Surf Sweets Organic and Natural Candy

Getting Ready for Earth Day 2010!

2010-04-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

Spring fever is in the air, flowers are in bloom, and summer is just around the bend. What better opportunity to show how much you appreciate this lovely time of year than by celebrating EARTH DAY on April 22nd? This year marks the 40th anniversary of Earth Day and many fun, earth-friendly events are planned in communities across the country. Search online to find events near you!

The start of spring and Earth Day are great reasons for all of us to get outside and celebrate our planet. Here are just a few easy ways that you can protect our environment:

Reduce, reuse and recycle! Look for products with less packaging, take reusable bags on shopping trips, creatively reuse other products, and recycle what's left.

Buy organic. Organic foods are grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides which make them a safer choice for your family and our planet.

Commute without polluting. Use public transportation, carpool, walk or bike whenever possible. Plan your errands wisely to avoid unnecessary driving.

Volunteer to participate in an Earth Day event in your community (check www.epa.gov/earthday or www.earthday.net for events near you)

Spread the word! Engage your friends and family in Earth Day volunteer events. Share with them these easy tips for protecting our earth's resources.

Teach your children about how they can be good stewards of our planet (check www.epa.gov and other online sites for lesson plans)

And while we're on the subject of protecting our planet, WORLD OCEANS DAY is also right around the corner. Celebrated on June 8th, World Oceans Day is a worldwide celebration of our shared ocean that helps make people more aware of the importance of the ocean in our everyday lives.

To celebrate World Oceans Day, Surf Sweets is hosting our second annual art contest for children aged 5-13. We have great prizes to give away, including tickets to your local museum, zoo, or aquarium, and a year's supply of Surf Sweets candy! This is a great interactive opportunity to educate your children on ways to preserve our waterways and celebrate the diversity of life found in the ocean. Check out our website in May for more information on the contest.

As spring turns to summer and the weather warms up, don't forget to take a minute to cool down with Surf Sweets candies. Our natural and organic gummy candies and jelly beans pack a refreshing wave of natural fruit flavor in every bite, the perfect treat to beat the heat!

Happy Holidays from Surf Sweets!

2009-12-21T13:48:00.000-08:00

Winter officially begins today and the Holiday season is in full swing. Santa is checking his list, trees are being trimmed, presents are being wrapped and family celebrations are being planned.

As you finish up your holiday baking, we wanted to give you some easy and fun ideas for using Surf Sweets candies as decorations for your favorite recipes. Our natural and organic candies not only taste delicious, but they make beautiful and colorful additions to cookies, cakes and even homemade ornaments. Use our jelly beans and gummy swirls as buttons and eyes for decorating gingerbread men and snowman cookies. Our candies are perfect for decorating gingerbread houses too. In fact, our friends at Allergy Free Grocery created a unique gingerbread house kit that includes our Surf Sweets Gummy Swirls. Check it out www.allergygrocer.com.

Here are two quick recipes for delicious holiday treats that you can make with your kids:

Best Sugar Cookies

Click here to download the recipe.

Holiday Chocolate Bark

Click here to download the recipe.

If you have other recipes that use Surf Sweets candies, we'd love to see them! Please e-mail them to us at info@surfsweets.com. If we feature your recipe, we will send you a package of our goodies as a "thank you."

On behalf of everyone here at Surf Sweets, we wish you and your families a very happy, healthy and Sweet holiday season! We thank you for making 2009 a great year and for your ongoing support.

May 2010 bring much joy and happiness to you and your family!

Happy Surfing!

Bert

We are thankful for so much!

2009-11-25T13:00:00.000-08:00

This Thanksgiving holiday, we would like to thank all of our wonderful customers. Your support has helped us bring healthier candy options to families across the country. We would also like to remember the worthwhile causes that partnered with Surf Sweets in 2009:

The Ocean Project - This year we helped The Ocean Project promote the first World Oceans Day (June 8, 2009) with our "Artwork for Kids Contest". Kids across the country shared their amazing artwork themed "Why I Love the Ocean."

Green Halloween - We also partnered with Green Halloween on ways to have a more earth-friendly Halloween. Their efforts don't stop with Halloween. Check out their website as they continue to promote ways to enjoy the holidays that are good for people and good for the planet.

TreeSwing -Surf Sweets donates a portion of the sales of our new Sour Berry Bears snack packs for the next year to TreeSwing - an inspiring organization dedicated to improving the health of children and preventing childhood obesity.

Please help these valuable organizations by sharing their messages with your friends and family this Thanksgiving. And, don't forget to include Surf Sweets in your travel plans - they make a perfect snack! We wish everyone a SWEET and healthy Thanksgiving!

Sweet Recipes from Surf Sweets!

2009-10-24T08:48:00.000-07:00

As the father of a two year old daughter with peanut allergies, my family is constantly looking for safe, fun and tasty food options. This becomes a tougher challenge around Halloween, as many candies and treats contain peanuts and other common allergens.

This year, Surf Sweets partnered with Betsy Laakso, Director of Research and Development from Enjoy Life Foods,to create three spooky, delicious and allergy-friendly Halloween recipes. In addition to being one of the most creative food developers in the industry, Betsy is an absolute Halloween fanatic. She has one of the most extensive collections of Halloween decorations that I have ever seen and she's been known to carve as many as 50 jack-o-lanterns to decorate her house!

While you will love all three of our recipes, our personal favorite is the Witch's Cauldron. It reminds us of a creepy Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, minus the peanuts, dairy, soy and refined sweeteners.

You can view all our recipes and watch Betsy in action at www.surfsweets.com/fun.php. You can also create your own Halloween treats by using our Sour Worms and Gummy Worms as insects or our Jelly Beans and Gummy Swirls as spooky looking eyes on cakes, cookies and other craft projects.

Please send us your favorite Halloween and holiday recipes. If we feature your idea, we will be sure to send you a Surf Sweets gift pack.

Have a Sweet, Spooky and Safe Halloween!

Bert
Founder

Celebrate a Green Halloween with Surf Sweets!

2009-10-21T09:29:00.000-07:00

This year Surf Sweets is proud to partner with our friends at Green Halloween® to promote ways to have a more earth-friendly and healthy Halloween.

Green Halloween is a nonprofit grassroots initiative whose mission is to create healthier, eco-friendly holidays, starting with Halloween. Started by a mother of two, this nationwide movement is all about educating and inspiring communities by showing how easy, affordable and fun it can be to factor our earth and our health into our Halloween celebrations.

Surf Sweets and Green Halloween have put together a downloadable party planning guide (www.surfsweets.com/greenhalloween/) with fun and useful tips to help inspire your own healthy and Earth-friendly Halloween.

Surf Sweets is also donating a portion of the sales of our new Sour Berry Bear Snack Size Packs for the next year to Treeswing. This inspiring organization works to improve the health of children and prevent childhood obesity through education and programs. For instance, Treeswing distributed over 6,000 jump ropes to kindergartners in Seattle to get them on the path of being more physically active.

Our snack size packs of gummy candies are perfect for trick-or-treaters. If you can't find them yet in your store, you can order them online at these great websites. Order soon so you'll have them in time for Halloween!

http://www.naturalcandystore.com/ - check out their natural candy party mix that includes our snack packs

http://www.peanutfreeplanet.com/

http://www.sugarcoatedorganics.com/
Have a Sweet day and a Green Halloween!
Bert
Founder

World Oceans Day Artwork for Kids Contest Winners

2009-08-05T08:04:00.000-07:00

Kids from across the country helped Surf Sweets celebrate this year’s first official World Oceans Day (June 8, 2009) by sharing their artwork themed "Why I Love the Ocean." The artwork we received was amazing! We hope that everyone who participated had fun learning about the importance of our world's oceans.

We'd especially like to thank Cheryl and her team at the John G. Shedd Aquarium in Chicago for judging our contest.

The first prize winners from each age group will receive a year's supply of Surf Sweets, 4 tickets to their local zoo, aquarium or museum and their artwork framed. The second prize and third prize winners also receive a Surf Sweets gift basket and tickets to their local zoo, aquarium or museum.

Congratulations to our winners & thank you to everyone who participated!

The winners are:
Age 5-7
Winner: Ayushman C. (TX)
2nd Prize: Emilio G. (OR)
3rd Prize: Gavin C. (CA)

Age 8-10
Winner: Rachel L. (ME)
2nd Prize: Maria G. (OR)
3rd Prize: Kheva M. (CA)

Age 11-13
Winner: Andrew E. (TX)
2nd Prize: Abby M. (FL)
3rd Prize: Briella H. (CA)

Celebrate Independence Day with Surf Sweets!

2009-07-04T06:49:00.000-07:00

The 4th of July is a favorite holiday of ours at Surf Sweets. It reminds us of our mission to make candy that's free from all of the unhealthy, artificial ingredients you'll find in many other snacks. We're also proud to say that Surf Sweets are made right here in the U.S.A.

We take freedom very seriously at Surf Sweets. Our candy is free from artificial colors and synthetic flavors. Many of our ingredients are also organic, making them free from chemicals that are bad for people and our environment.

Don't forget to bring our NEW .9 oz single-serving snack pack with to your celebrations. They're a perfect treat to pack for fireworks shows and picnics. If baseball is part of your plans, you'll be happy to hear that Surf Sweets are now available in Dodger's Stadium!

We hope that you have a sweet time celebrating our freedom - Have a happy and safe Independence Day!

Happy World Oceans Day from Surf Sweets

2009-06-08T06:00:00.000-07:00

Join us in celebrating World Oceans Day - today! June 8, 2009.

About World Oceans Day:

World Oceans Day provides an opportunity to celebrate our world ocean and our personal connection to the sea. First proposed in 1992 by the government of Canada at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, World Oceans Day has been unofficially celebrated each year since then. This year, it has been officially declared by the United Nations as June 8 each year!

Visit http://www.worldoceansday.org/ for more information, and for a list of fun and interesting events at aquariums, museums, zoos and other supporting organizations throughout the U.S. and the world.

Hurry - enter our World Ocean's Day Artwork Contest for Kids!
The Surf Sweets brand has partnered with The Ocean Project to help build awareness of World Oceans Day through our Surf Sweets Artwork Contest for Kids. As an organic and natural candy company, we care about the planet and protecting our world's ocean for future generations. The Ocean Project is an organization that advances ocean conservation by working with over 800 zoos, aquariums and zoos to further educate visitors about ocean conservation.

Contest Details:
Kids age 5-13 can submit their color artwork that best captures the spirit of "Why I Love the Ocean" to win prizes including framing of your child's artwork, tickets to a local aquarium, museum or zoo, and free Surf Sweets candies. The contest is a fun way for kids to connect with the ocean, while demonstrating their creativity and having fun! But hurry, the contest ends July 15, so get your entries in soon!! Entry forms and complete details are available on our site: www.surfsweets.com/artworkcontest

You Can Make a Difference!
Here are some tips that you can use in helping to protect our world's oceans:
* Bike, instead of drive.
* Grow a green garden.
* Eat organic foods, free of pesticides.
* Choose "ocean friendly" paper products.
* Choose seafood that is abundant in supply and fished or farmed without harm to the ocean.
* Join your local zoo, museum or aquarium

Another way to participate - "Wear Blue and Tell Two":

Don't forget to Wear Blue on June 8 in support of the day, and spread the word by passing along to friends and family two tips like those above that they can use to help protect our ocean.

Happy World Oceans Day, and as always, Happy Surfing!

Happy Earth Day!

2009-04-20T12:36:00.000-07:00

As a natural and organic candy company, we're committed to providing products that are better for you, and for our planet. Surf Sweets uses certified UDSA organic ingredients that are all natural and grown free of harsh chemical pesticides. Our candies are naturally good, and naturally fun!

Celebrating Earth Day with your kids is a great way to instill a connection to our earth at an early age, and to raise awareness about how each of us can make a difference to protect our environment. Earth Day, April 22, 2009 is a day to get outside, enjoy nature, and to honor the day. Eating organically is another fun way to celebrate the day - with Surf Sweets candies of course!

Check out our Action Tips with some ways that you can help protect our earth, and our world's ocean. Soon after Earth Day, will be World Ocean Day celebrated in June. We are kicking off our artwork contest for kids in support of World Ocean Day; click here for a downloadable entry form. We look forward to continuing to enjoy making the world a better place together with our customers and friends of Surf Sweets!

We would love to hear from you - How are you celebrating Earth Day this year??

Have a great Earth Day and as always,

Happy Surfing!

Spring is in the air!

2009-04-03T06:24:00.000-07:00

We're glad to see flowers already sprouting in our garden and birds coming out to welcome the nicer weather.

Jelly Beans are a favorite candy this time of year and since Surf Sweets Organic Jelly Beans are made with organic fruit juice and sweeteners and include 100% of daily Vitamin C per serving, you can feel good about including them in kids' Easter Baskets, in holiday recipes, or for a sweet treat anytime. Our jelly beans are also gluten free, made in a nut-free facility, and vegetarian. They taste delicious, and are naturally good fun!

We wanted to share one of our favorite recipes to make and share with your kids - a sweet symbol of the spring season -Bird's nests featuring Surf Sweets Jelly Bean "eggs". Our friends at Roh and Jo's Gluten Free Sweets created this fun recipe and get extra credit for adding oats, a healthy and tasty way to get some fiber into your diet.

We would also love to hear how you are using Surf Sweets natural and organic candies in your recipes to celebrate spring - feel free to share your ideas with us at: info@surfsweets.com.

Enjoy your spring holidays -Happy Easter, Happy Passover, and as always,

Happy Surfing!

Surf Sweets World Ocean Day Artwork Contest for Kids

2009-03-06T07:36:00.000-08:00

We are excited to announce the Surf Sweets "World Ocean Day Artwork Contest for Kids" in support of World Ocean Day on June 8, 2009.

Kids ages 5-13 can enter their color artwork that best illustrates "Why I Love the Ocean" and will have the opportunity to win framing of their artwork, tickets to their local aquarium, museum or zoo, and free Surf Sweets natural and organic candies.

We're a company that cares about the health and well-being of our customers, and our planet. We use all natural ingredients in our candies and we also support causes that help promote environmental sustainability. In keeping with this mission, Surf Sweets is working in collaboration with The Ocean Project on this initiative, an organization that works in partnership with more than 800 zoos, aquariums and museums to educate visitors about how they can protect and conserve the world's ocean.

World Ocean Day was founded to raise awareness about the world's ocean. The concept of a "World Ocean Day" was first proposed in 1992 by the Government of Canada at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. Although not yet officially designated by the United Nations, an increasing number of countries mark June 8 as an opportunity each year to celebrate our world ocean and our personal connection to the sea. This year's event is themed "one ocean, one climate, one future".

Visit participating retailers for more information, or click here for a downloadable contest entry form with all of the details on how to be part of this great event and for action tips that you can use to make a difference in protecting our ocean.
Hurry-- entry forms and artwork submissions are due no later than June 20, 2009!

Happy Surfing!

Welcome to the Surf Sweets Blog!

2009-02-10T09:58:00.000-08:00

Thank you for visiting our new blog! We are looking forward to sharing our products with you, giving you recipe ideas and just having fun. Visit our page on Facebook and become a fan to be the first to receive coupons, updates, and giveaways for Surf Sweets! We would also love to hear your feedback on our products and any ideas you have for us at info@surfsweets.com

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, we have a fun and easy to make treat to share with your valentines:

SURF SWEETS HEART MERINGUES

Ingredients:

3 Egg Whites

Pinch of Salt

3/4 Teaspoon Cream of Tartar

3/4 Cup Sugar

1 Bag Surf Sweets Jelly Beans

1 Bag Surf Sweets Gummy Swirls

Directions: Preheat oven to 170 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Trace 5 hearts. Beat egg whites, salt and cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Add sugar slowly and beat until stiff peaks form. Put meringue into a plastic bag. Cut tip off of one corner. *If you are using a star tip, slide it into the corner with the edges sticking out before placing the meringue in the bag. Pipe the meringue following the heart pattern and make swirls out of the rest. Decorate with Surf Sweets Jelly Beans and Gummy Swirls Bake 3 1/2 hours or until hard.

Thanks to our friends at Roh & Jo's Gluten Free Sweets for creating this tasty treat.

HAPPY SURFING!