Maitelates presents (part I)

This time I have little to say. I’ll let these beautiful pictures speak for themselves… 
Maitelates presents: MY FAVORITE PEOPLE!
Never in a million years could I adequately describe the feeling of seeing friends and good good people walking around town with the trendiest shirt of the summer… (if you don't have one yet, let me know)
Enjoy the pictures, as much as I enjoy living every chapter of this awesome adventure! 

Thanks everybody!!!!!
Pictures: Pedro (the best) -  Steve (goood friend!) - Bob (gran amigo)- Erica (best neighbor) - Zac (the tornado chaser) & Kyle;  (adorable) - Deena (come back!) - Hilary (my dear Hilary)- Gin & Margaret (lovely couple) -the happy Maitelates family! 

Sorpresa!!!!!!!!!!

I’m back! Alive, a little heavier, and happier than ever! I’m expecting another baby and even though my body and brain haven’t been cooperating, my heart is full of joy and energy. How good is that!!! Another Maitelates lover coming this upcoming January!!

So yeah, life keeps changing and improving, and while celebrating, I discovered something big: as much as I loved the flavor of my Belgian chocolate, being sick gave me some extra time to do a little research about chocolate. My Goodness!!!!!!! How can it be possible that most of that delicious combination of roasted cocoa powder, cocoa butter and sugar, comes from companies that exploit small farms of third world countries? No way, I don’t want to be part of that! Nor my Alfajores!!! So now what? Well… I guess is not that difficult; it was a matter of giving it some brain time (pretty limited during these days) to discover that there are many fantastic options out there, fair trade options, companies that pay and respect the work, and workers, of farms around the world that make it possible for you, and me, to get cacao beans of the most pure and ‘fair’ flavors.

Conclusion? Maitelates is introducing the new fair trade Alfajores now enrobed in either dark Ecuadorian Mindo chocolate (a good amount of 77% cocoa in each bite) or Semisweet Swiss Felchlin chocolate (another good amount of 60% cacao melting in your mouths with a creamy aftertaste that you just won’t forget). Each one has its own fantastic story and attributes. Stay tuned for more detailed stories and information on both! I encourage you to try both and keep choosing fair trade. You are choosing the best!

Thanks, baby, for making me sick! heh…

Dark

In the middle of the night, I heard Pedro saying WHILE SLEEPING “Maitelates” and I thought it was the funniest thing ever.. what am I doing to my child? 

Dark was the night as dark is the new Maitelates enrobed in 77% cacao Mindo Chocolate MADE IN MICHIGAN!! Joe and Barbara have cacao plants in Ecuador in where they grow Nacional and Criollo trees of chocolate. Once the beans are fermented and dried, they fly to Michigan, Dexter, in where they are grind and pressed to become the most aromatic and pure chocolate I’ve ever tried. Just a little organic evaporated cane juice and voila! Fantastic chocolate! If you haven’t tried it yet, do try my new Alfajores dipped in dark chocolate. I’m telling you, they are to die for…

And oh! You wanna look pretty? Order now your Maitelates t-shirt! They are just cool…  handmade cool!!

The three “J” travelers

Do you know Alex and Agnes from the farmer’s market? Of course you do, they are an institution in Ann Arbor, the sweetest couple, a ‘must visit’ if you ever come to this magic town. They have been coming to the market for decades bringing apples, smiles and more, so much more to all of us. Actually Maitelates Michigan Cherry Alfajor is made with cherries picked at the Nemeths. That’s why it tastes so good. I could talk forever about this family but this time, I’ll leave the pictures talk by themselves. Agnes and Alex’s daughter Jane and two of their granddaughters Jessica and Jennifer went to San Francisco to visit and celebrate the graduation of Kristin, another member of the Nemeth clan. As you can see, they had a terrible time…. Thank you ladies for taking such beautiful pictures!  Thanks for enliven the diary of Maitelates and the writer behind the screen..

The recipe of the day

I just spent three days in San Francisco, exploring, tasting and getting lost amongst its food, its people, its hills and fantastic colors. And hey! I was pleased to see our local producers featured all over the Bay Area. I saw Zingerman’s yummy products, Al Dente Pasta, and yes, Maitelates! I’m still digesting all I discovered, all I tasted, and all I was lucky enough to experience. And if I take forever to process what I learned (which may definitely happen), there’s one thing that I won’t be able to get over: a magnificent recipe. 
•a few cups of love for food
•a handful of traditions
•mix well with a tablespoon of persistence
•a lot of ounces of hard work
Blend well, believe in it, and voila, success will always rise in the oven…
And I mean tasty, delicious, nice glossy success, the success that you share over a coffee, the one that you make available to your community, by example, so that others can be inspired to try, and even follow, the recipe with their own twist!

Thank you Cristina (Kika’s Treat), Stephanie (Coco-Luxe), Brook (Dragonfly Cakes), Guisell (Sabores del Sur), Claire (Claire Squares), Caleb (La Cocina), Robert (Tcho) and the Foodzie team, for making my trip worth a LOT. Thanks for sharing your stories, your ideas, your amazing  products and your good energy. Now it is my turn to put everything together, and share what I’ve learned with my friends, my family, and my community here in Ann Arbor!

Sweet and Happy Mother’s Day!

On my way to San Francisco, I just can’t help but stopping and give a moment to remember and celebrate all the wonderful mothers around the world. Thank you to all the beautiful ladies, strong women, and hard workers that have given their lives for others. They make everything possible..

It took me a while to realize that I was no longer just me. After having Pedro, the whole world turned around, I had no clue of what was going on. But once it hit me, it hit me forever. From that day on, my mother took the most special place in my heart and I am grateful forever! She messes up, I mess up ALL THE TIME, but at the end of the day, you can’t deny it, Mothers ROCK!

Today is a special day. Today I remember my mother, and I remember that motherhood was the reason why I started making Maitelates. 
To my mother, to Pedro -- that made me the happiest mother -- , and to Maitelates, the consequence of a mother.

We are proud of you!

I’m stealing Obama’s words to congratulate our awesome students that graduated last Saturday! “We must embrace change and follow the lead of Michigan graduates who have changed the world." These are powerful and inspiring words, even for the ones that weren’t there, the ones that don’t go to school but do our best to contribute to a better society, a better community, and to a better, healthier and happier world. I was inspired! Were you?

And I was lucky enough to run into my neighbor Charnette Henderson after Graduation. She was proudly wearing her Cap & Gown, eating Maitelates, celebrating with her family, with all of us having witnessed her efforts and perseverance towards the final degree. Congrats Charnette! Congrats Helen! Congrats everybody! We are proud of you!