Product reviews

I’ve got a metric f*ckton of overdue product reviews here, so let me do a big post to cover most of them.

First, I was sent samples of Festive Celebrate Snacktime Chickpea Halves, which are roasted chickpea halves that come in a wide array of flavors. And they are vegan! So there’s not lactose in the white cheddar, sour cream & onion, or ranch flavors. And honestly, they taste really good! My only quibble with them is that I find them too hard – they borderline hurt my teeth, so I find them unpleasant to eat. I ended up donating the large bags to my local food pantry.

 

Ritual Chocolate is delicious (especially the fleur de sel bar and the juniper lavender bar), but what I really want to point out if the simple-yet-ingenious design of the box, such that you can close it securely between tastings. Brilliant! (Pay no attention to the expiration date here, it's an old photo.)

Japanese Kit-Kat flavors are fabulous. I have not been able to find them locally in Japanese stores, though I do have one more place to try. I’ve been reluctant to order them online because they are shipped from Japan without proper insulation, and I live in South Texas, so I assume they would melt on the way (not to mention the shipping expense…).

 

I first had an Undercover dark chocolate and sea salt quinoa crisp as a complimentary snack on a flight, and I liked it so much that I had to seek out the company. Turns out Target has some of their items, so I now regularly get a pouch of chocolate quinoa crisps as a treat, and have to beat the kids to it because they will eat the whole thing in one sitting!

 

I wanted to love Blue Stripes whole cacao chocolate bars, but… I just didn’t. This chocolate is made using not only the cacao beans, but also the pulp and the shell of the fruit. Unlike “regular” chocolate, this method doesn’t waste 70% of the pod. I love the idea, it’s just that I’ve had much better chocolate.

 

I tried Kize peanut butter chocolate chip bar in a never-ending quest to find snacks that are high in protein and low in carbs, and… this fits the bill almost too well? It is satiating, but it feels halfway between a snack and a meal replacement, which is rarely what I am after.

 

I bought a variety pack of Aloha protein bars. The Little Prince and I both think they are okay, but we both prefer IQ Bars.

Similarly, we tried a variety pack of Rule Breaker Snacks, which are made from chickpeas and contain a lot of protein. Plus, they’re allergy-friendly and school-safe, though you might need to package them in individual servings. We like them, but don’t love them.

 

I love these protein puffs! They are made by IWON Organics (which is under the Awakened Foods umbrella); I buy them at Whole Foods, but they are available at other retailers too, as well as on Amazon. I’ve only tried the caramelized onion so far, and it’s delicious! It really hits the spot when I am craving something crisp and savory.

 

I really like these salted dark chocolate walnuts! Some protein, healthy fats, and not too many carbs. And they taste great!

I tried Stryve Protein Snacks, which looks more like thinly sliced steak than jerky. It was good, but it turns out that the kids prefer jerky sticks.

 

Finally, Grüns. I was lured in by all the nutrients (including some that may protect against cognitive decline), and they taste really good! The downside to me is that each batch seems a little bit different, not just in design (the teddy bear is the new version) but also in texture and taste, so I do wish there were more consistency. And obviously, there’s no scientific proof that they “do” anything. But I like them!