Not just coffee

Posts Tagged candy

A Month of Flavor: June

Jun 1

Posted by admin in news

I always enjoy looking forward into a new month of food holidays. They seem to range from the sublime to the ridiculous as if someone needs to tell us to eat our fruit and vegetables or remember to have dairy products. These are great promotional ploys that are fun to list and contemplate.

Before the enumeration, here are a few special days to note–they come with goodies:

–June 4, National Doughnut Day, a holiday established initially by the Salvation Army to help those in need. Check out Krispy Kreme and Dunkin’ Donuts for their free offers. (Note that the offers are not identical). Get in line for a sweet Friday.

–June 5, Friendly’s is giving away free ice cream cones.

More of these special freebies as the month progresses.

Combine these single events with month-long celebrations:

–National Candy Month. The 16th is Fudge Day! This is from an association that has figured out how to celebrate different candies for each month of the year! They know about our collective sweet tooth!candy

–National Dairy Month. Easy to celebrate milk and all the other dairy foods as prices have remained fairly constant making dairy a consistently important, good purchase. FYI, vanilla is still the most requested ice cream flavor!

–National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month. Seriously, this needs little introduction. We know what we are supposed to eat and how many helpings. Slice up that organic celery now!

–National Iced Tea Month. It’s hot and as many people get into the iced cube part of life, tea does not want to be ignored. A vendor at The World’s Fair in St. Louis (1904) took credit for starting this beverage sensation. Why not have it on ice!

–National Turkey Lovers’ Month. This concept appeals to those looking for protein substitutes and the Association has been trying to get consumers to consider the product a year-round food, not just one celebrated in November. Lots of recipes and nutritional information on the site including a meal update calculator that helps us be more creative in our menu-planning.

Put them all together and what do you get: Many foods that we enjoy every month of the year!

Tags: , ,

No Comments

A Sweetheart Deal

Jan 19

Posted by admin in life

Remember the clock is ticking: February is just around the corner which means Valentine’s Day marketing is in full swing.

Check this out: The New Sweetheart messages have evolved and changed with the times with fruity new flavors, bright colors and modern messages. Sure you can still get a “sweetie,” a “love me,” but how about the new ones:tweetme

–Text Me or Tweet Me

We can’t seem to escape our universe of smartphone mantras. The company even came up with an IPhone App that works with your Twitter account. Here you can personalize your messages to say what you want. Remember we said you could do that with chocolate bars and M&Ms, and now a real sweetheart deal.

So the next time you can’t tweet and find the web overloaded, you know the Sweetheart approach is taking over.

Tweet, tweet, you cute little birdie. Oh, that’s so yesterday.

Privacy alert.

Tags: ,

No Comments

A New Twist on Halloween

Oct 29

Posted by admin in lifestyle, news

neccotopwafersIt’s almost comical to think, but with great glee, let me introduce you to the all-natural Necco Wafers.

The fun circles of assorted colors that literally tingle as they melt in your mouth have been elevated to a natural confection. Just in time for the upcoming Candy Holiday, they are ready with a natural treat; that’s right no artificial flavors. You won’t taste the beet juice or the purple cabbage or other natural flavors, and you can feel good about handing these out as they are gluten-free, too.

Just one caveat: If green was your favorite color, you’ll be sad as green did not make the cut. The lime flavor worked, but the color proved inconsistent so it was deep-sixed. Now there are only seven colors in the package.

Going all natural with an all-time, old-world flavored treat spells a smart decision. Now parents can capture their memories without worrying that kids will uncover their special addiction and try something that violates the house rules of all natural products.

No worries, you can all enjoy the same colored circles and melt away or chomp on the sweet, fun treats that comprise the package.

Stay tuned as the company may make a similar move for its Valentine’s Day (Sweethearts Conversation Hearts) selections.

I’ll just take the treats, thanks.

Tags: ,

1 Comment

Nothing Scary about the Halloween Aisle

Oct 13

Posted by admin in Economy, lifestyle, news

OK, maybe the ghosts and goblins are getting a little anxious about their candy haul for this Halloween, but no need to worry. Early indications say that candy sales are already way up; maybe the faltering economy has helped–sweet treats always help soothe the anxiety! Research indicates that “the average person is estimated to spend about $22.50 on Halloween treats in 2009.” Whew that’s a lot more than I would have guessed!

Maybe we better put down the blog and hit the stores while the supply is ample and there are still enticing sales and plenty of variety packages to help us make a great selection. Remember the old maxim: If no tricksters come, you want to be left with candy you like. No Milk Duds here. (Personal maxim).

Not just candy but all components of the end-of-the-month Holiday are doing well  Consumers are buying decorations and costumes; the only loser is the greeting card aisle. Think about it: What would you rather have, candy corn or a card with a picture of candy corn? Candy corn is for internal house consumption; tricksters get mini snack size bars!mandm

As I sit at my desk mulling the various snack bag size of candies, the answer is quite simple: Candy.

I can make my own card!

Tags: ,

No Comments

Great Candy News–Frango Mints Are Back

Jul 14

Posted by admin in food, lifestyle, news

imagesIt’s been a long time coming, but your tastebuds are about to get the jolt they’ve been missing: the original Frango Mints. Hard to think of Chicago and not get around to the uber department store, Marshall Field’s and go to the candy counter. A visit to one of the stores was incomplete without getting a box of the specialty chocolate mints. If you were really lucky, someone would send you a present: Frangos always had that special allure.

Well, all that changed when Marshall Field’s disappeared from the retail map. Macy’s eliminated the legendary Chicago name but promised to keep the mints coming. Well, that was not how it all turned out. The original best seller chocolate mints have been unavailable for several years, although many of the other products in the line were continued.

Today the announcement that true aficionados have been awaiting came out: Production will start shortly from a local company: Cupid Candies. Great choice: An appropriate name for a company that will bring back a much-loved, missed treat. Now they just have to bring back the Marshall Field’s name and Chicagoans will be appeased!

Yes, those beautiful little green boxes of mints will once again be available, but only in the Chicago Macy stores.

If you think the city is only famous for its red hots, think again.

Tags: ,

No Comments