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We want to take a moment to share some important news regarding our business operations.
After careful consideration and planning, we have made the decision to close our retail cafe and bakery. This step allows us to shift our focus towards expanding our wholesale operations, bringing our delicious products to a wider audience. While we will miss the warm interactions we had with our loyal cafe customers, we believe this strategic move will help us grow and serve you better.
We are excited to announce that our products will still be available for purchase through online orders. Whether you prefer the convenience of delivery, picking up your order, or having it shipped directly to your doorstep, we've got you covered!
We sincerely appreciate your continued support during this transition. You can find our products in the following locations:
These stores are spread across Ontario, making it easier for you to access our delectable treats.
Eat My Shortbread will be in attendance in events across Ontario as well this year. Watch for us and check our website to see where we are next.
Your opinion matters to us. If you know of any other stores in Ontario where you would like to see our products, please do not hesitate to let us know. We value your feedback and will do our best to expand into new locations based on your recommendations.
Although we are closing our retail cafe and bakery, we remain committed to delivering the same exceptional quality and taste that you have come to love. We will continue to innovate, bring new flavours, and ensure our products bring joy to your daily life.
Thank you once again for being an essential part of our journey. Your continued support means the world to us. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to reach out to us.
Warm regards,
Trisha and team
]]>Shortbread is believed to have originated in Scotland in the 12th century, and its name comes from the fact that it has a "short" or crumbly texture. The original recipe for shortbread was simple and consisted of just three ingredients: butter, sugar, and flour. It was often served as a special treat on holidays such as Christmas and Hogmanay (Scottish New Year's Eve).
In the early days, shortbread was a luxury item that only the wealthy could afford. The high cost of butter and sugar meant that it was not something that most people could enjoy on a regular basis. However, as the price of these ingredients began to drop, shortbread became more widely available.
During the reign of Mary Queen of Scots in the 16th century, shortbread started to become more popular. Mary was a fan of the treat and would often serve it to her guests at royal events. This helped to popularize shortbread among the upper classes, and it soon became a staple at Scottish tea parties.
By the 18th century, shortbread had become a common treat throughout Scotland. It was often served with tea or coffee and was a popular snack for both adults and children. At this time, the recipe for shortbread began to evolve, and bakers started to experiment with different ingredients and flavours.
One popular variation of shortbread was the Petticoat Tails, which were thin, delicate cookies that were shaped like a woman's petticoat. Another variation was the "fingers" which were thick rectangular biscuits that were perfect for dunking in tea or coffee.
In the 19th century, the popularity of shortbread continued to grow, and it became a common export for Scotland. Shortbread was shipped all over the world, and it soon became a popular treat in countries such as Canada, Australia, and the United States.
Over time, the recipe for shortbread continued to evolve, and bakers began to add new ingredients to the mix. One popular variation was the addition of ground rice, which gave the shortbread a slightly crunchy texture.
In the 20th century, shortbread recipes became even more diverse, with the addition of ingredients such as chocolate, nuts, and fruit. These new flavors helped to keep shortbread fresh and exciting, and it continued to be a popular treat for people of all ages.
Today, there are countless variations of shortbread, each with its own unique flavor and texture. Some bakers even add spices such as cinnamon or ginger to give their shortbread a bit of a kick.
Shortbread has long been an important part of Scottish culture, and it is often associated with holidays and special occasions. In fact, shortbread is still a popular treat at Scottish weddings, where it is often served as a dessert or given as a gift to guests.
There are also many superstitions and traditions associated with shortbread. For example, it is said that if you break a piece of shortbread into three pieces and make a wish, your wish will come true. And in some parts of Scotland, it is tradition to break a piece of shortbread over the threshold of a new home to bring good luck.
While shortbread has its roots in Scotland, it has become a popular treat all over the world. In Canada, shortbread is often served during the Christmas season, and it is a popular gift to give to friends and family.
In the United States, shortbread is often served as a dessert, and it is a popular treat at tea parties and other social gatherings. Many bakeries and specialty food stores also sell shortbread, often in a variety of flavours and styles.
Shortbread is also a popular treat in Australia and New Zealand, where it is often served with tea or coffee. In these countries, shortbread is sometimes referred to as "shortcake," although the recipe is generally the same.
While traditional shortbread recipes are still popular, many bakers and chefs have put their own spin on the classic treat. Some add flavors such as lavender or rosemary to give their shortbread a unique twist, while others add chocolate chips or nuts for a bit of extra crunch.
There are even savoury shortbread recipes that incorporate ingredients such as cheese, olives, or herbs. These savoury shortbreads are perfect for serving as an appetizer or as part of a cheese platter.
Shortbread has become such an iconic treat that it is now often sold as a souvenir or gift item. Many bakeries and specialty food stores sell shortbread in decorative tins or boxes, making it the perfect gift for friends and family.
In addition to traditional shortbread, there are also shortbread-themed gift items such as tea towels, aprons, and mugs. These items are often decorated with images of shortbread or Scotland, making them a popular souvenir for tourists visiting the country.
Despite its long history, shortbread remains a beloved treat today. Its buttery, crumbly texture and sweet, delicate flavour make it the perfect snack for any occasion. Whether enjoyed with a cup of tea or coffee, or served as a dessert at a special event, shortbread is sure to delight anyone who tries it.
With its rich history, diverse flavours, and enduring popularity, it's no wonder that shortbread has become a beloved treat all over the world. So the next time you indulge in a piece of this iconic cookie, take a moment to appreciate the history and culture that has made it the timeless treat we know and love today.
By: Mike Shoreman, The Unbalanced Paddleboarder
Meet Mike Shoreman, a local Durham Region mental health advocate, published author, International Stand-Up Paddleboard (SUP) Man of the Year in 2020 and 2021, and a Canadian Disability Hall of Fame Nominee.
His passion project, Canada's Great Lakes Crossing, began in 2021 to raise awareness and money for youth in crisis. He will be the first person with disabilities to cross all five Great Lakes on a SUP this summer. He has already successfully completed Lake Erie, Lake Huron, Lake Superior, Lake Michigan and is planning Lake Ontario on August 19 to 20, 2022.
Canada’s Great Lakes Crossing has the ambitious goal of raising $250,000 by September 30, 2022 to fund the existing and future implementation of mental health programs with Jack.org in Canadian high schools, colleges and universities. Jack.org is known for their timely use of local relevant resources with chapters throughout our nation.
Mike started this journey in 2021 to support the youth of today as they seek help to manage the stress, anxiety and depression that is pervasive. This event has received widespread national and international media coverage from Fox News, NBC, CBC, CTV and Citytv, and we anticipate much more as Mike gets closer to his goal.
Diagnosed with Ramsay-Hunt syndrome in 2018, Mike has testified that his mental health took a serious turn with suicidal thoughts, months of depression and anxiety, while searching for the appropriate supports. In his words, “When I was deep in my mental health journey, I felt trapped and alone. I felt like I couldn't talk about what I was going through, and I was ashamed. I felt like nobody else would understand and it was a hopeless situation.”
Thinking about the impact of this event, Mike continues, “What keeps me motivated now is knowing that this is for the millions of Canadians who suffer from anxiety, stress, depression and worse. This is for young Canadians to put mental health programs in schools in our community and across the country.”
Mike will be celebrating with a homecoming into the Whitby Harbour on August 21 at 2 p.m. This event will be followed by a larger, free community barbecue on September 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring a Mental Health Fair with local organizations and dignitaries. It is Mike’s wish to continue raising awareness about youth mental health while sharing his story in schools and conferences as a keynote speaker to keep the momentum of Canada’s Great Lake Crossing alive. A documentary about Mike’s journey is in development and will be released in 2023.
Throughout the last year, there have been discussions with community partners about launching a SUP 4 All program in 2023 to introduce stand-up paddle boarding to youth with disabilities in Durham Region.
To donate and support the goal of funding mental health programs in Canadian schools, please go to jack.akaraisin.com/ui/CanadasGreatLakeCrossing.
]]>2. Make a cookie crust (instead of graham crackers) with them.
3. Crumbs can be added to pancakes, french toast, and cream brûlée
4. Toast them lightly and sprinkle over warmed Brie
5. Incorporate them into your favorite cookie recipe
IMPERFECTS:
Are you aware that our retail store sells imperfect shortbread? It's time to get your hands on some. It is the best way to get your hands on some reduced and still tasty shortbread, even though we don't always have it in stock. Call first to make sure we have some set aside for you!
Being in business for 7 years is no easy feat. I still smile when I think back to where I started. I had a dream of creating a place for delicious lunches and coffee, and here I am with just tasty treats and no soups. I remember opening on June 1, 2015, with a twinkle in my eye, because I knew this was the start of the rest of my life.
I did not know I would be completely exhausted for the next seven years! Immersing myself in every aspect of my business became my passion. I am extremely proud of how far I have come and I am thankful to my amazing staff and my loyal customers for their continued support. It wouldn't have been possible without you.
]]>The ways the world has changed in 12 months has impacted us deeply. We are feeling the loss of social time with our friends and missing the family members we don't live with. The sense of grief, impending doom, digital exhaustion, the boredom of being in the house all the time and the intense toll all of the above has taken on our mental health. Life will not be returning to what we know as normal for awhile yet, the future of many things is so uncertain.
I have no other message here except to share that I understand you and that I see you. There is nothing more important to me and my business when it comes to listening to you. I adore your stories, I love getting to meet your kids, to see pictures of your dog, to greet you at a socially distanced store visit and to hear your experiences of what this year has brought for you.
Human connection is the heart of who we are, we want to feel we belong to something, someone, that we matter. You matter to me. Please know that. Please share the ways you are feeling connected today.
Ways to feel connected:
I launched the "You're a Real Lifesaver 2.0" donation program that makes sure that we are thanking our Front Line Health Care workers. We donated 500 of these boxes a year ago, and today we are at 45. Our goal is 100 by April 15th.
Sending a box of baked goods can say a lot of what we can't say in person.
Take a walk in a new area of your community and smile and wave to everyone.
Join an online fitness class or sign up for Beachbody on Demand, it has gotten me through the cold winter and help me see my abs for the first time in a long while. No pictures available. Not sorry.
Call a friend who you have not spoken to, texting is fine but there is nothing like catching up by phone, except catching up in person, but you know...
Offer to collect the mail, the newspaper, the garbage, the _____ for your neighbour.
When you are ready, step into my sanitized and safe store and say hello, let's connect. And you can always bring your dog.
Trisha
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Our full-service cafe in the Oshawa Centre remains closed. As soon as we have any updates, we will let you know.
THANK YOU from the bottom of my mixing bowl for supporting me during this weird and startling time in our history. I truly appreciate it.
]]>How can I properly serve my community?
]]>Many of you know, I come from a social support background, so compassion and kindness are my religion. I have worked with people with special needs, mentally and emotionally and have always found myself drawn to finding creative ways to help and to pull community together.
This idea is only about 3 days old, it came to me when I was thinking about content for my newsletter and what to even say in a time like this.
How can I properly serve my community?
How can I give back when I am not even sure I can pay my rent this month?
The Thank You, You're a Real Lifesaver Stash Box was born in that moment. It was created to give community members an opportunity to nominate someone they know who is working on the frontlines of healthcare during this COVID-19 crisis.
The recipient will be gifted with a box of delicious, handmade and nut free baked goods to get them through one more day. All baked goods are donated by Eat My Shortbread me, the shipping and the cost of shipping supplies will be covered by generous donations from you. We have raised $435 to date and it keeps coming in.
I am in talks with larger partnerships, like Shopify and E Shipper to allow them the opportunity to contribute in anyway they feel they can. There is room here for everyone. I have a local jewelry supplier who is making key rings, a local clothing company making masks.
It is all possible when we do the things together. Stay tuned, stay in touch and stay safe.
Love, Trisha
]]>
Here I am baking for all of Durham Region and feeling so so good about it!
Thank you for all of my butter fans who have been with me through thick and thin times. I genuinely appreciate your business and support. Love. Love. Love to you.
]]>Everything you love about Eat My Shortbread available at one central location and at mall hours.
Come and see us at the lower level by Indigo!
]]>It feels great!
It feels easy.
It feels right.
Oh, trust me there is always the weirdness of life standing on the shoreline, things I see in my sideways glance briefly but nothing that threatened to tip me over or keep me from my buoyancy of grace.
Running my business this year has paved a path for me to be one of two Canadian Women being featured in the iconic and beautifully produced 'book-a-zine' Where Women Create. This is a publication headquartered in Utah but published here in Oshawa, Ontario.
It is a sit-alone-in-the-shade-with-your-fav-sipping-beverage kind of magazine, relishing in the gorgeous photography and feasting on the pearls of wisdom and humour that come from each woman featured.
We are all so creatively different in our businesses and so much the same.
Most of the female entrepreneurs have written similar advice including 'encouragement to stay the course', 'be brave', 'don't listen to the naysayers' and certainly 'don't ever quit'. It is an honour to be among them.
Autumn is descending, the river is starting to run colder, my swan's neck is slightly deflated and my fingers are pruney. I think it is almost time to step out and find my next ride into the flow of life. Please continue to join me or at least give me a wave as we pass each other!
Much love and may lots of butter be on your table,
Trisha
PS You can buy the magazine at Costco, Walmart, Barnes & Noble and Chapters/Indigo starting August 29th.
Here's a sneak peek at my feature in Where Women Create: http://www.wherewomencreate.com/where-women-work/#fb0=13
]]>It is not like I have never been featured in a magazine before.
In High School I was a Wawa Winter Carnival Queen 1986. I was a featured contestant in the local paper, The Algoma News. The readership was around 179, I think. My Pat Benatar/Lady Diana love child hairstyle looked goooood.
Last year I was on page 42 of the East of the City magazine, a gorgeous local Durham Region publication that skyrocketed my credibility with the older set! So many little ladies came into the cafe to compare their shortbread to mine, which often resulted in great conversation and laughter. www.metroland.com
Mine always won, fyi! :)
As part of my laser-focused approach in 2018 to move Eat My Shortbread across our beautiful country, I want to spread my wings as I create each day. My intention this year is to BUILD, in fact, that is my word of 2018.
Anyone who has been paying attention to EMS can see this happening. All 1,963 of you on Instagram, 2,221 of you on Facebook, thank you very much!
Yesterday I was approached by Jo Packer, the Editor in Chief of Where Women Cook and Where Women Work. An international 'bookazine' that is published by our own neighbour Distacor in Oshawa. Available for purchase in Chapters/Indigo as well as Longos, this stunningly beautiful magazine will be a wonderful opportunity to showcase my handmade baked goods, build my brand and speak in my own voice, as I have the chance to write the article myself. Cool, huh? https://www.wherewomencreate.
Watch for it in the later part of the summer. I am so thrilled to be included.
love,
Miss Wawa 1986
]]>It seems that every corner you turn in your local community, there is another sign for an upcoming Butter Tart Festival! It may have you scratching your head and wondering what is all this about and What is a Butter Tart anyway?
While craft shows and events have been around awhile, the Festival dedicated to our humble and delicious Canadian creation, the Butter Tart is relatively new. The first one started in Midland, ON in June 2015. It was a massive success! Over 20,000 people attended and 50,000 butter tarts were sold. www.buttertartfestival.ca
Eat My Shortbread is happy to be part of the butter tart train, participating in both Midland (2016, 2017 and 2018) and local Festivals as they pop up. Enniskillen General Store has been hosting one since 2014 and it just gets more popular every year!
Butter Tarts, like the people who love them come in all shapes and sizes, flavours and tastes. Using a shortbread crust, Eat My Shortbread Butter Tarts are pretty ridiculous! Try one at the next Festival and you will be convinced you have just tasted the best one you have ever had.
Pinky swear!
See you soon in Brooklin!
love, Trisha
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