Leave it to Yoplait

Remember this post? What did I tell you about the word "delight?" It's a food marketer's dream come true.

Yoplait Delights - Chocolate Raspberry

Price: $2.55/4 pack
Where purchased: St. Joseph IGA
Overall rating: 4/5

Does it feel like I've been overdoing it with the yogurt reviews lately? I'll admit I have done a few, but I can't help that there are about a million different kinds of yogurt out there. I can hardly stop trying them when so many exciting new varieties keep popping up.

I try not to get caught up in the "100 calorie" hype, as typically it seems like a way to get you to overpay for special packaging, or sell nearly the same product to a new market segment. But, I'd have to say that this 100-calorie snack is a great addition to the current offerings out there. To me, this product fulfills exactly what I had been hoping for from the less-than-stellar Breyers yogurt I reviewed earlier this month. It provides a sweet, creamy, and satisfying snack, with 5 grams of protein and only 1.5 grams of fat and 100 calories. I particularly enjoyed the raspberry and chocolate flavor because it makes you think you are eating something dessert-like. In fact, I don't think I'd even want to eat this as a breakfast food, but as a mid-morning or afternoon snack it is perfect. The chocolate flavor is pretty mild, but I didn't think it tasted artificial, which is usually the problem I have with lower-calorie yogurts.

This product receives a 4 out of 5 rating because it is a tasty treat, but a little pricey for only a 4 oz cup. Watch out for coupons though - Yoplait is handing out a lot of them right now (did you see the one on the product page?) I actually have 2 of them and forgot to use either when I was at the store, of course. That's ok, I still have other flavors to try. That Creme Carmel is calling my name.

A nutty idea

I find it funny that consumers would want to ingest something known as a "fatty acid." I mean, that's just not appealing.

Planters NUTrition Omega 3 Mix

Where purchased: Target
Price: $4.00 (on sale)
Overall rating: 4/5

I have to say I was intrigued by the marketing of this product. First of all, incorporating NUT into NUTrition? Brilliant. Also, I love how they call this an "Omega 3 Mix." What a great way of jumping on the Omega 3 hype and using it to create a new package for foods that already exist. Ok, enough talk from the Marketing Manager in me.

I'd have to say that walnuts are not my nut of choice, although they are an excellent source of Omega 3s, which we know have all kinds of health benefits. Planters does an excellent job of making these healthy nuts as appealing as possible (short of putting them in a baked good, of course) by pairing them with dried cranberries and dark chocolate-covered soy nuts. The cranberries provide a nice fruity tartness, and the dark chocolate soy nuts provide a sweet and smooth addition to the mix, along with additional omega 3s. I had no idea soy nuts would work so well here, but – as I should have learned from my experience with the chocolate covered cranberries – it turns out chocolate-covered anything is delicious.

My biggest complaint with this product is the packaging. I understand that Planters was trying to maintain it's brand by putting this mix into the same short, aluminum can that their peanuts come in. But peanuts are much smaller than walnuts are, and they are all about the same size. You open up this can and you can't even see past the 4 huge walnuts to get to the other good stuff. It is seriously frustrating to me. I started breaking up some of the walnuts to make them closer to the size of the soy nuts.

I'm giving this product a 4 out of 5 - good taste, a great way to incorporate some additional Omega 3s into your diet, and very satisfying. $4.00 (on sale) seems a little hefty for a small can of trail mix, but I always think nuts seem pretty expensive. I wonder how much better you'd do buying walnuts, dried cranberries, and chocolate-covered soy nuts individually and mixing them all together yourself? You'd spend a lot to begin with, but I'm guessing the price/serving would go way down. But, as long as this is just something you snack on occasionally, I suppose paying $.50/serving for the added convenience isn't bad.

I was also intrigued by Planters' Antioxident Mix, but I'm already guessing if you like all of the ingredients individually, as I do, you'd like them all together. But if anyone is unsure, I'd be happy to do another review :)

Cheddar that melts better

Does the title of this blog entry make anyone's stomach churn as they think about that Velveeta vs Cheddar commercial, in which they show a big gross mess of cheddar that someone tried to melt? If so, I apologize.

Kraft Deli Deluxe Bacon Cheddar Cheese Slices













Where purchased: Target
Price: $2.89
Overall rating: 2.5/5

First, I'd like to say that I had to try this product three times before I felt comfortable posting about it. The first time I just ate it plain, the second time I had it on a cold turkey sandwich, and the last time I had it on a plain hot turkey and cheese sandwich. This is how thorough I am for my readers :)

My first impression was... yuck. I really didn't like it when I tasted it. But, I think the problem is that I was expecting to taste more of a sliced cheddar cheese than a sliced processed cheese. Even though it is called "Bacon Cheddar," it really is just cheddar flavored American processed cheese. I don't suppose that sounds particularly appealing to anyone. I mean, if Velveeta came out with a cheddar flavor would you want to just eat a hunk of it? Probably not. But if you melted it over some broccoli or a baked potato, it would be delicious.

When I actually put a half slice of the cheese on my sandwich, it was fine. I really didn't taste it. The flavor is very mild. I really don't taste any bacon flavor in it, so it is somewhere between a mild cheddar and American cheese flavor. Not enough to stand out amongst the company of lettuce, cucumber, chipotle mayo, whole wheat bread, and peppered turkey breast.  I finally thought "Hey, this is essentially just a thick American cheese. It is meant to be melted." So I melted it over a pile of turkey and ate it on a bun. I think that was probably the way to go. It still didn't stand out, but at least I finally understood what the one appeal of the cheese is: To make a cheddar that melts better.

All in all, I wasn't impressed with the product. It gets a rating of 2.5 out of 5 because each slice has a high fat/calorie content because it is about twice as thick as I'd want it to be. And the flavor just isn't there. It isn't necessarily a bad flavor (unless you eat it straight out of the package), it just isn't better than regular "yellow square cheese" (courtesy of my nephew, Owen) or cheddar cheese. I think this product is simply trying to fulfill a niche that really doesn't need to be filled.

What's the big fat deal?

Greek yogurt seems to be gaining all kinds of popularity recently. So, I figured I'd find out for myself - What is the Big Fat Greek Deal?


Yoplait Greek Yogurt - Honey Vanilla and Strawberry

Price: $1.00  (on sale)
Where purchased: Schnucks
Overall rating: 3/5

As clearly displayed on the Yoplait Greek label, their big deal is "twice the protein of regular yogurt." This particular brand also boasts 0 g fat, 130 calories, 18 g of sugar, and no artifical sweeteners. Yoplait Greek is also made from cow's milk - which is apparently typical in Greek yogurts sold in the U.S. We Americans don't typically care for sheep's milk.

I can see why Greek yogurt would be ideal for cooking. It has a thick texture and doesn't get that extra liquid that you sometimes find in regular yogurt. But as far as eating straight from the carton goes... I'll stick with the regular yogurt. While I like that you can pack extra protein into the same number of calories (kinda gives you that same phenomenon that egg whites do - extra protein for very few calories), I found the thick texture to be undesirable and the taste was not particularly great either. While the flavor of the honey vanilla wasn't bad and closely resembled a traditional vanilla yogurt, the strawberry flavor tasted very artificial and lacked the necessary sweetness needed to counteract the natural bitterness of the yogurt. I also find the price to be a bit ridiculous. I do understand that it takes more milk to make 6 oz of Greek yogurt than it does to make 6 oz of regular yogurt and thus a higher price is needed... but come on. I can't be spending over $1 on every cup of yogurt I eat!

So, I'm giving this product a 3 out of 5. I do like the nutritional aspects of it - and we all know I love my protein - but I just can't sacrifice the money, texture, and taste to continue buying it. So don't get wrapped up in the Greek yogurt hype and the marketing if all you are looking for is a good-tasting, smooth-textured, somewhat healthy yogurt. I'd stick to the Stonyfield Organic or similar brand if I were you.

Call me craisi

If the leading brand of dried cranberries calls them Craisins, shouldn't the leading brand of the chocolate covered variety call them Craisinets? It only makes sense.

Nestle Cranberry Raisinets

Price: $2.69 (5.5 oz bag)
Where purchased: Target (thank you, Jackie!)
Rating: 3/5

I love raisinets. I find them to be a great snacking candy. It's really no wonder they have been a movie-goers staple for so many years. And really, as far as candy goes, nutritionally you can't do much better. I mean, you are actually getting some nutrition underneath the sugar and fat of the delicious milk chocolate.

So, one could only expect Nestle would do an excellent job covering cranberries with chocolate as well, right? Right. They did. They did an excellent job of making their chocolate covered cranberries exactly like raisinets. Like... exactly. I really can't tell the difference. I was hoping the dried cranberry would add a little different tang and taste than the raisin, but the flavor is pretty much indistinguishable beneath the milk chocolate coating. This is the same way I think of fried appetizers at restaurants. Fry a mushroom, broccoli, onion... it really doesn't matter. It all tastes like deep fried breading.

So, I rated this product a 3.5 out of 5 not because I was at all displeased with the taste or value, but because Nestle did a poor job making a new product. If a company is going to bother making a different version of a classic, actually do something different. Maybe they should have covered it with white chocolate instead. Or put a little less chocolate to bring out the cranberry - something besides bragging about the antioxidents of the cranberries. Come on, it's been done.

That said, Nestle also has a new cherry raisinet covered in a dark chocolate coating that I will probably have to try. While I do know they make dark chocolate raisinets, I actually haven't tried them yet. In fact, by the time all is said and done I'll probably end up purchasing 4 different packages of raisinets and Nestle will have accomplished exactly what they set out to do. But what can I say - I am only a consumer.

Keep the doctor away

But you can't just do it with an apple a day anymore. Now you have to add antioxident-rich superfruits to your apple.

Musselman's Healthy Picks Applesauce - Key Lime Cupuaca

Where purchased: Super Walmart
Price: $1.50 (on sale?)
Rating: 3/5

Did you have any idea how many types of applesauce there are out there?? I had no clue. I always thought applesauce was just like.. umm... mashed up apples. Gee, was I wrong.

Add to the already crowded applesauce collection a new line of individual snack cups from Musselmans - Healthy Picks. These claim no added sugar, but do have fruit concentrates and "other natural flavors," as opposed to the natural applesauce that literally does just have apples and water. For an extra 20 calories, 5 grams of carbs, and 3 grams of sugar, the healthy picks applesauce gives you additional flavor, calcium, iron, vitamin C,  fiber, and "antioxidents."

I can't imagine these additional benefits are worth a whole lot, as the applesauce mostly just tasted like... well, applesauce. There was a hint of lime in it that I really enjoyed, I just wish there would have been more of it. I was actually surprised at how well the two flavors complimented each other, and made the applesauce seem sweeter, not tart or sour as I had feared.

So, I'm giving this product a 3 out of 5 because it really isn't anything special. It had a good taste, was relatively healthy, and a good value, but there was nothing about it to get me excited. You may want to try it if you normally get regular unsweetened applesauce just for something slightly different, but don't expect to be thrilled by this product if you aren't a regular applesauce eater. I'll admit that I still am curious to try the other flavors - Blueberry Pomegranate and Raspberry Acai - just on the off chance that they might have a more unique flavor. It doesn't feel like too much of a gamble if I can pick these up for $1.50, and at the worst I'm left with something closely resembling applesauce!

What are you, chicken?

Just try this new smoked sausage. C’mon. I dare you.

Hillshire Farms Smoked Chicken Sausage 

Where purchased: Meijer
Price: $2.00 on sale (Regular $3.99)
Overall rating: 4.5/5

I guess I should warn you that I’m a fan of precooked sausages. I find them tasty and incredibly convenient. So if you are generally turned off by them and find them unnatural I guess take this review with a grain of salt.

I think these smoked chicken sausages are delicious. They are very flavorful, not at all dry, and relatively low in fat and calories. Hillshire Farms does a great job with the seasoning, bringing out a smoky and not too salty flavor. I could see these smoked sausages working in many types of dishes (soups, gumbos, casseroles, etc), although they are also great on their own.

I usually buy the turkey variety when I purchase smoked sausage, but I think these chicken ones turned out a little better. Not a significant distinction, I just found I enjoyed these a little more. Maybe it was just the fact that they were something different. I compared the two at the store and they are nearly identical in nutrition info – 5 g of fat, 90 calories, and similar in protein and sodium (yes, these do pack 440 mg of sodium, as you might expect from a prepackaged meat). So, if you have a recipe calling for smoked sausage or turkey smoked sausage, I’d give these guys a try.

I’m giving these a 4.5 out of 5, as they exceeded my expectations for a lighter smoked sausage. Plus, I was able to pick them up for two bucks – you can’t beat that!

Stick to ice cream

Sometimes you just gotta know what you’re good at, and stick to it. Yeah Breyers, I’m talking to you.

Breyers Inspirations Yogurt – Chocolate Chip

Where purchased: Meijer
Price: $2.49 (pack of 4)
Overall rating: 1.5/5

I was actually really excited to try this product. Cream and chocolate chips in my yogurt? Sounds delicious! Not so much. I detected no hint of cream or even chocolate in this yogurt. The whole thing just blended together into one uninspired, articial-tasting 4 oz cup. Blah.

I was hoping this would make a fufilling snack or quick breakfast, with 140 calories, 3.5 g of fat, and 4 grams of protein. Instead, I found a product far less sweet and delicious than most yogurts, and nothing that would fulfill a chocolate craving. Very unlike what I would expect from Breyers, as I have never been disappointed in their ice cream.

I’m giving this product a 1.5 out of 5 for disappointing in taste and value - I honestly don't even know if I'll  finish the other two cups sitting in my fridge. And at $.63 for only a 4 oz cup (most yogurts that price would be 6 oz) and an overall artificial taste, I would recommend you find better ways to spend your money. I haven’t tried the other flavors, but certainly don’t intend to either. I can’t imagine Mint Chocolate Chip, Strawberry, or Vanilla would be any better. Unless of course you plan to get them from the freezer aisle.

Opening Day

It’s officially grillin’ season!

McCormick Grill Mates Smokehouse Maple Seasoning

Where purchased: Meijer
Price: $2.36
Overall rating: 4/5

Ok, so after trying this I realized there’s really not much you can say about seasoning. So this will be short and sweet.

If you are anything like us, we take every opportunity we have to grill out. Chicken, burgers, pork chops, fish, steaks – you name it, we grill it. So we are always looking for new ways to make our grillables just a little different from the last time. We might try one seasoning mix this time, next time try a marinade, make it spicy, make it cheesy, add some bbq… ok now I’m hungry. The point is – ya gotta keep it interesting.

That’s why I never mind finding a good grill seasoning mix. I thought this McCormick seasoning had a great smoky flavor, and just brought out the natural flavor of the pork chops we put it on (would also be great with chicken). Not too strong, not too spicy, just a good overall flavor. I also like these seasoning mixes because they are simple, allowing you to just sprinkle them on your meat of choice. No need for marinating or measuring.

I’m giving this product a 4 out of 5 – good taste, good value, and worth actually buying the seasoning blend. Sometimes I feel like I could just as easily have made the blend with about 3 of the seasonings already in my cupboard, but this one is pretty unique and a welcome addition to our collection.

“You like sugar, huh?”

If Buddy the Elf taught us anything, it’s that everything is better with syrup.

Stonyfield Organic Yogurt – Maple Vanilla Seasonal Flavor

Where purchased: Meijer
Price: $.69 on sale (Regular $.99)
Overall rating: 4/5

I typically find vanilla yogurt pretty dull. I mean, it’s good and all, but why choose vanilla when you can have something like strawberry pomegranate or key lime pie? But, just add some maple flavor to your boring vanilla and you’ve got an exciting new flavor experience.

This yogurt is a “limited edition” flavor, so I thought it might be fun to review if you haven’t had a chance to try it yet. I’ve recently become a big fan of Stonyfield Organic yogurts. I was on a search to find a brand that did not have any artificial sweeteners, but also weren’t quite as sugary as the regular Dannon and Yoplait. I found a pretty good balance with Stonyfield Organic, which I’ve been lucky enough to pick up for $.69 for 3 weeks straight at Meijer. With the amount of yogurt I consume, I just can’t get myself to pay the regular $.99/piece for a cup of yogurt when they have plenty that are half that price.

Although the color of this maple vanilla flavor is a bit off-putting, the taste is great. The maple flavor really comes through, and it works great as a breakfast with some granola mixed in. And, for those who don’t like “stuff” or chunks of fruit in your yogurt, this one is nice and smooth and creamy.

I’m giving this yogurt a 4 out of 5 for just the right amount of sweetness in a 1.5 g of fat, 130 calorie, 6 oz yogurt with organic ingredients (that’s right – no high fructose corn syrup!). I still think even the $.69 sale price is high for yogurt, but it could be worse. I also like that Stonyfield Organic comes out with seasonal flavors like this to try, adding some variety to the usual flavors. I can’t wait to try the next one!

A delightful surprise

Healthy food marketers must love the word  “delight.” A positive feeling with the word “light” built right into it. Perfect.

Quaker True Delights Multigrain Fiber Crisps – Wild Blueberry

Where purchased: Meijer
Price: $1.99
Overall rating: 3.5/5

I picked up these “delightful” little crisps upon recommendation from my sister, Jackie. New to Quaker’s line of cereals, rice cakes, and granola bars, these snacks boast 17 grams of whole grain per serving, with only 110 calories, 1.5 g of fat, and 6 g of sugar.

I didn’t know exactly what to expect from a “fiber crisp,” but when I put it in my mouth I was a bit surprised by the texture. I think I was expecting one of those light and airy mini rice cakes, but these are denser and actually remind me more of a cereal texture or a crunchy granola bar. The flavor is tasty: pleasantly  sweet and non-grainy, but nothing outstanding. My first bite reminded me exactly of something I have had before, although I still haven’t been able to figure out exactly what it was. Maybe some sort of blueberry granola? In any case, that might give you an idea. It kinda tastes like you are munching on dry cereal or a granola bar.

What I like about these, however, is that they aren’t as messy as dry cereal, and they aren’t as “restricting” as a granola bar (which are portioned out for you). You can munch on these freely like you would chips or pretzels, but know you are eating a healthier snack. I could see these being a nice car trip snack, or something to keep in the office for mid-morning or afternoon munchies.

I am giving these a 3.5 out of 5 for good, but nothing super special. $1.99 for a 3-serving bag seems like a fair price, and these could serve as a nice alternative to some of your regular snacks. I might try these or another flavor again if I see them on sale, but I don’t see them becoming something I put on my grocery list.