Bite of the Best

Hormel Natural Choice has added Sundried Turkey and Cherrywood Ham as their two newest flavors made without preservatives.

Each 2-ounce serving, or 3-4-slices, contains 60 calories, 0-0.5 grams saturated fat (of 1-1.5 grams total), 440-520 milligrams sodium and 10 grams protein.

Along with these new flavors Hormel has also introduced Family Packs available in Honey Ham, Oven-Roasted Turkey and Smoked Turkey.

A Secure-Grip Hot Jar Handler is the newest product from Ball with a stand-up style to make for quick, convenient use.

Made with wide-open pockets for comfort and accessibility, this handler is compatible with most canning jars and was designed specifically for home canners and canning jars.

Good Earth Tea introduces two new flavors, Cocoa Tango and Sweetly Twisted.

Cocoa Tango contains black tea, cocoa, natural flavors, roasted chicory root, chili peppers, cardamom, rose petals, peppermint leaves and monk fruit extract. Sweetly Twisted contains hibiscus, black tea, lemon peel, rosehips, roasted chicory root, natural flavors, sweet blackberry leaves, lemon oil, licorice root, citric acid and monk fruit extract.

Angie Hwang, Bite of the Best intern: Although these new flavors have unique and refreshing tastes from the natural ingredients, they are not to my liking.

Ball Park has introduced new Lean Beef Franks and Lean Pork Franks made without artificial colors, flavors or by-products.

Each approximately 2-ounce beef frank contains 80 calories, 2 grams saturated fat (of 5 grams total), 410 milligrams sodium and 6 grams protein. Each approximately 2-ounce lean pork frank contains 70 calories, 1.5 grams saturated fat (of 5 grams total), 410 milligrams sodium and 6 grams protein.

- Alyssa Tucker, Bite of the Best Intern: I enjoyed the rich beef flavor of the hot dogs so much that  I wouldn’t have known they were “lean.” These are a great option if you are going to eat franks because than contain less than half the fat and calories of a regular beef frank.

Skinny Cow introduced Divine Filled Chocolates candy in two flavors, Caramel and Peanut Butter Crème. Each single serve package contains not one, but three satisfying pieces of filled chocolates.

Each 3-piece, 1-ounce serving contains 130 calories, 4 grams saturated fat (of 6-7 grams total), 80 milligrams sodium and 15 grams sugar. 

- Alyssa Tucker, Bite of the Best Intern: Peanut Butter Crème was my favorite of the two because the peanut butter balanced the sweetness of the chocolate. Since each pouch comes with 3 pieces it made me feel like I was getting a good sized sweet treat, so I wasn’t left craving more.

Italian Style Pizzeria and Sweet BBQ are the newest flavors of Kraft Twisted String Cheese & Polly-0 Twisted String Cheese.

Each stick contains 60 calories, 2.5 grams saturated fat (of 4 grams total), 140 milligrams sodium, 0 grams sugar and 5 grams protein.

Hagenborg Chocolates recently added two new flavors to their Wild Boar Chocolate Bar line.: Indonesia, made with spiced cashews, and Italy, made with truffle salted almonds.

Each 1-ounce bar contains 190-200 calories, 7-8 grams saturated fat (of 14 grams total), 15-35 milligrams sodium and 7-13 grams sugar.

Swiss cheese, wine and spices are blended together tocreate Emmi’s Original Cheese Fondue.  The fondue is made with authentic Gruyère and Emmentaler cheeses from Switzerland and is ready to heat directly out of the package. Just place the cheese in a fondue pot and heat until the cheese begins to bubble.

Each 1/4-cup serving contains 150 calories, 6 grams saturated fat (of 10 grams total), 370 milligrams sodium and 9 grams protein.

- Alyssa Tucker, Bite of the Best Intern: I liked how simple it was to just open the package, heat, and then serve. The cheese has a  creamy, thick texture and a rich Swiss-cheese taste. I recommend this as a delicious, easy to make a fondue dip  for any occasion.

A.1. Marinade Mixes contain four varieties for consumers to infuse grilled foods with flavor. To use to marinate beef, chicken or pork, just combine the seasoning packet with oil, vinegar and water.

Each 3.5 gram (3/4-teaspoon) serving of the mix contains 10 calories, 0 grams saturated fat (of 0 grams total) and 220-350 milligrams sodium. 

Bloomin Blossoms are the newest liqueur-flavored cakes from Full Spirited Flavours Prosperity Cakes. These individual liqueur cakes are come four flavors: Amaretto, Limoncello, Mango Coconut Rum & Chocolate Raspberry. Each cake contains only 0.037 percent per serving even though real liqueur is used in the process. The cakes have up to 3 months shelf life at room temperature (when stored no higher than 75 degrees F) or  6 – 9 month frozen.

Also available as a Full Size cake ($29.95 per 2.5-pound), Junior Cake ($12.95 per 10-ounce) and Prosperity Petites (a boxed set of 16, with 4 of each flavor, for $19.95)

Each slice, about 3-ounces, of the Amaretto and Chocolate Raspberry cakes contains 190-230 calories, 4-5 grams saturated fat (of 10-11 grams total), 150-220 milligrams sodium and 17-22 grams sugar. Each slice, about 3-ounces, of the Limoncello and Mango Coconut Rum cakes contains 340 calories, 7 grams saturated fat (of 14-15 grams total), 130-290 milligrams sodium and 31-37 grams sugar.

For more details click here.

- bonnie: These are moist chock-full-of-flavor morsels. So rich, only a small piece will satisfy.

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The Rainier Fruit Company has introduced a new apple from its orchards in Eastern Washington. Lady Alice is available now through May, or while supplies last.

This heirloom-like apple is characterized by a banana-yellow color and sweet, crisp, dense flesh with a hint of tartness. Since it is slow to brown when cut and it retains its texture when heated, Lady Alice is good for cooking and baking.

Coleman has introduced it’s newest 60-Quart Wheeled Performance Cooler that is able to hold ice up to 4 days at 90 degrees. The cooler is manufactured with “Low CO2 Emissions Technology” that is good for the environment

This cooler also has an exclusive sit-on-top lid that is reinforced to support your weight, a new design featuring easy-clean lids, comfort grip handles and beverage holders integrated in the lid.

- bonnie :  This is everything you want in a cooler, especially for a camping trip. It keeps food cold for about four days in a warm climate, is on wheels making it easy to transport and doubles as an extra seat and / or beverage tray!

Lean Cuisine introduced a new Salad Additions concept to the frozen food aisle. Just heat the white meat chicken and vegetables, then combine with fresh lettuce and add their toppings and dressing.

Salad Additions are available in four varieties: Southwest-Style Chicken Salad with Chipotle Ranch Dressing, Asian-Style Chicken Salad with Sesame Ginger Vinaigrette, Cranberry & Chicken Salad with Raspberry Cabernet Vinaigrette, Bistro Chicken Salad with Sweet & Tangy Vinaigrette with Bacon.

Each package, 7.2-ounces, contains 240-280 calories, 1-1.5 grams saturated fat (of 8-9 grams total), 430-590 milligrams sodium, 5-20 grams sugar and 15 -18 grams protein.

- bonnie: Interesting new concept… heat the frozen ingredients, warm the dressing in warm water and combine all with fresh lettuce. Does it work? It’s not bad — but if you’re going to all that trouble to make a salad, why not just buy a fresh salad!

Stonyfield Blends unveiled their thick and creamy blended yogurt with real fruit pieces. The yogurt is made with certified organic milk and fruit and without the use of toxic persistent pesticides, antibiotics, growth hormones, genetically engineered ingredients (GMOs), or artificial flavors, colors or sweeteners.

Each 6-ounce container of the Fat Free flavors contains 150 calories, 120-130 milligrams sodium, 28 grams sugar and 8 grams protein.

Each 6-ounce container of the Low Fat flavors contains 160-170 calories, 1.5 grams saturated fat (of 3 grams total), 110-120 milligrams sodium, 26-27 grams sugar and 8 grams protein.

Thrive has introduced four flavors of their Premium Ice Cream: Milk Chocolate, Strawberry, Chocolate Fudge and Homemade Vanilla. Thrive was originally formulated for Alzheimers patients unable to receive the proper nutrition through lack of eating, but is now available for everyone. Made with four different strains of probiotics that help us digest food easier, Thrive also contains as much protein as an egg, as much calcium as a cup of milk and as much potassium as a banana.

Each 6-fluid ounce container contains 250 calories, 5-6 grams saturated fat (of 8-9 grams total), 80-115 milligrams sodium, 22-30 grams sugar and 9 grams protein.

Great Grains Protein Blend has added two new flavors, Cinnamon Hazelnut and Honey, Oats & Seeds, to their already existing line.

Each 1-cup serving contains 220-230 calories, 0.5 grams saturated fat (of 5 grams total), 190-200 milligrams sodium, 8 grams protein and 8-9 grams sugar.

Haitian Vanilla introduces Essence of Vanilla Supreme made using the finest, handpicked vanilla beans.

Use as a flavoring for beverages,  fruited yogurt  sorbet,  or in baked goods.

Ball’s new Fresh Herb Keeper keeps your fresh herb fresh. With its swing cradle, the placement and removal of herbs is easy, and with its self-draining storage basket the water stays in the container. The keeper is made with a BPA-free plastic housing unit with a slender design that fits in most refrigeration doors. 

Savora, by Lifetime Brands, Inc., introduces a can opener in eight different colors. The can opener can be used to open cans, traditional bottles or plastic twist-off bottle caps. 

Snikiddy introduced a line of All Natural Snacks that include Baked Fries and Eat Your Vegetable chips. The snacks are made with non-GMO ingredients, certified gluten and wheat free. In addition they do not contain any artificial colors, preservatives, high fructose corn syrup, trans fats, hydrogenated oils or  monosodium glutamate (MSG).

Each 1-ounce serving of the Baked Fries contains 130 calories, 0 grams saturated fat (of 4.5 grams total), 180-210 milligrams sodium and 2 grams sugar. Each 1-ounce serving on Eat Your Vegetable chips, made with real vegetables, contains 30 calories, 0.5 grams saturated fat (of 7 grams total), 110-150 milligrams sodium and 2 grams sugar. 

- Alyssa Tucker, Bite of the Best Intern: The Barbeque flavor Baked Fries were crunch with a tangy barbecue flavor. The Sour Cream & Onion  Eat Your Vegetable chips tasted just like a regular chip — you wouldn’t know they were made from vegetables.

Doug’s Nuts introduced it’s original blend of almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, pecans, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, and walnuts, sweetened with organic sugarcane, blackberry honey and oatmeal stout, then finished with organic vanilla extract, maple extract and sea salt.

Each 1-ounce serving contains 170 calories, 1.5 grams saturated fat (of 14 grams total), 85 milligrams sodium, 3 grams sugar and 5 grams protein.

Dobel Tequila — sourced, distilled and bottled in Jalisco, Mexico — is the world’s first multiaged tequila. It is blended and filtered to produce a clear liquid that is crisp and complex. Dobel is a blend of Reposado, Anejo and Extra Anejo, aged 12, 24, and 36 months, respectively,  each with a different taste.

- bonnie:  This is a tequila that you should enjoy neat, just poured into a glass sans ice. Yes it’s that smooth.

If — though — you want to use in a cocktail, here are two recipes that Dobel sent me that you might appreciate as they are simple to make. Each makes one drink!

Pica Flor

2 strawberries
Juice from half a fresh lime
Fresh cilantro
2 ounces Dobel tequila
1 ½ ounces club soda

Muddle the strawberries, lime juice and some fresh cilantro. Add tequila, ice, and top with club soda.

Salty Chihuahua
5 ounces grapefruit juice
3 ounces Dobel Tequila

Combine juice and tequila in a shaker, and shake with ice for 15 seconds. Strain into a tumbler glass to enjoy.

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Sartori has introduced a Limited Edition Extra-Aged Goat cheese, which is a mild, balanced goat cheese crafted by Sartori cheese makers. Aging has enhanced caramel notes.

Each 1-ounce serving contains 100 calories, 5 grams saturated fat (of 8 grams total) and 200 milligrams sodium.

Now with two new flavors, Kraft Fresh Take can spice up chicken, fish, pork or beef in minutes. Each refrigerated bag has real Kraft Cheese and seasoned breadcrumbs to help make meals.

Each 1-ounce serving size contains 100 calories, 3-3.5 grams saturated fat (of 6 grams total), 310-360 milligrams sodium and 5 grams protein.

Kickstart is a new sparkling juice beverage from Mountain Dew, available in Orange Citrus and Fruit Punch flavors.

Each 16-ounce can contains 5% juice, 80 calories, zero fat, 180 milligrams sodium, 92 milligrams caffeine and 20 grams sugar.

- Alyssa Tucker, Bite of the Best Intern: I tried the Fruit Punch variety one morning and enjoyed the sweet, tangy flavor. It did not have a sour aftertaste of most energizing beverages.