Supermarket Guru Report for June 30th

Pawleys Island Palmetto Cheese Original Variety.
Typically I am not a fan of the taste of cheese spreads – but this is an exception. The taste is spicy, rich and full of flavor. First ingredient is Wisconsin Sharp Cheddar Cheese – that’s a great start, but a look at the other ingredients … made my eyes blur. This is so good – but please, clean up the ingredient list! 2 tablespoons are 140 calories, 13 grams of fat, 4 grams of protein and 0 grams of sugars. Retails for $5.49 for 12 oz. Total Score is 81.

Fusion Jerky Basil Citrus Artisan Chicken Jerky is a HIT.
Yup, another jerky. But this one is different. Made from chicken breast with a nice blend of spices, the basil citrus flavor works really well. The pieces of chicken are very tender – not tough the way some jerky’s you can chew for hours. Gluten-free, zero fat, 11 grams of protein but does contain 7 grams of sugars per ounce. Besides eating as a snack I could see dicing these pieces and using in a salad or in pasta to add great flavor and protein. Retails for $6.99 for 3 oz. Total Score is 85.

La Brea Bakery Take & Bake Frozen Demi Baguettes is a HIT.
I know everyone wants to be "gluten-free" but for those of you that don’t and still enjoy a really good bread – you’ll have to try these. Frozen, bakes in just 11 minutes, the La Brea bakery products have always been among my favorite and came out perfectly. And now eating these right from the oven is so easy and delicious. Little wine, little cheese and a warm baguette and butter. Aahhh. One baguette is 340 calories, 2 grams of fat, 800 mg of sodium and 12 grams of protein, so…… indulgence is the key word. Retails for $3.99 for 1lb. (4 baguettes). Total Score is 87.

Pura Vida Silver Tequila 100% Agave Azul is a HIT.
I know what you are thinking. It MUST have been one of THOSE days! Not true. This tequila is one you have probably never heard of – but will. It’s smooth, no musky or metallic taste. Just perfect to drink by itself (which is the way I tasted it) and I’m sure will make a killer margarita. Originally produced in 1923, it finally has crossed the border, and if they keep the price at this level – about $10 less a bottle than other comparable tequilas. You’ll be drinking it everywhere. And of course – if you do partake, please drink responsibly. Retails for $32.99 for 750 ML. Total Score is 91.

popchips Popped Potato Snack Crazy Hot is my PICK OF THE WEEK.
Popchip lovers rejoice. This is their best flavor yet. With 50% less fat than regular potato chips – a one ounce portion is just 120 calories, 4.5 grams of fat and just 270 mg of sodium. Baked as you know, these are not greasy and this "crazy hot" flavor has a nice clean long burn. Like to see a Scoville rating on the bag. Retails for $2.99 for 3.5 oz. Total Score is 92.