I feel a tug at my waist, and I look down to see her pulling at the bottom of my top, happily chewing away looking up at me with expectant eyes. After I managed to take the material out of her mouth, she gently bumps her head against my thigh, begging for a scratch behind her ears. Who knew goats could be so affectionate?

I spent the evening wandering around my friends hobby farm, chasing chickens and checking out the vegetable garden she has with tomatoes, peppers, peas and tons of herbs and other good things growing.  Barn cats, as cute as can be, sprang at each other through the grass, then lazed around trying to catch the last few rays of warm sunshine.  One particularly excitable little rascal chased a duck whenever he got the chance, bounding away as soon as the duck retailiated. It was quite the sight and quite the experience.

My friend makes her own chocolate which is to die for. She creates yummy chocolate goodness from pure cacao beans and uses ingredients like goji berries and agave nectar to make the tastiest natural and healthy (yes, I said HEALTHY) chocolate I have ever had the pleasure of eating. She also makes her own marvelous cheese thanks to the shirt chomper who happily provides the goat milk to produce it.

After having a big BBQ and talking to other guests that came out for the day, I stretched out in a hammock under a shady tree and thought, “This is the life for me!”.  Since becoming educated in different types of tea and many of their healing properties, I have also further developed my knowledge of herbs, plants and other natural healing products. I like the idea of being able to live in a way that so few of us do.

Growing your own crops, caring for animals, feeding chickens and collecting eggs… Admittedly, it isn’t everyone’s dream job, but there is a lot of reward in the (very hard) work. There is a feeling of accomplishment, and of appreciation that you just can’t get from buying a carton of eggs or a frozen bag of beans at the grocery store. Buying a chocolate bar at the corner store does not even come close to comparing to the chocolate that my friend makes. Aside from the flavour, it is pleasing to know that everything in it is good for you. In a world where fast food and candy bars are taking over, it’s nice for once to know that I can eat something sweet and tasty without having to worry about what I am putting into my body.  The chocolate is the perfect pair to our Vanilla Chai Dream tea blend whether you are chasing goats around all day or unwinding after a hectic day at the office.

I love the city for many reasons… There is always something going on, and always entertainment of some sort, but for me, nothing beats the feeling I get sitting in a hammock looking at green field with a warm cup of tea in one hand and a homemade chocolate in the other.

For more info about, or to order the chocolate I mentioned above, send an email to: la_selva_girl@hotmail.com