Happy Peepster!

... Instead of Easter. Get it? You knew I couldn't let Easter pass by without a chance to rant about Peeps. This is probably one of the most controversial topics I'll ever cover on this blog. Lol. People have such strong feelings about Peeps. You love them or you hate them. I've heard someone scream at the sight of them, another want to gag at "the disgusting looking colors", and heard them described as "creepy".






Here's some Peeps education from Wikipedia.com-

Peeps are marshmallow candies, sold in the United States and Canada, that are shaped into chicks, bunnies, and other animals. There are also different shapes used for various holidays. Peeps are used primarily to fill Easter baskets, though recent ad campaigns tout the candy as "Peeps - Always in Season". They are made from marshmallow, corn syrup, gelatin, and carnauba wax. (doesn't that ingredient list make you want to eat one right now? Lol.)
Peeps are produced by Just Born,^[1] a candy manufacturer founded in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania by Russian immigrant Sam Born.^[2] In 1953, Just Born acquired the Rodda Candy Company and its marshmallow chick line, then turned the tedious process of hand-forming the chicks to mass production.^[3] The yellow chicks were the original form of the candy — hence their name — but then the company introduced other colors and, eventually, the myriad shapes in which they are now produced.
In 2009, Just Born expanded the Peeps product line further by introducing Peeps Lip Balm in four flavors: grape, strawberry, vanilla, and cotton candy.^[4] (Peeps Lip Balm? That's even news to me.) The first Peeps & Co. store opened in November 2009 in Prince George's County.^[5]     

I can't get enough of them! Actually, this past week I was close to getting enough. I have such awesome friends and on my recent trip East, I was gifted Peeps left and right. I ended up being given 22 boxes! I could barely fit them all in my luggage to take home with me. To the right is one of those funny images that gets emailed around this time of year. Check out the Peep Show! Lol.

What is Easter really all about? Jesus? Eggs? A creepy giant bunny roaming your house leaving candy? I always found the Easter Bunny a pretty creepy childhood fable, up there with the Tooth Fairy, but that's just me. Uh, how about none of the above? It's about Peeps! Whether you like to use them in interesting recipes (which I've had emailed to me quite a bit this week, thank you all), leave them out for a week and eat them stale, roast them on a campfire, have Peep wars in your microwave until they stab each other with toothpicks, put them on a crown, or throw them at others, Peeps are fun for everyone!

This awesomeness in a box at the left is a package of Peepsicles. Didn't know there was such a thing? Neither did I. A friend gave these to me this last week and trying them was yet another new experience for me at a SCONY weekend. Lol. Although there are different colors, they are all the same flavor. They received mixed reviews but one known Peep hater said he actually liked the popsicle. So I'd call it a win.

Bummed that Easter is upon us and you won't be able to find Peeps much longer? Never fear, I'm here to educate you that Peeps are available 4 times a year! Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween, and Christmas. And if you reside in the Washington, D.C. area they have their very own Peeps store. Would having Peeps available all the time lessen their popularity? It's one of those things like eggnog at Christmas, Girl Scout cookies in spring, or the Cheesy Gordita Crunch from Taco Bell. The bastards could make them all year but only give you a limited time to create more demand. I think I currently have enough to last me through Halloween, so thanks for all those who supplied them and for humoring my insanity. Lol.

*edit 04/26/2011- I received a bag full of Peeps from someone today and counted out that I now have 41 boxes in my kitchen. Behold, The Leaning Tower of Peeps-a!

Whether you love 'em or hate 'em, I hope this post didn't induce any vomiting and brought a smile to your face. Wishing you all a happy Easter from your quirky friend Lea. :-)