Those who know me on a personal level are aware of my love for Peeps. But, when I peruse the Peeps website or get excited about a new color of Peep, or bring Peeps to share at a party, many cringe and look at me as if I have lost my mind(or at least my sense of taste). This post is a simple explanation of how I can feel such love for a sugared, three dimensional, marshmallow treat.
In classic Psycho-analytic form, I blame my father for this obsession. For as long as I can remember, my Dad has been obsessed with eating marshmallows. He taught me to place your classic "campfire marshmallows" in a pie tin in the oven at broil, and flip them over as they brown. And... there you have it, INSTANT GOO. I inherited my Dad's sugar fetish and have proudly developed into a "Peep freak" just like him.
As kids, Peeps were an Easter staple: Hot Cross Buns, Honey Baked Ham, warm potatoes, fresh rolls, and Peeps. Everyone knows there are two ways to eat Peeps. My dad is a die-hard chewy peep fan. He still rips off the plastic and leaves them out for weeks, months and on one occasion, a year (when my mom learned of that instance, she made sure that would never happen again). I myself, enjoy them soft. But, contrary to popular myth, Peeps do not roast well. It is true that watching a Peep explode in the microwave provides endless entertainment, but eating the Peep afterwards proves to be a negative experience.
This Peep fetish runs in my family. My grandma gave all the grandkids packages of Peeps at Easter. My uncles love Peeps. Even my Aunt had a "Peep incident" at her work when a fellow employee put a Peep on a shelf near the ceiling, let it sit for almost 4 years and then ate it. (note: this blog does not condone any such behavior with a Peep).!
As I got older, Peeps changed with the changing times. The stiff bunny and pompous looking chick evolved into the Vanilla and Strawberry Creme hearts at Valentines. Soon we had orange pumpkins, white ghosts, black spiders and bats, and Frankenstein heads at Halloween. Then, Christmas trees and gingerbread men Peeps appeared. I was elated a few years ago to see an actual Peep inside a chocolate egg and a "decorating kit" for white egg Peeps. Though these four holidays are the only holidays with Peeps, it has been rumored New Years Peeps exist. I will believe it when I see it!
I have also allowed Peeps to affect my personal goals and traditions. A few years ago, I was dyeing eggs with my friends at Easter and I started getting goofy, taking fun pictures of Peeps. This soon became a tradition. Last year, I decided to attempt to make my own Peeps. This proved to be an AWESOME experience. However, it is true in this case, store bought Peeps taste much better than homemade.
This year, for Lent, I decided to sacrifice sugar. It has been an intense escapade, but in a matter of days, I will be able to eat a sugared Peep, guilt free! (Note: Sugar-free Peeps do exist and though they taste the same, the strange thickness of the marshmallow and warnings on the package of a "laxative effect" should be enough to encourage only the consumption of real Peeps).
So, in honor of Easter and its many traditions (i.e. plastic eggs full of Robin Eggs, Hollow chocolate bunnies, and Charlton Heston) I honor the Peep. It is truly a modern day marvel!
One of my poems was recently chosen to be published in the Literary Magazine, Weber Studies. This is a poem I wrote for a professor who recently passed away from cancer.
