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CRAVE CRUSH the urban girl's blog to all that you CRAVE
Interview with Nicolette Beasley of Healthy Gourmet Gifts
HealthyGourmetGifts.com takes a fresh approach to gourmet gift baskets, offering premium quality foods and treats selected for decadent, guilt-free indulgence. Unique selections include organics, kosher, allergen-free and low GI items, supporting wellness for those with special dietary needs. Healthy Gourmet Gifts are elegantly presented in modern, re-usable and eco-friendly totes, bags, boxes, baskets and trays.
How would you describe your business in exactly three adjectives?
Decadent. Wholesome. Modern
What are your most popular products or services?
The Ultimate Italian Feast, the Gluten-Free Party, all of the chocolate gift baskets, and our gift customization service.
What or who inspired you to start your business?
While caring for relatives dealing with severe illness and then finding myself challenged with health and food allergy issues, I realized the need for gift baskets with delicious health and diet appropriate foods and treats.
People may be surprised to know….
People are at their best when choosing a gift basket. They are in the act of kindness and caring.
What business mistake have you made that you will not repeat?
I hesitated to ask for help and advice but I have come to find that people are more than willing to share their expertise.
Who is your role model or mentor?
My mother is my role model. A woman of strength, perseverance and humor who believes in me no matter what I decide to take on. My mentors are my great circle of incredible women friends who are intelligent, supportive and generous in every way.
How do you spend your free time?
Working with friends on creative projects and spending time with my charming nephew, Thomas.
What is your indulgence?
Cheese, chocolate and deciding to watch a movie at 11pm.
What do you CRAVE? In business? In life?
In business and in life, I CRAVE challenge, interaction, balance and a good laugh.
Contact Healthy Gourmet Gifts at:
416-918-1072
Twitter: @hgourmetgifts
Top 5 Metabolism Boosting Foods
We all know exercise plays a large role in how efficiently our bodies burn calories. But did you know that food impacts your metabolism as well? In fact, there are a number of delicious foods that not only bump up your metabolism to influence weight loss but also help create sustained energy throughout the day. Who could say no to that? The only caveat is that these metabolism boosting foods are not found in a box, package or plastic wrap. That’s right…they are real, whole foods that need a little tender love and care (i.e. cooking) before you put them in your mouth. Here are the most fantastic fat burning foods and a few inspirational tips to make them unbelievably tasty.
Dark Leafy Greens- Kale, Collard Greens, Bok Choy, Broccoli, and Swiss Chard are all amazing metabolism-boosting foods that many of us forget to eat. Ideally we should eat these vitamin-loaded greens twice a day. That’s right…twice! Sauté kale with garlic and olive oil for a delicious side dish. Quickly steam broccoli and toss with sesame oil, lemon and tamari for a taste of heaven or cookcollard greens with chopped sweet potatoes and coconut milk. Yum!
Daikon- A long white radish, daikon is best pickled, grated into salads or throw into a rich beef stew to soak up all the amazing juices. For a quick pickle, chop daikon and sprinkle it with salt. Let it sit for 30 minutes then drain the excess water. Toss with pepper and sesame oil and you are good to go!
Radish- Their innately spicy crunch makes radishes the ideal food to take your metabolism to the next level. Eat them with hummus or eggplant spread for an easy snack or throw them in a salad with avocado, orange and mint. A perfect combination!
Shiitake Mushrooms- Shittake mushrooms not only aid metabolism but also bolster the immune system and clear the body of excess mucus. Simply chop the mushrooms and sauté with onions, carrots, broccoli and olive oil for a satisfying stir-fry. Add them to soups for an added bit of texture, or slice and bake with red onions and garbanzo beans for a delicious protein-rich dish.
Onions, Garlic, Scallions and Leeks- If you don’t already cook with these, I don’t know what to say! Honestly though, onions, garlic and their cousins scallions and leeks are some of the healthiest, inflammation-reducing, calorie-burning foods on the planet. How to use them? Put them in everything! Try a red onion frittata and throw freshly chopped scallions into your salads or on top of your sautéed kale. Leeks add a hearty sweetness to soup or are perfect caramelized and thrown on top of baked potatoes. And as for garlic, well…think of garlic as onion’s twin. The two shall never part. If you are worried about becoming “fragrant” after eating these lovely alliums, don’t worry. Just make sure everyone else around you eats them too. Enjoy!
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Jamie G. Dougherty is the owner and founder of JAMIE|LIVING, Health and Lifestyle Coaching. She is an AADP certified Holistic Nutrition Coach 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.
To get more great health info and recipes become a JAMIE LIVING Facebook Fan, read the JAMIE LIVING blog or follow her on Twitter.
Interview with Sylvia Gamble of Sugarplum Sweet Creations
Sugarplum Sweet Creations, a little gem in Kingston Road Village, features freshly baked cupcakes and cakes hand decorated with delicious buttercream frosting. They have distinctly beautiful sweet creations ready to go or custom designed. The cupcakes are almost too pretty to eat – although that didn’t stop us from finishing four in record time!
Sylvia has also put together a special selection of unique gifts and greeting cards sure to match the importance of your special occasion and pretty treasures to give or to keep for yourself. There is always a sweet find at Sugarplum.
How would you describe your business in exactly three adjectives?
Sweet. Unique. Friendly.
What are your most popular products or services?
Buttercream Cupcakes, Blossom Cakes and The Perfect Hostess Gift.
What or who inspired you to start your business?
My independent spirit.
What business mistake have you made that you will not repeat?
Trying to do everything by myself.
How do you spend your free time?
Walking by the water, cooking and gardening.
What is your indulgence?
A day off.
Where is your favourite place to go with your girlfriends?
Each other’s homes for good food, wine and company.
What do you CRAVE? In business? In life?
Happiness and Balance.
Contact Sugarplum Sweet Creations at:
1028 Kingston Road, Toronto, ON
416-693-4747
Taking Elegance to a Whole Other Level!
CRAVE beauty, elegance, & sophistication? Indulge in a whole new meaning of uniqueness with Barbara Stewart’s Adornments on Queen! With an extraordinary taste for fine furnishings and decorative accessories, Barbara has created a business of true affordable elegance to cater to your ostentatious needs! Find only the rarest, most exquisite and majestic items at Adornments on Queen…
Combined with experiencing a luxurious and angelic ambiance, Adornments on Queen is fully equipped with their very own Steeped and Infused Tea Bar. Mmm! What is better than shopping and relaxing with a sublime cup of hot or iced tea and a delicious pastry or sandwich!? Not only does Adornments on Queen gratify your furnishing and decorative needs but also satisfy your taste buds with a dedication to health and well-being!
The store panorama is truly divine with a knack for captivating customers at first glance. If that weren’t the only thing that stole your heart, then the quality of Barbara’s products sure would! She gets her products from only the most unique gems of the world trying to source as many Canadian made items as possible! From Art Tone Designs to Caroline Crawford to Jenna Rose to so many more crafty designers, Adornments on Queen only features the highest quality of Canadian made and foreign products!
Walking through this store will give you an experience of a lifetime– you will feel a true romanticism aura throughout with an alluring vibe to simply sigh at the beautiful and heavenly ambiance. Christmas time is getting closer and closer! Adornments on Queen wants to be sure your home is just dreamy with the Christmas decorations now available! “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” with Adornments on Queen being your #1 CRAVE-resource for enthralling furnishing and enticing decorative accessories… Make your home an enchanting fairy tale; only with the elite– Adornments on Queen.
Visit Adornments on Queen to experience true charm!
Contact info@adornmentsonqueen.com
Phone: 416 955 4791
Mobile: 647 702 2072
338 Queen Street East (@ Parliament)
Toronto, Ontario
It’s Tea Time!
There is something about tea that elevates the soul and warms the heart, especially during the colder months. Dating back centuries ago teatime was a common ritual where friends and family would gather together and just “be” over a cup of tea. In today’s world it can be difficult to find simplicity and pure goodness amongst the daily chaos. Jennifer Best, owner of Steeped and Infused, offers a peaceful yet urban escape perfect for anyone looking to discover their senses and explore the health benefits and exotic flavors offered at her urban tea oasis.
The main focus at Steeped and Infused is education. Informing the customer and sharing the incredible therapeutic and natural health benefits that come from drinking a cup of hot (or iced!) tea. Steeped and Infused offers a wide variety of organic loose leaf teas, tea lattes, and tea accessories which make the most thoughtful gifts or tasty treats! Recently I tried their Canadian Maple with Masala Chai -delicious!! Equally impressive as their wide selection, knowledgeable staff, and cool decor is the beautiful, simple and eco-friendly packaging the tea comes in! The packaging gives a brief (yet detailed) description of the tea, its origin and the exact ingredients ( all organic, of course!) and health benefits it might have. Make teatime all the time and visit Steeped and Infused here to learn more and shop online.
Steeped and Infused
1258 Queen Street East
Toronto, Ontario
email:tea@steepedandinfused.com
twitter: @steepedandinfused
Interview with Shannon Doyle of The Mercantile
A specialty food and treats shop, The Mercantile is chock-a-block with unique and delicious foods. When you enter the store you feel inspired, indulged and nurtured. The Mercantile is also a gift basket company without compare that has been creating unique gift baskets since 1999. Their gift baskets are personally designed with an idiosyncratic recipient’s needs in mind.
How would you describe your business in exactly three adjectives?
Gourmet. Unique. Urban.
What or Who inspired you to start your business?
As an actor I was looking for another creative outlet.
What are your most popular products or services?
Our fabulous selection of chocolate, The Mercantile Spice Kits and our personalized gift baskets.
What business mistake have you made that you will not repeat?
Always secure a long lease or purchase the building, if possible. It gives you time to build your business.
What is your indulgence?
Dark chocolate with sea salt and red wine.
How do you spend your free time?
Doing Hot yoga and hosting dinner parties with my husband when we are not renovating homes.
Who is your role model or mentor?
Jenny Barato, owner of Trattoria Giancarlo. I admire her food knowledge and great taste.
What do you CRAVE? In business? In life?
The ocean. More free time with my husband. Balance.
Contact The Mercantile at:
297 Roncesvalles Ave.
Toronto, ON 416 – 531- 7563
Interview with Lorraine Hawley of Mabel’s Bakery & Specialty Foods
Mabel’s is Roncesvalles’ go to specialty food shop for scratch baked homestyle desserts and meals to go. Customers come here to enjoy time tested seasonal recipes hand made with natural ingredients. Mabel’s sources local and/or organic ingredients whenever possible and carries a selection of Ontario’s best pantry items, artisan breads and fine cheese.
How would you describe your business in exactly three adjectives?
Fresh, Delicious and All Natural.
What or Who inspired you to start your business?
Growing up on a farm, eating fresh and local as well as living in France and seeing the passion for food.
People may be surprised to know…
You would never find buckets of mayo or pie filling at Mabel’s when we say ‘made from scratch’ we mean it!
What business mistake have you made that you will not repeat?
Not trusting my instincts and not making enough food for our grand opening!
What is your indulgence?
Pedicures, trashy chick-lit, really good cheese and pie for breakfast.
How do you spend your free time?
What free time? We’ve only been open a little more than a year!
Who is your role model or mentor?
My husband, a telecom entrepreneur and the hardest working, most passionate man I know.
What do you CRAVE? In business? In life?
More time with husband and son, more happy customers and more pie!
Contact Mabel’s Bakery & Specialty Foods at:
323 Roncesvalles Ave
Toronto, ON 416-534-2333
Interview with Jennifer Best of Steeped and Infused
It’s Tea Time! At Steeped and Infused, loose leaf teas are the specialty. Their teas are carefully selected for their quality, sensational taste and most importantly-their health benefits. They offer a selection of premium creative blends that bestow warm and embracing aromas, a palate pleasing finish and the refreshing awareness that you’re doing something good for YOU!
How would you describe your business in exactly three adjectives?
Healthy, Welcoming and Informative.
What or Who inspired you to start your business?
A journey with my health and the benefits of tea provided the opportunity to combine my two passions; health and business.
People may be surprised to know…
Tea isn’t just your Grandmother’s drink anymore.
How do you spend your free time?
On a never-ending journey for knowledge and self improvement. A great meal with friends and family. Embracing life!
Who is your role model or mentor?
The community of amazing women entrepreneurs, that I am proud to be a part of.
Where is your favourite place to go with your girldirends?
For ice cream, out dancing or for a fabulous lunch followed by manicures and pedicures.
What do you CRAVE? In business? In life?
Fulfillment, growth and success; profesionally and personally.
Visit Steeped and Infused at:
1258 Queen Street East
Toronto, ON, Canada M4L 1C3
647.348.1669
CRAVE’s Favourites for a Ladies Night Out
We know our CRAVE ladies are a busy group of females. Running a business is hard work and sometimes all-consuming. That’s why this post calls on the old adage “work hard, play harder”. To us, there is no better way to de-stress than with a ladies night out. Just a few hours on the town with best friends can melt away weeks of stress and recharge your batteries. We’ve put together a list of some great spots to spend your evening out.
EMBRUJO FLAMENCO TAPAS RESTAURANT - embrujoflamenco.com
Looking for a great meal to share and some spicy entertainment? We love Embrujo Flamenco. Enjoy the regional cuisines of Spain, based on centuries of traditional cooking and hundreds of regional recipes using natural ingredients such as olive oil, lots of seafood, vegetables, game, veal, ham, and sausages to name a few. All served as tapas, these dishes are created to be shared around the table. Not only do they have great food, but Wednesday through Sunday they also offer free Flamenco shows while dining.
THE 10 SPOT BEAUTY BAR - the10spot.com
Sometimes after a long week (or weeks) no matter how much you want to just let loose for a night on the town with your girlfriends, you just can’t find the energy to get dolled up and dance the night away. That is why we love the 10 Spot. They are open late – until 10pm Thursday to Saturday and until 8pm the rest of the week. This is the perfect way to spend a lazy evening with your girls. They even book private parties specifically for a girl’s night out.
BERBER LOUNGE - berberlounge.ca
The BerBer Lounge is the perfect place for a light dinner, drinks and a night of dancing with your ladies. Enjoy delicious Moroccan cuisine while surrounded by artisanal hand-made luxuries transported back from the winding alleys of the Moroccan Medinas. Stay after dinner for drinks and a night of dancing as a DJ takes over and transforms the Lounge into a Front Street hot-spot.
The Girl’s Guide to Beer
On a sweltering summer day at the ballpark or a friend’s 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.
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