Commentary: What to do with leftover Halloween candy?

http://www.mercurynews.com/los-gatos/ci_16462558?nclick_check=1

Well, this is sure a sweet idea, in more ways than one.




Just as I was getting ready to head to Safeway last weekend to pick up the Halloween candy for the load of trick-of-treaters we expect in our neighborhood on Oct. 31, I checked my e-mail to find a short note from my son's girlfriend, Kelly, wanting all of our leftover candy.



No, Kelly didn't suddenly develop an insatiable sweet tooth. She has a higher purpose.



Kelly is collecting leftover Halloween candy to donate to Operation: Care and Comfort, a local organization dedicated to supporting our troops overseas.



What a great idea, I thought. So I figured that just to be sure we'd have some leftover candy, I'd buy a couple of extra bags.



"Oh, right!" said my wife. "Like you need an excuse to buy more candy."



"No, really," I said. "This sounds like a great cause. We'll give Kelly all of our leftover candy this year."



"Yeah," said Natalie. "Like we ever end up with any extra candy with you in the house."



"OK," I said, "so maybe in the past I've had a couple of pieces of candy when I was passing it out to the kids."



"A couple?" she screeched. "I think 'a couple' means two. You have more like two dozen! If you want to make sure we have some leftovers, you'd better change your 'one for you, one for me' method of handing out the treats."



"Very funny," I said, somewhat offended. "I don't do that "... at least, not anymore. Dr. Oba





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won't let me. He's watching my weight closer than a dog eyeballing a pork chop!"



"Well, if that's the case, you might want to get your weight checked before this weekend," she suggested. "Because with Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up, I think it will be more than just the goose getting fat through the holidays."



"OK, I get it," I said. "We'll just make sure we have candy left after this weekend to give to Kelly to donate to Operation: Care and Comfort. I'm going to get the kinds of candy that she says the soldiers like the best--Twizzlers, Tootsie Rolls, Skittles, Life Savers, Sweet Tarts, lollipops, Tootsie Pops "... "



"Why do I think that you added Tootsie Pops because that's what you like best?" said Natalie.



"No, seriously," I explained. "That's what she said. And they also like chewing and bubble gym, mints and breath strips."



Kelly knows something about this. Her brother served in Iraq and she said, "He loved the care packages he received from friends, family and Operation: Care Comfort."



So Kelly, sweet as the candy she's collecting, said, "I'd like to keep the positive feeling going for the troops serving overseas and I appreciate your help in doing so by donating your goodies."



In addition to the other items, she added, "Bring on the chocolate as it can only be sent October through February due to the extreme heat in the summer months."



Chocolate? Now, giving up our leftover chocolate may be a little more complicated.



"Oh, yeah," said Natalie. "What would Dr. Oba have to say about that?"



You know, she's right. I'll make an appointment to get my weight checked this Friday.



Anyone interested in donating items for our troops, check out the "shopping list" at www.operationcareandcomfort.org/occshoplist/index.html.

Overdosing on Chocolate Bunnies

**Thank you East-ah Bunnie**  (for the 4 pounds of chocolate that you left in your wake!) So, what to do with all of that leftover candy?   Yes, in my household (so far) there is leftover candy (grandma gave BabyK a bunny the same size as her- and I think weighs as much too!)

• 1 Peep + a choice bunny part + 2 crunchy graham crackers = mmmm s'mores!
• Put in a resealable bag and crush and add to brownies, cake batter, or cookie dough as an extra "homemade" touch
• Got milk?  Pour melted bunny into your milk for yummy choc-milk or hot cocoa, or even your morning java jolt
• Random mini bunnies make for a great cordial- cut of the tip of the ear(s), pour in a shot of your fave liquor and make a toast to EB Bunny
• Melt down the chocolate in a double boiler and use for:
• chocolate covered strawberries (they're in season right now!)
• chocolate covered Peeps (umm, I like those nasty marshmallow-y things!)
• chocolate covered pretzels (heck, sprinkle these with any other leftover candy- perfect salty/ sweet snack!)
• dip plastic spoons into melted chocolate, wrap with plastic and save for your morning mochas! 
• 're-purpose' your chocolate and pour into plastic candy molds and 're-gift!'
• Fondue- who says you can't have chocolate for dinner (forget the cheese!)
• ice cream topping
• ... need I go on?  What DOESN'T chocolate go yummy with?

I was thinking that I should do an entry for the leftover eggs, but that's so not as much fun!  Besides, the picture of the cute baby and two dozen eggs isn't as cute as the one above!

Enjoy your chocolate!