But what about Candy?
In exploring the quality of our relationship with food, I want to suggest that we can have a peaceful relationship with all foods. It is in that spirit I have interviewed a representative of a food group, which is greatly misunderstood and generally maligned. I have invited her to share the experiences and viewpoints of her constituency, and she, in turn, is asking us to come to the table for peaceful negotiations.
Ms. Candice Kiss is the National Confection Representative, and an avid ‘peace with food’ advocate.
Candice:
“It is a real treat to be here. I am very happy for this opportunity to speak candidly with you. You know, sometimes I get so hot under the collar that I could just melt. These are trying times for confections everywhere, (even for the hardest of candies). As a group, we are subject to regular prejudice and abuse:
We have been accused of being unhealthy — of causing disease, addiction, FAT and cavities.
We have been labeled an empty food group and told we are worth less.
We have been called sinful and seductive. We are blamed for women, children and grown men losing self-control and good judgment in our presence.
Some people banish us for these so-called evil powers. They tell their children that we are bad and not to be trusted, and that they are bad and out of control if they associate with us.
But this is rich. It is often those very same people who have secret relationships with us. We have come into their cars and homes with the anticipation of being appreciated, celebrated and respected… and instead have been mindlessly ravaged – sometimes forcefully expelled after the fact, evidence hidden under car seats and in the bottom of the trash!
We have been used as a substitute for human connection.
We have been used to make up for disappointments and all that is missing in your lives.
We are expected to alleviate feelings, and comfort way beyond our capacity.
We are used to motivate, reward, punish and control.
And we have been used to distract from the truth of the moment.
But the fact is we are simply pretty and sweet.
This is our reality. Can you understand why we might be bitter? And that is not a good thing for us.
If you stop to think about what it feels like to be treated in the above ways, you might be able to have compassion for our situation. If you really think about it, you may come to see that the parts, which you have us play in your lives bear UNCANDY resemblance to your own bittersweet personal stories.
We empathize with the human condition, but frankly, I cannot sugar-coat this: WE ARE FED UP. It is time for people to face what is eating them and to stop projecting that upon us!
Our greatest wish for you is that you take back your rightful pleasure in eating us. We cannot comfort you in the way that you have expected, but we want you to know that you can find that comfort, which you dearly deserve inside of yourselves.
My constituency believes that it is high time that we are seen and appreciated for that which we are. We have a long and glorious history. Hieroglyphics show our roots going back 4,000 years to ancient Egypt! We have so many sweet stories to tell of being a vital part of life, from our age-old place in celebrations… to homey taffy pulls…. to our heyday of penny candy… to being an elegant ending or an exquisite pick-me-up.
So… I ask you to come to the table and participate in peaceful negotiations. We ask for three things:
To be seen and accepted as part of life’s variety and balance. We are after all at the apex of the food pyramid. We are highly refined food group and are most effective and comfortable when eaten in those general proportions relative to the other food groups.
We ask to be legalized – to live peacefully on your shelves… and in transit… and to come and go freely without undue controls.
And we ask for your respect. We want to be trusted and appreciated for our special qualities and to be savored as individuals – each and every one of us.
In conclusion… take a chance. As a gesture of peace and reconciliation, please consider eating and enjoying us Mindfully.”