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Michelle Dishes on Gossip Girl Romance, Oprah Sued For $1 Trillion, and a Cookie War Heats Up!

Molly — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 13:24:35 -0700

We got a chance to chat with Michelle Trachtenberg at last night's TCA party - check out the exclusive video below. Also, Wal-Mart takes on the Girl Scouts and Oprah's ridiculous $1 trillion lawsuit! We're also gearing up for Britney's big show on Sunday and have the latest breaking news on Paula's replacements. Watch it now!

Will Wal-Mart's New Cookies Hurt the Girl Scouts?

YumSugar — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 10:30:00 -0700

Over the years, world's biggest retailer Wal-Mart has been the source of heated scrutiny for many organizations, from labor unions to environmental groups. The grocery giant's latest purported victim? The Girl Scouts.

According to Ad Age, the corporation, which has focused on expanding its Great Value private label, handed out test versions of its cookies at Chicago's recent BlogHer conference. One Ohio mommy blogger - and former Girl Scout cookie mom - took immediate notice of the cookies' resemblance to Girl Scout varieties.

"Wal-Mart has copied the Girl Scouts' two best selling cookie types, Thin Mints and Tagalongs," wrote C.V. Harquail on her blog, Authentic Organizations. "There goes the Girl Scout cookies' special allure, and there go the profits that fund the Girl Scouts' programs."

The issue, which has already garnered a reasonable amount of attention, once again raises the question of the corporation's concern for its community. Do you think the new cookies will cannibalize sales of Girl Scout cookies? Is Wal-Mart responsible for considering the impact of its sales on its surroundings - or is it up to the Girl Scouts to evolve with the times?

Source: Flickr User zaui

Yummy Links: From Chiles to Girl Scout Cookies

partysugar — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 06:50:32 -0700

Tips for taming the fiery heat of chilies. - Serious Eats
Anthony Bourdain on food television. - Eat Me Daily
The beers and wines that pair perfectly with stir-fry. - The Kitchn
An insider look at Barbie's 50th birthday bash. - Hostess With the Mostess
Use one bag of beans to make a week's worth of lunches. - Chow
Should Girl Scouts be allowed to sell cookies online? - The Epi-Log

Source

Girl Scouts Deal With Declining Sales, Counterfeit Cash

partysugar — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 10:15:53 -0800

Despite attempts to maintain high profits through downsizing cookie boxes, the Girl Scouts of America are not immune to the poor economy. MSNBC reports a dramatic decline in cookie sales with some troops selling 35 percent less cookies than they did last year. Although the institution lowered its cookie-selling goal in anticipation of the recession, Girl Scouts is nowhere near its goal.

Not only are the Girl Scouts having a hard time getting people to purchase cookies, it's also being plagued by counterfeit currency. Fake $20 bills were use to buy cookies from several troops in the Bremerton, WA, area. No suspects have been named, but many troops now employ a special pen that detects fake bills.

While I'm not shocked by the decline in sales, I was surprised to hear about the fake money. I don't understand how anyone could cheat young girls who are raising money for a good cause. How do you feel about the matter? Has the recession changed your Girl Scout cookie purchasing habits?

The Official Girl Scout Cookies Flickr Group

Facing Increased Costs, Girl Scouts Downsize Cookie Boxes

YumSugar — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 13:00:08 -0800

It's always seemed a little too effortless to finish off a box of Girl Scout cookies, but if they are a little easier to dust off this year, it's not just in your head. To offset the cost increases of cookie ingredients, Girl Scouts of the USA made the decision to shrink its cookie boxes by a centimeter, package fewer cookies into boxes of Thin Mints, Do-si-dos, and Tagalongs, and reduce the size of its Lemon Chalet Crèmes. According to the organization, the cost of flour rose by 30 percent, assorted cooking oils by 40 percent, and cocoa by at least 20 percent. The company felt this was the best method of dealing with increasing raw material prices. Alternatively, Girl Scouts could have used cheaper ingredients, or raised cookie prices from their current price of $3.50 per box.

This doesn't come as a surprise to me, since last year producers began rolling out shrunken products in reaction to the price of food on the rise. I'm secretly a bit excited - for once, the downsized box may be enough for me to stop short of a stomachache.

How do you feel about this news? Does it affect your decision to buy the cookies?

Source

Girl Scout Cookies: On Their Way Out?

YumSugar — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 09:42:57 -0800

Every year girls of many ages partake in a time-honored tradition: Girl Scout cookie sales. But this year, the joy that Girl Scout cookie season brings may be, well, a little bittersweet.

In the last half a decade, the Girl Scouts of the USA has faced membership decline, and the organization has brought in a consulting team for an image overhaul. The conclusion? Focus less on selling cookies.

Membership in the Girl Scouts fell by 250,000 in the last five years, according to a Time report, and cookie sales have been down as well. In a struggle to retain importance, the organization will shift its focus to areas such as technology and community service.

So if you see a cookie-buying opportunity, jump on it, for fear of fewer chances down the line. Personally, I will be creating a stash of Thin Mints and Caramel DeLites to last me through the year. Do you plan to stock up now? Are the Girl Scouts are making a wise move?

Source

Girl Scout Cookies Have Landed!

YumSugar — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 10:13:31 -0800

On Friday afternoon, as I was strolling around town, I noticed the first real signs of Spring: Girl Scout Cookies! So unless you've already ordered yours, you've got 13 days to get your hands on this year's offerings. From now until Mar. 16, you'll be able to find Girl Scouts on nearly every major street corner and grocery store parking lot. Some troops are on a different schedule, but you can find a troop near you and indulge!

Personally, I've got a thing for the Samoas, I love the toasted coconut, caramel, and chocolate. Although I wouldn't turn down a Thin Mint or a Tagalong (peanut butter and chocolate) either. And I always end up buying at least one box (they should be $3.50 a box).

So tell me, do you end up buying Girl Scout Cookies? Or do you think they're overrated?

Source

Yummy Link: Girl Scout Samoa Cheese Tart

partysugar — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 03:01:51 -0800

If you ordered too many boxes of Girl Scout cookies, then use them to make a tart. This Girl Scout samoa cheese tart uses the cookies and (my fav) dulce de leche. It looks to die for! - Sticky, Gooey, Creamy, Chewy

Yummy Links: From Valentine's Treats to Homemade Samoas

YumSugar — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 08:29:31 -0800

From simple to sophisticated, here are a load of super sweet Valentine's Day treats. - Hostess with the Mostess

S'mores shouldn't be restricted to summer months, and now you can make your own Whole Wheat S'more Cookies. - Serious Eats
Williams-Sonoma has updated their website to include tips like how to cook for a crowd. - Williams-Sonoma
Grab a healthy lunch idea with Chickpea, Tomato and Feta Salad. - FitSugar
Both Thomas Keller and Michael Chiarello's new restaurants were on the agenda at the last Yountville Town Council meeting. - SF Eater
Need some help in the kitchen? Here are 10 pieces of equipment to help you out. - iVillage
What exactly is Dutch Process Chocolate? - The Kitchn
Is there a difference between brown and white eggs? - Chow
Can't wait for Girl Scout season? Try making your own homemade Samoas. - Baking Bites

Can't Wait For Girl Scout Cookies? Try Girl Scout Ice Cream

YumSugar — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 06:58:31 -0800

Those of you who love Girl Scout Cookies will be happy to know that many of your local Girl Scout troops are taking pre-orders now. The cookies are traditionally sold in early March, but for those of you that can't wait, I spied the seasonal Dryer's/Edy's Girl Scout cookie ice creams at my local Safeway. For a few months only, the ice cream giant produces three flavors of ice cream infused with Girl Scout cookies. My personal favorite is the Samoas, which is Samoas cookies in Caramel Ice Cream with Fudge. However there's also Thin Mint - Thin Mint Cookies in Chocolate Mint Ice Cream - and Tagalongs - Peanut Butter Patties combined with vanilla ice cream and swirls of peanut butter and fudge.

Actually now that I've listed them out, I can't decide! How about you, which flavor do you want to try, and do you think they'll curb your Girl Scout Cookie cravings?