SPOTTED ON SHELVES: Star Wars Cereal Limited Edition Boxes with R2-D2

Star Wars Cereal Limited Edition Boxes with R2-D2

How many of these limited edition Star Wars cereal boxes are there? There’s Kylo Ren and BB-8. There’s Darth Vader and Yoda. (Spotted by Robbie at Walmart.)

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.

FAST FOOD NEWS: Panda Express Pacific Chili Shrimp

Panda Express Pacific Chili Shrimp

Do you wish Panda Express had a new shrimp entree because you’re tired of eating their Honey Walnut Shrimp? Well you’re in luck…for a limited time.

Panda Express’ new Pacific Chili Shrimp features marinated shrimp, sugar peas, red bell peppers, and onions tossed in a house-made chili garlic sauce. The entree is part of the chain’s Wok Smart lineup that features items that have 300 calories or less and at least 8 grams of protein.

A 6.5-ounce serving has 200 calories, 10 grams of fat, 1.5 grams of saturated fat, 85 milligrams of cholesterol, 640 milligrams of sodium, 15 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 11 grams of sugar, and 11 grams of protein.

If you’ve tried it, let us know what you think of it in the comments.

(Image via Panda Express)

SPOTTED ON SHELVES: Dreyer’s Slow Churned Washington Apple Pie and California Caramel Almond Crunch

Dreyer's Slow Churned Washington Apple Pie Light Ice Cream

Dreyer's Slow Churned California Caramel Almond Crunch

Häagen-Dazs is doing a Destination Series, and it appears Dreyer’s is doing one as well. (Spotted by Rene B at Target.)

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: Peeps Cotton Candy Marshmallow Chicks

Peeps Cotton Candy Marshmallow Chicks

Let the record state: you are not likely to win former middle school crushes, current middle school crushes, or Santa Claus over with Peeps. Peeps are prepackaged, factory-formed one-noters. They are not handmade. They are not farm-to-table. They are sugary, squishy, mildly impersonal marshmallow chickens poofed out in Pennsylvania.

But if you are a candy loyalist of the sort who is not deterred by waxy eyeballs or the radioactive glow of their outer sheen, Peeps has enough varieties to fill a Container Store, not to mention the 18-foot-deep hole in my heart, but before I go on branding a marshmallow chicken on my left deltoid, I guess I should try ‘em all, and today? We go for Cotton Candy.

Peeps Cotton Candy Marshmallow Chicks 2

With June stretching out over 80 days in the future, I can think of no better time than now to be reminded of a carnival, and ripping open this quintet of Peeps does just that, knocking me upside the head with sparkly wonder and a smell that blends a distinct sugary brightness with Strawberry Jolly Ranchers, Vanilla Febreze, and Bubblicious. Who needs Disneyland when you have Peeps?

(Okay, I need Disneyland. Especially Space Mountain.)

But much like the overpriced snow globe at the Miami Airport, these glitzy chicks are all flash with little substance, holding only a faint essence of its spun-sugar inspiration. While the marshmallow itself still has that special taste that can only emerge when sucrose and corn syrup combine, only faint blips of vanilla extract, strawberry, and bubblegum pop in.

Taken as a whole, the flavor is sharply sugar-forward, tasting more of a regular marshmallow that was swapped at birth and doomed to an existence with the incorrect moniker. While a trifle disappointing for those looking for a more robust flavor, I must admit that this humble sugar flavor harkens back to cotton candy’s main goal: to serve as a vehicle through which you might funnel simplified carbohydrates into your sugar-depraved body, and why should you deny yourself? Life’s tough. Sugar’s great.

Peeps Cotton Candy Marshmallow Chicks 3

So, while they may cling to cotton candy’s legacy as a sugar-laden snack, this ensemble of chickadees tastes about as bold as faded paisley curtains. Perhaps it’s the batch. Perhaps it’s the Red #40. Perhaps it’s in the alignments of stars, Jupiter, and ill-directed DirecTV satellites, but I dare say these could use a little oomph.

That said, one might also say that this inconsistency is part of the true carnival experience. Just like balloon animals, dart games, and questionably constructed wooden roller coasters, cotton candy is not necessarily meant to be treated as a work of perfection, but more as a bright, mildly risky, fun treat, and these chicks? Achieve that. No ticket required. They may not warrant a permanent tattoo, but I could see a temporary tattoo going on.

(Nutrition Facts – 5 chicks – 140 calories, 0 calories from fat, 0 grams of fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 15 milligrams of sodium, 0 mg of potassium, 34 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of dietary fiber, 32 grams of sugar, and 1 gram of protein..)

Purchased Price: 99 cents
Size: 1.5 oz. package/5 chicks
Purchased at: Walgreens (a Walgreens exclusive)
Rating: 5 out of 10
Pros: Fun. Shimmery. Not unpleasant vehicle for sugar. The Container Store. Space Mountain. Future plans to tattoo marshmallow chickadee on deltoid.
Cons: Missing the strawberry/vanilla/bubblegum flavors. Sugar crust falls off easily. Red Dye #40. One-note. Will not win former middle school crushes. Will not win current middle school crushes. Overpriced snow globes at the Miami Airport.

SPOTTED ON SHELVES – 3/3/2016

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.

Jolly Rancher Bunny Food Gummies

Jolly Rancher Bunny Food Gummies

I think I understand why it’s called “Bunny Food” and not “vegetables.” Because that would make them unappealing to kids. I just hope no one feeds these to a bunny. (Spotted by Rachel C at Harmons.)

Wonder Banana Bread English Muffins

Wonder Banana Bread English Muffins

Wonder Maple French Toast English Muffins

Wonder Maple French Toast English Muffins

In Canada, Wonder Bread makes more than Wonder Bread. I wonder if that’ll ever happen in the wonderful United States. (Spotted by Alicia at Fortinos in Canada.)

New Mello Yello Zero Can Design

New Mello Yello Zero Can Design

I’d wear a t-shirt with the old logo on it, but not the new one. So I guess I like the old logo. (Spotted by Andrew M at Walmart.)

Kroger Peach & White Grape and Apple & Black Currant Liquid Water Enhancer

Kroger Peach & White Grape and Apple & Black Currant Liquid Water Enhancer

Stur Blue & Blackberry, Black Cherry, and Citrus Liquid Water Enchancers

Stur Blue & Blackberry, Black Cherry, and Citrus Liquid Water Enchancers

Can the liquid water enhancer trend go away? Asking for a friend. (Spotted by Josh at Kroger.)

Buitoni Spinach & Artichoke Ravioli

Buitoni Spinach & Artichoke Ravioli

Buitoni Three Cheese Asparagus Ravioli

Buitoni Three Cheese Asparagus Ravioli

Buitoni Sweet Bell Pepper & Roasted Chicken Ravioli

Buitoni Sweet Bell Pepper & Roasted Chicken Ravioli

Dinner idea! Serve these three mixed up in one bowl and play Ravioli Roulette with folks who hate either bell peppers, artichokes, or asparagus. (Spotted by Amanda at Kroger.)

Campbell's Chunky Wicked Thai-Style Chicken with Rice & Vegetables

Campbell’s Chunky Wicked Thai-Style Chicken with Rice & Vegetables

I’m going to guess “wicked” means spicy. But if it makes my stomach funny, then “wicked” would mean evil. (Spotted by Robbie at Walmart.)

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.