Indulge Your Readers: Indulgence Chocolate #Giveaway

  If a blogger writes a blog post in the forest, and no one is around to read it, does it make a sound?

Don't laugh. It's a serious question. And it brings me to my final words of advice on blogging: Remember that you are never alone. Acknowledge your readers. Gratify them. Give them what they want (within reason). And make them feel special.

Because they are special. They've gotten you where you are -- wherever that might be. They've read your words, re-created your recipes, and shared your news (both good and bad). They've become friends, mentors, and your best critics.

So, yeah. We've been blogging for five years. And we still don't have all the answers. But, one thing we know for sure is that our readers are the ones that deserve the credit for everything that we are, and that we've become.

THANK YOU.
From the bottom of our bacon-eating, rosemary-loving, chocolate-obsessed hearts. And please enter the giveaway at the bottom of this page. Because it's seriously some of the best chocolate on earth. And it's our thank you gift to you. For just being you.

Inspired by the fine European chocolatiers she encountered during a college backpacking trip, Julie Waterman founded Indulgence Chocolatiers in 2007 with the goal of introducing fine artisan chocolate to the Milwaukee area's burgeoning culinary scene. Indulgence started out small, producing delectable truffles for weddings and events. Their imaginative chocolates, made from blended bean Belgian chocolate, are embellished with classic flavors like coconut, hazelnut and mint, as well as globally inspired combinations like coconut habanero, Parmesan crisp and Thai peanut butter.

And yes -- every one of her flavors is ... Just. That. Good.  Just look at the newly released S'Mores gift pack pictured below. How can you resist?

We're super excited to announce that Indulgence Chocolatiers will be opening its first chocolate boutique in Shorewood's new Ravenna building at 4525 N. Oakland Ave. With construction already underway, the delicious boutique is scheduled to open sometime in late summer. In addition to offering beautiful, locally handcrafted chocolates in unique flavor combinations, Waterman plans to feature monthly tasting and pairing classes at the boutique, making it a destination for Milwaukee chocolate enthusiasts.

In the meantime, you can order Indulgence products ONLINE, pick them up from a variety of retailers and restaurants in the Milwaukee area, or try your hand at winning a gift set by following the instructions at the end of this post.

No matter how you decide to procure your chocolate, it will be well worth it.
______________________________________________


We'd like to give you the opportunity to try out a couple of Indulgence chocolate products for yourself. This is the final of seven 5th Burp!-Day giveaways taking place on the blog during the month of June.

One lucky reader will win a sampling of chocolate from Indulgence Chocolatiers.

To enter, head on over to the Indulgence Chocolatiers web site, taking a look at their offerings, and tell us what you would like to try most. For a bonus entry, head over to the Indulgence Facebook page and give them a big fat LIKE.  Be sure to leave us a comment letting us know you did just that.

This is a short one! You'll have until NOON TOMORROW (June 30, 2012) to enter.  Winners will be chosen at random and notified by email, so please leave your email addy with your comment if it's not included with your Blogger profile. Entries from the U.S. only, please.

As an added bonus, since June is Dairy Month, all entrants will ALSO be entered to win a grand prize assortment of hand-selected Wisconsin cheeses.

Full Disclosure: This giveaway is sponsored by Indulgence Chocolatiers, who provided us with the product for our giveaway. However, all opinions expressed in this post are our own.

 ©BURP! Where Food Happens

Dare to Be Different: Howling Wolf Barbeque #Giveaway

Culture teaches us to blend in. In school we're taught to sit still, speak when spoken to, and mind our manners. We abide by moral codes, dress codes, and codes of conduct. When we venture outside of the norm, we reap the consequences of rebellion.

When you blog, it's good to be different -- or, rather, to differentiate yourself.  The world really only needs one Pioneer Woman (and mimicking her style isn't going to win you a book deal or a television show). And, as lovely as Smitten Kitchen is, no one would be very smitten if every blog was just another version of the same.


So, here are a few words of advice that every blogger should follow.

1. Buck the trends. They're only trends, after all. And they, too, shall pass.
2. Find a niche where you feel comfortable today -- and where you're likely to continue to be comfortable tomorrow -- and make your home there.
3. Find your writing voice -- it's one of the most valuable gifts you can give to yourself.
4. Be yourself -- and totally yourself. Let people get to know the real you.
5. Be weird. Be unique. Be random. Go wild. Because you never know who might love the person you otherwise hide.

You won't be surprised when we say that we love companies that follow this advice in the way that they do business... entrepreneurs who approach things just a little bit differently, and who aren't afraid to do exactly what they love... and do it well.

Howling Wolf Sauces, based in Theresa, Wisconsin, was started by Ken Wolfe, a classically trained chef who always had a passion for sauces. Wolfe started in the industry, running a cafe in Wyoming which was known for its outstanding ribs and barbeque. He moved to Wisconsin to focus full-time on marketing his sauces. The sauces, which were featured in Jane & Michael Stern’s 2005 edition of Roadfood, are available at a wide range of local stores including (but not limited to) Metcalfe's Sentry, Sendik's Food Market (Wauwatosa), Tower Chicken, and Woodman's Market.

We love the Howling Wolf line of gourmet BBQ sauces -- not only because they're made locally -- but because they are created in small batches using the finest ingredients available. None of them contain high fructose corn syrup. They don't use irradiated spices. And their products are both extremely flavorful and very versatile.

For example, the Cranberry Orange BBQ can be used as a glaze for Asian sweet and sour, and the original sauce can be mixed with yogurt to take on a unique Middle Eastern flavor. In addition to sauces, the company also makes a collection of spice rubs, of which The Land and Sea Rub is the most popular. It was created to enhance the buttery flavors in fish, but it's equally delicious on pork, chicken, and even steaks. 

Try it on a baked potato! Popcorn! Vegetables!  Use your imagination and surprise yourself.
___________________________________________
We'd like to give you the opportunity to try out a couple of Howling Wolf products for yourself. This is the sixth of seven 5th Burp!-Day giveaways taking place on the blog during the month of June.

One lucky reader will win an 18 oz bottle of Howling Wolf original barbeque sauce, along with a packet of Land & Sea Rub.

To enter, leave us a comment below telling us what you'll do with your barbeque sauce or Land & Sea rub if you win it. For a bonus entry, head over to the Howling Wolf Facebook page and give them a big fat LIKE.  Be sure to leave us a comment letting us know you did just that.

You'll have until NOON on June 30, 2012 to enter.  Winners will be chosen at random and notified by email, so please leave your email addy with your comment if it's not included with your Blogger profile. Entries from the U.S. only, please.

As an added bonus, since June is Dairy Month, all entrants will ALSO be entered to win a grand prize assortment of hand-selected Wisconsin cheeses.

Full Disclosure: This giveaway is sponsored by Howling Wolf, who provided us with the product for our giveaway. However, all opinions expressed in this post are our own.


©BURP! Where Food Happens