"Fun Size" Candy Bars

Halloween is just around the corner and they are starting to appear.   This is an old post, but I just had to drag it back out as this season approaches.  Well, here goes...I hope you enjoy.

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I recently had a "fun size" snickers bar.  You know what I'm talking about - its a candy bar that's not quite ripe.  Its a small version of the real thing.

I'm a bit intrigued by the title given these mini bars.

I don't yet understand why they would be called "fun size".  In reality, they are not even "adequate size" candy bars.  You almost always need 2 or 3 even to be adequate.  Why "fun"?

The candy maker certainly wouldn't want to call them "small size" because then the fear would be that we'd think the bars were too expensive given their "small size".  I suppose the candy maker couldn't just ignore the size altogether and not give them a name...that would just be weird.  "Why are these bars so small?", we'd ask.  The name at least gives us an indication that something purposeful is being done.  But what?

Which brings us back to . . . "Fun size".  Why "fun"?  What about a tiny, 3/16 of a candy bar is fun?  

Is it because I can fit it into my pocket and enjoy it on the go?  No.  I'm too forgetful.  What isn't "fun" are the mounting bills from my Dry Cleaner.  Chocolate can be stubborn.

Is it fun because it contains less calories than a regular size candy bar?  No.  Nothing about reduced calories is "fun".  "Fun" doesn't count calories.  Maybe they could be called "Less Fun Size".  I think that would paint a picture.

What would be fun would be a gigantic 3lb candy bar.  That's fun.

Or how about a free candy bar . . . of any size?  That's fun too.

Maybe we could just call them Halloween Candy Bars.  You know, its the size of bar that you don't mind handing out to strangers at your front door once a year.  Its not like your giving away actual candy bars.  It's "fun".

Perhaps we could call them Easter Candy Bars.  The size of bar you don't mind losing in a field.  Its the size of bar that could actually be lost in a field.  Maybe they are easier for the Easter Bunny to carry??

You see my dilemma.

In the end . . . I still can't see why it is so "fun', but . . . I'm making a research commitment today.  I'm gonna keep eating them and with every bite, I'll seek to understand just what makes them so "fun".

What?  

Can't I disagree with the verbiage and still recognize its tasty goodness?  Did you expect me to stand on some sort of moral high ground over a little name dispute and NOT eat the candy?  Come On!  

Small or Large . . . "Fun" or Tiny . . . its still a candy bar.  No matter what you call it.

I'll just call it good.

JJ

M&M's and Broccoli

Recently, I had the good fortune of being in the same room as a chocolate fountain.  That’s right - silky smooth chocolate cascading down, what seemed like, a 30 foot silver alter.  

I dipped strawberries, bananas and other goodies into the chocolate.  My friends and I joked that at least we were eating fruit along with the chocolate.  It’s not like we were just eating chocolate!  Let’s be honest though, its not like we were just eating fruit either!

This got me thinking about my eating habits.  I like to run and work out.  I try to stay in shape and making healthy food choices is part of that.  I’m afraid though, that I’ve put my finger on a weak area in my eating habits.  Similar to the fruit and chocolate - I often find ways to mix healthy choices with unhealthy ones.

Broccoli is obviously a great choice.  It seems that everytime I eat broccoli, however, I add a pound of cheese to go with it.  I’m not a Nutritionist, but I don’t think I’m taking full advantage of the benefits of broccoli when its saturated in processed cheese.  Raw broccoli is supposed to be great for you, but come on...that's just nasty.

A nice healthy salad is something that no one could argue with, right?  Well, many could argue with the way that I consume this healthy staple.  Its the dressing...and the cheese...and the bacon...croutons...and don’t forget the eggs and fried chicken.  By the time I am finished - I’ve basically got a lot of junk and 3 pieces of lettuce.  Another fail.

Unfortunately, this trend doesn’t happen in reverse for me.  I’m never eating m&m’s and think, “This could really use some fruit.”  Smelling bacon being cooked doesn’t make me long for spinach...or an apple.  I have never, I repeat - Never, have I been eating a candy bar and then reached for cauliflower and asparagus to go with it.  If I start out with a healthy choice, I've got a decent chance of finishing well.  If I start with a bad choice...there exists no opportunity of redemption.  It seems that healthy foods are the last thing on my mind when I'm knee deep in an M&M's bag.

If I’m eating carrotts and they just taste a bit “off”, I stop eating.  Why would I continue?  If I’m eating cookies and they just taste a bit “off”, I keep eating.  Why would I waste a cookie.  When I finish the cookie I may say, “That cookie wasn’t very good!”  At least I gave it a shot though, right?

Well, you can see where my eating plan takes a hit.  

Back to that chocolate fountain...do you know what would absolutely be the best thing to dip into the chocolate?  A chocolate candy bar.  (And not a “fun size” bar either...see previous blog post)  Chocolate on chocolate...doesn’t get any better.

Here’s to chocolate.  Here’s to holding to a great eating plan.  And here’s to hoping that you enjoyed reading.

JJ