Kimberly A. Cook

Military Romance Author

Food

Did You Eat “Military” Candy On Halloween?

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by Kimberly A. Cook              (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

Some folks are amazed how easy it is for me to find military connections for my writing and blog posts. The history of the United States revolves around our men and women patrolling and fighting around the globe and in space to protect our freedom. One of my favorite research topics has always been the role that candy plays in the military.

Part of my patriotic candy stash!
Part of my patriotic candy stash!

If you ate M&Ms, Hershey chocolate bars, Tootsie Rolls or Necco wafers this last Friday, you ate candy either developed for and or supplied to our troops in their rations. American troops in Iraq prized the Peanut M&Ms since they didn’t melt in the heat. The Marines at The Chosin Reservoir in Korea were air dropped Tootsie Rolls and it saved their lives. World War II soldiers were given Hershey chocolate bars, Tootsie Rolls, Mars Candy bars and Necco wafers in their rations.

Aside from being treats and sugar for energy, candy was also a way to connect with locals. My Dad told a story about being in occupied Japan on patrol in the neighborhoods. Since he was among the first troops in after Japan’s surrender, locals were afraid of what the American GIs might do to the Japanese.

He said they came down a street and kids were outside playing. The children stopped in fright when they saw the soldiers. Dad called one kid over and gave him some of his Necco wafers. Dad ate one himself and then showed the child through pantomime to share with the other kids. The young one did as he was shown and the kids all scattered inside their homes. Later on, the children would come out to get the treats when troops came by, beginning détente after a brutal war.

Who knew the power of candy for improving world relations? One never knows how one single gesture can affect so many lives. To the Hershey company who produced more than a billion ration candy bars during World War II and Necco wafers and Tootsie Rolls who did the same, I feel it’s my patriotic duty to support these companies year-round.

The astronauts even chose M&Ms as the first candy to go into space.  If there is one thing we all have to do on this planet, it’s eat, so it might as well be patriotic candy. Especially on Election Day. Got any military candy stories?

Have You Hugged A Goat Today?

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by Kimberly A. Cook           (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

One of my favorite industries is agri-tourism; visiting locations where food products are made. While in Maui we visited the Surfing Goat Dairy upcountry and had a great time.

These talented goats practice their water moves on surfboards in their play area, plus they produce amazing milk which is used for fabulous cheese and truffles! We took the tour of the grounds and got to feed the goats and taste a wide variety of cheeses. Heaven!

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Boy goat and his girls at Surfing Goat Dairy – their surfboards in the back!

Of course, I had to buy several items in the gift shop and came home with a special Surfing Goat Dairy apron to use in my own cooking adventures. One can only imagine the trouble I can get myself into if I try to surf and cook; goats are better balanced in all areas than moi.

Besides the nirvana of one day hoping to tour the Hershey factories back East, there are many chances for all of us to support local farmers and growers while filling our tummies. Right now is harvest time so check around and see what food adventures you can have in your own backyard.

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Goat milk truffle heaven on Maui….just leave me here…..

Support your local goats!

Link to the dairy: www.surfinggoatdairy.com

Last but not least: A 10 minute video about the Surfing Goat Dairy, in case you can’t wait to get to Maui. There is a part 2 on YouTube for my fellow cheese making freaks! Hug a goat today!

Come To The Purple Side – We Have Muffins!

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by Kimberly A. Cook                  (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

Been spending a lot of quality time in my food pantry lately. Seems I get in there and can’t figure out why I journeyed into the place. Being stubborn, I refuse to leave until the reason comes to me. Works most of the time.

While waiting, I inventory the contents of my shelves and try to figure out how to use some of the odd food items I tend to purchase. On Saturday I wandered in to get the whole wheat pastry flour, courtesy of Bob’s Red Mill.  Finished reading a new fiction book, “The Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop & Café,” by Mary Simses.

Up lose and personal with blueberry muffins. Alas, these muffins are long gone, er, eaten.
Up close and personal with blueberry muffins. Alas, these muffins are long gone, er, eaten.

Her first novel, I enjoyed it greatly and she included a recipe for blueberry muffins. Had to try it. This time of year when the first crisp of the Fall season starts in the air, I want to chow down like a bear going into hibernation – for a decade. Put me in a bakery and I’m going to eat my way from one end of the display case to the other.

In an effort to curb this behavior, I insist on baking, then I give away or freeze the majority to save myself. Granted, I know people eat frozen cookie dough out of the freezer but a frozen muffin will slow me down. (Even though I know I can heat it perfectly for 30 seconds in the microwave to defrost.)

So happily mixing my ingredients together, none with expired dates, I realized the eggs and butter were long past their prime. Drat! Since I had shopping errands to do, I left everything in the middle of the counter and hoped Spec Ops Cat stayed out of it. Due to his strenuous nap schedule, it worked.

Upon my return I made the muffins. They were quite good. Think I needed to bake them a little longer, they seemed a bit pale, like me. Managed to send some home with my Mom and froze the rest, but not before I ate three of them Saturday night watching the U of O Ducks play football.

What is it about watching sweating athletes in great shape on tv make us feed ourselves on their behalf? It’s not like they’re going to burn off our calories or get them in an inter-tv transfer?

I’m going to have to take up competitive push-ups like Puddles the U of O mascot if I keep tucking in these muffins. But now I have my little paws on a recipe for chicken and dumplings from our receptionist at the day job. DUMPLINGS! Where is my Bisquick?  (Do you know that my spell check thinks Bisquick is Bismarck? Isn’t that a donut?)

What is your favorite Fall comfort food? Let the baking games begin!