ViB Vacation in a Bottle Pomegranate Berry Flavor

Taste	Value		Health	Ingredients	Prep	Appearance	Packaging	Sustainability	Total
26	17		13	13	5	5	4	1	84

Who would not want a vacation in a bottle? Just think, a caffeine-free, low calorie, vitamin enriched, carbonated beverage that promises to be a happy relaxation drink. This flavor is Pomegranate Berry and is actually pretty tasty. The question is whether or not this new fad of relaxation drinks is really going to take hold, or if they really deliver on their promises. This metal bottle which is also one of the thickest I have ever seen makes me want to never throw it out, but it must be much more expensive to produce (and you know who is paying for that!) Retails for $1.99 - $2.49.

ViB Holdings L.L.C.
Dallas, TX
214 749 7767
vacationinabottle.com




Mrs. Fields Cookie Dough Snacks Chocolate Chip Flavor

Taste	Value		Health	Ingredients	Prep	Appearance	Packaging	Sustainability	Total
26	163		13	15	5	4	5	0	84

  This product is a HIT!

  Raw cookie dough has been a food safety nightmare, but now Mrs. Fields Cookie Dough Snacks has come to the rescue. You don't bake it and it contains no eggs. If you are a fan of cookie dough, you'll probably like this. I would love to be eavesdropping on their consumer hotline and discover just how many people call in complaining, because they baked it. You do not bake it! Eat it right out of the package. I tried the Chocolate Chip flavor and I would like to see the chips a little bit bigger. Retails for $3.99.

Rich Products Corporation
St. Simons Island, GA
888 732 7251
cookiedoughsnacks.com




Nuttzo Omega 3 Multi-Nut Butter

Taste	Value		Health	Ingredients	Prep	Appearance	Packaging	Sustainability	Total
30	17		15	15	5	5	5	2	94

  This product is a HIT!

  I love this product, the flavor, the blend of peanuts, cashews, almonds, hazelnuts, brazil nuts, sunflower seeds and flax seeds is great! Just one serving, (which is 2 tablespoons) is 50% of the recommended daily value of omega 3s. I also love the fact that there is no sugar added and they are smart enough to put the label on upside down for storage to keep it from separating, but remember: once it is opened put it right-side-up in the refrigerator to avoid making a mess when you open the jar. Retails for $12.55.

JagRma LLC
San Diego, CA
619 723 0052
gonuttzo.com



Sunbelt Sweet and Salty Chewy Peanut Granola Bars

Taste	Value		Health	Ingredients	Prep	Appearance	Packaging	Sustainability	Total
25	19		13	13	5	4	5	0	84

  I have discovered one of the best buys in the supermarket. This Sunbelt Sweet and Salty Granola Bar is only $2.59 for a box of 8.  That comes out to 32 cents a bar! Not only is it priced right, but it is tasty and if you like chocolate you will love this. I found it to be more sweet than salty and it did not have as strong of a peanut flavor as I like, but at 32 cents a bar I am not complaining. Retails for $2.59.

McKee Foods
Collegedale, TN
800 522 4499
sunbeltsnacks.com



Splash! Pomegranate Port Reduction Sauce

Taste	Value		Health	Ingredients	Prep	Appearance	Packaging	Sustainability	Total
27	15		13	14	5	5	5	1	85

  This product is a HIT!

  If you're looking for a naturally sweetened Port Reduction Sauce, Splash! could be it. No fat, no sodium, no soy and gluten-free, this reduction adds a nice sweet pomegranate flavor, but remember, it does contain port wine and it does have 9 g of sugars in one tablespoon. Retails for $13.49.

Marxana Brand Foods
Denver, CO
888 560 3562
marxanabrandfoods.com


Phil taste-tests and judges each product based on the following 8 criteria:

1. Taste (30 points): the most important attribute of any food
2. Value (20 points): is it worth it?
3. Health (15 points): based off the nutritional information, is it nutritionally balanced?
4. Ingredients (15 points): what's in it, how natural is it?
5. Preparation (5 points): when applicable, how accurate or good are the directions *
6. Appearance (5 points): is it appetizing and does it resemble its photo or description
7. Packaging (5 points): Is it appropriate for the product and does it have any benefits such as resealability, added freshness, better storage, etc.
8. Sustainability (5 Points): is the packaging biodegradable, is it wasteful, is the company endeavoring to offset their carbon footprint?

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

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