Pino Gelato for Alaqua: First Event a Success!

A fantastic afternoon was spent on April 25, 2014 for the announcement of Pino Gelato support of Alaqua Animal Refuge. The fundraiser took place in Destin, FL at The Village of Baytowne Wharf Pino Gelato location.  The outdoor patio and deck seating was transformed into an Alaqua awareness site by their volunteers all set up for donations, purchases of t-shirts and gift certificate special incentives. The day was complete with Alaqua founder Laurie Hood and her sons ramping up attention to passers by of the event prior to a donation check presentation with Pino Gelato CEO Ramona Fantini (her own doggies in tow). Spotlighting the event was the Alaqua mascot, a three legged boxer, and a puppy with looks and charisma garnering much attention from potential sponsors or those looking to adopt.  

“Your Scoop of Happiness is their Scoop of Hope,” Pino Gelato gives back a portion of annual revenue to animal rescue organizations, acquiring an additional foundation each year.  Discovering Alaqua Animal Refuge and the opportunity to learn the magnitude of their operation has been deemed a sure match for Pino Gelato to advocate for support of their full mission.  The Pino Gelato Team and Board Members were present for the Alaqua event hosted in one of the newly acquired Destin, FL stores that allowed a platform for all to experience a gathering in the local community and truly engage the call to action from the partnership created by Alaqua and Pino Gelato.

Pino Gelato at Baytowne served scoops of gelato, and assorted pastries and sandwiches to the crowd.  A toast of prosecco during the presentation to acknowledge the launch of support to Alaqua was accompanied by words from Hood and Fantini. “Salute!”, followed by a round of applause shared by all.

Special accolades are due to the Alaqua event staff for dedicating their time to a cause that has the utmost respect from Team Pino Gelato and staff.  Thank you for the work and time spent to help arrange this successful event.  The goal is to have many more events to come in order to raise awareness and funds for Alaqua.

To find out more about The Alaqua Animal Refuge and the many ways to offer support, please visit https://www.alaquaanimalrefuge.org/

Stay up-to-date with future happenings at Pino Gelato Baytowne Wharf and other store locations to support Alaqua and all of the animal rescue organizations benefited by the Scoops of Happiness served daily.   

Check out photos from the Pino Gelato & Alaqua event below:

MAY, We Celebrate!

Celebrate, dance to the music in the month of May.  Occasions galore over the next 31 days provide reason to reward, indulge and shake-a-foot, always.  Make this May and the events it brings more delightful than ever with simple, delicious ways to spread Happiness all month long.

Celebrations begin tomorrow on May 1st for May Day, a Spring welcoming from generations long ago that included a carefree dance around a birch tree branch also know as a May Pole. May 6th is National Teacher Appreciation Day 2014 to honor the educators of America with recognition of the hard work that is important to the future of the children and the nation.   Show Momma some love this Mother’s Day on May 8th, a thoughtful sweet is a sure way to warm her heart.  Beyond the marked calendar dates graduation and wedding season kicks-off. This is the time of year with plenty of opportunity to incorporate extra detail to the celebration and reward the special person of honor at any event.  

Scoop Some Happiness from Pino Gelato 

The happy plans incorporate gelato to celebrate May (don't forget the dancing, that is a must):

Mother’s Day Brunch: Strawberry-Gelato Shortcakes

adapted from BonAppetit Strawberry-Basil Shortcakes recipe

Follow the best shortcake recipe found in awhile above from BonAppetit making substitutions of vanilla gelato for crème fraîche, and mint sprigs for basil.  Worthy of note is the variation to use strawberry gelato and keep the crème fraîche!

photo credit: BONAPPETIT.COM

Custom gelato cakes for graduation celebrations! Honor the mascot of the college a student selected or a nod to any outstanding achievement made during the years in school.

Gelato and toppings bar are a big hit for adults and kids at parties and weddings. This is a great way to incorporate an individuals favorites. Licorice lover being celebrated? The opposite of a slew of toppings, form shoelace licorice into a heart on each scoop of gelato for a simple DIY topping and an adorable uniformed dessert.

photo credit:
frenchblue-frenchblue.blogspot.com

For a more sophisticated fete, provide a gelato cart with white glove service Scooping Happiness to guests or presented in champagne flutes.  Sweet days ahead, thank you to the month of May!

How will you embrace the season of gatherings that begin and celebrate in May?

Organic Easter this Spring

Spring has begun! Fresh, premium ingredients are desired by consumers when shopping for a numerous range of products.   Quality items have become more readily available and often, even surprisingly affordable. The fun can begin.  Transition during the change of seasons, especially into Spring (yes- it is here), brings with it a reminder of the variety of bountiful seasonal produce. Spring marks an opportunity to easily embrace “the healthy” found in aisles and at markets, but there are more routes to truly embody fresh, natural and premium product scouring.  Easter is the perfect holiday to depict the select food, craft, and household products easy to adapt to during the awakening Spring.

photo credit: etsy

Pastels, perennials, and pie illustrate Easter. Organic products and food are more frequently becoming the top choice in many categories, yet not all switches to the natural version are attainable whether due to cost or demand. The eco-friendly and healthier options are actually more accessible than the preconceived notion surrounding the steadfast trend.  

Dying Easter eggs is a tradition, instead of the chemical laden box dyes use the following suggestions for natural produce egg dye decorating that turn eggs amazing colors!

Photo credit: serious eats

Beet Juice (boiled eggs can go right into a jar of fresh beets for a couple hours).

Gently warm fresh berries on a stove top or double boiler then crush berries in a strainer over a dish to extract the juice.  Add ¼ cup of water and 2 tablespoons of white vinegar to each extracted juice.

Raspberry juice.  Intense pink!

Blueberries/blackberries: same as above, but blue!

Spinach (truly, works) : boil fresh spinach leaves then extract juice as above.  

Carrots: boil carrots in as little water as possible and use the marigold colored water for dye, add vinegar as above.

Easter flowers/plants are customary to bring to households hosting the holiday gathering.  This year, select perennials from a local farm stand or take it a step further and give the gift of an herb garden starter.  Supply handwritten instructions for organic garden care if in possession of a green thumb or direct to Organic Gardening for herb sustaining tips.  Basil and mint are exceptional gifts.

Easter Pie, not of the dessert variety but a savory Italian Easter Pie filled with meats and cheeses is typically made on Good Friday and served on Easter Sunday.  For more on Easter pies visit the 2013 Easter post be sure to make the pie at home with the freshest, quality ingredients sourced from Italian specialty stores.  Actual dessert? Simple, fresh, premium berries or homemade berry pie with a scoop of gelato harmoniously blend with the natural options used to celebrate this Easter and Spring.

Italian meat selections used for traditional Easter Pie.

Enjoy a fresh approach. Happy Easter and Welcome, Spring! How will you incorporate organic in Easter this Spring?

Spring Break 2014, Go!

Break out the sunscreen, bikinis and limes, it is time to gear up for a sea of neon- this is Spring Break 2014. After a rough Winter season for much of the US, travelers find it more reasonable than ever to justify a desired break from school, work, and shoveling the snow. Time to find the ideal place to relax and touch feet to the sand. The party stigma is forever linked to traditional spring break, but there are endless ways to enjoy the time off to actually explore a city and refine the experience.

Cuisinart Resort on Rendezvous Bay, Anguilla 

c/o cocktails&gelato

Often, Spring Break marks the first trip taken apart from family and is planned by students across universities in the country. Tens of thousands will travel during the Spring weeks to validate certain hollow expectations of college life.  While the beach, booze, and boats are all suitable categories to adhere to the practice of a legit Spring Break, there are recommendations to elevate the time spent on vacation above a blurred week of partying.  The message to student Spring breakers: no matter the destination selected find the actual sights of the city... and tour them.  Obvious as this may sound, too often the large group of friends will travel to and from without taking in all a place has to offer.  Try the local fare by way of the many websites used to filter places to dine categorized with such labels as ‘best cheap grub’, best ice-cream/gelato, and best for group dining. Plan properly to get a true taste of the city all while keeping to a budget.  Skip the daily hangover and encapsulate the well versed traveler within to discover all there is to the destination.

Alternative Spring Break trips are sponsored by nonprofit organizations and other charity or specialty groups to give students the option to spend the week volunteering for a cause with a magnitude of reward. To further explore this route and get involved read over this article about Missouri University in The Columbia Daily Tribune about the Mizzou Alternative Break trips (service trips) program and students arranging to benefit people through Habitat For Humanity, United Way and many other causes.  2014 it is more popular than ever that students are devoid of the standard expectations set by peers in order to give back.  

Time.com has created a list of the top ten popular places students are going for spring break this year, for reference to those that would like to fly with or steer clear of this crowd.  If traveling to a fancy beach town is not on the agenda this year, then Spring Break at home it is.  Easy to find local community charity programs to enable time spent to give back, explore the sites unseen that draw others to the closest large hometown location (day trip), and create atypical dining with awesome combo dessert drink recipes from Food52. Regardless of where or how to spend the break, let there be focus on enjoying family and friends, fantastic food and beverage, and giving back.  Relaxation and mini umbrellas to top drinks do not cost much: to the party people or not, spend time to revivify over the sundry Spring Break 2014.

Mini umbrellas

How are you spending your Spring Break this year?  If you are planning an alternative trip, we would especially like to hear about it!

The Scoop on Women Leadership

“One could do worse than be a swinger of birches” (Frost 59).  Absolutely, Mr. Frost, as there undoubtedly are less desirable careers than one involving gelato on the daily.  Selling Scoops of Happiness to smiling faces certainly does not seem to be hard work, but creating Pino Gelato was against the odds. As a woman owned company derived from passion and an aptitude for success there are obstacles that have been pummeled in order to exist against the unfortunate statistics.  

On March 8th the world celebrated International Women’s Day for Inspiring Change: the 2014 theme present on the global hub to encourage advocacy for women's advancement everywhere in every way.  There is quite a bit of “Women’s History” Month left this March to partake in the celebration for the achievement and growth that has occurred since the first International Women’s Day in 1911. Inspiring change for more women in senior leadership roles, growth of women owned businesses, and increased financial independence of women are only a few of the highlighted efforts to refresh awareness of the detriments to women in the workforce.  Women in senior management is stuck at 24 percent globally, few women have beat the odds to make up the 17 percent of women holding corporate board seats, and only 12 percent of women have the role as CEO (thank you, Ramona Fantini for existing as CEO of this phenomenal company).  

Pino Gelato CEO, Ramona Fantini 

Rare as a women owned business is, still it is almost unbelievable this qualifies a company as a certified diversity supplier in America. It is almost obscure to compare differences to former male boss’ (only one of whom actually owned a company, partially), though recalling the personalities and advice in certain decision making situations-- hands down boss lady.  The freshest campaign on the scene is #banbossy with the goal to encourage girls to lead.  An increasing trend is on the rise to educate women on presence, risk, and the full capabilities to that of male counterparts in the same field. Targeting the issue beginning in early education #banbossy is a partnership between LeanIn.Org the nonprofit organization founded by Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg to empower all women to achieve their ambitions, and Girl Scouts of USA.  On banbossy.com a light is shed on the facts, such as, girls are called on less and interrupted more in class and are twice as likely to worry that leadership roles will make them seem “bossy”. Thus justifying the movement that the time to start building female leaders starts now and begins in the classroom.

Education is the foundation for cultivating future women leaders and will be vital in order to make progress in closing the gap that exists for women. Fantini is a role model as CEO of Pino Gelato, with the same confidence she executes running a successful company as she had in taking the risk to follow her passion and start her own business in the first place. Fantini shares her leadership in entrepreneurship to university campuses through lecture and practical business models.  Gelato as delicious as it may be, also has granted fortunate individuals the ability to work for a company with an accomplished woman leader.

Beyonce spreading #banbossy to initiate a buzz, a teacher alleviating gender bias in the classroom, or corporations implementing policies for gender equality, are all incredible means to eliminate gender associated leadership and instill anyone can be greater than they imagined.  Tremendous are the disadvantages faced by women of the world, counteracted by the commitment for inspiring change while creating opportunity and sharing the accomplishments of women that have succeeded to break through the barriers. The resources stemmed from the activity of Women’s Day and Women’s History Month 2014 are incredible outlets to develop ways to become an advocate for human rights in the constant coalition to improve equality for women. Swing a bit higher from the branches, thrive to excel.  Any venture can start with a scoop of vanilla and the taste for success.   

                                   

Have you contributed to Women's Day or Women's Month events? Please share with us in the comments section below!

The Poetry of Robert Frost (1969) http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/173524

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!