Lots of people ask us what the secret ingredient in our awesome sauces is.  I've had people grasp me in tearful embraces to know the ingredients in our Caesar dressing; which is not to mention a total of 3 people that I have seen drink our garlic tahini dressing straight from the tub. My answer to them is always the same, "They're really not complicated recipes, we just use really awesome olive oil."

Bariani Olive Oil prides itself on old world quality, and creates small batches of cold pressed certified organic olive oil from the rich soils around Sacramento, California.  Many people I talk to in our cafes can't believe that olive oil can make such a difference in the flavor and texture of food.  Bariani brings a full meaty olive taste and a rich creamy texture to any sauce or dish it graces.  For just 13.50 per half liter, it matches the quality of olive oils that are 3-5 times the price.

The Bariani family arrived in California from the Lombardy region of Northarn Italy in the 1980s.  Their entrepreneurial spirits and love of  artisanal crafts made quick friends with the California climate.  Once they began selling their Olive Oil to friends and neighbors, they knew there was no going back.  The particular and discriminatory taste of this family found wide appeal in the raw food and slow food movements in California, and is the choice of many pioneering chefs in the area.

I am inspired  to write the story of LA YAPA and how this little quinoa company became part of the Café  Gratitude Community!

LA YAPA (meaning: a gift of gratitude) is a family-owned business, started by Tania Petricevic,  a Bolivian-Guatemalan.  Having resided in the US since she was 18, Tania always missed Bolivia and dreamed of going home one day. Life stepped in, however;  she married, had a child and finally decided that if she was really going to maintain the bridge that connected to Bolivia, she would  begin to promote Royal Quinoa into California. And that is how we, at Café Gratitude, met Tania and LA YAPA and decided to introduce the fair-trade, organic item.

Royal quinoa is power-packed super grain (it boasts the highest content of protein after amerynth). Quinoa  once fueled the Incan empire as it's main staple, along with Potato (potatoes originate from South America as well) The Incan Empire was the largest empire of the Pre-Colombian Americas so you can just imagine what the markets must have looked like so long ago! There are several theories as to how large the Incan Empire was, but at one time it bustled with  37 million people.

At Cafe Gratitude, we go out of our way to support businesses that share our mission:

Crafting nutritious whole foods locally and in the most environmentally sustainable way possible.

That's why we are proud to offer a delectable selection of Coracao's signature chocolates this holiday season.  These sweet treats are as dense in minerals and micronutrients as they are in 'Yum!' 

Dear Community,
Poppy Singer, a dear friend of long standing, is an amazing artist and fabric designer. She has created a line of luscious organic sheets for you to create the ultimate nurturing snuggle nest. I think snuggling maybe one of the most under rated human activities. Here is the thing about Poppy. Her products have the highest possible integrity. The cotton is domestically grown organic, they are sewn domestically and  the inks are plant based. You can not find a greener sheet.  If you treat yourself and order before Dec. 17 you receive a 15% discount.

Bring a garden of splendor into your bedroom this holiday season.

Visit PoppySingerDesigns.com