Meryl Streep in Iron Lady and Jean Dujardin in The Artist - best actor winners Oscars 2012

After the Academy Awards and Oscars taken home, there are continuing Oscar Winners celebration parties. Hollywood Film Studios and Celebrities rely on top Chefs and the best Party Catering for these events. Many of our ISA clients give these parties.

With diverse dietary needs of people today there is a wide range of foods expected and offered from Gourmet Foods and preferably organically grown for Chefs who specialize in an eclectic range among other specialties of Asian-Fusion Cooking, Vegan Chefs who also create Vegetarian Food including Raw Food style, along with Traditional American and European Cooking, and more offered as the best top cuisine in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles area. Please call our office to learn more about Party Events staffing we provide, and see our ISA domestic household help services for added information.

Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra

Steve and Laurene Jobs

Apple store memorial for Steve Jobs. The only CEO in the world to have spontaneous memorials created in front of his stores, he was so loved by customers and employees alike.

Revolutions in the 21st century are conducted on cell phones filming it. We’re all aware how profound that is. This, came on the heels after “the first camera cell phone” was made famous, with pics of his child’s birth the father sent out worldwide. When the iPhone was launched everyone hushed up. It just blew everything else away. Think Different was an all time brilliant marketing campaign, and Apple made it so easy to learn, then gave you the stores in your neighborhood to learn it in. Who else would do it? Steve Jobs continued to fire up our fantasies with games and photo albums easy as pie to create as if we’re pros, then reinvented the landscape by bringing it to our kitchen tables to do it with. Any surface including your lap or tucked into your hip pocket would do. What’s even more remarkable is how we take it for granted, but if you pause a moment to realize his importance, Steve created for us to be free, and for our freedom to be free from corporate desks, forever.

Bless him for all the fantasies that came out of his head unendingly fertile, a fountain of “mad hatters playthings”, as he showed us again and again. He set the bar high and then raised it higher to challenge himself, and inspired those working for him to tag along. They rushed alongside to create goodies for his bag of tricks.

Every Maestro has some negative stories and from others “accounts” Steve was no exception. There’s the pressure of shredding the envelope and wanting control with which to do it. I say thank goodness he was not afraid of being Captain of his own ship that sailed away and took everyone with him.

Steve Jobs 1984

But here today I speak about Steve as our client. It took me a while to post this because of my love for what he brought into our lives, an emotional appreciation yet to be fully expressed. ISA was greatly privileged to assist him find a Chef. This was not about corporate, it had to do with one’s personal life, and that involves many issues of consideration with close quarters being around one of the most famous men in History.

Steve had initially inquired with another self made client of ours who has discerning taste and high regard for expert qualification. The story I got (when Steve called personally to detail the job description), was that this happened after he finished a memorable meal he just couldn’t forget. That made me laugh, and my first encounter with how quickly decisive he was to have what he wanted. With appreciation of others talents (as much as his own to be highly discerning about it), he was not shy letting me know exactly what he wanted, and that was the “best Chef out there” – who didn’t have to be a vegetarian or vegan chef, but needed to cook that culinary diet for him and his wife and whatever she felt was best for their children. And this person had to be a Chef who had the expert skills to also confer with Apple’s corporate chef, who was in charge of providing over 1,500 meals a day to company employees (at that time), only one of several perks for working at Apple. And he/she had to also know how to grow and oversee an organic garden that Steve described was lovingly created by another chef the family cared about, who had taken good care of them for some time. He spoke highly of her, and I loved his modest caring as if she had offered it as a gift not as part of her job.

I greatly appreciated receiving his details provided with his trust. Not all clients wish to give a patiently described job order to assist satisfying their requests. Steve knew that it would not be shared with others as many of our clients are high profile with demanding lifestyles. Our reputation and expertise along with maintaining confidentiality is renowned. Steve wanted us to know what it would take to please him up front, we pride ourselves in taking up the challenges given. He wasn’t wasting anyone’s time including ours, which was not only refreshing, but very clear.

We couldn’t wait to begin, and I already knew what he needed from what he shared – and what I could read between the lines that he wanted you to read. There is deep satisfaction in pleasing our clients and staffing their job offers, while finding the best jobs for employees they’ll love: a win-win for everyone.

The client who recommended us so generously is also a person with a busy life of international travel. He had emphasized to Steve that our Agency was the only one to work with (as Steve generously described it to me). We were honored to have the referral and high regard of such praise. I don’t mean this lightly – many of our VIP clients are remarkable people with amazing talents. We are dedicated to all of our clients whether high profile or not, and we take passionate care in finding just the right person to fit their unique job description, because each job is uniquely different for each household. This particular client’s home is also one of the best run estates in the country, and his high standards allows us to give him “the best of the best” and “best in class” for all his needs.

]]> http://isastaffing.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=4781 0 http://isastaffing.com/blog/?p=4755 http://isastaffing.com/blog/?p=4755#comments Wed, 28 Sep 2011 05:32:18 +0000 Nesa http://isastaffing.com/blog/?p=4755

Jaguar and Aston Martin are Bond cars

Luxury cars are among our VIP clients key household collections. At ISA staffing we provide highly qualified staff for many who collect cars, or just want to maintain the latest ecco friendly design for their rides. There is usually someone who handles taking care of luxury vehicles among other duties for TOP JOBS as a Chauffeur, Personal Assistant, Estate Manager or other job descriptions, and they need to keep up with Top Trends.

Innovation continues to focus on environmentally friendly with slick design. I’m reminded of hot cars that wowed the James Bond franchise. There are about 80 cars comprising that list with coveted brand names until today, including the iconic name of Jaguar. They’ve launched a new one that’s sure to inspire.

Considering the fact that luxury goods prices have hit an all time record high despite a worldwide troubled economy, this includes auto manufacturers who seem to be pulling out all stops for those E-tickets to ride: luxury bells and whistles hybrids.

Jaguar-Supercar Hybrid C-X75

Jaguar’s stunningly beautiful C-X75 hybrid concept wowed Salon L’automobile in Paris, 
to be produced in a limited edition of 250 vehicles, with prices beginning at $1.15 million set to debut in 2012. I’ve always loved Jaguar style and glad to see a hybrid out of that legacy. It’s just a matter of time before these innovations trickle down to cars in the lower price range so everyone benefits, it clearly took the lead in this brand’s production line.

The C-X75 will be developed in association with Formula One constructor Williams F1 and though the specification has changed significantly from the Paris vehicle the 330 km/h C-X75 will still be one of the fastest production cars in the world. Jaguar seeks to reclaim its once world-leading automotive sporting heritage. This car looks to be the one that brings them back leading the pack.

Emission-wise, the production version will still emit less CO2 than 99g/km, but its electric-only range has halved from the concept’s 110 km to just 50 km. The two 35 kg, 80,000 rpm lightweight micro gas-turbines of the concept car have been replaced with a compact, but otherwise-unspecified, forced-aspiration internal combustion engine and there are now two electric motors (one on each axle), instead of the concept’s four wheel motors. How close the production model will come to the concept’s 780bhp and 1600Nm (1180lb ft) torque output was not revealed. If all goes as projected collectors young and old will want to give this beauty a spin to see if it goes into their growing collections.

* Here are the other James Bond cars to enjoy this long list!

1 Aston Martin DB5 Goldfinger
2 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish Die Another Day
3 Lotus Esprit The Spy Who Loved Me
4 BMW Z8 The World Is Not Enough
5 Citroen 2CV For Your Eyes Only
6 Jaguar XKR Die Another Day
7 Toyota 2000GT You Only Live Twice
8 Lotus Esprit Turbo For Your Eyes Only
9 BMW Z3 GoldenEye
10 Ferrari 355 GoldenEye
11 Aston Martin DB5 Thunderball
12 Aston Martin DBS On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
13 Mustang Mach 1 Diamonds Are Forever
14 Aston Martin V8 Vantage The Living Daylights
15 BMW iL750 Tomorrow Never Dies
16 Lotus Esprit The Spy Who Loved Me
17 Sunbeam Alphine Dr NO
18 Triumph Stag Diamonds Are Forever
19 MG B The Man With The Golden Gun
20 Aston Martin DBS Casino Royale
21 Mercury Cougar On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
22 Chevrolet Corvorado Live And Let Die
23 Mercedes 250SE Octopussy
24 Mini Moke Live And Let Die
25 Aston Martin DB5 Goldfinger
26 Lada 1500 The Living Daylights
27 Ford Thunderbird Die Another Day
28 AMC Hornet The Man With The Golden Gun
29 Tuk Tuk taxi Octopussy
30 Ford Mustang Thunderball
31 Moon Buggy Diamonds Are Forever
32 Mercedes 600 On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
33 Cevrolette Bel Air Dr NO
34 Range Rover Tomorrow Never Dies
35 Ford Mustang Goldfinger
36 ZAZ 965A Goldeneye
37 Chevrolet Corvette A View To A Kill
38 Maserati Biturbo License To Kill
39 Lamborghini Diablo Die Another Day
40 Citroen Traction Avant From Russia With Love
41 Jaguar XJ8 Casino Royale
42 Ford Thunderbird Goldfinger
43 Chevrolet Nova Live And Let Die
44 AMC Matador Coupe The Man With The Golden Gun
45 Land Rover 88 series III The Living Daylights
46 Willy’s Jeep Octopussy
47 Ford Fairlane Skyliner ‘57 Die Another Day
48 Lincoln Continental ‘64 convert Goldfinger
49 Daimler limosine Casino Royale
50 MP Lafer Moonraker
51 Range Rover Sport Casino Royale
52 Ford GT40 Die Another Day
53 Renault 11 A View To A Kill
54 Chevy Impala 1963 Live And Let Die
55 1977 Dodge Monaco police car A View To A Kill
56 Aston DBS Quantum Of Solace
57 Toyopet Crown ‘65 S40 You Only Live Twice
58 KA Quantum Of Solace
59 Ford Fairlane Skyliner ‘57 Thunderball
60 Cadillac hearse Diamonds Are Forever
61 Alfa Romeo Quantum Of Solace
62 Leyland Sherpa van, dented The Spy Who Loved Me
63 Alfa Romeo GTV6 Octopussy
64 Ford Edge Quantum Of Solace
65 Mercedes S-class Tomorrow Never Dies
66 Hispano Suiza MOONRAKER
67 Alfa Romeo GTV6 OCTOPUSSY
68 Land Rover 90 The Living Daylights
69 La Salle Hearse Dr NO

AND
70 BMW 518 Octopussy, 71 Ford Edge Goldeneye Quantum of Solace, 72 Mini On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, 73 Ford Taunus The Spy Who Loved Me, 74 AUDI 200 The Living Daylights, 75 AMC Matador Police Car The Man with the Golden Gun, 76 Alfa GTV6 Octopussy, 77 VW Beetle Quantum of Solace, 78 Checker Marathon Live and Let Die, 79 Ford Ranchero Goldfinger, 80 Mercedes Sedan On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, 81 Aston Martin V8 – no sled The Living Daylights,82 Daimler Quantum of Solace, 83 Gaz Volga Goldeneye, 84 Range Rover Octopussy, 85 Ford Bronco II Quantum of Solace, 86 Country Squire Goldfinger.

Enjoy your ride and continue to be proactive, make it Eco Friendly!

Our Best Advice has been brought to you by www.ISAstaffing.com a specialty agency in the domestic help field. Visit often for other great ideas, and browse Domestic Staffing Services to see Multiple Job Descriptions.

Serving Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Hollywood, Hollywood Hills. Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Bel Air, Benedict Canyon, Hancock Park, Laurel Canyon, Los Feliz, Marina Del Rey, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Melrose. Santa Monica, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Encino, Woodland Hills, Topanga Canyon, Torrance, Westwood, West Los Angeles, Santa Monica Hollywood Hills, Pasadena, San Mareno, Santa Barbara, Ojai, Orange County, Ventura County, California, New York, &  the greater United States…

Corning Gorilla Wallpaper Image. Photo: courtesy of Corning Glass

June 8, 2011. Job Descriptions always have a gray area since there is no way to fully know what’s entailed until you’re on the job. For instance, we place Butlers who work full time in that job description, who suddenly find themselves doubling up as occasional Cooks, but it wasn’t in the initial Job Order. Or a PA or Estate Manager who provides an occasional meal, or prepares them when the Chef is off. Job Descriptions are diverse, they’re tailored to each client as they wish. TIP: be truly flexible and open, don’t just say you are.

We’re famous for anticipating ahead our clients needs. We recommend an Applicant interview the job to see if there is chemistry and fit between the Employer and Employee, regardless of whether all the details are known. Work that a candidate doesn’t normally do, but has the skills to preform, can be fun. You won’t know until it’s undertaken, and your approach or powers of negotiation of how things will be accomplished is key. An attitude of enthusiasm that begins every day, and needing to be tuff but also open and play-full. I’m amusingly reminded of Corning Gorilla tuff glass campaign (wallpaper of this adorable primate here). See our SITEMAP for great TIPS, and share Our Best Advice. Below are some great summer TIPS.

We placed an Estate Manager Top Job. The Employee had beyond expert skills and experience. However, the client felt uncomfortable during the trial period (which we provide for free). It turned out the employee’s overzealous enthusiasm to straighten everything out “wrong”, was undertaken on fast track. By attempting to immediately take over the scope of the work all at once, it also resulted in taking away the clients control over their own preferences. The person was let go. The Client simply didn’t wish to wait for the employee to figure them out. Employers want employees to anticipate their needs. The employee lost a job despite their top skills, expertise, top references, and having one of the best resumes in the country.

In this instance it wasn’t so bad because the candidate will find another job, their skills are unquestionably prime for Luxury Estate Jobs, and they learned their lesson.  Of course, it could also be said the client failed to communicate their needs to the employee to slow things down, and things were lost in translation. Communication requires conscious approach by at least one party, not just the ‘right words’ or intentions. Don’t expect the boss to have it, or their representatives, or the person who supervises your work. TIP – No matter how good you are at your work, practice deepening your communication skills as part of continuing learning education. Don’t take it for granted.

Combinations of multiple skills can overlap with staff to take over some of their tasks on days off. This is important when a client has several homes and travels between them. Like a PA who’s able to double up as a Nanny when nannies rest. TIP – Nobody can work straight through a trip, regardless of how committed they are to the job. We encourage clients to have enough people on hand for rotating rest periods. Mistakes happen when people are jet lagged, that could be dangerous for childcare safety. Things need to flow easily and expertly, not geered to scramble in chaos, as many homes are adducted to today. A graceful life is part of having our serenity, your home should run beautifully.

There are Houseman-Butler positions that may require animal care, such as dog walking and grooming as a specialty added skill of the job. We’ve often suggested to clients to be willing to pay for an employee to learn specialty skills, rather then replace a member of their staff they’re happy with. Recently we placed a housekeeper with a new client who had to take care of an extensive group of animals the clients adore. The housekeeper absolutely loves (loves!) animals. It turned out great for both parties, and ended a revolving door. You might be a Chef who doubles up as a Butler to serve the meals, but you don’t like to serve.  Have a kitchen assistant to help with duties of preparing and cleaning up.  The Chef leaves immediately after dinner, and the kitchen maid continues her work to finish up. She comes in later the following day.

lava flow - fire and water embrace

The art of staffing is an Art of expertise, not just about filling job descriptions. We’re proud to say that ISA staffing is famous for our expertise to make our clients home run not just smoothly, but optimally. JOBS are as unique as our clients. If you have top expert skills and experience with top references contact our domestic help agency to find your dream Job. Our clients pay Top Salaries for the best domestic help workers. We’re famous as the best household help agency in the field. If you’re an Employer whose home is not run like a five star hotel, we’re famous as the best help agency to see you get that. We have the longest history as experts in luxury estate staffing.

Speaking of History, although we’ve had luxury food as part of our gastronomic scene for centuries, it’s well known by Chefs that not everyone has the same idea of what is luxury food. Tastes and times change. Ancient Egyptians are credited with introducing the world to foie gras, but today few homes serve it, as meals have become oriented towards health and fitness. Yet many clients in the past loved it and insisted it be on the menu, believed that having fat in our diets was quite healthy. Romans cultivated oysters as early as 100BC, today they’re not promoted as a healthy food. Although caviar first appeared around 1590 in England, sturgeon has been part of the culinary scene in the Middle East and Eastern European diet since pre-historic times. Tastes change but some remain classics. Try some of the classics out and see. I recently viewed videos of someone who’s considered to be one of the top nutrition experts in the world. He works with doctors and clients internationally. It was puzzling to see how dried out his skin was and how wrinkled the face with premature aging. How people can be so disconnected by what they promote, from the results on themselves, is beyond me.

the wisdom of Natalie Portman

I love vegan raw food (but I’m not a vegan), which is being promoted as an ‘ancient diet’. This is a myth.  Man has always consumed animal protein. The Native American Indian’s invented Beef Jerky to take on long horse trips and plains Indians used it to survive weather conditions while moving from one location to another. Not a good idea to cultivate a diet so extreme it’s no longer flexible and adaptable to conditions at hand, mother nature likes freedom and variability. I own up to trying different diets to experiment, and love the flexibility to try all of them as my body changes. Recently, a young lady in her twenties I mentor decided to go on a high protein diet and give up her vegan way. Natalie Portman gave up being vegan once she was pregnant, though she’s passionate about it. Be flexible. Similarly, a TOP JOB must cater to work for the needs at hand. Take a TIP from ancient times as to what luxuries are preferred. Don’t become  too attached to trends and fashion, the old ways can still work.

Our Best Advice has been brought to you by www.ISAstaffing.com a specialty agency in the domestic help field. Visit often for other great ideas, and browse Domestic Staffing Services to see Job Descriptions.

Serving Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Hollywood, Hollywood Hills. Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Bel Air, Benedict Canyon, Hancock Park, Laurel Canyon, Los Feliz, Marina Del Rey, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Melrose. Santa Monica, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Encino, Woodland Hills, Topanga Canyon, Torrance, Westwood, West Los Angeles, Santa Monica Hollywood Hills, Pasadena, San Mareno, Santa Barbara, Orange County, Ventura County, California, New York, &  the greater United States…

Attitude Keys

To get great JOBS optimism and effective coping styles are most important along with top references and work experience. At ISA staffing we found the best jobs were gotten by those who had the most positive attitude. Turns out that for optimal aging, attitude keys are also most important. According to recent science reports this extends our lives most, rather than traditional measures of health and wellness. Here are TIPS to help you work your dream in household help or other job description in the domestic help field.

Smart Employers and Estate Managers hiring for the best jobs agree that changing your attitude goes first when you need to put your best forward.

This means you need to go beyond merely “thinking outside the box”. There is no box, only the one we put ourselves in. So take a TIP from us to learn the secret is that you make your own, and every day is a good one to explore, experiment, and pace to make work your meditation, not just a JOB.

Try the following Attitude Keys that science studies found most effective.

• Positive Thinking - Increase happiness through different types of positive thinking. Amplify you’re feeling of enthusiasm and silent affirmations before an interview. Share your positive thoughts with others, including children, and animals. Take an extra moment to express yourself and re-frame your language to begin a sentence with positive words.

• Practice Daily Improving Your Life - Following certain precepts found to be Attitude Keys works to increasing personal happiness. A happy vibe shows in our energy others can feel, you literally vibrate with greater charismatic radiance.
• Never Say Never and Always Omit Always. In other words, be flexible and flowing. There is always another optimal and creative way to work just looking to find you!

1. Be grateful – Write letters of gratitude to people who have helped you in some way. The study found that these people reported a lasting increase in happiness over weeks and even months – after implementing the habit. What’s most surprising, sending the letter wasn’t necessary. Even when people wrote letters but never delivered them to the addressee, they still reported feeling better afterwards. Gratitude brings contentment.

2. Be optimistic – Study participants were asked to visualize an ideal future. For example, living with a loving and supportive partner, or finding a job that was meaningful and fulfilling – then describe the image in a journal entry. After doing this for a few weeks, these people also reported increased feelings of well-being. Optimism is satisfying.

3. Count your blessings – People who practice daily writing down three good things that happened to them show significant boosts in happiness. The act of focusing on the positive helps people remember reasons to be glad. Being glad becomes part of your ability to share your blessings with others. Remember, anything can be a blessing, including things you believe weren’t at the time!

4. Use your strengths – Another study asked people to identify their greatest strengths, and then to try to use these strengths in new ways. For example, someone says that you have a good sense of humor. Try telling funny stories (even if you don’t have any make them up!), or jokes you’ve learned, or find cartoons and fun cards to send others to lighten up their load and your work environment.

5. Share your cheer - Lift up friends and work colleagues who may be down, or are having low energy that day. This habit seems to heighten great happiness. A great cheerful ‘can do’ light hearted attitude is a primary key for getting great jobs. It makes you smile, and people want to see that beaming around them. So beam!

6. Commit acts of kindness – It turns out helping others does also helps ourselves. People who donate time or money to charity, or altruistically assist people in need, report huge improvements in their own happiness. Kindness is one of the keys of our humanity. Practice this daily with the language you use too. If you commit acts of kindness with everyone you meet in your exchange with them, you’ll see your life wonderfully transformed for the better.

As the saying goes, just do it. And don’t forget to pass these TIPS to others. Send them Our Best Advice to enjoy.

Serving Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Hollywood, Hollywood Hills. Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Bel Air, Benedict Canyon, Hancock Park, Laurel Canyon, Los Feliz, Marina Del Rey, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Melrose. Santa Monica, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Encino, Woodland Hills, Topanga Canyon, Torrance, Westwood, West Los Angeles, Santa Monica Hollywood Hills, Pasadena, San Mareno, Santa Barbara, Orange County, Ventura County, California, New York, &  the greater United States…

Necker Island view

April 27, 2011: HOUSE MANAGERS AND ESTATE MANAGERS work jobs hired from ISAstaffing to work in Job Orders located in Brentwood, Beverly Hills, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Hollywood Hills, Bel Air, West Los Angeles and Greater Los Angeles Area, to Orange County, Santa Barbara and Ojai, must have excellent qualifications. Some jobs involve locations domestically and overseas combined. Jobs Hiring we have just placed required an Experienced House Manager or Estate Manager with Top References Working Managing Several Luxury Homes, Working For Celebrity Household, Must Be Computer Savvy, Manage A Large Staff, Must Travel As Necessary, Knowledge Of Private Jet Travel, Must Be Extremely Flexible With Work Schedule, and Able to Work With Clients Preferences On Short Notice, Highly Organized with Positive Energy. EXCELLENT SALARY AND BENEFITS, IMMEDIATE HIRING, was the best part of this Job Description. The person hired gets to work in one of the BEST JOBS in the Domestic Help Staffing fields known as one of the finest homes maintained in top sterling silver domestic help services. Our clients rave about results ISAstaffing domestic help provides. Inquire about our current job availability if you qualify for registering with our office as described in our website (see our job descriptions).

Sir Richard Branson

For the wealthy (which comprise the ever increasing billionaires category), the luxury housing market still holds at the high-end such as found overseas in London, because they’re still scarcely available. One of my favorite and most conscious billionaires who seems to love giving to our planet (ongoingly and so brilliantly), is Sir Richard Branson. Islands owned, are also hot properties as there aren’t many that are habitable on a luxurious and sustainable basis. Luxury properties remain very attractive to overseas buyers, with the most unique bought quickly as they infrequently come onto the market. These properties need top qualified staff to run and maintain.  Some of our clients own homes in London, New York, and Los Angeles as multiple estates, needing oversight by highly expert House Managers or Estate Managers with work experience and top qualifications to run such prime locations. The salary is open, commensurate with the person’s background. Often, fourth and fifth vacation homes located in exotic places the Manager must also oversee. These are top paying jobs for the best of the best, and we place them. Please visit our website to learn more about our services, and send our Our Best Advice to others for their enjoyment too, or contact our office in Beverly Hills for further assistance you may need. Domestic help staffing is our renowned expertise.

Serving Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Bel Air, Benedict Canyon, Torrance, Hancock Park, Laurel Canyon, Los Feliz, Marina Del Rey, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Melrose. Santa Monica, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Encino, Woodland Hills, Topanga Canyon, Westwood, Hollywood Hills, Pasadena, San Mareno, Santa Barbara, Orange County, Ventura County, California, New York, & the greater United States…

Our Best Advice has been brought to you by www.ISAstaffing.com. Visit often for other great ideas, and browse our Domestic Staffing Services to see Job Descriptions we provide for our clients.

Vosges vegan truffles

Many people see Easter as a celebration of Spring including Chefs we place in our clients homes. I say it’s always a good time to celebrate with Chocolate, and this year we focus on Vegan varieties and health. It’s well studied that chocolate and health is a match made in heaven but you need to watch what ingredients are used for the pairing. Chocolate has a long evolution as Chefs know, with a fast growing connoisseurship of vegan foods underway, including a book by Linda Long entitled Great Chefs Cook Vegan.

During Hollywood Golden Age chocolates were regularly gifted (and yes, could be sent on the seat of a car wrapped in ribbon), or as part of a health regiment studios maintained for actors (or making a peace offering too.) Below are some great vegan chocolate TIPS. The child comes out in all of us with sweets so make sure they’re good. Send Our Best Advice to others who’ll appreciate your sharing.

Many people perceive vegan chocolates are just a trend, but for those who have certain ailments (including grain, gluten, or dairy sensitivities), they’ve proven to be a tremendous asset when certain ingredients are omitted. For instance, Vegan is good for lactose intolerance. Be careful to get your proper health support from health practitioners, especially if you’re pregnant.

Natalie Portman announced she was returning to animal foods because her diet needed it for her baby. Tragically (and I cannot emphasize this enough since the film and music industries are undergoing a huge vegan foods surge), a baby recently died because the mother was feeding it solely a vegan diet, without realizing how dangerous that could be for her child. Please be cautious with all life style diets whether Eastern or Western in preference. Don’t do any food protocol without professional consultation to find out what’s right for you, which could include having blood tests to learn. We are each truly unique, and with babies that makes two or more!

TIPS  FOR  VEGAN  CHOCOLATE  TREATS

Vosges Haut Chocolates includes wonderful recipes

Cocoa Beans have been found in all sorts of interesting ways in archeological digs. A great selection of vegan goodies is offered by Vosges Chocolates which takes it to another level all together.

The Vosges vegan approach is one of decadence and lusciousness, combined with the rustic simplicity of the cacao bean added with rich coconut milk (instead of cream), agave nectar and dried fruit powder, offering two different truffles of “unparalleled allure”.

Each box contains 12 pieces: 6 Coconut Vegan Truffles, and 6 Acai Vegan Truffles, packaged in a lovely lavender and violet box. I’m passionate for Katrina’s confections and her “PEACE LOVE AND CHOCOLATE” haut mantra.

Here’s one of her sublime recipes as a fortifying tonic:

Blueberry Chocolate Tonic

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Serves: 2

2 cups blueberries; cold
2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1½ cups almond or oat milk; cold
2 tsp flaxseed oil
2 1/2 tsp agave syrup (or to taste)

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend on high for about 30 seconds. Drink immediately or the pectin in the blueberry seeds will make a pudding rather quickly. For extra health benefits add 1 tsp licorice root powder. Suggested pairing: Sip the blueberry tonic with Absinthe truffle (Chinese star anise + fennel + pastis + dark chocolate + cocoa powder).

Allyson's vegan chocolate eggs

I’ve got to also give credit to Allyson’s Gourmet because she was the first to open a vegan bakery and confectionery boutique, before others followed her lead. The award winner offers her organic vegan chocolates for Easter, paired with organic coffee blends that are fair-trade grown, freshly roasted, and packaged in “one-way velvet bag that’s delicious”, or send a gift basket and include the coffee sampler variety.

Meet Allyson, who completed her Chef’s training at The School of Natural Cookery in Boulder, Colorado. According to the faithful, Vegan foods are made without animal ingredients (no eggs, dairy, butter, or honey) See her LINKS page for other great TIPS, and send Our Best Advice to others who might find it of interest. Allyson also offers wonderful teas and cocoa.

Yoga+Chocolate by Yeah David who leads yoga retreats

Another nice selection is from Life By Chocolates. Their Vegan Spring Collection offers twelve gourmet organic vegan chocolates made with Dark Chocolate couverture (the highest quality) with wonderful ingredients sweetened only with light agave syrup, and no alcohol is used. But the best pairing is chocolate and health as a Foodies Yoga retreat that’s offered in Napa Valley in May 2011.

As Yeah David describes it: “A Yoga for Foodies session begins with my flowing yoga class whose message and music emphasize a more sustainable pace. When we move in a frenzied way through the day, we don’t eat, we “feed”. This high-velocity lifestyle diminishes the flavor and essence of life.” Check out his yoga + chocolate which he paired with Katrina Markoff from Vosges Haut-Chocolat, a friend made while waiting for a purchase. This was before cell phones, when strangers talked to one another and found common interests that lead to many friendships born in friendly curiosity (before people became tech addicts).

Our Best Advice is to take your obsessions and re-direct them towards health and longevity, especially when you have some lovely choices like these it’s easy to do. And If you’re sensitive to caffein, vegan sweets can be found decaffeinated too.

Serving Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Bel Air, Benedict Canyon, Torrance, Hancock Park, Laurel Canyon, Los Feliz, Marina Del Rey, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Melrose. Santa Monica, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Encino, Woodland Hills, Topanga Canyon, Westwood, Hollywood Hills, Pasadena, San Mareno, Santa Barbara, Orange County, Ventura County, California, New York, & the greater United States…

Our Best Advice has been brought to you by www.ISAstaffing.com. Visit often for other great ideas, and browse our Domestic Staffing Services to see Job Descriptions we provide for our clients.

L'Andana Inn, Tuscany - Photo courtesy L'Andana

At ISA we love travel with great food, and place the best private Chefs in our clients homes. This Michelin-starred cuisine promises to be a memorable Holiday prepared on site at La Trattoria Toscana, while you enjoy stunning views of the surrounding vineyards and olive groves.

National Geographic Travel & Culture is not only renowned and loved for their immense contribution of decades to the cultural and geographical milieu, but also for their dedication to continue increasing world travel to be consciously undertaken for reducing carbon footprint, and preservation, combined with optimal enjoyment. According to their current intelligent travel tips for Easter , a stay at L’Andana, a beautiful Tuscan inn owned by chef Alain Ducasse, promises to be unforgettable.

L'Andana's romantic chapel - photo courtesy L'Andana

Guests will begin each day with a traditional Tuscan breakfast prepared by their excellent chef. Following Easter Sunday Mass in the estate’s historic and very romantic chapel (TIP – also a great wedding location for an intimate event), guests will enjoy a traditional four-course Easter lunch for two, prepared with ingredients grown on and near the property. We support Locavore dining anywhere in the world, and this is paired with wines from the local Tenuta La Badiola vineyard. The best part is that the meal ends with a handmade chocolate egg you can work off with a luxurious spa treatment (that’s part of the package) at L’Andana’s 6,000-square-foot E’SPA.

Enjoy Easter in Tuscany, or sent Our Best Advice to someone you know who would enjoy savoring some of the best food this Holiday overseen by Chef Alain Ducasse.

L’Andana – Tenuta La Badiola
Grosseto, Italy
+39 0564 944 800
info@andana.it

Serving Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Bel Air, Benedict Canyon, Torrance, Hancock Park, Laurel Canyon, Los Feliz, Marina Del Rey, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Melrose. Santa Monica, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Encino, Woodland Hills, Topanga Canyon, Westwood, Hollywood Hills, Pasadena, San Mareno, Santa Barbara, Orange County, Ventura County, California, New York, & the greater United States…

Our Best Advice has been brought to you by www.ISAstaffing.com. Visit often for other great ideas, and browse our Domestic Staffing Services to see Job Descriptions we provide for our clients.