The candy cigarettes I remember had the texture and taste of Conversation Hearts. Hard and crunchy, with a slight mintish flavor. I seem to vaguely remember that some of them had the powder “smoke” in them.
What were those candy sticks called that were similar to candy canes but straight and came in all sorts of flavors and pretty colors? Seems you only find them in touristy spots nowadays. We used to lick the ends into sharp points that could probably do some damage if one got a little too angry at an annoying sibling. I don’t think any of us did that though.
Also, Necco Wafers, which we called Nickle Wafers and separated according to color and assigned a coin denomination to each. Only there were too many colors and we were always at a loss as to what to call the spare “coins.” By the way, Necco stands for the New England Candy Company, if anyone is curious.
Oh! I just remembered another. Wax harmonicas! They actually worked well enough to set your parents’ teeth on edge. Hee hee.
There were also giant jawbreakers that had layers of colors, all day suckers, candy necklaces, and giant SweeTarts which were about two inches across.
Yeah, if sugar’s as horrible as a co-worker of mine claims, why don’t we have a generation that all died at 40?
I get my blood sugar checked, and just guffaw when the results are normal. If there was any logic to the universe, I’d have massive diabetes.
Because I remember downing my Sugar Puffs, getting my allowance on the way to the Martinezs’ house, which was next to the local drug store. Our drug of choice? Sugar!
I have such clear memories of converting our ENTIRE allowances to candy. Seven-Up Bars, Chuckles, Razzles, Fizzies (we ate ‘em raw!), Turkish Taffy, and Gold Rush (bubble gum nuggets coated in “gold”, packed in a cloth string-tie bag), and that last penny could buy TWO MaryJanes or Chick O’ Sticks.
Oh, and Snirkles! Here they are (with some of the other stuff I was addicted to).
Sugar does NOT cause diabetes. I have to watch my carbs and careful planning I am able to have sweets occasionally.
While I was a child I was often out of control with growing and sneaking the odd soda. Or eating something wrong. As an adult I have stayed in control for months on end. I have had issues once in awhile. Not having had a lot of candy as a child I don’t crave it like some do. Chocolate is my cross to bear, though.
