Product review: Juicy Fruit Dessert Gum

I have been watching the commercials for dessert gum but it was only a few days ago that I found it available in Canada. I was delighted! I bought all three kinds: Apple Pie, Strawberry Shortcake and Orange Creamsicle.

Orange Creamsicle: I found the flavor of this gum rather fake but it is a pretty good imitation of an orange creamsicle. The taste lasts only about 10 minutes but that is alright. The texture doesn't change over time (like regular Juicy Fruit gum) and I've found myself chewing it for a few hours without even realizing it. Overall review: 6 out of 10.

Strawberry Shortcake: the flavor of this gum came off as REALLY fake to me. I have to give them credit though because you can almost taste the bun, strawberries and whipped cream. The flavor isn't so great once it fades away though and I found that it had an aftertaste. I don't think that I will buy this one again. Overall review: 4 out of 10.

Apple Pie: this was the STAR! I absolutely love this gum! It really does taste like apple pie with cinnamon and everything! The flavor is truly stellar and although it fades after 10 minutes, I don't care. I love this gum and I will buy it again. I might even chew this in place of apple pie. Overall review: 9 out of 10.

Main points:

• Texture: good, doesn't change over time
• Flavor: only Apple Pie one was good but all of them last only about 10 minutes
• Price: SCARY. I think they are $2.49 per package which is insane. Wait a few months until they are about $1.50.

10 things to never buy cheap

After many years of learning what to buy, I have put together this list from many lessons that I have learned (most of them the hard way which I have explained).  Now it's time to share these lessons.

1.  Vacuum cleaner: we bought a Dyson pet-hair vacuum cleaner for $700 after my $100 cheapo broke after one year. We've had it for three years with no problems and no bags. 
2. Espresso maker: if you are into Espresso, don’t get the cheap stuff. We spent $1200 on ours. We bought a cheap one that worked once and then never did again.
3. Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer: We got the professional model with all of the accessories up front. If you love cooking, it should last you 20 years or more.
4. Pots: get the copper-lined pots if you can afford it. Cheapo pots burn food easily and even warp under heating. I learned this the hard way when one put was on the burner a little too long.
5. Frying pans: we have a cast-iron frying pan that we never put into the dishwasher. It is actually almost 40 years old as my mom got it as a wedding present in 1972. If you never soak it in water and really take care of it, here is proof that it can last you a lifetime (or more). And the cooking quality is beyond compare. Non-stick pans have a coating that scrapes off in the food.
6. Shoes: cheap shoes are often very stylish but they usually only last about a year (sometimes less). Spend the money once on a pair of leather shoes with good construction and they will last for years. I still wear shoes that I bought five years ago.
7. Fake gold jewelry: This stuff stains my fingers green if I wear it for too long so I always get the real gold (or gold-plated) stuff.
8. Computers: This doesn’t mean that you have to get a $2000 computer, but the cheapies that sell for $200 will only last a year or two, at the most. Expect to spend at least $800 on a computer on a reliable brand.
9. Wood furniture: If you can possibly help it, buy the real stuff. The wood product furniture that sells for much cheaper is ruined as soon as there is a scratch on it. At least with wood, you can refinish it to hide scratches or even paint it. Wood furniture costs a fortune (especially if you are in the city) but it will last multiple lifetimes.
10. Umbrellas: Take a cheap one out when it’s windy and it turns out almost immediately. You need to spend the money on one that is made properly so that you can actually use it.

Honourable mentions:

Blenders: I have found that plastic ones tend to crack in the bottoms and I have bought two already. Our next one will be glass.

Digital Cameras: we had an expensive one that lasted for 10 years. I'm really glad we didn't have a cheap one.

Cat food: I had a cat who had crystals in his bladder and he died of blockage. We found out later that it was a combination of genetics and the food that we fed him. Needless to say, now we spend the money on our new cat's food - $60 for one huge bag in a pet store.

Product review: Green Chile Sub at Subway

There have been commercials lately (at least in Canada) about the Green Chile sub now at Subway. I actually just checked the Subway website and I couldn't find a promotion for it to show you, but anyways. The commercials have been promoting this sub and it looks really great in the commercial so I had to try it. I love trying new things and now I have a venue to share the experience with others.

So, I tried the Green Chile sub at Subway today and I have to say that my review of it, in one word, is "ehhhhh". I like spicy food that tastes great and this one does fit the bill but it tastes more like my usual favorite, the Steak and Cheese sub, than anything different. It is spicy and it tastes great but it is basically a Steak and Cheese sub with green chile sauce. Granted it was my first time having green chile sauce but it tasted the same. The commercial made it look fantastic: this six-inch sub stuffed with meat and green chile sauce. It looked so appetizing that I had to try it. It almost tasted like my favorite but with a bit of spice which was nice. It didn't blow my socks off though because it didn't taste much different.

Not to mention that my server didn't really know how the sandwich went together. Perhaps my experience is more tied to the blank-stare in my server than the sandwich, but it wasn't the best.

Well, if Subway is reading this, the sandwich is ok and it will probably sell but it's a carbon-copy of their Steak and Cheese sandwich (which I really like). It's not bad, just the same thing.