Chocolate at it's Finest

Did you know we have the most fabulous Chocolate couture, with cocoanista designs just minutes away. If there were fashion awards for chocolates, Jacek would win hands down. Their chocolates are so pretty you almost don't want to eat them. When you take a bite your tastebuds explode into a whole other dimension.

I purchased the Mad Hatter's Spring Collection this past Thursday. Brought them home for my husband and I to enjoy. I thought since we get six each I would savour them and have one a day. Unfortunately I ate all six of mine in one sitting, and wished I had more.

The Mad Hatter's Collection 

The flavours from left to right:

Raspberry Hibiscus: Creamy Hibiscus infuse ganache topped with raspberry caramel.

EAT ME: Apricot & Ginger: Ginger and apricot infused dark chocolate.

Earl Grey Tea: Milk chocolate infused with Earl Grey tea.

Lavender, Lemon & 'Time': Dark chocolate infused lavender, lemon & thyme.

Sage & Smoked Chanterelle: Caramelized white chocolate with sage topped with smoked chanterelle (from untamed Feast) ganache.

Unbirthday Cake: Milk chocolate layer over vanilla bean ganache, enrobed in dark chocolate.

Going to the Jacek store is like walking into a fresh deli of extravagent chocolates. The staff are excellent at suggesting pairings for the chocolates. 

The Petite Bar Collection

Flavours from left to right:

Petite Jackie: 36% caramelized milk chocolate with Fleur de Sel

Petite Cocoa: 39% milk chocolate drizzled with white chocolate.

Petite Frank: 40% milk chocolate with cocoa nib brittle.

Petite Audrey: 64% dark chocolate from Madagascar with tart cherry & toasted pistachio.

Petite Marguerite: 70% dark chocolate from Honduras.

Petite Stella: 85% dark chocolate with cocoa nibs and tropical green tea. 

Now these are chocolates that make great gift ideas. It supports a local company, it's fresh, delectable, and highly attractive. Who wouldn't want to get a box of these chocolates? Just add a bottle of wine and you have a gift to win a woman's heart!  

Although I have had these chocolates before in the past, and I am aware of the markets they attend this was my first time visiting their shop. They have two locations. One downtown Edmonton and the other in Sherwood Park. I ventured to the Sherwood Park location. They are also sold in multiple stores in Edmonton. 

I wish there was a retailer in Camrose that carried their creations! But I can always order online and have the chocolates delivered directly to my house. 

Please check out their website for more information and explore the Cocoanista world of Jacek! 

http://jacekchocolate.com

Here is their Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/jacekchocolatecouture

Uplifting Physical, Mental, Emotional and Spiritual Wellness

Camrose established a new place of serenity March 2, 2015, on Main Street. Have you been to Sacred Art's yet? If not make it your next stop. Ravidass and Lisa, husband and wife, share a powerful vision of inspiring a healthy and natural lifestyle.

 

What do they have to offer our community? For one they have great hours open Monday - Saturday 10 AM - 9 PM and Sunday's from 10 AM - 5 PM. Yoga classes and drop in passes. Yoga apparel and supplies, artwork, natural body care products and much more. They also have a great Vegan menu. The staff working are knowledgable and very kind.

I was informed their coffee is Beyond Fair Trade. It's a way to ensure sustainability and prosperity of Doi Chaang Coffee and all involved. That means 50% of the profits earned by the Canadian company are returned to the farmers. There is local artists featured monthly. Their yogi tea is crushed and made by hand in store. They use cacao, which is a rawer form of cocoa, and they use no sugar but dates as a sweetener.

I have eaten there twice this week. Stopped there before my evening shift Wednesday night. Went back again Friday night but took my husband. I had the spicy lime avocado soup, Mexican quinoa salad, a piece of fudge and a green tea latte with a fabulous coconut milk froth on top. My husband needed a cold and flu tea latte, which was absolutely delicious, and also frothed to perfection. To take home for the weekend we also purchased two post yoga energy balls, two coconut macaroons, and a cinnamon bun.



Here are some of their delectable food photo's:

For more information visit Sacred Art's website:

 http://www.sacredarts.ca

Also you can visit their Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/sacredarts.ca

Upcycling Trends

I am thrilled with the Upcycling Trend. I can assure you my days off will be spent searching garage sales for the perfect finds. Upcycling is defined as the process of converting old or discarded materials and transforming them into something new, beautiful and useful.

For example, Pallets have been a hot pinning topic on Pinterest. Here are a few images of how you can change pallets into every day functional creations.

Do you have any old globes around you don't know what to do with? I found this unique way to upcycle and create unique decor for your home.

Or Maybe you just went on a trip, have a favourite photo to develop and have the map from the trip to make as a mat around the photo.

Or Maybe just make Coasters with it!

How about making a planter with old plastic bottles?

Taking an old Drawer and turning it into a Shelf. 

Need a Cheap Earring holder. Just paint a old Cheese grater.

Have Old Mason Jars and want to create a unique light fixture.

How Adorable to make a kids picnic table out of recycled Skateboards.

Not sure how you would prevent this from water damage, but I love the look of this piano fountain/planter.

Bright Idea!!! Old light bulbs for Oil lamps.

For that Musician lover how about this drum chandelier!

Old later for a bookshelf.

A bathtub transformed into a seating bench.

A brillant book shelf and conversation piece.

A T.V. aquarium.

Literally a "Book" shelf.

Deconstructed chair for a towel holder.

A Vintage suitcase as a medicine cabinet.

More vintage suitcases for stools or end tables.

Take old frames and change them into a serving tray.

Here is a link that has over 200 ideas for up cycling. http://www.popsugar.com/smart-living/Cool-Upcycling-Projects-24338804#photo-35094505 

Essentially there are millions of ideas on the internet. Before you throw something out, thinking it's junk check if you can make it functional for you again. 

Happy Upcycling my Followers. 

Post your transformation photos in the comments. I would love to see your creations!

New Workout Tunes

Just downloaded three new songs off iTunes. All three I find great for working out! Check them out you might want to add them to your collection.

The first one is  Hallow Moon (bad wolf) by AWOLNATION .

The second song is Beautiful World (feat. Ryder) by BlasterJaxx & DBSTF.

The third song is Ways To Go by Grouplove.

Get the beats rocking!