The Consumer’s Corner

Until I’d tried Fabulous Flats Sandwich Flats, it is quite possible that I’d never eaten a preservative-free bread. That idea was enough to chew on for awhile, whether I had food in my mouth or not. What else do I let enter my body, having no idea what it is, or where it came from? I’ll never be the kind of person to agonize over things like that, but it is food for thought.

Back to the Sandwich Flats, they were ‘different’ looking than what I’ve been accustomed to eating all of my life. They were not bleached white, were not ‘loaf’ shaped, and had no ‘crusts’ for me to pull off. They rather resembled a very large cracker. I was a bit nervous at first, but they smelled particularly yummy, and I recognized (and could even pronounce!) all of the ingredients, so I knew it couldn’t be too bad.

My favorite combination I tried was making a sandwich of peppered roast beef, and a spicy mustard. My sandwich tastes are simple, and I don’t appreciate a bunch of greens or juice-oozing extras. The Fabulous Flats were just right; not too chewy, and flavorful enough to compliment everything else, not over power it. That’s the way it should be.

At the end of the day, it is bread. But it’s good bread! How important that is to you will depend on your appreciation of all things baked. I say ‘Win!’ Should I see these floating around my grocer, I’m sure I’ll re-sample from time to time. Check the official site for some interesting information on how everything is made!

Official Site

–Jeremy Hobbs

Swallowing large pills can be difficult for me at times. Even though I know of their benefits, I’ve always found myself avoiding multi-vitamins for that reason. I’ve tried the adult chewable varieties, but they taste… bleh… at best. That after taste really, really lingers.

While fiddling through the supplement section at Target one day (I have odd hobbies), I saw these One A Day VitaCraves. They have gummie, and sour gummie varieties, and are designed for adults. The price was a tiny bit higher, and the bottle doesn’t contain a whole month’s supply, but I was intrigued enough to try them anyway.

They still have a touch of that flavor that exists in the hard chewable product, but it’s covered up pretty well by the gummie candy. I suppose it also helps that the grit doesn’t stay stuck in your mouth forever, so the aftertaste is much more agreeable.

I try not to critique packaging often, but One A Day did an amazing job with these. I see the bottle and want to try one, versus seeing it and cringing. What was once a chore now feels like a treat, and that’s half the battle.

Despite the price premium, and reduced supply, I give these a ‘Win!’ Should they decide to level off the price with the rest of their lines, and give me the full 30 days, VitaCraves would make it onto my list of this year’s best new products.

Nutritional Info

Official Site
–Jeremy Hobbs

Over the past month, I’ve become a 3-cup-a-day coffee drinker. I’ve found it the cheapest way to catch my needed caffeine buzz, and I’ve grown to appreciate the taste. I’ve gone from hating it, to tolerating it, to craving it.

Nescafe is psychic, and knew I was looking for an easy way to make single cups of coffee, without a bunch of fuss. So they sent me a bunch of samples from their line of single serving packets, which you add to hot water. To be honest I was a tad leery of instant coffee, having heard nothing good about it, but I’ll try anything once.

In the case of ‘Nescafe Taster’s Choice’ Vanilla, I’ll try it twice. And then a third, and then God knows how many times after that. Just really good! While how a person may ‘take’ their coffee is a very individual choice, Nescafe’s recommended directions were perfect for me. 6 ounces of water produced a drink that was just strong enough, full of flavor, and the vanilla sweetened it enough that I could have lived without adding any sweetener.

I had a similar experience with the ‘Original’ and ‘Colombian’ blends. Also available is a ‘Hazelnut’ and ‘Decaff.’ I don’t like Hazelnut in general, so I’ll just withhold an opinion on that. ‘Decaff’ was decaff

It would be a crime not to mention the convenience of the little pouches, they just slip into a pocket. Rip off a corner and pour. So easy a caveman can do it! Win!

Official Site

–Jeremy Hobbs

(Very retro commercial)

Edit:

Get your own free sample at: http://smartchoice.tasterschoice.com/#/Try_It_On_Us/

Mini Chill is a ’shot’ form of the emerging line of ‘relaxation’ beverages. I call them anti-energy drinks. The first one I sampled, ‘Drank,’ worked, but was more that a little ‘ghetto’ in appearance. Mini Chill does exactly the same thing, in a more compact and infinitely more dignified package.

The flavor is ‘Berry Bliss,’ and it’s fairly pleasant. Think ‘diluted kids cough syrup.’ Not something you’d want to sip on all day, but that isn’t the point. The idea is to get it down the hatch without gagging, and Mini Chill accomplishes that going away.

Mini Chill’s label promotes relaxation, stress relief, better focus, and mood. I can’t say I noticed any difference in my focus or mood, but the stress relief and relaxation was definitely noticeable. The first bottle I tried, I fell asleep sitting up. That never happens. The second time around, the effect was much more subtle (as I wasn’t dog tired to start with), but still quite adequate.

I give Mini Chill a Win! Great as a non-alcoholic night cap, no calories, decent flavor, convenient packaging. If you find it somewhere less that $2.99, I think you should feel comfortable that you’re getting your monies’ worth.

Official Site

-Jeremy Hobbs

‘Mousse Temptations’ are a line of new products brought to you by Jell-O that put a decidedly refined spin on the idea of the classic pudding cup snack. The idea of mousse in a cup intrigued me, so I gave each of the three flavors (Caramel Creme, Chocolate Indulgence, and Dark Chocolate Decadence) a chance.

The consistency was uniform across all the flavors; light, and fluffy. It’s not the prettiest stuff to look at, which is why I’m assuming they used solid color cups, but taste is what matters. And, especially for only 60 calories, it has ‘flavor’ locked up; very yummy.

Caramel was my favorite, with dark chocolate being my ‘least’ liked, but I’ll eat all of them again. They make a nice addition to you brown bag lunches at work, or a late night snack. Also, seeing as it’s so light and airy, I could even grab one of these in a morning rush. My only real complaint is actually a compliment; I wish the servings were bigger! Jell-O scores a ‘Win!’ with ‘Mousse Temptations.’

Official Site

–Jeremy Hobbs

Campbell’s is updating their line of soups to make them healthier, without sacrificing any flavor. Always a commendable effort, and to that end, I think they did a fairly decent job with the ‘Chunky Sirloin Burger’ variety.

It smelled and reminded me a bit of the beef stew/soup concoction that my grandma used to serve (God bless her soul). Nice sized chunks of beef, tender veggies (a full serving, per serving, two servings per can), and just the right amount of seasoning. Nothing too over the top. Only complaint, and it’s a small one, the beef seemed just a tad bit bland. But it was definitely acceptable, especially for an affordable convenience product like canned soup.

Overall, it’s a win. Summer is winding down, winter is nearing, and this is a product that I’ll be consuming more of as the weather gets cold and dreary. Soup is winter’s comfort food!

Official Site

Jeremy Hobbs

While scanning the energy drink cooler at my local convenience store, I saw a purple can that I’d never noticed before. ‘Drank.’ An ‘extreme relaxation beverage.’ This was obviously something unique and different, so I purchased a can ($2.99, but it’s a pricey store) to see what it’s deal was.

An energy drink it is not. In fact, it kind of sucks nervous energy right out of you. Drank definitely works as advertised; after drinking the can, I started to ‘melt’ into my chair. It wasn’t a ‘buzz’ like alcohol; just a nice, even ‘chill.’ Slept better that evening as well.

The taste is that of a decent grape soda. I wasn’t a fan, simply because I hate grape soda. But it wasn’t too bad, and it went down smooth.

All in all, ‘Drank’ is neither a ‘Fail’ or a ‘Win.’ I don’t think it’s worth the money. The taste wasn’t anything special. Drop the price a bit, release a diet version, and I’ll be back in line. Fine verdict: Tie.

Official Site

–Jeremy Hobbs

Brand new variety or Hot Pocket going on here, and they are yummy! From the outside, a Twisted Stick looks like a normal bread stick, but inside lives a cheesy pizza filling.

I was surprised the Twisted Stix were not just original Hot Pockets in a different ‘container.’ The crust is a lot softer, reminding me of the Hot Pocket Subs. Soft and chewy, in a good way.

Twisted Stix also eliminate a complication I’ve encountered with every other Hot Pocket variety I’ve sampled, and it’s one I’m glad has been dealt with: I can bite in to one end, and the filling doesn’t squirt out of the other! Even if there is a bit of a breech in one side, I can sink my teeth in without fear of a molten mess pouring out somewhere. Yay! for that.

5 to a box, I usually eat 3 for a meal, saving 2 for a snack later that night. Though I’m sure it’s promotional pricing, these rang up dirt cheap at $1.49. Very recession friendly! These are a ‘win’ all the way around!!!

No Official Site As Of Writing

–Jeremy Hobbs

(Press Release)

iQ Derma Clear Remedy Acne System Proven Results.
At last, an acne treatment system that is tough on acne and gentle on skin. iQ Derma, the leader in innovative skincare technology, introduces the Clear Remedy Acne System, a clinically proven acne-fighting solution with multi-patented ingredients to heal acne quickly, safely, and effectively.

The Clear Remedy Acne System contains 6 unique products to help fight the acne battle:

* Purifying Cleanser – As the first step in the system, this cleanser uses Multifruit BSC, a select blend of fruit extracts to gently exfoliate skin and help clear away dead cells and surface oils that clog pores.
* Acne Treatment Lotion – The second step in the system is the standout product where all critical acne-fighting action takes place. The lotion uses salicylic acid to gently exfoliate the skin while the multi-patented retinoid complex, Prevenol-A normalizes oil production, decreases acne bacterium, and prevents breakouts.
* Hydrating Lotion – Unlike most acne products, Clear Remedy won’t dry out troubled skin. The Advanced Moisture Complex boosts skin’s hydration level while ClariPlex Technology calms redness and helps fade post-blemish discoloration and scarring.
* Acne Spot Treatment – For a targeted quick-fix, the Spot Treatment uses concentrated Benzoyl Peroxide and fruit acids to zero in on blemishes to accelerate healing.
* Try Me Kit – Clinically proven acne-fighting solution with multi-patented ingredients to heal acne quickly, safely, andeffectively. This kit offers a 1-month supply of iQ Derma’s best-selling acne products in a convenient “travel approved” case.
* Nutritional Supplements – A proprietary complex of highly specialized essential fatty acids, antioxidants and multivitamins are designed to work in conjunction with the Clear Remedy Acne System, improving skin from the inside, out.

Official Site

Coupon Code: GETCLEAR30  (good for 30% off, and Free Ground Shipping)

Yesteday we had some Pepsi Throwback, and as promised, today we’re going to kick it old school with Mountain Dew Throwback. Refresher, for those that do not know, the two ‘Throwback’ sodas are supposed to represent the original formulations of Pepsi Cola and Mountain Dew. In a time when milk was delivered to your door, when there was an evening paper, and you had more fingers than television stations, soft drinks were sweetened with REAL sugar, not high fructose corn syrup.

Today, corn syrup is much cheaper, and very few people can tell the difference. Coke ‘Classic’ really isn’t ‘classic’ at all, the original formula was based on sugar (and still is in other parts of the world). Pepsi’s story is the same. As well as Mountain Dew. I’ve tried the colas, and they’re okay, but the Dew is the one that really benefits from natural sugar.

Pepsi Throwback was smoother…. Mountain Dew Throwback is smoooooth. The stuff just glides down your throat, with none of the sticky residue that I’m used to from ‘regular’ Mountain Dew. The carbonation has been toned down a bit too, and while it takes a bit away from it’s ‘extreme’ image, it significantly adds to it’s drinkability. You have to love the old school label as well; that’s just slick!

Mountain Dew Throwback is a must try for any soda connoisseur. Feel free to check around for more consumer reviews, you don’t have to take my word for it. But I feel that it’s a definite must try. Available for a limited time only, so you better hurry!

Official Site

–Jeremy Hobbs