SPOTTED ON SHELVES – 2/11/2014

Here are some interesting new and limited edition products found on store shelves by us and your fellow readers. If you’ve tried any of the products, share your thoughts about them in the comments.

stacys pretzel thins

What? Stacy’s…pretzels? What’s going on? Can’t comprehend a world where Stacy’s does something other than pita chips. (Spotted by Dubba at Market Basket.)

Blue Bell Ice Cream I  Chocolate

I heart ice cream and I heart chocolate, so I think I might heart this. On Second Scoop has a review. (Spotted by Paige at Walmart.)

Evol Frozen Meals

Evol Meals2

Did you know EVOL is LOVE spelled backwards? Even after eating several EVOL burritos and a few other entrees over the years, only now I realized that. (Spotted by Amanda at Target.)

Kelloggs Corn Flakes Extra

Well look at you, boring ol’ Kellogg’s Corn Flakes, getting all dolled up with cranberries AND almonds. (Spotted by Amanda at Market Street.)

Lipton Brisk Half & Half Cherry Limeade

This is your fault, Arnold Palmer. (Spotted by Travis at A&P.)

Old Orchard Iced Coffee Frozen Concentrate

I see myself eating this frozen coffee concentrate straight out of the can like I do with frozen fruit juice concentrates. Yup. I’m that guy. (Spotted by Michelle at Meijer.)

Thank you to all the photo contributors! If you’re out shopping and see an interesting new or limited edition product on the shelf, snap a picture of it, and send us an email (theimpulsivebuy@gmail.com) with where you found it and “Spotted” in the subject line. If you do so, you might see your picture in our next Spotted on Shelves post.

REVIEW: Starbucks Via Latte Vanilla Latte

Starbucks Via Latte Vanilla Latte

I have personally ordered maybe four different things at a Starbucks in my lifetime. This is not because I never go to Starbucks, but because I find myself with a crippling stammer and irrational fear every time I approach the register.

My method was usually to ask a friend to order for me, and then order whatever they gave me for the next three years if it was good. I am consistently tempted to ask for a mocha-chocalata-yaya and see what comes out. Forget the “secret menu” guides all over the Internet. I need a manual for navigating the printed one.

The problem is, I can’t really bring myself to like black coffee. I love the smell. I love the energy. I love the idea of permanently staining my teeth in rebellion against my body at a young age. But every time I have a cup I cringe a little and leave most of it sitting there. And, being an ignorant novice coffee drinker, I don’t know how to make anything but black coffee. I’m not sophisticated enough to like the coffee I can make at home, but I’m too afraid to learn how to order anything I might actually like.

I dreamed that these Starbucks Via Lattes would fill this void. I could finally learn to drink a morning coffee like a real adult without having to embarrass myself in front of a barista. The idea of not having to put on pants to get said morning coffee was equally appealing.

I purchased an individual trial pack at Starbucks for a dollar, choosing to try the vanilla over the mocha. I was first shocked by the size of these. They are not your normal instant coffee packet, but probably four times larger.

Starbucks Via Latte Vanilla Latte Instructions

The instructions are pretty minimal, but include a little infographic that tells you what to do. It seemed pretty straight forward, and I do have a high school diploma, so I assumed I had it under control. I made a cup of hot water with a Keurig machine, dumped the packet in, and stirred. It was not until I finished making it that I realized I was not supposed to pour the powder into the boiling water. So maybe words would’ve been helpful.

Starbucks Via Latte Vanilla Latte Powder

I was then surprised by the color. There did not appear to be any coffee granules at all in this pouch. Instead, there was an endless stream of a powdery white substance. Although many do refer to coffee as their crack, so maybe this makes some sense.

Starbucks Via Latte Vanilla Latte Closeup

This drink was really sweet. And not in the good way of “hot chocolate sweet” or “vanilla milkshake sweet.” It was like a cup of hot, watery milk with six packets of sugar. I was even hoping some more coffee taste would come through, but it was nonexistent. Since the ingredients list both dairy powder and sugar before coffee, I probably should have expected this. But if even I am wishing for some stronger coffee flavor, you know you’ve taken it too far.

I could not finish this. It was intolerably sweet, and this is coming from the girl who will treat frosting as a cookie dip and add extra Oreos to cookies and cream ice cream. Maybe if iced and blended this could make a decent at home Frappuccino? But that seems like far too much work for something coming from an instant package.

This did not solve my coffee dilemmas. My only hope at this point is that Starbucks starts up a delivery service with a tracker like Domino’s so I can order my coffee online without human interaction and know when to put my pants on before it arrives. Until then, you will find me drinking one of my four safe things at Starbucks, dreaming of the day I can join the elite ranks of the people who know how to order drinks with names that take a full minute to say.

(Nutrition Facts – 1 packet – 130 calories, 3.5 grams of fat, 2 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 10 milligrams of cholesterol, 65 milligrams of sodium, 21 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 19 grams of sugar, and 4 grams of protein.)

Item: Starbucks Via Latte Vanilla Latte
Purchased Price: $1.00
Size: 1 packet
Purchased at: Starbucks
Rating: 3 out of 10
Pros: At home convenience. Simple assembly. Generous serving. Not any more sugar than most Starbucks drinks. Confusing baristas with Moulin Rouge references. Good movie stunt double for cocaine. Potential for fancier at home drinks. No pants, still service.
Cons: Sickly sweet. Impossible to drink whole cup. Minimal coffee taste. All powdered milk and sugar. Not being able to read picture instructions as an adult. Lack of coffee aroma. Domino’s Pizza Tracker not expanding to other businesses.

SPOTTED ON SHELVES – 2/10/2014

Here are some interesting new and limited edition products found on store shelves by us and your fellow readers. If you’ve tried any of the products, share your thoughts about them in the comments.

Duncan Hines Spring Velvet and Pink Velvet

I’m going to predict Duncan Hines will have Black Velvet for Halloween 2014. (Spotted by Richard at Walmart.)

Kraft Jet-Puffed Chocolate Strawberry Marshmallows

I wonder how these will feel being brushed lightly up one’s chest, then neck, and then into the mouth of a lover. (Spotted by Richard at Walmart.)

Ehrmann Mixim 2

Ehrmann Mixim 1

Hey, these Ehrmann Mixim fat-free Greek yogurts are shaped like hearts. Surprise your girlfriend with a fridge full of them for the worst Valentine’s Day gift ever. (Spotted by Sylvia at Vons.)

Jimmy Dean Delights Chicken Sausages

CHICKEN! Who are you and what have you done with Jimmy Dean? (Spotted by Amanda at Kroger.)

Rev meat snack mixes

These Hormel REV Meat Snack Mixes should’ve been called Carnivore Trail Mix. (Spotted by Amanda at Kroger.)

Thank you to all the photo contributors! If you’re out shopping and see an interesting new or limited edition product on the shelf, snap a picture of it, and send us an email (theimpulsivebuy@gmail.com) with where you found it and “Spotted” in the subject line. If you do so, you might see your picture in our next Spotted on Shelves post.

SPOTTED ON SHELVES – Birthday Cake M&M’s

Birthday Cake M&M's

Update: Click here to read our Birthday Cake M&M’s review

I could stick candles in Birthday Cake Oreo cookies, but I’m not sure how to do that with these. (Spotted by Britt at CVS.)

If you’re out shopping and see an interesting new or limited edition product on the shelf, snap a picture of it, and send us an email (theimpulsivebuy@gmail.com) with where you found it and “Spotted” in the subject line. If you do so, you might see your picture in our next Spotted on Shelves post.

PRIZE DRAWING: Carl’s Jr. Hand-Scooped Snickerdoodle Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich Coupons

IMG_4789

The fine folks at Carl’s Jr. sent our way two coupons to give away for their new Hand-Scooped Snickerdoodle Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich, which features a scoop of premium vanilla ice cream sandwiched between two soft sugar and cinnamon-sprinkled snickerdoodle cookies.

To enter The Impulsive Buy’s Carl’s Jr. Hand-Scooped Snickerdoodle Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich Coupons Giveaway, leave a comment with THIS post. You can say whatever you want. Please don’t forget to fill out the email field because we’ll be emailing the randomly selected winners for their mailing addresses.

We will stop accepting entries on Tuesday, February 11, 2014 11:59 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time. Only one comment allowed per person, and it’s only open to U.S. residents 18 years old or older.

NOTE: The coupons can be used only at participating Carl’s Jr. locations. They will not be accepted at Hardee’s. Sorry folks who live near Hardee’s.

However, If you don’t win this prize drawing, for a limited time, you can receive a free Carl’s Jr. Hand-Scooped Snickerdoodle Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich with the purchase of any Philly Cheesesteak Burger combo at participating locations. There are also digital coupons for 50 cents off the Hand-Scooped Snickerdoodle Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich, which can be found at carlsjr.com/coupons.

Good luck!

Fine Print: The Impulsive Buy promises your email address will not be used to send you emails about (insert emails you hate getting here). Impulsive Buy also promises your mailing address will not be used to send you (insert snail mail you hate getting here). Bribes will not be accepted. If you’re coming from a site called Online-Sweepstakes, your entries will be disqualified because this drawing for Impulsive Buy readers only. The Impulsive Buy will not be responsible for lost mail or damaged mail.