Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Save Our Sweets

[Don't you German au pairs have anything better to do than look in my fridge? I believe the post you may be looking for is here. Plus, there have been regular refrigerator updates almost every Wednesday.]


Well, I'm sitting here tonight waiting for Hillary to address the DNC; I'm hoping she raises the all-important chocolate issue. I can't believe how many speeches I've listened to already this evening; the waves of bombast are starting to seep into my brain...

And in the meantime, Mom On The Verge has alerted me to yet another alarming confectionery trend - the gentrifying of traditional chocolate favorites. Picture it, folks - no more candy shell on your M&M's? A "...marbleized, almost metallic-looking finish in bright colors" instead? And at a much higher price? Is that where we want our country to go, chocolate-wise?

According to the article, Mars "hopes to attract a young, fashion-conscious consumer to the product..." Now, what is up with that? Are those trendy twenty-somethings eating their candy, or wearing it? And could this be yet another instance of middle-aged women being dissed by society?

I'm begging all of you, do not go gently into that dark night. The vibrant candy shell of traditional M&M's should not be tossed carelessly aside for the equivalent of a confectionery strumpet. Sure, M&M Premiums might look new and improved; but can they meet the high standards set by their predecessors? In other words, will they melt in your mouth, but not in your hand?

I think not. I, for one, will stick with the M&M's of my youth. As they have stuck with me...on my hips and on my waist and on my thighs...but never, ever on my hands.

Thank you. It is an honor being here tonight.

21 comments:

  1. My gosh! What is next, hot dogs without the hot? Apple pie in a pill?
    Forget global warming, and rising gas prices, Women of the world unite and protest.

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  2. You are as inspirational and motivational as HRC.

    And yes, I'm as shocked as you that she didn't bring up the chocolate issue.

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  3. I think Michelle Obama is the bravest woman on the planet. At the end of her speech yesterday at the convention, I saw her turn around and bend over to listen to a child -- on national television. Yes, the woman leaned over and showed her butt in a knit dress to the entire nation without even hesitating. That takes guts. I say we elect Michelle!

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  4. And free yarn for everyone! Someone hand me some red white and blue confetti...

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  5. New is not always better when it comes to candy-I have a few m&ms on my hips as well.

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  6. I don't know - hate to be a voice of protest in this united arena - but I have to admit that I am swayed a bit by the thought of a better chocolate. I like premium chocolates.

    "What?" you gasp.

    Yes, it's true. I like them and I'd eat 'em and I may even try this new M&M although the coating which is "not exactly flavored, but dissolves quickly, but into rather unappealing waxy flakes," does give me pause.

    As does the price tag. Because I'm cheap. But I love a real good chocolate so that will probably win.

    Worse comes to worse, I'll just make my husband buy them for me and pretend they were only $.50.

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  7. I have to say, the packaging and the colors of those new candies suck me in every time I am at the store. I haven't bought any, mostly because the flavors that they have are not all that apealing, but I do get sidetracked by them all the time! I keep checking, hoping they'll put out like, a carmel one or something. THEN I wouldn't be able to resist! :)

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  8. I'm on my feet applauding!! Vote Suburban Correspondent!!

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  9. One of your best, ma'am. One of your best!

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  10. Not to mention that the commercials for those fancy M&Ms are so gross!

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  11. Dylan Thomas! Right? This was a secret test..."Do no go gently into that good night"...you are testing us to see who would notice. Me! I noticed.

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  12. You are SO getting my vote. We could start a write in campaign....

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  13. Those new M&M's SUCK. I got suckered in before I ever saw a commercial---they're just so bee-yoo-ti-ful! Granted, the chocolate is better, but where is that nice crunch you get when you bite into them? The candy coating is essential for M&M's to be M&Ms. And those are not M&Ms.

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  14. Sadly, it is true that presentation is 90% of a sale. They'll sell a bunch of the crappy M&M's just because they look cool. BUT then the novelty will be gone and people will want the real stuff back. Just like what happened with clear Pepsi and all that kind of thing.

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  15. i think the fridge thing will never end...unless you can save the world from global warming because then, germany will recognize you for who you truly are, an ambassador from the greatest nation there is who has saved the world before bedtime.
    so far, you're the ambassador of american fridges. hey, that's something!

    franzi

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  16. I just want you to know that your blog inspired me. I woke up and realized that I'm treating my teen wrong. I lavished her with praise, even when she treated us rotten last night. I begged for more. (I think she thinks I've lost my mind) I even cried today in the drop off line at Jr. High, swearing that I could not stand to be away from her 1 single minute.

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  17. It's true, there is a chocolate shortage! Have you seen this?

    As for the m&ms, they've never been my favorite, and I seriously doubt that I would pay $3.99 for a 6oz package of them. There's a chocolate shop in our area that has some incredible chocolates that I would rather spend my money on.

    So, are you running for president?

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  18. I just walked past those little M&M strumpets at the store today. I'm sort of wanting to try one, but the Surprisingly Low Price of $4.49 has stopped. me. it's craziness.

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  19. I'm personally shocked at how many foods I don't buy at the grocery (goldfish, taco mix, spaghetti sauce, doritos, etc.) and how high my grocery bills are anyway. I make my own bread, granola, cookies, cake. I buy the flour, honey, yeast, rice, etc. at the food coop, buy the meat at the grocery, and the fruit/veggies at the farm stand when I can, but I still feel like I can't afford food! What's with THAT?! And now the price of chocolate is going up... *sigh* Maybe it IS a sign of the apocalype.

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  20. I will never abandon original m&ms...I was offended for a while when they stopped making the red ones for no "real" reason...
    I have always enjoyed holding them in the creases of my fingers near my palm and waiting for them to "pop" from the expanding chocolate.
    It takes longer to eat them...but it is worth it!
    Pax, E

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  21. In general I agree with you on the M&M issue, original is best; however, I must admit that I enjoyed the "Shreck Sized" M&M promotion a couple of years ago. Bigger is better when it comes to chocolate.

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