#New #Lipton #IcedTea Tropical Flavor #ProductReview: #Juice #Stevia #NationalIcedTeaDay

Back on National Iced Tea Day, Lipton ran a promotion giving away coupons for a Free 20oz Lipton Iced Tea (single serve). I visited the giveaway site, filled out the form and several weeks later received said coupon in the mail. My sister redeemed the coupon on my behalf as she was heading to the store. (It's nice to have siblings who actually LIKE going out shopping in Brick & Mortar retail stores --- since I don't --- and who live relatively close by.) I'd asked her to grab whatever looked interesting and she delivered a New Lipton Iced Tea Tropical Flavor with Other Natural Flavors with a Splash of Juice.

Product: Lipton Iced Tea Tropical Flavor, with Other Natural Flavors, with a Splash of Juice, 20oz bottle.

You'd think with this mouthful of a label name that it would taste amazing, but you'd be wrong. It was merely OK. Like most things sweetened with stevia it had a noticeable aftertaste.

"I can eat stevia plant leaves just fine. In fact, my first taste of stevia was actually fresh picked out of a friend's garden. But sadly, no-one has figured out how to process stevia commercially without the resulting product having a bitter aftertaste. And yes, I've tried the products that say "no stevia aftertaste." It's still there, perhaps fainter than in other products, but noticeable to my taste-buds."

Anywho, back to the product trial: For all the flavors and splash of juice, it was a rather weak tea. I could taste the flavor of the tea itself distinctively, as if it was fresh brewed, so that's a point in its favor. As Lipton is well regarded tea brand, I'd expect no less. I wouldn't seek to purchase this again --- not my cup bottle of tea! I'm a Southerner and a Sweet Tea enthusiast (this means real sugar, hon). I don't expect this particular product to go over well in the deep South, but we cotton to Lipton well enough, as a brand.

New #BeyondMeat #BeyondBurger #Review #Meatless #NationalBurgerDay #Vegetarian

A Review from last year (that I've been meaning to publish)

The Product: New Beyond Burger by Beyond Meat, a Plant-Sourced Burger, 2ct pkg (found in the meat aisle or refrigerated section)


The Details: Whole Foods did a one day promotion on the new Beyond Burger by Beyond Meat, which is normally $6.99 for a two patty pack (at my local store) but could be had at 2/$9.00 in honor of National Burger Day 2017. I was willing to risk trying it at $4.50/pkg (or $2.25/burger) since I had a Whole Foods Gift Card to pay for it. Because I eat other Beyond Meat products, I assumed it would be decent, although I was a bit cautious due to all the "can't tell the difference between it and real meat" hype being employed in advertising it.

I gave the second pack to my sister (the one who's vegetarian like I am) so that she could test it out also. We've both been veg for a long time: I've been veg for so long --- nearly 30 years --- that I no longer recall what meat tastes like, and she went veg roughly 6 years after I did. As she's also older than I am, she ate meat for more of her life than I did, but she's still been veg for more than 20 years at this point.

The Results: We were both underwhelmed. After all the online hype pushing this burger to the masses we expected to be wowed! (We each prepared the burgers separately at our own homes and met up several days later to discuss what we thought of the experience.) Each of us thought the plain burger was good, but not amazing. We both agreed it worked very well with "all the fixings." It sautéed well, grilled great and held up on a bun well. It was comparatively thick and juicy ---most commercially prepared veggie burgers are thin patties.

If having a "meaty" option plant-based burger encourages others to go veg or at least make more conscientious dietary choices then I'm all for it. It provides an option. I liked it well enough that I would add it to the rotation of veggies burgers and other prepared veggie entrees that I consume, but it wasn't so unbelievable that it would be the only veggie burger I'd eat on a consistent basis.

It's a nice innovative addition to the marketplace, but don't expect it to topple Morningstar Farms from the top (it's more expensive, takes a bit more preparation and ends up tasting only slightly better).

Try it, if you will. If you're a meat eater then it may be a tasty way to get more veg protein in your diet. Vegetarians can probably take it or leave it. It's a convenient meal option, but I could just as easily make stir fry. However, I like to mix things up, so I will buy it from time to time.

#SweetEarth #Breakfast Sandwiches #Review #Vegan #Meatless #Vegetarian

A Review

The Product: Sweet Earth Harmless Ham, Vegan Chickpea Patty and Sundried Tomato on Flax Bread, 2ct box.

The Details: Purchased with a VIP BOGO Free coupon. $5.69/box at my local Whole Foods.

What did I think? Although this sandwich should have a mix of flavors, the overall taste is VERY mild to the point of being bland. How is this possible?! You mix all these great ingredients together and come up with only a passable sandwich. Personally, I'd rather just eat the raw veggies than ever eat this thing again, but then I'm vegetarian. Might be more acceptable for someone who doesn't normally eat a lot of veggies.

The main benefits here are its convenience ---  microwaves in 1 minute --- and having a nutritional punch condensed into an easily portable form (each individual sandwich comes in sealed wrapper). If you're looking for a quick veg meal option, something like this might fill the bill.

The Results: I tried it, but I didn't much like it. So I personally wouldn't make it a regular purchase.

New #OceanSpray #Mocktails: #Bellini #ProductReview #Beverages #FreeFridayDownload

A Review

Ocean Spray Mocktails

The Product: Ocean Spray Mocktails, 33.8 fl oz bottle

The Details: A while back (as in June of last year) Kroger featured the new Ocean Spray Mocktails as its Free Friday Download (free item offered via an ecoupon loaded to your customer account). Mocktails are "blends of fruit juice inspired by your favorite cocktails." There were 3 flavors available in my local store. I chose the Cranberry Peach Bellini.

Made with real fruit juice. No high fructose corn syrup. Non-Alcoholic Premium Beverage. Only 90 calories per serving. No artificial flavors or preservatives. Ready to drink …or mix. Serve chilled. Can add a splash of seltzer or soda water. Or mix 1 part with Prosecco or any sparkling wine.

$4.19 MSRP but was on sale for $2.79 at the time of ecoupon redemption.

The Verdict: I tried it over ice and chilled to a "slushy" and it worked well both ways, though the slushy was best. The product had a light, fruity flavor that was refreshing and not overly sweet. It would work well as a mixer, but was fine as a stand-alone beverage. I would likely buy it again, if I caught it on sale.

Disclaimer: I received this product for free due to a Kroger promotional ecoupon, but the opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

My #Tester Philosophy #AlphaTester #TryB4UBuy #GotItFree #Couponer

I'm a curious sort. I enjoy trying news things and while I may not go out of my way to grab the "new-new" merely to say I've tried it, I do tend to be aware of new products and consumer trends --- so if I find a good deal that allows me to try something new or updated for free (or very cheap) then all the better.

A lot of new products and services don't rate a mention unless it's in complaint, but when you find something wonderful, you've got to share the information. We're all searching for things that work as they should (and we hope to be warned off when they don't).

I guess you could say I'm an adventurous consumer and an early adopter, but I will call companies out when they drop the ball. This is what makes me great at Quality Assurance and highly proficient as a tester/reviewer. I also like to break things to see how they work, then piece them together again.

Are #Thins Really In? #Cookies #Snacks #Natural #Sweeteners #MiniCans #Soda

The snacks and beverages industries have responded to our professed collective desire to "Be Healthier" by offering "better" versions of their wares. The market is currently proliferate with natural, light, thin and/or mini versions of "food" products that define the artificial flavors & colors, and preservatives segment. Does it matter?

Every cookie nowadays seems to have a "thin" version. Soda is touted as "made with real sugar" and comes in "mini cans" (ostensibly, a smaller serving). But are we really eating better or merely psyching ourselves out? I tend to think that thins and minis only encourage the average person to consume more per sitting. I appreciate the options --- I am Pro-Choice, after all --- but if you're eating junk food, I would hope you know it's called junk food for a reason. (I eat junk food.) Remember, everything in moderation.

Chips Ahoy! Thins

By the way, a recent Kroger Free Friday Download was a digital coupon for "One Free Chips Ahoy! Thins" product which got me to thinking about current market trends in the snacks and beverages industries. I am not a (regular) Chips Ahoy! cookies fan. The original product tastes much as I imagine pasteboard might. Surprisingly, however, the "thins" version is palatable. I couldn't decide if this was due to the "thinness" (less product altogether) or whether an actual recipe adjustment had altered the taste for the better. There's still no comparison to baking my own chocolate chip cookies, mind you, but Chips Ahoy! Thins were leagues better than the original product, in my opinion. Perhaps, this "thin" revolution brings with it hidden perks...

#MobileBanking: Deposit by Picture. Check! #Smartphones #Apps

As a geeky techie engineer, I seldom handle actual cash any more. The few times I've encountered it, I've thought that paper bills of today look a lot like fake Monopoly money. Neither have I ordered (or used) personal checks in well over a decade. Practically everything I do financially is in the virtual realm. I use electronic BillPay and eMoney. I've always opted for Direct Deposit nearly since my first job as a teen. I eTrade. Every vendor on the planet takes debit or credit cards and one can even "split a tab" with friends electronically these days.

So, I was at a momentarily loss when out of the blue I received a physical check in the mail recently (a surprise gift from an older relative who'd been told about the recent vandalism of my home). After penning a Thank You Note, I wondered half-seriously, "What does one do with a paper check?" I could have mailed it in to my bank I suppose, but I almost never use snail mail either. (The exception being personal correspondence with the "older generation.") Postage? What's that...

I settled on trying out my credit union's newish "Deposit by Picture" method, wherein one snaps a photo (back and front) of an endorsed check and uploads it to the bank --- basically DIY digitizing. Having never done this before and hating taking pictures as I do, it took a couple of tries to get the lighting and focus just right on the image so that the bank system would accept it. Eventually, I was successful, however, and minutes later the deposit was approved and the balance was added to my account (with a notice to hold onto the physical check for 60 days and then securely destroy it).

It's not like I'm going back to paper checks, but this was kind of a fun exercise and an apt usage of the ubiquitous smartphone camera. (Technology making life more convenient! Imagine that.) Will probably never need to do it, again. Paper checks are going the way of the Dodo.

#Garden #VeggieStraws @SensibleP -- A Sharp Flavored Crunchy #Snack #ProductReview #GlutenFree #Kosher #NonGMO #SensiblePortions

For roughly the last week, I've been sampling a newish product named Garden Veggie Straws by a brand called Sensible Portions. These are crispy puffed "straws" made out of sweet potato and other vegetables that pack a satisfying crunch and a bite of flavor. They are also gluten-free, low sodium, low fat and low calorie, if you care about that sort of thing. (A serving is about 18 straws.) They remind me of Frito-Lay's Munchos --- which I enjoyed as a child --- if you are familiar with this product, the taste of Garden Veggie Straws is very similar, except more robust and with flavor variations. In case you are unaware, Munchos are white potato puffed chips (potato crisps), whereas these straws taste like spinach, tomato, carrot and white potato, but both products are "puffed crisps."

Sea Salt Garden Veggie Straws

I had a huge bag, so I would put a handful or two in a zippy bag and carry them in my pocket to snack on throughout the day. I like them and will continue to purchase the product as an alternative --- not a replacement --- to potato chips. I love potatoes in pretty much all forms, so I love chips, but I also like to mix things up and vary the palate. (By the way, I use moderation as the guiding principle for my diet or eating regimen. I do not "diet" or deny myself things.) Sensible Portions also makes several other "straws" varieties, including apple and sweet potato, and various veggie chips, crisps, puffs and crackers. Its motto is "better-for-you snacking." According to the company, a Better-for-You Snack is Non-GMO, Gluten-Free, Kosher, Cholesterol-Free and has no artificial flavors or preservatives. Sounds good to me.

I've only tried the Sea Salt Garden Veggie Straws, so far, but I plan to check out other Sensible Portions products, too. I'm on the lookout for the Apple Straws.

#SuperBowl #Party #Snacks & #Beverages @BraziBites @Popcorners @DrinkCheerwine #Rebelicious #ProductReview

Had a great time at my Super Bowl party in spite of the Falcons' losing. It was an intense game and I like the Patriots, too (was merely hoping for a new dynasty to emerge and rooting for a Georgia team, in addition to enjoying being able to joke with my "twin" BFF who is a Pats fan). Besides the good company with whom I enjoyed watching the game, there were some tasty nibbles on offer --- if I do say so myself. I had the opportunity to try some new products and enjoy some longtime favorites. The revelry carried on 'til quite late... or early.

One of the new items I picked up to serve at the party is Brazi Bites, a Brazilian Cheese Bread. I'd participated in a manufacturer's promotion online recently and received a free product coupon in the mail. When the coupon first arrived, I'd used the store locator on the product's website and discovered that in the metro Atlanta area, Brazi Bites can be found at Sprouts Farmers Market and Whole Foods stores. As I planned to go to Sprouts for a few party provisions anyway, I took my coupon along to look for this new product, too. (As an extra bonus, the Sprouts app had a mobile coupon available to load for a free bag of Popcorners chips.)

Brazi Bites are found in the freezer aisle [Keep Frozen] and come in several flavor varieties, though the Sprouts to which I ventured only had "Cheddar & Parmesan" or "Garlic & Asiago". I selected the "Cheddar & Parmesan." The product comes is a re-sealable plastic pouch containing 18 pieces [Net Wt 11.5oz (330g)]. It's naturally Gluten Free (uses a tapioca flour base), but also Trans-Fat Free, Sugar Free and Soy Free. It's ready to bake (goes from freezer to oven) and done in approximately 20 minutes. So quick and easy!

I cooked mine in a toaster oven, that's setup on the Carnival-themed concession stand in my home entertainment center. A serving size is considered 3 pieces (6 servings per pouch) and packs 126 calories (53 calories from fat). Personally, I don't count calories; I'm passing the information along for edification. To cook, place the bites about an inch apart on a lightly greased baking sheet and bake until golden brown. And boom, cheesy, toasty goodness in your face! These were quite tasty and completely no fuss. I'll definitely buy them again. (These were on sale for $5.49 at Sprouts with a regular price of $6.00, I believe.)

Using my Sprouts app mobile coupon for a free bag, I chose "Smokin' Jalapeno White Cheddar" Popcorners popped corn chips. I'd had tried a plain buttered Popcorners variety a few months ago, but had thought those meh. This flavor variety, however, turned out to be very good. Crispy, crunchy, fresh and spicy cheesy. A great snack for watching television. (Will buy these again.) I simply poured them out of the bag and into a bowl to serve.

And of course, I used a few of my Free 12-Pack coupons to pickup some Cheerwine soda at my local Kroger store on the way back home. Love me some Cheerwine! I definitely wanted some on hand to offer my guests. This was but a last minute store run. I'd been planning a menu and gathering various ingredients & ready-made foodstuffs for about two weeks. Once everything was done and set out, it made for quite a delicious spread. I'm still stuffed.

Mundane Yet Mesmerizing: The First Wave of the #Robot Revolution #AI #Automation #Robotics #ProductDevelopment

While reading the Sunday paper [AJC 29/01/17], I noticed two articles on robotics being used to automate common tasks. The first concerned a European company called Starship Technologies that is developing rolling robots about the size of a large cooler to make parcel deliveries. (A pilot program is launching in the US and Europe.) The second was an overview of some retail friendly automation ideas on display at the National Retail Federation's Big Show, including a discussion of Softbank Robotics, an Asian conglomerate, that plans to integrate its Pepper humanoid robot into the retail environment with the hope of automating many common customer service inquiries. Taken together, the articles provide a snapshot of where mainstream uses of robots will first occur, namely in automating tasks that tend to be mundane and repetitive --- jobs often thought of as mundane and/or menial.

Getting a delivery is a fairly routine occurrence in many quarters. (For a time, shipping company UPS dubbed itself merely "Brown" --- the distinctive color of its employee uniforms --- because its drivers are so ubiquitous everyone understood the reference.) But getting a delivery made by a robot will wow many onlookers. Of course, as the technology develops robots will take on more complex tasks in our everyday life and we will become more accustomed to their presence. It remains to be seen whether one day we will be taken over by so-called smart robots powered by their own thoughts as predicted in many a sci-fi script (and some academic hypothesis). Are we developing our own robot overlords? I think not.

In spite of the dire warnings sounded by a few prominent scientists and engineers, I would like to think that human ingenuity will always outweigh programmed intelligence. This does not mean that AI robots won't accumulate more "knowledge" than the average human or that an AI program cannot outstrip a human in a specific, even complex arena (as has been demonstrated with chess). I simply believe that the totality of human engineering (our complex body systems and our still evolving brain organ) is more intricate than anything which humans can engineer. The robots will have to prove me wrong. (The possibility that things may go horribly wrong should not prevent our developing AI robots, but it should impart circumspection into said development.) Humans are the most fantastic machines in existence, but certainly man-made robots are cool.

On a personal level, I plan to use automation to an advantage in my home (and my business). I want to employ robots for many tasks from mowing the lawn to vacuuming the floors. The use of robots and/or artificial intelligence systems will allow me to manage the homestead without needing a lot of manpower. Home automation will allow for the creation of a one man run estate. I am fascinated by the promise of AI and what it could mean for reclaiming individual independence. I already use a Smart Assistant (Amazon's Alexa platform) and Smart Appliances. I do not fear the future, as a techie early adopter, I embrace it. And if need be, I will be one of the first to rally against Skynet ...should that day arrive.

My Future #ShoppingList (#NewProducts on My Radar) #Alexa #ProductTrials #ProductLaunches

Several new products have launched in the last year or so which have piqued my interest. I plan to test and try these out once I locate the products in stores and have a need for them. (I abhor waste, so I try to only buy new products when they fulfill a need --- or there's a deal that's too good to pass up --- versus grabbing anything new I encounter the moment I see it.)

Until then I keep a future shopping list, in alphabetical order, of products to locate and test, which is updated as necessary. The fun part (other than finding and trying the products) is that I can use my Amazon Echo in order to verbally instruct Alexa to manage this shopping list for me, which has greatly lessened my reliance on sticky notes these days. (Saves paper. I transitioned to a paperless office years ago, and now I'm working on becoming a paperless household. Having Smart Assistants helps.)

My Future Shopping List (Grocery)
Beyond Burger
Brazi Bites (free product coupon)
Cheerwine Holiday Punch (also a recipe available)
Cheerwine Kreme
Cheerwine Squeeze
Green Giant Riced Veggies
Green Giant Veggie Fries
Just Mayo
Veggie Fries Tots

NOTE: I keep future shopping lists for household items (where I keep tabs on not necessarily new products, like appliances, that I think will fulfill a need or desire in my quest to create an "efficient household"), for health care aids and for clothing, jewelry & fashion accessories that catch my eye. This is merely my grocery list.

#Noted: A New Line of #Veggie Products from #GreenGiant: #VeggieFries + #RicedVeggies

It seems that all the foodie magazines to which I subscribe are currently featuring advertising for a new line of vegetable products from Green Giant. There's a veggie fries product line which claims to deliver healthier alternatives to standard potato French fries and a riced veggies product line which claims to deliver healthier alternatives to white rice. As rice and potatoes (particularly in the form of French fries) are two of my favorite food groups in the whole world, if these new Green Giant products are actually healthier and taste as good, I'll definitely buy them often. I haven't encountered any of these new products in the wild (in stores) as yet to verify nutritional contents (as listed on the product labels), but they do sound appetizing.

Once I've had the chance to check them out, I'll report back (with a product review). Generally, I like Green Giant products --- and I loved the animated Jolly Green Giant commercials as a child --- so I have high hopes that these new product lines will live up to their advertised billing. The proof will be in the taste test, however. (You could say that cardboard is healthy all you want, but I still wouldn't eat it.) As it stands, I've added these new products to my future shopping list, which simply means that I'll buy some if and when I find them at whatever future date and time. Hopefully, this will be sooner rather than later, but new product distribution can be somewhat haphazard.

#Epic? #Listen to New @FaithNoMore Single: Signup 4 @Sonar_Works #TrueFi #Test #Audiophile #Headphones 🎶

As an audiophile, I'm always on the prowl for optimal listening experiences. So when I caught this post from Faith No More and Sonarworks (billed as the most accurate speaker, room and headphone calibration software) in my Facebook feed this morning:

"Sign up for an exclusive limited opportunity to hear FAITH NO MORE's single “Cone of Shame” in a revolutionary new audio format. You will be able to hear the song on your headphones exactly like the band mixed it in the studio."
http://faithnomore.sonarworks.com/

I rushed to signup. Not only will I get to listen to new music from a band I like, but I will get to hear the track in authentic studio sound, Sonarworks True-Fi standard. I plan to post a product review (along with a music review of the new single) after participating the event. But you should check it out for yourself.

My Email Confirmation

You will need headphones to participate. The test will be released on 07-February. Reserve your spot now. Your ears will thank you later.