BetterOats Multigrain Hot Cereal

This is how I knew I was getting old--I woke up one morning and I wanted to eat oatmeal...voluntarily. It's quite a blow to your ego when you're forced to admit that the speed at which your body runs is more correlated to your fiber intake rather than your caffeine intake. I don't think I care to get into anymore detail about my ever dwindling physical appeal, so I'll get right to the oatmeal. Man, this is depressing. I'm writing about oatmeal. I might as well start trying out adult diapers, denture cream, and letting you know what Care Centers have the best Bingo. Okay, back to oatmeal...smoatmeal...double-boatmeal...here goes oatmeal...
BetterOats has appealing-looking boxes. This is the first reason I tried this product. I also like that they contain individually packed servings. They are microwavable. The pouch doubles as a measuring cup for your water. They come in interesting flavors. And they actually don't taste that bad. They are made of some good stuff, for example, the Chai spiced Oatmeal contains organic oats, flaxseed, quinoa, barley, rye, wheat, and "natural flavor" (whatever that means). That's a whole lot of old people ingredients, so you know it's good for you.  It's also a good source of Omega-3, and I hear I need to start worrying about Omega-3 at my advanced age. But here's the good news: They make a Dark Chocolate flavor. And it's made with REAL chocolate, not carob, not that fake chocolate flavored WAX that those other cereals are touting as food. It's got chocolate chips, cocoa, and cocoa butter (and as I read the label--chocolate liquor!! Who knew breakfast could be this good?), so you know it's going to have some legitimate flavor. That sounds great, right? Well, it's certainly not bad for oatmeal. You should try it. At your age, you can't afford not to.

Hi-Chew, Bilar Candy Cars, and Wonka Fruit Marvels

Hello, my name is Jennifer, and I'm a sugar addict. I stole my first peach at the age of three, just to get that sweet, sugary high. The moment I made my first dollar I escaped to the grocery store, on my own, to get my fix of Pixie Stix, Ghiradelli's chocolates, Circus Taffy, Big League Chew , and whatever else would give me the most bang for my buck. The situation has of course escalated since those days. I've been on and off the wagon a million times. Each time I fall off, I fall into a bigger pit of fudge than before (mmmm, fudge...penuche...marzipan...Turkish Delight...but I digress). These days you can find me combing the candy aisle, in a fashionable trench coat, in the wee hours of the afternoon, searching for the latest craze in sugary confections. I look for anything new, anything that catches my eye and can be quickly consumed to give me that delectable buzz, that glorious, sweet feeling of well-being. The more exotic the better for my tastes, but in a pinch I have been known to raid the brown sugar bowl. On my most frequent prowls I have found some awesome treasures. Here are a few that I would like to share with you (not literally):

Hi-Chew. I have actually known about these for years, but they seem to be moving more main stream and I can find them in lots of different places, and in lots more flavors, than I used to. I LOVE these. In fact, these may be my favorite candy (along with a few others). They are super duper chewy. You can dislocate your jaw on them if you are an amateur. They taste like real fruit. They have real fruit puree in them, so they are "healthy". They come in amazing flavors. And they are extremely, completely, impossible to share, so you don't have to feel guilty about that either. TRY THESE.

Ahlgren's Bilar Chewy Candy Cars. So addicting--even if you are not a sugar addict! I love these, too (my other favorite). You can find these at Ikea. They are chewy, spongey, menthol-y, lovely little treats. They are a unique experience and may not be for every taste, but I can't get enough of them.
 
Wonka Exceptionals Fruit Marvels. They are made from real fruit juice (and sugar) and have a great candy coating surrounding a soft jelly center-- the perfect church candy. The texture and shape can keep your tongue and mind entertained through a good portion of Sunday School and if your toddler finds them and spills them all over the floor you can fill a good five minutes scrambling to pick them up. These should be a staple in every church bag.