Better Than Granola

On top of being my favorite of the M&M variety, Peanut Butter M&Ms are my latest health food. I know that you are already rolling your eyes at me- but let me explain.

I can’t stop myself from eating the whole bright orange bag (well minus the blue ones). The perfect blend of salty peanut butter and yummy chocolate all wrapped up in a colorful candy shell.

We all know that peanut butter is an excellent source of protein and good fats, but combined with the antioxidant power of chocolate…now that’s a one two punch that even Chuck Norris would recommend.

My Pilates instructor did suggest eating protein after class… and who am I to argue! The nutrients are even easily transported from bag-to-hand-to-mouth in their plump pebble shape. The total gym for my mouth!

I was slightly worried that the peanut butter in the newest packets of M&Ms might be tainted by the latest outbreak of salmonella, but by miracle of miracles, Mars released an announcement over the weekend that though many of their products contain peanut butter, or peanuts they are not affected by the salmonella outbreak! Deep sigh of relief.

p.s. If anyone is in the market for recycling blue M&Ms please let me know.

YUM YUM

Nothing says love like the combination of sugar, corn syrup, cornstarch, flavors, gums and color… especially when it comes pressed in the form of a little heart.

Today, the wonderful candy magicians behind NECCO conversation hearts introduced their new sayings for 2009. Foodies rejoice! This year’s sayings are cute and culinary: Recipe 4 Love, Table 4 Two, Stir My Heart, Top Chef, Sugar Pie, My Treat, Yum Yum, Honey Bun, Sweet Love and Spice It Up.

To promote the gourmet theme, NECCO introduced them with the help of chefs from around the area including Joanne Chang, of Myers+Chang and Flour Bakery. Chang’s sticky sticky buns at Flour are the stuff legends are made of and have even been featured on the Food Network.

Upon reading the news about this year’s hearts I ran to the drugstore to immediately buy my own and see for myself. Incidentally, I think it is fate that the NECCO factory is 18 minutes away from my apartment.

Pouring out my first Valentine’s Day treat, I am slightly disappointed by the lack of new phrases in my sweetheart’s box. Only a few Yum Yums, Sweet Loves and one Stir My Heart were found sparsely added to last year’s phrases and the classics.

Did you know that according to NECCO, eight billion hearts are produced each year? That’s enough Valentine’s Day wishes to stretch back and forth between Rome, Italy to Valentine, Arizona twenty times. Did you even know that there was a Valentine, Arizona? Alas, I still only got a few of the new ones. I look forward to eating a Table 4 Two in the future.

First Bite

I’m a sugar addict.

The wrappers in my car, cubicle and purse are strong evidence to support this. I love chocolate, marshmallows, caramel and cupcakes… the list could go on. I understand that candy isn’t a major food group and that the FDA put sugar at the bottom of the food pyramid for a reason, but here I am on a perpetual sugar high and loving it.

Before you try to persuade me to be healthy, know that I have tried to kick the habit on multiple occasions. The first came a year ago after a visit to the dentist. It was clear that I had a sugar situation when the dental hygienist asked how much sugar I eat on a regular basis…and I responded with “What’s normal?”

The discovery of 10 cavities during the visit left me crying in the T station and resolving to cut sugar cold turkey. I survived five months before I reconnected with my sweet tooth…I blame a visit by my mother (who also possesses the genetic predisposition to loving sweet treats) for my downfall . What kind of a host would I have been if she had come to visit me all the way from Ohio and I not joined her in tasting all the goodies that Boston has to offer?

This past summer, I was dared to cut out sweets and after surviving the initial shakes and signs of withdrawal, I conceded to months of eating raisins. Cutting out sugar left me a shell of my former self and friends started noticing, but I ultimately blame Fluff for my downfall on this attempt.



How can you live in a neighborhood where Marshmallow Fluff was created and not attend and participate in the activities at the Fluff festival? Yes, I fell off the wagon…and I fell hard with the first bite of that fluffernutter sandwich. But it was worth it.

I am excited to present to you my love of sweets, desserts, candy and all the things you aren’t supposed to eat.


The first step is admitting that you have a problem.