Thursday, June 16, 2011

June is National Candy Month

June is National Candy Month, so why not celebrate with a fun and educational sweet indulgence with your students/children. Certainly as teachers and parents/grandparents, we want to provide a good example to the children in our lives; but special occasion treats like candy provide a good opportunity to reinforce the principle that “moderation is key”. Unless you or they have specific health issues which preclude candy, most people can enjoy an occasional “goodie” as part of a healthy diet. Older children might enjoy the table at the following link, which lists the calories and other nutritional information for a variety of popular candies. http://housing.k-state.edu/dining/FitCourse/justforfun/06-candymonth.html

If you use the recipes or buy nostalgic candies from the businesses below, consider sharing with family, friends and neighbors. Just a few pieces of candy, wrapped in pretty cellophane, and decorated with a bow and/or artificial flowers (or delivered with a little bouquet of flowers from your own garden, if you have one) makes a lovely gift. Think of people in the children’s lives who might especially appreciate a little “just because” offering. When you share, no one has “too much of a good thing”, and children get the joy of brightening someone else’s day.

For a tasty lesson in math and science and a practical life exercise, consider making your own candy from one of the following fudge recipes. Fudge is a popular candy to make, especially with children, because it is more forgiving of mistakes and heat/time variations than some candy recipes.

Larry from Farm Country General Store has shared instructions for Farmer’s Favorite Fudge, based on evaporated milk and chocolate chips. http://www.amonco.org/winter6/montessori_winter6.pdf

As part of a handwriting project of compiling family recipes, Nan of Barchowsky Fluent Handwriting has submitted a recipe for Peanut Fudge using Karo syrup and marshmallow cream. http://www.amonco.org/spring3/montessori_spring_3.pdf

Angela from Wildridge Education tells about the origins of her family favorite, Grampa Bailey’s Sour Cream Fudge. This is an unusual, old-fashioned fudge recipe, which uses simple ingredients and ought to be a hit with folks who don’t enjoy chocolate fudge recipes. http://www.amonco.org/spring5/montessori_spring.5.pdf

If you don’t have the time or inclination to make your own, enjoy nostalgic candy while supporting small business and a good cause. Victory Seed’s old-time candy store sales help to fund their research and preservation of rare and heirloom seeds. Read their story and check out their products at: http://www.victoryseeds.com/candystore.html

Another family business which sells a wide variety of old-fashioned and unusual candies, including international and sugar-free varieties, is The Vermont Country Store. Find your favorites and share a taste of your childhood at: http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/products/Food-Candy/Candy-Chocolate.html