Wednesday, July 7, 2010

ON FOOD ~ Ode to Reese's...

Image courtesy quinn.anya via Flickr

I am a pretty healthy Bumble. Three years ago I quit smoking, cut out soda almost completely, learned to eat vegetables instead of fried food, joined a gym and lost 25 pounds. That was a royal pain in the ass. It still is. Which is why I believe in the reward system. Every night, after a long day of work and a sweaty work-out at the gym I come home, kick off my sneakers and grab a handful of mini-Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Without guilt. Nothing but joy is allowed during reward time.

I have always had a sweet tooth. Fudge. Ice cream sandwiches. Chocolate chip cookies. Brownies. Butterscotch. Hell, even super sweet juicy fruit like pineapple will do the trick in a pinch. But I've always had the softest spot in my heart for Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Friendly's makes a yummy Reese's sundae. There are chocolate peanut butter pies. Reese's Pieces at the movies. But no combination of chocolate and peanut butter is as perfect as Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.

I was horrified to learn that several bloggers out there in other parts of the world had never heard of them before. Weren't familiar with the friendly Reese's cursive logo on the orange package of the big cups or foil wrapping of the minis. Had never peeled the inner paper wrapper gently away from the crimped edges of the cup. Did not know about the thin but firm layer of chocolate. Or the smooth and dense filling of peanut butter hidden beneath. The travesty.

I prefer mine at room temperature but have been guilty of licking the melted remains off of the mushy wrapper on a hot day. They don't ever taste the same after they have melted and hardened again. That is a total bummer. A re-hardened bag of mini-cups is the most disappointing thing ever to occur in the world of rewards. So, during these hot summer days you will find my stash in the vegetable drawer of our fridge where they stay cool but not crunchy. Plus, the orange label of the Reese's bag blends in quite nicely with the lonely bag of healthy baby carrots that disguise their existence and ensure they are not gobbled up by others not so deserving of the reward.

20 comments:

rhapsodyinbooks said...

Totally with you on this. But you didn't say how you feel about those new Reester Bunnies at Easter!

Lin said...

It's weird, but I have lost my taste for chocolate. I mean, I can totally take it or leave it. Isn't that weird?? Oh, and I don't like Italian food, ice cream or bacon. I think there is something wrong with me.

Sandy Nawrot said...

Oh man! Bad girl! I'm reading this at 11pm and all I want to do is go rifling through my parents cupboard looking for chocolate. I also do love my Three Musketeers and Milky Ways as well. I would also accept any of these things in a shake or ice cream.

Florinda said...

Reese's are just about the only candy I eat. I like to keep mine in the refrigerator. And you're quite right - they never do taste the same after they've melted and re-hardened.

ds said...

Must. Not. Think. About. Chocolate. When I wake at 4 am with a craving, I am going to blame you. Actually, Reese's are Mr. L-S's favorite form of sweet diversion. So guess what I have to buy each Halloween? When there are no trick-or-treaters?
Giggling at your refrigerator drawer--as if they blend in with the carrots for the "undeserving"!
Poor Andy.

Matty said...

Oh baby. They are second on my list to M&M peanuts. Reese's Big Cup is even better than the thin originals. I often eat them with ice cream too. If I don't watch myself, I can eat Reese's like potato chips, one after another. MMMMMMM

Molly said...

When I introduce persuasive writing to my junior high students I give them (what I think) a fun exercise. They are each given a kit kat bar and a reese's pb cup. They are told to thoroughly investigate all aspects (packaging - ingredients - smell - etc) and then write a persuasive essay on the prompt: If only one candy were allowed to be sold in America is should be _______.

I would LOVE to read aloud this blog post to my class! I think you have captured all the reasons why Reese's is the best candy of all time - and you have done it in such a way that we feel the immediate need to rush out, buy one, and devour it on the spot!

Kaye said...

You said it, Tootsie! Reese's are the best. I could eat a whole bag of those mini ones in a heartbeat. May as well just hook up the IV line. Same goes for Butterfingers. Mmmmmmm Mmmmmm Mmmm mmm ! Enjoy!!

Unknown said...

I must confess I have never heard of them!

I believe firmly in the reward system, just something small every day. It stopps you from being discovered in a chocolate haze on the kitchen floor at 2am (not that I would know anything about that, I've never been caught LOL).

Janet said...

mmmm, chocolate and peanut butter is SO good!

Bumble's Blog said...

I thought I was just the only one who loved Reeses Peanut Cups...but have you tried the White Chocolate Reeses Cups. I got these from the US and they are to die for!!!

Unknown said...

That...was awesome.

Tami said...

I love your reward system. I do the same thing but now I have back-up when Hubby questions chocolate after the treadmill. And I agree - it's hard to beat a Reese's - but the full size are definitely the best. The chocolate to peanut butter ratio is perfect.

kayerj said...

you have me salvitating--although I'm a cookie person myself. I like them warm from the oven chock full of nuts and some kind of chocolate goodness all ooey and gooey and chased down with a nice cold glass of milk.

soleil said...

This post makes me want to go out and grab a bag. I like the mini ones better than regular size. Reese's pb cups and Reese's pieces are my favorite chocolate-y candy.

Patty Reiser said...

This is my single most favorite candy in the world. Except I prefer mine to be frozen. And I need a cold glass of milk to go with it! Yumm!

Anonymous said...

This is just a mean post for a pregnant gal who is gaining too much weight (so says her doctor)!
I like the full size best and I almost always eat the thick chocolate around the edges first ;)

Amy said...

I love them, too!

bermudaonion said...

I love Reese's cups and think the mini ones are the best. (You need to try Peanut Butter M & M's - they are delicious as well.) We tried introducing the French to Reese's Peanut Butter Cups when we lived there and they were underwhelmed.

Jenny Girl said...

I LOVE Reese's and pretty much any combo of peanut butter and chocolate. Every year during holiday time when I make cookies, I always try to make a good PB&chocolate cookie, and every year they are not quite right. It is my perpetual quest.
When I succeed I'll pass it along.

Oh and the Reese's with dark chocolate, don't like them so much. It's missing something.