La Croix Peach Pear Sparkling Water: Finally had a can of this trendy sparkling water at a catered event. Concentrated fruit flavor with a tropical vibe - can't say I would have been able to identify it as pear-flavored if I hadn't seen the label, but the peach flavor reminds me a bit of peach gummies. Surprisingly contains no artificial sweeteners. High level of carbonation. Not convinced enough to purchase on my own, but it wasn't bad. 3.0/5.0
drinks lacroix sparklingwater peach pear sparkling water 3.0
Mariani Sweet BBQ California Almonds: I'm not usually a nut person, but I heard because of their high protein content, they are more filling than other snacks. I decided to buy a bag of almonds to bring to work and see how effective they were for combatting post-lunch hunger. This particular flavor of almonds has a tasty smoky-sweet combination reminiscent of bbq chips. I will say that I found myself snacking on them throughout the day, not just after lunch, but I felt more guilty doing so because of the small serving size. ... (read more) 4.0/5.0
recommended nuts mariani sweet bbq california almonds 4.0
Enjoy Life Margherita Pizza Plentils Lentil Chips: At the middle of the venn diagram of chips, rice cakes, and crackers is Plentils, a lentil-based chip that's well seasoned and intensely flavor. The light and crispy texture is somewhat reminiscent of a chicharron, though it's essentially the exact opposite as a vegetarian snack. This particular kind tastes like a zingy version of Totino's pizza rolls, with a sweet tomato aftertaste. Up to this point, I don't think I've come across a more convincing line of plant-based snacks that manages... (read more) 4.0/5.0
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Clif Bar Kid Iced Lemon Cookie Z Bar: There are very few times in life where free samples influenced me to support a brand. Back in 2011, I was manning a booth at Maker Faire Bay Area, and after hours of demoing, I was exhausted and extremely hungry. Making my way to the fast food trucks, I came across a Clif Bar tent providing free samples of their line of children's energy snacks. They were both tasty and filling, and I found myself forgoing garlic fries in favor of a healthier alternative. When I saw the bars on sale at B... (read more) 4.0/5.0
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Biena Habanero Chickpea Snacks: Protein-rich dried chickpea snack with a dry spice coating consisting of tomato, onion, and garlic powder, cumin, and habanero pepper (it's not spicy but well spiced). Messy to eat out of the bag as it's crumbly and quickly coats your fingers. Instead, these crunchy bits are a fantastic addition to a salad, adding enough flavor to make dressing unnecessary. That's exactly what I did when there were only crumbs left at the bottom of the bag, and what I would do if I were to purchase this s... (read more) 3.5/5.0
biena habanero chickpea 3.5 berkeleybowl
Gott's Roadside Chocolate and Vanilla Softserve: After a long rainy week, I was craving a warm baked dessert and thought for sure I could find one in the Ferry Building on my way home. Unfortunately, I wasn't interested in cupcakes, leftover bread, or gluten-free desserts, and the line for Humphrey Slocombe was far too long. I noticed that Gott's Roadside had a sign for Strauss Creamery, whose yogurt I had recently enjoyed, so i decided to give it a try. Unfortunately, I realized afterward that their soft serve isn't made using anything... (read more) 2.0/5.0
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