Bite of the Best

Hormel Natural Choice has added three flavors to their line of chicken sausages that are gluten free and made without added MSG.

Spinach Asiago contains 140 calories, 3 grams saturated fat (of 9 grams total), 570 milligrams sodium and 14 grams protein; Jalapeno Cheddar 160 calories, 4 grams saturated fat (of 11 grams total), 680 milligrams of sodium and 15 grams protein;  and Apple Gouda 170 calories, 3.5 grams saturated fat (of 9 grams total), 1580 milligrams sodium and 4 grams protein per per 3-ounce piece .

Calphalon’s new XL Digital Convection Oven has two rack settings, a  removable crumb tray, temperature and toast controls and an automatic shut off feature.

This oven fits on countertops but is spacious enough for a 12-inch pizza or a 9-x 13-inch  pan. It also offers digital high-contrast LCD controls time and temperature and an Opti-Heat System.

- bonnie: I’m impressed with the functionality of this countertop convection oven.  I have only turned on my regular oven once since I started testing it a couple of moths ago — it’s that spacious and useful.

Follow @BonnieBOTB

Melissa’s new Young Coconut Opener makes it easier to open their Sweet Young Coconuts. The tool cuts a small hole in the coconut so you can drink its natural, sweet water.

To open the coconut place the tool end on the coconut and rotate the blade back and forth while applying pressure. Insert the cap tip from the handle end and push the pulp out in order to clean the tool.

Starbucks has created a Blonde Roast Coffee, a lighter roast coffee, available in all Starbucks stores nationally as well as in grocery stories across the U.S.

Blonde Roast Coffee is available in a Veranda Blend, VIA (instant) Veranda Blend and whole beans in Starbuck Stores. At grocery stores the Veranda Blend whole and ground coffee will be available as well as K-Cup Packs.

- bonnie:  Blonde Roast coffee produces  a rich full bodied cup with none of the “burnt” taste many associated with regular Starbucks. I like them both!
- bonnie
Follow @BonnieBOTB

Red Baron has introduced Baron’s Best, a new line of pizzas that includes four varieties made with a pan-style crust and 100% real cheese.

The Meat-Trio contains 350 calories, 8 grams saturated fat (of 18 grams total), 710 milligrams sodium and 13 gram protein; Pepperoni, 390 calories, 9 grams saturated fat (of 19 grams total), 800 milligrams sodium and 15 grams protein; Four Cheese, 390 calories, 10 grams saturated fat (of 19 grams total), 720 milligrams sodium and 16 grams  protein; and the Supreme Pizza, 340 calories, 8 grams saturated fat (of 17 grams total), 660 milligrams sodium and 13 grams protein per 4.5- to 5- ounce serving.

Amy’s organic food company has added Gluten Free Wraps to their line of  products.

The Tofu Scramble Breakfast Wrap contains 300 calories, 1.5 grams saturated fat of 13 grams total fat,  460 milligrams sodium and  11 grams of protein per 5.5 ounce serving size; while the Teriyaki Wrap had 250 calories, 0.5 grams saturated fat of 6 grams total fat, 540 milligrams sodium and 9 grams of protein  per 5.5 ounce serving size.

These wraps are made with certified organic ingredients and without GMOs or hydrogenated fats or oils.

Cape Cod  has introduced a new line of chef-developed kettle-cooked chips in two varieties, Chef’s Recipe Feta & Rosemary and Roasted Garlic & Red Pepper.

A 1-ounce 18-chip serving of  Roasted Garlic & Red Pepper one contains 140 calories, 0.5 grams saturated fat (of 6 grams total fat), 95 milligrams sodium and 2 grams protein; the Feta & Rosemary 140 calories, 0.5 grams saturated fat (of 7 grams total fat), 115 milligrams sodium and 2 grams protein.

Fresh Stacks are baked Ritz crackers, packed in smaller sizes to make the crackers accessible on the go. Each 5-cracker serving contains 80 calories, 1 gram saturated fat of 4.5 grams total fat, 105 milligrams sodium and 5 grams whole grains.

Beaverton Foods has two new  smoked bacon mustards that are organic — Beaver Hickory Bacon Mustard and Inglehoffer Applewood Smoked Bacon Mustard. Both contain only 10 calories and 70 milligrams of sodium for each teaspoon. and are full of flavor.

 - bonnie: …. and chock full of a smoky mustard flavor!

Follow @BonnieBOTB

Lundberg Family Farms has introduced organic rice chips in two flavors Cracked Black Pepper and Spicy Black Bean made with USDA Certified organic brown rice. They contain 17 to 18 grams of whole grains, 0.5 grams of saturated fat of 6 grams of total fat and 2 grams of protein per 9-chip serving.  These chips made with organic ingredients and are gluten-free, wheat-free, vegan and non GMO verified.

- bonnie: These are truly yummy – crisp and flavorful – I only wish they had more fiber!
Follow @BonnieBOTB

Justin’s newly released Milk Chocolate Almond and Peanut Candy Bars are gluten-free and use organic chocolate.

Compared to Snickers, the leading competitor,  Justin’s candy bars have 25 percent less sugar, 50 percent more protein and 100 percent more fiber. The Dark Chocolate variety has 260 calories, 6 grams saturated fat (of 14 grams total fat), 21 grams sugar, 5 protein and 2 grams fiber; Milk Chocolate Almond has 280 calories, 5 grams saturated fat (of 16 grams total fat), 22 grams sugar, 5 protein and 2 grams fiber; and Milk Chocolate Peanut  270 calories, 6 grams saturated fat (of 14 grams total fat), 23 grams sugar, 6 grams protein and 2 grams fiber.

Kraft just added Twist of Lime and Steakhouse with A1 Steak Sauce to their mayo lineup. Each 1 -tablespoon serving of Twist of Lime Mayo contains 100 calories, 1.5 grams saturated fat of 11 grams total fat and 85 milligrams sodium; Steakhouse Mayo contains 35 calories, 0.5 grams saturated fat of 3.5 grams total fat and 150 milligrams grams sodium.

Hormel Natural Choice introduced three varieties of sausage made with no artificial ingredients, MSG or preservatives and are gluten free.

The Original  5 grams saturated fat (of  15 grams total) and 7 grams protein; Turkey Sausage has 2 grams saturated fat (of 5 grams total) and 8 grams protein; and Beef  6 grams saturated fat (of 13 grams total) and 8 grams protein each per 2-ounce serving.

Amy’s, an all natural company, has added Broccoli and Cheddar Bake to their line of bowls. The bowl is  made with gluten free pasta, Cheddar sauce, organic broccoli florets and gluten free toasted bread crumbs and serves up 430 calories, 12 grams saturated fat of 20 grams total fat and 640 milligrams of sodium per 9.5-ounce container.

bonnie – Although the flavor was fine, I found the Cheddar bake a bit too gelatinous.

Follow @BonnieBOTB

Miracle Whip has introduced Secret Burger Sauce and Dijion Burger Sauce to top your burgers. Secret Burger Sauce contains 80 calories, 1 grams saturated fat of 8 grams total fat and 105 milligrams sodium per tablespoon, while Sweet Dijion Burger Sauce contains 45 calories,  0.5 grams saturated fat of 4 grams total fat and 120 milligrams sodium.

Peter Rabbits Organics has five new flavors of their fruit and veggies purees in 4.4-ounce pouches that are BPA-free as and resealable.

The new fruit flavors Peach and Apple (60 calories and 13 grams sugar), Pear and Apple (60 calories and 10 grams sugar) Banana and Apple (70 calories and 10 grams sugar), Pear and Pea  (80 calories and 14 grams sugar(, and Pumpkin, Carrot and Apple (70 calories and 9 grams sugar) per pouch.

Teddy Graham crackers introduced Soft Paws, a kid friendly cracker in two varieties. Made with no hydrogenated oil, high high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors or colors, these are a good source of calcium, iron and zinc.

The Apple Cinnamon flavor contains 110 calories,  1 gram saturated fat of 2.5 grams total fat and 1 gram protein per ~1-oounce piece. Oatmeal Raisin contains 110 calories 1 gram saturated fat of 2.5 grams total fat and 2 grams protein per ~1-ounce piece.

Adding to their already existing line of gluten-free pretzel products, Snyder’s has introduced a 100-calorie gluten-free pretzel pack that are certified gluten-free by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization. They are also dairy-, casein-and egg-free pretzels. Each 0.9 ounce serving size contains 100 calories, 0.5 grams saturated fat (of 1.5 grams total fat) and 220 milligrams of sodium.

Spindrift soda has introduced a line of all natural sodas just in time for summer made with fresh squeezed fruit, sparkling water and evaporated cane juice, not with  syrups, juice concentrates, additives, preservatives, artificial sweeteners, or colors.

Spindrift comes in six flavors Sparkling Blackberry, Orange Mango,  Lemonade, Grapefruit, Half & Half and Cranberry.

Sunkist Cara Cara Naval Oranges variety of Navel oranges that are a cross between Washington navel and the Brazilian Bahia. The oranges provide 150 percent Daily Value of vitamin C and are a natural source of Lycopene, an antioxidant compound that is responsible for giving the fruit it’s pink pigmentation.

Dill, Sea Salt and Olive Oil is the latest flavor from Triscuit made with 100% whole grain wheat plus fresh dill and olive oil. Each 6-cracker serving contains 0.5 grams saturated fat of 4.5 grams total fat and 3 grams protein with 22 grams of whole grains.

bonnie: A tasty addition to the Triscuit line
Follow @BonnieBOTB

Nature Valley introduced All Natural Protein Bars  to their line of granola bars. Available in Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate and Peanut, Almond and Dark Chocolate. Each 1.4-ounce (40 gram) bar contains 3.5 grams saturated fat (of 12 grams total fat) and 10 grams of protein.

bonnie – and they’re mighty tasty — with my favorite  the Peanut, Almond and Dark Chocolate.
Follow @BonnieBOTB