Seasonal Spice and Happiness

photo credit: newyork.seriouseats.com 

Gelato is for lovers.  Fall lovers, that is.  There is no seasonality placed on gelato in Italy, and avid gelato consumers do not think twice about eating the rich flavors throughout the year. In America the fall and winter bring a general lull to the appeal and enjoyment of frozen desserts, but gelato boasts seasonal flavors that reel in discerning customers to the unconventional.  Pumpkin spice, apple pie, and coffee cake gelato flavors engage the pumpkin spice craze with decadence.

photo credit: countrycleaver.com

Uncover milkshakes that stand out from the hoi polloi of frozen beverages with seasonal flavors of gelato.  The gelato milkshakes make for a transportable, more acceptable option for dabbling in the misconstrued “summer treat” anytime. Afterall, gelato and pizza are breakfast staples in Italian cafes. Pumpkin spice milkshakes will be the envy of the diehard seasonal latte fan that sits across the office sipping, savoring their victory… dare the one-up?   

photo credit: livinthepielife.com

Fall brings recipes that integrate spices and produce to portray the upcoming need for warmth the season commands.  Dessert sees no misfortune to the various interpretations of food during fall months. Pies served warm with a scoop of gelato are namely increasing in trend to elevate the traditional.  Advantageous combinations such as salted caramel pie with butter pecan gelato, apple pie with two scoops: tahitian vanilla and apple pie gelato, and pumpkin pie with chocolate gelato, ensure dessert will never be boring. 

Seasonal flavored gelato is the ticket to receiving culinary accolades and pleasing guests when entertaining. Mulled wine, an aromatic hot beverage combining wine with seasonal spices, creates added charm to an atmosphere set for eating all things representative of fall. Gelato is steadfast and delicious, scoop happiness to this season.

A superior Mulled Wine recipe by Ina Garten , the perfect ensemble to gelato and all of this fall glory.

photo credit: bbc.co.uk 




WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FALL GELATO FLAVOR?

Go Ahead, Have a Field Day!

“Let’s go fly a kite…”, but really, when is the last time partaking in an activity for pure enjoyment was a top goal of the day?  As the public is reawakened by hectic work and school schedules a yearning for some good ol’ fashioned fun should be a priority.  Summer is at near end, but the recreation associated with the season sure can continue.  Engage in activities that produce merriment and delight for any age.  Rally together neighbors, family/friends, or colleagues for organized (semi-organized is acceptable) team sports such as flag football, kickball or volleyball.  This may be the perfect way to spend a lunch hour per week!  Take glee to the next level and have a field day.  Host events in the backyard or a community park. The field day can include sack races, an obstacle course, and an amusing outdoor version of the game Twister that is painted right onto the grass in the yard!

Photo Credit: Katie Haines

In the instance physical games are not accommodating, try a new activity as a group ideal for team-building and family fun.  Cooking lessons, a hot air balloon ride, learn to make pottery- all ideas that fit the bill to enjoy part of the day with a focus on simple pleasure. Shift gears to place an importance on having fun in even the most mundane parts of a day-to-day routine, become diligent at it to make happiness contagious. The amount of hilarity that ensues from hoisting up a Pinata is astounding.  

The Italian lifestyle places importance on family gathering and enjoyment each day.  La Bella Vita, meaning ‘the good life’ is a phrase that is not only spoken, but is adhered to. The quick pace of life too often leaves little room for the best of times to be had.  A concerted effort to initiate more family fun or group activities may at first be present, but once established the benefits of laughter, togetherness and achievement are certain to boost overall quality of life.

Will you have FUN today?

The Feast Day of St. John the Baptist

Picture: TED ALJIBE/AFP

St. John the Baptist is honored with festivals, parades, and high mass on his birth anniversary celebrated by the Catholic Church.  The Feast Day of St. John the Baptist takes a tradition for annual ceremony in The Philippines with a notion that commemorating the way their patron saint disguised himself when he baptized Jesus will lead to blessings for a bountiful farming harvest. The Taong Putik people dress in mud and dried banana leaves to replicate, elsewhere pig roasts (dressed in costumes for parade) are an iconic part of the day.  Feasts are marked with the traditional dousing of water, more akin to actual water fights and fun, to reminisce the baptism by John the Baptist performed in the Jordan River.

Picture: JAY DIRECTO/AFP

The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Charleston, SC

Pope Francis spoke words at mass in the chapel of his residence, Vatican’s Saint Martha guesthouse, this morning praising John the Baptist as an important man that many “people sought him out and followed him,” and encouraged the way John the Baptist stepped aside to Jesus once he lead others to him. This was emphasized throughout his homily for the Feast of John the Baptist’s birth, “A Christian does not announce himself; he announces another, prepares the way for another: the Lord,” said Pope Francis this morning, June 24, 2014.  

St. John the Baptist is one of two saints, Blessed Mary being the other, the birth is observed by the Church versus the normal feast being marked by the day of the saint’s death, when they made entrance to heaven.

Bartolome Esteban Murillo, St. John the Baptist as a Child c. 1665

Romantic Travel: Plan the Ideal Getaway.

Blow it this Valentine’s Day?  Got it covered. Make up for slacking on February 14th with a grand gesture... everyone wants to be swept away on a romantic travel escapade.  Relax, explore, and connect with a special person.  Go ahead and hop on a plane or jump in the car, let the adventure begin with a romantic travel plan in 2014.   

The itch to leave town is always heightened after the holidays have come and gone and before the majority of the country sees temperatures that stay steady at mild.  Of course, there are numerous places in this world to travel with lists-upon-lists of romantic cities and hotels to source for selecting the perfect destination. Europe is always high-seeded on such lists, with cities that define romance. From France’s Champagne countryside to Paris, Spain, and Italy (5 Italian cities spanning across the top 10 in this list), the slower lifestyle and varying landscapes in Europe are ideal for all.  The food… unbelievable.  

Love is in the air in Charleston, SC. Photo Credit: Jennifer Bearden

Depending upon the interests of a couple there are fantastic ways to make the vacation memorable and stay stateside.   Begin to feel the breeze or ski the slope, there is a place for fun waiting for every type of couple to delve into the romance that started it all. Narrowed down to a top 5 here is a list of romantic cities in the United States. Some boast European flair others have the beaches people yearn for in the lion that is March, either way referencing the selections below is the first step toward getting away with a main squeeze. Another perk, these cities all have impeccable dining.  Click the city and state for a link providing information for planning a romantic getaway in each destination.  

O’ahu, Hawaii For obvious regions as the beautiful beaches, adventures, and a paradise life- complete with flowers behind the ear and lei’s draped around necks.  

Charleston, SC Romantic cobblestone streets reminiscent of Europe with nearby beaches and a historic gas light district for exceptional evening dining.  

Aspen, CO The adventure in the mountains with amazing ski resorts, romantic cabins and resorts, and a downtown fit to canoodle in.  

Sonoma, CA Wine country, luxury, and landscape with pure beauty, sustain romance for the couple selecting Napa/Sonoma region. The vino is a particularly ideal souvenir, open a bottle a month after returning and remember highlights from the trip.

Destin, FL The Sunshine State’s 24 mile Emerald Coast is the ideal beach and boat trip with gorgeous emerald coves, white sand beaches, and bountiful water activities. Try paddle boarding together, experiencing a new activity together is a proven method to connect.

Emerald Coast. Photo Credit: National Geographic Travel

Here’s to romantic getaways, or even just daydreaming of them! Where is the most romantic city in the US you have traveled to with your sweetheart?  

Toast to Happiness!

Winter drab has gone on long enough. People in most parts of the country need a bit of hoopla to entertain at this point.  No need to rush to the local watering hole, keep it downright interesting with an adult beverage, complete with gelato.     

Mixologists have affirmed the creative cocktail trend is here to stay.  More advantageous? Bartenders ahead of the curve are mixing alcohol and gelato to create the happiest of hours in existence.  

Recently, a list of 15 Food Reasons Italians Are Better at Life appeared on Huffington Post (an enthused shout out to numbers 12, and 1), to build upon this accurate list number 16 easily should be Italian liquors.  Campari, Limoncello, Sambuca, Frangelico; the span of flavor across the famed spirits of Italy are ideal to infuse in gelato or sorbetto to create supreme recipes combining alcohol and the luxury frozen dessert.  It is becoming increasingly more common to find gelato with rum or another standard spirit on menus across the world.

A gelato cocktail that will go over well with everyone.

Surely, one of the most fabulous ways to enjoy gelato and get through the impending storms is to add a dash of the “good stuff” for a tasty way to make it to spring.  A favorite gelato cocktail recipe brilliantly uses pistachio gelato, espresso, and coconut to make a luscious concoction.  Worthy modifications include caramel drizzle on the rim, best served in a chilled glass. Honestly, even a "plain" vanilla gelato cocktail is delicious.

Gelato and Italian liquors add sophistication to dessert time and/or happy hour.  Celebrate this match made in heaven with a gelato cocktail toast to happiness!

Pino Gelato is available in quarts and pints for you to order to make your own gelato cocktail recipe at home! Please share your favorites with us in the comments section. Salute!

Salute 2014!

Toast 2014 with Italian flair.  “Bubbly”, “champs”, “bubs”, pop media dubs champagne numerous coined phrases, chose the preferred reference and know a delectable addition is welcomed in the flute.  Gelato and sorbetto mini scoops drenched in prosecco (Italian similar bubbly) bring true taste to cheers with this New Year's Eve.  

Celebrating with extra special beverages contributes to decor and creates a magical element to the evening on NYE.  A supreme version of the cocktail named “Sunset Bubbly” is made by combining blood orange sorbetto with prosecco turning into a beautiful, refreshing, and unique drink both ideal and palatable for serving to any crowd.  Mario Batali creates an intriguing (thick) version  “Pomegranate Prosecco Gelatina”, a recipe that works well with any berry sorbetto with colors spot on for a holiday vibe.  

The variations are endless and stupendous, but in order to avoid having to narrow down the selection consider creating a punch bowl with multiple flavor scoops.  Arranging a self-serve bubbly bar is an excellent option for guests to create their own version and to present the same array to those refraining from spirits during the evening.  Place sparkling grape juice, water, or cider aside the prosecco for a spot on way to include all at the celebration.  

Ringing in the New Year holds tradition.  Parties vary from the utmost lavish to banging pots and pans in the kitchen with the family.  Enjoying a decadent beverage is deemed celebration worthy of any style of festivities lined up.  Regardless of plans this New Year’s Eve, toasting with a gelato/sorbetto induced luxury beverage is quite the means to embrace a sparkling outlook for 2014.  Salute 2014!

photo credit: Bon Appetit

What Hors d'oeuvres do you serve on NYE that pair well with champagne/prosecco?  

The Feast of the Immaculate Conception

The Feast of the Immaculate Conception Sunday December 8 has been honored in Rome by Pope Francis visiting Piazza di Spagna to pray, in tradition, before the statue of Mary. During the celebration of the Marian Feast, a Holy Day of obligation for Catholics and a national holiday in Italy, Pope Francis included Mother Mary in his Sunday Angelus by saying to all in St. Peter’s square, “On this feast day, then, contemplating our Immaculate Mother, we also recognize our true destiny, our deepest vocation: to be loved, to be transformed by love.” Pope Francis states in his message the Immaculate Conception of Mother Mary "...is the fruit of God's love which saves the world."

Mary with willingness to become the Mother of God is considered to be, “Full of Grace”, was free of Original Sin since the moment of her conception and remained sinless her entire life.  Former Popes have traveled to pray before the monument of Mary, dated December 8, 1854, Pope Pius IX officially declared the Immaculate Conception a dogma of the Church.  

Pope Francis 

Pope Francis went on to visit with particular crowd attendees according to Vatican Radio, as he called on those present just moments before to, “never be indifferent to the cry of the poor, the sick, the elderly, of children, and every human life.” The month of December hosts a multitude of holy days of obligation in the Catholic church.  The religious days of Advent before Christmas are full of joy and love of the Virgin Mary.  In Italy, most shops will remain open since this feast day did not fall during the business week.  Pope Francis concluded his message today with a wish for all to have a good lunch.

Gelato for PAWS! World Animal Day Unites the Cause.

CEO, Ramona Fantini at #StrutYourMutt

World Animal Day was observed on October 4, 2013 this year for celebration by animal lovers from many nations for all types of animals of the world.  The date of World Animal Day is special to us because of the Italian roots beginning in Florence, Italy.  October 4 was chosen years ago because it is the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.  Pino Gelato celebrates all things Italy, but breathes all things animals!

Pino Gelato's frozen doggie treats are a hit with every pup!
We will have plenty on hand this Saturday during "Gelato for Paws". 

Our event  "Gelato for Paws" is being held this Saturday, October 12, 2013 just in the wake of World Animal Day.  Join us at our 1st Animal Rescue Fundraiser with information booths and adoptable animals.  There will be FREE activities, contests, and food samples.  Our frozen all natural dog treats are made with all natural plain yogurt, peanut butter, honey, and bananas.  They are a huge hit! All proceeds from our first annual "Gelato for Paws" event will be donated to: Hilton Head Humane Association, Noah's Arks Rescue, Palmetto Animal League, Maranatha Farm Animal Rescue and more local animal welfare advocates.  



Pino Gelato supports five animal rescue charities with monthly donations, adding a new one annually. We appreciate the contributions from our fans, staff, and community that all help us make a difference.  Many corporations have boarded the boat in helping animal rescue organizations, our hope is to continue the momentum and engage all opportunities to raise funds for our cause.   Participation in Best Friends rally #StrutYourMutt is a popular event bringing fun for animal advocates all over the nation!  Keep in mind, October is National Adopt-a-dog month! Find out more information at this americanhumane.org link. Tails are wagging, frozen treats are cooling the crowd, and their pups, "Gelato for Paws" is going to be awesome! 

"Gelato for Paws" is a first for Pino Gelato, share your tips with us!  Have you been part of a successful fundraiser for animal rescue? Why was it a success?

"Gelato for Paws" preview event!

Happiness and Literacy

"We should consider every day lost on which we have not danced at least once," Friedrich Nietzsche.  The celebrated German philosopher has provided words to live by in multiple renowned quotes, the above can be applied true of literacy as well.  In recognition for September as International Literacy Month the author’s quote has a true sentiment when altered to profess the joy of reading, “… on which we have not read or been read to at least once”, I believe Nietzsche would agree. 

The future of reading and literacy should be bound to celebration promoting literacy through favorite authors, books, and community events to aid in improvement.  A fantastic program to become a volunteer tutor for students and adults with low literacy skills, this month serves as an excellent reminder to share reading with family, friends, and the community.  The National Book Festival is held on the National Mall in Washington DC by the Library of Congress, with a previous theme “Celebrating the joys of reading aloud” that resonates with our passion for literacy.  Either idea can be recreated in even the smallest of towns, promote literacy and revel in the imagination stirring in the young mind of a child, or in the advancement in workplace of the low-literate adult having progress.

As a company that gives back interaction with our local, national, and world communities’ start with being literate.  Gelato is here to come and enjoy in an authentic Italian experience, a place to convene in happiness as a family.   In this month of International Literacy, let us try to make the same experience of reading, aloud in happiness to children, to educate ourselves further, or to teach others, share the focus of spreading literacy in a compassionate way.

In September appropriately marks festivals in Italy celebrating the birthday of Juliet from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.  Re-read that for starters! What is your favorite classic book or play? 

For more information the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization supplies facts and actions regarding global literacy. UNESCO is at the forefront of global literacy efforts and is dedicated to keeping literacy high on national, regional and international agendas.