Abi Jones, Editrix

Hi, my name is Abi Jones and I created HeatEatReview.com to showcase the best and worst in microwavable meals. I’ve been called the “Robert Parker of Hot Pockets” and HeatEatReview.com has been featured in Real Simple magazine and on FoodCandy.com.

I wasn’t born an expert frozen meal critic. First, I earned a rather handy degree in Art History from Seattle University. While in Seattle, I led gallery programs at the Frye Art Museum and drank a lot of coffee.

My original aim of becoming ridiculously rich and famous upon graduation was supplanted by the Jesuit call to social justice. In the Spring of 2002 I joined Teach For America, for a two-year hands-on experience in improving education in a single classroom in one of America’s most impoverished communities. It was an empowering and humbling time in my life. If you’re thinking about applying for or giving money to Teach For America, I’d be more than happy to have a conversation with you about my time in Texas. Summary: I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

Now I’m an Information Architect and User Experience Designer in Palo Alto, California. I love being a professional designer and I express that love in websites, administrative systems, process workflows, and eCommerce paths. Who else gets to have their ideas turned into products, and then refine those products to help other people achieve their dreams? Not too many people.

If you’d like to contact me for an interview, feature HeatEatEatReview.com on your food show, or ask me to be a guest on your History channel retrospective on frozen food, just use the contact form or send an email to abi-at-heateatreviewdotcom. If you’d like to see your product featured on HeatEatReview.com, please check out the review policy.

Latest Reviews by Abi:

Marie Callender’s Honey Roasted Chicken Pot Pie

April 21, 2006 | Reviewer: Abi

Marie Callender's Honey Roasted Chicken Pot Pie Price: $2.50 on sale
Serving: 1/2 pie, 8oz.
Servings Per Box: 2
Calories: 530 per serving
Fat: 46%, 30g
Cholesterol: 8%, 25mg
Sodium: 37%, 880mg
Protein: 16g
Carbohydrates: 16%, 47g
Fiber: 12%, 3g
Sugar: 4g
Weight Watchers Points: 13 per serving
26 Weight Watchers Points Per Pie

Marie Callender says: Made with All White Meat and Real Honey

Abi says: What the heck is in this that makes it so bad for you? I threw away the box, otherwise I would be able to answer that question.

Please note that the calories and fat above are for one serving. one serving is half of the pot pie. Who eats half a pot pie? Not any American I know. Maybe other cultures are better at denying themselves and only eat half a pot pie. Probably Canadians. They’re sensible.

Marie Callender’s Honey Roasted Chicken Pot Pie is very hot when it comes out of the microwave. Unnaturally hot. So hot that you will probably burn your tongue on the scalding fatty gluey honey-gravy and not be able to tell a pea from a chunk of chicken. Except that they have slightly different textures.

If you’re trying to be health conscious, your fat limit for the day is somewhere near 66 grams. That’s if you stretched your fat limit to the max on a 2000 calories/day diet. If you eat a whole pot pie, then you’ve just consumed 58 grams of fat. That’s 88% of your fat for the day. I’m happy to say that I actually at this pot pie several months ago (Fall 2005) and I haven’t had another one since then.

Filed Under Chicken, Marie Callender Reviews, Two Stars | 10 Comments

Betty Crocker Warm Delights Molten Chocolate Cake

April 18, 2006 | Reviewer: Abi

Betty Crocker Warm Delights Molten Chocolate Cake

Price: $1.99 ($1.00 on sale)
Serving: 1 Cake, 3.5 oz.
Calories: 370
Fat: 19%, 12g
Saturated Fat:
Sodium: 20%, 490mg

Betty says: Simply add water, stir, microwave and in minutes you’ll be enjoying a warm, delicious bowl of Molten Chocolate Cake. With Betty Crocker Warm Delights, you are just three minutes from heaven!

Abi says: On one hand, it is nice to make a cake in the microwave and confuse coworkers. On the other hand, this cake contains a quarter of my saturated fat for the day and the ‘molten fudge’ part tastes like chocolate glue.

Ah, choices.

Filed Under Betty Crocker Reviews, Dessert, Three Stars, Vegetarian | 12 Comments

Curry Classics Chicken Tikka Masala

April 18, 2006 | Reviewer: Abi

Curry Classics Chicken Tikka Masala

Price: $3.99 ($3.50 on sale)
Serving: 1 Tray, 10 oz.
Calories: 360
Fat: 22%, 14g
Sodium: 35%, 840mg

Curry Classics says: Boneless chicken breast marinated, roasted and simmered in a robust creamy sauce, served with basmati rice.

Abi says: From the same family that brought you Green Guru Paneer Tikka Masala, a chicken version. This meal contains the perfect ratio of rice to chicken-in-sauce and is just spicy enough to tingle without offending midwesterners.

Ingredients:
Chicken in sauce: Chicken, tomatoes, onions, whole milk, cream, cashews, canola oil, bell peppers, spices, yogurt, butter, garlic, sea salt, lemon juice, milled cane sugar, vinegar, water, paprika, oleoresin of paprika, turmeric.
Rice: Water, basmati rice, butter, sea salt, cumin seeds.

You can read the list, right? You know what each word means (Oleoresin of paprika is a natural colorant derived from paprika*) and you can pronounce the ingredients.

*According to the FDA, solvents may be used to produce oleoresin of paprika. Don’t get your knickers in a twist. Solvents are also used to produce fats and oils, cereal grains, coffee, and tea.

Filed Under Chicken, Curry Classics Reviews, Five Stars, Tandoor Chef Reviews | 4 Comments

Healthy Choice Fiesta Chicken

April 18, 2006 | Reviewer: Abi

Healthy Choice Fiesta Chicken

Price: $2.79 ($1.99 on sale)
Serving: 1 meal, 12.25 oz.
Calories: 330
Fat: 5%, 3.5g
Sodium: 23%, 560mg
Protein: 20g
Carbs: 21%, 62g
Fiber: 28%, 7g
Meal Exchange: 2 Very Lean Meat, 2.5 Starch. 1 Carbohydrate
WW Points: 7 Points

Healthy Choice says: White meat chicken with fiesta sauce, rice, vegetables and caramel apple dessert

Abi says: After wrestling with the film cover on the dessert, my hands were redolent with the scent of caramel. I love caramel. I also love to try things that are vaguely hispanic, like me. I know it isn’t a good sign that I’m more willing to write about having caramel hands than eat this meal, but look at those pictures. You and I both know that this isn’t going to be delicious. At this point, I’m not even looking for delicious, I’m looking for something that will keep me from ordering pizza.

Filed Under 7 WW Points, Chicken, Healthy Choice Reviews, One Star, Pasta | 1 Comment