Robert's American Gourmet Pirate's Booty, 4-Ounce Bags (Pack of 12)

I tried these on a whim after hearing about Veggie Booty for a long time. I knew I wasn't ready for VB, but I could certainly try out a new kind of cheese puff. I previously thought that a day without Cheetos was a day wasted, so this was a big change.

These are the best things ever! They taste like real cheese and there's some variation in the intensity of the flavor - every single one doesn't taste exactly the same. They aren't as crunchy as Cheetos and don't turn your fingers orange!

After trying a couple bags purchased at the grocery store, I decided I loved them enough to invest in this 12-pack from Amazon. Okay, so maybe I went a little wild and had a bag (or two) a day until they were gone - don't judge me!

Try these out! Buy a bag at the grocery store and then get the 12-pack. You'll be very happy that you did!

 

CLIF Kid ZBaR, Variety Pack of Peanut Butter, Chocolate Brownie, and Chocolate Chip, 1.27-Ounce Bars (Pack of 48)

I guess the most important thing to start with is - my kids LOVE Z-Bars. They were introduced to these early and as far as they know, this is what granola/snack bars are. They find other, more sugar-laden, bars a little too much. I was pleasantly surprised to find this and am more than happy to ply them with this healthier alternative.

These are a great tasty snack and pretty portable. They only suffer in the hot weather when they get a melty. Otherwise, they hold the kids over from 10AM to lunch on most days. Also, the 140 calories makes them a nice snack for adults too when you're not up for a 200+ calorie bar.

I guess it's important to note the price as well. The value is great (especially if you subscribe) for a this amount of bars.

But, I repeat, the kids LOVE them - 5-stars!

Sahale Snacks, Variety Pack of 5 Flavors, 2-Ounce Pouches (Pack of 10)

Before stumbling upon this brand I struggled to find a satisfying snack for the afternoon. Some bored me after a couple of weeks, others were not fulfilling. Sahale has created a product that covers both of these points, since the flavors used are striking and half a pouch (this is the serving size) is enough to make the hunger go away. On top of that, they are a great healthy option, since their fat content comes in its majority from unsaturated fats and they are low sodium.

The option of having five different combinations of flavors also helps with the "not getting bored" part. Although some combinations are better than others, there is only one that I did not enjoy. Here are my comments on the five varieties from best to worst:

Sing Buri - The combination of cashews and peanuts with the pineapple works extremely well. They have a little kick but they are not too spicy.

Soledad - I tried this blend before buying the variety pack and it was what prompted me to look further into Sahale's products. The moment I saw on the pouch that the almond blend included dates and balsamic vinegar, I could not resist. The red pepper gives this combination a pretty significant touch of spiciness, making it the hottest one of the bunch.

Valdosta - This is the blend I expected the least from, since I am not a big pecan fan, but I was pleasantly surprised. The cranberries and orange zest bring forward the best in the nuts and provide a much welcomed sweetness.

Ksar - Pistachios and figs sounds like an awkward combination, but it is better than one may think. Again, there is some heat from the harissa, but it is kept at reasonable levels.

Socorro - I love macadamia nuts, but they do not combine well with mango and papaya. This is the only blend in the variety pack that I do not enjoy and I would not buy it by itself.

The bottom line is that if you like exotic flavor combinations and enjoy spicy food, you should give these products a try. Otherwise, I recommend you to look elsewhere.

Slim Jim Meat Sticks, Original, 0.28-Ounce Sticks (Pack of 100)

Okay, yes, they are good. However, when my package arrived, the box had been opened and didn't look full. So, I counted them. There were 87, not 100. (and there were none loose in the box among the other items.) I guess the "box packer" got hungry and decided to eat a few. not cool.

Follow up: Amazon was great about my complaint about the number! They sent a new box right away. thanks! and I would order again.

 

Clif Bar Energy Bars, 2.4-Ounce Bars (Pack of 24)

If you are looking for new ways to incorporate soy products into your life, Clif Bars are one of the best tasting energy bars on the market. I've given up trying other bars that are mostly disappointingly filled with all sorts of oils I can't eat. Take cottonseed for example it is in everything! Not to mention, peanut butter and all the palm kernel oil saturating the health bar market.

The ingredients in the Carrot Cake Bar:

Organic Brown Rice Syrup, Soy Protein Isolate, Rice Flour, Malt Extract, Organic Soy Flour, Organic Roasted Soybeans, Organic Rolled Oats, Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Organic Dried Apples, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin, Natural Flavors, Apple Fiber, Oat Fiber, Organic Milled Flaxseed, Chicory Extract, Psyllium, Organic soy Butter, Dried Carrots, Raisins, Coconut, Sea Salt, Nutmeg, Cinnamon and Cloves.

Each bar is 240 Calories and is delicious for breakfast with a cup of tea. I eat a Clif Bar almost every morning and never really feel overly hungry during the day.

Gary (The Owner of Clif Bar Inc.) seems to have also found out that "other" energy bars were not really that tasty. After his "epiphany," he spent lots of time in his Mom's kitchen working on making cliff bars. What a guy! I was at the point where I was trying to make my own granola bars, but after discovering these bars, I'm hooked. They are portable, delicious and basically, I love all the flavors. You can take them biking, hiking, walking, anywhere.

This bar is especially delicious and I seem to fall in love with it again each October. Must be the spices and the creamy white chocolate chips. There are just enough chocolate chips to remind you of cream cheese icing. If I had to choose between a piece of carrot cake and one of these bars, the bar would win.

Also look for the Cranberry Apple Cherry Bars and the Pumpkin
Spice Bars.

Calbee Snack Salad Snapea Crisps, Original Flavor, 3.3-Ounce Bags (Pack of 12)

The Next Generation of Snack

You know, they used to say that smoking was good for the lungs. Now, we're told that a greasy little snack in a bag is "healthy." But, while this isn't an apple or a cup of yogurt, Snapeas are a far cry from bright orange Doritas or Ding Dongs. They are baked (not fried), and perhaps there is merit to the pea foundation, as opposed to the potato or corn chip format. They are major addictive - full of unique flavor, a pleasantly crisp but foamy (as in styrofoamy) texture, a dash of saltiness, and just enough oilyness to satisfy. Try these and then spread the word.

 

Funky Monkey Snacks Variety Pack, Freeze-Dried Fruit

These are great! I feel like Im eating candy, its hard to believe they are just fruit! I love them all. The java lime is a bit sour so if you dont like sour these might not be for you. The rest are all sweet. I love these and will buy them again.

 

CLIF Kid ZBaR, Variety Pack of Peanut Butter, Chocolate Brownie, and Chocolate Chip, 1.27-Ounce Bars (Pack of 48)

I bought these for my 6 and 8 year old to take to school for snacks. Yes, they are quite a bit more expensive than, say, a Quaker granola bar, but you get what you pay for. These bars taste great (so say the 6 yo, 8yo, their 2yo brother, Dad, and Mom). But more importantly there are no high fructose corn syrups, no trans fats, they've got a nice bit of fiber (3g), a decent amount of protein (3g) and not too much sugar (11g). At 1.27 ounces, they are substantial without being so filling that a meal is ruined. I will buy again and again.

Sahale Snacks, Variety Pack of 6 Flavors, 5-Ounce Pouches (Pack of 6)

Sahale snacks were a pleasant surprise. They're not over-sweet nor over-hot, and they've got a lot of flavor and texture. Over all I'd say they're among the best snacks you can buy, not only in terms of taste and freshness but because they're far healthier than a lot of the stuff you find on the grocery shelves. However the price is pretty high for the amount you get. Even at the substantially reduced price of the variety pack, it's a little high. However, for the occasional treat, it's well worth the price. It's just not the sort of snack you can dump into a bowl and pass around while watching movies.

Mr. Z Premium Beef Jerky Original Flavor, 4-Ounce Bags

I liked this jerky. It's got a good flavor, the pieces are a nice size and texture, and it's from grass-fed beef (no organic claims, however). It's imported from Brazil. The price seems to be comparable with grocery store prices, although I liked it better than the typical grocery store brands. The original flavor is salty - no sweetness. The 4-oz bag is a good size to have - more than one snack, but it probably won't dry out before you eat it all.

The positives:
1. Grass fed beef
2. Good texture, not too hard
3. Mostly even strips of bite sized pieces, not too big or chunky
4. Good flavor

The negatives:
1. MSG
2. High sodium (not excessive compared to most beef jerky, but it's still a lot of salt)
3. A zipper top on the bag would be nice

Horizon Organic Reduced Fat Milk, 8-Ounce Aseptic Cartons

This product is a lifesaver when our family is on the go. Having a shelf-stable, nutritional drink for our kids makes it easy to take long road trips and not have to stop in order to get the kids some milk. It also comes in handy when we visit some amusement parks, the zoo, and other attractions where they do not always have milk available. The price is very reasonable considering the shelf life and portability. We highly recommend it.