Where Did The Year Go?

Tomorrow marks the new financial year.  I don't know about you but I can't believe how quickly the year has flown by.  But then I think about all the things I crammed into the year and realise I was just too busy to see how quickly the days were disappearing.  My days are sometimes marked from one special holiday to the next:  Christmas then Valentine's Day then Easter, etc.  And even though I managed to sneak in a few breaks here and there, it still seems to have vanished without a trace.

One golden rule I have learnt about being in business for the past 10 years however is never to wish for a quiet moment because as a small business owner, you don't ever want the rush to end regardless of how tired you are at the end of the day.  Thank goodness for chocolate (and coffee) to help get me through on the busiest of days.  And thank you to our wonderful customers for creating those busy moments.

Mini Noodle Boxes (Corporate) - $12 per box

If you are feeling the wear and tear from the end of the financial year and the move into the next, why not treat yourself to a gift or two?  Or if you have a few dollars left over in the corporate kitty, order your staff a box of goodies as a well-earned reward.  We have some wonderful corporate gifts to choose from to keep your staff motivated and to thank them for their effort for the past year.

As always our new financial year goal is to try to improve on the previous year.  We aim to better our customer service and our products to ensure that the quality and service you receive from Rainbow Designs is second to none.

Do you have a particular goal in mind for the new financial year?

Sweets For My Sweet

"Sweets for my sweet, sugar for my honey

Your first sweet kiss thrilled me so

Sweets for my sweet, sugar for my honey

I'll never ever let you go"

- Sweets For My Sweet, Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman

When it comes to your sweetheart, it is always a great time to buy them a little something.  It doesn't need to be a particular occasion - when was the last time you got them a "just because" gift?

We have lots of great gift ideas for that special someone - don't wait for Valentine's Day or their birthday, today is a great day to show them how wonderful or respected they are.  Or you could order a gift and keep it hidden until the day deserves a little pick-me-up; we all definitely need those from time to time.

What do I recommend?  Well that's a tough question, however I am happy to share some of my particular favourites which have created many a special moment for our customers.

Love You More Than Chocolate

There is no denying how you feel with our Love You More Than Chocolate gift.  Choose from your choice of lollies or chocolates to accompany our cute teddy bear.

Big Chocolate Box

Our Big Chocolate Box is one of the most popular gifts we have on offer and is perfect for cuddling up on the sofa and watching your favourite sports game or a movie on a Friday evening. 

Because You're Sweet

The name says it all!  A scrumptious mix of chocolates, fudge, rocky road, gems and party mix all housed in a practical cake tin which you can use over and over again.

These are of course just some of our suggestions.  Browse our extensive list of lolly and chocolate gifts that will suit that special someone.  We have licorice, fudge, rocky road, gluten free and many others to choose from.

Our sweet range from Rainbow Designs is just another way to show "I Love You".

World Cup Snacks

World Cup fever is everywhere. Has it taken over your household or even divided your household? Amazing how one sport can have that much effect, much like the AFL does when individual family members support opposing teams.

No guessing what my snack of choice is when I sit down to watch a game (hint: it involves chocolate or lollies) however I have spotted many articles recently which are giving some great inspirational ideas on what to serve with a particular game.

How does Chilean barbecue chicken sound for the Chilean match (admittedly it sounds pretty good!)? Or fried spicy potatoes in support of Spain? Bring out the hot dogs or bratwursts for Germany vs the US and for Italy vs England, you could choose between fresh bread, meat and cheese or the great British staple, fish and chips.

This is really a fun way to make an event out of the game. Do some research to find out a popular dish from a particular country, preferably something you don't eat regularly and serve it up to friends and family.  You are really only limited by your imagination and your search engine.  

Depending on how good your culinary skills are, you can really experiment and amaze your friends and family with your international cuisine.

And for dessert, why that's where our chocolate and lollies come in handy!

Facebook Fun

We have been having a lot of fun on our Facebook page over the last week or so trying to determine which candy is the preferred favourite over another; you might just be surprised by the results. 

M&M's vs Jaffas

Winner:  M&M's

M&M's vs Smarties

Winner:  M&M's

Licorice Bullets vs Freckles

Winner:  Licorice Bullets

Licorice Bullets vs Fantales

Winner:  Votes are still coming in but it looks like Licorice Bullets will be the overall winner

Some lollies seem to be extremely popular regardless of which other lolly they are up against.  M&M's and Licorice Bullets are two of my favourites and it seems I am not alone in this opinion.

If you do have a preferred favourite candy whether it be Licorice Bullets, M&Ms or some other delicious choice, we have a Craving - Pick Your Mix gift allowing you to select only your personal favourites, one kilo of them to be exact.  You can choose from 46 different candy selections and it will come packaged in a reusable gift box just for you or a friend (or both if you plan to share).

Perfect for the fussiest of individuals and for those who crave a particular lolly over another.  You can imagine their surprise when they open this gift - whether it be 1kg of Red and Green Frogs or 1kg of Chicos and Milk Bottles - you know it will definitely be appreciated.

What would go in your Pick Your Mix selection?

Why You Should Eat Chocolate

I never thought I would be writing a blog post entitled why you should eat or even drink chocolate because to me it is pretty obvious, it is super delicious.  However just in case that doesn't convince you then here are some more reasons to entice you to tempt those taste buds.

1.  Chocolate may be known for it's ability to add to your weight but a recent study in Australia shows that chocolate and exercise actually go well together.  It showed that eating chocolate high in healthy antioxidants reduced the blood pressure-raising effects of exercise on overweight individuals.

2.  Canadian scientists carried out a study involving almost 45,000 and found that people eating chocolate were 22% less likely to suffer a stroke than those who didn't.  In addition, those who had a stroke but regularly consumed chocolate were 46% less likely to die as a result.

3.  Women who ate chocolate daily during their pregnancy reported that they were better able to handle stress than mothers who abstained.

4.  Scientists at Harvard Medical School suggest that drinking two cups of hot chocolate a day may help keep the brain healthy and prevent memory decline in older people.

5.  Chocolate releases calming endorphins that reduce anxiety, plus it is high in magnesium which lifts moods and reduces water retention; ideal for PMS sufferers.

6.  One study found that chocolate quieted coughs almost as well as codeine, thanks to the theobromine it contains.

7.  Both South American and European cultures have a history that dates back to the 16th century of treating diarrhea with cocoa.  Modern day science has shown they were onto something.

8.  Consuming high levels of flavonoids, which is found in chocolate could significantly help protect against type 2 diabetes according to a study published in The Journal of Nutrition.

9.  Researchers at Germany's Heinrich Heine University found that after six week, chocolate eaters exposed to ultraviolet light had 15% less skin reddening than those who didn't eat it.

10.  And to top it all off there is also evidence that this compound has the ability to sweeten up your love life as well.

Of course I have done no studies to back any of this information up - like I said at the beginning, I think it is super delicious and that is all the evidence I need.