Organic Chocolate by Terra Nostra

I came across this organic chocolate at a little store in our area, and I was so impressed with (1… the taste!  Dreamy, silky chocolate that melts in your mouth!!  And (2… the company’s life goals —  that  I had to share it with all of you.  The company is Terra Nostra Organic, and their website is http://www.terranostrachocolate.com.  They believe in giving back to the community, using an ideal called  “Equi Trade,” which is a form of social giving, as I have read from their site.

This is truly chocolate with heart.

The following is from their website FAQ’s, and below that, from their profile (both are linked, just click to go there):

What does Terra Nostra mean?

Terra Nostra means “Our Earth” in Latin. We named the company Terra Nostra because it encompasses our overall company belief – to nurture and preserve our earth as best we can.

I love that!

This from their profile:

Terra Nostra chocolates currently outsell all other organic chocolate in the United States. Karlo is a no-nonsense entrepreneur and dedicated chocolatier. He is also an active member of the global chocolate community through a unique form of social giving called Equi-Trade (now called Equal Trade Alliance). Equal Trade was developed and nurtured to help those growers in countries where fairness is sometimes forgotten. With the increased exposure to child labor paired with the birth of Karlo’s children, is what inspired the Equal Trade initiative. The parent company provides funding for Equal Trade. This funding will be through economic growth projects throughout the world. These projects are in areas where Terra Nostra’s raw materials are sourced and in the regions where Terra Nostra’s chocolate creations are consumed and enjoyed.

You can shop their yummy selections here.

Beautiful Day!

I love those kinds of days – don’t you?  As I sit here, listening to my beloved 80’s music… windows wide open so that AWESOME spring breeze can blow right in… yummy cup of home-made cappucino in my favorite coffee cup and thinking of planting my sunflowers later… I just can’t help but think what a gift it is… a real, precious gift… this gift of life we’ve been given.

Gorgeous Day! Pic taken by me

Sure… sometimes, life throws a real kicker our way.  There’s no denying that!  But Jesus spoke some words in the bible that come to my mind during those dark moments, and I have had my share.  “This too shall pass.”  He didn’t mean it necessarily in the same context… but it is an answer that helps me and maybe will help you too, if you’re going through one of those dark times… if the storm clouds in life are getting in the way of the sunlight you are desperately looking for.  Never make a permanent or lasting decision… of any sort… based on a temporary situation.  Because this too shall pass.  Sometimes you just have to grit your teeth… turn on your favorite song loud enough to drown out the noise around you… and wait it out. Much like waiting for the flu to leave.  It seems like it takes forever… but one day… it leaves.  After all the achey, yucky, bad feelings, medicines, and high fevers… when you least expect it… suddenly, you start to feel normal again…  one morning you wake up… and you just feel like the fog has finally lifted.  You don’t know exactly when, and couldn’t say the time of day or night it happened… you just know that it did.

And then… life is even sweeter than it ever seemed before.  Because… in spite of the hardship…  sadness… tears…. the sun still shines.  The flowers still bloom.  That cute little squirrel still scampers across your electric lines.  Life still happens.

And therein, is the beauty.  The gift.  :)

You’ll have to forgive me for waxing a bit philosophical today – but hey, I’m a poet!  It’s just what we do. ;) hehe

Here’s hoping you have a beautiful and sunshiney day!  Let the wind blow and breathe in deeply… savor every moment.

Cherish the ordinary days – because those are the truly extraordinary days.  *smile*