Wisconsin Candy Dish

Halls Refresh

2009-11-23T18:11:00.032-06:00

Mrs. Hunter, do you want a Hall's Refresh?
There were Halls Refresh samples floating about last September, but no computer and no apartment make Homer something something and I got a sample pack last week.

I was lucky enough to have them on hand on a recent Christmas shopping spree, and made my cousin, sister, and her neighbor try them. (Winter Silks, btw, has some great deals and lovely shopping bags with purchase.)

The tantalizing scent of Juicy Strawberry filled the store when in moderate proximity of an open mouth. Did I mention I was with my sister and cousin? Enough said.

Halls Refresh are called "candy drops" and start out tasting like candy with a Mentho-Lyptus cough drop finish. They're cute, covered with a few dark speckles and come in three flavors: Tropical Wave, Juicy Strawberry, and Refreshing Mint.

I didn't see a Refreshing Mint, but all three of "the girls" (sue me Elizabeth Cady Stanton, oh, you can't) liked both the Tropical Wave (my preference) and Juicy Strawberry.

Here's what they look like.

The bottom line: If you want medicated candy drops, nothing beats Smith Brothers for taste, but Halls Refresh smell great, are sugar free, and nice for sharing.

Earth Worms and Gummy Bears

2009-11-12T17:44:00.044-06:00

Yummy Earth sent me some nice snackin' candy—bears and worms of the gummy kind. The thing that stood out about their package (stop, James), was the welcome absence of promotional material. Don't get me wrong, I used to write the stuff and would again if someone (anyone) would pay me, but I like to get right to the candy without the guilt of not reading testimonials.

"I consume this here product every day and my teeths is still good."

A wife of one of the dads who co-founded Yummy Earth (got that) reminds us that their candy is made with fruit extracts and planet friendly ingredients (well, the neighborhood dogs contribute daily to the planet and it's all very friendly). But it is worth noting that no Red 40 was used in the making of this candy (Jodi, Red 40 Girl).

Forget the fact that I've put on four pounds since my new workout regimen, but blind as a bat, I'm still a label reader.

You get 96 Calories (21g Carbs, 12g Sugar), 0 Fat, Cholesterol, and Sodium for your seven Worms or 11 Bears (28g).
For 12 more grams of candy represented by the pack of Strikin' Strawberry Sour Punch Straws I hold in my hand (the Blue Raspberry has ten fewer calories) you get, I don't know, it's math, but it doesn't look that unreasonable (except the 34g carbs—just way too much and of course corn syrup and Red 40) for the weightier and far more filling straws. They also have 1g of Fiber.
More boring stuff for those of you who just don't care:
The box of Chocolate Lucky Charms I got today has 110 Calories, 24g Carbs, 1g Fat, 0 Cholesterol and 160mg Sodium for every 28 grams (not as bad as you'd think).
And now for the "Hey-quit-looking-at-my big butt."
But both Yummy Earth products are without artificial dyes, corn syrup, gluten, soy, peanuts, tree-nuts, dairy, GMO (not to be confused with JMO), and MSG.

You'll see ingredients such as organic rice syrup, organic aronia juice, organic black currant juice, and organic sunflower oil in the Yummy Earth products. So they've got that going for them.

The Gummy Bears have the same Nutrition Facts, which includes 100% Vitamin C, and they taste pretty good. The Bear flavors are Pomegranate Pucker, Strawberry Smash, and Sour Apple Tart, the Worms replace the Strawberry with Tangy Tangerine and are more flavorful than the Bears. I like the fact that the worms look like slugs.
Both are a good size, competitive in the gummy flavor arena, and kids and adults could do a lot worse than Yummy Earth.

Top photo courtesy of Yummy Earth

Trident Layers

2009-11-07T11:29:00.019-06:00

There's not a lot I can say about Trident Layers—nice package (ha), appealing idea gum-wise, but I don't chew a lot of gum and when I do I want to blow a bubble. You can't do that with Trident, generally.
There is Trident White Cool Bubble, better name, indicative of bubble type gum, haven't tried it. It's got to be better than either the Green Apple + Golden Pineapple or the Wild Strawberry + Tangy Citrus. Both mouthfuls, and not the fun, suggestive, or instantly gratifying kind.

I was going to say something about toothpaste and vomit, but I didn't. And it's not that bad, just unexpectedly bitter when you shove five pieces of shoot gum in your mouth (why does everything I type today sound like keywords for a porn site).

Let me try one piece at a time...much better, but still a little sour, then a little too sweet, then the unmistakable flavor of toothpaste. Why? That's nasty.
The Wild Strawberry etc. (too long to type when it's sixty bloody seven degrees outside) tastes like strawberry etc., then straight into I'llneverbuythisbrandoftoothpaste again.
The tridents of taste here are sour fruit, artificial sweetener, and toothpaste. I'll take that *Halls Refresh now.

*They sent me Trident Layers instead of Halls Refresh I was expecting

Tracking

2009-11-04T12:37:00.011-06:00

What am I up to? The less you know the better.

But I will be putting up Halloween photos on my Web site and posting on Spark People today. I'll also be publishing some of those posts that have been stewing behind the Curtain later this week—yes, I do it all (except get paid).
But speaking of in lieu of payment, I met a slightly cranky UPS guy at the door this morning (understandably so because the door buzzer still doesn't work) bearing Trident Layers.

I was surprised because the product rep contacted me just yesterday and I was expecting Halls Refresh. Rolling with it, I'll be doing a quick review of Green Apple + Golden Pineapple and Wild Strawberry + Tangy Citrus in a few days.
I do have a scratchy throat, but also feel my jaws have atrophied, so go gum.

Evil, Evil Sugar

2009-11-02T21:31:00.027-06:00

No. 1, Found Candy

The gluttonous bags of Snickers and Milk Duds you've been "saving" for trick-or-treaters don't count. I know, I buy gluttonous bags of candy throughout the month (and often way before), and I haven't had a trick-or-treater for years.
This year I took the matter into my own hands and started passing it out on State Street. I said passing it out, not passing out.
Been there, done that.

Homeless people, event security, college kids under all kinds of influences got candy from a black bucket decorated with skeleton parts.
My found candy was found while taking photos at the UFO Day parade in Belleville.

I was getting pelted with candy during the parade, and hours later I was getting pelted with cans of beer thrown at me by college kids on Lake Street. I'm still not sure if they were spoiled (can you imagine wasting a beer like that), destructive, obnoxious, or genuinely trying to toss me a beer.

They almost hit Cha Cha, and let me tell you, I'd be blogging from Tacheedah if they had. I think the guy on the right is throwing the beer in this shot.

Wishing someone would throw a beer their way

So, found candy.

There's always some unusual candy and toys in the batch, and my favorites this year were an alien sticker, Dubble Bubble gumballs, something called Tutti-Frutti Big Blow (sounds like the porch dude douchebags), an Extra Sour Cry Baby (like the PDD the morning after), a Benjamin Franklin Super Ball, and a no name sucker that was vaguely shaped like the bottom of a piece of candy corn.

Uh oh, DUCK.

Number Two

2009-11-01T21:12:00.012-06:00

No. 2 (get it?), The Dog Ate My Wax Harmonica

I posted this photo for YoJim—don't these UFO Day dogs look like Redneck hippie haters?
"Why, Bouregard, I do believe I smell dirty *Yankees."

A coveted discontinued item for years, the wax harmonica or a version of it, may or may not be available from Concord Confections (a subsidiary of Tootsie Roll).
Called the Wowee Fun Gum Whistle, this looks a lot like what I remember.

The beloved orange (or black) wax harmonica isn't number one because outside of calling up this Canadian company or making them from a mold yourself...somehow...you can't get them.
If I find out how or where, you'll be the first to know.

*I'm with you Bouregard, sic balls.
Special thanks to I Remember JFK

Space Cookies

2009-10-31T21:52:00.009-05:00

No. 3, Alien Bakery

Happy Halloween and UFO Day!
Must. Keep. Eating. Candy. And. Watching. Baseball.
Take Me To Your:
Jeter (I always thought he was an alien)
Couch
Fridge

Tubes (No, not The Tubes)

2009-10-30T18:19:00.011-05:00

No. 4, Colorful Candy
...In tubes or sleeves or individual wrappers that sink to the middle of your trick-or-treat bag.

This hard and chewy category includes sleeves of Rain-Blo Gum, Jawbreakers, Wax Syrup Stix, Bubbegum Cigars (I prefer Pink Owl), Sixlets, candy lipstick—anything in a tube, sleeve or wrapper.
Green or ridiculously elaborate, if you can see through the wrapper, it's colorful, and you're fairly certain you can stick it in your mouth, dump the bowl in my bag, baby.

White Punks On Dope

Fartwood Manor

2009-10-30T16:39:00.010-05:00

One of my blogger buds, displaced ched pals, and fantasy football rivals, Mary Ruth, goes all out on Halloween. She sent in a few shots from her front lawn, aka, Fartwood Manor.
She's got her cemetery, pumpkin totem, and a podcast from last year on her blog.
They get about 300 trick-or-treaters, I might buy something for a neighbor's kid or dog.
They use a fogger for their pre-Halloween party, I go to Parent's Night on State Street if I can find parking close enough.

The thing about moving from Wisconsin to Cali, pumpkins don't last and leaves have to be pilfered from around the neighborhood.
Thanks, Robot Monster!

Too Too Tootsie

2009-10-29T20:19:00.014-05:00

No. 5, All Things Tootsie (no, this dog is not stoned, although I've had my suspicions)

My bloated stomach looks like Kuato (the resistance leader growing out of that guy's gut in Total Recall) and is threatening to drop down to my knees and do a corn syrup Happy Dance. I owe my current state of distress to a 47 oz Child's Play Tootsie Value Pack.
Why, Tootsie Roll Industries, why?

(Go Phils)

The pack I'm currently deflowering contains Tootsie Roll Pops, DOTS, Tootsie Fruit Rolls, and three sizes of Tootsie Rolls. I'm looking for a large satchel to dump them into so I can hand them out to the "kids" on State Street tomorrow ("Parent's Night").
Tonight I'm hoping to stay out of the ER—where's that giant bag of candy?

Born Again

2009-10-28T20:31:00.010-05:00

Coming in at No. 6, Stuff From Just Born

This, my dangerously high blood sugared friends, includes Hot Tamales (love them, need them, have them often, eat them with popcorn and apples, want to bear their children—Lola Heatherton laugh), Peeps (what can you say about Peeps—squeeze them, melt them, torture them, stuff 12 in your mouth), Jolly Joes (which have resurfaced in places like the Dollar Store), and the I'mnotquitesureaboutthisbutI'vealreadyeatenallmyfavoritecandyandit'sbig, pleasant surprise in the middle of your trick-or-treat bag, hits-the-spot (the spot that probably doesn't exist if you eat Halloween candy the way I did...do) Peanut Chews.

You go Just Born, a tip of the pancreas to you.

Balls

2009-10-27T21:53:00.008-05:00

No. 7, Novelty Gum

Another All Candy Expo photo (the gift that keeps on giving), these balls were begging to be chewed. Although the idea of biting into a tennis ball makes my teeth scream, the goo spilling out them makes these Fini sport balls a must-have.
I'm also a sucker (pun intended) for watermelon bubble gum.

Flavor of the Month

2009-10-26T18:36:00.011-05:00

No. 8, Pumpkin Flavored Anything and Hot Cocoa

Love those seasonal snacks—apples, cinnamon, and especially pumpkin. Pumpkin muffins, donuts, cookies, ice cream, bread, candy, and yes, pretzels, why not—fahget aboud it.

Hoorah~It's Cold Enough For Hot Cocoa

Nothing says warmth and sugar like hot cocoa. Nothing says warmth, sugar, excess, and celebrity worship like Elvis Cocoa. Why not wash down your pumpkin snack with a special cup of Elvis Banana Peanut Butter Sandwich or Melted Knees Cocoa?

Scary Canadians

2009-10-25T23:14:00.005-05:00

Some lovely er photos (Ab Fab reference #687) from the lovely C., John, and Little One.

Wish the beetles that have invaded my apartment were this cute.
A Halloween card is coming your way, C.

Number Nine

2009-10-25T21:06:00.023-05:00

No. 9 (etcetera) Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans, literally a Trick or Treat candy

Nothing like a mouth full of Pencil Shavings instead of a Top Banana, Moldy Cheese when you wanted Carmel Corn. The gamy Jelly Belly promotion, Bean Boozled, mixes up the tasty and the nasty, which look exactly alike (due out as a spinner board game this fall).

I got to play at the Expo last spring and became quite enamored with the Baby Wipes (which look like the Coconut beans and taste like baby wipes). I also carried aroung a baggie of Dog Food all summer.

My online spin gave me Rotten Egg instead of its counterpart, Carmel Corn, and one Sweepstakes Entry.
They're out of the 10 flavor gift boxes at Candy Warehouse (and the two-fer boxes at Candy Crate), so maybe other candy givers have the same idea.
What could be a more perfect gift for your Halloween party guests or host.

Snowbat

2009-10-24T21:43:00.002-05:00

Thanks, Heidi, you win a Halloween card.
Excellent, excellent photo, btw. Look at those little cheeks.

It's What Now?

2009-10-24T12:43:00.026-05:00

Blah.

In sum: apartment flooded, ten years worth of stuff juggled, shuffled, tossed, and given away.
For legal reasons suffice it to say that the nightmare of looking for a place to rest my weary (and wet) head, going back to face landlords and their employees every. day. (from August 15 up to Labor Day) and losing many of the things I took for granted (like sanity) is now the least of my worries.
The stuff I've yet to find is stuff I don't really know is missing—wrap your sugar filled brains around that one.
And finally, I found a computer desk.

Isn't she cute? Yes, I'm now anthropomorphizing furniture as well as computers, cars, and dogs.
This lovely Legaré desk is sometimes called the puzzle desk because it comes in a few wooden pieces that look like puzzles. Unfortunately I was one of those smash it in with your fist types and had a few pieces left over where the hard drive now sits.

Speaking of left over, how many of you have been Halloween candy shopping since July and which batch are you on now? Not having a place to live or something on which to write may have slowed me down, but it doesn't mean I wasn't watching. And waiting, brrrraaaahahaha.
I'm going to be posting a lot of old and new photos through Halloween and want to send a Halloween card (pictured in the desk photo) to whoever sends me a great Halloween photo.
I think I already have a winner, which is something, considering I haven't posted this yet.

More importantly, I'll also be listing my top ten Halloween Treats—knowing that although my math is unforgivably bad, this will take us beyond Halloween.
Here's Number 10.

The James J. Awesome Gourmet Chocolate Caramel Apple w/Pecans, $6.95

James J. makes them every Wednesday in Lake Mills and brings them to the Madison shop on Monroe, next to Mallatt's.
They go quickly. You may think $6.95 for a caramel apple is pricey (it is), but these are truly the best I've had. And I've had, believe me, I have had.
If you want to place an order for several (no limit suggested), you should have them within a week.
I reviewed them here, they're seasonal and life altering and I suggest at least one a year.

Lisa Returns For More

2009-08-12T19:59:00.011-05:00

tried Nestlé Cranberry Raisinets for the first time. I was a little unsure of this cran-raisin thing, but chocolate makes everything good, right?
To be honest, I do not like raisins covered in chocolate and I expected these would be the same, or nearly. I was very surprised that they were good.
The cranberry offered a nice little tang into the creamy chocolate and it was easy to gobble up the entire package. But at 100 calories, it’s a healthy snack, right?

The Gummy Earthworms had me puzzled momentarily. I wondered why there was only one to each package—then I decided it must be to keep them from breeding and exploding all over the place.

I tried to feed it to my new found friend. But the little guy wasn’t fooled one bit. So I pretended to be a bird and chewed it up myself — my son would not pretend to be a baby bird. Oh well, although it may be a little weird to be eating a worm, it tasted like most gummy candies, pure chewy sugar. Maybe I should pick up a few for the next time I feel like telling someone to leave me alone and go eat a worm.

I’m a big fan of strawberry flavored hard candy so I eagerly ripped into the Harry Potter Blood Pops. Since there’s five in the package I shared one with Haden and my grandson, Tristan.

Tristan’s parents were actually out seeing the newest Harry Potter while we were enjoying our treat. When I saw all the red on his face I got a little concerned, I feared his parents were going to be angry.

But, the greatest thing happened, as soon as he played in the sprinkler a little, the red vanished. No soap needed, it easily washed away and by the time they returned there was no evidence. Now, if I could just get it off my keyboard—jk!

Adrianna felt a little left out since we didn’t share anything with her. She wonders if any baby candy exists, lol.

Chrissy's Canadian Corner: Cranberry Raisinets

2009-08-12T17:35:00.032-05:00

from Wisconsin, it's four different flavours of Pixy Stix, Harry Potter Drooble's Best Blowing Gum (turns your mouth blue), and *Craisinets.
When Jeanna asked who would like to review Cranberry Raisinets, I jumped at the opportunity. Who am I to refuse chocolate?

I almost didn't get my hands on them since Little One's pudgy little baby hands went straight for the package of milk chocolate covered cranberries.
Ooh, I had to rescue the lovely drool soaked packet.
First of all, I LOVE cranberries. I love Craisins®. I love chocolate as long as it's not too sweet and not too much. Cranberries + Chocolate = a match made in heaven, right?

Well the Raisinets sort of survived the trip across the border. They were pretty much in tact, but looked like bunny droppings by the time they arrived at my house.

Here's a close up for your viewing enjoyment.
See, they really do look like bunny poop. Hubby claims they look like deer droppings. Either way, don't let their appearance fool you.

Brought to you by the famous Nestlé company are these tiny bundles of goodness.
I remember as a kid we'd get Nestlé Raisinets as a treat once in a while. I think my grandparents and mom would trick us into thinking we were having the real thing. I think most of the time they just got chocolate covered raisins from the Bulk Barn.
Anyway, chocolate or yogurt covered raisins were always a favourite of mine.
While I generally like Nestlé products, these weren't on the top of my list. The chocolate was good, but not stellar, and the cranberries were just okay.
Perhaps I've been a bit spoiled by having our local chocolatier, The Manitoulin Chocolate Works, so close by.
I have a confession, I am a chocolate snob. The Cranberry Raisinets get 3 out of 5 stars for me. Am I being too harsh?
Can't wait to test out the Harry Potter Drooble's gum, it's cotton candy bubble gum. The package claims that it turns your mouth blue.

*The Dish understands that Craisins® are trademarked by Ocean Spray. You'll have to forgive Chrissy, she's Canadian.

They're Called What Now?

2009-08-12T14:13:00.032-05:00

might not know you're eating Cranberry Raisinets if you didn't see the package, but if you like the originals, you'll like these. If you're discerning about your bean, remember you're still eating Nestlé milk chocolate, and it seems extra thick wrapped around these cranberries.

I crave original Raisinets from time to time, and the press release says they've been around for over 80 years. I'm guessing they'll be around for plenty more, but I can't say the same for Cranberry Raisinets. That could be because I ate them out of the fridge and prefer this kind of snack room temp or melty.

I should have eaten them after taking this photo, and the whole thing makes me rethink my original reaction to the suggestion of mixing them with popcorn, which was "Blech."

The beauty of hot buttered popcorn mixed with candy is not only the combination of sugar and salt, but the way the hot corn melts whatever its being blended with. This is a major reason to just say "Yes!" to Milk Duds and popcorn, although the reaction does nothing for Jujy Fruits, Dots, or Sour Patch Kids.

In defense of the Cranberry Raisinets, everyone who grabbed some at the last Duck Creek taste testing loved them. My Aunt Em raved about them and the few kids who got a taste liked them too. (Surprisingly they do not like everything.)

The larger pieces are better because you get more cranberry and there's that pleasant cranberry skin consistency under all the chocolate.

I'd like to see larger, thinly coated cranberries.
Cranberry Raisinets were available nationwide in July and come in 5.5 oz and 23 g 100 Calorie Packs (pictured).

We Have A Winner

2009-08-03T14:15:00.028-05:00

Actually we have three winners, and photos from one.

wanted everyone to know she followed the Eat Candy Win Stuff (and go out and play) contest rules, and only used things she found in her kitchen to make the following recipe:

Chopped Onions, Tomatoes, and Cheese with Nestlé Crunch candy bars. Can be eaten together or separately on a plate. Yum.

Although chocolate cheese is not so uncommon around here, Diamond's recipe does sound like something from the Rachel cooks episode of Friends.

To make her the perfect winner, Diamond is very active and loves to play. Although Barbies is her favorite, playing with her little brother, swimming, and building elaborate sand structures with the Duck Creek kids are high on her list of things to do.

Brooke and Aunt Em scarfed up most of the Cranberry Raisinets

Thanks to Nestlé for the Cause for Play toy sets.

Up next: More Madtown Munchies, Nestlé Cranberry Raisinetes, and a Duck Creek candy panel.
Everyone fought over the new Raisinets and those who got some, mostly Aunt Em and Brooke, loved them. They're good, yes they are.

On The Menu: Madtown Munchies

2009-07-25T15:35:00.014-05:00

Sivan and Jeremy, UW History Majors and owners of Madtown Munchies

I talked to these two entrepreneurial college grads about their UW-Madison campus business, Madtown Munchies, and will post their story next week. Good looking, aren't they?
Sivan reminds me of Bianca from AMC (All My Children), you know, Eden Riegel, Imaginary Bitches.
Jeremy started the business in his Madison apartment. Today Madtown Munchies has an office on University Avenue and a warehouse with six freezers. They deliver snacks all night and way past bar time by bicycle, in Wisconsin weather.
Do you know what it's like to ride a bike full of groceries in five feet of snow? I do. Here's a reminder.

Okay, this guy was bike skiing at Elver Park, but you get the idea.

Their slogan: "Like A Booty Call For Food"

Oi, Taste Testers (how lazy can I get)

2009-07-22T16:35:00.006-05:00

Anyone interested in taste testing some lovely milk chocolate Cranberry Raisinets?

Your input will be part of a group post unless someone wants to review the product separately.
I'm liking this More Fun, Less Work thing.

So Far: Chrissy, Lisa, and me. Maybe I'll turn this thing into a Wiki...The Wisconsin Wikidish.

Wiener Lab

2009-07-20T01:26:00.017-05:00

is it a Labrawiener? I'd never seen one before, but it acted like a lab (note the happy tongue).
Can I get a "Sweeet babi?"
The Wiener Lab was one of my favorite things at the art fair last week and would be a great name for a hot dog stand.

Lisa's most excellent post ended The Dish as you knew it.
My new motto: Less effort, more fun.

A BIG thank you to all who posted, let me know if you ever want to do it again.

Postcard winners so far: Andi, Mary Ruth, Bon Bon, Lisa, Heidi
Play Bucket winners: Diamond, Snowflake, Cyndie's second graders
✾ Winners please send me your address if I don't already have it.

What Famous Wisconsinite Are You?

2009-07-18T11:00:00.012-05:00

I find this result somewhat troubling

Thanks to my cousin for a weekend spent thinking about the qualities I share with one of the nation's most notorious serial killers.
Take the test on Facebook and find out What Famous Wisconsinite you are.
Excuse me, got some furniture to make.

✃ First three people to take the test get free postcards courtesy of the Ched Curtain.