I recently heard on my local NPR station (can't remember the show & even who was speaking since I was in a hurry & had my kids in back), but the man noted the recent fad among elementary-aged kids and their love of the new Flamin Hot Cheetos.

Earlier that day, I had spent my once-a-week lunch with some first grade girls (a reading volunteer project) & I noticed it was the 2nd time one of the girls had a bag of that stuff. I asked her how hot it was & she said "pretty hot!" but certainly ate it with ease - no rush for the gulp of chocolate milk or anything. My 7-year-old son also came home with a bag of the junk food a few weeks ago (he was hanging out with Dad, mind you). I said it looked awful -- weird nuclear reddish orange color -- was it really hot? "Yeah!" he responds.

For some reason, I've never been intrigued enough to try it, mainly because it looks so fake & when I want to eat pure junk, Cheetos aren't high on the list.

But, all of this certainly got me thinking -- was this "trend" planned or accidental on behalf of Frito-Lay & whoever handles the Cheetos account? One would think it's not planned in light of the recent backlash against marketing trash food to the youngsters. But, I am far too cynical to feel it wasn't somehow planned. If so, SHAME on You, Frito-Lay!!! And the bigger question is: how hot are they? (if I don't have to buy a bag, I may try it)Living in Texas, we are no strangers to the jalapeno & other hot peppers, so have we all underestimated our children's tolerance for epicureal heat?