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.

Blessed Botanicals Salt of the Earth

Calling all cooks! This gourmet product will add a little something different to your special dishes. Use in place of regular salt to add a delicious flavor to your meats, vegetables, or soups. Salt of the Earth contains a blend of organic French grey sea salt and organic herbs including nettles, astragalus root powder, minced onion, and minced garlic. It's much more expensive than regular salt, but a little bit goes a long way, and the resulting flavor is worth a little extra. Retails for $5.00/1.0-oz or $9.00/2.375-oz container.

Blessed Botanicals, Burnsville, North Carolina
1-828-682-7226
www.blessedbotanicals.com

Elations Glucosamine/Chondroitin Supplement Cranberry Apple

Elations has introduced a drink that contains 1500 mg of Glucosamine and 1200 mg of Chondroitin, which are the generally advised amounts suggested as a daily supplement to be taken for two months, after which time an assessment should be made to determine if there is an improvement in joint function and mobility. Research appears to be inconclusive about the effects of taking these supplements as a preventative measure. Interestingly, for those who have shellfish allergies and avoid Glucosamine because it's derived from shellfish, this product uses Glucosamine that is derived from corn ... so it's safe for them; however, it's not labeled as such for those who have an allergy to corn! It recommends on the bottle tag that it tastes best when chilled; we found that the artificial flavor didn't really mask the taste of the supplements. Retails for $1.39-$1.49/8-oz resealable bottle.

The Elations Company, Cincinnati, Ohio
1-866-355-8471
www.elations.com

Chugwater Chili Steak Rub

Chugwater, Wyoming is the birthplace of the Chugwater Chili Steak Rub. It comes in a large 5-oz jar, but it would be great to have more space in the jar so you can give it a really good shake to let flavors of the garlic and spices come out -- without this, the taste of paprika dominates, and it seems a bit expensive for what it is. Retails for $6.95/5-oz.

Chugwater Chili Corporation, Chugwater, Wyoming
1-800-97-CHILI (972-4454)
www.chugwaterchili.com

Freschetta PizzAmoré Stuffed Breadsticks Cinnamon with Vanilla Cream Cheese Filling

This new product from Freschetta is taking brand extension a little too far -– what is essentially a doughnut is called a "Stuffed Breadstick"; the product really doesn't relate to pizza and might work better under a different brand name. In all fairness, oven preparation is recommended; the results of our microwave preparation were mediocre at best and very artificial tasting. If you're going to give this new product a try, we recommend you use the oven prep ... maybe that will add some of the pizzazz that's missing! Retails for $2.99/10.8-oz (two packs of three breadsticks).

Schwan's Consumer Brands North America, Inc. , Marshall, Minnesota
1-866-FRESCHETTA (373-7243)
www.freschetta.com

Gertie's Finest Artichoke Salsa

Here is what Katie R., from Ukiah, California, has to say about this product: "I loved this salsa! It has great flavors and textures. I love chunky salsas, and the artichoke flavor is wonderful. We eat it with chicken tacos or chips!" Retails for $11.50/33-oz jar.

PDM International LLC, Aptos, California
1-831-662-3933
www.gertiesfinest.com

Kozy Shack Old Fashioned Tapioca Pudding

Here is what Sheila J., from New Braunfels, Texas, has to say about this product: "What a disappointment! I really didn't like this product. The container boasts "highest quality, all natural" and "naturally delicious," but the pudding was gummy and had almost no flavor at all. Although gum is not listed in the ingredients, modified starch is, and you can tell. I will probably throw the rest of the pudding out." Retails for $0.99/6-oz cup or $3.00/22-oz tub.

Kozy Shack Enterprises, Inc., Hicksville, New York
(516) 870-3000
www.kozyshack.com