Sweets good for your heart

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. And I’ve got the perfect little bite of heaven that not only you’ll fall in love with, you’ll also be doing your heart some good!

Ococoa is started by a young entrpreneur, Diana Malouf, with a passion for chocolate, imagination, and self expression. She uses only fresh, hand-picked ingredients and flavorful combinations and textures to make her line of butter cups, barks, and chocolate covered fruits.

Throughout her years of making and sharing her chocolate creations, she has learned that if chocolate is a guilty pleasure, then it should be worth the guilt and provide the pleasure.

I love her unique line of butter cups, with flavors such as Sunflower Honey Butter, Sesame Fig, and Almond Cherry…mmm! They taste as good as they sound. And you also get health benefits from the variety of nuts which research has shown to help lower the risk of heart disease, a great source of protein, and rich in fiber, antioxidants, and vitamin E.

Visit ococoa.com for these delectable creations. Diana has offered a 10% off discount for RubyLove customers in the month of February. You’ll receive an email with the coupon code and instructions when you make any purchase from myrubylove.com this month.

Enjoy!

Meet the Real Mrs. Ruby Love

I was pleasantly surprised recently when I received an email from a woman whose real name is Ruby Love. Ruby came across my site while doing a search under her name. I had to know more about her, so we started to exchange email.

I soon found out, we had quite a few connections. Not only we’re born in the same month, her daughter’s middle name is also Ann. And Ruby is now volunteering in a pregnancy center…which gives me another resource for any baby questions.

I thought it’s only appropriate to feature Ruby as the RubyLove girl of the month…I think I may have to give her a special title though since she’s always going to be a RubyLove girl. : )

Here are some of the answers Ruby shared with me:

Ann: What city you do live in?

Ruby: St.Helens, OR soon to move to Columbia City, OR

Ann: How old are you Ruby?

Ruby: 54 will be 55 in May. Sure don’t feel that old.

Ann: What are your hobbies? what you are passionate about?

Ruby: I love to read. I’m in a book club. I love to go to Tea Houses, tea parties with my 2 granddaughters, and collect anything tea – cups, pots, infusers, types of tea. I am passionate about my relationship with Jesus Christ and serving Him in all I do.

Ann: Any charity organization or volunteer work you are involved with?

Ruby: I am very active in my church, love to sing, worship the Lord. We volunteered at a Christian camp for 2 years, and I work at a pregnancy center.

Ann: What are some of the things you’ve achieved that you’re most proud of?

Ruby: I’m very proud of my daughter and 4 grandchildren. I have been on a mission trip to Russia to do a 2 week camp for 100 orphans.

Ann: What is the best advice anyone has given to you that you’d like to share?

Ruby: Be yourself and be the best you can be.

Ann: What are some of the ways that you love yourself

Ruby: Taking time to relax and read my Bible daily.

Ann: Any role model in your life?

Ruby: My mom was a great roll model, and Christ.

Ann: What’s the most import lesson you’ve learned?

Ruby: To give of myself and always try to find the best in any situation.

Thanks Ruby for sharing with us! I hope we’ll keep in touch often.

Sugar and Spice

Does anyone send hand written cards anymore? I know, I’m guilty of this myself, now that I’m always on the computer and often send out and ecard with a funny song attached. But when I saw these cards in a recent posting on Daily Candy I was inspired to send a handwritten card that I know will warm someone’s heart.

The line is called Recipe Cards Patisserie Cards . A patisserie is a French bakery that specializes in pastries and sweets. The company was started by Heejo Seok, a New York graphic designer who loves to travel, to eat, and has a sweet tooth for the small and finer things in life. Unlike the traditional greeting cards, this collection resembles the old fashioned recipe cards, bringing you a personal touch and warmth like freshly baked treats. Each recipe includes a little something special, like a dusting of “pure love”, or cups of non-fat hugs and kisses.

Visit Patisserie Cards and savor some sweet thoughts!