Tarall'Oro Spaghetti with Tomato

 Tarall'Oro Spaghetti with Tomato has an odd texture but for the most part tastes the same as spaghetti. That doesn't mean that your dining experience will not improve with this. Mouth feel is very important when it comes to food. 

Solid product, tastes good, would buy again. 
 

Pop Tarts Frosted S'Mores

 

Pop Tarts Frosted S'Mores are another in the disappointments that are Pop Tarts. Pop Tarts linger in my thoughts as I drink my coffee and think of how I must be so lonely a person to be eating these. 

Should real food even be that shape? I mean, if they were some army ration it would make a lot more sense. 

Then they go and make a s'more flavor and you ask, can they be as good as the real thing? No, they can't. They can't bring me to the warmth of a campfire with friends laying and telling jokes.   

Pop Tarts are some food that belongs in a bunker, and they will disappoint. Have a real meal. 

Signature Select Ginger Beer

 

Signature Select Ginger Beer is one of the stronger of its kind that will burn your mouth if you drink it. This is sure has can be a sipping Ginger Beer that will make one strong cocktail. It will wake you up for sure. 

With New Year's right around the bend you may want to have some of this around to deal with your over eating and give you a kick to have you make it to midnight. 

This is some strong stuff at a good price. I say this is a buy. 

454 Horse Power Kicking Horse Coffee

 I bet you could use some coffee about now. Me too, me three even. So 454 Horse Power Kicking Horse Coffee will do the job. It tastes good enough for me to drink black and has the caffeine I need to make it through the night. I work at night so coffee is an old friend of mine. 

I have to say this is some solid stuff. Not what I normally buy, but solid. 

Lofthouse Hot Cocoa Cookies

 Lofthouse Hot Cocoa Cookies are flavorless disks topped with cheap icing. I have never been more happy to give away cookies in my life than when I handed the second pack of these to a drunk friend just before leaving for work.  

I guess if you had them with hot chocolate they would be better but then you would need to make sure you had good hot chocolate.

Limited Edition A ‘Christmas Miracle’ Golden Angel Cat Artisan Tree Topper

 With it's sparkly pipe cleaner hallow and little kitty face the Limited Edition A ‘Christmas Miracle’ Golden Angel Cat Artisan Tree Topper isn't something I honestly wanted. In fact of all the things from the iheartcats or the iheartdogs charity for that matter, I didn't see one chanukah ornament. 

We Jews love animals as much as anyone else. 

So why did I get this little fellow if I don't have a tree to put it on? Because buying this puts food in the bellies of poor homeless cats, that's why, and if I could I would save them all. 

At some point I got an email saying I paid for eighteen hundred and sixty meals for shelter cats through my donations at iheartcats. So, no, this thing doesn't tickle me, but I get a kick out of owning it.

Mountain Dew Gingerbread Snap'd Soda

 Mountain Dew Gingerbread Snap'd Soda ain't all that Snap'd. I mean, this tastes like ginger, kind of, with just a little bit of cinnamon. The truth is that this sugar water isn't going to snap you to attention. It's also not going to cover up the stronger, and by stronger I mean cheaper, vodkas that most of you are going to drink this season. 

I wouldn't cal it bad, I wouldn't call it good, but I would trade it for a good old Canada Dry.

Hostess Mint Chocolate Twinkies

 I got the last box of Hostess Mint Chocolate Twinkies at the Smart and Final last year. I know I passed these up a few times, because I never did understand Twinkies. 

I can tell you that where as I don't think they rot they do get old and lose their flavor. 

With a good cup of coffee these are okay. I wouldn't call them great but rather just okay. The chocolate flavor is dominant and the moist nature of the Twinkies come clear, but the mint is mostly a smell.  

Honestly, these are fine but i wouldn't get them again because I'm a disgusting blob of a man and Twinkies aren't good for me. The only problem is that the better something tastes the worse it tends to be for me. Almost every sweet thing is not worth the life of a fat man.

Zooey the Hipster Cat Ornament

Zooey is a Hipster Cat Ornament from iheartcats and adopting him or anything from that website means feeding cats which is why I got him. I have to admit that this thing is kind of cool. I mean, being a big fat dude who loves books having a cat with a book is my kind of thing. 

I don't think they still sell these, but I'm glad I have one. 

 

Brach's Mini Brite Candy Canes

 Brach's Mini Brite Candy Canes are great for adding color to your gingerbread house. they are otherwise chewy. The colors do appear to be different flavors so they add some variety to the mix, but they don't taste like candy canes so the shape is what makes them Christmas. 

To be fully honest, I only got these because I knew they would make the trip from Los Angeles to Mexico where they will be given to an orphanage. I'm sure the orphans will love these candy canes. Me, I can take them or leave them and I should leave them because I'm fat.

Modern Gourmet Ho What Fun Feel the Joy Lemon Drop

Modern Gourmet Ho What Fun Feel the Joy Lemon Drop is one of those drinks you can't really make when you're too drunk. The cap won't come off. 

If you never had a lemon drop before and want to know what they're like then these are okay. Otherwise they just look cool but once you make them they are just underwhelming.  

Christmas along with three drinks doesn't sound like a good time to me, but if it does to you these are a buy. 
 

Fentimans Curiosity Cola

Fentimans Curiosity Cola lives up to its name with a flavor of ginger. It is not a smooth as other colas and some people drink it with lime or so their advertising tells me. 

This is an odd enough flavor to make it interesting.  Admittedly this flavor will not be for everyone but if you come across it and you want something to go with your Whiskey this is a good thing to try.
 

Jingles of the Warm Hearts Full Bellies Collection

 Over at iheartcats or iheartdogs you can adopt Jingles here who is a member of the Warm Hearts Full Bellies collection. He sports a little red hat with a red and white scarf that has, if you didn't guess, a bell. His little tag reads: 

    "When I was born, my momma gave me a jingle bell. I still have         it. She said that every time I heard a bell ring a cat was rescued. I     rang this bell so much. But I never thought it would happen for         me. Well, it finally did. You made it happen. So every time you         hear my bell, smile and know that another lonely cat has found its     furever home"

I know that should be 'forever' but cats are notoriously bad spellers. 

In any case, if you want to adopt a little bundle of joy that won't poop all over your carpet then this is the bundle. Every one of them that is sold means that more shelter cats get fed. 

As for me, well, as a Jew there being even one child going hungry is intolerable to me and that goes for humans and fur babies alike. 

Let's Get Merry Holiday Cocktail Mixers Jingle My Balls Cotton Candy

 Let's Get Merry Holiday Cocktail Mixers Jingle My Balls Cotton Candy is a flavor of of cocktail mixer that comes in a three pack for lonely people who will be getting drunk on their own. Why would you have a holiday pack with only one of each flavor? Who drinks alone on holidays but gets a mixer for themself?

In any case, it tastes okay but not great. I'd skip this one.

Chobani Oat Milk, Oat Nog Flavored

 Chobani Oat Milk, Oat Nog Flavored isn't all that flavored. It is creamy like real milk and is good at cooling my coffee. I had it without adding sugar, but I would have never thought it was Nog flavored. 

Then again, most Nog needs more flavor so it could be that's how it should taste. 

Swiss Miss Caramel Hot Cocoa Mix

 Swiss Miss Caramel Hot Cocoa Mix is like a warm holiday hug. Ah, this was smooth and relaxing. I felt like I could have just sad down with a good book and gone to sleep. 

Then again, with only eight Oz's of the stuff in my glass I guess the feeling didn't last long, but it was so good while it lasted.

Jangle the Happy Heart Cat

Jangle here is part of the Happy Hearts Full Bellies collection and he is something you buy from iheartcats.com to help feed shelter cats during the Holiday Season. These things are fun to put on your Christmas tree. I don't have a Christmas tree but I still feel these things are good to have around. They bring a smile to my face. 

 
 

Jelly Belly Holiday Favorites Egg Nog

 

Pop a few Jelly Belly Holiday Favorites Egg Nog in your mouth, and the flavor of nutmeg will bring you back to the memories of Christmas and the good creamy egg nog from time past. 

I have to say as jelly beans go these are the good ones. Right on the money, Jelly Belly, now stop making me fat.

Peppermint Christmas Candy Canes by Wondershop at Target

 You can see that my cat loves Peppermint Christmas Candy Canes by Wondershop at Target. They taste like I would expect peppermint candy to taste like being stronger than normal mint. So these things are an essential part of the holiday season.

These things are part of the spirit so I say get them. Me, I don't need a box of candy canes so I'm shipping them off to an orphanage in Mexico. 

Swiss Miss Peppermint Flavor Hot Cocoa Mix

 Swiss Miss Peppermint Flavor Hot Cocoa Mix has the right amount of peppermint to make it a relaxing drink on a cold day, and cold is often in short supply in southern California. You really need to saver these sorts of things before climate change makes them a thing of the past.  

This is the kind of cocoa that invites you to take a moment out of your life to stop and relax. I have to say it's a good thing. 

Jelly Belly Holiday Favorites Hot Chocolate Jelly Beans

Jelly Belly Holiday Favorites Hot Chocolate Jelly Beans are right on the money for hot chocolate. I still don't get the appeal here. I mean, you can have these or just have hot chocolate which would warm you up if global warming didn't do that for you. 

All and all, I would say these do what they should which is taste like hot chocolate. I think these are fine. They're not wonderful, just fine.
 

Southern Comfort Traditional Egg Nog

 Southern Comfort Traditional Egg Nog has no Southern Comfort in it at all. So those of you who can't drink can still drink this stuff. This is a thick product that will slow your digestion and keep the booze out of your blood. 

Not bad, not great, it just kind of is.

Let's Get Elfed Up Apple Martini Mixer

The 'Let's Get Elfed Up Apple Martini Mixer by the Modern Gourmet comes in the 'Let's Get Merry' set and will not get you all that elfed up.  The set implies that you're getting three drinks to have alone and where as they are hard to open they are harder to drink. 

This doesn't taste good and will only serve to make the very worst vodka easier to get down. What a fail. 
 

Swiss Miss Milk Chocolate Flavor

 Swiss Miss Milk Chocolate Flavor is rather smooth and rich if you use the right amount of water. It's a soothing hot chocolate perfect for the cold days ahead. 

That is to say, if global warming doesn't kill us all first. 

Brach's Red Hots Cinnamon Flavored Candy Canes

 Brach's Red Hots Cinnamon Flavored Candy Canes taste just like Red Hots and get stuck in your teeth. I have to admit that I'm not the biggest fan of Red Hots, but I figure if you like your candy hot these will do the job. 

It is a stronger flavor than real cinnamon, but then what is real now days?

Modern Gourmet Let's Get Marry Ho Ho Ho Strawberry Daiquiri

 This Strawberry Daiquiri by the Modern Gourmet is not that great. I think they would be better out of a blender. They don't get cold fast and will need to sit with the ice for a bit before you drink them. Past that they are smooth and appealing.

 The overall idea of loneliness associated with this drink bothers me. I mean, you get three drink mixes in this tube and so you need to buy more than one to share the fun. Holidays are for friends, not that I have many, and so this solitary drinking mix is kind of an odd bird. 

 Drink responsibly, kids, and try not to drink alone. 

Jelly Belly Holiday Favorites Candy Cane Jelly Beans

Jelly Belly Holiday Favorites Candy Cane Jelly Beans are peppermint flavored. The difference between mint and peppermint is that peppermint is the stronger of the two.

Are all candy canes peppermint? No, but a good many of them are and so you have to admit that this is okay. I don't know if I want peppermint jelly beans, but then being large enough to be mistaken for a wall every now and then I guess I shouldn't have jelly beans at all.
 

Peppermint of the Warm Hearts Full Bellies Collection

 Peppermint of the Warm Hearts Full Bellies Collection came home to stay with me last year at Christmas, but I'm sure you can still get your own at iheartcats or iheartdogs. Sporting a little Santa hat and a candy cane inspired bow with a present already in hand this little thing is ready to spread some holiday cheer. The tag that comes with him reads:

"I never thought I'd have a family to love me. You've made me the happiest cat ever! I just want to purr and rub against your leg. I will never forget this Christmas for its' the first time I've ever spent it in a furever home and not in a cage. And in case you didn't notice, I'm already dressed for the party, Can we get candy canes? Oh, the memories we'll make together."

I guess a "furever" home is a home forever for a cat. Well, my fur babies are happy and safe.

Anyway, buying this cat means putting food in the bellies of shelter animals and where as I can't save them all, I can sure as hell try.

Hostess Lemon Drizzle Baby Bundts

 Hostess Lemon Drizzle Baby Bundts are moist little lemon cakes that go oh so very well with coffee. I always look for things to have with coffee because I keep my red dragon Venus fly trap over my coffee maker to keep it warm. They love the heat. 

Anyway, I absolutely  love these things. They are wonderful little mouthfuls of joy that I will never buy again, because I'm a giant fat man who should never eat these things. Being fat sucks.

Hostess Pumpkin Spice Twinkies

 There is almost no pumpkin spice in these Hostess Pumpkin Spice Twinkies. I mean, I can tell they are not just Twinkies but the flavor is so mild it gets lost. I've never liked Twinkies all that much but they keep coming out with new flavors. It's like, 'here, fat man, die by eating these flavorless cakes.'

Popcornopolis Hot Cocoa Popcorn

 Popcornopolis Hot Cocoa Popcorn is some good stuff. I don't know if I'd say it tastes like hot cocoa, but I will say I went through the first bag and had to bring the second bag to work to stop myself from eating it all. 

Popcorn can be so very delicious, and I have no understanding of why. Or is it just that I'm a big fat dude who can't stop eating. 

Keebler Fudge Stripes Gingerbread Cookies

 Keebler Fudge Stripes Gingerbread Cookies are one of those things that just don't have enough ginger. I mean, a good gingerbread cookie is going to wake you up enough to make it another mile or so in the snow.

These are fine, but they just don't ginger at me all that much. If you're a health nut who normally doesn't have any sugar these will knock you on your butt. As for me, they're okay.

Junior Mints Peppermint Crunch

 Junior Mints Peppermint Crunch do not crunch when you eat them. Well, may be a little but not enough for it to be in the name. I think they have more of a kick than good old Junior Mints, but then I really don't eat Junior Mints to be honest.

Albertsons Fresh Baked Pumpkin Muffins

 Albertsons Fresh Baked Pumpkin Muffins may just be on your radar this holiday season, and I can say they are really not that great. They are not pumpkin spice, they are just pumpkin. Being just pumpkin they really haven't much of a flavor at all. 

Pumpkin as an ingredient makes things moist. These are moist enough, I guess, but they just don't taste like much.

Fail. 

Jelly Belly Holiday Favorites Cranberry Sauce

Jelly Belly Holiday Favorites Cranberry Sauce Jelly Beans are more raspberry than cranberry and lack the tart nature of the berry that gives it its distinctive flavor. If what you really want is cranberry sauce on the go this will simply not do.

I have to admit I don't have much love for cranberry sauce myself but these beans just fall short.
 

Idahoan Loaded Baked Mashed Potatoes

 

Idahoan Loaded Baked Mashed Potatoes have a funny kind of name for mashed potatoes. I mean, so you baked them after you mashed them? Well, I love spuds anyway. These are a bit better than just plane old mashed potatoes so I have to admit that they are worth buying. They have more flavor and texture than most instant mashed potatoes I've had. 

Truth is that if you want mashed potatoes and you don't want to work for them these are a great option. Will buy again.

 

Fireball Non Alcoholic Cinnamon Holiday Nog

 Fireball Non Alcoholic Cinnamon Holiday Nog is a product that I had to try out of simple curiosity. I mean, I don't get it. Why would you have non alcoholic fireball of any kind?

I guess if one of my dry friends came over I would be able to give this to them if they were not also lactose intolerant or perhaps vegan. It is always hard to have a vegan option on hand. 

In any case, this stuff tastes like it shouldn't be a thing. Not bad, mind you, just like it shouldn't be a thing.

Yoplait Starburst Strawberry Flavor

Yoplait Starburst Strawberry tastes just like Starburst. I mean, I haven't had a starburst in a long time, but this tasted like Starburst Strawberry. If you like Starburst this is a must buy for you. I have never known anyone who loves Starburst that much, but in this world this just makes sense.
 

Near East Herbed Chicken Couscous Mix

Near East Herbed Chicken Couscous Mix is a product that most people I know would only have for variety. It's much like rice only dry and more sand like so that you need more water to get it down. 

The good part of this is that it adds something different to the table but once you pass that mark you have to admit there is nothing all that interesting about couscous. 

If your having a dinner party this is an easy way to add some cultures to your meal, and it can even be a good conversation piece. Just be ready for the bad jokes about only one cous because someone is on a diet.

Jelly Belly Holiday Favorites Pumpkin Pie

 I may not know Jelly Beans but I know Pumpkin Pie and Jelly Belly Holiday Favorites Pumpkin Pie disappoints on many levels. From the fake cinnamon to the lack of other flavors what's not to dislike. Even the color is more tuned to sweet potato pie over pumpkin. 

You'd think a blob like me would love anything with sugar in it but these just don't tickle me. 

Seattle Chocolate Hot Buttered Rum Truffle Bar

I have never been one to pay five dollars for a chocolate bar but in these modern times I think that's an okay price now. That said, Seattle Chocolate Hot Buttered Rum Truffle Bar isn't all that hot, buttered, or rum so far as I can tell. 

The toffee pieces are the standout giving the bar a long and wonderful aftertaste. To be honest, this is more of a novelty in chocolate than it is better than a normal bar. If you want to support a woman owned business Seattle Chocolate is proud to be one.   

I like the idea of environmentally friendly chocolate, which is another reason Seattle Chocolate is a fine company to buy from, but I shouldn't be eating chocolate. In addition, unless you folks read more of my blog entries I really can't afford this stuff. 

Western Bagel 100% Whole Wheat Bagels

 Western Bagel 100% Whole Wheat Bagels are bagels. Not great and not terrible. Given the whole wheat thing I guess that makes them just a little better. As a big fat dude you know I love bagels, and these hold the line. 

Good job sort of healthy bagel.

Hostess Iced Pumpkin CupCakes

 Hostess Iced Pumpkin CupCakes are nice little cupcakes that are moist and soft and full of cream. These are hear to be festive and give you another seasonal thing to have with your coffee. 

These are good to have with your coffee. I love coffee and I'm glad to have these around, because I love any reason to have coffee.

Seattle Chocolate Winter Orange Spice Truffle Bar

 Seattle Chocolate is the kind of posh, woman owned, good to the environment chocolate company that makes bars that are really good. As in good I mostly mean high quality. The Winter Orange Spice Truffle Bar is a complex flavored chocolate fit for those of you who eat chocolate only when it will lead you to climax. 

I have to admit that the orange overtones really stand out and complement the chocolate. I can't really taste the spice, but then I'm a big blob and shouldn't eat chocolate anyway. 

Promised Land Dairy’s Limited Edition Old-Fashioned Nog

 Promised Land Dairy’s Limited Edition Old-Fashioned Nog is a creamy winter delight that I shouldn't have because I'm the blob. 

Is this all that better than any other eggnog? No, it's good, good enough to buy and enjoy, but not earth shatteringly good. 

I will buy this again if I come across it, but I will not go looking for it.

Maplehurst Bakeries Pumpkin Pie

Maplehurst Bakeries Pumpkin Pie is not that pumpkin flavored. I mean, tastes fine, but it's more the mild side of whatever you may have it with. If you toss some whipped cream on top of this then it will be so much better. 

Not a bad pie by any means, but not the greatest pie int he world. 
 

Friendly Farms Maple Vanilla Whipped Dairy Topping

Friendly Farms Maple Vanilla Whipped Dairy Topping is a thing that shows up at your ALDI market this time of year and brings the flavor of maple into your cocoa. 

I really only got this to review it, I don't really eat this kind of stuff. Stop laughing, I mean it, not every manblob eats whipped cream. 

As whipped cream like things go, I think this is really good, not that I would know. 
 

Annie's Pizza Poppers Uncured Pepperoni

 Annie's Pizza Poppers Uncured Pepperoni are the kind of thing I like to nuke until they are crunchy. There is something wrong with me but these aren't bad. I'm not saying they're as good as pizza but these are good. They make a good snack. Two thumbs up... or is that two chins? I hate being a fat man.