Pink Shirt Day is getting closer + this year’s message is as important as always: Lift Each Other Up. A simple but powerful message encouraging us to look beyond our differences + celebrate the things that make us unique. To be complimentary instead of critical. To be friendly instead of fierce.

Pink Shirt Day is also an opportunity…an opportunity for all of us to reflect on our actions. Do we compliment or criticize? Do we notice faults or do we find fabulous? What can we do during our day to create positive interactions with others?

Perhaps this is the deeper meaning + point to the Pink Shirt Day campaign. Every year the campaign focuses on a simple, yet impactful message. And every year since the campaign started there has been a more widespread shift in our society. More people find themselves thoughtful of their actions + more organizations are promoting awareness for peace.

So as this years Pink Shirt Day message becomes more widespread, we thought we’d help you all #pinkitforward + have included a list of everyday things we can all do to spread a little cheer:

• Smile
• Listen
• Offer a hug
• Share
• Send out a kind email or card
• Give someone a genuine compliment.
• Be encouraging
• Purchase a Pink Cupcake for a friend!

There are endless opportunities to perform random acts of kindness every day! We think kindness is a choice! And we encourage all of you to ‘think pink’ until the end of February. Pink Cupcakes are available at all Take Five Cafe locations. You can drop in + buy one for a friend or place a large order for business meetings, classroom parties or special events by calling our Catering Department at 604.697.9050.

Having Pink Cupcakes on hand Wednesday, February 26th is a great way to enjoy a sweet treat for a great cause! It’s also a great way to be kind! #lifteachotherup

Posted in A Take Five Cafe Feature

It doesn’t get easier than that!
Pink Shirt Day is getting closer + this year’s message is as important as always: Lift Each Other Up. A simple but powerful message encouraging us to look beyond our differences + celebrate the things that make us unique. To be complimentary instead of critical. To be friendly instead of fierce.

As the on-line world continues to put people in the spotlight, it is more important than ever to focus on positive messages. During an era when social media seems to tear people down, Pink Shirt Days’ message is clear: Lift Each Other Up!

This marks the eleventh consecutive year that our Take Five Café family is supporting the amazing Pink Shirt Day campaign.  Our Pink Cupcakes will be back in stores starting Monday, February 3^rd  + proceeds from the sale of Pink Cupcakes for the month of February will be donated to the CKNW Kids’ Fund in support of anti-bullying programs across British Columbia.

So let’s get ready for February. Think business meetings, children’s events, office celebrations + more and place an order for these sweet treats. Our cupcakes can be ordered by calling 604.697.9050 or in store at your closest Take Five Café.  To find out how else you can get involved or for a list of events in your area, read more about Pink Shirt Day, or consider checking out the website for all of the available pink products. You can order the official t-shirts to wear on February 26^th, 2020 or purchase a stuffed bear, pink texting gloves, bracelets + more!

Whatever you chose to do this Pink Shirt Day, it’s time to take a stand to make a positive difference…and eat cupcakes, of course!!

Posted in Take Five Cafe News

The holiday season is here! And it arrives with many promises… Is it truly the most magical time? Is it really the happiest, most jolly, most merriest time of the year? For many, when they hear the word  “Christmas”, panic comes to mind. The hustle bustle of shopping, the long to-do lists + the overwhelming feeling of everything that needs to be done in a short amount of time.

If you find yourself in a rut this holiday season why not focus on a few holiday traditions to keep your spirits in check. After all, you know the ode to any situation – it is better to give than to receive. If this is true….our list of traditions to give or share, is sure to get you in the holiday spirit!

Christmas Stocking Fun
Craft unique stockings for each family member that will be used for years to come + encourage each member of the household to wrap one small, creative item to add to every stocking each year. Santa shouldn’t have all the fun!

Build a Gingerbread House
Adorable, delicious + fun to assemble. Gingerbread house kits are available everywhere. A cute + crafty way to decorate for the holidays. Have a prize for best house.

Give a Meaningful Ornament
Add a little something special to a loved ones tree by gifting a meaningful ornament. Choose one that signifies a milestone or special moment from their year.

Read a Christmas Book or Choose a Movie
From The Night Before Christmas to The Polar Express, there’s a wonderful variety of Christmas tales or movies to enjoy. Make it an event to look forward to by including festive drinks + snacks.

Organize a Festive Dinner
Gather with family + friends for a festive meal over the holidays. Make it a pot luck event + encourage traditional favourites be brought.

Host a Cookie Exchange
Start a new cookie tradition. Everyone brings multiples of the same cookie which are shared on the day. The take home is a lovely variety of seasonal shaped shortbread, gingerbread, butter tarts + every chocolate cookie available.

Tour Outdoor Christmas Light Displays
Twinkling lights get everyone in the spirit.  There are many drive by displays, but it’s also fun to find a neighborhood that is notorious for its creative decorations. Be sure to tune into your favourite Christmas station.

Enjoy a Holiday Classic
Visit us at Take Five Café + enjoy one of our seasonal coffees. Choose from the classic taste of Egg Nog, old fashioned Candy Cane, or the flavour of timeless gingerbread –all created with our perfectly balanced espresso + creamy steamed milk.

And what makes these holiday beverages even better?…they truly are all dressed up and ready to go!…in a santa suit, of course!

We hope this year you can find your best way to get in the holiday spirit!

Posted in A Take Five Cafe Holiday

This just in for the season!
Introducing our new holiday blend – a special combination of Colombian + Central American coffees that is roasted medium-dark. It has a smooth, well-balanced flavour made even better with hints of oats + melted chocolate! Our Holiday Blend is sure to add unique flavour to your next hand crafted coffee beverage.

Craving something even more special? Then how about enjoying one of our seasonal coffees? Choose from the classic taste of Egg Nog, old fashioned Candy Cane, or the flavour of timeless gingerbread –all created with our perfectly balanced espresso + creamy steamed milk.

Nothing better than nostalgic flavours to get into the holiday spirit! Visit us today for a little seasonal magic!

Posted in A Take Five Cafe Feature

Pumpkin – you can display it, carve it, cook or bake with it….call it a jack-o-lantern or a big orange squash. It can be boiled, baked, steamed, mashed or roasted. Although its real claim to fame is Pumpkin Pie, over the years, its popularity has helped it earn its way into baked breads, cookies + more.

If you are in the baking mood why not put pumpkin to the test. To help you do just that, we are including our ever popular Pumpkin Pear Muffin recipe. Of course, if baking is not on your to do list, you can always come visit + pick one up from us! As always, everything baked pairs well with coffee!

Pumpkin Pear Muffin
2 cups peeled and finely chopped pears (about 3 pears)
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice blend
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup solid packed pure pumpkin
1/2 cup vegetable oil
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Preparation

• Peel, core + finely chop pears. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, spice + baking powder.
• In a medium bowl combine eggs, pumpkin + oil. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients + fold to mix. Fold in pears.
• Spoon into paper-lined muffin tins. Bake 35 to 40 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted into center comes out clean.
• Remove from oven and serve warm or at room temperature.

Happy Halloween!

Posted in A Take Five Cafe Feature

It might be too soon for pumpkin jack-o-lanterns but it’s not too soon for pumpkin puree! Nothing resonates more with the fall season than pumpkin! To get you in the Autumn mood, we have brought back our Pumpkin Cranberry Scone. It is drizzled with glaze icing + topped with crunchy pumpkin seeds…..more importantly; it pairs very well with coffee!

Come in + celebrate the fall season with us! The treats are calling!

Posted in A Take Five Cafe Feature

of Espresso That Is!

Espresso, cappuccino, latte, Americano, mocha…so many coffee combinations + so much confusion! It’s hard to believe there was a time when the only caffeinated beverage you could request was….well…coffee!

However coffee has come a long way + the understanding of coffee beans + how to properly process them has improved. Extracting superior flavour out of a superior bean takes research + knowledge. And while a good ole fashioned cup of coffee will surely hit the spot, a more aromatic, intense cup might be better!

To simplify, specialty coffee drinks start with espresso. Espresso is coffee that is brewed in such a way that only the flavourful + aromatic oils are extracted from the bean. Basically, it is a small 1 to 2 oz. shot of pressure-brewed coffee. But here is where it can get complicated: most people find espresso too strong + opt for milk…..it is how the milk is prepared + added to the espresso that results in the various drinks. Too much information can be confusing so we shall try to stick to the basics:

Espresso Macchiato
A double shot of Espresso with small amount of foamed milk poured over the shot

Espresso Con Panna
An Espresso Macchiato using whipped cream in place of foamed milk.

Caffé Americano
A double shot of espresso combined with 8 to 14 ounces of hot water

Cappuccino
A double shot of espresso, steamed milk + frothed milk foam. The large volume of foam makes it a light weight drink. Frothed milk is dry + more able to hold its shape

Caffé Latté
A double shot of espresso with steamed milk. Steamed milk has a smooth, “flat” textured appearance.

Caffé Mocha
A double shot of espresso blended with chocolate syrup. Steamed milk is added + it is usually topped with whipped cream.

Steamed milk, frothed milk, foamed milk still have you confused? To even better understand, we suggest you visit us + try them all! With eight locations around Greater Vancouver, a Take Five Cafe is waiting for you!

Posted in Uncategorized

With lovely summer weather comes picnics, BBQ’s + simple dinners. And with so many options available a summer salad is hard to beat. Most can be turned into a meal by simply adding chicken, tofu or egg….while others are better as a side dish to compliment a plate.

At Take Five Café, simple salads with fresh, local ingredients are one of our summer favourites. Visit us to grab one as a convenient healthy lunch on the go. Or if you’re prepping for a group, check out a couple of our make-at-home versions perfect for your next patio meal.

Italian Bean Salad
4 cups of mixed beans
(white, green garbanzo, black, kidney)
¾ cup diced cucumber
¾ cup diced tomato
¾ cup fresh torn spinach leaves

Vinaigrette
½ cup red wine vinegar
¾ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 ½ tablespoons honey
½ teaspoon salt
¼ tsp cracked black pepper

Mix dressing ingredients together + shake vigorously. Pour over salad.
Refrigerate 2 hours before serving for best flavour results.

Mixed Green Salad with Raspberry Dressing
1 pound mixed field greens
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup toasted pecans
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
½ cup sunflower seeds, toasted
½ cup radishes, sliced
1 ½ cups feta cheese, crumbled

Vinaigrette
1 cup fresh raspberries
2 tablespoon honey
½ cup red wine vinegar
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper

Combine the raspberries, vinegar + honey in a blender until smooth. Slowly stream in the olive oil until combined. Season to taste. Toss salad gently with vinaigrette + serve immediately.

Enjoy the season!

Posted in Take Five Cafe Food

All things iced are refreshing when hot! But all things iced are not created equal!

Our iced teas are not made from a concentrate or powder but are steeped using loose leaf tea as their only ingredient. The result is a tea with a deep aromatic taste + all natural flavour. They are then blended in house with 100% real crushed fruit to create unique + delicious recipes. Choose from Mango Iced Tea or Hibiscus Berry Iced Tea. Add lemonade for a twist or create your own spin…just ask our baristas. And if you don’t find a version that quenches your thirst; you can always enjoy a glass of our Strawberry Lemonade. Either way, we have your thirst covered!

Iced Teas or lemonades not your go to? Then try one of our other chilled favourites below:

Cold Brewed Coffee: Fresh coffee beans are ground down + steeped in cold, filtered water for 24 hours. The extended brewing time results in a sweeter, extremely smooth, flavourful cup of highly caffeinated coffee!

Frappini: Our take on a delicious creamy, chilled shake! Enjoy simple flavours like Vanilla, Caramel or Chocolate or take your treat to the next level + enjoy White Chocolate + Strawberry or Cookies N’ Cream.

Smoothies: 100% crushed real fruit. With five servings of fruit or five servings of fruit + veggies, our smoothies are a win win!

….and don’t forget, if you don’t see a favourite beverage above,….anything we prepare hot, can be prepared cold! Nothing beats a refreshing cool drink on a hot day!

Visit us + grab your chilled favourite today!

Posted in A Take Five Cafe Feature

Ever have one of those days where the work pace takes over + your morning coffee sits + sits…until it’s no longer warm? Have you been tempted to take a sip? Believe it or not, there are conditions where cold coffee can hit the spot….but this shouldn’t be one of them!

Real cold brewed coffee is not coffee that has cooled down….nor is it coffee on ice. Cold brewed coffee starts with the proper brewing process. Fresh coffee beans are ground down + then steeped in cold, filtered water for 24 hours. Yes! 24 Hours!! The extended brewing time allows for the flavour of the coffee to be extracted from the beans leaving bitter compounds behind. As a result, cold brewed coffee is sweeter + the process produces an extremely smooth, flavourful cup of highly caffeinated coffee.

Cold Brewed Coffee can be served over ice, or steamed until hot. When the cold brew is steamed, it activates the oils in the coffee + pours as creamy foam with an equally creamy, unique flavour. Flavours can also be added creating some delicious variations like Caramel Truffle, Tuxedo(coconut), French Vanilla + more. We think Cold Brewed Coffee taste exceptional + hope you do too!

Next time, grab a cup of cold brewed coffee on your way to the office. You can take comfort in the fact that not only should it be cold, it will taste great too!

Available at all eight of our Take Five Café locations.

Posted in A Take Five Cafe Feature