The Consumer’s Corner

Sorry about the no-posts this weekend, I’m reading a series of books I plan on reviewing. I’ll get something out to you tomorrow though, scouts honor.

I don’t delve into the ‘high end’ products on the market very often, ‘affordable’ is my little niche in the blogging world, but in the next couple weeks you’re going to see some amazing deals on HD-DVD players. DO NOT BUY THEM. They have lost the high definition format war to Blu-Ray, and the HD-DVD format will no longer be supported. Retailers are going to be liquidating their HD-DVD supplies, sticking fine consumers with obsolete goods. Just thought I’d let you know.

–Jeremy Hobbs

I received a bit of recognition from Kim at Lakerees. I’d like to thank her; it’s always nice to feel important.

Part seven, best for last. I’m keeping this one a bit short, because we should all be getting ready for our big parties by now. Is this George Dickel whiskey guilt free? Well… in moderation ;-)  This mixes baby butt smooth with the Coke Zero I recommended earlier, especial if you mix it on the ‘conservative’ side.

Why this over a Jack Daniels, or Crown Royal? It’s cheaper and tastes better. It’s that simple. If the name is new to you, and you’re a whiskey fan, I strongly encourage you to try it.

And for something to kick up the limeade? Take your pick of a favorite tequila, or a citrus vodka. I haven’t consumed enough varieties or either to give you a real solid recommendation, but I imagine it will be hard to go wrong unless you buy the bottom shelf stuff. Alcohol is the one thing you shouldn’t ever try to go cheap on; you’ll regret it in the morning.

Good luck tonight! Go Giatriots!!!

–Jeremy Hobbs

Part six of seven in the Guilt Free Super Bowl Party series, I’m giving you an alternative beverage. It crossed my mind early on that not everyone likes soda, so here’s something you can offer guests instad of pointing them in the direction of the nearest water faucet. That’s just rude!

This is one of the products I stumbled upon by accident. Most things I purchase because I actually use them on a regular basis, or they’re new and look like they might be worth a try. Minute Maid Cherry Limeade Light isn’t one of those products. It was buried in the back of one of my friend’s fridges.

Truth be told, I’d have never tried it if it wasn’t there, and I wasn’t incredibly thirsty. I don’t drink juice often at all, most of it gives me bad cases of heart burn and they are loaded with of calories. I know, juice calories are ‘good’ calories because of the vitamins and stuff, but my Coke Zero tastes better and is completely calorie free. So neh.. Who are you to judge me!?

Packaging really isn’t geared to a younger male like myself. That’s what I hate about the marketing industry; I’d have never knew about a good product like this just because someone in some suit somewhere decided I wouldn’t like it, so they never made the effort to tell me about it. Bull! But that’s life. For your party, I recommend serving it out of a punch bowl. Take the guy/gal in the suit, and their marketing efforts out of the equation.

It’s very good, and is staying on my short list of things to drink. 10 calories per twelve ounces is way more than reasonable considering how good the stuff tastes. You cannot really tell that it’s a diet product. It feels fairly light in the mouth, goes down very easy, and all that is absent is the typical bitter aftertaste found in most diet beverages. The classic ‘cherry limeade’ flavor they were trying to achieve is done very well. The can says it’s made with real fruit juice, but who knows just how much juice is really in it? Grape and lime juice is listed just underneath water, which means they should be the second most used ingredients (I think?). I really have nothing bad to say about it. I’ll pour myself a few glasses if you invite me to your party!

Official Site

–Jeremy Hobbs

Popcorn was a no brainer for your Guilt Free Super Bowl Party, and you need some potato chips too. This review is part five of seven, and is a product I really enjoy. Again, if you have non dieters coming to your shin dig, you may want to put these out in a bowl (or a Super bowl! Ha!), and dispose of the container. Nothing like the words ‘Fat Free’ to scare someone off.

Quite tasty, by nearly anyone’s standards, these are a superb low calorie product. While the ‘Original’ flavored (non flavored?) Fat Free Pringles tasted worse than fried card board, I had the guts to try these out, but only while they were on sale (2 cans for 2 dollars at Wal-Mart). The barbecue powder does an amazing job of masking the ‘horribleness’ of the chip itself. Mostly sweet, with a bit of tang, they are not unlike Lay’s KC Masterpiece BBQ chip’s flavoring.

Just a little tiny health warning, Fat Free Pringles use Olestra/Olean as their fat substitute. While that oil has zero effect on my digestive system, it has been documented to effect some people a much more negative way. Try them out in small doses if you’re not sure how your body might react. Always eat junk (even diet junk) food in moderation. Fruits and veggies are our friends!

Official Site

–Jeremy Hobbs

pringles, fat free barbeque pringles, diet food, snacks

Guilt Free Super Bowl Party treats, part 4. Another snack for everyone at your party, and these are excellent. Lay them out in a bowl, don’t let anyone see the boxes, and your guests will be begging you to tell them what these delightful little crackers are. I bought these by accident the one day thinking they were Triscuits (a regular snack of mine), I’m dumb and sometimes I just don’t pay attention. The boxes looked similar, so I guess it was an honest mistake. At least I’m man enough to admit it. But my dear reader, many of man’s greatest discoveries have been made by complete accident; antibiotics being the most notable in my mind at the moment.

Wheat Thins Sundried Tomato & Basil crackers are exceptionally good, and they’re pretty good for you too, especially for a genuine snack food. They’re not greasy like potato chips, they aren’t loaded with fat. Wheat Thins do hold some calories, but those calories are not completely ‘empty.’ You have some dietary fiber in there, and we could all use more of that.

All that information is completely useless if they taste like cardboard, and you never eat them. They’re of no use going stale in the cupboard. Letting that happen, friends, would be a major mistake. While Wheat Thins are not my favorite snacks in the ‘Original’ variety, the tomato and basil seasoning in these set them off in a big way. Them being just a little bit acidic gives them enough ‘zing’ to get your mouth watering, and leave you wanting more. Come on now, give them some credit; when was the last time you could call a product with ‘wheat’ in the title addicting?

Thinking I’m getting old (a ripe 24 years), and my tastes have matured, I let my 7 year old cousin give them a try to see if they would be ‘kid friendly.’ You know, do a little bit of market research for Nabisco, out of the kindness of my heart. Well, he ate a handful, grabbed the rest of my box, and ran off to my room to eat them and play video games. His Dad says he’s picky, but he was really eating the mess out of them. That might be a good sign for you parents if you’re looking for a healthier potato chip alternative for your kids.

Recommended easily, I think you should enjoy them. They’ll look great sitting on your coffee table this Super Sunday. Dieters should love them, they’re very filling and shouldn’t hurt your allowances too bad. Don’t take that statement as these are a ‘diet only’ food, these taste good enough to have universal appeal. I promise!

Official Site

–Jeremy Hobbs

nabisco, wheat thins, crackers, snack, healthy

Part three of seven of The Consumer’s Corner Guilt Free Super Bowl Party series. Despite some many of the products I review, I really do try to maintain a healthy diet, and this product has been a pretty large part of that healthy diet for quite awhile. I think it could be an excellent ‘main course’ for your Super Bowl party, or could be used in a variety of smaller dishes.

Chicken breast is just about the best tasting ‘diet’ food you can find out there. It’s packed with protein, low in fat content (assuming you can keep it out of the deep fryer), and it tastes wonderful if you know how to season it well. It should be a major part of any weight loss plan, or healthy diet in general.

Pilgrim Pride adds in a ton of convenience, going as far as precooking them for you, so that the only tools you’ll need to prepare these fillets is a microwave. Healthy and convenient? You betcha. You can also put them out on the grill, or throw them in the oven and bake them. I’ve done neither, but I’m sure they’d taste just as good, if not better. One thing I do like to do is let them thaw out, break them up into chunks, and use them in quesadillas. Quesadillas would be a big hit at your party, no doubt. I’m sure you could use them to make some salads more interesting, or anything else you’d use fresh chicken for. But I’m a simple guy, I just cook them, slice them, and eat them. But you can feel free to get as fancy as you’d like.

Calories are 120 per fillet, with only 3 grams of fat. That’s not that bad at all if you consume it with some healthy side dishes. Pilgrim’s Pride products can be found in your grocers freezer, and price will no doubt vary wildly among stores depending on sales and such. These get a big recommendation from me; if you like chicken, you’ll like these! Touchdown!

Official Site

–Jeremy Hobbs

chicken, healthy food, low calorie, microwavable food, diet, food

I was sick and never made it out of the bed. I’ll try to get the extra post up today or tomorrow. The seven part guilt free Super Bowl party series will be completed though. Have no fear!

Part deuce of my ‘guilt free’ Super Bowl Party series, Orville Redenbacher’s Smart Pop! Butter flavored microwave popcorn. Pop up a few bags early, dump them in a huge bowl, salt and season, and you’re ready to go. Calories are minimal, cost is effective, and everyone loves popcorn. You may even take some chances and throw in some special seasonings to create something all of your own, or you can be lazy like me and serve it straight. It’ll be great either way. Here is a review I composed for the product.

Ol’ Orville. I’ve been eating his popcorn since I was just a tiny little fellow. ‘Movie Theatre Butter,’ and a heaping helping of salt, you couldn’t beat it. It can sure beat up on your waist line though!

I’ve been on a (reasonably) healthy diet for a few years now, and I’ve managed to drop a few pounds. Cravings for junk food will never end though, so I’ve taken to replacing my old favorite snacks with healthier alternatives. While grocery shopping one day a few months (years?) back, I was gazing lustfully at the popcorn displays, remembering all of those good times watching a late night movie munching on the buttery goodness that I had left behind. Then this Smart Pop! stuff caught me eye, ‘Orville Redenbacher’s Smart Pop! 94% Fat Free Butter Popcorn’ if you want to be precise. I bit the bullet, even going as far as to buy the big box, finished my shopping and headed back to the ranch in hopes of finding a good flick.

Well, there were no good movies to be found, apparently they don’t make those anymore. Heh. Popped up the corn anyway, and the scent coming out of my microwave made me happy. This Smart Pop! stuff smelled like the real deal! I pulled open the bag, burnt myself, cursed, and eventually got around to trying a piece.

I’ll admit, I was just a little disappointed, but I think that was mostly my fault. The smell had me setting the bar way too high, and that’s hard for something that’s a diet product to clear. After dumping the rest of the bag into a bowl (no self respecting popcorn eater eats out of the bag), doused it with a heart attacks worth of salt, it got a little better. Note, since there is so little butter, salt has a hard time sticking to it.

With my now slightly lowered expectations, I dove right in, and thoroughly enjoyed myself. While not a true replacement for the real thing, it’s a good substitute as a craving killer. There are 217 calories in the whole bag, not just a serving. Quick lunch at work, maybe? I will defy anyone to try to eat the whole bag though, there are easily three good servings in each one.

All and all, I say give it a shot. It should be a hit at your party, and I think you’ll enjoy it year round. I do. The other varieties are quite solid as well. Easy thumbs up!

Official Site

–Jeremy Hobbs

popcorn, diet food, smart pop, orville redenbacher