justbeingmeluvuholts

Thursday, March 5, 2015

Sweet Boutique, The Best Place for ZEPPOLE!!!!

“In my house, when March comes around, we all get ready to celebrate one of the greatest Italian holidays, La Festa Di San Giuseppe. ” (Niki S)

Hello Everyone,

March 19^th is La Festa Di San Giuseppe, St. Joseph’s Day. Every year when this holiday comes around, we all get excited for this one specific Italian dessert, “THE ZEPPOLE”. Bakeries all over the world will create their versions of the Zeppole. This year, I not only had the privilege to create a Zeppole with my favorite things, but I got to create it with one of the best pastry chefs around, Anthony Macri.

Anthony Macri is the owner of Sweet Boutique. I had the extreme pleasure of meeting Anthony at an event I attended earlier this year. He wowed me with his creation of the Nutella Zeppole. I was so impressed with this Zeppole, that when I got home that night, I told my Dad about how delicious it tasted. My Dad immediately said, “I remember Anthony, he’s a nice guy. He gave me a cappuccino when I went to his boutique. " Now, for my father to remember this man, I knew he was the perfect person to help me honour my Nonna Nicoletta.

My Nonna passed away before I was born. I am honoured to have her name. The Zeppole has always been a household tradition in my house, what better way to honour my Grandmother with a Zeppole made by this culinary artist. I asked Anthony if he would help me by creating a Zeppole made with Nutella, Strawberries and Vanilla Cream. OH MY GOD, this Zeppole is so delicious, that at night I think I talk about it in my sleep. LOL. I have to mention, that I have tasted numerous Zeppole made by Sweet Boutique and they all are FANTASTIC.

Go get some Zeppole everyone. Sweet Boutique will have them available until Easter and then they will be gone. You will not regret going to this boutique. They have the best pastries around. As soon as you walk in, you feel like you’re in Italy. I LOVE IT!! In fact, it is so Italian that they even have what we call in my house, “The Orange Juice Cookies” ha-ha. I sent my sister a picture of the cookies from the boutique and she immediately asked me, “Are you at Zia’s?” LOL. These cookies by the way are not really called’ Orange juice cookies’, the real name of them are “Biscotti Della Nonna”.

Sweet Boutique will not disappoint you. You will leave with amazing treats, a smile on your face from the fantastic customer service, and for 10 brief minutes you will feel like you were actually in Italy. I want to warn you, before you go to Sweet Boutique, make sure your gym membership is still valid. LOL. Thank god, for stretchy pants!

I want to thank everyone at Sweet Boutique for making me feel special, and for helping me honour my Nonna Nicoletta. I especially want to thank Anthony Macri for being fantastic at making Zeppole. LOL. Go get some Zeppole before they are gone!

Until next time boys and girls... “Remember to always just be yourself; it will eventually one day pay off...” ©justbeingmeluvuholts

To check out all the amazing desserts at Sweet Boutique, after all, Easter is coming up, go to their website. www.sweetboutique.ca

Now, who wants to see amazing pictures?!? WARNING, YOU WILL BE HUNGRY AFTER SEEING THESE PICTURES…ha-ha. New Website for my blogs. www.nikisblogger.com check out my amazing sponsor Sweet Boutique on the new site!!

The Nicoletta Zeppole

Anthony, hard at work--LOL

They are SOOOOOO GOOD!!!

Now, This is why I talk about them in my sleep!! DELICIOUS

Nicoletta, enjoying the BEST ZEPPOLE

Original Zeppole

Biscotti Della Nonna, AKA: Orange Juice Cookie

SO many treats!!

Easter cake, The name is a MYSTERY--LOL

My Mom's Favourite Singer, Paul Anka--I had to take a picture

THE NICOLETTA Zeppole, yes, I ate them ALL!!!

Other Zeppole Available, Yup, I ate them too--ha-ha

I LOVE my NICOLETTA ZEPPOLE! Thank you, Sweet Boutique!!

Thursday, February 26, 2015

Outdoor Adventure Show --- Rockclimbing, Zipline!!!

“Keep Calm and Climb on...” (Said everyone watching me climb at the show...LOL)

Hello Everyone,

This past weekend The Outdoor Adventure Show was held at the International Centre. Now, anyone who knows me, will say you went to a show that has the word: “Outdoors” in it? LOL. Ok, so I am not a camper and I’m scared of water, and yes, I am terrified of heights. However, when I saw the advertisements for this show, I was really intrigued.

When I arrived at the show, I immediately saw a booth that was offering kids the option to participate in a scavenger hunt. The scavenger hunt allowed kids an opportunity to win prizes while learning about the great outdoors. I was impressed immediately. It’s always nice when events have games and fun things to do for the kids.

All I could think about was that Zip Line and the Rock Climbing being offered to guests. As we walked over to the Zip Line, I was trying to convince myself it wasn’t that high but I AM TERRIFIED of heights. Although, it did not look that high, to me, it was like starring at mount Everest. I figured, hey, if I can rock climb successfully, I will face my fears and try Zip line too. Guess where we went to next? LOL.

Rock Climbing looked easy breezy, ya right. LOL. I stood there and watched all the kids climbing this wall like they had no fear. I on the other hand, had fear. Audrey made it to the top. This little girl was fearless. She gave me hope, that I too could climb this wall. So, I want to congratulate Audrey for being a true champion. I tried to climb the wall, I really did. I suited up, put on the helmet and started my climb. They say when climbing, “Don’t look down.” What does Niki do? Yes, I looked down. I know I’m stubborn. As soon, as I saw I was getting higher, I wanted to just come down. Oh, I came down all right. I fell right on my butt. LOL. I did actually like it, until I looked down. So, yes, try Rock Climbing, and next time I will try Zip Line too. Ha-ha.

Now, I have to tell you about YOGA FLIGHT!!!! Oh my God! I love yoga but this was out of this world. Thank you, Slade for helping me try this fabulous yoga. It was amazing. I felt like I was flying. I never trust anyone, but, I trusted Slade. LOL. I felt calm, free and most of all relaxed. Sky and Slade, you guys made my day!! I can’t wait to try yoga flight again soon.

I had an amazing time at the Outdoor Adventure show. I even got to sit on a Motorcycle again! Thank you, learning curves for trying to convince me, I should get a Motorcycle license. LOL. Maybe, I will come by one day soon.

I need to quickly mention the food. LOL. You all know by now, I am obsessed with food. The show, does offer samples of different foods. I enjoyed the cheese, hot sauce, peanut butter and chopped Kale. The Kale actually tasted like Rapini. And that my friends, is my Italian mention for the day.

I am already looking forward to next year. Thank you, Rachel and to the Outdoor Adventure show for my media passes. This is an incredible show and next year, I will conquer my fear and get on that Zip line. Toronto, make sure to go to this show the next time it is in town! In fact, the show is now heading to Vancouver. www.OutdoorAdventureShow.ca for information. Until next time boys and girls, “remember, to always just be yourself, it will eventually one day pay off...”

I saved the best for last, my pictures!!!

©justbeingmeluvuholts

YOGA FLIGHT

Teaching me to calm down, LOL

How Strong is Slade? LOL

Sky & Slade, Yoga Flight

Suiting up for Rock Climbing

Ya, I landed on my butt--ha-ha

Look at Audrey GO!!

Congrats Audrey! You're a Rock Star girl!!

I think I may have to learn how to ride, LOL

Learn how to Scuba Dive!!

I always find the food!!

Kale. See, it looks like Rapini.

Yes, it's a dog in a canoe.

Zip Line

Best way to end the day, Lemonade

Saturday, February 14, 2015

NUTELLA FACE 2015 !!! HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY EVERYONE!

“There’s a whole lot of happy, in a JAR of NUTELLA…..SPREAD the happy!!” (Words from Nutella Commercial, the MSL group)

Hello Everyone!

Happy Valentine’s Day to you all!!! I wanted to “spread the happy” on this special day with a blog on this fantastic event I attended last week, NUTELLA FACE 2015. I have to congratulate the organizers of this event, Jenny, David and Vanessa. It was creative, fun and most of all tasty!!! We had NUTELLA ALL NIGHT LONG BABY!!!

The menu for the night consisted of: Fried Ravioli with Nutella Sauce, Wild Boar Nutella Sliders, Plantain Nutella Spring rolls, Mini Chicken & Nutella Focaccia Sandwiches, Nutella Arancini, a tremendous NUTELLA spread station AND THE BEST FOR LAST A NUTELLA DESSERT STATION!!!! Yes, it was a lot of food. It was definitely an ITALIAN event. LOL.

I admit my eyes went straight for the dessert. I’m weak, what can I say? Once I tasted those Nutella Zeppole by Sweet Boutique my night was complete. Firecrackers went off in my head and mouth. WOWWWWWWW, I LOVED THEM!!!! I must congratulate Anthony, the owner of Sweet Boutique for adding 5 more pounds to my weight. Ha-ha.

I really did enjoy Nutella Face 2015. I never thought Nutella could be used in so many foods. The creativity at this event was mind blowing. The wild boar Nutella sliders were tasty. The mini chicken & Nutella Focaccia Sandwiches were a delight and right when I was just about to leave I had to taste the Fried Ravioli with Nutella Sauce. YUMMMMMMMMY!!

Thank you Jenny, I loved the event. You truly have the best NUTELLA FACE. The award goes to you girl!! I am not just saying this because you are Calabrese. LOL.

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! Enjoy, your day of love. Eat a lot of NUTELLA today!!

Until next time boys and girls; “remember, to always just be yourself, it will eventually one day pay off...”

Here are my pictures from Nutella Face 2015. WARNING, once you see them, you will want NUTELLA!! HAHAHA.