evol. Scramble Cups - Chicken Apple Sausage, Egg White with Potato & Cheese

 

When the new evol products launched I got an email from Hungry Girl giving a heads up on the products availability on Target shelves. Needless to say, when I spotted them I opted to pick up a couple - one of the cups I picked up was the evol. Scramble Cups - Chicken Apple Sausage, Egg White with Potato and Cheese. I brought it to work and popped it in the freezer to have on hand in case I needed a suitable option at work.

That opportunity rolled around one afternoon when I needed something to eat. The packaging describes the dish as a chicken apple sausage scramble with egg white, potato and cheese. I figured it'd be a suitable breakfast alternative. I popped the cup in the microwave, following the directions on the label and it was done in no time.

Peering into the cup, it's a little disappointing (meaning you can make something a little heartier on your own) but for a convenience food it's not bad. It's a mixture of egg whites, potatoes, cheese, sausage crumbles and chives. One thing I noticed when I took it out of the microwave was that it had a very strong chive/onion smell. That smell transformed into a very strong chive/onion flavor as well ... it's almost overwhelmingly so. I felt like the potato, cheese and egg whites were at the forefront, but the chicken apple sausage really had to be sought after. I added some hot sauce and a little ketchup to it and found it to be not so bad but I wouldn't stretch to say I'd definitely pick it up again. It was okay, but not delicious or worth my buck to re-stock the freezer.

A serving (1 container) is 160 calories or 4 points plus values OR 5 smart points.

 

Amy's Light & Lean Spaghetti Italiano

I've always had an interest in Amy's frozen dinners so one day after finding them on sale at my local Target, I decided to pick up the Amy's Light & Lean Spaghetti Italiano. I'm not a vegetarian by any stretch of the imagination but I do enjoy meatless meals every once in a while. Now, I'd say if you're venturing into meatless possibilities ... definitely give this particular dish a try.

The meal comes packaged encased in a plastic casing, which makes for easy microwave heating (or if you want to be fancy, you can opt for the oven method). With the addition of the bowl once done, you can remove the plastic sleeve and have your lunch/dinner already plated up for you. Now you're probably wondering what exactly the dish consists of. Well, the website lists the dish as "Organic semolina spaghetti, meatless meatballs made of of lentils, quinoa and tofu, topped with a sauce of simmered organic vegetables, roasted garlic and seasonings and a side of broccoli florets."

Admittedly, eating the meatball, I wasn't aware that it was made from tofu (I found this out after the fact). I've never actually had tofu before this dish and I was pleasantly surprised. The meatballs were soft, moist and had a meat like (but not spot-on) texture to them. The pasta was perfectly cooked, the sauce was flavorful. The only thing that took a little getting used to was the addition of the diced zucchini and broccoli running throughout the dish. I've never had broccoli with sauce so it took a bite or two before my taste buds and I were on the same page.

I quite enjoyed it and will undoubtedly repurchase in the future. You certainly get a good bang for your buck food wise vs. calorie wise. It doesn't taste like cardboard and a serving should leave you relatively satisfied.  Another positive note was the fact the sodium wasn't sky-high as it normally is with other prepared frozen meals. Two thumbs up, Amy's!

A serving, 1 bowl, is 240 calories or 6 points plus values.

Quaker Chewy Girl Scouts Caramel Coconut Granola Bars

Girl Scout cookies are one of my weaknesses. Those green suits, the smiling faces and the promise of a delicious cookies usually makes me cave. This past year I was good and didn't purchase a box of my favorite cookie: Samoas/Caramel deLites. So, I guess because of that when I spotted the Quaker Chewy Girl Scouts Caramel Coconut Granola Bars at my local Target I had to buy a box.

Typically I'm not much of a granola bar fan because what you get usually isn't worth the calories/points. But for an alternative to my favorite cookie, I figured why not?

The bars, as imagined, are small but they do make up in size with flavor. They really do remind me of Samoas/Caramel deLites. The only difference is the texture (they're not as chewy) and there is no presence of coconut flakes in these bars. Other than those two tidbits these are pretty well in comparison. The bars are light, soft, and slightly chewy, while providing caramel and chocolate chip bits. They have a coconut flavor to them, but it's not as bold as it is with the Girl Scout cookies. They do pack quite a sugar kick so it'll satisfy that craving for something sweet. The only downside they're not generally satisfying (on their own).

If you're not a samoas fan there's a Thin Mint variety that's available, which I have heard is fabulous.

A serving, 1 bar, is 100 calories or 3 points plus values.

Kodiak Cakes Power Cakes Protein Packed Flapjack and Waffle Mix

Pancakes and waffles are one of those foods that I feel is a cult favorite. They're versatile and can be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner (no judgement zone!). So when I heard about Kodiak Cakes Power Cakes Protein Packed Flapjack and Waffle Mix I made sure to venture to my local Target in search of the hidden gem. When they're not on sale, a box of mix averages around $5 - which is pricey, but it's a lot cheaper than buying a box with online retailers such as Amazon.

Admittedly, I enjoy pancakes or waffles but if I don't have them with an equally packed protein side I find my hunger creeps back a lot faster than it should. Partly because waffles or pancakes are more carbohydrate than protein and the balance doesn't always set well in my system. Kodiak cakes have a whopping 14 grams of protein in it. This of course can be increased if you choose to incorporate your mix with egg whites, skim milk, etc.

My first attempt at making pancakes was a complete and utter fail. Why? I used banana in the mix (as I normally do with regular pancake mix). This unfortunately made the batter way too wet and the pancakes wouldn't form while cooking and turned to complete mush when it was time to flip. I posed a question on Instagram I was so frustrated and the folks who run the Kodiak instagram reached out and advised bananas make the mix too wet so they suggest cutting back on the amount of liquid if you really want to use banana - or just use banana to bake with the mix.

My second attempt, I opted to go with water as my base liquid and I added a few fresh blueberries to the mix. This turned out to be successful and the pancakes formed perfectly and cooked up to perfection. I ate them for breakfast served with some sliced banana and some Walden Farms blueberry pancake syrup.

Outside of banana pancakes being out of the running, I do quite enjoy this mix. I find a serving when paired alongside a small protein (breakfast sausage) it's more than enough to keep me satisfied until lunch time. The pancakes are light in texture and I don't notice any real difference between these and your average run of the mill pancake mix. They're quite good and I can't wait to experiment with what I can whip up using this mix in either pancake, waffle or baked goods form.

A serving, 1/2 cup dry mix, is 190 calories or 5 points plus values.

Hostess Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice Cup Cakes

I wasn't aware that Hostess came out with a line of limited edition cakes for the fall season until a noon-time browsing session through Target had me stumble upon the Hostess Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice Cup Cakes. Before I even looked at the nutrition label, I popped the box in my cart and off I went.

Hostess has always been a manufacturer of snack cakes I've enjoyed in my childhood (and adulthood). But with this launch, all I can say is these cupcakes spoke to the pumpkin lover in me. Opening the box I noticed a clear difference between these and your classic Hostess cupcakes. These particular cupcakes are packaged in the plastic wrapping, but there is no cardboard piece beneath the cupcakes as there are with other varieties. I also noticed that the cupcakes are darker than the original which would make sense considering it's pumpkin spice. But one of the clear giveaways was that each of the cupcakes seem to be baked unevenly. Almost like they were scooped into baking containers at an angle and popped into an oven to be quick-cooked and baked off at an angle.

Cupcake angle aside, these are pretty good. The cupcakes are a smooth pumpkin spice flavor, which was smooth and flavorful. They're lightly frosted with a cream cheese-like flavored frosting, which along with the cream filling give the cupcake a decent amount of sweetness. The frosting is then decorated with fall sprinkles. Overall, they're pretty good and were a nice snack to have on hand when in the mood for something sweet but in a portion controlled option.

If you're interested, there is also a limited edition Candy Corn variety available for the holiday season.

A serving, 1 cake, is 160 calories or 4 points plus values.

Fiber One Limited Edition Pumpkin Bar

Let me take a moment to introduce you to my newest little friend from the Fiber One brand .... Fiber One Limited Edition Pumpkin Bar. I buy Fiber One products once in a while, but I don't eat them often because the added fiber can reek havoc on my stomach. But when I saw these pumpkin bars ... I knew I had to try them, and I am so glad that I did.

Before I really get into it I will say this: if you're a pumpkin fan, go to your local Target/Wal-Mart (or if you really enjoy them your local Costco) and pick up a box before they are gone for good.  The bars are truly perfection. They're soft and moist (seemingly moister than your average Fiber One bar). They are a true pumpkin flavor without being crazily artificial, there's a subtle sweetness to it with what appear to be white chocolate chips scattered here and there. They add a nice contrast in texture and the drizzle over the top is perfection.

Seemingly one of my favorite pumpkin desserts to date ... which sadly are only available for a limited time. The pumpkin lover in me wishes these would be available year round, because, yes, they are THAT good.

A serving, 1 bar, is 90 calories or 2 points plus values.

Fiber One Strawberry Cheesecake Bars

I feel like my area was the last one to get in the Fiber One Strawberry Cheesecake Bars. Typically I'm a fan of Fiber One products, but I eat their products very sparingly because the added fiber in their products can give me a world of a tummy ache. But low and behold after spotting them at Target I picked up a box (these also come in Salted Caramel).

The cheesecake bars themselves are the same size as all other Fiber One products. There's not much else to say about these other than the fact they do really taste like cheesecake. They have that crumbly crust, soft gooeyish enter with a nice jelly consistency strawberry jam running down the top of it. They're mildly sweet, but certainly not sweet enough to overwhelm the taste buds.  A few folks have said putting them in the refrigerator only intensifies the cheesecake experience.

Overall, these are quite good. They do give you that cheesecake vibe without the absorbent amount of calories/points your average cheesecake brings to the table. So, that alone is a win in my book.

A serving is 150 calories or 4 points plus values.

High Brew Coffee Cold Brew Coffee - Salted Caramel

Cold brew coffee has become quite the rage. I've tried a few in the past but haven't tried any of the cold brews that are ready to drink (meaning they have some amount of sugar/milk in them). I spotted the High Brew Coffee Cold Brew Coffee - Salted Caramel at my local Target and decided to pick up a can to give a try.

I popped the can in the refrigerator and decided to have it alongside my breakfast one morning ... and I have to say, I was really impressed. It's a bolder coffee flavor, but it's not bitter/acidic (which is typically what cold brew is known for). It's smooth, slightly sweet and has a mild creaminess to it. The salted caramel flavor is in the background, but it's more of a subtle caramel then say a bold salted caramel.

Overall it was quite an enjoyable glass of iced coffee. I liked that the flavors all balanced well against one another, without any singular flavor category cancelling another out or being overwhelming. That reason alone, I tend to steer away from prepackaged coffee beverages (that already have sugar and cream/milk in them) because they can either be too sweet or too overly creamy. This was a perfect balance.

A serving, 1 can, is 60 calories or 2 points plus values.

S'mores Oreo's

I would be lying if I said I wasn't eagerly looking forward to trying the new S'mores Oreo's. I had been keeping my eyes peeled while walking past the Oreo's at my local grocery stores. Then I noticed fellow Instagrammers were posting about them after spotting them at Target .. so off to Target I went.

I will make a bold statement before I delve into the deliciousness that these cookies are. So with that, I will go on record to state: these are hands down one of the best flavored Oreo's I have tried date.

 

The Oreo's are exactly as they're described - S'mores flavored. The cookie is graham cracker flavored, the cream is a mixture of chocolate and marshmallow flavored cream. Together, you undoubtedly get the classic flavor of a s'more just without the ooey gooey mess that comes with eating a true s'more. The only other difference that's not there is the burnt crunchy exterior of the marshmallow (granted, being, if you eat your s'mores that way). They're a true perfect rendition of the s'mores ... so good in fact that when I took the package out to share amongst family my neice, nephew and mother had their fair share.  So much of a fair share that I picked up another package while at the grocery store.

 

The S'moreo's should continue to be a staple in the brands product line because it simply is that good!

 

A serving, 2 cookies, are 140 calories or 4 points plus values.

Oreo - Cotton Candy

There has been so much hype around new limited edition Oreo flavors that are supposed to be hitting the market, that when I finally spotted the Cotton Candy Oreo's at my local Target I knew I had to pick them up. Truthfully, I was intrigued to try these because I find the golden Oreo limited edition flavors are some of my favorite, especially when it comes to unique flavors.

Opening the package there is a sweet scent to it, but nothing that screams cotton candy at a fair. You know .. that spun sugar scent that can be found wafting through the air at any carnival/fair around the country?  The cream on these Oreo's is split down the middle, half pastel blue with the other half pastel pink. Flavor wise they are nothing but cotton candy. It took a few taste tests for me to agree with them being a dead ringer. That is because I was trying to recall what fair ground cotton candy tastes like. It wasn't until someone mentioned they tasted exactly like the packaged cotton candy you can get at the grocery store or gas station that I wholeheartedly agreed.

The cookies are as sweet as your average Oreo, nothing overly sweet to make one nauseous. The cotton candy flavor is there and it doesn't scream artificial flavoring (like some products do). Overall they are quite enjoyable and totally a hit.  As mentioned, I have only found these at my local Target location.

A serving, 2 cookies is 140 calories or 4 points plus values.

Arnott's Tim Tam Original

For years people have been raving about Arnott's Tim Tam Original cookies all over the internet. Unfortunately, living in the US, Tim Tam's were not readily available as they were primarily available in Australia.  Considering the sheer cost to ship a package of cookies across the globe I decided I'd perhaps not try the original. Although, this past year, Tim Tam's have landed in the US and are being sold in Target locations.

Tim Tam's are two chocolate biscuits which are sandwiched against an airy chocolate cream. The biscuits are then coated in a thin layer of milk chocolate. The cookie is delicious, it's sweet but certainly not overpoweringly so. The chocolate does melt against your fingertips if you hold it for too long, but that only makes eating it fun. The biscuits provide a subtle bite, but overall I'd say the texture isn't hard, nor is it soft - it's right in the middle. They're quite delicious and I find a single serving is more than enough to satisfy my sweet tooth.

Now there are a number of ways you can enjoy your Tim Tam's. I find my favorite way is by doing what has been coined "The Tim Tam Slam". A Tim Tam Slam is where you take a beverage of your choice (coffee, tea, milk) and you bite a small corner off each end diagonally across from one another. Dip one bit corner into your beverage and use it as a straw to suck your drink up through the cookie. Don't do this too long because it will crumble and fall into your drink - but you can feel the cookie plumping with liquid. At that point you then want to pop the entire thing in your mouth. What you're left with is a heavenly treat. The biscuits are softened, the chocolate is creamy and it's just so yummy.

What I do know is that this was well worth the wait!

A serving, 2 cookies, is 190 calories or 5 points plus values.

Skinny Cow Milk Chocolate Blissful Truffle bars

I had heard so much about the new Skinny Cow Milk Chocolate Blissful Truffle Bars that I went in search for them, for what felt like, ever. Any time I was in Target, I'd make a trip back to their candy aisle and scour the shelves and end cap displays. I'd come up empty handed for the longest time ... until one random afternoon I spotted them at my local Target and snagged a box (they're also available in dark chocolate).

 

From the rave reviews these were getting, I hyped these up to be mind blowingly delicious. I'm a pretty big fan of Skinny Cow treats (candy and ice creams) so comparing them to past favorites I anticipated these to move quickly to the top of that list. Unfortunately, they didn't and fell completely flat. The chocolate itself is a smooth chocolate ... but the "blissful truffle bar" was such a dud. The bar is boring.

 

The truffle bar is airy, which reminded me of that airy chocolate bar Hershey had put out a while back, which was a total flop. The chocolate that covered the truffle bar was boring. The whole thing was such a disappointing fail. So disappointing in fact that I brought the box to work and dumped the contents into my departments candy jar.

 

A bar is 130 calories or 3 points plus values.

Skinny Cow Heavenly Crisp Cookies & Cream

I spotted the Skinny Cow Heavenly Crisp Cookies & Cream bars while at Target one afternoon and I popped them into my grocery cart without a second thought. Cookies & cream is one of my all time favorite ice creams and candy flavorings ... so to find a guilt-free version definitely was a two thumbs up moment ... even before tasting it.

The bar consists of a delicate cookies and cream flavored crisp (wafer cookie). The wafers are chocolate crisps with a "cream" flavored cream between them, which is then all coated in a smooth milk chocolate. The flavor is undoubtedly cookies & cream without being overwhelming artificial. The bar itself is sweet, but not overly, and the cookies & cream flavor is there the whole time while also leaving a mild aftertaste. Very reminiscent of good quality cookies & cream ice cream. The chocolate is thin, so just the slightest of a warm touch makes it start to melt and slide around on the fingers easily.

All together it's a scrumptious little treat, which sets it apart from other chocolate bars.

A serving, 1 bar, is 110 calories or 3 points plus values.

Angie's Lemon Drop Flavored Kettle Corn

On an afternoon stroll through Target I popped through their Easter section to see what goodies had made it out onto the floor. I love checking out the Easter goodies because Easter is one of my favorite holidays for candy. Or in this case ... candy and treats. I adore Angie's popcorn so when I saw the Angie's Lemon Drop Flavored Kettle Corn I knew I had to give it a try. I'm a sucker for lemon desserts and the only thing I could think was lemon popcorn? YUMMO?!

Upon opening the package, a sweet lemon scent wafted out of the bag and it kind of brought me to a moment where I felt I was standing in my local Italian bakery ordering lemon tarts for dessert. It's a deliciously sweet lemon fragrance which only makes wanting to try the popcorn that much more exciting.

The popcorn itself is crisp, which is coated slightly in a sweet/salty kettle corn mixture. The popcorn is then drizzled with a lemon "chocolate" drizzle. It was sweet, salty, lemony and just delicious. Although I did find if you ate it a little fast, the lemon flavor dissipated and was more of a white chocolate flavoring. Just because of the change in flavor, I found myself eating the popcorn a lot slower to savor the lemon flavor instead of bypassing it all together.

A serving, roughly 1 1/4 cup (28g), is 140 calories or 4 points plus values.

Fiber One Mint Fudge Brownies

I've been on a brownie kick as of late and I can't justify making a box of brownies and having 1/18th of a pan because the calories/points for it just aren't even worth eating it. So while waltzing through Target one day, I spotted and picked up the Fiber One Mint Fudge Brownies. Truthfully the mint part is what sold me because it would be a different flavor from the classic peanut butter brownies I have been enjoying for months.

 

The brownie is your classic Fiber One fudge brownie which is soft and cake like. They are decent in size for what you get. The mint flavoring is there, but it's certainly not overpowering. The fudge/mint flavors balance one another out without either one cancelling the other out.  I enjoy mint flavoring but I find with some desserts it can be too much ... and this is perfect for my taste buds. The only thing I do notice is the fact the "fiber taste" that can usually be found when eating Fiber One products isn't as evident in these as it normally is.

 

These are perfect straight out of the package, warmed just slightly in the microwave ... or even used as a brownie in a lightened up ice cream sundae.

 

Of course with this having added fiber it may upset some tummies ... so these aren't an item I'd suggest eating all the time. Unless of course the added fiber doesn't bother you.

 

A serving is 90 calories or 2 points plus values.

Cheez-It Crunch'd - Cheddar Cheese

Popping through Target one afternoon I spotted and picked up the new Cheez-It Crunch'd Cheddar Cheese puffs. I love Cheez-Its ... probably a little too much, so when I spotted these at Target I was intrigued. Ideally in my mind it would be what a marriage between a Cheez-It and a cheese puff would be. Potential score ...

The product is sold in Cheddar Cheese flavor as well as in a Hot & Spicy (tabasco flavoring). I opted to play it safe and go with the classic cheddar cheese as I wasn't sure as to how spicy the hot and spicy may actually be.

Opening the bag up they look like enlarged Cheez-Its that are puffy with little holes in the middle. Eating a few they kind of taste like a Cheez-It but they also taste like a cheese puff but not as cheesy. They're unique and different at first. Although, I found with the first few they were okay, rather interesting, but after about 7 or so you start to get this "oil" flavor that is just NOT there with regular Cheez-Its. Cheez-Its are normally baked so the foreign oily flavor in the background is a bit stomach churning when you're not expecting it.  Or perhaps it's just my super sensitive taste buds that don't eat a lot of oil based foods. I guess you win some and you lose some ...

A serving is 1 ounce is 4 points plus values

Target Exercise Equipment Haul

Target has this wonderful $1-$3 section in their store that constantly pulls me in. One day while browsing through the store I spotted some exercise equipment. I know, you're probably thinking, exercise equipment in the dollar section? Yeah, I know ... but my coworkers and I are working on being more active at work since we have stationary jobs where we REALLY don't move much.

 

The yoga mat is thin, but it'll be perfect to lay on the floor in my cubicle and do some stretching exercises. It'd be great for my back since siting all day long does nothing for your frame. I'm not a yoga buff ... but I can pull some moves off Pinterest and give them a try.

 

Now the thing I'm most excited about is the weighted jump rope. I haven't jumped rope since I was a kid. In my kettlebell class a few weeks ago, my instructor did stations, where we worked on different exercises for a minute. One of those stations involved jumping rope and I found it to be so much fun. It's such a great way to burn calories without even realizing how much benefit you're getting out of it. Granted, I won't be able to do it in my cubicle ... but once this snow is off the ground I can begin doing so outside in my yard or even in the parking lot at work during the spring/summer/fall.

 

They also had little 3 lb kettlebells and weights for sale ... but I'm more of a 5-12 pound dumbbell and 12KG kettlebell person at the moment.

 

Not a bad investment for a whopping $6!

Dannon Light & Fit Greek Apple Cinnamon

Putzing around Target one afternoon I noticed they had a new 4-pack of Dannon Greek yogurt. Since I'm a Greek yogurt buff I picked up a pack of Dannon Light & Fit Greek Apple Cinnamon yogurt.

 

I've tried apple pie greek yogurts in the past and they've all faired pretty well with me ... but I was intrigued by the whole apple cinnamon vibe. Truthfully, it held up to its name. The yogurt is moderately thick while being seasoned with cinnamon (liberally, not overwhelmingly so) with having little pieces of apple here and there throughout the yogurt. It's delicious and a perfect blend of the two flavors.

 

It's very much your staple apple pie greek yogurt, with a touch more cinnamon to allow you to enjoy the natural cinnamon flavor. I enjoy it most on its own, while also over a small apple that'd been chopped up, sprinkled with a touch of cinnamon and microwaved for under a minute to soften them a bit.

A serving is 80 calories or 2 points plus values.

Pringles White Chocolate

One afternoon on a waltz through Target I decided to take a walk on the wild side and pick up a container of Pringles White Chocolate chips. After all they were 50% off due to a coupon on Targets Cartwheel app. So I figured I'd give them a shot and leave the rest out for my coworkers to give a taste test.

 

Initially I assumed the chips would be long tubes - meaning similar to what is shown on the outside packaging. But low and behold upon opening the canister I learned they are not shaped any differently than how your average Pringles are shaped. Trying the Pringles I wouldn't say they were disgusting or out of this world fabulous. They were different and rather unique.

 

They're your classic salty potato chip which has a slight hint of sweetness which resembles a white chocolate flavor. They're not white chocolate covered potato chips by any shot ... but it sort of tastes like it. It's not overwhelming or boom in your face, but it's there. You kind of have to really get the chip onto your tongue to taste the flavor because quite honestly after a few you sort of lose the subtle sweetness and they just taste like plain ole potato chips.

 

A serving, 1 ounce, is 150 calories or 4 points plus values.

OatFit Cinnamon Roll Oatmeal

I picked up a box of OatFit Cinnamon Roll Oatmeal at Target to have as an "emergency" food in my desk. You know, something to have just in case a breakfast option wasn't to work out and it would deter me from eating junk or whatever I could get my hands on. I'm not much of an instant oatmeal fan these days ... but for a convenience, once in a while food, I figured why not?

 

The one thing I liked immediately off the bat was the packages are elongated and once you pour the oatmeal out into a bowl, there's a "fill" line on the bag to measure water/milk in. This is great because I don't always bring my measuring cups with me, unless I've got a preplanned meal that I've got to measure out of knowingly. Cooked the oatmeal pairs well with fresh fruit (berries/banana) and is a satisfying meal.

 

The oatmeal is alright ... it's your average instant oatmeal. The flavor is good - very cinnamon roll but oddly, I find the oatmeal, once cooked comes out whitish in color. It's satisfying, but if you're more of a steel cut/whole oats person the consistency will be off. It's more along the mushy side of things. I'm not the biggest fan of that but it's doable when needed. Consistency doesn't mean it's a bad ... it all just boils down to personal preference.

A package of 100 calories or 3 points plus values (or you can have 2 packets, for 200 calories or 5 points plus values).