I am obsessed with chocolate. Particularly I am obsessed with hot cocoa and finding the perfect mix of sweetness, richness, and creaminess. Over the last several years, I have been perfecting my own hot cocoa recipe, which I'm proud to say is pretty darn exceptional. 
  But then Ethereal Confections came into my life and delivered me the most amazingly perfect cup of hot cocoa.
  Remember earlier this year when I discontinued the teas? I had many ask me what I was going to do next. My answer was somewhat vague, but I would always say that I had some ideas. Specifically, my idea was hot cocoa.  But finding a company that offered exactly what I was looking for proved to be more difficult than anticipated. 

  So what was I looking for? 
  First, I wanted a small business. While the teas I offered last year were wonderful, they were from a very large company. The problem when you work with a huge company is that they don't value the little guys. An office like mine where I'm placing a small order every few months really means nothing to them. If I offered products, I wanted it to be from a company who appreciated my business. 
  Second, I wanted a company that made their own product from scratch. Anyone, including myself, and buy premade cocoa powder or chocolate and mix it together to make something. And while that may still end up being delicious, it just misses a quality mark for me. High quality chocolate just hits different. 
  Third, if I was to be working with a chocolate company, it needed to use responsibly sourced cacao. These industries can be ripe with humanitarian issues, and it feels wrong to indulge in such a beautiful thing, like chocolate, when it comes from a source that treats it's product and workers unfairly. 
  I searched for months for a company that met these 3 standards and came up empty handed. 
  
  Then one day, I randomly got an email from Ethereal, who is expanding their wholesale market. They saw my website and reached out. Unbeknownst to them, they were exactly what I was looking for. 
   Ethereal builds relationships with their farmers, located in Central and South America, and regularly visit them to ensure high-quality product that is up to their standards. After receiving the beans they sort, roast, grind, age, temper, and mold the chocolate themselves!
  This results in an exceptionally luxurious chocolate. Precisely what I was looking for all along. 
 
  So on your next visit, pick up a package of delicious and indulgent hot cocoa and chocolate- you deserve it!

   
  Spring has sprung, and it's time for something new!

  Introducing 2 new Yomassage themes that capture all the elements that make spring special- from the vibrant tulips and daffodils to the moody storms and chilly days. 

  Before I get to those, a little Yomassage announcement- we now have some Saturday classes! The times of these may vary, but I plan to offer them around 11/11:30, so just make sure to check the time on your reminders. Sign up online here or give me a call to schedule. 

  On to the themes (I'm so excited about these!):

  #1: Rainy Spring Day: Is there anything better than that cool, muddy smell on a rainy spring day? (Fun fact: that smell is called petrichor) For this meditation, you'll wrap yourself up in a cozy blanket, grab a cup of tea, and spend a lazy afternoon enjoying the gentle, soothing sounds of a spring storm. 
  Classes with this theme will be Saturday, April 2nd at 11:30am and Thursday, May 26th at 5:30pm

  #2: Tranquil Garden: A chance to remind ourselves of the natural beauty all around us. Explore a blossoming spring garden, appreciating the sounds, the smells, and the abundance of new life created within. (Inspired by my trip last year to Garvan Woodland Gardens in Arkansas) 
  Classes with this theme will be Saturday, May 14th at 11am and Saturday, June 11th at 11am

  Speaking of gardens- our friends at the Ilion Community Garden need your help! Recently they were able to take their project to the next level with a great open space. They even now offer the opportunity to have your own garden beds and will help get you started! They need donations but they also need volunteers for hands-on work. Gardens may grow themselves but they don't plant/weed/water themselves! 
  If you want to get involved, there is an orientation TOMORROW (4/2) which you can find here: ICG Orientation or check out their facebook page/website and consider a donation.