A simple pleasure in life - chocolate

Simple pleasures. Chocolate. What a wonderful thing, a fabulous word - it rolls off your tongue and instantly a smile is on your face and contentment is yours. Right?

Chocolate has a rich story behind it, and over the years I have realized it is as complex and varied in nature as wine or coffee. Some people spend years learning the intricacies between foods from different regions: how it's grown, processed and even how the soil and temperature react to create a unique product. Truth be known, the same is true for chocolate. You can experience not only chocolate from different areas of the world like the Caribbean, Mexico, Ecuador, Madagascar and more, but the percentages of cocoa, the processes and what additives make the final product, will alter the mighty cocoa bean's flavour and texture dramatically.

It's simply a joy for food lovers to chat with professionals who spend there life dedicated to their art: be it French cuisine, regional Italian foods, sommeliers, bakers or chocolatiers. When you come across those with a true passion for what they do and pride in what they produce, you typically find an enthusiastic individual who also wants to share this insight, educate and let you taste a slice of what they love. Why? In hope it is contagious. Thankfully for us in Edmonton, we have such a confections shop in Sweet Lollapalooza.

http://www.sweetlollapalooza.com/

Come and spend some time in this divine chocolate boutique! You will not only consume yourself with wonderful samples enthusiastically shared by both employees and the creator, but receive a warm welcome and eagerness to share their knowledge. If you have a question about chocolate, what goes best with what, or how to use ingredients to bring out the best results, Brett and his staff cheerfully and confidently offer their experience and preferences.

The cornerstone product of this boutique has to be the buttercrunch - a sandwich of decadent buttercrunch flanked with creamy milk chocolate and finished with crushed nuts. This is a favorite of mine for host gifts, family, friends and business associates. You can't go wrong. In fact, the one word that is echoed in response to this product is - addictive. Probably because the texture is so smooth and the buttercruch is full of flavour and not too sugary. My daughter and husband can consume mega quantities!

But don't stop at buttercrunch - there are beautiful handmade chocolates as far as the eye can see, made with the best quality ingredients from exotic teas, mint, orange, cherries and a selection of liqueurs, all scenting a specific type of chocolate that best suits the clever combination of ingredients. Brett does a fantastic job. We are also fans of his Haute Chocolate - I don't think I need to say anymore on that subject. And if you like your chocolate chip cookies dipped in chocolate - look no further.

For those living outside Edmonton, nirvana is still close at hand! You can order your favorite chocolate delights online. Few things are guaranteed in life, but an order from Sweet Lollapalooza will ensure divine chocolates in beautiful wrappings every time.

K

Sugar and spice and everything nice

I am a HUGE fan of Jo Malone perfume, and have been for years! Jo Malone is a designer based in London, England, who came up with an exceptional way to create and market perfume. She began with single scents like rose, pomegranate, and my favorite, white jasmine with mint. Her unique angle: developing perfumes with the intention of layering the scents on top of one another, that harmonize, creating a more complex perfume. Now you have choice and can use your favorite scent solo or in combination with others! If you visit a Jo Malone counter (Holt Renfrew in Canada) or visit the website, you can flip through her scent guide and understand which scents can combine to create a more elaborate perfume. They are categorized under similar notes such as fruit, spice and woods, as well as mixable scents.

Ideally, you would select a scent you really love, buy and enjoy it. Then when you are ready for an adventure and want to build from that scent, select other notes that mix well, and presto, you have multiple single note perfumes or mighty complex aromas! As an aside, her smaller size bottle also fits perfectly into your purse, so they are always close at hand! But what I love most about these perfumes is their uncomplicated and soft scent, so they won't knock out your colleagues in the office, or the poor UPS courier stuck in the elevator beside you!

Take a look at the website:

http://www.jomalone.com/

If you visit your local Holts in Canada, or Jo Malone in England, you can try all the scents and sometimes, by the grace of the sales clerk's mood, samples may appear! You know you've hit the jackpot when they give you a small box that contains multiple scents for you to try!

For those Canadians spending a small fortune on Jo Malone wares, here is a tip: Holts sells the small perfumes for around $70 each. Ouch. The last time I found myself in Heathrow Airport I came across a Jo Malone store where the purchase price was 20 pounds! Yes, that's $30 with today's exchange rate! So, if you know someone heading over to London or have a friend residing there, stock up! The Jo Malone brand also covers soaps, bath/body and beautiful candles.

If you are searching for beautiful and unique scents to wear or fill your home, there is none better than Jo Malone. Treat yourself, a friend, family or host. For me, I will be passing through the wonders of Heathrow in a few weeks and intend to make good use of that carry-on luggage! I just hope they are stocked and ready...

K

Weekend Drinks

Well, it is the weekend and I promised to share with you my fool-proof recipe for Sangria! There is nothing more welcoming during the summer months than sitting on the deck, enjoying the warm weather with a glass of Sangria and a few tapas!

1 bottle red wine (Rioja, Cab, Merlot or Shiraz), remember you get out of a drink what you put in, so make sure this is a bottle you enjoy, not the cheapest on sale!

1 lemon, sliced in wedges

1 orange, sliced in wedges

2 Tbsp. sugar or Splenda

2 oz. brandy

2 cups Gingerale

Pour the wine into a jug and squeeze the juice from the fruit into the wine, then toss in the fruit wedges. Add the sugar and brandy and chill, preferably overnight.

Add soda before serving.

And for the kids or designated drivers, a great Mexican drink, limonada - the lime version of lemonade:

per person

Juice from 1 lime

2 packets of Splenda or 4-3 Tbsp. of sugar, to taste

1 1/2 cups water

ice

Combine in a blender and serve!

Our dear friends from Guadalajara introduced us to a wonderful bistro in Tlaquepaque, Mexico on our honeymoon, and they prepared a special limonada for me which was called limonada con menta (with mint). You simply add a fist full of fresh mint in the same concoction and serve - it looks a bit funny, but tastes great!

Enjoy!

K

We have apples...almost!

I couldn't wait to get home last night - there in our backyard was our newly planted Goodland apple tree! (Thank you David!) I have always wanted an apple tree - or any fruit-bearing tree to be honest. Growing up in Newfoundland doesn't give you the experience of picking your own fruit from trees in your garden.

Last year my dear husband finally agreed to plant an apple tree, but we had a problem: we live in a new subdivision where apple trees are non-existent. The solution was to purchase a hybrid tree - this is basically an apple tree with branches from different varieties of apples grafted on the trunk, hence pollinating itself. Brilliant! I guess everyone else had the same idea, and about a week earlier than me. But this year I was determined, prepared and blessed to uncover a neighbour a few houses away that had planted not one, but five apple trees!! FIVE!!

I sourced several different tree farms and nurseries around town, determined not to purchase what looked like a broken off branch planted in a small container, but an actual tree with some substance - I did want to enjoy eating these apples in my lifetime. And now that pollination was close at hand, I had options for a larger tree and a specific variety. After much research about the type of apple produced, texture of the product, when to harvest, what the apple could be used for (ornamental, eating, baking, etc) and how long it could be stored, I came up with the Goodland or Honeycrisp apple. Both apples are great to eat or use in baking, they are crisp, sweet and juicy and have a long storage period after harvest. Now to find the tree...

We came across Greenland Garden Centre in Sherwood Park. A little more expensive, but a fantastic selection of branches and whole trees! The place is huge, and almost reminded me of a vacation retreat instead of a store - as far as the eye can see, through pathways and natural landscapes you can view their wares. Although I thought it was a bit odd to sell shoes and jewellery at a nursery (focus, people) we were absolutely impressed by the knowledgeable, courteous and even eager-to-help staff.

http://www.greenlandgarden.com/

Best of all, become a member and receive extras discounts for all your gardening needs! If you are looking for that special something to add to your garden as well as some further education on the topic, I highly recommend a drive to Greenland. Be warned, weekends are a bit crazy! For now, my daughter and I will check our tree daily for signs of our fall treats!

K

Our slice of Paradise

I cannot put into adequate words how special this part of Mexico is to our family. Today, I would like to briefly introduce you to Pueblo Bonito in Los Cabos, and in later blogs, highlight

the best of Cabo.

About 6 years ago I felt a need to get away for a long weekend, see something new and always wanted to experience a spa getaway. I found the Pacifica resort, by Pueblo Bonito. Pacifica and it's sister resort, Sunset Beach, are in the top five resorts and spas of Mexico, and very affordable!

http://www.pueblobonito.com/

What an amazing place. The modern architecture is fantastic, creating such a serene and romantic environment - would you believe that every wall had an opening that faced the ocean? The designer, brilliant. I liked it so much, I bought a timeshare. Every year we visit Cabo, and it was the site of our very private wedding, so it now holds an even dearer place with my husband and I. This past January, we upgraded to a Villa and can't wait to return! The winter months bring beautiful, just-perfect temperatures with the whale migration in front of you. We spent a week having breakfast on our deck overlooking the ocean, while whales performed an acrobatic show for us like clockwork. To date, it is the most relaxing place in the world for us, and as we love the culture, food and people of Mexico, the most soulful place.

The builder, Ernesto Coppel Kelly lives on site, and is commonly referred to as the Trump of Mexico. He and his wife have made it their mission to raise awareness of environmental issues as well as provide opportunities for their fellow countrymen. They pay fairly, built a community with schools, playgrounds and medical centres and provide continued education for all employees through their foundation. When you walk around, employees of this community are happy and glad to work for such a great company. That makes me feel good.

If you are considering a trip south, I highly recommend Pueblo Bonito in Cabo. You can stay in a hotel-room environment or condo-style resort at Sunset Beach, or an adults only spa retreat hotel. Watch out though, you too may fall in love with it, and end up being our villa neighbours!

K

Mmmmmmm bakeries.....

Ok, I have sugar on the brain. It must be the two-weeks-before-vacation-watch-what-you-eat mindset, so instead, I'll highlight some great bakeries around town that take you around the world!

Viva Mexico! You can find yourself in a Mexican pasteleria if you head to the Whitemud Crossing to "Ye Old Bread Shoppe". I know, it doesn't sound very authentic, but one step inside and you are transported through food to Mexico. Opened almost a year by a family from Guadalajara, they supply not only an assortment of cookies and pastries, but empanadas and corn tortillas. The biggest secret: order a cake. Not only a cake, but the traditional birthday and celebration cake of Mexico - tres leche cake, and you will not be disappointed! In my family, pastel tres leche (three milk cake) rules.

Craving for a french croissant, madeleine or macaroon? Then the Duchess Bake Shoppe on 124 Street is your destination! I made my first trip in November of last year and have not been disappointed! Not only is this a well executed French Bakery and Bistro from the decor to the beautiful food, but they use Valrhora chocolate, the king of all that is good, in their baking! My favorite though, has to be their lemon tart - best in the city!

If your heart desires a true French Brioche bread, take a trip to 99 Street and visit The Tree Stone Bakery.

Looking for authentic European cakes, try The Artistic Bake Shop on Calgary Trail.

Dinner party coming and looking for Italian desserts? I'd suggest heading to the old standby: The Italian Centre Shop on the southside, or even venturing downtown to the the original location in little Italy where several stores are at your disposal.

There are a multitude of cultural bakeries in town: Portuguese, Asian, Lebanese and German to name a few. If you are seeking a traditional, all-around good bakery for both sweets and bread, BonTon and Bee Bell are Edmonton landmarks.

Enjoy the fantastic supply of globally-inspired and locally grown bakeries around Edmonton!

K

The Search for the Perfect Cupcake

I love the feeling you get when you walk into a cupcake shoppe - it is an assault on the senses! The smell of wonderful sweetness is masked only by the powerful whiff of perfectly risen cakes just out of the oven. The wonderful bright combinations of colours, patterns, ribbons and bows - what only a girl could dream about, and it instantly lifts my spirits!

Of course, to love cupcakes is to amplify this experience tenfold, and I am in trouble - not only do I love sweets, I have a daughter that hasn't fallen far from the tree! We have made it our civic duty to taste test every cupcake in every shoppe in this fair city! Don't get me wrong, this is no easy task! Yes, the cupcake looks like a simple treat, but there are many properties which have to align to make them worthy to consume. First, the cake: is it dry or moist, too delicate to hold the heavy mound on icing on top or it crumbles from the action of removing the cake from it's wrapper? And then there is the icing: too sweet, too bitter, too buttery or even a taste of petroleum in the mouth (trust me). Many problems exist when creating the perfect cupcake.

We have a selection of shoppes to choose from in Edmonton: Fuss, Flirt, The Cupcake Shoppe, Whimsical, Babycakes and now in Sherwood Park, Hey Cupcake. And unfortunately, my vote goes to hopping in the car and driving south to Calgary for CRAVE cupcakes!

http://www.cravecupcakes.ca/

Over the years Crave has perfected the art of the cupcake - a beautifully moist cake (most of the time) with a great assortment of flavours from mint, lemon/lime, strawberry, coconut and chocolate AND all natural flavours! The icing is fantastic - not too sweet, not too buttery and no chemical taste, only a rich and flavourful butter cream icing with fruit purees mixed in. If we have to select a cupcake store in Edmonton, my daughter points towards Whyte Avenue to Flirt or the Strathcona Farmers Market.

However, on Saturday we made the trek to Sherwood Park and my daughter fell in love with Hey Cupcake's peanut butter cupcake. Not only is the icing an intense peanut butter flavour, but the cake is made with peanut butter and chunks of chocolate chips! We found the cupcakes to work well when consumed right away, but the few that were brought home for dessert where heavy and dry by the time the BBQ was done.

If you like to travel with your stomach, the big cities of Chicago, LA and of course, NYC have a multitude of bakeries to pack on some extra pounds! Last year in New York I dragged my dear husband through Rockefeller's Square to the famous Magnolia Bakery - ( http://www.magnoliabakery.com/ ) line-up for cupcakes, yes. Worth it, not really. Very disappointing. Icing too sweet, cake too dry. Maybe the baker was off that day....

I am secretly hoping my travels take me to L.A., so I can experience the cakes of Sprinkles, the landmark cupcake shoppe in Beverly Hills.

http://www.sprinkles.com/

For now, the next adventure is Treacle, in London, England. Only open on a Sunday (thankfully we land on Sunday morning) and the most popular bakery in England! If the Brits can do anything in the culinary world, it's cakes and sweets!

Above all, remember to take some time and enjoy a bit of sweetness in your life!

K

I saw this in the window and couldn't resist....

Do you have this problem finding the perfect window dressing? I do. There seems to be a huge gap between the IKEA selection of drapery and custom-made, and I have both! Really, if you have odd sized or shaped windows in a main area of the home, break into the piggy bank and go custom - you will not be disappointed! But custom maybe just too hard on the wallet for the whole house.

Ikea has a great selection for my daughter's room, and I found some standardized length curtains at Urban Barn for our guest room.

My recent find has actually been re-discovering Restoration Hardware. Formally just in the US and very expensive to order from, they are now a stones throw away in Calgary! They have a large selection of beautiful drapery and classic, clean designed hardware. The best part: free samples! With a wide selection of colours and patterns, you too can find the perfect shade to match those green eyes :-)

www.restorationhardware.com/

K

Italy

We are off to England and Italy in June and I can't wait! In anticipation of our week in Tuscany, I have been seeking all things Italian: wine, travel books, shopping tips, food, recipes and of course, buying new cookbooks! Dinners at our house are more Italian-themed these days, including a new obsession of making fresh pasta, which both my husband and daughter love!

Cookbooks are a great way to experience a country, prepare you for your travel and get to know the culture through it's food. I have a few recommendations for those that would like to get more Dolce Vita in their everyday life!

Mario Batali is a family favorite - you can't go wrong. And although I love his Babbo cookbook (recipes from his flagship restaurant) it is laced with "hard-to-find" ingredients for Edmonton. Try his latest cookbook, Molto Gusto - this is a collection of casual and easy-to-prepare meals with a family edge.

My daughter bought me a cookbook for Mother's Day: Jamie Oliver's Italy. This is a collection of some of his favorite regional Italian meals. Simple, but using seasonal and fresh ingredients. What could possibly go wrong?

Lidia Bastianich has written a collection of Italian cookbooks, though her latest, Lidia's Italy is a James Beard Foundation Award winner. And last but not least, a classic and beautifully designed cookbook, The Silver Spoon.

Buono Appetito!

K

DO - Try Something New

I love my husband. It's as simple as that. Without getting into the details, one of the many things I love about him is his ability to allow me to enjoy life in ways I wouldn't have thought. Example: for my birthday he bought me a Vespa! Now, we enjoy driving on his motorcycle during the summer, but I guess he took it as a hint when I saw a Vespa and thought it would be cool to motor around town with less gas consumption! That was last October - a birthday girl without a motorcycle license.

May 14th, 5pm road test for motorcycle license. BARELY passed. At least, that's what the instructor told me. Accompanying that phrase were multiple "you drive too slow" comments - who knew? Lead foot in an SUV, granny on a Vespa.

Today - I am enjoying the bright red Vespa (with Union Jacks, courtesy of my British husband) and even conquered the Henday! Give it a try some sunny, warm afternoon. I know you can rent a scooter for the day (no special license required) at Top Gear on Whyte Ave for $25.

http://www.top-gear.ca/

Take a cruise down Whyte, belly up to the Harley Boys at the Elephant Pub and own the road, baby! :-)

K

Wellness? It's just a few blocks west on Jasper Ave

I am a headhunter. I am not unlike many career woman stuck at a desk - I sit most the day and mine the Internet or talk on the phone. At the end of the day, what I notice most is the general aches and pains associated with such a career choice! OK, let's not perfume the pig - I have major shoulder and neck issues and all from a little mouse! Over the years I have tried massage therapists, chiropractors and exercise to help, but found I had a better relationship with the medical community than some family members!

Last August I came across a Pilates Studio in downtown Edmonton - at the Corona Station in First Edmonton Place - Body Beyond Pilates http://www.pilatesbodybeyond.com/ It took me a few weeks to speak with the owner, but so glad I did! I am a believer! For the first time in my life, I am actually prioritizing going to a SCHEDULED fitness class and guess what? No more doctors or chiropractors. It's like receiving penance: it has been eight months since my last appointment!

If anyone is looking to increase their general wellbeing, get into shape or get out of pain, I strongly suggest meeting the owner, Tara Burry. Tara is a very matter-of-fact individual and truly devoted to your goals. She took one look at me and said "ah, yeah, we need to correct a few things". Tara is focused on the total package, as well as getting rid of some "unwanted accumulation" AND, at a reasonable pace, always keeping your "well" being in mind. Not only that, you leave your appointment energized (no, you really do) and after the initial shock of working muscles that have NEVER been worked before, you come back for more! I am hooked. She is my Shaman. Thanks Tara!

K

Welcome to The Goods!

Welcome to The Goods - a blog to share with you some of the best tips I have come across in all things travel, food, wellness and an abundance of trivial things that, you never know, could come in handy someday! I realized just how much time I spend researching to find the best vacation, piece of furniture or Asian restaurant, and figured this blog could be very useful to share for those in search of similar things!

I was inspired to start a blog after a friend shared with me her daughter's design blog http://polishedplum.blogspot.com/ This is a great, all-around information site on all things design - Jenna has a fantastic eye and loves quality and classic lines.

I hope that you can also point me in the direction of some of your favorite spots or great tips. Let your time and energy be consumed by slowing down and enjoying life!

I hope you enjoy The Goods.... Pass it on to a friend, or two.

K