Author: Marvo

SPOTTED ON SHELVES: Kellogg’s Smorz Cereal (2015)

Marvo 16 Comments

Kellogg's Smorz Cereal (2015)

Smorz Cereal is back! But the partially hydrogenated oils that were in the original aren’t! (Spotted by Adam at Dollar General.)

If you’re out shopping and see an interesting new product on the shelf, snap a picture of it, and send us an email ([email protected]) with where you found it and “Spotted” in the subject line. Or reply to us (@theimpulsivebuy) on Twitter with the photo, where you spotted it, and the hashtag #spotted. If you’ve tried the product, share your thoughts about it in the comments.

I noticed it no longer contains partially hydrogenated oils, which a lot of Kellogg’s kids cereals still have in small quantities. I wonder how it will taste? I liked Smorz but didn’t love it because the marshmallows would go bad quickly. I hope it’s better this time around, even though I would have brought back Eggo cereal if I was the one in charge. I hope this means they don’t kill Cinnabon cereal in the few places that still carry it.

SPOTTED ON SHELVES – 12/14/2015

Marvo 1 Comment

Here are some interesting new and limited edition products found on store shelves by us and your fellow readers. If you’ve tried any of the products, share your thoughts about them in the comments.

Vosges Chestnut Honey Almond, Mint Matcha, and Peppermint Candy Cane Bars

Vosges Chestnut Honey Almond, Mint Matcha, and Peppermint Candy Cane Bars

Oh Vosges. Please don’t ever stop making chocolate bars that make me stop and do double takes when I pass by them. (Spotted by Sylvia at World Market.)

Mother's Ginger Snaps Minis

Mother’s Ginger Snaps Minis

Another way to get mini ginger snaps is to buy a box of regular ginger snaps and then shake it violently. You’ll not only get mini ginger snaps, but you’ll also get tiny ginger snaps and super tiny ginger snaps, also known as crumbs. (Spotted by Robbie at H-E-B.)

Pro2Snax Sweet Gala Apples with Almonds and Sliced Apples with Mild Cheddar Cheese

Pro2Snax Sweet Gala Apples with Almonds and Sliced Apples with Mild Cheddar Cheese

Pro2Snax? Oh, PROduce and PROtein. That’s the two Pros. That’s a PROficient use of PRO. (Spotted by Amanda at Walmart.)

Marzetti Veggie Drizzle (Garlic Parmesan, Honey Balsamic, Lemon Basil, and Thai Chili)

Marzetti Veggie Drizzle (Garlic Parmesan, Honey Balsamic, Lemon Basil, and Thai Chili)

So these are salad dressings for hot vegetables. (Spotted by Lindsay A at Meijer.)

Thank you to all the photo contributors! If you’re out shopping and see an interesting new product on the shelf, snap a picture of it, and send us an email ([email protected]) with where you found it and “Spotted” in the subject line. Or reply to us (@theimpulsivebuy) on Twitter with the photo, where you spotted it, and the hashtag #spotted. If you do so, you might see your picture in our next Spotted on Shelves post.

Also, if you’re wondering if we’ve already covered something, search our Flickr photos or use the search box on the right (or below if you’re on a mobile device) to find out.

SPOTTED ON SHELVES: Pillsbury S’mores, Chocolate Lava, and Apple Cinnamon Mini Pies

Marvo 1 Comment

Pillsbury S'mores Mini Pies

Pillsbury Chocolate Lava Mini Pies

Pillsbury Apple Cinnamon Mini Pies

These make me want to tickle you so hard, Pillsbury Doughboy. I can’t wait to simply bake and ice them. (Spotted by Chris B at a military commissary.)

If you’re out shopping and see an interesting new product on the shelf, snap a picture of it, and send us an email ([email protected]) with where you found it and “Spotted” in the subject line. Or reply to us (@theimpulsivebuy) on Twitter with the photo, where you spotted it, and the hashtag #spotted. If you’ve tried the product, share your thoughts about it in the comments.

SPOTTED ON SHELVES: SPAM Snacks (Bacon and Teriyaki)

Marvo 7 Comments

SPAM Snacks

Mmmmm…SPAM jerky. Mmmmm…added smoke flavoring. (Spotted by Marvo at Foodland.)

If you’re out shopping and see an interesting new product on the shelf, snap a picture of it, and send us an email ([email protected]) with where you found it and “Spotted” in the subject line. Or reply to us (@theimpulsivebuy) on Twitter with the photo, where you spotted it, and the hashtag #spotted. If you’ve tried the product, share your thoughts about it in the comments.

REVIEW: Angie’s Hot Cocoa Marshmallow Kettle Corn

Marvo 3 Comments

Every time I see a bag of Angie’s kettle corn with the words “BOOM CHICKA POP” in gigantic type, 70’s porn music pops into my head. Why? Because “bow chicka wow wow” is like the emoji for porn movie music.

But I did not buy Angie’s Holidrizzle Hot Cocoa Marshmallow Kettle Corn because of the porn music bumpin’ in my head. I bought it because there hasn’t been an Angie’s Holidrizzle flavor that’s disappointed me, and I thought this flavor would continue that streak.

And you’ve probably figured out that by ending the previous paragraph with that sentence, I’ve pretty much told you I did not care for this hot cocoa and marshmallow-flavored kettle corn.

Opening the bag brings out a pleasant Cracker Jack—like aroma, but one opened bag and two minutes later I asked myself, “Where did Angie’s go wrong?”

The front of the bag says, “contains nothing but ingredients you’ll love.” Cane sugar…love. Popcorn…love. Sunflower oil…like. Palm kernel oil…like. Nonfat dry milk…like. Cocoa powder…love. Sea salt…love. Natural flavors…not sure what they are. Soy lecithin…I could go either way.

So I love most of its ingredients, but I don’t love its flavor. It just doesn’t taste right. It doesn’t come close to tasting anything like hot cocoa and marshmallows. At times, there’s a flavor that reminds me of toffee. But at other times, there’s a flavor that I would describe as sweet plastic. Maybe the kettle corn’s flavor is an abstract interpretation of hot cocoa and marshmallows, and the sweet plasticiness represents the marshmallow and its pliability.

Where does this sweet plastic flavor come from? My guess is that I should be blaming the chocolate drizzle, which fortunately wasn’t liberally drizzled over the kettle corn. But once the chocolate drizzle melts away, it tastes like standard kettle corn.

Angie’s Holidrizzle Hot Cocoa Marshmallow Kettle Corn isn’t gross enough to make me throw away four-fifths of the bag, go back to Target to demand my money back, or use it as coal in a Christmas stocking to punish the naughty. After all, I did end up finishing the bag, albeit slowly. But out of all the new hot cocoa-flavored products I’ve tried this year, this has got to be my least favorite.

(Nutrition Facts – 1.5 cups – 140 calories, 70 calories from fat, 8 grams of fat, 3 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 1.5 grams of polyunsaturated fat, 3.5 grams of monounsaturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 85 milligrams of sodium, 18 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, 11 grams of sugar, and 1 gram of protein.)

Item: Angie’s Hot Cocoa Marshmallow Kettle Corn
Purchased Price: $3.29
Size: 4.5 oz. bag
Purchased at: Target
Rating: 3 out of 10
Pros: Not totally gross. Least favorite hot cocoa-flavored product I’ve tried this season. Contains ingredients that I love.
Cons: Doesn’t taste like hot cocoa and marshmallows. At times it has a sweet plastic flavor. Having 70’s porn music pop up in my head every time I see a bag of Angie’s popcorn.