Kristina's Corner

I don’t know if you’re aware of all the controversy over Ben and Jerry’s new flavor concoction, but the mom’s are all abuzz over this hot topic these days and I wanted to get your opinion! As a self proclaimed HUGE fan (probably too huge occasionally….I’m pretty sure Cherry Garcia saw me through most of the rough patches in my life…) of Ben and Jerry’s famous flavor combinations, I am always super excited when they come out with something new! So, I couldn’t wait to see what they were coming up with next! That’s when they dropped the bomb. A pretty clever/funny bomb, but a bomb nonetheless.

The newest member of the Ben and Jerry’s family is a play on a funny Saturday Night Live skit called “Schweddy Balls”. I have to admit, I have a hard time even writing that without feeling a little foolish, so I find it very hard to see myself asking for it at the supermarket! I am not a total prude but I am socially conscious and know I would have a panic attack thinking about asking the 17 year old boy at the grocery store where the “scweddy balls” were…….ice cream or not! So, the conservative families and mom advocacy groups (e.g. One Million Moms) are calling supermarkets and consumers to boycott this new ice cream feeling that Ben and Jerry’s has just gone too far this time.

Which brings me to this post: What do you think is too much or going too far with today’s products and their influence on our children? My two and a half year old is also an ice cream lover like her mommy and I can’t stomach the idea of her asking me for “schweddy balls” no matter how awesome the ice cream sounds! (And it does sound awesome! It consists of Fair Trade Vanilla Ice Cream with fudge covered rum and milk chocolate malt balls!) I have to say that I would have absolutely loved to try this ice cream and the adolescent teenager in me even finds it funny and ironic but the mom wins out and this ice cream will not be making it’s own debut in my home. So sad, too bad.

On the other hand, I can’t forsee myself banning Ben and Jerry’s altogether! I don’t know what I would do without my go to Cherry Garcia at that special time of the month and I think their new “Late Night Snack” flavor in honor of Jimmy Fallon was actually an homage to all pregnant ladies out there (Vanilla Bean Ice Cream with a Salty Caramel Swirl & Fudge Covered Potato Chip Clusters) but for now it’s being given a time out for bad behavior.

I’d love to know what you think – will “Schweddy Balls” be making an appearance in your home or just the homes of teenage boys that have a love of Alec Baldwin and SNL? Can’t wait to hear your thoughts!

As I’m writing this very early in the morning on Memorial Day, I am reminded of just how lucky and blessed I am to live in a country where I have freedoms that other people can only dream about. My babies are safely tucked in their beds and I will be going to sleep with the one that I love next to me. I know that I will be waking up in the morning to the sounds of my 2 year old talking softly in her bed as she wipes the sleep from her eyes and the cries of my 6 month old wanting her mommy. My husband will still be lying next to me as we start our morning routine which today will include  going to a parade celebrating some of the very freedoms that people are still fighting for today. And I know that not all families are as lucky to have the luxuries that I’ve just listed off because they are sacrificing personal safety and comfort to allow all of us the chance for a peaceful life without fear. I can’t thank the men and women who are risking their lives on a daily basis for us enough. Nor can I thank the families of those service men and women for their unimaginable sacrifices every day.

Now I know that we live in a country that has strong beliefs about war and politics. It is my feeling that no matter what we feel about the war that we are in or who we feel is better suited to run this country, our men and women in uniform deserve our support, respect, admiration and most importantly, our prayers.

I ask that not just today but every day we take a few moments to give thanks to everyone that has given their lives to allow us to live ours. And that we remember to pray for the safety of those that are still fighting that fight.

Thank you service men and women for everything that you do. You are in our thoughts and prayers always.