4.08.2010

things i love thursday...

I've decided to completely devote Thursdays to things I love.  There are just too many things to limit it to one post a week.

I don't like American candy.  Wait, that's not entirely true.  I don't mind peanut M&M's, but that's about it.  I grew up on English chocolate and I'm sorry, it's just better.  Between my Nana bringing us gobs of it when she visited, and our trips over, I just got spoiled. 

It is a well known fact in my family and close cirlce of friends that this has been my favorite candy bar for decades.  I could eat MANY of them in one day (ask Andrew Henry how many I ate on our honeymoon!).  LUCKILY, I only get a couple a year when my mom goes home for a visit or if one of our relatives comes over here.

 I pay very close attention to what I'm eating.  Really, I do.  I don't eat packaged, processed, preservative rich foods.  I don't eat meat, drink alcohol or caffiene.  My diet is rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts, eggs, gluten-free grains (and okay cheese).  The daughter, as you may remember, went to Ireland for her spring break. Can you see where this is going?  She might have brought me some chocolate goodness for Easter.  I might have eaten it all so as not to hurt her feelings (not even caring about the gluten induced sickness I suffered).

I should mention, that while the Topic has been my favorite (and really the only candy bar I can't resist) for almost 30 years, it has fallen to 2nd place because of this...


I don't like American KitKats but these little beauties have HAZLENUTS (and more sickness inducing gluten).  Fortunately, they are gone now.  I had to eat them to remove the constant taunting they were doing to me, it was distracting.  These are two things I love.  Two things that don't love me back, but we've all had those kind of relationships haven't we?

Your favorite indulgence????

15 comments:

Maria said...

Being of the same family, and the same accesses to English candies (meaning Nana's smuggling and visits venturing either way)you know that I echo your sentiments about America candy - except that I can also tolerate Ghirardelli dark chocolate chips and Cadbury's dark chocolate mini-eggs (only found at Easter - so they WERE here and now they are gone - into my tummy). Topic bars have long been one of my favorites as well, when speaking of sweets of the chocolate persuasion. (I also like Lion bars as well - and have come to appreciate the peanut butter version)But, if we are speaking of English sweets in general, then I'm going to have to go sit in your Mom's camp and eat Fruit Gums and Wine Gums (by the bag full please). And yes, though I love all of these things on a level not completely describable with words - they do not love me back in the way I wish they would (you know, that muscle building, body-sculpting, complexion perfecting kind of way).

Henley said...

I'm just glad I have not tasted and do not have access to these candy bars, they sound divine! I love hazlenuts and chocolate - much to my trainers dismay! My favorite indulgence is a local bakery donut.

Maria said...

mmmm donuts! Good choice Henley! Cupcakes too! Really good ones - from those places that specialize in just cupcakes!

KR said...

Chocolate!!
My favorite American Candy bar is Midnight and definitely Mars chocolate rates over Hershey. Sees is way up there along with other specialty chocolate but when it comes to the common garden variety chocolate bars I prefer the English ones. The Cadbury's sold here is made by Hershey in Pennsylvania under license from Cadbury and so tastes pretty much the same as other Hershey chocolate. World Market carries a nice variety of English candy. Belgian and Swiss are okay. Sport bars with hazelnuts are a good substitute for Cadbury's Whole Nut Bar (also has hazelnuts) Trader Joes and some Safeway stores carry those. Yes Maria, Ghirardelli is acceptable!
Now having said all of that I was told that the difference in the texture of chocolate here in the U.S. is due to the wax used in keeping the chocolate firm. Don't know if that is the case but it definitely makes for a difference.
Wow, didn't mean to write a book!

jeanette from everton terrace said...

Oh dear, you can certainly tell we love our sweets! Amazing my Meghan didn't get that gene isn't it? I should have added yo yo's and Viscounts but they are cookies so I didn't. I remember Nan use to keep them in the back corner of her kitchen!

MJM said...

Yes, please give me a giant bowl of noodles before sweets any day. That being said, I have had my share of the British "Time Out" lately. I made the mistake of bringing home a package of them. Yes, they are in fact gone now.

Beatnheart said...

Oh Jeanette!! You got my attention!! So funny when you mentioned you had to eat them to get rid of the distraction...When I have any sweets in the house, I cannot even think straight!! Its like a siren song banging away in my head...Not quieted until all gone...sick feeling...uncontrollable!!! But, still big pleasure and I hear you about Englilsh vs. Amerian... I don't even have a fave American regular candy ..they are gross to me...See's, well that's another story...But real English Cadburys or any others...I love Double Deckers...Had one the first thing I got off the plane in Heathrow...Picnics,ohhh the the sweets in England...got me going now!!!! ,...yes think of me when in the Chicago area...There are some AWESOmE..flea markets there...and I mean really good!!! if you have the time, check them out...If you need info email me I'll be happy to give you more info..Oh, if you are in Chicago on a Friday check out the Fish Frys...usually everywhere...Lake Perch....oh so delightful...boy, we love our food...ha ha cw

Country Wings in Phoenix said...

Good Morning Jeanette Sweetie...
Thank you for stopping by and I am your newest follower. I love meeting new folks in AZ. especially in Phoenix. We have been out here going on 26 years now. I love it here.

I have never tasted English candies so I have nothing to compare, but oh how I do love chocolate. Not good for a diabetic. Love those darn Kit Kats. Yummy.

In scrolling through your blog looks like you love collecting purses (vintage) I love going to Sun City to the estate sales. One of favorite past times on my Fridays off. Love it.

I see you are doing some remodeling. I can't wait to see the finished product. Post pics as we love to see. I have not see the Joshua Tree NP. Looks beautiful. We never seem to have the time to travel much.

So thrilled you popped in. I would be honored if you signed up to follow my blog as well. I will be back soon. I love visiting new friends. I will keep you posted on the AZ Bloggers group luncheons, as maybe you coulf join us next time. We would so love to have you. Country hugs sweetie...Sherry

jeanette from everton terrace said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Andrew H. said...

I had never heard of Topics before I met my wife. At that point, I quickly became aware of their power and importance!

KR said...

Marks and Spencer's Fruit Gums and Wine gums!!!! I cannot eat just one!

Laura said...

English candy is my favorite too! I lived there when I was younger and I'm a sucker for Smarties. Whenever we go to Canada, I stock up. There is a shop down the street that sells Flakes so I can get a little fix when needed. They don't sell Topic bars though! :-)

Lisa said...

I'm assuming MJM is referring to pasta when she says "noodles" and if so, I'M WITH HER. I would rather have pasta than almost any other treat, though with some of the sauces, it's probably much more fattening than your "Topic"!

Chris said...

Black Magic mmmm at this momet there is in my garage fridge a box which is unopened and will remain so (for the moment) because if I start I will HAVE to finish the WHOLE box. Bounty Bars so yummy and of course any Bournville choc bar. This is doing my diet no good at all!! I remember the first time I visited NY and went to the Hershy shop and bought their kisses then when I tasted them I was sooooo disappointed

sarah said...

i think that more than just thursdays have been dedicated to the love/hate chocolate idea! i think that years and years have gone into the research needed for this discussion! heck i remember the summer that i was transformed into a chocolate snob! the cousins came over bringing little morsels of yummyness, i think they were called "flakes" i don't remember, but the taste! that was it! i was ruined for life
i don't even bother with chocolate anymore, i just stick to the macadamias i keep in my fridge!