Latest news with #JollyRancher
Buzz Feed
4 days ago
- Buzz Feed
23 Former Inmates Share What Prison Is Actually Like
A while back, people from the BuzzFeed Community and on Reddit revealed what it's actually like to be incarcerated based on their experience (or the experience of others they know) — and their responses range from shocking to utterly heartbreaking. Here are some of the most eye-opening ones: "The guards can decide an inmate can't have something whenever they feel like it. Even though it's something they've been getting and having all the time. I would bring my mother things I know for a fact she was allowed to have because I read the list a million times over. But after standing in line forever, you get to the window and give them the stuff. They will give back the things she suddenly isn't allowed to have, but could, like, a week before. All because they feel like it and would take whatever they wanted." "I was told more than once that they would open what I gave her and take things. They took brand new no-name sneakers I got for her because I guess they wanted them more. I would get her a replacement pair, and they would take those, too. I got her a third pair, and she finally got them because it was a different guard."—pullhandlesupnotout "Jail sucks. I wouldn't have survived if my husband hadn't sent me books every few days. I was in jail for six months, and books were the only thing we had. I had read hundreds of books by the time I left. I had stacks in my cell from floor to ceiling, and I would rent them out to the women in my pod for things they made, like Jolly Rancher wrapper picture frames, drawings, soap sculptures, ramen, etc. When I left, I gave the women all my books, and you would have thought I gave them each $5,000 or something." "My ex was in Rikers a few times and also upstate. Phone calls and commissary are expensive because the companies the prison contracts with are price-gougers. Inmates are often transferred to another prison without notice, and the guards toss everything in their cell when they do — letters, photos, etc. You completely lose your agency in there. When inmates leave, they don't know how to run their own lives. It's a shame because most people serving time get out and have to live in society with us. You'd think we'd want them prepared to take on life's challenges so they don't offend again. But in America, prison is not rehabilitative; it's punitive." "Your word is everything. Breaking your word puts you roughly on par with a sex offender. You give your word on something, it needs to be gospel. Someone gives you theirs, assume it is too — and be ready to go if it isn't." "Everything is for sale, or at least has a market value. Don't do anything for free unless it's for someone you know." "Sustained eye contact means you're starting something. Someone makes it with you, assume they're sizing you up." "Current prisoner here in the Philippines. Anything can be smuggled in if you pay the right guards — even sex workers. Money is power." "There are people to avoid, and if you have a decent celly (cellmate), they'll point them out, somewhat like Shawshank." "Keep to yourself, and don't stand out in any way. This also means don't be the 'funny' guy who makes everyone laugh. You want to be as invisible as possible, really." "Not being able to leave is incredibly frustrating and nearly impossible to put out of your mind. The entire time, part of your mind is raging at your captivity." "People gamble a lot. Sometimes you will enter a unit, and people gamble on everything. You wanna play chess? You need to gamble to play. Dominoes? Gamble to play. Basketball? Gamble." "The guards just sat and watched YouTube all day and night. Seems like a dream job if you've got no soul." "Not a longtimer here, but show everyone respect. If you bump into someone, it's critical to say, 'I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention.'" "For me, the loss of everything outside of my body was the biggest shock. You don't have anything they don't want you to have when you first go in, so in a way, it's like being born into a new world, but fully aware." "I was a female inmate in a state prison. Anyway, I know there's a huge difference between men's and women's jails, and a huge difference between jail and prison. But one thing that no one tells you is that it's going to be so boring. So endlessly boring." "Wear slippers in the shower, and shower every day. Not doing one of those gets you beat up here in California." "Summer vacations. A friend of mine was recently locked up during summer months. Because guards take vacation the same time as everyone else, three days a week were spent on lockdown — meaning that one to two hours of outside time didn't apply because of staff shortage." "A friend of mine did some time. He had internet and PlayStation, and a chef made breakfast and dinner every day. They had to make lunch themselves with access to a full complimentary kitchen. Knives, cutlery, and so on were freely available." "No one tells you how hungry you're gonna be. The food sucks — and not just sucks; it's absolutely not fit for human consumption. But you get hungry enough to eat it. They only serve 1,200 calories a day in women's prison (at least mine did)." "A lot of people were uneducated. No idea about geography, history, science, or anything. This led to me being a tutor in there for people taking the GED." "It's WAY louder than you think it would be. There are always people who never seem to sleep." —[deleted user] "There is a store there, and you can get anything you want. The way a store works is that one or two people in the unit have every possible commissary item you can get." And finally... "Try not to talk about your time or open up about how you are feeling about it. There's always somebody who is going to do way more time than you and doesn't want to hear it." Have you (or someone you know) ever been in prison? What was the surprising thing about your experience? If you feel comfortable sharing your story, you can use the comments or this anonymous form below.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kelp on Cape Cod: A Chatham company expands into regional craft markets
Three Cape Cod businessmen are finding out what kelp — seaweed to its friends — can do for them. Richard Curtiss, Carl Douglass, and Jamie Bassett hope a 50-acre "plot" of ocean off Harding Beach in Chatham will yield enough to generate a lot of green. The three men started Chatham Kelp in 2018, and while the business has had its ups and downs, the men believe they are onto something. Writing for the news website Civil Eats in 2024, Alexandra Talty, a Pulitzer Center journalist, said one report estimated the value of the edible seaweed industry to be $1.87 billion in the U.S. Two million pounds of kelp were harvested from U.S. waters during the 2022-2023 season, and experts predict that number will grow. So far, Chatham Kelp has partnered with several companies to craft kelp-inspired products: Craic Sauce in Lowell (Kelpie hot sauce), Atlantic Soap Company in Falmouth (lip balm and soap), Hog Island Beer Company (Chatham Kelp Stout), and Little Bay Beard Supply Company (beard balm). And most recently, High Limb Cider in Plymouth came out with 'In the Weeds,' a hard seltzer made with Chatham kelp and watermelon. 'We're really excited about this one,' Curtiss said in an interview on May 7. 'It tastes almost like a Jolly Rancher! Not too carbonated. A great summer drink.' Chatham Kelp began working with High Limb Cider about six months ago, Curtiss said. They plan to sell the hard seltzer in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, New Hampshire, Maine, and North and South Carolina. In the works are Texas, Colorado, California, and Florida. It took years to get permits from the town, state, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, state Division of Marine Fisheries and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association to grow sugar kelp in Chatham waters, Curtiss said. Finally, they received permits for 350 200-foot grow lines. The horizontal lines are anchored at each end, held up with buoys, and lie six to eight feet beneath the surface of the water. Kelp spores attached to those lines are provided by GreenWave, a nonprofit whose goals include supporting farmers, planting regenerative ocean crops for economic gain and climate resiliency. Sugar kelp is a winter crop in the New England area. Lines are laid in November or December and harvested around April. Curtiss said they get about six to 10 pounds of kelp per foot. Kelp is dried in fields for agricultural products like fertilizer, and in greenhouses for food-grade products. Kelp, generally, is used in salads, smoothies and chips. It can be made into textiles, packaging, biofuels, and fertilizer. Kelp absorbs carbon dioxide and removes nitrogen from the water columns, according to researchers. One company, Sway, makes packaging and outdoor gear out of seaweed. Another, Keel Labs, makes a bio-based fiber from seaweed for the textile industry. Unfortunately, kelp farming hasn't done particularly well on the Cape, according to Joshua Reitsma, a marine program specialist who holds a joint position with the Cape Cod Cooperative Extension Service and WHOI Sea Grant. He's been researching kelp for the last seven years. 'It's been tough in Massachusetts,' he said in a May 6 interview. 'Maine is doing better. We're trying to figure out why. Maine has cooler waters with nutrient-rich big tides. We have a lot of estuary type environments; they have a rocky shoreline.' But kelp has been found to remove excess nitrogen, and it is being studied for use on the Cape. Reitsma has been working with sites in Falmouth Harbor and Popponesset Bay in particular. Kelp is a regenerative crop that sequesters carbon, reduces ocean acidification and could save our seas, according to Talty. She estimates that about $380 million has been invested in the industry since 2017. Atlantic Soap Company owner Caroline Laye has been working with Chatham Kelp since 2020. Her Chatham Kelp Beauty Bar is made with a blend of dried, ground kelp, seaweed extract, a blend of oils and filtered sea water. The bar is one of her best sellers, she said in an interview May 9. 'People love it,' she said. 'They like that it's from Chatham and that it's a great bar of soap.' Curtiss reached out to Jeremy Quaglia, owner of High Limb Cider, who was intrigued by the idea of making a beverage using kelp. The men decided to create a hard seltzer. After months of trial and error with kelp and watermelon puree, In the Weeds, was introduced. Quaglia is getting the word out about the new product through his distributors in seven states. Brian Ruhlmann, owner of Craic Sauce in Lowell, created Kelpie hot sauce after a persuasive presentation by Bassett. Ruhlmann made a sauce using a mixture of sugar kelp and fermented peppers. This year he is tweaking the recipe by using different peppers and aging the product in a whiskey barrel. The sauce is being sold at outlets throughout the Cape, including Chatham Squire and Three Fins Coffee Roasters, he said in a May 9 interview. "We're sitting tight on the expansion of our farm," Curtiss said. "We're waiting for the market to come." Denise Coffey writes about business, tourism and issues impacting the Cape's residents and visitors. Contact her at dcoffey@ . Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Cape Cod Times subscription. Here are our subscription plans. This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Can kelp farming thrive on Cape Cod? Chatham Kelp is hanging in there
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Reese's Brand Did It Again - Meet Your New Favorite Snack, Reese's Filled Pretzels
We took pretzels, packed them with Reese's peanut butter filling, and changed the snack aisle forever HERSHEY, Pa., April 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- You may want to sit down for this. Reese's, the No. 1 candy franchise in the US1 just dropped a new snacking sensation. Introducing Reese's Filled Pretzels – the crunchy, peanut-butter packed combo you didn't see coming but absolutely needed. (Here's a napkin, you're drooling.) We may have reached the summit of snacking with this one. Picture the center of a Reese's nestled inside a crunchy pretzel—a mouthwatering combination that perfectly balances salty and sweet. The secret to this treat? A thick and creamy peanut butter filling that delivers Reese's iconic taste. The snack aisle just got a lot more awesome. "We know our fans are always on the hunt for new ways to get their Reese's peanut butter fix and trust us, this one's a total game-changer," said Natalie Perera, Director of salty snacks at The Hershey Company. "Crunchy, creamy, sweet, salty – it's like the snack universe finally got it right. One bite, and you'll get it." Whether it's game day, movie night, or a 3 p.m. snack attack, Reese's Filled Pretzels are the ultimate snack satisfaction. The best part? Reese's Filled Pretzels are rolling out nationwide right now in three sizes: 5-ounce bags (for snacking when you're on the move) 9-ounce pouches (just the right size for a me-time snack break) 18-ounce jars (big enough to share…if you're feeling generous) Look for Reese's Filled Pretzels at your favorite snack spot and grab a bag, pouch or jar before they're gone. Follow @Reeses on social media for the latest brand news and snack updates. *Pricing is at the sole discretion of the retailer. About The Hershey Company The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) is an industry-leading snacks company with a purpose to make more moments of goodness through its iconic brands. With more than 20,000 remarkable employees worldwide, Hershey delivers delicious, high-quality products across approximately 70 countries, generating over $11.2 billion in annual revenues. The company's portfolio includes beloved chocolate and confectionery brands such as Hershey's, Reese's, Kisses, Kit Kat®, Jolly Rancher, Ice Breakers, Shaq-A-Licious alongside popular salty snacks including SkinnyPop and Dot's Homestyle Pretzels. For more than 130 years, Hershey has been committed to operating responsibly and supporting its people and communities. The candy and snack maker's founder, Milton Hershey, created Milton Hershey School in 1909, and since then, the company has focused on helping children succeed through access to education. To learn more visit Follow: 1 Circana POS $ Sales FY 2024 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE The Hershey Company
Buzz Feed
31-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
26 Tiny Gifts To Give Yourself When You Want A Little Burst Of Dopamine
We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page. Shopping · Because what is life without a miniature Ikea coin bag, a mushroom kitchen timer, or the perfect set of socks to make you smile. 1. A buildable Electric Glow Stick lipstick offering a glittery punch of pink to your lips or cheeks. As the packaging suggests, it smells like candy watermelon — that alone is enough reason for me to buy it, honestly. Amazon, Check out a TikTok of the Electric Glow lipstick in action. Promising review: "It finally occurred to me that the scent is like watermelon Jolly Rancher candy! It smells so good! But of course, the color is what really impressed me. I am very fair skinned and it provides that perfect pop of color without being full-on lipstick." — Deirdre Get it from Amazon for $4.99. 2. A keychain shaped like a classic Ikea bag sure to either bring back fond memories of eating Swedish meatballs or horrible flashbacks to melting down in the outrageously long checkout line. It has a zipper so it's actually a practical coin purse! Amazon Promising review: "Adorable key chain for the Ikea shopper in your life! It's super fun and great quality — looks just like their blue bags! The softness and quality is identical to their bags, too! I love the zip top and can fit some cash, coins, and my card in it. A super cute gift and great value for the money!" — Drowning In Boxes Get it from Amazon for $4.88. 3. A pair of fruit-shaped hand towels that reviewers say are super soft and dry quickly. Personally, I'm eyeing the peach variation, but the orange and pineapple versions are super cute too. Promising review: "This product is amazing. I purchased one for the kids' bathroom and a smaller fruit for the kitchen. They are soft and dry quickly. They wash well and bring a fun and cute look to any room. They are the perfect size for hanging in the kitchen. Definitely worth the price I paid." — Sher Get a set of two from Amazon for $8.49+ (available in eight fruits). 4. A unique choker (or bracelet!) made of resin blood droplets perfect for goths, wannabe vampires, and lovers of The Bloody Chamber. The necklace comes as a single strand or three layered together. There are three lengths available, but you can DM for a custom piece. Crafted by Joanna is a small business based in Kansas that sells cool resin jewelry. Promising review:"Gorgeous necklace, and it really does look like blood. Super unique piece! Feels comfortable to wear as well; it's a choker without being constricting on my neck." — audreli1433 Get it from Crafted by Joanna on Etsy for $25.50+ (available as a necklace or bracelet). 5. A Cat Dancer toy you can waggle in front of your feline whenever you wanna give them a proper workout. Who knew wire and rolled cardboard could make your pet so happy? Tap to play GIF In fact, if you are looking to laugh, please head straight to the review images of this little gizmo — pages and pages of kitty cats losing their marbles. It is goodness and absurdity and light. Promising review:"I have a whole room filled with cat toys that my cat is not interested in. It's funny how the least expensive cat toy I have makes him go crazy. He plays with this until he's panting like a dog and I have never seen him jump so high. I'm certain this toy will help him lose his belly. He loves it! I highly recommend it!" — Kwoo Get it from Amazon for $3.99. 6. A burger bicycle bell for biking in the neighborhood or making late-night trips to McDonald's. Reviewers say the bell is pretty loud so you can tell everyone on the road, "watch out! It's burger time!" Promising review:"No, I didn't buy this for a kid. I bought it for my old self. And yes!! I absolutely love it! The housing is plastic but surprisingly sturdy. The bell sounds like a bike bell should, and hey, it's a burger — a favorite of mine after a long ride." — kim Get it from Amazon for $13.38. 7. A fanciful mushroom kitchen timer, which is so much more endearing than using your phone or screaming at Alexa. It also has a glowing 4.4-star rating on Amazon, which is kinda unheard of for novelty timers. This winds up and times up to 60 minutes, ending in a loud buzzer. Reviewers also use it to help time themselves with work tasks and studying. Promising review: "This is whimsical and fun; my kids love it. I tell them their dinner comes from a fairy mushroom forest. 😋 Works great, keeps my little monsters in line — 'Dad, the mushroom went off.' Love it." — Vik V Get it from Amazon for $7.27 (available in three colors). 8. A lenticular TV pin, broadcasting Nosferatu creeping up the stairs, sure to impress your fellow horror heads. This is already the coolest pin in the world, but if you want to make it *seasonal* you can buy this pack of stickers so you can "change the channel." Ellingson TV / Etsy Ellingson TV is a small business that sells pins based on their collection of vintage televisions. Learn more about the process here. Promising review: "This is a great idea for a pin. An iconic image perfectly utilized. It's the right size and has the right amount of detail. I look forward to discovering new pins from this store." — HOOTZ Get it from Ellingson TV on Etsy for $12.95. 9. Nine pairs of soft knit socks that peek out from under your boots and confirm to everyone that yes, you are a fashion pro. They're cuffed and come in all the best earthy colors. Over 2,000 5-star reviewers love how soft and cuddly these are! Promising review:"Love the color palette, real cool knit pattern. Also long enough to get that 'scrunched-up' look when paired with boots!" — Olivia T. Get nine pairs from Amazon for $16.99. 10. A Marshmallow Whip Maker loved by TikTokers thanks to its ability to turn your hum-drum cleanser into light frothy foam. Foam = easier to apply and less friction bothering your skin. Amazon To use this, all you have to do is put a pearl-sized drop of your favorite cleanser at the bottom, fill with water up to the dotted line, and pump it until it creates foam. Promising review:"This thing is the bomb. Does exactly what it advertises — makes a thick whipped cream/foam out of washes, making it economical as well as fun. It can 'soften' harsh washes to make the concoction gentler on skin. It's also great for mixing washes if you have two or more you'd like to combine for different effects. And of course, a little goes a long, long way with this puppy. For the price, it's a steal —if you're into this kind of thing. Definitely give it a try if you're not sure. It's a really cool device." — KnockKnockMe Get it from Amazon for $7. 11. A pair of mop slippers to take care of dirty floors while you shuffle around looking for a clean coffee mug in the morning. When you're finally caffeinated, you can throw your now-dirty chenille slippers in the wash so they're ready to do it again tomorrow. Promising review:"I buy mopping slippers. Yup, that's right. This isn't my first pair. So why do I like mopping slippers? I have a 2-year-old, and they're great for mopping up little splashes. Drops of water from doing dishes and the extra padding is nice. No paper towels wasted and it's immediate. Plus these are cute. You have to have a sense of whimsy for this functional novelty item. My last pair did not have this detachable mopping bottom. I enjoy washing both parts because I think it's cleaner but it's a nice feature." — G. Kim Get them from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in women's sizes 4–10 and 17 styles). 12. A Saucemoto dip clip that hooks onto your car vent so you can keep your favorite sauces close and ready for nugget dunking. Amazon, Saucemoto is a small business established in 2018 that specializes in unique car accessories. Promising review:"How did I go so long without one of these??? The Saucemoto was my first 'TikTok Made Me Buy It' purchase, and I have no regrets. It clips easily to my car's vent, and the sauce cups clip in easily so I can dip and drive. No more trying not to dump the sauce by accident while steering with the same hand that's holding the dip cup. It even comes with a dip cup for those places that do the pouches for their sauces rather than the cups. (I'm looking at you, Arby's.) Ya know, you end up squeezing the sauce onto the wrapper that's balanced on your lap, and you end up getting some sauce on your steering wheel. OR you try the whole 'wrapper and sauce on the passenger seat and try to dip while watching the road,' which usually doesn't turn out so great." — Pleasure Pamela Get a set of two from Amazon for $7.79 (available in four colors). 13. Jumbo divider sticky notes so you can jot down some summary notes on each section in your notebook. This level of note taking isn't just for type As — this is for type A+s. Amazon Promising review:"These sticky notes are excellent. They come in a booklet, with a clear cover over and a cardlike paper with a blue mandala pattern at the back, which is really neat and beautiful. The colors are quite neon and bright and look exactly as the picture shows. The tabs are neat and noticeable at any angle, and are 2.4 cm, or about 0.8 inches, in length. The paper note itself is 14.8 cm, or 5.8 inches, in length. They came in neatly and safely packaged, with no dirt or paper-creasing in sight." — Malik Get a single pack from Amazon for $6.68 (available in packs of 1–12). 14. A Lego cherry blossom kit for decor you can build yourself. The 430-piece set comes with everything you need to build two stems, and at less than $10, it's a steal compared to most Lego kits. Promising review: "Great afternoon activity. All of the flower Lego sets are great for a break and getting your mind off things. We have several different flower ones in a vase, and they all seem to fit nicely together." — Jeremy Moeller Get it from Amazon for $10.19. 15. An overly confident bumper sticker that says 'hey, I'm driving here — and I am so sorry about that.' Spellcast Studio / Etsy 16. A cutie pie planner to help you be a busy bee, or more likely a take-it-slow sloth. The different sections let you map out what needs to happen today vs. what can be tomorrow's problem. Amazon Peter Pauper Press is a family-owned small business founded in 1928. Promising review: "I am absolutely in love. I have always struggled with being overwhelmed with to-do lists (both having them in my mind and making them). This cute, fun design makes that task less daunting and easier. It lets me divide tasks up into immediate needs and tasks to do eventually, as well as gives me a space for appointments and reminders for calling people. I also thoroughly enjoy the 'mood' marker and the 'how was your day' section. I absolutely adore this and it will be a positive, permanent addition to my life." — River Get it from Amazon for $5.95. 17. A mini waffle maker that spits out heart-shaped treats that look a lot better than your lopsided pancakes. It's super easy to use too — just pour the batter of your choice onto the 4-inch, nonstick griddle, close, and then grab your waffle when it's ready. Amazon Promising review:"I absolutely LOVE my new waffle maker. I'll be honest — it is much smaller than I expected. You can carry it in one hand with ease. (It's a about the size of one hand.) But I really do love it. They turn out pretty fluffy so even though they're small, they have substance to them. Plus, how can you beat a heart waffle???" — Rachel Get it from Amazon for $9.95+ (available in two patterns and also 22 other styles). 18. A pair of socks featuring Kevin spilling chili that you can look at for comfort whenever you think you had a day. Amazon Promising review: "Great socks. I thought they would be cheap socks for the novelty, but actually very nice dress socks." — E Get them from Amazon for $14.95 (available in three colors). 19. A children's camera that beats taking pics on your phone: It's lightweight, adorable, has 15 photo frames, and boasts filters that put Instagram to shame. Amazon didn't have good review pictures, so I beg you to watch the TikTok. It's charged with a USB port and comes with a memory card. Promising review:"Love it! Gonna document my summer on it, LOL! Got it because of a TikTok — video quality and pic quality look OK, but sound is awful, haha. Still cute and fun. I'm gonna order one for my little sister too!" — Sarah Get a blue one from Amazon for $23.79. 20. Lil' sprout bookmarks to help with your growing reading list. Since the silicone sprouts are flexible, you can even pop them in the middle of your book to save your spot mid-page. Amazon, Promising review:"I absolutely love these bookmarks! Even though they are pretty small, they stay in the book, either opened or closed. They are really soft and rubbery, so they won't crack or break very easily. I can foresee these lasting for a long time. Since they come in a package of six, I can not only have one for my book for reading, but I can place these in the pertinent chapters that I am studying in my textbooks as well. They really come in handy for that! These cute, little sprouts were a great treat for the little that I spent on them!" — Aimée le Huitième Get a pack of six from Amazon for $6.49. 21. A Homer Simpson sponge holder that recreates everyone's favorite reaction gif. It even comes with a little drain to prevent mildew, making it both funny and practical. Geek3DbySean / Etsy You'll have to supple your own green sponge. Geek3DbySean is a small business that's based in Indiana. Get it from Geek3DbySean on Etsy for $19.99+ (with or without a suction cup). 22. A disco ball diffuser so your next dance party can smell like, really good. Add your favorite fragrance, pick one of seven color settings and one of four mist settings, and watch as the diffuser spins and puts on a light show. Amazon There are also three timer modes! Grab some essential oils here. Scandinordica is a small business based in Europe. Promising review: "This dopamine decor really hits the spot. Ordered one and noticed I wasn't receiving a strong mist after a few uses. I contacted the company through Instagram and within minutes, I got a response and confirmation a new one was going to be sent. We are still going strong with this new one and I use it EVERY DAY." — Addie Miller Get it from Amazon for $31.98 (available in two sizes and four colors). According to Johns Hopkins, you may want to avoid diffusing oils around larger groups and young children because of the side effects of different oils. You may also want to avoid using an oil diffuser around pets with breathing problems, according to the ASPCA. 23. Cruelty-free lengthening mascara that's lightweight, won't transfer, doesn't smudge, and lasts all day — oh and makes your eyelashes look like tall, beautiful skyscrapers. Emma Lord/BuzzFeed Promising review: "I am a 30-year-old who has been wearing mascara since I was probably 15 or 16 and this is by far the best mascara ever. This beats Dior's almost-$40 mascara. A few times I made make up purchases based off of what reviewers and make up influencers hyped up and was disappointed, this surely wasn't a disappointment." — Mary Get it from Amazon for $4.99+ (available in two sizes and colors). 24. A paw-some mug warmer to heat up drinks, candles, and wax melts. There's a little screen on the cat's forehead that tells you the temperature so you can keep your drink or candle at the *purrfect* temperature. Tip: Warming a candle instead of lighting lets you enjoy the fragrance without dealing with an open flame. It also extends the life of the candle, so this thing kind of pays for itself. The feet are meant to be used as a phone holder, but personally, I would not put my phone on a hot object. Promising reviews: "I thought I'd try putting my wax melt in there and see how long it would take to melt. It took less than five minutes to melt it!! Also, it feels kinda heavy and dense, like it was made out of good material. I love it. 😭 It's gonna be good for my tea time AND make my office smell good." — Allisen "I'm a teacher, so I NEVER get to finish my coffee in one sitting. This thing has made my day so much better. No matter how long ago I made my coffee, each and every sip tastes like it was just brewed. Very happy!" — Amanda Fausto Get it from Amazon for $21.24+ (available in 11 styles and one option with an included mug). 25. A match holder and striker that lets you have your cake and light it too. You can place six matches around the cake to mimic the look of birthday candles, and the whipped cream lid comes off to reveal storage inside — what you put in there is your business. ;) Amazon, FYI — one of the product photos says the striker is on the lid, but according to reviewers, it's on the bottom. Anyway, I strongly recommend getting these pink matches to go with it. Promising review: "Fantastic product! Quality product for the price. Well packaged in its own box and styrofoam for protection. Highly recommend this seller and product!" — CookieSecrets Get it from Amazon for $21.95. 26. A flower pill organizer with little heart-shaped compartments that will make your vitamin A more like vitamin AWW! The surprisingly large compartments are detachable, so you can take pills on the go. Promising review: "Travel with ease!! Before this product, I would take all my supplement bottles with me in my purse which took up an unnecessary amount of room. Now, with this product, I can travel easily with all my daily supplements. Takes up minimal space in my purse and actually encourages me to take my daily supplement s. Not to mention, I love the color and style. Can fit up to nine of my largest size capsules." — Kaci Allen Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in seven styles).
Associated Press
12-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Mind-Blowingly Fruity, Shockingly Crunchy: Jolly Rancher Freeze Dried Candy Has Entered the Chat
Your taste buds won't know what hit 'em HERSHEY, Pa., March 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Brace yourself, snack lovers – the candy aisle just got a next-level upgrade. Meet Jolly Rancher Freeze Dried, a bold twist on the fruity flavors you love, now with an airy, melt-in-your-mouth crunch. This isn't just candy. This is a taste explosion. Freeze dried candy is exploding as one of 2025's hottest food trends, with the market set to soar from $1.36 billion to nearly $2.4 billion by 2030 1. But it's not just sales that are booming—it's a full-fledged social media phenomenon. With #freezedriedcandy receiving over 4.7 billion views on TikTok, fans can't get enough of the irresistible crunch, intensified taste, and mesmerizing freeze-drying process. Internal research shows that there is an unmet demand for unique flavor and texture experiences and Jolly Rancher is stepping in to bring its huge fruit flavors to the freeze-dried craze. Using cutting-edge freeze-drying tech, we've transformed our signature varieties—Green Apple, Blue Raspberry, and Watermelon—into light, ultra-crunchy bites that puff up in size and deliver a punch of flavor with every bite. This innovative process removes moisture while intensifying Jolly Rancher's bold fruit flavors, creating an amplified burst of fruity intensity and the ultimate sensorial experience candy lovers won't be able to resist. 'Jolly Rancher Freeze Dried isn't just a new way to snack—it's a total flavor revolution,' said Vivek Mehrotra, senior manager of equity & activation at Jolly Rancher. 'It's an entirely different way to experience Jolly Rancher—unexpected, playful, and, of course, impossibly fruity.' New Jolly Rancher Freeze Dried is available now in a 3.1oz pack at retailers nationwide. Pro tip: You'll want to grab an extra bag—because with just one crunch, you'll be hooked. Pricing is at the sole discretion of the retailer. SOURCE: ¹ Grand View Research (2024). Freeze Dried Candy Market To Reach $2,376.1 Million By 2030 About The Hershey Company The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) is an industry-leading snacks company with a purpose to make more moments of goodness through its iconic brands. With more than 20,000 remarkable employees worldwide, Hershey delivers delicious, high-quality products across approximately 70 countries, generating over $11.2 billion in annual revenues. The company's portfolio includes beloved chocolate and confectionery brands such as Hershey's, Reese's, Kisses, Kit Kat®, Jolly Rancher, Ice Breakers, Shaq-a-licious alongside popular salty snacks including SkinnyPop and Dot's Homestyle Pretzels. For more than 130 years, Hershey has been committed to operating responsibly and supporting its people and communities. The candy and snack maker's founder, Milton Hershey, created Milton Hershey School in 1909, and since then, the company has focused on helping children succeed through access to education.
