Author: Marvo

SPOTTED ON SHELVES – 6/29/2012

Marvo 7 Comments

Here are some new products found on store shelves by us and your fellow readers. We may or may not review them, but we’d like to let you know what new items are popping up. We’ll also occasionally throw in an unusual product.

Lay's Spicy Ketchup

Over the years I’ve been jealous of Canadians because they have ketchup potato chips readily available. Sure, a few companies here in the States make them, but it’s not as if I can walk into almost any store and pick them up like Canadians can. However, the new Lay’s Spicy Ketchup potato chips, which have been appearing on shelves here in the United States, give me hope that someday all Americans can have easy access to ketchup flavored potato chips. (Thanks Peter for the photo!)

Betty Crocker Cereal Muffin Mixes

To enjoy the flavors of Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Cocoa Puffs, and Reese’s Puffs, I can either pour any of the cereals into a bowl and add milk. Or I can preheat my oven, make the muffin mix batter, pour the batter into the individual cups in a muffin pan, place the pan in the oven, wait a bunch of minutes while it bakes, pull the pan out of the oven, and let them cool before eating. Or I can have someone else make the muffins for me. (Thanks Adam for the photo!)

Cinnamon Toast Crunch Treats

Also, if I want to enjoy the flavor of Cinnamon Toast Crunch, I can eat one of these Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal bars. Hey, General Mills! I’m still waiting for Cinnamon Toast Crunch flavored milk. Oooh, two Box Tops for Education! (Thanks Adam for the photo!)

Luigi's Birthday Cake Italian Ice

To enjoy a birthday cake, I can either buy birthday cake flavored Italian ice. Or I can preheat my oven, make cake batter, pour the batter into a cake pan, place the pan in the oven, wait a bunch of minutes while it bakes, pull the pan out of the oven, let it cool, spread a layer of frosting on top of the cake, and then cut a piece to enjoy. Or I can have someone else make the cake for me. (Thanks anonymous person for the photo!)

Hello Kitty Hand Wash

SQUEEE!!! Hello Kitty hand wash!

If you’re out shopping and see a new product on the shelf (or really unusual), snap a picture of it, email it to us at [email protected] with “Spotted” in the subject line, and you might see it in our next Spotted on Shelves post.

NEWS: Starbucks Refreshers To Come In VIA Form

Marvo 5 Comments

Albert Square Starbucks

Have you ever thought to yourself, “Hey! I REALLY like those Starbucks Refreshers, so much so that I wish they came in a snortable form.”

If so, your wish will soon come true because next month Starbucks will offer a VIA Ready Brew version of their Refreshers.

(Note: Please don’t snort the VIA Refreshers)

Some of you might be thinking, “Hey! Those Starbucks Refreshers thingies sound familiar.” They should because earlier this year Starbucks introduced a line of ready-to-drink canned Refreshers, which you’ve probably passed by at your local grocery store. Here’s a Google search query for canned Starbucks Refreshers reviews.

According to the blog, Starbucks Melody, Starbucks VIA Refreshers will be hitting stores on July 10 and come in two flavors: Very Berry Hibiscus and Cool Lime. Making one is as easy as making a regular VIA coffee–just add water and stir. A Starbucks VIA Refreshers package will contain five mix packets, each of which will make a 16-ounce serving.

If you’ve sampled a Starbucks VIA Refresher, let us know what you thought of it in the comments below.

Source: Starbucks Melody

Image via flickr user Nicholas Smale / CC BY 2.0

NEWS: Post Hopes You Have A Good Morning With Their Good Morenings Cereals

Marvo 30 Comments

Good Morning from Maine!

According to the Option Pitch and Waffle Crisp blog (our reviewer Adam’s blog), Post has pushed out a whole line of breakfast cereals called Good Morenings. Before you scroll down and leave a comment about how I spelled “Morenings” wrong, let me stop you and tell you that’s how Post spells it.

Thanks, Post and other companies that make up their own spelling of words! I bet teachers everywhere can’t wait to correct the following sentence: I’m xtremely sorry I didn’t say “Good Morening” 2 the studentz.

The Post Good Morenings cereal line comes in a number of flavors:

Berry Loops

Cocoa Cinnamon Crunch

Frosted Flakes

Strawberry and Creme

Vanilla O’s

Waffle Crunch

For those of you who believe HFCS not only stands for High Fructose Corn Syrup, but also Heavy Fat Causing Sweetener, you’ll be happy to know the cereals don’t contain high fructose corn syrup. However, according to the website My Fitness Pal, the cereal line’s sugar content ranges between 9-13 grams.

If breakfast cereals are one of your main sources of vitamins and minerals, each serving of Good Morenings is an excellent source of B vitamins and a good source of other vitamins and minerals.

If you’ve tried any of the Post Good Morenings cereals, let us know what you think of them in the comments section below.

Source: Option Pitch and Waffle Crisp

Image via flickr user Dana Moos / CC BY 2.0

NEWS: Take A Break From Walking Around the Mall and Enjoy Häagen-Dazs’ New Sweet Balsamic Strawberry Sundae

Marvo

Strawberries

If you frequent a Häagen-Dazs shop, don’t get your usual scoop of Rum Raisin or something boring like that. Instead, try Häagen-Dazs’ new Sweet Balsamic Strawberry Sundae.

Unless, you’re allergic to strawberries, then stick with your usual scoop of Rum Raisin.

The dessert, or mid-mall shopping spree treat, is constructed of two scoops of strawberry ice cream with a drizzle of handmade tangy balsamic strawberry sauce, and topped with whipped cream. The ice cream and sauce creates a sweet, tangy, and creamy combination.

According to this story on the QSR website, Häagen-Dazs’ strawberry ice cream uses only Hood and Totem strawberries. This blew my mind because I thought there was only one type of strawberries — strawberries. I am now educated. Thanks, Häagen-Dazs!

The Sweet Balsamic Strawberry Sundae will be available at Häagen-Dazs shops for a limited time.

Source: QSR Magazine

Image via flickr user sanchom / CC BY 2.0

PRIZE DRAWING: Because You Should Celebrate A Belated National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month

Marvo 109 Comments

Wendy’s Berry Almond Chicken Salad

Did you know June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month?

I didn’t know until the good folks at Wendy’s told me it was when they offered The Impulsive Buy three $10 gift cards to give away to three lucky TIB readers. Now that I know it’s National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month, I regret all the McDonald’s and Burger King food I ate this month.

Oh, but the month isn’t over. I can still binge on fruits and vegetables. Farmer’s market, here I come!

Wendy’s is offering the gift cards so that the winners can celebrate a belated National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month by trying their Berry Almond Chicken Salad. I say belated because it’s almost the end of the month and the winners won’t be getting their gift cards until July. Jasper reviewed the salad last year and enjoyed it.

However, if you don’t want to celebrate National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month, you can hold on to the card until September and can celebrate National Chicken Month, if the Berry Almond Chicken Salad is still available. Or, if you can’t wait that long, you could use the gift card on July 13 to celebrate National French Fry day.

To enter the Happy Belated National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month prize drawing, leave a comment with THIS post. Your comment MUST INCLUDE one of the following:

1. Your favorite fruit of all time.

2. Your favorite vegetable of all time.

3. A 5,000-word essay about why a potato is or is not a vegetable.

4. The words, “Redheads and left-handed people will rule the world someday.”

Please don’t forget to fill out the email field because I’ll be emailing the randomly selected winners for their mailing address. The Impulsive Buy will stop accepting entries on Saturday, June 30, 2012 11:59 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time. Only one comment allowed per person, and it’s only open to U.S. residents who are at least 18 years old.

Good luck!

Fine Print: The Impulsive Buy promises your email address will not be used to send you anything about generic Canadian prescription drugs. The Impulsive Buy also promises your mailing address will not be used to send you AARP notices, even though you’re under 40 years old. Bribes will not be accepted. The Impulsive Buy will not be responsible for lost mail, damaged mail, or your decision to purchase burgers with the gift card.