QUICK REVIEW: Rockstar Pure Zero Energy Drink (Punched and Silver Ice)

Rockstar Pure Zero Energy Drink (Punched and Silver Ice)

Purchased Price: $1.50 each
Size: 16 oz. cans
Purchased at: 7-Eleven
Rating: 8 out of 10 (Punched)
Rating: 8 out of 10 (Silver Ice)
Pros: Punched has a pleasant, but not too sweet, fruit punch flavor. Silver Ice has an equally pleasant and not too sweet citrus flavor. No calories. Sugar free. They don’t really taste like zero sugar drinks. 80 milligrams of caffeine per serving gives a nice boost of energy. Light carbonation makes them easy to drink. Punched has a cute pink color that Hello Kitty would enjoy.
Cons: Artificial sweeteners become noticeable as they gets warmer. They obviously copied the idea of textured cans from Monster Energy.

Nutrition Facts: 8 fl. oz. – 0 calories, 0 grams of fat, 180 milligrams of sodium, 1 gram of carbohydrates, 0 grams of sugar, 1 gram of erythritol, 0 grams of protein, 100% niacin, 100% vitamin B12, 100% vitamin B6, and 100% pantothenic acid.)

SPOTTED ON SHELVES (HALLOWEEN EDITION) – 9/27/2013

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.

Kit Kat Spooky Bar Designs 1 of 4

Dare to find what’s inside? I’m going to guess crisp wafers coated with milk chocolate. (Spotted by Lindsay at Target.)

Limited Edition Planters Fright Fest Mix

W-o-o-o-o! Limited Edition Planters Fright Fest Mix! Frightening for those who suffer from peanut allergies, but not at all frightening for everyone else. W-o-o-o-o! (Spotted by Bobby at Walmart.)

Lunchables Extra Cheesy Pizza with Kool-Aid Ghoul-Aid

With or without the Halloween graphics, Lunchables will always be scary to me. (Spotted by Maria at Target.)

Tic Tac Bewitching Blend

Orange and apple don’t sound fitting for a Bewitching Blend. A Bejuicing Blend, yes. A Bewitching Blend, no. (Spotted by Jaitlyn at Target.)

Market Pantry Pumpkin Shaped Cheesy Potato Puffs

I don’t think I’ve ever had potato puffs before. Scary. (Spotted by Dustin at Target.)

Market Pantry Spooky Corn Tortilla Chips

If this bag of chips comes with real spiders in it, then, yes, it’s going to be spooky sticking my hand into the bag and touching suffocated spiders. (Spotted by Melissa at Target.)

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 – 9/26/2013

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.

Nestle Toll House Our Cookie of the Year Triple Chip Cookie Dough

Wha-tha-what? Your cookie of the year? Triple chip cookie dough is MY cookie of the year! (Spotted by Kelly at Redner’s.)

Nestea Liquid Water Enhancer

Your move, Lipton. (Spotted by Joshua at Target.)

Sour Patch Kids Lineups

I’m disappointed the Sour Patch Kids aren’t connected at the sides to make it look like they’re part of a suspect lineup. They should be because they assault my tongue like no other candy. (Spotted by Sara at Target.)

Smucker's Microwaveable Hot Caramel Topping

Smucker’s Hot Caramel Topping isn’t new, but Smucker’s Hot Caramel Topping in a microwaveable bottle is. All the pain of hot candle wax, but edible! Sadists rejoice! (Spotted by Sara at Walmart.)

Method Fall Collection Foaming Hang Wash

I want to get messy with some dulce de leche just so I can use Method’s Fall Collection Dulce De Leche foaming hand wash to wash it all off. (Spotted by Sylvia at Target.)

Pepperidge Farm Salsa con Queso Goldfish Puffs

I could’ve sworn we already covered these Walmart exclusive Salsa con Queso Goldfish Puffs in a previous post. But we didn’t. Maybe I imagined it after snorting crushed Goldfish Puffs. Junk Food Guy has a review. (Spotted by Pilar at Walmart.)

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: Limited Edition Jif Whipped Peanut Butter & Chocolate Mint Whips

Jif Whipped Peanut Butter & Chocolate Mint Whips

Peanut butter is so overdone these days. Much like the Scary Movie series, people have had enough of it. Every other week, there’s a new peanut butter product released that nobody wants to buy. We’ve seen it in candy bars, pretzels, ice creams, everywhere. So who would ever want to manufacture a new peanut butter product?

Jif. That’s who.

Jif recently launched Jif Whips, a line of whipped peanut butters designed to be fluffy, smooth, and easy to spread. We’ve all experienced the frustration that arises when thick, viscous peanut butter rips through the delicate surface of white bread. It’s enough to drive a man insane. In fact, one out of ten psychologists suggest that continued use of unruly peanut butter could lead to the development of paranoid schizophrenia. (Note to editor: Don’t fact check this. It’s true. Trust me.)

Jif Whipped Peanut Butter & Chocolate Mint Whips Closeup

Peeling back the lid of the resealable plastic tub, we encounter a spreadable chocolate substance bearing a striking resemblance to…dog excrement. Yes, Peanut Butter & Chocolate Mint Whips looks a lot like turds — not the most appetizing substance in the world. I sincerely hope that Jif Whips does not mirror feces in taste. (I’ve personally never tasted feces, but my dog assures me it tastes terrible.)

As I stared at the container of peanut butter-flavored dog defecation, I quickly realized that I needed some dipping materials. Thus, I began an epic exploration of my pantry and fridge to locate the perfect medium for Jif Whips. Asparagus? No. A can of Spam? Interesting idea, but no. Cat antibiotics? Umm, no.

Jif Whipped Peanut Butter & Chocolate Mint Whips Closeup2

I eventually settled on Nilla Wafers, a classic cookie offering a plain vanilla flavor. Dipping the wafer into the Jif Whips, I immediately noticed the smooth, airy texture of the whipped peanut butter.

Jif has the discovered the Holy Grail of whipped peanut butter formulas. Gone is the thick, sticky texture of peanut butter. Instead, Jif Whips offers a light and fluffy spread which easily clings to dipped foodstuffs. It will not tear your white bread, nor will it adhere to the roof of your mouth (Arachibutyrophobiacs rejoice!)

Naturally, my first reaction upon experiencing the remarkable texture of Jif Whips was to stick my nose in it. While doing so, I took note of a scent resembling a mixture of Andes Mints and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups: a combination of chocolate and peanut butter with the subtle aroma of mint.

It was time for the taste test. I lifted my Nilla Wafer high into the air and inserted it into my buccal cavity. To the taste buds, Jif Peanut Butter & Chocolate Mint Whips begins with a rich chocolatey flavor complimented by a hint of mint, slowly evolving into a bold peanut butter taste. Neither the mint nor peanut butter flavors are overpowering. In addition, the item being dipped does not need to be smothered in Jif Whips in order for the flavor of the Whips to shine through. Overall, the mint, peanut butter, and chocolate flavors found in Jif Whips are sweet and immensely satisfying.

Although Jif Whips might not stick to your mouth like regular peanut butter, it still leaves the same mucous feeling in the back of the throat. Perhaps this is the ever-present Achilles’ heel of peanut butter products.

Once you learn to ignore the dog poop appearance, Jif Whipped Peanut Butter & Chocolate Mint Whips is surprisingly enjoyable. I don’t usually expect much from new peanut butter products. After all, peanut butter just seems so cliché. Despite my initial hesitance, Jif has knocked my socks off with both the commendable texture and flavor of Jif Whips.

I ran out of Nilla Wafers. Where’s the Spam?

(Nutrition Facts – 2 Tbsp (26 grams) – 150 calories, 100 calories from fat, 11 grams of total fat, 2 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 60 milligrams of sodium, 11 grams of total carbohydrates, 1 gram of dietary fiber, 8 grams of sugars, and 3 grams of protein.)

Item: Limited Edition Jif Whipped Peanut Butter & Chocolate Mint Whips
Purchased Price: $3.79
Size: 15.9 oz.
Purchased at: Target
Rating: 8 out of 10
Pros: Smooth, airy texture. Satisfying mint, chocolate, and peanut butter flavors. Cat antibiotics.
Cons: Dog poop appearance. Leaves mucous feeling in throat. Paranoid schizophrenia.

SPOTTED ON SHELVES – 9/25/2013

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.

Hell's Kitchen Creme Brulee Kits

I don’t think I’ve seen Gordon Ramsay yell at someone in Hell’s Kitchen for (bleep) up creme brûlée. Risotto, yes. Beef Wellington, yes. Lamb, yes. (Spotted by Sara at Walmart.)

Emerald on the Go! Peanut Butter & Jelly

Yes! Something peanut butter and jelly flavored that has no peanut butter or jelly. It’s the future, man! (Spotted by Joshua at Walmart.)

Kraft Shake 'n Bake Seasoned Panko

But panko is sooooo much better when it’s applied ‘n fried. (Spotted by Sara at Walmart.)

Werther's Originals Baking Caramels

Werther's Original Caramel Specialties Soft Chocolate Caramel

I guess I can chew on one while waiting for the other to melt. (Spotted by Lindsay at Meijer and Sara at Walgreens.)

Nestle Drumstick Peanut Butter Variety

That vanilla one seems out of place in this box of Peanut Butter Variety Drumsticks. (Spotted by Elizabeth at Walmart.)

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.