Little Debbie Giveaway Winners

Our Little Debbie Giveaway ended on Friday, and I know you’re all dying to hear who the winners were. Right? Right?

First, how we chose the winners: Using the integer generator at random.org, we got three random numbers. Those numbers were matched with the corresponding comments and thus were winners created! The winning entrants were: jamesinsocal, ShannonRenee, and naturallia. Congratulations, and enjoy your Little Debbie 100-Calorie goodness!

Snack Review: H.E.B. New Orleans King Cake

O.K., so I know I usually review healthy stuff for Snackerrific and leave the sugar for Candy Addict, but I am a firm believer in indulgence (moderately) every now and then. So if I am going to indulge, I prefer to do so on something out of the ordinary.

Walking into my local H.E.B., the sight of a giant cake covered in gold, green, and purple sprinkles stuck out like a rainbow sore thumb amidst the breads and muffins. As I approached the mysterious pastry, I discovered it was indeed what I suspected: a king cake.

My first and only exposure to king cake, as a child who never lived in an area that celebrated Mardi Gras, was in my sophomore year of high school. I remember my AP European History teacher, Mrs. Fine, bringing the festive confection to class shortly before Mardi Gras, as she was a native of New Orleans.

The story behind king cake originates from the three kings who journeyed to Bethlehem over twelve days (ergo, the twelve days of Christmas). What a cake has to do with that I am not sure, as I was raised Jewish, but you’re supposed to consume king cake between Epiphany Day (the twelfth day of Christmas) and Mardi Gras. A plastic baby, said to commemorate Jesus, is inserted into the cake, and whoever finds it is responsible for providing the next cake.

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Snack Review: Kellogg’s Special K Blueberry, Special K Crackers, and FiberPlus Antioxidant Bars

In the wide world of snacking, the people at Kellogg’s are definite rockstars. I mean, they make most of the country’s favorite cereals. Sure, cereal is a tasty and simple-to-prepare breakfast. But most people in my acquaintance agree that the crunchy, highly-sugared goodness of Froot Loops and Frosted Flakes are just as satisfying - if not moreso - at three A.M., in the aftermath of a wild party, than before school or work.

Because of this legendary greatness, I was surprised, and flattered, when I heard Kellogg’s wanted to send l’il ol’ me a sampling of their newest products to review. When I received a package from the company’s headquarters in Battle Creek, MI, and accepted that the offer wasn’t a put-on, I began to worry. What if I didn’t like the samples I was sent? Would I be blacklisted by the crunchy conglomerate? Labeled a “cereal killer” and banned from major grocery stores for all eternity? Would I awaken at some ungodly hour to find the Honey Smacks Frog pelting me with poisonous goo while Tony the Tiger mauled me to death?

I gave these loathsome possibilities, and countless others, careful consideration. In the end, I squared my shoulders, gulped, and made the braver and morally sound decision. Supermarket snubbery and killer mascots be darned - in the name of journalistic integrity, I’d offer my honest opinions.

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Snack Review: Little Debbie 100 Calorie Snacks

I’ve been crazy about Little Debbie since I was Little Jimmy. I remember fervently wishing that the cute cowgirl on the snack cake package lived nearby so we could play together, not knowing Debbie was easily twice my age at the time. Like all good stories, there’s a narrative arc: Now Little Debbie is following ME! On Twitter! (LittleDebbie is trying to make you salivate like a Great Dane who missed lunch. about 5 minutes ago from web)

What’s more, she sent me a huge box of cute li’l snacks! For pre-packaged, mass-produced cakes and sweet treats, you can’t find much better than this.

The trick to wise snacking is sensible portions in moderation. Little Debbie’s 100 Calorie Snacks help us do just that, or at least suggest it; the rest is up to us. These snacks have about the same fat and sugar content as their regular items, but the serving sizes are anywhere from 50-60% smaller. In short, you’re eating the same sweet and fatty food, just less of it. At least it’s a start.

Although I’m not a body builder like the narrator’s father and brothers in Jonathan Evison’s excellent first novel, All About Lulu, I swear I thought my arms were super bulked when I grabbed a Yellow Cake (with “butter creme” icing) and a Triple Fudge Brownie.

Man, I’m massive!

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Snack Review: Safeway Green Tea Ice Cream

I was so excited to see green tea ice cream in my Safeway - in the Safeway store brand! If Safeway is making this flavor, it must really have become mainstream. And if green tea ice cream is mainstream, can black sesame be far behind, at least in specialty brands?

Well, if you are a fan of green flavor, I will have mercy and not torture you with suspense: this was sooooo disappointing.

The first hint should have been that this green tea flavor comes with a big swirl of vanilla ice cream in it. I wondered, did they think that Americans would find this so scary that they needed something comforting and familiar mixed in?

Well, it’s worse than that. They thought that Americans would find this flavor so scary that they left all the flavor out.

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