My Favorite Things to do in Canton, Ohio!

I am a Cantonian born and raised and I am proud of the place I get to call home! A lot of my peers complain about our little city but I fall in love with it time and time again. In my opinion, people don’t realize how much there is to do here. Sure, we definitely are no match for cities like New York and Boston that are always bustling with things to do , but for it’s size, I think Canton is a pretty great place to live. Plus, if we run out of things to do in Canton, Cleveland is just a short one hour drive North.

But, for now I am going to focus on all my favorite things to do in Canton! Plus, a couple of things I don’t particularly enjoy, but other people might like (*cough*cough* like visiting the Football Hall of Fame). Anyhow, lets get to it!

Explore downtown! Now, this is a pretty broad statement because there is a lot to see in downtown, but if you are new to the area (or maybe you aren’t?) you should definitely take some time to explore the Arts District. Pop into a shop or two! Take photos with some of the amazing wall murals! or simply take your pup on a walk and enjoy a brisk summer day!
Get coffee at Muggswigz. Muggs is definitely one of the local gems of Canton. They have been Canton’s coffee roaster and tea merchant since 2003 and boy do they do us proud. In fact, they were ranked as one of the 10 best coffeehouses in America by USA Today. I’ve frequented Muggswigz for the past eight years and I’ve come down with a list of my favorite beverages: 1) orange market spice tea, 2) chai latte and 3) The Fuzzywig. Check out their site here.
Visit Arrowhead! I always enjoy shopping around vintage/antique stores and arrowhead is one the finest. Not only do they sell some neat antiques, they also have a collection of vinyl and some awesome up-cycled art. Just recently, my cousin got me a handmade cowl scarf from Arrowhead and it is one of my favorites. Check them out here Arrowhead Vintage & Handmade Goods
See a play at the Players Guild Theatre. My favorite thing to do during the Christmas season as a youngster was to go see “A Christmas Carol” at The Players Guild Theatre. They have a wide selection of theatrical performances to chose from throughout the year! One of my favorites from this past season was “Newsies.” It is a great opportunity for a fun night out or to simply get more familiar with musical theatre. Grab some tickets for you and your friends here.
Go see a movie at The Palace Theatre. This one is an absolute most. I stand by my opinion that The Palace Theatre is one of the most spectacular cultural gems in The City of Canton. Built in the 1920s, The Palace is kicking like never before. Its famous ceiling, a stary, cloudy night, is projected onto the ceiling using a cloud machine that makes clouds continuously march across the sky. If you come early enough, you might just luck out and catch a glimpse of The Kiligan Organ. My favorite events this year have been “The Twilight Zone Fest”( featuring 4 classic episodes) and The 1925 version of The Phantom of the Opera. The Phantom of the Opera was especially cool because the organ was played during the silent film just like it was originally intended. They also host some great events! For example, I got to go see Hank and John Green this past fall! Check out their website here.
Visit Gervasi Vineyard. Gervasi is incredible and quite a treat for those who live in or are visiting Canton. It is a winery that offers guests fine Italian dining on their beautiful grounds. If you are looking for a fancier night out, opt for The Italian Bistro or The Twisted Olive. Looking for something a little more casual? Grab a pizza at either The Crush House or the Piazza Outdoor Patio. They offer so many different events, tours, tastings, and culinary classes! Read all about their wonderful charcuterie board here and check out their website here.
Visit the Exploration Gateway at Sippo Lake Park. The park is beautiful and well-kept and makes the perfect place to take an evening walk or a long bike ride. Enjoy the scenery best in the fall when all the leaves are turning for the season or in the summer when the wildlife is buzzing.
Check out the Perry Sippo Library. The Stark County Library has SO much to offer. There are book clubs, a chess club, and many different classes you can take advantage of but I most love about the library is all the free content you have access to. I no longer buy my own books because I have such immediate access to them at the library. Plus, you can access a lot of digital media via apps like Hoopla and Lynda. Perry Sippo is one of my favorite branches for a couple of reasons: 1) the cichlid fish tank is absolutely incredible. I could stare at it for hours AND 2) I love to sit in front of the fire place and enjoy the picturesque scenery while I’m reading a good book. Learn more about the Stark County Library and all it has to offer here.
Visit the Football Hall of Fame. Although I’m not a big football fan, The Hall of Fame is definitely one of Canton’s claims to fame. Even I will admit that the annual Hall of Fame weekend can be great fun. I especially enjoy the ballon launch and the parade, but if you don’t happen to be around for HOF weekend, you can still check out the museum. Especially with all the revamping going on as they construct HOF Village, I’m sure it’s a place worth checking out. Maybe I’ll even get there soon?
Grab a glass of wine at Grapes in a Glass. I love to try different types of wine, however, my budget rarely lets me indulge in it the way my heart urges me to. The solution? Go to Grapes in a Glass and try a glass of one of their many selections. I love this because I can taste different types of wine without having to buy a bottle. Plus the jazzy, sauve atmosphere make for an enjoyable girls night out.
Go see the Canton Symphony Orchestra. The Zimmerman Symphony hosts a wide array of performances to up your knowledge of classical music. Plus, it is very affordable, especially for students. The Canton Symphony offers $10 tickets for students! Learn more about their events here.
Grab at burger at George’s Lounge. Honestly it will be one of the best burgers you’ve ever eaten. Plus, if you find yourself their on a Friday or Saturday night, there might be some live music to keep you wonderfully entertained.
Grab a waffle at Cultured Coffee and Waffles. Two words: Reese’s Waffle.
Visit the Joseph Saxton Gallery of Photography. This is where Noah and I originally wanted to have our wedding reception. They are constantly displaying new exhibits for you enjoy. If you like photography, this is a must see.
Last, I want to share another one of my favorite Canton food joints: Deli Ohio. Honestly, they’ve raised the bar when it comes to local food joints. The restaurants features mostly local products that have been sourced directly from farmers. Plus, they put a huge emphasis on community. Placed in a bit of a dark area of Canton, Deli Ohio has made huge steps towards bringing it back to life. Plus, their food is simply delish. Check them out here.

And there you have it! Some of the best things to do while you are in Canton! Enjoy and if you are familiar with Canton, drop me a comment about your favorite things to do!

*Disclosure: I’m sharing this with you because I love the city of Canton and wanted to share some of my favorite places. No compensation was received. As always, all opinions expressed are my own.

Grandma’s Peanut Butter Pie

I love entertaining! This past year, my mom, sister, and I spent countless hours in the kitchen preparing for Thanksgiving Dinner. We had the menu planned weeks in advance, made sure to pick up cocktail peanuts and a cheese ball, made a last minute trip to Dollar Tree to grab candle sticks, and made our first Charcuterie Board. I treasure the hours we spent together in the kitchen BUT sometimes putting all that time and effort into entertaining is just to much.

My grandma was a master at entertaining. She would take your coat as soon as you entered the door, her counter was always covered in nibbles, and her table was always perfectly set. Something that always eluded me as a little girl was how she did it all? It seemed that everything came out of the oven at the same time and was perfectly delicious.

When I was a freshman in college, my Resident Assistant had a pie competition for my floor of students. My mind flashed back to my grandma’s wonderful peanut butter pie which was a hallmark at every holiday dinner. It was that day that I learned the trick to my grandma’s brilliance. Little did I know that day I would learn that my grandma’s famous pie consisted of five ingredients. And you know what? I won that pie competition with flying colors all thanks to this wonderful dessert.

Ingredients

pie crust
1 tub of whipped cream
powdered sugar
peanut butter
1 packet vanilla pudding

Directions

preheat the oven and bake your pie crust. Once the pie crust is baked allow it 10-20 minutes on a cooling rack to cool completely!
Prepare the vanilla pudding according to the instructions on the package.
Mix about 1/2 cup of peanut butter with 1 cup of powdered sugar. Stir this together until It starts to form little peanut butter balls (these should be teeny tiny! If you need more powdered sugar, by all means add some).
Put 1/3 of the peanut butter mixture onto the crust. Add a layer of vanilla pudding. Place another 1/3 on top of the pudding. Finally, add a layer of whipped cream. And now, the piece de la resistance, sprinkle the rest of the peanut butter/powdered sugar onto the top of the pie.

In conclusion, this pie is literally perfect for a delicious, quick dessert. I’ll always appreciate having this sentimental recipe in my arsenal of entertaining tricks! Do you have any go to dessert for when you need to make something quick? Leave me a comment below!

Homemade Hummus

There is nothing that I appreciate more than homemade hummus. Each Saturday, I pull out the food processor and go to work on my chickpeas. I eat hummus on pita, pretzels, carrots, cucumbers, and cauliflower. I use it on sandwiches, rice crackers, pita chips, and bagels. Quite frankly, I use hummus on nearly anything and everything.

When I was in college, it was awfully convenient to grab a container of Sabra Classic Hummus each week at the grocery, but let me tell you something, once I started making homemade hummus I was completely hooked. Plus, it is super easy. So, below I’ve shared my absolutely favorite hummus recipe. I based my own recipe off of the New York Time’s recipe but over time have adjusted it to my own person preferences

Here what you need:

Ingredients

2 cups cooked or canned chickpeas (if I cooked them myself, I save some of the cooking liquid to adjust the texture at the end of the recipe)
1/2 cup tahini
1/4 cup extra virgin oil
4 cloves garlic
juice of approximately 1.5 lemons ( I liked my hummus extra lemony)
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoons ground cumin (I LOVE cumin so I typically throw in an extra tablespoon. Adjust to your own particular preference)

Directions

Place the chickpeas into the food processor and pulse two to three times. When the chickpeas are broken up a bit add tahini, cumin, garlic, lemon juice, oil, and some salt and pepper. Process in food processor adding some of the chickpea water to adjust the texture. When everything is smooth and creamy make sure to taste so you can adjust your seasonings. Tada! Amazingly delicious hummus!

The Perks of Minimalism: A Work in Progress

I’m going through a minimalism/zero-waste/low-budget phase. I’ve been taking a lot of different concepts that I’ve been exposed to and combined them into one. For me, being minimal is very budget friendly and can also translate well into a sustainable lifestyle.

If you all haven’t watched “Minimalism” on Netflix, I highly recommend it. In many ways, it really puts things into perspective. The documentary is “about the important things” and tracks the life of two men who have decided to travel the country, sharing their message on living on less.

I’m at a point in my life that I’ve been focusing on saving as much money as possible, that means I have to reign in my shopaholic nature. Let me tell you, this is DIFFICULT but it has improved my life in many ways. Listed below, I’ve come up with a list of ways that beginning my minimalist lifestyle has changed my life.

FOR THE RECORD, I do not live a perfectly minimal or zero-waste life. It is all a work in progress, but no criticism please.

I eat better. I’ve tried practicing minimalism in every sector of my life, including my diet. I hate wasting food! There is nothing worse to me than finding a pack of moldy produce in the back of the fridge. To me that is unacceptable, so I’ve gotten into a habit of carefully planning my meals every week. I plan for breakfast, lunches, snacks, and a couple dinners (I still live with my parents, so we mostly eat dinner together). Not only am I saving money, but I can work fruits and vegetables into my plan so I am also eating healthier. Honestly guys, there is no excuse for wasting food.
I don’t take as long getting dressed in the morning. I have been following The 333 Project for the past two months and have really enjoyed it. I chose 33 pieces including clothes, shoes, and accessories that I felt complimented each other. The 3rd 3 signifies 3 months. After the 3 months you can re-evaluate your wardrobe and trade in different pieces. Limiting the amount of clothes you wear to what you truly love makes it so much easier to get ready in the morning.
I spend less on stuff! I used to spend a huge amount of money on make-up, cookware, and other junk. And to be honest? most of it didn’t get used. It just sat at the back of my closet gathering dust. I try to only buy things after giving it a lot of thought. For example, I recently bought the Ozark Trail tumbler. I got my mom a Yeti tumbler for her birthday and desperately wanted one for myself, but did I want to buy a $30 cup? Not really. Wanting to ditch the plastic water bottles for good, I knew I wanted to get a reusable water bottle. So I opted for a lower-cost yeti alternative for $8 (Ozark Trail) but I gave it a lot of though beforehand. PLUS, it is something I use everyday.
I have to clean up less. When you have a lot of stuff, it tends to be difficult to keep things tidy. If you limit the amount of stuff you have, you ultimately don’t have as much to clean up and take care of.
The things you do invest in, can be higher quality. Since you are saving money on spending money on random stuff, you can actually invest your money into high quality items. For example, my fiancé recently bought a Stanley thermos. He chose to invest in this item because his grandpa’s had lasted decades. Personally, I would rather have a handful of high quality items that are going to last than a bunch of crappy stuff that breaks easily.
You can focus on things you really enjoy. Since you are now freed from all your stuff, you can really focus on things you enjoy! I love maintaining my fish aquarium, and practicing minimalism has given me more time to focus on the hobby I really enjoy.

Overall, I’ve really embraced the minimalist lifestyle. Although I am a long way from where I would like to be, I’ve definitely stopped brining things into the house. Noah and I are planning on moving out soon, so I feel like I’ve gone into nesting mode. I need to remind myself that I do not need a bunch of things to be happy AND I’ve concluded that we need to put a lot of thought into what things we want to welcome into our new place.

Reusable Ziploc Bags: Zero Waste/Budget Friendly Alternatives

Recently, I have been really into the concept of zero waste. For those of you who aren’t familiar with this term, being zero-waste is a movement towards sustainability. Being zero waste means that you make significant efforts to reuse everything you have and you make an effort to use products that will eventually decompose and/or can be made into something else.

I like this idea for two reasons: 1) it is a way to decrease your ecological footprint and 2) overall, it is a budget friendly way of living. Of course, there is some upfront investment, but in the long run it is actually beneficial to your pocket book because you aren’t buying items that eventually find their way to the landfill (ex. paper towels, paper plates, etc.). This might sound completely bizarre, but just fifty years ago this was a pretty normal way of living. Your grandparents didn’t use disposal plates to eat their dinner on or grab a paper towel to wipe up a mess. They used reusable products that they probably kept around for a long time! Heck, my grandma still uses the same plates she had when my dad was a young boy.

Anyhow, I’ve recently been trying to incorporate more reusable items into my life. For example I now use a lunchbox instead of the brown paper bags I’ve used my entire life. I also constantly keep a reusable water bottle, straw, and bags on hand so I’m not tempted to buy bottled water or use a plastic straw at a restaurant AND God forbid I forget my reusable bags when I go to the grocery. Recently, the sewing machine I’ve had my eye on for the past two years went on sale for nearly half its value and I jumped on it. I’m now a proud owner of a brother sewing machine. As would anyone else in my shoes, I immediately wanted to start a new project with my new toy. Enter….. reusable ziplock baggies

A couple months ago I had the privilege to stumble across a small company called “Empty Bin Zero Waste.” This company makes and sells products that help people lose the plastic, help the planet, and still do what we do… only with a bit more style. I saw these adorable reusable ziplock bags and I could not resist! I couldn’t wait to get home and try these bad boys out. Despite my excitement, I was a bit skeptical but rest assured that these are incredible.

I soon found that my two re-usable baggies weren’t enough for me to pack my breakfast, snacks, and lunch and unfortunately, at $7 a pop I couldn’t really afford to buy anymore. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESSES but unfortunately I’m not at a point in my life where I can spend a small fortune on ziplock bags. What I could do? I could go to Joanne fabrics and buy $11 worth of PUL, $5 of cotton fabric, $2 worth of zippers, and go to town on my sewing machine. Let me tell you that ANYONE can make these baggies. They are so simple to make, even for a beginner. Below, I have instructions on how to make your own re-usable ziplock baggies. For the record, PUL can be pretty expensive so it is best to buy it when you have a coupon. Just download the JoAnne fabrics app and register. I can almost guarantee you that there will be either a 40%, 50%, 60% off coupon on one item waiting for you. I also suggest buying your zippers on amazon in bulk. They are much more affordable this way. I would guess that I spend about $1.50/bag.

Here is my collection of reusable bag! What is really fun is how you can pick your own fabric! I especially liked the cork screw print.

Also, I would like to express that in order for sustainable companies to grow, we need to invest in them! So, if you have the ability to support small businesses like “Empty Bin Zero Waste” PLEASE PLEASE DO SO. And if you can’t invest $7 on a ziplock bag, then spend $2.50 on a stainless steel straw. A little support from everyone will go a long way

Directions:

Cut your fabric (PUL and Cotton) into 16×8 inch rectangles. Lay the right sides facing towards each other. Put your zipper (zipper-side down) along the top edge of the fabric and sandwich it between the PUL and Cotton. It is best to pin the zipper down at this point (just to make sure you have this right, you should now only see the sides of your zipper since the middle is sandwiched between the two layers). At this point you need to use your machine and sew the zipper into place.
This is where it gets a bit tricky. You need to sew the other side of the zipper so what you need to do is pick the fabric up by the unsewed side of the zipper. Then take your cotton fabric and bring it up the to zipper. Do this same procedure on the other side and pin. Your zipper should once again be sandwiched between your two layers of fabric. Sew the other side of the zipper into place.
Next, you need to top stitch the zipper into place. For this step. You want to turn the bag right side out and sew the zipper firmly into place. See that stitch right below and above my zipper? That is what yours should look like. To do this, open your zipper so the pouch is easier to work with.
Now you need to decide where you want your zipper to be. You can do this 1 of 2 way. First, you can keep the bag right side out and determine where you want the zipper to be. You can pin it and then turn it back inside out. OR I think it is just easier to determine where you want the zipper when its inside out and then sewing along the border. This stitch will close the left and right side of your bag. NOTE: Make sure your zipper is open BUT inside of your bag. You do not want to stitch with your zipper on the outside of your bag. Just to be safe, I would place your zipper in the middle. Stitch up the left side and up the right side. Cut off the excess zipper.
At this point. Your ziplock should actually look like a bag. All the sides should be closed. All that is left is to reach into the bag through the hole that is left by the zipper and pull it right side out.
AND YOU ARE DONE! You know how a homemade, reusable product! Enjoy 🙂 and if you have any questions leave me a comment below.

The Journey Begins

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton

This blog is in part a way for me to do something that I feel is important. It is also a way for me practice self-care as I seek to better myself and meet my goals.

This year has been a particularly difficult one for me. Despite popular opinion, I loved school. It gave meaning and purpose to my days. Unfortunately, post-graduation hasn’t gone exactly as planned and I find myself lacking any true purpose. So, as I endeavor to find an ideal career I’ve decided to dedicate any time that I’m not submitting applications doing something I enjoy: cooking, baking, and writing

Just a typical girl who is trying to beat the everyday monotony of life. Inspired by The Great Andrew Rea and Chef John. Empowered by the creations of Mary Berry. Join me as I explore the culinary world of good food, culture, and whatever else I am inspired to write about .