Every morning of Bossy’s childhood began with a pot of hot chocolate. Or, every morning that Bossy’s milk fanatic family remembered to buy milk, which was surprisingly difficult considering that if the family fell from their high rise windows they would land in a food market, but you get Bossy’s point: she consumed an ocean of hot chocolate.
Made rich and smooth, hot chocolate was the perfect foil for the slices of dripping buttered white toast that accompanied it. And this is the brand of hot chocolate mix that made it possible:
Fast forward a few decades. Every morning of Bossy’s adult life, Bossy prepares a pot of hot chocolate for her daughter. And if Bossy’s daughter were here she’d be all, “Not every morning!” But you get Bossy’s point: she has prepared an ocean of hot chocolate:
Only: something is different and weird these days about the chocolate mixes. Bossy abandoned the powder brands because the chocolate granules never assimilate with the milk, and yes Bossy used the word assimilate when describing hot chocolate.
And so Bossy switched over to the chocolate syrup pictured above. But the chocolate syrup is not the chocolate syrup of Bossy’s youth, when her Grandma Charlotte would prepare a river of chocolate milk for Bossy as the two of them sat in her grandmother’s kitchen watching Merv Griffin on the portable black-and-white TV.
These days, it takes a steady stream of chocolate syrup poured into the waiting milk, and the milk is still bland and white. But pour more chocolate syrup and suddenly the milk turns black and tastes like an ashtray; a powdery ashtray. Don’t ask Bossy how she knows.
Other things that are different now compared to Bossy’s youth: chocolate pop tarts. The chocolate filling is too runny and weird, and the frosted chocolate topping is too plastic-like.
Which is what today’s Ten-Word Challenge is all about. In exactly ten words, can you tell Bossy about a product that isn’t the way you remember it in your youth?
And be sure to check back later today for the biggest product failings on the web.
Avitable says
October 14, 2008 at 9:29 amOptimus Prime, the Transformer, went from die-cast metal to plastic.
Bobbie says
October 14, 2008 at 9:33 amOreos – the filling just doesn’t taste the same to me.
Kristin says
October 14, 2008 at 9:36 amCracker Jacks.
Once a delicious treat, now stale chemical cardboard.
david says
October 14, 2008 at 9:42 amMelamine – in my day we ate our poison, now headlines!
janet says
October 14, 2008 at 9:43 amBossy now has “keep reading”. I miss the old days.
Jamie says
October 14, 2008 at 9:47 amIn Optimistic Twist, Jamie Announces Blue Box Mac Still Identical
Junebug says
October 14, 2008 at 9:56 amI will agree with Kristin: Cracker Jacks are changed!
Asthmagirl says
October 14, 2008 at 9:57 amAlpha-bets cereal used to be a favorite. They put it out on the shelves again a couple years ago… then they “improved” it and made it horrible. Now it’s gone again.
Bossy's Friend Amy says
October 14, 2008 at 10:00 amCoors extra gold beer – hasn’t been the same since 1980.
Julianne says
October 14, 2008 at 10:01 amTwinkies. Wasn’t there more filling inside when we were kids?
~annie says
October 14, 2008 at 10:05 amNOTHING tastes like it did when I was a kid.
Vic says
October 14, 2008 at 10:08 amSmiths Crisps. Taken over by Walkers and put in foil wrappers to their detriment.
OK, that’s ten words if you take out two letter words which just don’t count!
Peggy says
October 14, 2008 at 10:10 amMust disagree with Jamie, blue box mac not cheesy enough.
TLB says
October 14, 2008 at 10:15 amMcDonald’s french fries. Not the same without the beef tallow.
Kate says
October 14, 2008 at 10:21 amBoil-in-bag salisbury steaks were huge, now like a silver dollar.
julie says
October 14, 2008 at 10:28 amStore-bought cookies were such a treat. Now just taste dry.
ritabby says
October 14, 2008 at 10:28 amJello chocolate pudding mix. Same old skin, but less chocolatey.
Philly says
October 14, 2008 at 10:33 amMallo Cups. Saving up the points inside to redeem a prize.
JennC says
October 14, 2008 at 10:36 amKool-Aid is just too sweet, but I blame my tastebuds.
aj says
October 14, 2008 at 10:43 amYodels in individual foil wrappers tasted much better. No question.
Buf says
October 14, 2008 at 10:50 amGirl Scout thin mints, still good but not as good
Tiffany says
October 14, 2008 at 10:58 amMcDonald’s nuggets. Now all white meat. Funky bits tasted better
Shelley says
October 14, 2008 at 11:02 amMcNuggets and fries pleased girl who hates burgers. No longer.
Jen says
October 14, 2008 at 11:09 amStrawberry Fruit Roll-Ups USED to have seeds. Now ALL artificial.
Caroline says
October 14, 2008 at 11:10 amS’mores! They’re GROSS now. Didn’t they used to be yummy???
Liz in Virginia says
October 14, 2008 at 11:11 amCoca-Cola in glass bottles, pulled from those cool Coke machines.
MamaMo says
October 14, 2008 at 11:13 amGummy Bears – fruity as kid, now like chewing dried glue.
Camille says
October 14, 2008 at 11:20 amMy youth was not long ago enough for much change.
Heather says
October 14, 2008 at 11:21 amPB&J not the same without watching Underdog and Magilla Gorilla
karen L says
October 14, 2008 at 11:25 amDr Pepper – no more cane sugar – high fructose corn syrup – bleh
Jacquie says
October 14, 2008 at 11:29 amIs it me that has changed, or the hostess cupcakes?
Lisa says
October 14, 2008 at 11:34 amchoc pudding..whaaaaaaa. they upgraded and downgraded all in one fell swoop. Its just not the same.
Larissa Gaston says
October 14, 2008 at 11:36 amBig League Chew. Used to be fun, now it’s gross.
Karen in DE says
October 14, 2008 at 11:39 amBonomo Taffy and Pine Bros. “cough” drops – BRING EM BAAAACCCCCKKKKKKKKK!
Sewmouse says
October 14, 2008 at 11:40 amYogurt used to be in cup-size cups and was SOUR!
In other (more than 10 words news:)
Twinkies didn’t taste like banananananas and had more filling and didn’t ALWAYS lose their tops to the cellophane wrapper.
Jami says
October 14, 2008 at 11:43 amEVERYTHING used to be bigger, better and good for you.
David says
October 14, 2008 at 11:45 amSorry, I just can’t get past the concept of chocolate milk for breakfast.
Tuli says
October 14, 2008 at 11:45 amWhen Coke switched to artificial sweetners, they lost me forever.
(But I don’t drink anything fizzy anymore unless there’s alcohol in it.)
Eliza says
October 14, 2008 at 11:48 amKFC was delicious Kentucky Fried Chicken. Now just too greasy.
The Domestic Goddess says
October 14, 2008 at 11:49 amUsed to love Cap’n Crunch. Wouldn’t feed to dogs now.
Jacki says
October 14, 2008 at 11:51 amI used to love Tang, but now I think it is disgusting.
Kim says
October 14, 2008 at 11:53 amKitchen Fresh Chicken (KFC) isn’t the same as Kentucky Fried Chicken
andrea says
October 14, 2008 at 11:53 amStrawberry Quik tasted so strawberrily delicious – now just ew.
Stacey Bal says
October 14, 2008 at 11:55 amStella Dora Cookies. No jelly filled and barely any frosted!
Lillie says
October 14, 2008 at 11:57 amWhy must I click “keep reading post”? Stop the hate!
Mr Farty says
October 14, 2008 at 12:01 pmThat New fangled Testament ain’t nothin’ like the Old one.
(Coke was already taken)
4dbirds says
October 14, 2008 at 12:05 pmFruit used to be divine, now it’s grown for transit.
Liz says
October 14, 2008 at 12:08 pmCount Chocula: deliciously sugary, now high-fructose and cardboard boring.
jp says
October 14, 2008 at 12:09 pmRing Dings were HUGE in Tin Foil, now just tiny.
SURCIE says
October 14, 2008 at 12:10 pmHoneycomb lost its big big bite and big big taste.
One more thing that’s changed for the worse: Kid’s birthday parties. In the olden days, we were served cake and ice cream. My kid gets a shard of an oversized subpar chocolate chip cookie. I just ranted about this on my blog.
Kay says
October 14, 2008 at 12:10 pmDouble Stuffed Oreos. Double is now single!
Doodlerah says
October 14, 2008 at 12:13 pmViena Sausages were so yum but now the smell makes me vomit!
TanyaK says
October 14, 2008 at 12:22 pmTab is non-cancerous, but the flavor now is dreck!
Allison says
October 14, 2008 at 12:36 pmFoil made Ding Dongs taste better, plastic wrapper sucks.
Kristin says
October 14, 2008 at 12:36 pmJell-o Pudding Pops – now without Cosby sweaters AND also unlocatable!
Pizzamaster says
October 14, 2008 at 12:40 pmCandy cigarettes, now they are socially unacceptable for no reason.
Lance says
October 14, 2008 at 12:45 pmRock music. Now get off my yard you kids!
foolery says
October 14, 2008 at 12:52 pmMilk now from a store. Used to draw from tank.
Grandma J says
October 14, 2008 at 1:06 pmWhat? Bossy’s grandma didn’t serve up Ovaltine and Maypo cereal?
jaxcheryl says
October 14, 2008 at 1:14 pmMilk with the cream on top in glass bottles and paper top. Yes, I’m old. My mom saved the cream to put on the 30-minute oatmeal she made for me every morning before school, bless her heart. All produce from grocery stores; everything tastes the same. yuck.
anne marie in philly says
October 14, 2008 at 1:20 pmcoca cola – no corn syrup, real sugar, real TASTE! (sob)
Anna says
October 14, 2008 at 1:24 pmHigh fructose corn syrup ruins everything. Real cocoa – what’s that?
Gee says
October 14, 2008 at 1:31 pmUsed to love Wendy’s frosties, now just sweet chemical taste.
liza says
October 14, 2008 at 1:36 pmRitz crackers, they used to be so buttery and flaky.
[Incidentally I can’t eat them anymore anyway as I’m gluten free but I KNOW they are yucky now–I’ve had them in the last few years.]
Lisa says
October 14, 2008 at 1:44 pmTrix used to be in the shapes of the fruity flavors……
darla78ny says
October 14, 2008 at 1:47 pmGIRL SCOUT COOKIES
SMALLER , LESS IN QUANTITY AND MORE COSTLY
scottsdalegirl says
October 14, 2008 at 1:49 pmMcDonald’s French Fries (thanks government for deciding I did not need transfat and thanks VEGANS for deciding those fries can’t be injected with beef juice)
Oreos – transfat again
Jess says
October 14, 2008 at 1:54 pmIce cream sandwiches. They taste fake now.
hulagirlatheart says
October 14, 2008 at 2:02 pmTontino’s frozen pizza…not the same without Kukla, Fran and Ollie.
EverydayRoz says
October 14, 2008 at 2:03 pmLoved Arby’s when sandwiches came from side of beef roasted in-store!
Andrea's Sweet Life says
October 14, 2008 at 2:23 pmCandy used to be delicious, now it makes belly ache.
Stephanie says
October 14, 2008 at 2:30 pmOkay, I’m not really participating… I’m just here to say Holy Hell, I love chocolate milk!
Big Hair Envy says
October 14, 2008 at 2:44 pmBonne Belle Lip Smackers. Used to come in huge tubes.
Laura says
October 14, 2008 at 2:45 pmFroot Loops
Jenn @ Juggling Life says
October 14, 2008 at 2:53 pmTwo things to say:
For some reason the makeover has made Bossy disappear from my GoogleReader–I’ll have to look into that.
Not “Continue Reading?!” I’m sure I remember Bossy being against this feature. Say it ain’t so Bossy!
Chesapeake Bay Woman says
October 14, 2008 at 3:11 pm1) High fructose corn syrup ruined everything that once contained sugar.
2) Gluten and high fructose corn syrup will kill us all.
3) I firmly believe lots of wine makes everything taste better.
4) Fight flavorless foods and killer ingredients by drinking more wine.
5) I’ll stop now, but I am adamant about the wine.
Susan says
October 14, 2008 at 3:13 pmKix cereal used to be delicious and sort of heavy in my cereal bowl. now it’s a bunch of sugar coated, air filled puff balls. i still eat them anyway.
jan8mr.lootiato says
October 14, 2008 at 3:14 pmWait! Kukla, Fran and Ollie.
I used to have a crush on Ollie, the 1 toothed dragon.
What a man, what a sweetheart.
And remember Madamogglepuss?
dgm says
October 14, 2008 at 3:26 pmAll the favorite candies of my youth now taste uninteresting.
APeetsMom says
October 14, 2008 at 3:28 pmThe fluffy goodness of 3 Musketeers polluted by MINT – WTF?!
barbara says
October 14, 2008 at 3:38 pmNon-local produce was once exotic, but now it is tasteless.
Cara says
October 14, 2008 at 3:54 pmHershey now uses Veggie Oil, no more Cocoa butter. Nasty.
Jen W. says
October 14, 2008 at 4:16 pmTastykakes. I miss the waxed paper. Still pretty good though!
Penne says
October 14, 2008 at 4:24 pmA roll of Smarties, once tangy and sweet…
now chalky.
Tracy Lynn says
October 14, 2008 at 4:49 pmA) Hostess Twinkies and B) Miracle Whip. The latter because I think those bastards at Kraft changed the formula.
HeyJoe says
October 14, 2008 at 4:56 pmAll the toys are cheap and break much faster nowadays..
Julie says
October 14, 2008 at 4:58 pmI swear Twinkies used to be bigger than my arm.
Barb says
October 14, 2008 at 5:00 pmAlphabits cereal and Trix cereal. They’ve changed both formulas somehow.
jill says
October 14, 2008 at 5:01 pmStrawberry Shortcake. The wholesome children’s character, not the delicious dessert.
Amy in StL says
October 14, 2008 at 5:06 pmHmm, I don’t know. I’m a glass half full kind of gal, so I can’t think of anything.
Dayle says
October 14, 2008 at 5:39 pmSmarties (but I’m from Canada, so the Canadian Smarties – candy covered chocolate – like M&M’s – only SUGARIER) – They used to be a wonderful candy crunch followed by milky chocolate – now they’re a chemically tasting crunch followed by waxy chocolate – Sighhhhhh…..
Reeb says
October 14, 2008 at 6:11 pmUmm, what’s the assignment? I’ve got a sugar high just reading these.
(Not even trying for 10 words.)
Carole says
October 14, 2008 at 6:13 pmComments on iambossy even FUNNIER after three glasses of wine!
Reeb says
October 14, 2008 at 6:15 pmMom’s scary green jello with canned grapes. Ew. Good riddance.
I’ts not exactly a “product” (I had to reread the instructions) but this is something from my past that my sister and I still shudder over.
GreatAunt says
October 14, 2008 at 6:44 pmReader’s Digest: once a fun read, now just bores me.
Christine says
October 14, 2008 at 6:53 pmEverything. High fructose corn syrup has ruined the good stuff.
living vicariously says
October 14, 2008 at 7:00 pmJeno’s pizza rolls – have they really always been so greasy?
Rooth says
October 14, 2008 at 7:11 pmVelvetta Cheese used to be unimaginably yummy… now It makes me shudder.
Dragonwing says
October 14, 2008 at 7:14 pmCan’t find Concord Grape Poptarts anymore – I loved them, waaaahhhhh!!!!
operagal says
October 14, 2008 at 7:18 pmLipton Blackberry tea no longer strong but acidic and tart
Dharmamama says
October 14, 2008 at 7:28 pmHigh fructose corn syrup has ruined all sugary snack goodness.
Dharmamama says
October 14, 2008 at 7:29 pmBossy’s site doesn’t remember me any more; have to type.
Dharmamama says
October 14, 2008 at 7:30 pmArtificial sweeteners in almost everything with no warnings; cancer, anyone?
Alexandra says
October 14, 2008 at 7:36 pm“Pepperidge Farms remembers”, my ass. They all taste terrible now.
Corinne says
October 14, 2008 at 7:47 pmNothing is sacred. Had to change the recipe for my daughter – now it’s a stove top deal: real cocoa powder cooked with water, twice the sugar and a pinch of salt to make a syrup, then stirred into warming milk (careful not to burn) and drops of real vanilla. Mmmm….pot of hot chocolate…(ooop! Over 10. I’m new.)
mary says
October 14, 2008 at 7:47 pmOne box of Tide becomes a tidal wave of choices.
Grandy says
October 14, 2008 at 8:08 pmIt’s Its – Those ice cream sandwhiches were much bigger and better when I was a kid.
Heidi says
October 14, 2008 at 8:18 pmMcDonald’s apple pies used to be FRIED. Cherry’s better, anyway.
kate says
October 14, 2008 at 8:30 pmbarbies used to be awesome. now they are just anorexic.
Lilika says
October 14, 2008 at 8:43 pmWinn’s 5&10 Halloween candy, Big soft Sweet-tarts, Gone forever sadly.
amy a. says
October 14, 2008 at 9:09 pmIt’s not a food, but Love’s Baby Soft is NOT the same scent it used to be. Now it’s all alcohol-y and cheap smelling. It used to be soft and pretty. I swear it!
amy a. says
October 14, 2008 at 9:10 pmShoot. forgot about the 10 word thing. Sorry,
Pamela says
October 14, 2008 at 9:13 pmNo Bossy in reader. Why is Bossy a no show?
Pamela says
October 14, 2008 at 9:14 pmI would love to send Bossy homemade hot chocolate mix.
rockle says
October 14, 2008 at 10:00 pmScreaming Yellow Zonkers. If you can even find those sumbitches.
micky says
October 14, 2008 at 10:23 pmSpace Food Sticks – chocolaty, chewy goodness. Now, gummy, chemical glop.
Sara says
October 14, 2008 at 11:00 pmDiet Dr. Pepper with saccharine satisfied now with Splenda revolting!
Beth says
October 14, 2008 at 11:09 pmDairy Queen anything: once fudgy rich, now watery and chalky.
Kelly H says
October 14, 2008 at 11:24 pmNestle Chocolate minibars. Now a chocolate snob. HATE all others.
Carolyn S. says
October 14, 2008 at 11:42 pmLong ropes of black licorice/my favorite childhood candy-gone.
Stephanie says
October 14, 2008 at 11:51 pmEverything has HFCS now instead of regular sugar…Yuck-O.
Alpaca Farmgirl says
October 15, 2008 at 12:18 amJumping Jacks. Once a fun activity. Now – No thank you.
Cage Free Family says
October 15, 2008 at 1:21 amOrg. cocoa powder mixed with honey into syrup – add to milk on stove
Leaf, probably... says
October 15, 2008 at 1:44 amMum’s chocolate sauce on pears, chewy in a good way!
Vanessa says
October 15, 2008 at 2:53 amSuicide fountain drinks. Orange + Cola + Sprite + Rootbeer + Strawberry + Mr. Pibb = yuck!
Hula Hank says
October 15, 2008 at 4:02 amBossy rocks keep reading post….
Stacy the Peanut Queen says
October 15, 2008 at 8:24 amScrewballs from the ice cream truck aren’t as tart anymore.
g says
October 15, 2008 at 10:38 amQuaker Oats – changed the box. Once pulled string to open.
Debbie says
October 15, 2008 at 12:26 pmFluffer-nutter sandwiches. PB and gooey marshmallow fluff spread on white bread.
jan sharrow says
October 15, 2008 at 1:49 pmAre Honeycomb cereal and Kix cereal individual pieces smaller now?
I use to love spagettios, now they taste like vomit.
Someone mentioned Twinkies, I agree, something isn’t quite the same.
Okay, today is Wednesday, I’m a day late for 10 word Tuesday, but it was fun.
Auds at Barking Mad says
October 15, 2008 at 1:53 pmI can’t manage the ten word thing, besides today is Wednesday so technically I’m exempt. Yes?
About the hot chocolate mix…if you have a British Food store nearby (it has to be a true import store, so yeah, it’s gonna be pricey, but I’m married to a Brit, so some things we DO NOT skimp on) get Cadbury’s “drinking chocolate” mix. You mix it with hot milk and it’s WONDERFUL! Once you’ve had it, I promise you, you will never ever go back to anything you can get at your local stop-n-shoppe ever again!
David says
October 15, 2008 at 4:53 pmBig Gramma burgers cooked in iron skillet …now lean beef. Meh!
Darla says
October 15, 2008 at 5:31 pmWhopper from BK–what happened to the whopper size?
Clair says
October 16, 2008 at 2:12 amEverlasting Gobstoppers and Candy Cigarettes. Can’t find them to test.
Meg says
October 16, 2008 at 7:26 amCandy cigarettes: Get ’em at mall candy store now, Claire!
(BTW, I thought I was the only one who dipped buttered white toast into hot chocolate. Glad to know that back in the day, young Bossy and I were doing the same thing! There was no better bedtime snack than toast and hot chocolate.)
eb says
October 16, 2008 at 10:49 amParmesean goldfish lost some of their parm.
Nancy V says
October 16, 2008 at 1:14 pmWagon Wheels! lunchbox memories..
Half the size they once were..
Brookie Brooke says
October 16, 2008 at 5:51 pmWheat germ on ice cream. Loved it, now I don’t.
Michelle M. says
October 16, 2008 at 8:56 pmDip in a chip and vegetable thins, not the same.
And Mother’s Circus Animal Cookies discontinued. Boo.
Mina says
October 17, 2008 at 2:01 pmTangy Taffy was once great; now I can’t find it!
Debbie says
October 18, 2008 at 7:25 amLittle Debbie Swiss Cake Rolls. Now made with cheaper ingredients.
Jodi says
October 18, 2008 at 10:08 pmI agree: Kraft MacandCheese is the same, McDonald’s fries WRONG!
TN says
October 18, 2008 at 10:28 pmWheat Germ in my cereal. GERMS! Eww! Today? Still gross!
Dawn says
October 19, 2008 at 12:32 pmSweettarts were once huge and tangy; now small and sour.
Gette says
October 20, 2008 at 8:42 amNow I must immediately make hot chocolate and toast.
Shmoo says
March 10, 2009 at 8:16 pmho-ho’s. They used to be wrapped in tin foil, which I would collect and had a gargantuan HUMUNGOUS ball of ho-ho tin foil until I joined the Air Force and my mother tossed it out (bitch)… now they’re in some faux tin hermetically sealed shit and taste like… the wrapper