Note:  All photos are from the Science Spectrum and used with permission.

Few things have more appeal to me than a quality-roasted cup of coffee.  There is just something about sitting down with a fresh cup of coffee, full of flavors and aromas.  I’ve long been labeled a “coffee-snob”, and have stopped trying to argue that label for awhile.  While there’s nothing wrong with Folgers, nothing compares to the real deal when it comes to a cup of joe at our house.

Imagine my delight when we found out Lubbock has its very own coffee-roasting company:  Jason Haeger (the proud owner of AJ Coffee Company), has been involved in the coffee business for seven years (and has been drinking it since he was eight), and began AJ in 2010.

Before owning his own coffee roasting company, Jason worked in the commercial coffee industry (aka, Starbuck’s), and fell in love with the production of coffee.  He started a business training and consulting people in the art of espresso.  More than anything, he had a desire to deliver a quality product to fill people’s cups, that also held an ethical commitment to provide fair prices and working conditions at the farms from which it came.  The slogan at AJ is “Ethically Sourced, Artisan Roasted, Specialty Coffee,” and sums up everything the company is about.  Not only are you guaranteed to drink a cup of coffee that has been roasted to highlight the unique and beautiful flavors of the beans, you can drink that cup knowing that everyone involved has been treated with respect and compassion (every bag of coffee roasted by AJ is certified to be Fair Trade).

I don’t know about you, but I’ll drink to that.

If you’ve never tried AJ Coffee Company, now is the perfect time to do so.  They’ve just received their new shipments, Columbia, Rawanda, and Brasil, which means that their beans are at the peak of their flavors.  Jason highly recommends the Fazenda Rodomunho or the Musasa Cooperative:  both blends promise to be incredibly deep and flavorful, and won’t disappoint.

Not sure where you can find coffee from AJ Coffee Company?  You can order from them online, or you can check them out at Good Brews Coffee and Tea Lounge in Kingsgate Center, or at Healthy Essentials on 80th and Abbeville.  Be sure and connect with them on Facebook and Twitter, to stay up-to-date on the freshest coffee news.

Have you filled your cup with anything from AJ Coffee Company?  Be sure and let us know in the comments!

Note:  all images are from AJ Coffee Company, and are used with full permission.

Before I go much farther, let me say that I haven’t bought from Green Roots yet.  I just recently found out about them, and they’ve already sold out of stock for the 2011 year.  But, after interviewing them, I feel very confident standing behind what they do, and think they’re incredibly worthy of mentioning for you.  Besides, as we’re nearing the beginning of a new year, choosing to buy local more is a great goal to have.

Green Roots Farm is owned and operated by Matthew and Joy Looney.  Years ago, they both found themselves working in professional jobs, tired and stressed out.  Wanting to return to more simplistic roots, they began Green Roots Farm, with the motto of “Getting back to the roots of abundance and simplicity.”

And that is exactly what they do.  At Green Roots Farm, you can buy pastured poultry and free range eggs.  Not sure what the difference is between that and what you can buy at the store?  Meat and eggs that are pasture-fed and raised are hormone and preservative free, meaning you’re eating more of the good stuff, and a lot less of the bad stuff.  They also seem to have higher levels of vitamins and nutrients as compared to what you can find in stores.  Their eggs are harvested by hand, and their poultry is raised and butchered humanely, free from contamination.

What does that mean for you?  Why choose to buy from Green Roots, and not from the grocery store?

Here are some things that might keep you from buying from them:

• the price:  you’re going to pay a little more for what you get at Green Roots than you would in the grocery store (anywhere from $4-5/lb for poultry, and $5/dozen for eggs).  But, it’s important to keep in mind what you’re paying for, as well as what you’re not getting.  Here are the 2011 prices.
• inconvenience:  it’s not nearly as easy to go to Green Roots and buy a pound of chicken as it is to go to the store and do so.  But, they welcome visitors, and it could be a fun family trip to go out to the farm together.
• no breast meat:  right now, they do not offer strictly chicken breasts.  I know a lot of people don’t like messing with the bones (my husband included).  One alternative to this is to roast the meat, and then shred it for soups, pastas, or casseroles (or for delicious chicken quesadillas!).

All that said, there also some big reasons in favor of supporting Green Roots farm:

• Lubbock-owned and operated:  Matthew and Joy are huge proponents of living local and buying local.  Money that is spent here in Lubbock stays in Lubbock.
• food that is just better for you:  we’ve already talked about all their products have to offer (and as well about the bad things they don’t bring to your plate!).  When thinking about feeding your family, you can be sure you’ll be offering them the best.
• other healthy options are far away:  probably the nearest place that offers anything similar to what Green Roots does is in Dallas.  And while you can find some great offerings at Sprouts, there’s really something great about supporting a fellow Lubbockite.
• Matthew and Joy love Lubbock:  on that note, there’s also something great about supporting someone else who loves the LBK, and there’s no doubt this is true about Matthew and Joy.  They have a passion for offering the best poultry and eggs to Lubbock that they can.

Why not try them and see if your over-easy eggs taste just a little better, knowing they come from such wholesome roots.  Be sure to stay in touch with Green Roots Farm (or, follow them on their Facebook page!).  They’ll soon be posting their updated 2012 price list, are hoping to add pasture-rasied poultry to their list of offerings, are trying to start a CSA program, and will be updating their online store by late spring!  And if you’re not sure what to expect in taste, swing by Lubbock’s own Home Cafe, which proudly features Green Roots eggs and poultry!

Note:  All images are from Green Roots Farm, and are used with permission.  

That means, you’ve missed out.

Apple Country Orchards, located just outside of Lubbock (12206 E HWY 62, Idalou, 79329) is more than a great site for a field trip.  It’s just a great place to visit.  Several weeks ago, my sister and a good friend of mine came down to visit.  Since I’d never had the opportunity to visit the Orchard before, I thought it would be a great place to see.

And it was.  It’s located right in the middle of the plains, with little around besides apple trees and sunshine.  The kind of place you go to be reminded about some of the simpler things in life:  like a delicious apple pancake, squeals of laughter in a corn maze, and pure, refreshing apple cider.  It makes absolute sense to me that it would be such a popular place for field trips, weekend day trips, and summer weddings.

Unfortunately, we just missed apple-picking season.  During September and October, the place is alive with different festivals, cook-outs, and tons of apple picking.  You can take hayrides, go through corn mazes, and sample the latest goodies from the Apple Country kitchen.  Even though we spent the majority of our time just looking around, we all enjoyed what we got to see.

And I was even more surprised to realize that Apple Country has more to brag about than just apples.  They offer a full gift shop, with raw honey, apple cider, and tons of different jams, jellies, and apple butters.  My sister and I each bought a pint-sized jar of honey (about 10-12 oz).  For about $8, I’ve been able to have the most delicious spread for my biscuits and cornbread.

Interested in trying them out?  Why make plans this Saturday?  Every Saturday morning until 11:00 am, you can spend $5.00 for all you can eat apple pancakes and German sausage…AND all proceeds go to benefit the South Plains Food Bank (it’s like a two-for-one special!).  Or, you can visit their restaurant during the week for some delicious, fresh offerings (the menu changes daily, so call out there to see what you can have!).

Suffice it to say, Apple Country Orchards is indeed a Lubbock gem.  I can’t recommend it enough for a family day trip, a fun place to visit with friends, or the perfect spot to practice your photography.

Don’t believe me?  Check them out for yourself!

Note:  all photos taken from the Apple Country Orchards site.  I do not claim them as my own.

One of the reasons I began Life in the LBK is because I have a huge love for all things local.  Anytime we go somewhere, whether it’s a completely brand-new city, or a quick trip to visit my sister in Amarillo, I want to get the “local” experience:  restaurants you can’t get anywhere else, shops that I won’t see ever again, fun attractions unique to that particular city.

I also have a big time love for small business, for the passion, creativity, and ingenuity it takes to start a business completely from scratch, build it up, and make it grow.

Which is why I am pretty stoked to share with you “Small Business Saturday.”

I don’t know about you, but Black Friday gives me nightmares:  terrifying dreams of waking up way too early, standing outside in the bitter cold, and getting pushed around by crowds of people who all wanted the exact same deal my mom wanted (which is the reason I was up so early on that Friday to begin with…).  It wasn’t a pretty picture.

But, this?  Small Business Saturday?  I can totally get into this.  The whole idea behind Small Business Saturday is to…well, support small businesses, on one of the year’s busiest shopping weekends.  Rather than giving all of your hard-earned money to some franchise, why not thinking about using at least some of it to support businesses right here in the good ol’ LBK?  And while you’re out and about, why not visit one of our amazing local restaurants or coffeeshops?

My thought is this:  if I think Lubbock is so great, why wouldn’t I choose to be intentional about supporting it?  When we choose to shop at local businesses, more of the money we spend stays here in Lubbock, rather than being sent to corporations and franchises far away.

Want to learn more?  Check out the Small Business Saturday’s homepage, and start making your plans to support some of the awesome local businesses, right here in the good ol’ LBK!

Note:  Small Business Saturday is created and sponsored by American Express.  I am not supporting the use of credit cards for your Small Business shopping–just the promotion of choosing to shop local.  Regardless of how you choose to pay, I hope you’ll definitely choose to buy local!

I’ve been able to call Lubbock home two different times in my life. I’ve shared some about our experience the second time and how we found our home (now newly remodeled…yeah!) thanks to Lubbock realtor Tara Newton. But the first time I lived here, it was in an apartment complex with my sister.

The place we chose to call home for those two years? Wyndham Apartments. Lubbock definitely doesn’t lack for apartment complexes, and there are some really great ones out there, among them the Wyndham.

Here’s a quick list of why we loved living at the Wyndham for the two years that we did:

• great facilities: our apartment had great carpet, large windows, large rooms, and fairly updated appliances. Everything was really clean, and we loved the amount of space we had. We were on the second floor, so our balcony area wasn’t quite as large as the people who had a first story apartment, but we loved the amount of storage we had and our fireplace.
• the amenities: The Wyndham’s property includes a pool and patio area, a grill for residents to use, a lobby with a computer and printer, a work-out room, and a tanning bed. While the work-out room and the pool are not huge, they are pretty nice, and they’re FREE.
• super friendly staff: one of the reasons we loved living at the Wyndham so much is that the staff was incredibly friendly. Any time we went through the office to get our mail or use the tanning bed, they were always around to chat with and had something nice to say. They also try really hard to do things that help the other residents get to know one another, and we met some really great people through them. Kami Shore, the apartment manager, was always helpful when we had a question or need for her.

• maintenance: The maintenance staff are incredible. We didn’t turn in a ton of work orders, but every time we did, they were fixed almost immediately. They went above and beyond to help meet our needs. One time my sister and I thought it would be smart to turn our thermostat off when we went away for a few days during Christmas break (we were trying to save money). When we happened to mention what we had done to our dad, we got a huge lecture about how that was probably one of the least intelligent things we could do. Thankfully, the staff at the Wyndham graciously went into our apartment and turned it on for us.
• neighbors: We met some really great people living at the Wyndham. Our neighbors were so incredibly kind. One man who lived across from us even had a habit of always taking our trash for us! The staff also live on the Wyndham property, so they feel so much more like community members rather than managers. It’s great.
• location: My sister didn’t life that she had a bit of a drive to get to Tech, but we loved that we were so close to central Lubbock. We were within minutes of the mall, movies, and lots of restaurants.
• gated property: this was probably the biggest reason we chose the Wyndham. Although its located in a pretty safe area, we loved the added feeling of protection we got from the gate, especially since it was just the two of us.
• price: I will admit that the Wyndham is not as cheap as some of the other apartment complexes you could live in Lubbock.  But, for the total package: a gated property, nice apartments, great amenities, and super friendly staff, it is one of the best deals around.

One of the reasons they Wyndham stays so great is that they’re constantly updating their property. During the two years I lived there, they brought in new lighting fixtures and blinds that really helped things look even better. They just added a pet park for members who have animals, just got in new work-out equipment, and will be resurfacing their pool this winter. They always keep things looking and working great!
In fact, so many people agree that it’s a great place to call home, it just won an award for Best Community from the Lubbock Avalanche Journal.
Why not check them out for yourself? You might just find a new place to call home!

Note:  all pictures are used with permission from the Wyndham’s website.  I do not claim them as my own.

Which is where P31 Fitness of Lubbock comes into play.  P31 Fitness (established exclusively for women) is a group of trainers who hold classes at different locations in Lubbock.  Each session is on a per month basis, and there are different classes and class times for you to choose from.  Each class involves different levels and types of fitness:  cardiovascular work, strength training, stretching, core work, and more, and all of them are intentionally designed to help you get the most out of your workout, without having to spend hours on a treadmill or elliptical machine.  Regardless of your age or fitness level, you are welcome.

Plus, you’re guaranteed to be surrounded by a group who is excited to help keep you accountable, and for you to do the same for them.  I don’t know about you, but it’s a lot easier to sit in front of the TV bawling about the newest episode of Biggest Loser while I stuff my face with brownies when I’m all by myself.  But, when I’m around people, or I have others to keep me accountable…that brownie doesn’t taste quite as yummy.

But, there’s even more that makes P31 so great.  It’s not just a fitness class.  It’s also designed to reach out to your body, heart, and mind.  The trainers offer daily health tips, scriptures and biblical inspiration, and tons of encouragement and love.  They’re not just there to help you strengthen your muscles, they want to help you strengthen your heart, soul, and mind.  It’s not just about a healthy body, it’s about a healthy everything.

A lifelong Lubbock resident, P31 Fitness of Lubbock franchise owner Laci Richardson says that she truly feels this is her God-given purpose to minister to the women of Lubbock:  ”I love P31 Fitness because any woman can be a part of it and can feel accepted and supported in her journey of health, learning along the way that there is WAY more to being healthy than just exercise.”

Evidently, there are others who agree.  P31 has grown to include a class in Shallowater, and future plans include the addition of an evening class and expansion into some of the smaller communities around the Lubbock area.  You can check out their schedule for Lubbock classes, and see how much each class costs.  Prices range from $30-65 per month, depending upon how many days per week you choose to go:  2 days/week is $30, 3 days/week is $45, 5 days/week is $65.  While this price is higher than some of the local gyms you could join here in Lubbock, keep in mind that you’re paying for more than just a workout:  you’re paying for accountability, friendship and encouragement, and wellness that extends to your heart and mind.

But, don’t just take my word for it.  Check them out for yourself.  If you want even more information, you can email Laci Richardson at laci@p31fitness.com.

Note:  I am not a member of P31, or any other gym in Lubbock (unfortunately, gym memberships haven’t made their way into our Dave Ramsey budget yet ).  I simply heard about it through a family member, and thought it was worth sharing with the women of the Lubbock area.  Also, one of the promises of Life in the LBK is that we usually only share locally owned businesses, and not franchises, unless we feel that such a business is worthy of passing on to our readers.  That was the case with P31.

Most of that is because I’m a sucker for anything that tastes good and is good for me. Bless Your Heart is both. Located on 19th street, it’s one of the freshest, most delicious places in all of Lubbock, and I highly recommend going there.

And seriously, I could eat it everyday. It’s that good.

Bless Your Heart opened over 20 years ago as part of a franchise that had several restaurants in Texas.  Store owner Monty Gardner started working there in 1992 and stayed closely connected to the business even when other Bless Your Heart franchises in Texas had begun to close.  16 years later, the store owner offered him a chance to buy the franchise, and he took it.

Since that time, he has built a reputation for offering delicious, healthy food that is also wholesome. And by wholesome, I mean: homemade bread (without a lot of extra salt or preservatives), meats that are hormone free, and fresh fruits and veggies that don’t have tons of chemicals on and in them.  Monty says that one of his favorite things about owning Bless Your Heart is the opportunity to provide his customers with a meal that tastes good and that he knows is good for them.  Such loyalty has earned him many customers throughout the years who are loyal to Bless Your Heart.  I can say that I haven’t had a bad experience there yet.

Like I said, I’m a sucker for things that are actually good for me, and taste delicious.

The price range is also pretty decent. You definitely pay more here than you would for a fast food sandwich, but you’re also getting something that is not a fast food sandwich. I’m a big fan of getting good things with my money.

One of my all-time favs from them is the turkey sandwich with avocado (for me, avocado=bliss) and a side bowl of their fresh vegetable soup. Sounds simple, but it’s so good. They also have delicious chicken platters, Mexican plates, and soups/salads. If you get one of the platters, you could probably even take half of it home, or split it with a friend. Which would leave more room for…dessert?

Oh, had I not mentioned you can get dessert?

And it’s the kind of dessert you don’t feel guilty for eating: fresh frozen yogurt with a huge selection of toppings. They always have vanilla and chocolate, and then a special flavor each day. Top it with fresh fruit, granola, nuts, or candy (ok, not quite as good for you, but I figure it all evens out if I’ve eaten a healthy meal, right?).

If you’re careful on what you choose, you can walk out with lunch and dinner for right around $10–not bad for a good, wholesome meal.

Go ahead, try these guys: they’ll bless your heart with their wholesome food, and your tummy with their delicious taste. And if you happen to see a girl in the corner scarfing her yogurt like it’s going to run away from her, it’s not me–it’s probably my evil twin. The one that does that sort of thing.

You believe me, don’t you?  Even if you don’t, I hope you believe what I say about Bless Your Heart.  Check them out for yourself!

Ok, ok…old is a little dramatic.  But, I definitely wasn’t as excited about 27 as I was about 25.  Until it came time to spend my birthday money.  I had been waiting all year, and knew exactly what I wanted:  Bare Minerals Make-up.  After asking around, I found one of the best places to buy it in the LBK was at the Radiant Lily, located in the Village Shopping Center on 82nd and Quaker (if you recognize that address, it’s because it’s also the same shopping center where you can find the adorable Ribbons and Bows).

This was my first time going in to the Radiant Lily.  Right away, Baby Girl and I were greeted warmly.  Angie was incredibly warm and helpful, even taking the time to stop and play with my daughter for a bit.  When I said that I was in to look at the make-up, Angie took me to the back where it was all located.

I had come prepared to look and to browse, but I had no idea I would actually get to try out any product.  Angie showed me exactly how to use the product, making sure I understood how to use it (as well as how much to use).  She helped me find a shade that fit my skin tone, and didn’t make me look like I’d dipped my face in a bottle of foundation.

I get the impression that I’m not the only one who has received such sweet treatment.  You can tell right away that Angie and her staff love what they do, and that they love to serve people.  I really appreciated that she not only took the time to know me a little better, but also took the time to make sure I was going to be pleased with the purchase I made.

You can also tell that Angie loves where she is.  Lubbock is home for her and her family, and she sees it as, “great place to live and work.  The people are friendly, supportive, and loyal.”

I was also super impressed with how well Angie knew the products in her store and the quality of merchandise she carries.  I saw lots of things that I wanted right away, but my birthday money could only stretch so far .  While some of the prices are higher than what you would pay at Target, you can trust that you’re paying for things that are high quality, and for personal service that you can really trust and enjoy.

Hands down, I’d recommend the Radiant Lily for anyone looking for make-up, clothing, or accessories.  Now that I’ve been once, I’ll definitely be going again.

And it will for sure be before my next birthday.

Note:  All images are from the Radian’t Lily’s Facebook page.  I take no credit for them as my own.  Want to see more?  Check out their website or like them on Facebook!

One of the promises of Life in the LBK is to only bring you information about local businesses that will make your Lubbock experience even better.  The only time we promote something that’s part of a chain is if we feel like it’s on a need to know basis, and it’s something you absolutely need to know.

This would be one of those situations.  Like any couple moving to the Lubbock area, we quickly searched around for a reliable realtor, someone we could trust and that we knew would help us find a good home within our budget.  After some great recommendations, we quickly chose Tara Newton.

From the get go, we were glad we did.  Tara works for Keller Williams Realty, which is not just a locally based business.  Tara, however, is incredibly local.  And if you’re at all in the need for a real estate agent, I can’t recommend her enough.

Right away, it was clear that Tara has a passion for what she does, and for the people she serves.  In her own words, “I have a passion for cultivating relationships and encouraging and assisting people.  My job has less to do about real estate and more to do about the people that I am helping. It is incredible to be a part of a huge financial & emotional decision both for buyers and sellers.”

Our experience with her proved all of that to be true.  As soon as we contacted her, she begin searching for properties in the Lubbock area that met our needs.  Because she has such a great eye and can see potential in a property, she was able to scope out some amazing deals for us to look at.  We couldn’t be happier with the home we purchased, the price that we bought it for, or the service we received from Tara.

But, she doesn’t just love members of the Lubbock community.  She also loves Lubbock.  She went to school at Texas Tech, married her sweetheart, and declares that she’s officially a Red Raider for life.  She doesn’t want to just stay stagnant, instead, she’s passionate about helping members of the Lubbock community reach their real estate goals:  ”More than my business growing though I am passionate about helping people find their very first home, sell their home to add a bedroom because their kids are growing, assist people in investing in real estate for the first time and building their wealth, and closing a chapter in their life and moving on to new things in another city.”

No doubt about it, if you are in need of a real estate agent, you won’t be sorry if you choose Tara Newton.  (You can follow her on Facebook as well for some incredible deals!)