@JoelECarlson – Hello everybody, and welcome to an early AM Twitterview with @cafecyan. Grab your coffee and lets get Tweet’n. :)
Q – #1 So @cafecyan, how did you come up with your Twitter handle and where did you grow up?
A: My Twitter handle is my blog name, a combo of my name and my husband’s name, Ryan.
I also used to be in print photography, so cyan was a color I often did color corrections with. Grew up in good ‘ol Burnsville, MN
Q – #2 I see. So what HS did you attend and then what kind of schooling or training did you get after that?
A: Went to Burnsville High School, then to Arizona State (too much $$) so I transferred to U of WI – La Crosse after a year of fun.
My degree is in Human Resources and I’m also professionally certified (oolala, fancy). I was a total business geek.
Q – #3 Interesting! So how did you transfer from biz interest into your food interest?
A: I have been writing Cafe Cyan since 2006 as a hobby to keep track of the new recipes we were creating/making…
I was inspired by the vegan and vegetarian bloggers out there doing cool stuff with vegetables; there was a great community going on.
Laid off last year after 8+ years in recruiting (love recruiting, btw) & 2 weeks after layoff, @WCCO asked me to start a food blog.
I decided to put my career on pause and run with the food thing. I’ve accomplished a lot in the last year. It’s been a blast!
Q – #4 Neat! So in addition to recipes, how else do you cover food topics on your blog?
A: It’s mostly a food journal, but I also share stories from vacations, events, and talk about unique ingredients like black garlic.
A few of us bloggers have started a bread baking club and are baking our way through @ArtisanBreadIn5 Anyone is welcome!
On my @WCCO blog, Bite of Minnesota, I write about local farmers markets & using local ingredients. I want people to experience!
I have just started writing about events & restaurant happenings on @hotdishblog & write restaurant features for @TCFOODFINDS.
Q – #5 What are some local bakeries or local grocery/co-op’s that you’d recommend?
A: I try to bake my own bread, but Great Harvest Bread is close to me and works in a pinch.
I love Mississippi Market Co-op, but @VNFCoop is closer for me. I also love stopping at the fancy stores like Lunds and Kowalskis.
Q – #6 You know your local food places! Nice to be a little diverse in your work too! So what is your favorite comfort food?
A: I lean towards carbs for comfort food: pizza, garlic bread, potato and tortilla chips, mac & cheese.
But, if I’m in need of a pick-me-up, I drink freshly squeezed lemon juice w/salt. It perks me up & makes me feel comforted.
Q – #7 Also, what’s your favorite: Restaurant, cooking utensil store, cooking gadget and unique food?
A: Restaurant: @omminneapolis & French Meadow Bakery. I really don’t have a fav cooking utensil store (I already have enough!)
Cooking gadget: either my immersion blender or microplane grater. Use them both ALL the time.
Unique food: I’m really into black garlic right now & use in everything. I also love spirulina (in smoothies) & nutritional yeast.
Q – #8 Cool! So what’s your thought on healthy eating? Do you think more people are starting to give it more attention?
A: I thing we all TRY to eat healthier but I don’t think it is happening consistently enough.
I often tell people to focus on getting your fruits, veg, and whole grains first. The rest will fall into place naturally.
Q – #9 I can’t believe the hour is almost up! You’re fun to chat with. :) What advice or mantra would you like to end with today?
A: It’s been fun! I challenge people to get out of their comfort zones and try something new – make life exciting – YOU control it.
@JoelECarlson – Thanks for your time and for sharing today! Have a great day and a super weekend!
@cafecyan – Thanks @JoelECarlson! This has been fun and I appreciated your questions. Have a great day too!