Earlier this week, Ozarka Water sent over a box of local {to me} products and asked the question, “Why do you love where you live?“. The box alone {provided by a company that comes from three Texas springs} represented one of the top reasons I love Austin, TX – it’s chock-full of entrepreneurial spirit. Almost everyone you meet has a side project, runs a start-up business, or has established a local brand. I’m confident you could survive in this town solely by shopping local. And I just couldn’t be an ounce more happy to call Austin, TX my home.

Another reason I love Austin is that, not only are there so many wonderful grocery stores in a close proximity, but each of those stores makes an effort to support and highlight local products.  For example, the Yellowbird hot sauce that was included in the box.. I already had {and always have} in my fridge. And it’s not uncommon to see Yellowbird dominating the end cap at Whole Foods or Central Market – both born in Austin, as well.

One of my favorite activities this summer has been rooftop grilling get-togethers at my friend, Jackie’s, apartment. This has also been the perfect venue to share the products I’ve been sampling with my friends, like the Paqui’s tortilla chips and Cookwell & Co. queso {pictured above} and Jelly Queen’s steak seasoning {pictured below}. A common theme with local food companies is quality ingredients, so it made complete sense that the queso was made without cheez product, chips without GMOs, and spice mix with organic ingredients.

The un-pictured items that we incorporated into our rooftop gathering were Snow’s BBQ Sauce and Taste Elevated’s sweet and spicy mustard seeds.  All of the products mentioned above added a layer of fun and excitement to our evening!

And since moving to Austin in February of 2012 {4-1/2 years ago!}, home-cooked weekend breakfasts have become one of my most treasured times. I love waking up, moseying to the kitchen, whipping up something delicious, sitting down with a cup of coffee, and taking my time enjoying all I’ve prepared. Below are instructions on how to make one of my frequently made take-your-time breakfasts, avocado toast.

Disclosure: Although Ozarka Water kindly provided the products mentioned above, the opinions in this post are completely my own and based on my experience.