NaPoBloMo 2006

October 31, 2006 | Reviewer: Abi Jones

At HeatEatReview.com, we’re always on the hunt for the latest convenience foods. In fact, if ‘Eat’ wasn’t the middle name of this blog, it would be ‘Convenience’. Except that HeatConvenienceReview has issues as a name: A) It sounds dumb. B) Typing ‘convenience’ is pretty inconvenient. So, we stick with the darn cute name of HeatEatReview.com.

In the vein of convenience loving (aka laziness) on this site we’ll be taking part in National Blog Posting Month (NaBloPoMo) this November. What, you’ve never heard of NaBloPoMo? Well, it was inspired by National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). During NaNoWriMo, people all over the world try to write a 50,000 word novel in a month. While we’ve endured Hungry-Man dinners and taste-tested odoriferous noodles, we are not insane enough to try to write a novel in the month of November.

Instead of participating in that craziness, we’re doing NaBloPoMo and promising to feature a new post every day in November. Yes, that’s an increase of more than 100% in our posting (currently 3x a week) schedule. November will include breakfast foods (woo!) on weekends, a Trader Joe’s festival (2 weeks of TJ’s), the announcement of our contest winner, and some surprises that I’d tell you about, but then they wouldn’t be surprises.

We look forward to hearing from you during the month of November.

Sincerely,
Abi Jones
Editor, www.HeatEatReview.com

For more info about NaBloPoMo, check out Fussy.org. What, you’re not a regular reader of Fussy.org? Ok, start your addiction with these entries:

Filed Under Frozen Meal News, NaBloPoMo | 5 Comments

Amy’s Toaster Pops (Apple)

October 30, 2006 | Reviewer: Heather

Yes, sometimes HeatEatReview.com seems like a series of laudatory paragraphs on Amy’s Kitchen meals. Sometimes we’re highly critical (see Black Bean Enchilada Meal), but generally we love the foods produced by Amy’s Kitchen. According to Heather, the toaster pops are no exception.

Amy's Toaster Pops (Apple)

Price: $2.99
Serving: 1 Toaster Pop (55g)
Calories: 150
Fat: 6%, 3.5g
Sodium: 5%, 110mg
Protein: 4g
Carbs: 9%, 26g
Fiber: 4%, 1g

Amy’s Kitchen says: Made with Organic Apple and Flour. The same crisp Granny Smith apples that are in Amy’s popular Apple Pie and Country dinner. Perfect for dessert. Non-dairy/low fat.

Heather says: Oh, Amy, how do I love these? Let me count the ways:

They’re like Pop Tarts - only healthy!
They’re kinda like apple-filled empanadas - only healthy!
They would make an awesome substitute for those nasty McDonald’s apple pie things I crave now and then because my Mom bought me one when I lost the eighth grade spelling bee (vacuous, v-a-c-o-u-s, vacuous. What, no?)

But I digress.

In short, these are yummy. I grabbed one on my way to campus and felt like I got both a tasty and healthy start to the morning. And that’s even after I burnt mine in my hot new toaster oven. Although not especially filling (I was hungry again after about two hours), they’d make a great snack or part of a breakfast. I’m also contemplating topping one with some soy ice cream and calling it apple pie a la mode. I have no doubt of the deliciousness. Next time you’re feeling hungry (or are having spelling-related anxiety), do give ‘em a try.

Filed Under Amy's Kitchen Reviews, Four Stars, Vegan, Vegetarian | 10 Comments

Trader Joe’s Chicken and Cheese Tamales

October 27, 2006 | Reviewer: Abi

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Trader Joe's Chicken and Cheese Tamales

Price: $2.29
Serving: 1 tamal(e), 5 oz.
Calories: 250
Fat: 19%, 12g
Sodium: 28%, 660mg
Protein: 10g
Carbs: 9%, 27g
Fiber: 14%, 4g

Trader Joe says: Handcrafted chicken and cheese tamales wrapped in corn husks

Abi says: While I was heating these, my coworker Sara looked on in envy.

“Did you make those yourself?” she asked in awe
“No, they’re from Trader Joe’s.” I replied
“I love tamales, you’ll have to let me know if they’re good.”

Sara, these are good. They are good in a way that few microwave tamales can match. Yeah, you’ve had those ones with the smattering of fatty pork surrounded by a dry lump of masa. Well, after trying these Trader Joe’s ones, you’ll never go back. I’m thinking about stocking up on these (and the Green Chile Cheese variety) and hosting a tamale-based dinner party. Nobody would be the wiser, except that half the people I’d invite write for HeatEatReview.com. It wouldn’t exactly be a surprise, would it?

Ok, so each tamale costs over a dollar. That’s a lot when you’re coming from Texas and used to paying four bucks for a dozen tamales made by a really cute little old lady named Irene. Fortunately I am a salaried employee and I can afford to splurge on the occasional tamale, especially since two make a filling lunch. Throw in a little Mexican sauce (it is a TJ’s thing) and a piece of fruit and you’ve got yourself a muy delicioso meal.

No, they’re not going to taste like you’re grandmother’s tamales and the chicken to masa ratio is still pretty masa-centric (and where’s the cheese? hmmm?), but these are still quite enjoyable.

Filed Under Chicken, Four Stars, Trader Joe's Reviews | 8 Comments

Birds Eye Spring Vegetables in Citrus Sauce

October 25, 2006 | Reviewer: Guest Reviewers

HeatEatReview.com finally gets into the ‘healthy-foods’ game with Veda’s review of Birds Eye Veggies. Did you know that frozen vegetables are often fresher than the ones found in the refrigerated cases at your store? Yes, it is true.

Birds Eye Spring Vegetables in Citrus Sauce

Price: $3.29
Serving: 1 1/4 cup, 4 oz.
Calories: 70
Fat: 5%, 3.5g
Sodium: 12%, 280mg
Protein: 2g
Carbs: 3%, 8g
Fiber: 8%, 2g

Birds Eye says: Carrots, asparagus, sugar snap peas and red peppers with zesty cilantro and lime

Veda says: I am so glad that I bought this. As directed, I popped the dish into the microwave, with the film intact and let the veggies steam for a couple minutes. Once I finally peeled the plastic film back (thanks to Ryan for helping me, because it was basically super-glued), I found perfectly cooked veggies. The yummy blend of asparagus, snap peas, peppers and carrots was crisp and juicy, with just the right amount of onion, garlic and zesty cilantro. Not only did it smell and look wonderful, but it tasted even better. Good job, Birds Eye. I’ll be back for more!

Filed Under Birds Eye Reviews, Four Stars, Vegetarian | 8 Comments