit him perfectly and I’m so glad we manage to throw it together.

xo Faith

Hi, we’re the chicks in this henhouse. We’re super excited to introduce you to our new project! The five of us will be working together to create content, posts, and more that will encompass a lot more than what one person can do alone. There’s strength in numbers! And something is always better when done with family.

Introducing Faith

I’m Faith! I am the original creator of the blog, I’ve been blogging for over 15 years and I’m super excited to drag my sisters and mom into the blog life. I’m a Christian crunchy mama of four, and I’m married to an engineer. In December [2022], I’ll have my master’s in counseling. I love what I do, and I’m excited to share it! I also love cooking, reading and writing, gardening, and being a homemaker.

Introducing Coreen

Hi, my name is Coreen and I was forced to be here but since I’m here already I am a poor newlywed college student who’s really into fitness. I also love reading and softball. My husband is a farmer as well as an IT man. I work on a farm when I’m not studying history.

Introducing Amanda

What’s up, I’m ‘Manda. I’m also a poor college student. I’m going because I received a full ride because I know how to manipulate the system and get good grades. I love to draw, read, sing, play softball, and the list goes on. I still live at home but hey at least I don’t live in my mom’s basement.

Introducing Abby

I’m Abby, I’m the second-youngest. I was the youngest for an entire five years until my mom finally decided to give me a baby sister. I’m concurrently enrolled as a high school student working toward my associate’s as well as my high school diploma. I love fashion, reading, and frolicking on trails behind our house, and my family.

We have one more sister, Anna. But she has a few more years to go before she can join us in our blogging adventure.

Introducing Jill

I’m Jill the mama hen of all these girls and I have three sons also. I adore my family, coffee, teaching, scrapbooking, reading, riding bikes, gardening, planning and hosting parties, and spending time with my children and grandchildren. I’ve been in education for over 20 years and I’m excited to share all the things I’ve learned by homeschooling and teaching in a public school. I also can’t wait to share what I’m working on in scrapbooking, it’s one of my most important past times to preserve my family’s legacy.

Our purpose for this joint project is to inspire, educate, and impact people with compassion and love for others.

Love,

Chicks in the Henhouse

I’ve been living in this city for 2.5 years now and I feel like I have a pretty good grasp on the coffee scene now. There’s dozens and dozens of coffee shops, I still have a list of places I need to try. However, I have already chosen what I think are the best coffee shops in Salt Lake City.

Ultimately, I’m going to share my three favorite that I go to over and over. I will also share coffee shops that are pretty decent and meet my requirements for good coffee. I will not mention any that I did not like or would not go to again. That means if a coffee shop is not on here it is probably not worth going to.

What makes a good coffee shop?

Flavor

I’m a traditional Italian espresso coffee fan. I’m not sure what those blonde roast lovers are thinking. I’ve ended up at a couple of those innovative places and they do not make it on this list. I like rich, I like bold. I do not like sour or weak.

I also like both cold and hot drinks. Sometimes I prefer one over the other but I like them both equally. That means I love a coffee shop that can make both amazingly well.

Cleanliness

This is second in importance. I don’t need a bright, new clean starbucks but it shouldn’t smell or look like a trash heap. Artistic clutter is nice but garbage is not. A clean bathroom is a necessity as you can tell if they prioritize cleanliness based on their toilet. Overall, a clean sitting area makes me trust that the area they make my coffee in is also clean.

Ambiance

I’m a sucker for good ambiance. I really love places you can just sit around for a while. I love a good white and metal space as well as a grungy (but clean!) interesting art space. I also like a variety of places to sit. A small table, an arm chair, and bar stools are all great and if they’re all available – even better!

Now that you know what I look for in a good coffee shop, let’s get down to the list.

Three Best Coffee Shops in Salt Lake City

Raw Bean

I typically go to the downtown location but I have been to both of the other locations. They are both drive thru so the ambiance doesn’t apply to them. However, the downtown Raw Bean is clean, neat and has an upstairs area with lots of seating.

I tend to order off of their monthly special board because I have not been disappointed. I’ve been pleased with everything I’ve ordered there. I’ve tried hot, cold, and even blended. Some of their specials have multiple syrups so if you like less sweet try something else or ask for half sweet.

Recommendation: Shot in the dark with cream (flavors, optional)

Bad Ass Coffee Salt Lake City

I’ve only gone in twice because I typically go here when I’m driving down State Street headed somewhere. Here’s why I love them:

• The nicest employees. Once I asked for something with cinnamon and so they just made me something. I don’t know what it was but they were extremely nice and it was extremely delicious.
• Really great coffee. Hot, iced, or blended.
• A fun, clean, space, decorated with hawaiian flair.

Recommendation: Jitter juice (hot or iced)

Java Jo’s

This is the only one of my favorites that is not dine in. There are several locations but I like the one by the University. Their menu is not extensive but their specialty drinks are all amazing. The cinnamon dolce is my go to. Their hot drinks are best in my opinion, second is blended, and last is iced. Iced is still good, just not as good as their hot drinks. Their Italian Soda’s are also some of the best I’ve had.

Recommendation: Hot cinnamon dolce or Frozen Mocha

Honorable Mentions

This is a list of places I like. I prefer to go to my top 3 but if I’m running errands and one of these places are near I’ll swing by. These are also places I will take friends (aka my sisters) to. They are somewhat ordered from my favorites to not my favorites. If it didn’t make it on this list chances are I tried it and didn’t like it. I’m pretty sure I’ve tried most places in SLC so if there’s a place you love that’s not on this list, let me know! I would love to check it out and maybe add it to this portion.

The Red Moose

Cute little cafe in a neighborhood, right down the block from a good park to hang out with your drink.

Kafeneio Coffeehouse

Interesting, large interior. An old building but clean. The specials are named after gods which is super fun and I’ve liked all the ones I’ve tried. They also have amazing croissants from a local bakery.

Blue Copper Coffee Room

Super tiny but clean interior. Really nice barista and good drinks.

Bjorns Brews

I’ve not made it inside yet but I’ve been through the drive thru a few times. Drinks are great and they have a delicious croissant sandwich. There’s a few locations.

Coffee Noir

Non-pretentious coffee place with great out door seating. Great customer service and drinks.

The Rose Establishment

The environment is very conducive for group get togethers.

Publik Coffee Roasters

Tried once but I will go back. A huge, minimalist interior with hipster type drink and food options.

I hope this is a helpful resource for anyone looking for the best coffee shops in Salt Lake City! There are so many good places it’s not worth going to somewhere subpar.

XO

Faith