Congratulations to Laughing Whale Coffee!

I'm tickled to share with you the latest news from Laughing Whale Coffee, my brother and sister-in-law's artisan roasting enterprise in Nova Scotia. Steven and Deborah have just launched their long-awaited website after several years honing their roasting skills and building their business in the Lunenburg-Halifax region. Their love of community, of humanity, and of excellence shines.

(Here my brain goes off in a digression, "Dangerous word, excellence. But think in life terms of balance, humility, and process, not perfectionism and performance-based acceptance.")

So, back at www.laughingwhalecoffee.com, enjoy browsing. Check out their online tour of Canada's first Eco-Roaster, which gives Laughing Whale's coffee the "Lowest Carbon Footprint per Cup". (I can just picture a coffee cup leaving little footprints.) Where did they find all the arcane coffee quotes on their website? This is my current favorite, pertaining, of course, to their support of fair trade coffee:

"I pity the man who wants a coat so cheap that the man or woman who produces the cloth will starve in the process."  ~ Benjamin Harrison

More than his coffee, I miss my brother's puns. I so wish they lived closer to Kenmore! A cup of their coffee helps a little :^)

Theo Chocolate in Kenmore!

Who knew restocking could be so much fun?

We enjoyed another Chocolate Excursion to the Theo Chocolate Factory in the Fremont district today.

We're slowly building our chocolate repertoire, and now have Theo's fabulous Nib Brittle 70% cacao bar, Jane Goodall 70% organic Dark Chocolate, Classic Combo Dark/Orange, and Vanilla Milk Chocolate. (Remind Chris to put out samples if they aren't out when you come to The Living Room.)


Next time we restock, I am definitely adding Theo's Chai Tea Chocolate to our selection, even though it is milk chocolate. Theo's has the only milk chocolate worth the calories, in my humble opinion. Rumor has it Theo Chocolates is thinking of discontinuing this flavor, so let's rally for Chai Tea Chocolate!


What's really great about Theo's, even beyond the flavor and high quality of the chocolate, is knowing it is organic and fair trade. 

As I'm sure you know by now, good, dark chocolate with at least 60-70% cacao has proven health benefits for blood pressure, cholesterol levels, antioxidants, and memory, as well as mood. Rather than repeat the info that's out on the net, I'll just say, you could look it up. It's been in clinical reports since several years back. And all that goodness, found in Theo Chocolates, is available in Kenmore at The Living Room :^)



After finishing the arduous task of sampling chocolates for you, we stopped at Georgia's Greek Restaurant and Deli on 85th street just a few blocks west of Greenwood Avenue for a little refreshment. Wonderful gyros, avogolemono, and such luscious smells from the kitchen! But, alas, nothing we could bring back to provide for you at The Living Room. You'll just have to head to Georgia's yourself.