Arctic Zero Vanilla Maple Frozen Desert Review

The website description of Arctic Zero reads, "Now you can have an ice cream-like treat that has less than 150 Calories per pint. It's like a delicious-tasting frozen protein shake you can spoon." Ellen sang it's praises in the review of Arctic Zero Chocolate Peanut Butter, so I was excited when I finally got a chance to try some flavors for myself. I was sent a few samples of the Arctic Zero Vanilla Maple Frozen Desert to try.

NUTRITION FACTS
Serving Size: 1/2 cup (84 grams)
Calories: 37
Total Fat: 0%
Saturated Fat: 0%
Sodium: 15 mg, 1%
Carbohydrates: 7 grams
Fiber: 2 grams, 8%
Sugars: 7 grams
Protein: 4 grams

The nutrition facts are very impressive. Each 1/2 cup serving provides only 37 calories, no fat, 2 grams of fiber (8% of the daily value), 7 grams of sugars and 4 grams of protein. The ingredients are all natural and include purified water, whey protein concentrate, organic cane sugar, chicory root, guar gum, xantham gum, natural flavors, monk fruit concentrate.

As for the taste, I couldn't decide if I liked it or not. When the Arctic Zero Vanilla Maple Frozen Desert has melted a little, then it seems to taste better - sweet with a strong vanilla flavor. It's also amazing in smoothies and for making protein shakes (especially with no-sugar added protein powder such as Spiru-tein High Protein Energy Meal Simply Natural Original Vanilla Protein Powder (Review)). But, when it's coming straight from the freezer a la ice cream, it seems lacking. There is a slightly off taste - like when you make ice cream from milk powder.

Arctic Zero Vanilla Maple Frozen Desert is available on Amazon.com at $46.13 for a case of 6 (1 pint each) - a little more than $7 each, which is quite pricey. BUT, if this is your "ice cream replacer" then it might be worth the price to you.

Have you tried Arctic Zero yet?

{Website: Arctic Zero}

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Banquet Brown 'N Serve Light Maple Sausage Links Review

Recently I was wandering through the supermarket aisles - as usual - when I came to Banquet Brown 'N Serve Sausages. I buy these occasionally, and since they were on sale, I decided to try the Light Maple Sausage Links.

NUTRITION FACTS
Serving Size: 3 links (60 grams)
Calories: 130
Total Fat: 9 grams, 14%
Saturated Fat: 3 grams, 15%
Sodium: 450 mg, 19%
Carbohydrates: 4 grams
Fiber: 0%
Sugars: 2 grams
Protein: 9 grams

For once I didn't over-cook the sausage links, and they came out to be sooo tasty - slightly sweet, slightly salty, juicy, and all good ... way better than the Original, and WAY better nutrition facts also. Each serving of Banquet Brown 'N Serve Light Maple Sausage Links (3), provides 130 calories from 9 grams of total fat, 3 grams of which is saturated fat (14% and 15% of the daily value), 450 mg sodium (19% of the DV), 2 grams of sugars and 9 grams of protein. The Original provides 200 calories plus 28% and 30% of the DV for total and saturated fat.

The ingredients are mechanically separated turkey, turkey, water, pork, soy protein concentrate, contains 2% or less of: BHA, BHT, brown sugar, caramel color, citric acid, corn syrup solids, dextroase, natural flavoring, salt, soy lecithin, spices, sugar and maple sugar.

A box of Banquet Brown 'N Serve Light Maple Sausage Links (10 links) cost $1.29 on sale. Since they have much less fat and calories than the Original, and they taste better in my humble opinion, this makes a rather worthy substitution - and I would buy these again.

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Quaker Simple Harvest Oatmeal (Maple Brown Sugar with Pecans)

(Photo Credit: Plaid Ninja)

There have been rumors of Quaker Simple Harvest products being discontinued, but I refused to believe! I really like the Quaker Simple Harvest Apples and Cinnamon Oats Cereal, and with my stockpile dwindling fast, I decided to try Quaker Simple Harvest Maple Brown Sugar with Pecans Oatmeal, which I found on sale, 2 for $5, at the drugstore.

NUTRITION FACTS
Serving Size: 1 packet (42 grams)
Calories: 160
Total Fat: 3.5 grams, 5%
Saturated Fat: 0.5 grams, 2%
Sodium: 75 mg, 3%
Carbohydrates: 30 grams
Fiber: 4 grams, 16%
Sugar: 9 grams
Protein: 4 grams

I popped a packet of this stuff in a cup, added the requisite water, and stuck it in the microwave. When it finished cooking (and after stirring it down a couple of times), I took my first spoonful. I really liked the pecans - there are a lot in each packet, but they are small nubs, not whole pecans like you might be used to seeing or like they portray on the box. The sweetness isn't excessive, either, which is quite nice. One word of warning though: make sure to stir the oatmeal thoroughly to distribute the maple sugar flavor, otherwise it stays at the bottom - and it gets sickeningly sweet towards the end.

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Each packet of Quaker Simple Harvest Apples and Cinnamon Oats Cereal provides 160 calories, 3.5 grams of total fat, 0.5 grams of which is saturated, 4 grams of fiber, 9 grams of sugars and 4 grams of protein. The ingredients include, "multi grain blend (whole grain rolled oats, whole grain rolled barley, whole grain rolled rye), sugar, whole grain rolled wheat, pecans, whole flaxseed, oat flour, natural flavors, and salt."

I would buy this again at that great price if I saw it again, but already I see the Simple Harvest replacement popping up on supermarket shelves, Quaker Hearty Medleys Fruit & Nuts, and I'm looking forward to trying the Banana Walnut variety. Other all natural instant oatmeal options you might like, McCann's Instant Irish Oatmeal (Regular) and Nature's Path Organic Instant Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Review. What's your favorite brand of instant oatmeal or do you always do stove-top?

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