With over 40,000 products in the average supermarket, people don't have time (or the money) to test every product on the shelves – so we do it for you!

Each week we will post the latest reviews and I hope you will log in to see what’s hot…and what’s not!

Each product is judged and taste-tested based on the following seven criteria:

1. (30 points) Taste: The most important attribute of any food

2. (20 points) Value: Is it worth it?

3. (15 points) Health: Based off the nutritional information, is it nutritionally balanced?

4. (15 points) Ingredients: What's in it, how natural is it?

5. (10 points) Preparation: When applicable, how accurate or good are the directions?*

6. (5 points) Appearance: Is it appetizing and does it resemble its photo or description?

7. (5 points) Packaging: Is it appropriate for the product and does it have any benefits such as reseal ability, added freshness, better storage, etc?

*Products that do not require any preparation will have the full value of these points included in their total score.

mix1 Blueberry Vanilla

True. Americans are busy, so busy they have little time to eat properly. Mix1 offers a simple breakfast solution or afternoon snack with three servings of fruit/vegetables in a bottle. It’s all natural and contains 22 vitamins and minerals. It’s high on the sweet side, and we mean that by taste and by the 22g of sugar per serving. However, at least it’s organically sweetened and not artificially sweetened.

There are 200 calories in one serving, so make the mistake of having this beverage along with a meal, you’ll be in calorie overload. This product is also gluten, lactose and soy free. It’s much better tasting served cold. $2.00/11-oz bottle

mix1 Blueberry Vanilla
Boulder, Colorado
1-888-550-9555
www.mix1life.com

Nuts are Good Raspberry Peanuts

It’s an interesting new candy made for the ultra sweet tooth! There so sweet and tart they will make your mouth pucker. Here’s where folks who enjoy the taste of these will get in trouble. The bag is small (4 oz), and could easily be eaten in one sitting like you would a single serving bag of chips.

The nutrition facts list one serving as 1 oz., which contains 130 calories, 7g of fat, and 14g of sugar. So if you eat the whole bag, that translates into 520 calories, 28g of fat, and 56g of sugar! Make sure you’ve got friends around to share these with!

$9.48/12 count tub of 4 oz. bags

Nuts are Good Raspberry Peanuts
Fresh Roasted Almond Co
Warren, MI
(877) 478-6887
www.nutsaregood.com

The Art of Chipotle Gourmet Paste with Adobo

The flavors of Mexican and Southwestern foods are popular in the United States that’s for sure. Do you ever notice that compared to twenty years ago, the Latin food section in your supermarket has grown from a small section to in some stores half of an aisle!

This paste made from dried and smoked jalapeno peppers will have many uses when you want to heat up your Mexican dishes. Add to sauces, spreads, dips, marinades for your chicken and beef, just about anything! It is a gourmet food product, so the price is rather high…we think too high.

But, it will last you a long time, because you’ll only need a small amount when adding to your foods. No preservatives, all natural ingredients, and it tastes great! $16.50/6.5 oz jar

The Art of Chipotle Gourmet Paste with Adobo
Pfleider Pfoods, Inc.
Yorba Linda, California
(714) 455-2701
www.chipotlepeople.com

jojoBAR Chocolate Cashew

At first you may find this product a little odd based on the appearance alone. It’s a nutrition bar, but flatter and wider…almost like a regular sized nutrition bar has been rolled with a rolling pin. But despite it’s odd shape, they took care in creating a nutrition bar with healthy, natural ingredients and avoiding high-heat processing.

Made with raw, mostly organic ingredients, you’ll be surprised at how much it tastes like candy with just a little amount of sugar (6g per serving). But…please do something about the appearance of this bar…you say it’s “real food” but it seems like something you’d eat in outer space. $3.49/1.8 oz bar

jojoBAR Chocolate Cashew
VitalNRG
San Diego, California
1-877-800-jojo
www.jojoBARS.com