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CRAVE CRUSH the urban girl's blog to all that you CRAVE
24 Female Entrepreneurs Funded Through FITE!
CRAVE Toronto, just like The CRAVE Company, is very excited and proud to be a supporter of FITE.聽 To jump-start our CRAVE lending team and to spread the word about this amazing initiative, CRAVE Toronto partnered with Dermalogica Canada to host a CRAVE Buzz Party.
A number of fabulous ladies joined CRAVE at the Dermalogica Training Center for an awesome skin-care seminar put on by the Dermalogica experts, where we got to test all their beauty goodies.聽 The ladies also had a chance to nosh on some treats and wine, while learning more about FITE and CRAVE鈥檚 latest book, CRAVE Spa.
It was an incredible night that helped us raise enough money to provide full micro-loans to 24 female entrepreneurs in developing countries!聽 The businesses we provided loans to were as diverse as our own CRAVE entreprenesses, including a cafe, a taxi driver, a beauty salon, and a cattle breeding farm, to name a few.
Thanks to everyone who came out to lend their support to FITE, and especially to Dermalogica who sent us all home with glowing skin!
To learn more about FITE, check out the video below!
Tweet to Win: CRAVE Giveaway!
We love trying new recipes, new cooking techniques, and new ideas. We do NOT love heading into the kitchen prepared to create a gourmet meal only to find that we are seriously lacking the tools and supplies. Prevent this horrible letdown by participating in a fabulous contest created exclusively for CRAVE followers. In honor of the re-issue of Nina Simonds award winning cookbook, Spoonful of Ginger, she has created fabulous Chinese Cooking Starter Kits. Win one of ten kits that include Spoonful of Ginger and all of the tools necessary to prepare her famous healthy and delicious dishes. All you have to do to enter is follow your CRAVE city of choice and Nina at @SpicesofLife then tweet us a message using the hashtag #SpoonfulContest. Win the contest and your kitchen will be fully stocked so that you can head in on a whim and whip up any of Nina’s healthy and delicious recipes. Still unsure about your skills in the kitchen? Check out this聽 video of Nina demonstrating just how to use every tool in the kit.
Each winner (there will be 10!) will receive the following prize pack:
路 A 14-inch rolled steel, heavy-gauge wok with wooden handles
路 A dome lid that fits perfectly in the wok, transforming it into a steamer or braising pan
路 A Chinese shovel that is designed to conform to the sides of the wok, making tossing food in the pan a breeze
路 A traditional Chinese handled strainer with a mesh wire basket which is used to scoop food out of a pan or hot oil or water and is excellent for holding food to drain
路 A steamer rack that fits perfectly in the bottom of a wok or any pan to hold a heatproof plate or bowl that contains the food to be steamed.
路 A set of handsome wooden chopsticks
路 An autographed copy of the newly reissued, best-selling cookbook Spoonful of Ginger, which won both the James Beard and IACP cookbook award for health
To enter follow CRAVE and @SpicesofLife on Twitter, then tweet us a message using #SpoonfulContest to win! Check out spicesoflife.com to learn more.
Why You Should Build a Business You 鈥淜now鈥
There is a famous adage that new writers should 鈥淲rite what they know.鈥 The thinking being that your writing will be believable, authentic and that, when you have passion for a subject you know really well, it is much easier for the words to flow.
Same thing with business, in my opinion.
While I鈥檇 never discourage someone from starting a business they鈥檝e longed dreamed about, it鈥檚 best to build upon what you know 鈥 or ensure you get the proper training and education to make it succeed. 聽Taking calculated risks is one thing: taking risks you don鈥檛 have to take is just another way to make things harder on yourself and ensure failure. Many people fantasize about opening a restaurant or bar, but if the only prerequisite you bring to the table is that you like to eat or drink, perhaps you need to do a bit more prep work. Once you get into the brass tacks of running your business, you鈥檒l be hit with enough risks and challenges, so why add to that?
I started Red Slice, my branding and marketing consultancy, after years of experience on both the client and agency sides. I鈥檝e worked for ad and consulting agencies in the past and am familiar with how projects need to be managed, as well as how to gracefully juggle unreasonable client demands with good decisions. I have also been a client myself as a corporate Marketing Director and understand the world from their point of view: tight budgets, multiple approvers, being overwhelmed by a thousand demands. So it was a natural, easy fit for me to flow into my own consulting business and use what I鈥檇 learned. I had enough risk on my plate going from a regular salary to entrepreneurship and learning how to run a business: bookkeeping, taxes, legal requirements. Thank Heavens I didn鈥檛 also have to learn how to do what I do at the same time! Will I start a completely different business one day? Maybe. But now at least I鈥檝e started down the path of entrepreneurship doing what I know best.
In branding, I teach clients to minimize risk and keep things simple by starting with their strengths. What are you good at and what can you authentically deliver? You may think you want to build a chic, progressive, high-end business because that is 鈥渉ot鈥 right now, but what if what you鈥檙e best at is casual and down-to-earth? There are markets and needs for those types of businesses, too. Brands grounded in truth are much stronger than brands that try to pretend they are something they are not.
Minimize unnecessary risk and play to your strengths. It鈥檚 not taking the easy way out: it鈥檚 just smart entrepreneurship!
This post was written for The CRAVE Company by Maria Ross. Maria is the founder and chief strategist of Red Slice, a branding and marketing consultancy based in Seattle. She has advised start-ups, solopreneurs, non-profits and even large enterprises such as Microsoft, Discovery Networks and Monster.com on how to craft their brand story to engage, inform and delight customers. Maria is the author of Branding Basics for Small Business: How to Create an Irresistible Brand on Any Budget (2010, Norlights Press).
Meet Zappos.com CEO Tony Hsieh!
The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) in Los Angeles is hosting an event this Friday featuring Tony Hsieh! Not only is Tony the CEO of Zappos.com, but he is also the New York聽 Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today’s best-selling author for his book “Delivering Happiness.”
When: Friday, November 5th, 8:30am- 11:30am
Where: L.A. LIVE – Grammy Museum, 800 W Olympic Blvd. Ste A245
Price: $55 members/ $65 non-members (registration includes a copy of “Delivering Happiness“)
Register now, click!
The Girl’s Guide to Beer
On a sweltering summer day at the ballpark or a friend鈥檚 BBQ, nothing is more refreshing than an ice-cold brew. This summer ditch that prissy pink cocktail and back away from the Budweiser. With a little beer savvy you can discover some great brews that will satisfy your taste buds and impress even the guys.
There are 4 main ingredients in beer: grain, yeast, water and hops, but the creativity when it comes to brewing is endless. There are beers with fruit, smoked beers, beer made with chocolate and even beer brewed with bacon. Navigating your way through the numerous types and styles of beer can be daunting, but here are some helpful hints about the most popular styles that can help you choose a winner for your next potluck or outdoor summer event. Who said beer had to be just for the boys? Go ahead, embrace that summer night CRAVING.
India Pale Ale (IPA): This beer has a light pale to golden color. Its crisp bitter flavor is attributed to the high hops and alcohol content which helped preserve the beer during the long journey across the ocean when British brewers began to export to India.
Try: Lagunitas IPA, Lagunitas Brewing Co, Petaluma, CA, 5.7% Alcohol by Volume (ABV)
Drink with: Spicy foods like a Thai Yellow Vegetable Curry
Hefeweizen: Perfect for summer, this German style wheat beer is distinguished by fruity notes, cloudy appearance and high carbonation. This beer is usually served with a slice of lemon and its bright flavor is often accented by citrus, banana, clove or nutmeg flavors.
Try: Widmer Hefeweizen, Widmer Brothers Brewing, Portland, OR, 4.7% ABV
Drink with: Classic German food such as chicken sausage topped with brown mustard or a salad tossed with candied pecans and feta.
Stout: Familiar to many because of the popularity of Guinness, Stouts have a heavy body and are very dark in color. This beer has a high alcohol content and is often characterized by caramel, coffee, chocolate or even oatmeal flavors.
Try: Chocolate Stout, Rouge Brewery, Portland OR, 6.3% ABV
Eat with: This beer could be a meal in itself, but pairs nicely with desserts like tiramisu.
Pilsner: This all American beer represents nearly 90% of the major beer brands sold in the U.S. Pilsner is golden in color and tends to have a light, clean, drinkable flavor sometimes compared to toast or fresh bread.
Try: Prima Pils, Victory Brewing Company, Downington, PA, 5.3% ABV
Eat with: All American foods like hearty chili or a grilled burger and fries
Brews to CRAVE this summer
Sierra Nevada Summerfest
New Belgium Skinny Dip
Anderson Valley Brewing Co., Summer Solstice Cerveza Crema
This is by no means a complete list of all the styles out there so experiment, go to a brew festival this summer, and discover which styles and breweries make you CRAVE more. For a fun new adventure, why not grab your beer drinking gal pals and do a brewery tour? Try this for a fun weekend or birthday activity. For more information on beer and the female movers and shakers in the beer industry, check out the Pink Boots Society at pinkbootssociety.org.
*written by Alyssa Goldberg for the CRAVE company. Alyssa is a lover of all things to do with food and travel- check out her blog, WorldSavour by clicking here.
Classy and Fabulous: Meet piastyle
Besides being a high level personal stylist, Pia Jacobsen can now add author to her list of accomplishments. Pia’s style is classic and chic, and she helps her clients create a coordinated wardrobe that reflects their personal tastes with a refined touch. Her new book “pia…me” is Pia’s answer to some of the “questionable choices” made by women she has seen, and is aimed at helping women to develop their own personal style. At CRAVE we respect any woman who isn’t afraid to call it like shes sees it. Read our interview with Pia for an inside fashion scoop. Click here to find Pia’s book!
What are your wardrobe staples?
I鈥檓 pretty classic, personally. I have a uniform that is primarily black in the winter, white in the summer. It鈥檚 calming to me.
What do you think is the worst fashion trend right now?
I don鈥檛 know if it is so much a trend as a mistake. Bra straps, particularly the industrial strength ones are not meant to be seen. Check the rear view, choose the right kind of bra, or have lingerie straps sewn into your clothes. This trend is like a recurring nightmare.
Trends are best when they become ….
Not trendy. When a trend lasts more than a season or two, and becomes part of the fashion vernacular, it means it works, or at least appeals to a lot of women. I don鈥檛 believe in investing a lot of money in a trendy item. However, when it has proven itself after a season or two, and it works for you, buy the best quality you can afford.
What is an easy piece of style advice you wish more women would follow?
After you are completely dressed and accessorized, look in the mirror and take one thing off. A little goes a long way.
What was the hardest part about writing your book?
Letting it go.
What do you want your readers to get out of reading “pia….me”?
I want my readers to understand that while it is important to care about how you look, and to put your best foot forward, it is just a means to becoming all you can be. It is infinitely more important to learn to like yourself, to live with confidence, to establish boundaries, to live your dreams and to become self sufficient. As I say in my lectures, 鈥渨alk the goddess walk鈥.
As a fashion stylist, how do you separate your personal taste when you are dressing a client?
That is relatively easy, actually. I know my personal taste, and am very confident about it, so I am not swayed easily by trends or other influences. But because I love fashion, I can appreciate a wide variety of looks even though they may not work for me personally. I pay close attention to what my client loves in her existing wardrobe, and what her needs are in terms of travel, events, and lifestyle. Fashion, like art, should conjure up an emotional response. Her clothing should make her feel fabulous, and serve to enhance her experiences. That鈥檚 my job.
If you weren’t working in the fashion world you would be_______?
A floral designer. Hopefully, a very avant-garde floral designer living in Paris, or possibly a landscape designer on Capri.
What do you CRAVE?
Nothing material at this point in my life. I CRAVE love, friendship, honesty, Fran鈥檚 sea salt caramels, and my body at age 19.
Keep tabs on Pia’s latest fashion updates online:
Website
Blog
Twitter
Facebook
*This publication was sent to the CRAVE company for review.
World Cup Celebration: Indulge in Global Treats
For weeks we have been huddled around the television, sometimes at ungodly hours of the morning, to watch beautiful men from around the world kick around a soccer ball and compete for the coveted World Cup. Whether you have followed the sport for years or just recently discovered what terms like 鈥off-sides鈥 or 鈥stoppage time鈥 mean, it is truly amazing how soccer can bring entire nations together for a common goal.
America鈥檚 run has ended, but there are some amazing teams that have risen to the top of the competition! Gather your friends together and indulge in these fun recipes perfect for a summer barbecue or potluck that are inspired by the stand out teams of the 2010 World Cup!
Chimichurri Steak- Uruguay/ Argentina
Chimichurri is a sauce from South America and is served in countries like Uruguay and Argentina over steak and chicken.
Ingredients:
1 cup packed fresh flat leaf parsley
录 cup packed fresh cilantro
陆 cup olive oil
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
2 garlic cloves peeled
戮 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
a pinch of salt and pepper
a squeeze of lemon juice
Preparation:
- Mix all ingredients in a food processor and serve over steak, chicken or fish.
Party Sangria- Spain
Ingredients:
1 bottle of red wine
1 lemon cut into wedges
1 orange cut into wedges
1 lime cut into wedges
1 apple diced
1 cup raspberries or strawberries
1 small can of diced pineapples with juice
2 tbsp of sugar
4 cups ginger ale or lemon lime soda
2 shots gin or triple sec
Preparation:
- Pour wine into a large pitcher and squeeze the juice from the lemon, oranges and lime into the wine.
- Toss in the fruit wedges and add pineapple, apples sugar and gin.
- Chill overnight.
- Add ginger ale or soda, berries and ice just before serving.
Potato Salad- Germany
Ingredients:
2 pounds red potatoes
录 lb bacon cut into small pieces
陆 medium onion chopped
1/3 cup cider vinegar
录 cup water
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp mustard
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Preparation:
- Place potatoes in saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil over high heat and reduce to simmer, uncovered for 20-30 minutes or until potatoes are fork tender. Drain. Let potatoes cool. Peel potatoes and cut into 录 inch pieces.
- Cook bacon in skillet over medium heat until crisp and set aside.
- Cook onion in bacon drippings until tender.
- Combine vinegar, water, sugar, salt and mustard in a large bowl. Toss in potatoes and bacon and mix until well coated.
- Garnish with parsley and serve warm.
Oliebollen (Apple Fritters)- Netherlands
Ingredients
2 tbsp sugar
2 pkg yeast
4 cups sugar
5 eggs
2 cups scalded milk
陆 cup butter softened
10 cups flour
1 陆 tsp salt
3 diced Granny Smith apples
1 cup raisins pinch of cinnamon
canola oil for frying
Preparation:
- Dissolve 2 tbsp sugar in 1 cup warm water. Sprinkle yeast on top. Let stand while preparing dough.
- In a large mixing bowl beat eggs, add scalded milk, 1 陆 cups warm water, yeast mixture and butter and beat well. Add flower, 1 cup sugar and salt. Mix well. Add diced apple.
- Let dough rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size.
- In a separate bowl mix 3 cups sugar, and cinnamon to taste.
- Fill a fryer pot with 3-4 inches of canola oil. Heat to 375 degrees and scoop spoonfuls of down into the oil. Turn to ensure even browning.
- Drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar mixture and serve warm.
*written by Alyssa Goldberg for the CRAVE company. Alyssa is a lover of all things to do with food and travel- check out her blog, WorldSavour by clicking here.
Snag the Perfect Travel Snacks
Summer is finally here which means many people are planning their summer getaway. So after packing the bathing suit and sunscreen, what’s next to go into your bag? That’s right, must have travel foods! Read on for some insight from our wellness guru Jamie Dougherty.
Of course, fantastic food awaits you upon arrival. However, it is not always fun to trust the culinary “delights” along the way. Airplane and airport food? No, thanks! To make sure you don’t get hungry before reaching your final destination, it is important to pack a reusable grocery bag full of edibles that will keep well for at least 24 hours without refrigeration.
Here are the best travel friendly foods that will withstand up to 30 hours of travel. They are all delicious, nutritious, and easy to pack.
1. Dried fruit and nuts- Favorites are peaches, apricots, cherries, dates, prunes, walnuts, almonds, and pecans. Just make sure they are organic and sulfur-free.
2. Fresh fruit with hard cheese- Apples and oranges work best.
3. Roasted garbanzo beans- Rinse and drain 2 cans of garbanzos. Mix with olive oil and salt and roast at 400 degrees for 30-40 minutes. They are yummy and a great protein source.
4. Tamari sunflower and pumpkin seeds- A perfect snack when you want something fatty and salty. Click here for a yummy, crunchy recipe.
5. Honey tea cookies- Make a whole batch of these and grab one every time you need something sweet. Click here to find out how to make yummy cookies.
6. Cut veggies- Celery, radishes, carrots, and sugar snap peas work well. They also help keep you hydrated on the dry plane.
7. Your favorite chocolate bar- What can I say? Never travel without chocolate. My favorite is the Alter-Eco BlackOut bar. YUM!
8. Crackers- These will keep you way from the baggies of pretzels. The best brands are Ryvita, Dr. Kracker, and Mary’s Gone Crackers.
So this summer, whether you are traveling long distances or just doing a few day trips, be sure to pack these snacks for the journey. I promise they will keep you energized, full, and away from all the junk along the way.
To receive your fill of healthy living tips become a JAMIE|LIVING Facebook Fan or follow her on Twitter! You can also find delicious recipes at http://www.jamieliving.blogspot.com/.
Jamie G. Dougherty is the owner and founder of JAMIE|LIVING, Health and Lifestyle Counseling. She is an AADP certified Holistic Nutrition Counselor with a private and corporate practice that offers assistance nationwide. She is passionate about deliciously healthy food and specializes in helping her clients transform their lives through the power of nutrition and self-care.
*written by Jamie Dougherty for the CRAVE company
Sweeten Up Your Summer
Summer is full of childhood memories of popsicles by the pool, ice cream cones melting down your arm while you lick it as fast as you can and s’mores around the campfire. 聽Maybe our tastes have developed from way back then (or maybe not),聽but a summer treat is still a great recharger when it is 100 degrees outside!聽Even if you haven’t 聽been to yoga and pilates in a few weeks, you deserve a sweet treat just for hanging in there during these dog days of summer in LA.聽聽We’ve been on the search for some summer treats and are excited about what聽we found!
Coolhaus
Summer is here, and who doesn鈥檛 CRAVE an icy cold treat when they are starting to feel the heat? We all remember chasing down that ice cream truck as a kid, and will never forget that song that it played. Now you can indulge your inner child when you chase down Natasha Case and Freya Estreller鈥檚 the Coolhaus ice cream truck! The innovate and delicious seasonal ice cream flavors include spicy Mexican chocolate, wasabi, brown sugar bacon, meyer lemon, and salty chocolate raisin. Featured cookies right now are rice krispie treat and graham cracker. Do you need any more convincing? Click here. 聽
Tasty Clouds
Going to a fair or carnival as a kid, we would always beg our parents to let us get a decadent treat. Now that you are older, let us be the first to give you permission to enjoy one of the fabulous choices from Tasty Clouds. If the name conjures up images of cotton candy (what else?), then you are right! Nina Rodecker鈥檚 Tasty Clouds also offers your other old favorites: snow cones and caramel apples! These are the perfect idea to order for your next party, whether it be for little or big kids. Click here.
A.sweeT.
Have a sweet tooth that only candy will satisfy? You have to visit A.sweeT. where owner Andrea Trujillo has combined two of our greatest loves-sugar and fashion in her amazingly innovative (and fun!) boutique. Pick up a fancy lollipop and a cute new top all in one stop. Click here.
America, It鈥檚 Your Birthday!
Let鈥檚 face it, we CRAVE any excuse to get together and throw a party with our best friends. What better reason than for a birthday? Happy Birthday America! Since every birthday should involved presents- why not think of some ways you and your friends can give back to your community to commemorate the occasion? Check in with local organizations who do volunteer work. Maybe you can spend the afternoon helping clean up a park, planting some trees, or participating in a food drive.
After a day of doing something good for your country, you can feel good about having a little fun at night for yourself! Get your friends together, nosh on some festive treats and try to catch a glimpse of your local fireworks show. Here are some recipes to inspire your celebration:
This first recipe is from a chef bloggess we adore, CakeSpy!
Hartford Election Day Cupcakes: This spicecake is light but flavorful; all your friends will love munching on these treats which you can decorate in red, white and blue.
Dry ingredients:
- 8 ounces (1 cup) superfine granulated sugar
- 5 ounces (1 cup) all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon potato starch
- 1鈦8 teaspoon kosher salt
- 陆 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated
- Pinch of allspice
- Pinch of salt
- 1鈦8 teaspoon baking soda
Wet ingredients:
- 3 ounces (6 tablespoons) butter, melted
- 录 cup half-and-half
- 1 tablespoon rum
- 陆 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 whole eggs
- 1 egg yolk
Old-Fashioned Milk Buttercream
- 1 cup milk
- 2 ounces (录 cup) all-purpose flour
- 8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 8 ounces (1 cup) superfine granulated sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Sip
While you are savouring some cupcakes, it is likely you will want something to sip as well. Here is a great list we found that lists five different themed cocktails: click. Are you adventurous? You have to try the first drink on the list- it includes jalapeno or Serrano peppers to add a little fire to your night. Prefer something a little sweeter to sip? Strawberry schnapps will be a key (red) ingredient for you. To give any red drinks a patriotic vibe try garnish with blueberries, blackberries or just throw in a blue straw!
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