Weekend Wrap #3

What to expect next week:
I haven't put a dent in the two long-term posts I'm supposed to be working on. And one of them has to be ready in two weeks. And I thought of another huge post to write. Gulp. Time to crack that whip.

None of those long-term items are food reviews. But I will post something about a certain budget frozen entrée in the coming days. My freezer actually is quite barren at the moment. Look forward to correcting that problem on Sunday. If I get some good stuff I'll write a recap of my shopping trip.

In other developments:
I thought I would clarify why max results for labels and older posts are limited to five posts per page. Since I upload a ton of pictures (over one hundred on Flickr and dozens of nutrition facts on Blogger) I don't want people with sluggish internet connections (myself included) to have to long load times.

Frozen food review:
Review the World is a random collection of write-ups by a guy named Brian. He has a really humorous take on Hungry-Man Sports Grill Beer Battered Chicken that might be more hilarious and informative than Frozen Food Journal's take on the same dinner. Regardless, both of us agree it's an average meal.

-Ken

Review: Dreyer's Fruit Bars Tangerine

Every year I think July is the hottest month of all. Then August comes along and socks me in the mouth. Lately I've been eating a lot of popsicles to cool down. Even more than usual. Yesterday I tried the tangerine flavor of Dreyer's Fruit Bars for the first time and figured I'd share my thoughts.

I love tangerines. They're one of my five favorite fruits. But I don't enjoy foods flavored like tangerines or oranges. They all taste like freakin' OJ! But maybe that's just me.

This popsicle has a sharp, tart flavor and a slightly bitter finish. It's like an orange mixed with a grapefruit, which is hilarious because grapefruit is one of my five least favorite fruits. Yea, let's just say I wasn't a huge fan of the taste. But I did enjoy the thick and icy consistency of the fruit bar. Also tiny pieces of orange pulp are barely perceptible to your eyes and tongue if you don't stop to look and lick.

Click here for the ingredients and nutrition facts. This tangerine popsicle is fat, cholesterol and sodium free. The main thing to take away is each fruit bar contains 80 calories, 19 grams of sugar and an excellent source of Vitamin C.

Dreyer's Fruit Bars Tangerine is inferior to the strawberry fruit bar in every way. I can't think of a single reason why I would get Tangerine when there's so many better flavors out there.

Review: Kashi Southwest Style Chicken

I put a lot of stuff in my body that's bad for me. Not drugs silly. I'm taking about food. I eat a lot of unhealthy food. Some of the nutritional lowlights at Frozen Food Journal include Banquet Chicken Fried Beef Steak Meal, Hungry-Man Boneless Pork and Haitai Nougat Ice Bar. But my poor diet also extends beyond the freezer. I have eaten scraps off the floor, from other people's plates and out of trash cans. I consume some form of chocolate daily and enjoy nothing more than a bucket of fried chicken.

Suffice to say I am not a healthy eater. Yet I constantly consume Kashi products like GOLEAN Cereal and Chewy Granola Bars. Thus the paradox of Ken continues.

Which brings me to Kashi Southwest Style Chicken. I've been anticipating this meal ever since I redeemed my Kashi frozen entrée coupon two months ago. Was it worth the wait? Could the company parlay its nutritious ideals to frozen foods? Would this entrée taste better than dirt?

This meal gets off to a good start thanks to its easy preparation. Peel one corner of the plastic film before microwaving on high for two minutes. Give the food a good stir then heat an additional two or three minutes.

Kashi says the grilled chicken breast is seasoned with lime, cumin and a hint of chipotle. There's definitely some lime though the other flavors are negligible. Overall the chicken isn't great and the meat tastes extremely dry. The watery tomato paste southwestern sauce tries to balance things out but falls woefully short. Also the red bell peppers, green bell peppers and green chilies don't contribute much aside from color and bland mushiness.

The rest of the entrée, however, is quite good. Leading the way is the Kashi 7 Whole Grains & Sesame™ pilaf. Made from a blend of oats, brown rice, rye, wheat, barley and sesame seeds it's a complex collection of textures and flavors. There's also a twinge of spice, cilantro and garlic enveloping the pilaf, which accentuates the mellowness of the grains. Little black beans provide a familiar Mexican flavor. I wish this dish had more tomato pieces because they're exceptional. The fire-roasted onions and corn are delectable as well.

Click here for the nutrition facts and ingredients. Not surprisingly Kashi has created a healthy and well-balanced frozen entrée. There's only 240 calories, a small amount of fat (no saturated or trans) and cholesterol. Watch out for the high sodium. Benefits include over 20% of a person's daily fiber and protein. This meal is also excellent source of Vitamin C as well as a good source of potassium and iron.

It's rare to find an all-natural frozen meal packed with high-quality goodness like Kashi Southwest Style Chicken. Then again it retails for more than $5, which is a very high premium for an entrée that isn't remotely filling and not quite tantalizing. If price is of no concern then definitely try this product. Or if you're willing to pay a premium for something healthy and convenience consider Kashi. Personally I won't get this again unless it's on clearance.

Ice Cream and Carbonated Drinks Should be Served Separate

Had this conversation with a buddy. I'm of the option there's a time for ice cream and a time for soda... and they're on different schedules. Is it crazy to think root beer and coke floats are bogus? With ice cream you have smooth and savory. Meanwhile soda is bubbly and refreshing. Combining these two is not the best of both worlds. It's not like Hannah Montana.

Actually it's a lot like Hannah Montana...

Sadly, there's no Weekend Wrap. Took me less than twenty days to screw up that routine. Whoops! But a review for the Kashi frozen entrée -- months after I redeemed the coupon -- should finally be posted soon.

Review: In-N-Out Burger Chocolate Shake

Sublime burgers, superb service and a secret menu. Three traits that define In-N-Out Burger, arguably the best fast food chain in the western part of the United States.

I love the food, the retro look, the reasonable prices, the ketchup pumps. Oh the ketchup pumps. There's so much to adore about the place. But if there is one drawback to In-N-Out it's the limited selection. If you're in the mood for chicken or salads, pffft. Touch luck. Look elsewhere. But if you're in the mood for amazing burgers, good fries (I like them but they're not for everyone) and fantastic milkshakes then be sure to visit In-N-Out.

In-N-Out shakes come in green cups emblazoned with palm trees and squiggly lines. That's a bonus point for style in my book. But with chocolately drinks, as with people, it's what's on the inside that counts. Good thing this chocolate shake tastes incredible. First, it has the perfect consistency. Nice and thick yet drinkable through a straw. Exceptionally smooth with a fantastic finish. And the flavor! The flavor. Not overly sweet, this milkshake feels like slurping a high-quality chocolate ice cream.

Click here for the nutrition facts. Good thing In-N-Out doesn't offer a large size because its 15 oz. shakes are obscenely bad. Read these numbers and weep. 690 calories, 36 grams of total fat, 24 grams (122%!!) of saturated fat, one gram of trans fat, 95 milligrams of cholesterol, 350 milligrams of sodium and 62 grams of sugar.

And yet I say, "so what?" In-N-Out Burger has the best burgers and, in my opinion, the tastiest chocolate shake in the fast food industry. If you're ever in California (or certain parts of Nevada, Arizona and Utah) be sure to find time to visit In-N-Out. Because very few culinary experiences can ever top scarfing a couple Animal Style burgers, munching some fries and washing it all down with a delectable chocolate shake.

Review: Breyers Smooth & Dreamy Mint Chocolate Chip

"$#!&'s crumbly."

That's the first thing I uttered after digging my scoop into a carton of Breyers Smooth & Dreamy Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream. Crumbly and clumpy would be more appropriate descriptions. The clay-like consistency would frequently break apart, which explains all the small pieces cluttering the picture. Not a good start when food is a chore just to take out.

Are all the new Breyers "Smooth & Dreamy" ice creams this wonky? Did I get a bad egg? If anyone has tried a Smooth & Dreamy product please drop a comment or send an email on this issue. I'm genuinely curious.

Anyway, back to the product at hand. Or should I say in bowl?

Flavor-wise the mint ice cream offers that familiar all-natural Breyers coolness and clean after taste. Strangely enough it's soft and delicious as soon as it hits your tongue. Maybe the dreaminess is heat activated. The thick rectangular chocolate chips provide a sweet bite. They're good but nothing special.. I prefer chocolate shavings (like those found in the far superior Thrifty Mint 'N Chip) in my ice cream but Breyers still does a delicious job here.

Click here for the ingredients and nutritional information. Always nice to glean over the ingredients and not see a bunch of crazy stuff. Each half cup serving sets you back 130 calories, 4.5 grams of fat (3.5 saturated) and 18 grams of sugar.

After my first serving I was definitely craving seconds for Breyers Smooth & Dreamy Mint Chocolate Chip. Despite the horrific texture I wouldn't mind eating another carton. It's really hard to #^%& up ice cream.

Ralph Rewards Bonanza Part 3

The latest batch of Ralph Rewards coupons came in the mail. Let's take a closer look at the specifics:

• Double Points when you spend $60 in one transaction
  
• Receive 100 Bonus Points when you spend $5 or more in our Meat Department
  
• Save $1 on any two CRYSTAL LIGHT Powdered Drink Mixes
  
• Save $2.50 on any six Weight Watchers Smart Ones Frozen Products
• Save 35¢ on the purchase of ONE Ralphs Frozen Vegetables
  
• Save $1.50 on the purchase of ONE Ralphs Frozen Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts or Tenders
  
• Save 50¢ on any TWO Banquet Frozen Dinners
  
• Save 50¢ on any ONE HUNGRY-MAN Dinners
  
• Save $2 when you purchase one Centrum Ultra or Centrum Ultra Silver Men's or Women's 100ct or larger
• Save $1 on any TWO Popsicle Products
  
• Save $2 on the purchase of two STOUFFER'S French Bread Pizzas, 2-packs
  
• Save $1.25 on any one Farm Rich Cheese Sticks product
  
• Save $4 off any TWO Michael Angelo's Family Serve Entrées (32 to 40 oz size)
  
• Save $3 off any THREE Michael Angelo's Single Serve Entrées (10 to 12 oz size)
  

Hooray for discounts although the previous group of Ralphs coupons were better.

Weekend Wrap #2

What to expect next week:
A dessert review from... I don't know if I'd call it my favorite fast food restaurant but this west coast chain certainly ranks up there. Also I'll try to get around to some Breyers ice cream as well as some coupons I received. Didn't make any progress on my two long-term projects but that's what the weekend is for.

In other developments:
If you check the complete archive of my frozen food reviews you'd know I'm up to almost 80. For the 50th review I discussed a personal favorite, Lean Cuisine BBQ Recipe Chicken Pizza. I plan on something special for the 100th. Of course that begs the question: which product will I review? I'm leaning toward writing up a meal as opposed to a one-note product like a popsicle. In fact, I might splurge a little and try one of those fancy pants frozen dinners.

Frozen food review:
Today's showcase review once again takes us back to autumn 2008 when Frozen Food Journal was nothing more than an idea. When starting a blog one of the first things a person should do is look for the popular sites in the same niche. For example if you were starting a website about optimizing Blogger it would be a good idea to check out Blogger Buster to get an idea of what makes it successful.

When I began Frozen Food Journal my benchmark was Heat Eat Review. If you've found your way here looking for frozen food content you've probably been there. And if you've been here but not there then your Google skills have failed you. I remember reading Heat Eat Review and thinking maybe it wasn't a completely crazy idea to blog about TV dinners. One of the entries there that caught my eye was the humorous and informative take on Kraft Chive Bagel-fuls. So check it out... because most of the other reviews for Kraft Bagel-fuls are irritating.

-Ken

Review: Stouffer's Philly-Style Steak & Cheese Panini

It's time again to swing by the non-existent corner bistro in my neighborhood. Last time I chowed down on the Grilled Chicken Italian Panini, which could have used less grease and more kick. Today I'm trying Stouffer's Philly-Style Steak & Cheese.

I've never been to the City of Brotherly Love so I can't really comment on how Philadelphia does a Steak & Cheese. Hopefully this panini version does Will Smith's hometown proud. Or at least tastes good. Let's get jiggy with it.

For the cooking instructions this is what I wrote two months ago about the Grilled Chicken Italian:

1) Open film pouch to remove plastic from panini halves and REVOLUTIONARY GRILLING® Tray.

2) Flip the box upside down to create a platform. Place panini halves and tray on top.

3) Align panini halves along the vertical indent in the REVOLUTIONARY GRILLING® Tray. Cook on high for around 3 minutes. Let stand 30 seconds.

All of the above applies for this panini as well. Follow these semi-convoluted steps and your sandwich should turn out hot and nicely toasted.

Let's pick this panini apart piece by piece. First, the steak. Stouffer's doesn't skimp as there's a plentiful amount of sliced beef strips. No complaints about the quantity though I did find the meat a little leathery. Stouffer's clearly did not use the finest cuts. Or maybe the beef is channeling its inner Philliy by trying to be tough.

Grilled onions (that you can smell all the way from the microwave), green and red peppers are doused in a cheese blend consisting of mozzarella, provolone and a white cheddar sauce. All these mild ingredients combine well together and also with the stronger steak flavor. The steak is tasty enough to stand alone as a sandwich filling. Having it joined by several layers of cheese and veggies only serves to increase the overall deliciousness.

Everything in this sandwich is stuck between a pair of thick, buttery slabs of sourdough bread that's grilled to perfection. Crunchy yet chewy. This panini is greasy but not nearly as oily as the Grilled Chicken Italian.

Click here for the nutrition facts. Philly-Style Steak & Cheese will set you back 340 calories, 16 grams of fat (6g saturated) and 680mg of sodium. It's not healthy but not completely awful neither. This panini is an excellent source of protein (2o grams) in addition to being a good source (at least 10%) of fiber, Vitamin A, calcium and iron. For some odd reason Stouffer's lists the Daily Value % for sugar. According to the company three grams of sugar equals 14% of a person's recommended amount of the sweet stuff. Umm, that's not right.

The hearty and plentiful steak makes Stouffer's Philly-Style Steak & Cheese Panini a worthwhile purchase. It does have nutritional problems and texture issues but those blemishes can be forgiven. I look forward to eating this frozen panini again.

Bad Videos For Frozen Food Products

The next time I see a hilarious online promotion for a frozen food product it'll be the first. The Healthy Choice SpokespersonWanted.com campaign with Julia-Louis Dreyfus had a promising start but quickly tailed off with lazy and uninspired efforts. Perhaps like its new entrées, zing!

This video co-starring Jane Lynch is the best video of today's bunch. If you want to proceed, go right ahead. But don't say I didn't warn you.


While the Healthy Choice videos need comedic punch at least they aren't excruciating like the Breyers Smooth & Dreamy webisodes starring "30 Rock" actress Jane Krakowski. The premise involves her eating ice cream and getting transported into classic films like King Kong.

Here Jane is whisked away from the comforts of her sofa to the savage jungles of Skull Island. Failed attempts at hilarity ensue. And it goes on for more than five minutes. End, end!


Unfortunately, frozen food comedy humor aimed at the male species doesn't fare much better. Michael Ian Black, who's probably most well-known for commenting on VH1's "I Love the 80's" series from a few years back asks the age old question, "What would you do for a Klondike bar?" Sadly, the answer involves making out with a fat chick. Didn't see that one coming.


And seriously, the Klondike Man Cave? Who's the Madison Avenue egghead that came up with this gibberish?

Chocolate Frozen Yogurt Cools the Body, Soothes the Soul

Went out a few days ago and got some ubiquitous (and delicious) chocolate frozen yogurt, which was the perfect way to cool down on a hot evening.


Normally I don't go out and treat myself to frozen goodies, which is why you don't see any reviews from overpriced and overrated establishments like Pinkberry. But I will indulge when IT'S FREE!

That's right. Free chocolate frozen yogurt. How sweet it was.

Weekend Wrap #1

I'm starting a new two-part segment for Fridays called weekend wrap. First it'll provide a sneak peek for the upcoming week at Frozen Food Journal. Secondly I'll share a frozen food review from the blogosphere that I believe is worth checking out. And maybe I'll talk about some other stuff. We'll see. I don't know if this segment will stick but let's have fun while we're here.

Regarding the game plan for next week... I have to admit it looks like it's going to be slow. I'm working on two posts right now (not reviews) that are taking a good chunk of my time. Both are probably weeks away from being finished. I'll try to throw up a Stouffer's panini review but other than that the blog might go quiet. Not a promising start to this segment, ehh?

As for this week's frozen food review, let's take a trip back into time. Back before I started this blog. In the fall of 2008 I was a nobody. I still am a nobody but I also wasn't writing a food blog. But I did enjoy frozen foods and used to keep track of my thoughts on a Word document, frittering away at the keyboard while describing the wretchedness of Michelina's or expounding upon why Lean Cuisine BBQ Recipe Chicken Pizza deserved to be showered with praise. This somewhat peculiar habit went on for a couple months until I remembered there was something called the internet. I then began to scour the web for frozen food review and was surprised to find that there's a lot of the stuff out there on the World Wide. Today (and hopefully every Friday going forward) I'll share one of my favorites.

Among the first and most fascinating frozen food reviews I came across in 2008 was for The Worst Breakfast Ever. It's X-Entertainment lengthy take on the Hungry-Man All Day Breakfast. This is one of most hilarious and R-rated food reviews you'll find. It's worth checking out just for the nutrition facts. They're horrible even for Hungry-Man. I don't think this meal is available anymore but if it is I'd like to give it a whirl. Only once though; that's all my body could probably take.

Well that's it for the first weekend wrap. Thanks for reading as always.

-Ken

And a New Champion Emerges for the Title of America's Worst Drink

Back in January America's worst drink was either the Heath Shake or Oreo Shake. The numbers were fuzzy so it was difficult to determine which milkshake was worse. However there was no doubt both liquid coronaries were courtesy of Baskin-Robbins.

Then in June Men's Health declared the Oreo Shake as the "winner." The large version according to MH contained 2600 calories, 135 grams of fat, 263 grams of sugar and most shockingly 1700 milligrams of sodium.

But now it appears Baskin-Robbins has bowed out of the competition. At the website for Baskin-Robbins milkshakes the Heath Bar is no longer listed and clicking on the Oreo Shake leads to a missing page. Last week Men's Health published an article promoting the latest edition of the Eat This Not That! book series about The Best (& Worst!) Foods in America!

The magazine declares the worst drink is made by another ice cream shop altogether: Cold Stone Creamery. The Gotta Have it (wonderful name for a serving size, no?) Peanut Butter & Chocolate Shake currently reigns supreme and the nutrition facts confirm the gaudy numbers: 2010 calories, 131 grams of fat, 375 milligrams of cholesterol and 153 grams of sugar.

Companies are constantly changing their menus so there's no telling how long Cold Stone's milkshake will stay on top. I'm guessing it will either wilt away due to health-conscious consumer concerns or another contender will devise a bigger, better, sweeter, thicker and fatter milkshake to drain down our gullets.

Here's hoping for the latter.

Review: Jeno's Crisp 'n Tasty Cheese

Time for another one buck pizza. Why not? It's not as if I learned my lesson from eating Celeste Deluxe awhile ago.

Today's slice of purgatory arrives in the form of Jeno's Crisp 'n Tasty Cheese. If you've never heard of Jeno's you may be familiar with its cousin Totino's. With their combined forces they sell more cheap frozen pizzas than anyone else. I guess that's a good thing.

So this sizable frozen disk arrives in plastic wrap that's loose in several places while torn in others. What a mediocre combo. Anyway, Jeno's does not recommend cooking in a microwave or toaster oven, which seems odd for food that's a dollar. You could avoid that advice and just nuke this thing but I doubt it would end well. Instead place the pizza in a 450 degree oven for eight to ten minutes and it'll turn out fine.

Like I mentioned the pizza is quite big. As you can see it covers my entire plate. But where Jeno's exceeds in circumference it lacks in depth. In other words this pizza is thin. The shallow crust is very flaky and breaks off easily. There's crumbs on my floor to prove it.

When I first opened the pizza box I didn't think there would be enough cheese to go around. My skepticism was squashed after the pizza cooked and created a blanket of gooeyness. The nonfat mozzarella cheese tastes good in an artificial sort of way. I found what little tomato sauce there was to be adequate.

Surprisingly this Jeno's pizza isn't overly grease. That being said I couldn't shake the feeling that I was eating something fattening and bad. Speaking of which...

Click here for the dreaded ingredients and nutrition facts. 6 grams of trans fat?! I feel like channeling my inner John McEnroe right now. You can not be serious! Hey Jeno's, I know pizza is bad for me. I get that. It's why I'm giving slack for the 450 calories, 21 grams of total fat and grip load of salt. But 6 (six!!) grams of trans fat in a single serving? Seriously, cut back on the hydrogenated soybean oil and stop killing your customers. But hey, thanks for the calcium. At least my bones will be strong while my arteries clog up.

Health meltdown aside I have to confess I thought Jeno's Crisp 'n Tasty Cheese pizza was quite tasty. But because it's so bad I definitely have hesitation about picking it up again, if I ever.

The Wages of Food: 10 Quick Tips for Buying Groceries and Saving Money in an Increasingly Expensive World

Everyone knows food is more expensive than ever. But by how much? Quite a bit, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. The USDA reports that in June 2009 a moderate meal plan for a family of four cost $949.50 per month. A year ago the exact same meal plan would have been $947.60. Five years ago $810.60. $699.00 back in the last millennium.

Over the past decade food prices increased a whopping 35%! And while prices have been slowly retreating since the beginning of 2009 there are ways to be more proactive and save money at the grocery store. With that being said here are 10 quick tips for getting the most bang for your buck at the supermarket:


Tip #1: Make a shopping list and stick to it
Ben Franklin summed it up best. "Failing to prepare is preparing to fail." Save yourself time and money by writing down everything you plan on buying beforehand. You don't want to forget something important and have to go back later. Making a list also prioritizes your groceries. Start with the essentials and then work your way down. Consider even crossing out an item you don't really need. When you're at the market stay diligent and stick to the game plan.

Tip #2: High fiber foods are your friends
Fiber keeps the body feeling full and satisfied. Fruits and vegetables are nutritious and inexpensive so put them high on your list. Also emphasize whole-grain breads, oatmeal, pastas, beans and cereals. They might cost a little more initially but will save in the run.

Tip #3: Focus on value, not cost
This ties into Tip #2. The end result is more important than the bottom line. For example, plain white bread is cheap for a reason. It offers minimal benefits in terms of nutrition and sustenance. A loaf of multi-grain bread may be pricier but it's also healthier and more filling, which saves money in the long run.

Tip #4: Name brands aren't necessarily better but are always pricier
If you're diehard Coke or Pepsi person then you'll probably skip this advice. But many products aren't made from a secret formula and don't possess a unique taste. In fact a lot of name foods and drinks tend to taste the same regardless of what's on the label. Try out the generic or store versions of popular cereals, chips, cookies and condiments. There's a good chance you'll find similar flavor at a lower price.

Tip #5: Use coupons
Before you leave the house check your newspaper and mailers for deals and manufacturer's coupons. Browse websites like Hot Coupon World for additional online savings. And don't limit the search solely to deals at your favorite supermarket. Many chains will match competitor's coupons. Once you arrive at the grocery store take a quick stroll through the aisles, keeping an eye out for in-store savings.

Tip #6: Check the discount bin
Items with packaging impurities or nearing their expiration date are usually banished to the back of the store. Make it a point to swing by every shopping trip . This is a great way to find perfectly good bread and canned foods for cheap -- just be sure you can eat what you buy in a timely manner.

Tip #7: Try to limit trips to the grocery story to once a week
Unless you have a large family or need to make an emergency purchase there's no reason to make frequent visits to the supermarket. It's a waste of time and money.

Tip #8: Use a club card
I know some people hate club cards. Seems like every chain store in America has some sort of value program to reel in consumers. I've seen keychains that were a giant Rolodex of advertisements. But hey, people sign up for a reason. They can save you big bucks. My Ralphs Rewards card, for example, not only receives in-store discounts it also provides extra coupons.

Tip #9: Use a rewards credit card or cash back credit card
Certain credit cards can shave a couple percentage points off your supermarket total. For a family that means more than a hundred dollars in annual savings. If you're interested check out my list of the best credit cards for buying groceries.

Tip #10: Buy frozen
Even I, as a champion for frozen foods, must admit that fresh food is the best way to go. That being said the freezer aisle is a great option in terms of convenience and cost. There you also can find products available year round that are typically seasonal. Plus frozen foods maintain most of their nutritional content.

I Agree, Octopus Ice Cream Does Seem a Bit Strange

Awhile back I linked to a humorous picture from FAIL Blog of viagra-flavored ice cream. Ha ha ha. We all had a good laugh, right?

A few weeks ago Oddee.com compiled a list of 12 Bizarre Ice Cream Flavors. And no joke, "natural viagra" ice cream earns a mention. Other interesting/revolting concoctions include candied bacon ice cream, fish ice cream and, in my opinion the oddest flavor, charcoal ice cream. Naturally most of these freaky items originate from Japan.

But why did green tea ice cream make the cut? Who the heck thinks that's bizarre? Certainly not me.

Review: Cool Classics Ice Pix Cherry-Lemon Cherry-Lime Cherry-Blue Raspberry

I'll admit it. The main reason for buying Cool Classics Ice Pix Cherry-Lemon Cherry-Lime Cherry-Blue Raspberry (whew) was the price. Twenty-four popsicles for under a buck. A very sweet deal... literally.

In case it isn't obvious this product offers three different popsicles. The base flavors are lemon, lime and blue raspberry. Lemon, which is probably the best of the bunch, isn't all that different from a cheap frozen lemonade. The blue raspberry has a weak sugary taste while the lime is basically a worse version of lemon. Each popsicle is topped with a decent half-layer of cherry. Suffice to say none of these Ice Pix are very good.

And why have lemon AND lime? They're redundant. Even tired flavors like orange or grape would provide more variety. Oh well, it doesn't matter much since these Ice Pix can be wolfed down in less than ten seconds.

That's because in terms of texture these popsicles border on somewhere between solid and slushy, barely clinging onto the stick. Once you take a lick or bite the sugar crystals dissolve really, really fast. It's short-lived refreshment. Actually, refreshment isn't even a good way to describe it. Bottom line: don't expect these Ice Pix to keep you cool on a hot day for long.

At 30 calories and 8 grams of sugar per popsicle Cool Classics Ice Pix Cherry-Lemon Cherry-Lime Cherry-Blue Raspberry offers an inexpensive albeit quick burst of frozen mediocrity. They're worth the price for a buck, but that's not saying much.