March 8, 2010 by Marianne

March 8, 2010 • Filed Under: Bacon Gifts , Bacon, periodic table, thinkgeek.com

If you want to get all scientific about it, bacon is good. Just ask the periodic table.

From ThinkGeek.com. Thanks, Jeff!

February 3, 2010 by Marianne

February 3, 2010 • Filed Under: Bacon Gifts, Bacon Reviews , B More Nutz, Bacon, nutterz

I don’t know what it is, but lately I’ve received a number of product offers from people making innovative, bacon-flavored snacks. Anyone who’s known me any length of time will tell you that I love free stuff. In fact, you probably don’t want to accidentally leave a cool t-shirt, jacket or pair of shoes at my house because, hey! Free stuff! And that garden that I was so excited about last year? Free food! All it cost was hundreds of dollars in tools, fertilizer, a worm farm composter, seeds and seedlings, and dozens of hours of back-breaking labor! Best 3 months of my life. And now it’s a driveway.

But I digress. Not long ago I heard from Dick Taylor at B More Nutz. His is an inspiring story. He was a traveling salesman of sorts, and while in Scandinavia selling stuff and drinking (which is what you do in Scandinavia, right?) he discovered a type of peanut he’d never had before. It was wrapped in a potato chip. Strangest thing I’ve ever heard, but apparently it really sparked something in Dick. When he found he couldn’t find this intriguing snack in the U.S., he decided to make them himself. And that’s what he’s doing to this day. He calls them Nutterz and they come in four fun flavors.

So I received a box that contained three flavors: Nuclear, Mild Chili, and of course Bacon Cheddar. I don’t know what the Scandinavian version of this snack is like. I was imagining a peanut with an actual potato chip wrapped around it. In fact, it’s a peanut coated in a thick potato chip batter…like what they make Pringles from. So if you like dry-roasted peanuts and Pringles, you probably want to try this snack. They have a great crunch to them; I can see why Dick calls them the perfect beer nut. I opened a couple bags while some friends were over for drinks and they proved addictive.

Now for the flavors. The Nuclear was actually pretty spicy for a snack/chip. It wasn’t my favorite because it wasn’t as salty as I like my peanuts to be. But keep in mind that I LOVE SALT, so you’ll have to take my opinion with a grain of…you know. The mild chili was great, a bit saltier, not what I would call spicy at all. The Bacon Cheddar was my favorite by far. Very salty, very crunchy and lots of smoky cheddar flavor. And someone commented that they don’t leave any cheese dust or other residue on your fingers because they’re not flavor-coated. The flavor is INSIDE the chip. Genius.

The one type of Nutterz I didn’t receive was the CRAB NUTZ! Seriously, how great is that name? And although I love crab and am intrigued the name (CRAB NUTZ!) I had my fair share of seafood-flavored snacks in Thailand. I’m probably glad to pass on this one.

If you’re interested in trying this unique snack for yourself, you can go to B More Nutz online store and pick up a 6-pack, a case, or even a tub! Mmm…tub o’ nuts. Need I say more?

January 25, 2010 by Marianne

January 25, 2010 • Filed Under: Bacon Gifts, Bacon Reviews , Bacon, Pop's Authentic Snack Sticks

Just before the holidays, we were fortunate to be contacted by the good folks at Pop’s Authentic, a company that makes artisan jerky and meat snack in New Franklin, Missouri. They asked if we’d like to try their product (specifically their Bacon Snack Stick) and I enthusiastically accepted. When the package arrived, I was thrilled to find a sampling of their snack stick flavors, including original, peppered, habanero and of course bacon.

It took my husband all of 5 seconds to tear into one. They look similar to a Slim Jim, which had me wary, but believe me, looks are where the comparison ends. We started with the original. It tastes like a nice smoked summer sausage, and has a nice, firm texture. It’s like having a small reminder of summer BBQs in the dead of winter. The peppered stick had a tiny bit of spice to it, and the habanero a bit more, but neither would really fit my description of “spicy.” We just eat things really hot at our house.

And then we tried the bacon. This was our favorite by far. Again, it had the flavor of  a smoked sausage, but it was a bit sweeter, like there was a hint of maple to it. I’m definitely ordering these to keep around the house because they’re a great carb-free snack. Low in fat and high in protein, each stick has 80 calories and zero carbs. The sodium is a bit high at 280 mg, but when you’re a salt freak like me, it comes with the territory.

All of Pop’s snack sticks come in boxes of 12 for $13.80. As a special offer to our readers, when you order two boxes you’ll get a third free! To place an order, just go here and enter the promo code POPS. And tell them RBS sent you!

December 21, 2009 by Marianne

December 21, 2009 • Filed Under: Bacon Gifts , bacon candy, The Sticky Pig

I know what you’re thinking. New Year’s Eve is just around the corner, and what am I going to take to that cocktail party to wow my friends? Or, what’s the perfect hostess gift for the kind of friend who doesn’t ask you to bring an appetizer? Or…or, how do you say “I love you but I’m not IN LOVE with you” on a major holiday?

Look no further, friends. The Bacon Vixen has got you covered with her new candy company, The Sticky Pig. And this is not just any candy company. No! This is a bacon candy company, specializing entirely in candy, yes that’s right, made of bacon. And with flavors like Coconut Curry Lime and Raspberry Jelly Doughnut, you can color me completely mesmerized.

The great thing about these candies is that they’re not some novelty item like “bacon” jellybeans or gummi bacon. This is the real deal, made with all natural ingredients. You can buy a variety pack, or go for a monthly subscription. And the website encourages special orders, so you can give them a call and let them know, for instance, that you’re allergic to nuts but still want to eat an adorable little bacon s’more.

The company is based in Orange County, but can ship anywhere in the U.S. International shipping is not yet available, but hopefully that will be forthcoming. You would not believe how much people in Northern Europe love their bacon!

December 7, 2009 by Marianne

December 7, 2009 • Filed Under: Bacon Gifts , 52 teas, Bacon

I’ve been hearing for months that the west coast is in for an epic El Nino winter, and it looks like maybe it’s finally starting. With rain and clouds predicted for this entire week, I think I’ll put on something cozy and have a cup of tea.

And speaking of soothing hot beverages, 52 Teas has joined us here in baconland with their very own maple bacon tea. It’s a base of black tea cut with imitation bacon bits, and infused with maple and bacon flavors. Doesn’t that just sound like breakfast in a mug? I really liked Boca Java’s Maple Bacon Coffee but thought it could have used a stronger bacon flavor. With black tea, the bacon may be able to shine a little more, so I’m going to give it a try. Naseem and I will give you a full review after it arrives.

If you’re a tea fanatic, you really should check out 52 Teas. They’ve got a wide variety of unique tea flavors like malted chocolate, pumpkin pie and banana split, along with all the tradition flavors you love. Perfect for cold winter mornings and evenings. Also a thoughtful gift for your friends that won’t break the bank.