Vegan Rob's Beet Puffs

When I saw BEET PUFFS I was like "ew", because I really do not like beets. Luckily for me, these hardly tasted like beets at all. They just tasted like cheese curls, although not especially cheesy (which makes sense as they're vegan). They were very similar to the Cauliflower Puffs that the same company makes. Anyway, I like them. They're made of sorghum, which I am not allergic to but don't know anything about -- is it cheesy? Who knows. I do find it annoying that this bag is very "kosher/vegan/gluten free!!" but not a single mention of nut allergens on the bag or even on their website, but whatever, they are still tasty and normal-food-ish.



Overall
Cost: 5/10
Taste: 6/10

Mick's All American Pub

Ah, Mick's pub. This is a weird central-PA chain of casual bars (I wouldn't really call it a pub, myself). I played trivia at one once. This one was next to a movie theater so we went there pre-movie, which is probably where they get the bulk of their business. It is certainly a convenient location, and they have Coronas, so I can't hate it. The downside is that they have a ton of peanut butter options on their kids menu, which disgusts me, and the waiter seemed totally unable to answer allergy questions so I just didn't mention it, which is potentially risky. Oh well.

I got Nachos, without beans (for me) and sour cream (for the boyf), and it was still decent. It also came in a massive bowl which was funny. The salsa was in a little cup on the side, which was kind of nice actually, and it was more like wet pico which I liked the taste of. Cheese is cheddar, and there were jalepenos and potentially lettuce and also ground beef. It was fine but not amazing. A lot of food though. 6/10

Overall
Cost: 5/10
Taste: 6/10

Pepperidge Farm Linzer Cookies

Another classic Christmas cookie from our pals at Pepperidge Farm! I wasn't sure if I would like these, because they look a little bit crispy, but they aren't actually crunchy. They are indeed a "sweet and simple" shortbread with a very sticky/dense blorp of raspberry jam inside. Tastes classy and fun and like Grandmama made them. Lovely.

Overall
Cost: 5/10
Taste: 8/10

Stouffer's Lasagna with Meat & Sauce

Surprised I haven't reviewed this yet -- I must have had it before since it's noodle and allergy-friendly for me. I think I avoid this one because I think it will give me heartburn or something, but I found it to be a nice little package of noodle and the cheese and sauce is really nice. It's kind of mild, flavor-wise, but I like that. Quick and easy, tastes good, makes you wish you had more of it but that's probably for the best. Honestly didn't even notice meat, it's mostly sauce and cheese goo. And noodle.


Overall
Cost: 6/10 [2$]
Taste: 7/10

That's it. - Apples + Mangoes fruit bar

Another one! Without the fig, this is triple the calories and a totally different texture -- way drier and less sticky, which I actually prefer. It's also way less sweet! The mango really masks the apple flavor. Unfortunately it just doesn't have much flavor at all -- only lightly fruity on the whole -- but I did enjoy it! Better than expected! A neutral dense firm orange-in-color fruit bar.

Overall
Cost: 5/10
Taste: 6/10

lemon bubly

Hello, bubly. You're still cute, even when I'm not sick. This flavor isn't my favorite, but I still like the ethos of bubly. I like that it is sugar free and a liquid, but the lemon flavor really doesn't taste like anything at all. This basically tastes like tonic. Which is fine, it fulfills that proto-alcoholic desire of drinking "something" that's not just water, it just doesn't actually taste very good. But it's nice and neutral and somehow more filling because of the bubbles.

Overall
Cost: 6/10 [3$ for 8 cans]
Taste: 6/10

That's it. - Apples + Figs fruit bar

Huh. So, the texture of this is similar to other "just fruit" type bars -- sticky, thick, teeth sink in. The apple is too sweet, but the fig helps with that and makes me realize I like figs a lot! It's like a fig newton that someone made the bad call of dunking in applesauce or something. Only 35 calories for a pretty dense bar means this is a good pick for on the go or desperate hunger, but the actual taste experience is not my favorite (just too sweet/apple-paste-y). Still, the little fig seeds and flavor is a nice addition. More fig, less apple! I also like the packaging and the fact that I got this as a free sample, so thank you, "that's it".


Overall
Cost: 5/10
Taste: 5/10

Pepperidge Farm Ginger Man Cookies

I love these cookies! They have a silly name, because they seem pretty genderless, but I like the quirky nature of it. These are crunchy and thin, and more sweet than gingery (especially with the sugar on top), but compared to other PepFarm cookies they are lower in calories (like 5 for 140 cals) which I didn't realise until recently and makes me like them even more! They are a cute and fun to eat Christmas/holiday festive treat. A little buttery and very addictive.

Overall
Cost: 6/10
Taste: 8/10

Signature Select - Winter Mix Vegetables

 This is good frozen veg! It's store brand, so it's cheap (usually 1.50ish) and it steams in bag, which is nice sometimes. They always come out tasting like pleasant cooked broc/cauli, and not like weird freezer burn or other odd things I've experienced in the past with veggie taste or texture. They make a great mix in with pasta, rice, potato, or probably pretty much anything that could use a veg. No complaints.



Overall
Cost: 6/10 [1.50]
Taste: 7/10

MadeGood Apple Cinnamon Granola Bar

I had this today during a long hungry work day, so I was grateful to have a nice portable snack. I like this company because they don't use weird sunflower butter/seeds or sesame or legumes or anything shady like that. Just oats, rice, and random veggie powder (healthy!). Anyway, this was a very slim bar, I could have used more content. But the taste was good, a decent apple cinnamon flavor. I thought it was very dry, but it does have raisins in it and those are fun and help a lot with the texture. Would eat again.


Overall
Cost: 5/10
Taste: 6/10

Gina Italian Village Mini Round Cheese Ravioli

This is a confusing product, because at my store it's in the vegan/gluten-free frozen section and ironically I'm usually allergic to that stuff. But this is just "regular" ravioli, it has pasta and cheese so I'm not sure what's special about it. I guess it's egg noodles? Nope, it's wheat noodles. IDK. But these are also always super cheap, so I like to have them around. They are totally normal ravioli, tasty but not like AMAZING, just your default cheese ravioli. In red sauce it is a great treat of a meal. Best to split into two portions, for heartburn management, but otherwise no complaints. They also make a large and a square version, I don't have a strong preference but the small ones certainly look cuter.

Overall
Cost: 8/10 [1.99]
Taste: 7/10

DiGiorno pizzeria! THIN hand-tossed spinach & mushroom pizza

This is one of the better DiGiorno's I've tried, although I must confess I was mid-flu when I had it. The key is really not eating it all in one sitting. It makes 2-3 solid meals. I put a few grape tomatoes on top because I had them around, but I don't think they added that much. Anyway, the crust was buttery and good, sauce was actually red sauce, and I liked that there are veg on it. The only downside is that it made me feel a little allergic, not in a soy way (obvi) but almost like a garlic sensitivity? Even though there's not that much garlic? Again, I was sick and perhaps hypersensitive, and I did eat it all, but slowly. Just something to look out for, future-me. But tasted pretty good and was easy to cook.

Overall
Cost: 6/10 [5$]
Taste: 7/10

grapefruit bubly

I am into bubly above all other sparkling waters, because the name is hilarious. i got this because I am sick and need to hydrate. However, it smells really strongly of grapefuit, but the taste is just a tiny subtle citrus hint -- along with another weird chemical/metallic taste (??) but that might be because I am sick. The design of the can is cute, but what's not cute is that because it's pink, they are sponsored by the Susan B. Komen foundation (boo) and they say things like "Check your cans! ;)" (boo). As a high-risk breast-cancer girl, I find that stuff gross and misguided. But I still like bubly.




Overall
Cost: 6/10
Taste: 6/10

Lay's Flamin' Hot Dill Pickle Chips

Why is this a thing? God only knows. I'm very sick right now, so hot chips are probably not the best food to have. But at least they make me taste/feel something! They are actually pretty flamin' (hot). Is this good? Probably, because it covers up the Lay's cat litter taste as well as the (pretty accurate) flavor of dill pickle. Of course, I do not like dill pickles. I guess it's just vinegar and dill seasoning. Regardless, these leave a strong pickle aftertaste and a burning in my throat. If you like this, dive in!




Overall
Cost: 5/10
Taste: 6/10