May @OrangeGladBox Review + Girl Meets S'mookie

Momma Told Me: You don't need dessert.

What is the purpose of dessert? Its the commencement of a meal, the end of a day, the last flirt with flavor before falling asleep. Dessert should not be mandatory, but earned. Sugar is not meant to be consumed for the simple sake of sweet, but the enhancement of flavors it creates when paired with indulgent notes such as vanilla bean, cocoa, and even rum. If you wander into the kitchen cabinets a quarter past ten o'clock and unwrap the first foil encased snack cake you come across you are not doing dessert justice my friends!

Sweets have long been regarded as a delicacy, a reward; confectioners have dedicated lives towards perfecting textures and flavor blends. They pair flaky with sweet and sticky, or bitter with melty and crunchy. I believe no sweet treat should ever be the same. And Orange Glad believes the same, my friend. They exist solely to curate the very best independent and handcrafted sweetness in a monthly box of U.S. made goodies. You may recall my first encounter with this sweet subscription service last October when I faced down the giant krispie.

I've been invited back, by the company, to try the following three months of specially dessert gift curated boxes in hopes I will share my opinions once more with you, my readers. You might be surprised but no one had to twist my arm in that agreement, I was on board faster than you can spell s-u-g-a-r r-u-s-h! So a beautiful square parcel landed on my doorstep in the middle of 95F Southern California Summer heat, and  was immediately concerned for the certain chocolate contained within. I was happy to find that Orange Glad has smartly stayed away from highly meltable confections, and, instead, opted to pack two award winning Baking Bettys cookies on ice. The jumbo S'more Cookie (or Smorkie as I affectionately call it) was soft and chewy, and packed with gooey marshmallow bits and chocolate chunks. It didn't last long.

One of my favorite things about the Orange Glad subscription boxes is the variety of types of sweets included. I am always certain to try at least one, if not multiple, new treat I'd never considered or even heard of. There were two such delights in the May 2014 box, the first being the playfully cinnamon sugar coated Italian Butterhorns. Not only have I been so inspired to consume these hand -rolled Italian butter cookies, I promptly went online to research recipes and learn how to make my own. (Expect a recipe post soon.)

Continuing my unintentional trip around the globe were the 'hand griddled' authentic Welsh Cakes in Cranberry Orange. These boasted that they were best served warm, and most reminded me of a sweet breakfast biscuit. As it turned out they were much more dense, and sweet, than I'd envisioned; more like a condensed muffin. These European cakes had fresh cranberry bits and a very vibrant orange zest flavor that was quite powerful throughout.

Ironically, what grabbed me the most about this collection of sweets were just how many of them were locally sourced and made. Fine Sconehenge Baking Company, which provided a Gluten-Free Ultimate Brownie is actually based out of a city that neighbors mine, and the Welsh Cakes are made in the town adjacent to my Aunt! While the product packaging was a little underwhelming, on the vendor's parts, Orange Glad always provides a complete ingredients list, and storage or care (shelf life) guidelines. Customers who find a new favorite brand or product are encouraged to log onto the website where they can buy directly from vendors and interact with the companies. My only criticism? I wish Orange Glad would bring back the colorful and fun boxes- it's always nice to see that orange box show up once a month!

What Daughter Says: If you're not experiencing new sweets, then you're not doing dessert right.

@OrangeGladBox Review + Giveaway: Attack of The Giant Krispie! ~9/29

**** I received a one month subscription to Orange Glad in exchange for my honest opinion. All photos are copyright Momma Told Me Blog 2013.

Momma Told Me: It came from....the kitchen!

I'm addicted to sugar.

Over the last year I've cut out nearly all sugar from my diet; I was certain, at the time the decision was made, I would surely die from a lack of fun and flavor. I used to reach for candy bars every night before bed, okay, while in bed- and find myself filling the afternoon slumps with ice cream novelties and sugary beverages. For 6 months the only sugar in my diet was that found in sauces and mealtime recipes. I dropped 58lbs. Did this experience turn me against the crystalline love of my life? No. It did, however, elevate my palette, and my decisions.

When I returned to sweets it was within a mutual agreement of love and respect. I would not fill emotional holes with sugar, nor would I reach for the nearest generic candy bar just to get a fix. I would savor every splurge, turn every sugary bite into an experience, and make new frosted friends. That is to say, I now combine moderation with intense appreciation. Smaller portions and new treats help keep my palette engaged, without the need to consume half a cake, or multiple desserts.

It's no surprise to you, my reader, that my addictive personality does not stop at sugar; you've likely read multiple rants about subscription box services. Naturally, when I found a company as passionate about their sweets as I, and pairing this passion with a monthly box service, I was more than intrigued. Orange Glad promises a monthly adventure of sugar culinary proportions with a generously sized box of carefully curated, gourmet, sweets. They understand the sweet tooth better than most, knowing we crave texture, flavor, and aromatics for originally sweet adventures. Ordering a gourmet truffle from a confectionery in Texas would cost me a pretty penny. However, with Orange Glad, I can receive 4-5 individual, unique, treats, each month. No heavy footwork, or hefty shipping fees, involved.

So, what's so special about a box full of sweets? Studies show, when cravings hit, humans are most likely to reach for whatever is closest to satisfy that craving. Unfortunately, what we reach for first is not always engaging enough to tame our taste-buds, and we continue to crave more. Sure, you may have had that secret stash of Reese's cups in the freezer since college, but do you still get the same satisfaction from your first bite? Orange Glad presents a delightful answer to the inevitable sweet tooth attack; a variety of different textures and tastes, all handcrafted by talented artisans and confectioneries, Nationwide. You'll find salty paired with sweet, sinfully messy finger foods, delightfully over sized goodies, and chocolate (what would this box be without chocolate?)

I received my first box from Orange Glad in August, and the other half and I happened to be partaking in a series of week-long dares. The day after my orange box arrived we began a week of no sugar. It was pure torture. Many of the products curated for monthly Orange Glad boxes are baked, or made, fresh right before mailing, so I probably lost out on some of the 'direct' experience due to this. While I anxiously watched the days in my sugar free week tick by I nearly memorized the included Menu card which promised; 1 (Jumbo) Chocolate Sprinkles Crispycakes, Popcornopolis Gourmet Caramel Corn, Lemon Frosted Sugar Cookies, Pineapple Coconut Biscotti, and Chocolate Cake Bites (by I Live For Dessert). Also included was an ingredients card with complete ingredients for each treat; an especially helpful asset for those with allergies, or seeking the treats with least preservatives.

By the time my week was up I found myself racing for the Orange Glad Box. I felt as though I'd perish from lack of sugar, but knew I'd enjoy my journey more if I waited for my sweet tooth to hit, then dove in. Later that afternoon I took my first victim, the chocolate cake bites, which resembled elegant truffles to me. These moist chocolate cake balls, filled with generous bits of chocolate chunks also included a packet of cocoa powder to balance the authentic presentation. As the only chocolate item in this box, I was certain the best was out of the way, but I was even more impressed a few days later, by the Lemon Frosted Sugar Cookies, which garnered the majority of their flavor from the soft frosting atop. As I mentioned, many of these items are made fresh, and intended to be enjoyed promptly; the Menu card included an 'enjoy by' window for each item, though I found nothing lacking for having waited a week.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the younger one's favorite find in this Orange Glad Sweet Box, the Chocolate Sprinkles Crispycakes (which included a vendor discount code for re-order). I'm uncertain if I have ever come across a krispie square so generous in height as it was in width. This 'Monster Krispie' had a thick layer of chocolate sprinkles atop, and the perfect balance of thick, gooey, mallows to fluffy grain crisps. We cut this giant treat into quarters, which still proved quite decadent, and a challenge for those of us with smaller mouths (not me, haha). You can experience Orange Glad, or give the gift of Orange Glad, today for just $15 plus Shipping and Handling, or save $2 on each box and buy 6 months in advance. And, save 10% today, with our exclusive reader discount code: MOMMATOLD7. You really can't beat the value, or convenience, when you consider the range and quality of products featured!

What Daughter Says: When your sweet tooth hits don't forage for sub-par treats. Enjoy a hand picked array of gourmet goods from Orange Glad.

One Momma Told Me reader will win 1 month of Orange Glad, Sweet Box.