Make A Difference Day 2013

The little things mean much more than realized. American Essayist and Poet Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) summed up a fantastic way to live, a message still applicable on this very day, “To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”

On National Make A Difference Day Saturday, October 26, 2013 millions of volunteers will unite to improve the lives of others in their communities on the largest national day of community service.  Thousands of projects in all different scales from small groups of individuals to entire states take on problems they see in the community and accomplish a solution.  USA Weekend Magazine and Points of Light have teamed up for more than 20 years to sponsor Make A Difference Day along with other organizations that recognize the power of inspired people serving their communities.  The Make A Difference Day website allows anybody to register  their project to raise awareness and accrue volunteers, there is also a search engine for projects within the total mile radius of the entered zip code to find places to volunteer on Saturday.  Projects include fixing up city gardens, packaging at food banks, and cleaning/repairing community centers.  Regardless of the project size registration on the Make A Difference Day DAYtaBank submits the project for consideration to receive a $10,000 donation from Newman’s Own.  

It is not too late to create a project and many are still in need of volunteers.  Begin a new tradition with family, friends, or coworkers and dedicate time to serve the community, one day of volunteering can spark a habit of it.  Children learn from the actions of adults, family friendly projects will engage the awareness of children and involve them to aid in successfully improving their community while shaping their path toward future volunteering. The children may ask to do more, luckily the upcoming holiday season provides numerous opportunities, but engaging in service all year long and striving to Make A Difference each and every day is the true goal and inspiration of the mission.

The little things count, start by smiling and making eye contact with people. Trends have occurred recently including an anonymous person buying coffee for everyone that comes in that day, or grand restaurant tippers, and the more infamous random act of kindness when a homeless man turned in a lost bag filled with over $50,000 cash only to have inspired the do-well in another gentleman that set up a website to donate funds to the homeless man; he is now worth over $100,000. Go ahead, create a trend and raise awareness to make someone's life a little happier in any capacity it is worth it. The cycle should never end, people will always remember the way another made them feel. Make A Difference Day certainly calls to us nationwide to join our neighbors helping others and our communities, it could be contagious.

What project will you participate in for Make A Difference Day this Saturday, October 26, 2013?  

Come share a Scoop of Happiness with us and other volunteers at Pino Gelato after your project!

Sweet Super Bowl Sunday

America’s sport has transcended over time with glorifying the championship game to include much more than football.  The NFL’s Super Bowl Sunday is just as much about the food and the entertainment as it is about tossing the pig skin making the event enjoyable, all-inclusive, and indulgent.  New Orleans is the host city this year allowing for an amazing influence on food and beverages served at parties across the nation.  While there are certain food staples associated with Super Bowl Sunday, dessert is often overlooked amongst them.  Gelato is a superb way to sweeten up the fare and drink for Super Bowl XLVII.

We have dessert covered this year.  For an impressive yet simple option serve or bring our Pino Gelato custom gelato cake shaped and made to look like a football for guests to ogle over until dessert time.  The cake itself adds instant thematic décor and is a favorite for all ages.  Another convenient option for hosting or attending a party is to bring pints or quarts of various gelato flavors that can be used to top just about any dessert.  An idea would be to have handheld mini pies, cakes, and other assorted favorite treats with a station for guests to self-serve scoops to accompany their selection.  Similarly, the gelato can be used with a coffee bar set up to allow guests to create a pick-me up with espresso or coffee and a variety of after-dinner liqueurs poured over their gelato flavor of choice. The possibilities for gelato and dessert are endless and an ideal fit for wowing people over on food-day/game-day. 

New Orleans lends easy menu selection in terms of drinks this Sunday with an array of drinks representative of The Big Easy.  Gelato can be used to add a fun and sweet flair to the traditional preparation of The Hurricane, rum and tropical juices, topped with a mini-scoop of coconut gelato will provide a sensational presentation.  NOLA is bustling with stands peddling Frozen Daiquiri’s acclimating tourists with the local’s adoration of the sweet concoction. Serve up vodka (or leave it out for a great non-alcoholic option) blended with ice, fresh berries, and a scoop of fruit flavored gelato or sorbetto to do the same for your crowd.  Additionally, Craft beer and the Pimm’s Cup, Pimm’s No. 1 liqueur and lemon-lime soda with a cucumber garnish, are important drinks to the local region but are likely to be gleefully over looked against the gelato infused beverage options.

Eat and drink a bit sweeter this Super Bowl Sunday courtesy of gelato!

 

Espresso and Pastry with Gelato, a Good Time for All!

Recent rumor mills have been spilling about the end of coffee, as in finito, in our lifetime.  The claim is that the wild Arabica plant will no longer be able to grow and produce coffee beans. No need to engage in a swirling pool of environmental studies, rest assured that morning cup of coffee is still secure. For the purpose and soul of coffee lovers this shall provide proper celebration with pastries, gelato, and that oh so adored beverage, espresso.  The groups that will find the end of coffee preposterous get the buzz on here!

Espresso

Affogado

In most coffee shops in America the Italian coffee lingo that flies around and has become everyday talk for the repeat customer, most of those fancy words for drinks begin in the original form of espresso.  Italian born and created by forcing a small amount of water through finely ground coffee beans gained popularity with the rise of urbanization in Italy thus becoming a key in socialization that still holds its magic today. Many creations have presented themselves since the beginning but there are a few true ways to revel in espresso. Enjoy an Affogato, Italian espresso that is poured over gelato drowning it with glory.  This frozen beverage can be served alone any time of the day or with pastries after dinner. Another wonderful pairing with espresso is Biscotti, Italian cookie like pastries that are baked twice to pull out moisture have sweet, dry, crumbly attributes and are flavored in many ways with spices, fruits, and nuts.  Typically the biscotti are dipped into an espresso beverage to soften for eating.  

Sfogliatelle

The pastry possibilities that can be accompanied by a warm espresso drink and cold scoop of gelato are numerous.  With fall flavors at their peak and holiday entertainment commencing it is a treat to introduce espresso and pastry and gelato to enhance the social atmosphere of any household party.  Along with customized biscotti, and Affogato, serve Sfogliatelle, Italian pastries from the province of Salerno with a layered texture in the shape of a shell use an orange-flavored ricotta filling and serve with orange peel aside espresso.   

Another way to enjoy pastry and gelato is this sophisticated take on an “ice-cream sandwich” with using Pizzelle, a waffle-like cookie that varies between crisp and crunchy or soft and chewy. A pizzelle iron is used in cooking the dessert, giving it a characteristic snowflake pattern. Serve a sandwich with gelato between two of the pizzelle and drizzle with a topping sauce such as caramel infused with anise flavored liqueur. The kid within is sure to come out while enjoying this twist on a dessert treasure in the most sophisticated of manners.

 While hosting serve or display espresso, pastry, and gelato and watch how coffee can bind people together giving credence to the socialization aspect. Certainly when served with delicious Italian desserts there will be a smiling crowd present.

Elegant "Sundays"

On a day of rest, it’s time to treat yourself to a dessert that is a little more special. It’s called an affogato. This Italian coffee based drink combines two phenomenal Italian pleasures: espresso and gelato (how could you not?!).

Come to Pino Gelato and taste an affogato for yourself! We’ll create one specially for you with your choice of gelato and toppings! Once you’ve tried it and have the desire to be creative; take home your two favorite flavors of gelato and prepare to have some fun!

Here is our traditional affogato to help you get started:




Place two scoops of gelato in bowl or glass: 1 vanilla and 1 chocolate
(maybe 3 scoops... Just because you deserve it J )

Affogato (Italian for drown) the gelato in 2 shots of espresso.

Add some whipped cream (homemade preferably)


Drizzle your favorite toppings (nuts, fruit, chocolate syrup, etc…)







Grab a palettina spoon and Enjoy!

When you are finished licking your spoon.....

Tell us about your homemade affogatos!!!