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Who I Am
My name is Kristi. I grew up in the alpine desert of Southwest Colorado but currently reside on the sultry North Carolina Piedmont in the fields and forests of central Ohio on the high & dry steppes of the Colorado Front Range. As a kid, fresh produce from the garden, homemade jam, and local beef (as in from-our-pasture local) were things I assumed to be normal. And though we also ate our fair share of blue box macaroni, I’ve come to learn that I was, in fact, very lucky to have these local foods in my life.
I am not, by trade, a writer, a photographer, or a chef. My background is in theatre (stage management, specifically), and I now plan events at Denver Botanic Gardens. As gigs go, it’s a pretty good one.
But my passion these days is making food! And eating it. And learning to grow it. And apparently, writing about it.
This blog was born in a dark, galley kitchen in North Carolina, migrated to a spacious, well-lit open kitchen in Ohio, and now resides in a bright, high-altitude kitchen in Colorado.
At each home, I’ve dabbled in gardening on every balcony, and I was fortunate to participate in a couple of community gardens – places where I can “farm” a little of my own food and learn from other growing food around me.
Call it a mission, a gameplan, whatever you want. In embarking on this adventure, these are the principles that matter to me, and offer to you a taste of what to expect.
- Eating locally, whenever feasible, to support local farmers, a more equitable food industry, and an increased appreciation for a seasonal harvests rather than year-round tomatoes and cucumbers.
- Developing and practicing skills of self-reliance to reduce dependence on a food industry that exploits people, animals, and the planet itself.
- Having FUN with good food, friends, and family.
- Rejecting the notion that dinner around a table and skills in the kitchen are relics of a time gone by.
- Reclaiming “foodie-ness” from those who believe a steak must be marinated in truffle oil to be delicious.
- Oh. And decorating ridiculously unnecessary cakes and the like. There is no real reason in nature to make cupcakes that look like hamburgers, but I sure do like to do it. Deal.
Up-front honesty: I’d love to claim that my entire diet is composed exclusively of local-natural-handmade-happy ingredients, but I simply cannot. Margarine and food coloring are occasionally the exact ingredients I need, and sometimes the only thing I want to do after a frazzled day at work is order pizza and avoid the kitchen entirely. And I totally bet you do, too.
But! I am working every day toward that edible ideal. This blog is a chronicle of that journey.
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Here’s a brief summary of what can be found where.
Recipes
Categorized in a variety of ways, find a recipe by course, ingredient, season, cuisine, and more.
Third Floor Farm
While it would be nice to have, a pastoral farmhouse in the country is not necessary to grow a little, or a lot, of your own food. Look here for the tragedies and triumphs of the plant life in my care and ways to try it yourself.
Localize Your Pantry
You need not depend on grocery aisles, fancy assembly lines, or faraway places for much of what makes up your pantry. Here, you’ll find tales of preserving food, make-it-yourself challenges, and transitioning from corporate to local foods.
FAQ
Answers to questions about the site, photos, graphics, and if you’re curious, me.
Resources
Essentially, a collection of all the places I turn to when searching for recipes, gardening tips, or inspiration when I feel like running from the kitchen and never looking back. Organized in neat little rows for you!
I’d love to hear from you! Leave a question on a post and I’ll be sure to answer. Plus, the banter may benefit other readers as well. Or, follow 30 Pounds on Facebook and post your recipes, your questions, or your general howdy-do on the wall. I’m new to Twitter, but you can find me there and I promise I’ll learn to use it.
You can also e-mail me directly: kristi at 30poundsofapples dot com
Mattie (your cousin)
April 28, 2011 @ 6:41 pm
I love your website and am going to share it with my friends on email and facebook however I was hoping to add something:
WHEN POSSIBLE PLEASE BUY CAGE-FREE / FREE RANGE !
It’s not that expensive (especially for eggs, chicken, turkey and other poultry, beef tends to be a bit more). but it REALLY helps to give more business to people who treat animals with fairness not shoving them in boxes so small they can’t move and then promoting it by buying SLIGHTLY cheaper meat from the store. It also helps support smaller businesses with ethical practices instead of supporting the ever corrupt corporations taking advantage and cutting corners for employees, animals and quality.
Sara (formally Nichols) Hardin
May 10, 2011 @ 5:01 pm
Kristi,
I *LOVE* your website! I am a self-proclaimed lover of reading cookbooks but when it comes to making the recipes it rarely happens. Plus, my lovely husband has a really particular way of choosing what he wants to eat (I may have to start cooking for myself!) so making dinner is rarely an option unless planned days in advanced. At any rate, I will be following you on twitter. It’s good to see you are doing well. Much love!
Sara
Kristi
May 14, 2011 @ 2:38 pm
Thanks Sara! You should definitely do some cooking for yourself :) I cook a lot of meals for the both of us, but sometimes I want something that Brad would never eat. I’m glad you’re enjoying the site!
Alice
January 17, 2012 @ 3:00 am
Kristi,
I recently stumbled upon your website and fell in LOVE with it! Not only do you have amazing looking recipes and food, you have a message about sustainability which I tip my hat to you for! :) I am a member of the greenhouse floor in our dorm at UW-Madison and if you have any tips, ideas for “living green” (as they say) I’d love to keep corresponding with you–hopefully you’re not too busy >.< Keep on being awesome!
Cheers!
Alice
Kristi @ 30 Pounds of Apples
January 17, 2012 @ 9:29 am
Alice, of course! I was one of the co-founders of a sustainability club when I was in college, I looooove hearing about campus programs encouraging that kind of thinking! One of my best friends from college is now getting his PhD at UW-Madison, I hear it’s a great town! If you have any specific questions, feel free to shoot me an e-mail at kristi {at} 30poundsofapples {dot} com. I’d love to chat!
Sara Carson
January 17, 2012 @ 12:01 pm
I stumbled across your blog. I also have very narrow drawers. When we were redoing our kitchen they were the only thing that fit between the sink and dishwasher. There are 5 of them and they make PERFECT silverware drawers. THat’s right… the kids easily learned that the top drawer is spoons, next forks, etc. It makes it so easy for when they help empty the dishwasher.
Kristi @ 30 Pounds of Apples
January 17, 2012 @ 12:10 pm
That’s a clever idea! I use mine for rolling pin, measuring cups & spoons, spatulas, and electric mixer attachments. Silly, but it works in our kitchen!
Therese
January 17, 2012 @ 12:11 pm
I found your page on Dudecraft. I love Paul and how he manages to bring into my world the most perfect things to look at, read, ponder, and be amused by. I will be spending some time looking over and trying, no doubt, some of your recipes. The biscuits are a must!!
I’m following you on FB, and will find you on Twitter as well.
Your photographs are lovely, so clear and well composed.
Kristi @ 30 Pounds of Apples
January 17, 2012 @ 12:26 pm
I’m flattered! Yes, Paul is great, he’s one of my co-workers and wanted to check out my site! Your site looks fascinating as well… I’ve never really gotten into beading but sort of lust after it as a hobby.
Amy
February 8, 2012 @ 11:55 am
Kristi,
Absolutely love your site. I’m a Durham native too, and big into the local/organic food scene. I turning vegetarian for the year and hoping to blog about it. In the meantime, loving the site. Keep it up!
Kristi @ 30 Pounds of Apples
February 8, 2012 @ 12:20 pm
Amy! Good luck with your year of vegetarianism… if you blog about it, let me know, I’d love to follow your journey.
Heather
April 21, 2012 @ 7:53 am
Hi Kristi- I have nominated you for the Versatile Blogger award because you are always doing something fun and exciting! Thank you for that!
For Your Valentine | Chef by Invitation
February 14, 2013 @ 7:44 am
[…] I’m breaking all of the rules today. I don’t have anything with sprinkles or frosting or even chocolate. But I did find a recipe that is so delicious and it will have your Valentine licking their fingers. Or yours if you’re the one feeding them . I owe this wonderful recipe to Kristi of 30 Pounds of Apples. […]
nursermk
November 16, 2015 @ 3:30 pm
Hi, just located your site; well laid out with lots of good content, BTW. Was learning a little about you when I saw the words NORTH CAROLINA (though I know you are now a Colorado resident) and thought “Vinegary BBQ Flavor!” I live in northern California and have a hard time finding NC type sauce, most is the standard sweet and thick type. Did not notice any listed on your site–do you have a good recipe?
Also, I don’t see any place to sign up for emails, am I missing the link? Thanks and nice to meet you!
Kristi @ 30 Pounds of Apples
December 1, 2015 @ 9:21 am
Nice to meet you too! On the homepage, directly under the main logo in the sidebar, there is a set of tiny trees. Click on the last one with the envelope to sign up for emails!