Focus: food, travel, culture, design, chocolate, content marketer, IICCT Level III Cert. Chocolate Taster, Lat Am food specialist. Experience writing and editing blog & long form articles, profiles.
Mary Luz Mejia, Artsci’93
Mary Luz Mejia, Artsci’93, has a job that would be the envy of many – she’s a certified chocolate taster.
A Q&A with my alma mater, Queen's University about what it means to be an IICCT Level III Certified Chocolate taster and how I got into the wild and wonderful world of cacao.
5 Show-Stopping Performances To Catch On Icon Of The Seas
From Broadway-caliber theatrical productions and aerial aquatic shows to multimedia performances in the largest skating arena at sea, Icon of the Seas offers more entertainment than you could probably experience on one sailing. So, after you've had dinner and drinks, how do you narrow down the choices and decide how to spend your evening?
Read on for our top five recommendations for some of the best performances onboard this Icon Class cruise ship.
MacLachlan College Review
A 50-page review of MacLachlan College, published as a book (in print and online), is part of a series of in-depth accounts of Canada's leading private schools. Insights were garnered by me, visiting the school and interviewing students, parents, faculty and administrators.
A Guide to Pairing Cookies with Cocktails, Wine, and Beer
Because adult beverages and cookies go together like milk and, well, cookies.
Whether you're celebrating the holidays with friends, ringing in the new year at home, or just want to treat yourself, you can't go wrong with reaching for a cookie...and an adult beverage.
Top-Tier Art in the Tropics
Experiencing Miami’s Vibrant Celebration of Creativity
A look at the Miami Art Week season anchored by the much-lauded Art Basel Miami Beach (ABMB) with pro tips from professional art curator, Francisco Alvarez.
Reclaiming the Forgotten 80% of the Cacao Fruit
Here’s an eye-opening fact that most chocolate enthusiasts probably never think about: according to the World Cocoa Foundation, 80% of the cacao fruit, including the pulp and husk, is usually thrown away. The result? Twenty-two million tons (and growing) of agricultural waste is generated each year. A look at how that's changing and what unique products are coming out of this sustainable move.
How To Plan Romantic Vacations While On A Family Getaway
Tips to Creating Romance on Vacation when Traveling with Kids & Family
If you're gearing up for a cruise and have grandparents or little ones traveling with you, great news — romantic vacations and family vacations can coexist on the same getaway. With a little planning, and by taking advantage of the various amenities and options onboard your cruise, you can strike the perfect balance between family time and one-on-one time with your partner.
Gardens, Gastronomy, and Tradition in Marrakesh, Morocco
In the heart of the city, far from the thrum of Marrakesh’s 950-year-old medina, a vivid-blue villa peeks out from behind a curtain of hot-pink bougainvillea. Travellers can stand inside the fabled Jardin Majorelle, a botanical treasure created by the French artist Jacques Majorelle, who planted the garden in the 1920s. Six decades later, this sanctuary was saved from destruction and lovingly revived by one of the city’s biggest ambassadors, Yves Saint Laurent.
Pairing Chocolate and Mezcal
I was asked to talk Mezcal and find chocolate as an IICCT Level III Certified Chocolate Taster for this article written by Stacy Brooks. Some of my pairing suggestions are included.
St. Clement’s Junior School: A community rooted in curiosity, connection, and care
An interview and over of St. Clement's Junior school with VP Heather Henricks for Our Kids Media.com
The Send A Cake Story: Making the World Sweeter One Cake at a Time
Longform content for 1800Flowers looking at James Siew who created a unique gifting experience with explosion boxes, donut towers, and more.
The Best High Flavanol Chocolate Bars
A look into what flavanols are, where to find them (i.e. cacao) and some of the best high percentage bars that taste good and have loads of flavanols in them.
How To Budget For A Vacation
Planning a Budget-Friendly Vacation for Families.
You've packed your bags, and you're ready to enjoy some fun in the sun. Knowing how to budget for a vacation is key to a no-stress, good time for the whole family. Those on-the-road and sea costs can add up faster than a few cervezas on a hot summer's day. But don't worry! There are ways to vacation on a budget that won't leave you wanting more and will leave a little extra change in your pocket.
Meet Mary Luz Mejia
Q&A with fellow IICCT Alum Sanja Vladovic from Taman Chocolate on all things chocolate tasting and bean-to-bar chocolate.
Kristen Moreno, CSM, Six Sigma Black Belt, PMP
Profile of Kristin Moreno, one of PMI's under 35, 2024 honorees in Project Management.
Project Manager at Exterro | Austin, Texas, United States of America
I reserached, interviewed her and wrote her profile for the Project Management Institute.