Chocolate

Australian Homemade opens first stand-alone shop in USA on Chicago's trendy Southport Avenue

(ContentDesk) September 10, 2004 -- Australian Homemade (AH), the hip, all-natural ice cream and chocolate maker, continues its United States expansion with the final touches being put into place at the first stand-alone outlet at 3425 N. Southport Avenue.
The 1400 square foot shop sweetens the neighborhood with its made-fresh-daily ice creams and all natural sorbets, hand-made chocolates and specialty hot chocolate and coffees make this a destination during every season.
To thank their neighborhood patrons for their patience during the build-out of this property, and to celebrate their official grand opening, the shop will offer two tasty deals from Saturday, September 25th - Sunday, September 26th.
Guests visiting between 11 a.m.

- 4 p.m. both days can purchase one scoop of ice cream or sorbet and receive a second one free, or they can purchase a steaming hot cup of coffee and receive a free Dreamer chocolate of their choice.Unlike traditional ice cream shops, at Australian Homemade the ice creams and sorbets are made fresh each day using a secret Australian recipe.
The indulgent, velvety texture satisfies the most discriminating ice cream palates with 18 unique flavors such as Belgian Chocolate, Mocha, Almond Hazelnut, Crunchy Macadamia with Caramel, Strawberry Cheesecake, and traditional flavors including an award-winning Vanilla, Chocolate Chip and Pistachio. There will also soon be new flavors including Strawberry Cheesecake and Mint Chocolate Chip, and a new sugar-free Vanilla.
Special fruit Sorbets including Pear, Coconut, Lemon, Strawberry, Mango, Raspberry, Melon and Passion Fruit offer a refreshing option.

All flavors of the ice creams and sorbets are made from only the finest all natural ingredients and the price per scoop starts at $2.85.
Kids receive a surprise toy in the specially designed Kids Cup that holds a kid-sized 2 1/4 oz. ice cream or sorbet for $1.95. "We're excited to bring this spectacular store to the vibrant Southport Avenue business district," said Maura Kenney, store manager. "It's a pleasure to bring our products to a neighborhood that appreciates the distinct differences and quality Australian Homemade offers," she added.The hand-made chocolates are a visual feast as well as a delicious experience.

Each lavishly filled chocolate is topped with Aboriginal-inspired symbol that identifies the flavors within.
Australian Homemade's superior quality chocolates are handmade from the finest ingredients and from the best sources worldwide.
Rich squares of chocolate called "Dreamers" can be purchased in a variety of flavors including White ganache with almond and orange fragments, Almond filling with toasted and flaked almonds in dark and milk chocolate, or Soft chocolate caramel flavor with milk and white chocolate.
Purchase one piece for $1.95 up to a full box for $37.00 per pound.
Everything is made in Australian Homemade's own chocolate lab in Holland, and chocolates are 100% natural and dated for freshness.

The first U.S. store opened in New York City's East Village in 2003, while the first Chicago location opened in Marshall Field's State Street in October 2003.
Additional Chicagoland locations are currently under consideration.
As many as 300 Australian Homemade locations in major metropolitan markets across the United States are expected within the next 5 to 7 years. The Australian Homemade brand captures the interest of young, modern consumers who seek out and appreciate originality, and demand outstanding taste and product quality.

All Australian Homemade stores share modern, attention-grabbing designs and graphics based on a materials palette of stainless steel, glass, ambient lighting and warm cherry fixtures.
Kids' birthday parties, corporate gift baskets and customized chocolates, and gift certificates are available.
Store hours:
11 a.m. - 11 p.m. weekdays; 11 a.m.

- midnight Fridays and Saturdays.For store or franchise information, call 773.281-3830 or visit www.australianhomemade.com.Australian Homemade has been selling all natural premium ice cream and gourmet chocolates since 1989 through its upscale franchise stores.
The name of the company originates from the first original recipe for the ice cream that came from Australia. The AH franchise system currently operates over 50 stores in Europe:
23 shops in The Netherlands, 22 shops in Belgium, four shops in Spain, two in Germany and one each in the UK, Korea and Australia. Australian Homemade is the market leader in the Netherlands and Belgium and is rapidly expanding in the U.S. among other markets..


Best Cookies: Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

These cookies are a delightful chocolaty twist on the traditional oatmeal cookie. Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

DirectionsHeat oven to 350 degrees.Combine sugar and butter in large bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy. Add eggs, chocolate and vanilla; continue beating, scraping bowl often, until well mixed. Reduce speed to low; add flour, baking powder and salt.

Beat until well mixed. Stir in oats and chocolate chips by hand.Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls, 2-inches apart, onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until set. Do Not Overbake..

Donna Monday© Donna MondayLove Cookies? All your favorites here: Best Cookies: Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
Chocolate > Best Cookies: Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

How to Create Stories that Sizzle

How to Start Your Story with a BangThe purpose of creating a story is to create a world that will draw the reader away from their own. In order to do this one must create suspense, drama and mystery. Your reader must absolutely need to get from page to page, to find out what happens.There are several simple techniques to get your story going and draw the reader in. Here are just a few:1) Start in the middle of a problem. Ex.

A lover's quarrel, a murder, a personal dilemma2) Start with an unusual environmentEx. Alice in Wonderland, the beginning of the final frontier, a journey to a new world3) Start with actionEx. A gun has just been fired, A woman is deciding whether to jump or not, A hospital ER being mobilized4) Start with a feelingEx. The soft silk slid across her skin, as she finally slid into his bed. Hot coals burned his stomach as the bullet tore through him.The rich velvety feel of chocolate on her tongue was the perfect end to a dreadful day.Don't spend the first day...

How to Create Stories that Sizzle
Chocolate > How to Create Stories that Sizzle

Coffee on Campaign: How to Roast Your Coffee Like Civil War Soldiers

Coffee on CampaignConfederate and Union Soldiers Roast their Own Coffee,and You Can Do it Just Like themand other Little Beans about their Coffee Drinkin' Habits and the War Between the Statesby
as dictated by the CoachThe Coffee Customer Spoilers Roastin' their own coffee was a common activity among soldiers in the War Between the States. They would carry only a few items and sometimes they would have been issued green coffee that they would roast. Their tin cup was what they had to complete the entire process. Some of them did have a frying pan, but for the most part, they would roast the beans in their tin cups. To do this at home, use a heavy iron frying pan.

Roasting in your tin cup will mess up the solder joints. Pour the beans in the pan. You can't just throw the in and leave them. Move them around. Stir them until they start to turn brown.

The green beans have moisture in them and roasting them will draw the moisture out. The beans will even pop a little,...

Coffee on Campaign: How to Roast Your Coffee Like Civil War Soldiers
Chocolate > Coffee on Campaign: How to Roast Your Coffee Like Civil War Soldiers

Dog Training - Break Begging

Dog Training

When a dog begs, whether its at the dinner table or when folks are snacking around the superbowl, it can be very annoying not only to you but to your guests also. If you step back and take a look at what leads to begging it is quite simple. Begging starts when someone offers a dog a taste of "people food".

The number one rule is; DO NOT reward the behavior. This is easiest to begin if you are starting with a new puppy, but you can do things with older, more established dogs. Basically if you offer a dog a taste of whatever it is that you are eating while it is staring with those sad eyes, it will become an addicition that is very difficult to break.

I realize that it is very tough to not give your best friend something that you find scrumptious. After all, this is your most loyal companion. (Don't tell your spouse this, rule number 2)

Coupled with the number one rule is; DO NOT give your dog "people food". If you follow...

Dog Training - Break Begging
Chocolate > Dog Training - Break Begging

Chocolate as Medicine

Which would you rather take to help prevent heart attacks and strokes? Chocolate or aspirin?


Amazingly, researchers in California have found that taking a flavonol rich cacao drink, equates almost exactly to taking a low dose aspirin, when it comes to blood thinning properties.
It seems that the cacao drink acts in a similar way to low dose aspirin in ensuring your blood flows freely -- and the platelets do not stick together, thus reducing the risk of stroke or heart disease.

But as usual with these studies, the boffins urge caution, they stress they are not advocating a couple of candy bars in place of your daily physician prescribed aspirin.
There are a substantial number of people who cannot tolerate aspirin, and possibly for those people, eating flavonol rich cacao may be useful to them.
You may also be interested to know that there are bioactive compounds in chocolate that promote well being, lessen the pain response...

Chocolate as Medicine
Chocolate > Chocolate as Medicine