Foodie Swellness: Nespresso’s new Limited Edition coffees from Rwanda and Mexico

I’ve told you how obsessed I am with my Nespresso machine and the coffee it brews. It’s my morning treat (along with my homemade olive-oil granola, if I happen to not have gobbled it all up!) Whenever I drop into buy more capsules, I try out their new launches. Each year Nespresso launches a limited edition and this year it includes one from Chiapas, Mexico, and the second is from Lake Kivu, Rwanda.

The one from Lake Kivu grabbed my attention as I had the incredible opportunity to travel with Because I Am A Girl five years ago to learn about their programs in Rwanda (I wrote about the trip and the three incredible SmartGirls I got to travel with for Elle Canada). I wish I could share some of the phenomenal photos from that experience, but I lost all my photos from that time…

Back to coffee, though. The two new Limited Edition coffees, Umutima wa Lake Kivu and Tanim de Chiapas, are inspired by these two growing coffee communities.

I remember enjoying fantastic coffee while in Rwanda, and I’ve learned from Nespresso that at Lake Kivu, they use modern post-harvesting practices to reveal the notes that complement the Arabica. Rwandan coffee is considered one of the sweetest and most flavourful of Eat Africa. With the Nespresso Umutima wa Lake Kivu, the green coffee beans are split roasted: this means that half the beans are roasted more lightly so as to bring out juicy fruity notes, and the other half is roasted more so as to bring out strength and texture.

For the Chiapas, Mexico, edition, however, the beans are grown alongside other produce such as avocados and oranges in shady tropical rainforests. The producers here, in comparison to the Rwandan coffee producers, use traditional practices passed down from one generation to another. They also split roast, with the lighter roast bringing out nutty, bready notes and the darker roast bringing out a smooth texture.

How to choose between the two? Umutima wa Lake Kivu has an intensity of 6, is bright and juicy in terms of its notes, and features an almost flirty delicate lingering taste. Tanim de Chiapas is a bit more intense with a level of 7, but is silky with some nutty notes.

But really, try both while you have a chance (available now in Nespresso boutiques and online for a limited time). I’m partial to Umutima wa Lake Kivu myself (but admittedly, it’s in part because sipping it brings back memories of that trip of a lifetime).

Leave a Comment January 27, 2016

Travel Swellness: Chic beach getaways

Sun and sand in your schedule? Just some of my essentials for a beach getaway:

• Cute cheap-and-chic bikini. So many inexpensive options if you can get away with a string bikini style from shops including Asos (like the one pictured here), Walmart (I have a few from this big box store — you can get one for $12!) and Topshop.
• Sunscreen. My routine: use an SPF moisturizer (Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration has a lovely coconutty scent and provides great hydration) post-morning shower, and then I throw a continuous spray sunscreen into my beach tote for quick reapplications throughout the day.
• Flip flops. Just picked up new Havaianas (they truly do feel better on your feet than the cheaper flip flops on the market), but I’m coveting these ones, too.
• iPad. Yes, I’ve been scolded to get offline when on vacay…but I think I’d just be more anxious. (OK, perhaps it’s time for another digital detox to relearn a few things!)

Still in the planning stages for your vacay? I know I’m always planning my next trip! Be sure to check out the four incredible  Caribbean boutique properties featured over on ElleCanada.com. (If you’ve been following me on Instagram or Twitter over the last few months and were wondering what lovely locales I was at, you’ll find your answer in the article.) I still dream of being back at any one of these destinations on a daily basis! Can you blame me? Check out this breathtaking view…

Leave a Comment May 28, 2013

Beauty Swellness: Physicians Formula’s new bronzers

I’m fresh home from an incredible trip to Mexico (check my Instagram for some pics from the trip — I also wrote up the three hotels in the Metro newspaper earlier this week. Missed the article? I’ll be sure to link to my next article on the trip, too, once it’s published). One week in that sunny, warm slice of heaven and I’m still high off of all that swellness.

I’m also pretty pale. Not much of a tan, thanks to liberal applications of SPF 60 all week.

Helping in both respects — keeping the happy vibe going and giving me a bit o’ colour: the new Glow & Mood-Boosting Baked Bronzer and Illuminating Bronzing Veil from Physicians Formula ($20 each). I mean, seriously, the cute packaging and format is enough on its own to make you smile, right?

But that’s not all. The two bronzers are part of the Physicians Formula Happy Booster line, so it’s infused with goodness to boost your mood, such as violet and citrus fragrance notes, an omega-3 to trigger dopamine production, and an Arctic rose derivative that mimics the effects of feel-good endorphins.

I like to think of them as a Mexican getaway in a compact.

Happy “travels”!

6 Comments March 1, 2013