The Tastemaker Top 10 with Katie of Live Half Full

The Tastemaker Top 10 is a collection of 10 questions asked by me and answered by some of my favorite bloggers. Here they will tell you a little bit about themselves, their blogs, and of course, their favorite foods and restaurants. Today we're talking to one of my new favorite Chicago bloggers Katie. She writes Live Half Full, a food, fitness, and lifestyle blog about living life in a healthy balanced way. Cool, right? Here's Katie...

Name: Katie Adams

Blog: Live Half Full 

Location: Libertyville, IL

In a few sentences, tell us a little bit about your blog. I blog to hold myself accountable to keeping a healthy balance in life through eating good food, exploring the world and working towards fitness goals.

Now, tell us about your...

1. Favorite meal, food, or cuisine: I have a soft spot for Polish food since my family is Polish. On Christmas Eve we celebrate with a traditional Wigilia meal and I always make mushroom soup. It's my go-to whenever I'm sick or in need of some comfort food as well!

2. Least favorite meal, food, or cuisine: I honestly can't think of anything I'm aversive to- I'm the worst least picky eater!

3. Favorite restaurant in your city: My husband and I love Firkin because of their great beer list and awesome food.

4. Favorite restaurant outside of your city: Last year we travelled to Paris and happened upon Breizh Cafe. The restaurant serves traditional buckwheat crepes with an Asian influence, which was an unexpectedly amazing combination.
  
5. Favorite food memory. I was a Synchronized Figure Skater all my life and got to travel all over the world. On my college team, my friend Megan and I were the ones who would try all the unidentifiable foods and explain them to our teammates. They found it very entertaining and if we ever got the chance to be on Television we would call our show "Two Fat Americans."

6. Favorite guilty pleasure food: Ice cream, Bagels, Chocolate.

7. Favorite ingredient (something you love to cook with, or something you see on a menu and know you have to order):  I love anything local and seasonal and love taking advantage of the Farmer's Market in the summer to challenge myself to try new things.

8. Favorite kitchen tool, utensil, product, etc.: I love ramekins and find myself using them for everything. They are great for sauces and the basic size is typically a half cup which is perfect for one serving of ice cream.

9. Favorite recipe: Since I'm dreaming of warmer weather, I would say my Summer Caprese Quinoa Salad is something I can't wait to make!

10. Favorite thing about blogging: I've met so many great people through my blog- I love meeting people who share the same interests as me.

11. Five favorite blogs/blogs that A Squared readers should know about: For recipes I love Back to Her Roots, Iowa Girl Eats, Kelly the Culinarian, Skinnytaste and Damn Delicious.

Thanks so much for your thoughts, Katie!

Do you have a blogger that you'd recommend to be featured on the Tastemaker Top 10? Or are you a blogger that would like to participate? Email me at aasquaredblog@gmail.com and let me know!