The Liebster Award

At Simple Seasonal we’re pretty excited to have been nominated by Sherri and Greg over at Watch Learn Eat for the Liebster Award. It’s an award given to bloggers by bloggers in order to recognize and promote newer up-and-coming blogs. To qualify a blog can have between 200 and 3,000 followers. We recently passed the 400 “likes” mark on Facebook and we’re eager to hit 1K, so if you’re a regular follower check out our Facebook page and don’t forget to like us before you leave! You can also find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest.

The way the Liebster Award works: If you’ve been nominated and choose to accept, you must answer 10 question as asked by the blog who nominated you. You then have to nominate 5-10 other blogs and ask them 10 questions in turn. We happily accept our nomination from Watch Learn Eat. Thanks guys! Below are the answers to the 10 questions they presented to us:

1. Describe your blog in 5 words or less.

Simple, mostly healthy, locavore recipes.

2. What led you to start blogging?

Dan is a user experience designer at the e-mail marketing company AWeber. As part of his job, he spends a lot of time talking with customers who have been successful at building a business in the blogosphere, which got him thinking that we could do it too! After some considerable prodding and a couple of years to think about it, Rachel got the idea for Simple Seasonal while picking out vegetables at a local farm. People had a lot of questions about how to prep and cook some of the more unusual varieties of produce, thus the idea of Simple Seasonal was born. Ever since, both Rachel and Dan have been 100% committed to making this blog awesome, and to be a resource for people who have a conundrum with unusual, local produce.

3. How did you learn to cook?

Rachel is the cook, and Dan is the mixologist for this blog…

Rachel has loved cooking as long as she can remember, her first masterpiece being a brie panini around age 9. Growing up, she hated playing dolls and sleepovers where everyone did each other’s hair and make-up. Instead, you’d find her in the kitchen making yummy things for her friends. Rachel comes from a long line of women who can hold their own in the kitchen. She grew up knowing what good food tastes like and watching the women in her family make it.

Dan likes to eat Rachel’s cooking, but returns the favor by developing tasty cocktails. He became interested in mixing and developing his own cocktails after our son, David was born. It’s hard to go out on a Friday night with a little one, so we started making our own fun in our living room!

4. What is your signature dish?

Rachel is known for her soups. A favorite that you can check out is Cream of Turkey and Wild Rice Soup. People are also crazy about her Cod Chowder, but sadly that’s not on the blog (yet).

In the summer Dan makes an awesome Apple Mint Mojito, which is also sadly not on the blog (yet). I’m thinking he’ll make that happen next summer.

5. What is your favorite part about blogging?

At Simple Seasonal we’re a husband and wife team. Rachel produces most of the content, aside from the occasional cocktail recipe. Dan helps with self-promotion and all things technical. It’s really cool to have an interest outside of domestic life that we’re working on together.

6. Who is your “food” idol?

Rachel: Jamie Oliver. I fell in love with his cooking while watching his show The Naked Chef  in the late 90s. I love all the fresh veg he uses in his cooking, and the rustic elements of many of his dishes. Plus, he’s passionate about public health.

Dan: Richard Paterson. A couple of years ago, I was trying to figure out how to appreciate Scotch whisky and came across one of his videos on YouTube entitled “How to Drink Whisky Like a Sir.” The guy is a little bizarre and a lot hilarious, but by using his recommendations I learned how to taste and appreciate not only Scotch, but any other kind of whisky (or whiskey) I’ve encountered since. He’s not passionate about public health. Sorry Jamie…

7. What is the one place in the world you would love to visit?

We both want to take a long, kid-free trip to Italy someday. Dan has an art degree, so he wants to take in the artwork, and Rachel wants an art tour provided by Dan. We plan on eating our way through the country and drinking a fair amount of wine as we go.

8. What is one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?

Rachel:  I have an adventurous side. Before starting a family I lived in Kathmandu for a year, spent a summer in England, hiked the PA portion of the Appalachian Trail, and went sailing along the Florida Keys on my aunt and uncle’s sailboat. I love spontaneity and going off of the beaten path, and have never been afraid to travel it whether it’s with someone I love or if it’s alone.

Dan: I love languages and accents. In college I worked as a museum guard and would practice various British Isle accents on the unsuspecting museum guests. They would ask me where I was from and I would make up grand stories about my background. Eventually, after the amusement wore off, I found that my hobby presented an ethical dilemma so I decided to stop.

9. What are your hobbies?

Rachel: Technically, this blog is my main hobby right now. I “Mommy” three quarters of the time and work as a visiting nurse the rest of the time. I blog for fun, but also with the intent of making it an income source. Also, when I have time, I like to knit. Nothing complicated. Just knitting and pearling. It’s so relaxing…

Dan: I love drawing and painting – especially portraiture and figurative work. Unfortunately, I don’t get to do as much of it as I would like, but I’ve always loved studying the Old Masters and trying to deconstruct their techniques.

10. What is your favorite song?

Rachel: I couldn’t say. I’m utterly tone deaf, so music isn’t very important to me. No, seriously, I really am, I’m not just being a party pooper! Ask Dan.

Dan: It’s true, and so sad… While I’m not sure I have a “favorite” song, I always come back to “Across the Universe” by the Beatles. I’ve loved that song ever since I was a teenager.

Our nominees..

1. Rhubarbarians
2. Turnip the Oven
3. Platings and Pairings
4. Farm Fresh Feasts
5. Contentedness Cooking
6. Kelley and Cricket
7. Strawberry Blondie Kitchen 

10 questions for our nominees…

1. Why did you start blogging?
2. What does your typical work day of blogging look like?
3. Do you have a favorite quote?
4. What was your worst kitchen disaster or recipe flop?
5. Chocolate chip or oatmeal raisin?
6. What childhood meal do you have warm and fuzzy memories of?
7. What book has challenged your thinking the most?
8. What is your ideal breakfast?
9. What is your greatest struggle with running a blog?
10. What is the farthest you’ve ever traveled from home?