Jack 'n Jill Potato Chips Shake and Roll

Jack 'n Jill has been a loved brand for generations, and if I remember it right, my very first taste of potato chips was their classic Potato Chips. Over the course of years, snacking has evolved in so many ways, and if potato chips back then only comes in a few flavors, now, there are just so many flavors to choose from, but the problem was the availability and the price. Years ago, I got to watch an episode of The Apprentice UK where contestants had to create uniquely flavored potato chips to sell to the German market (you can watch that here). I actually hoped there will be unique flavors here, too - ones that would highlight the Asian flavors.


Recently, Universal Robina Corporation - through its Jack 'n Jill brand - launched a new evolution in the Potato Chips industry, the Shake and Roll. It is very interesting and unique way of eating potato chips, because not only does it come with unique flavors, it's also the only one (so far) with flavor bags - meaning, the crisps aren't flavored yet... you add the flavor to it.



I was invited to the product launch at Crowne Plaza Hotel, and because it is called Shake and Roll, and the Crew - who won in the 2012 World Hip Hop Dance Championship (Adult Crews category) - is the brand ambassador. Very fitting, eh? Well, the song and the dance steps were catchy and all... but I have two left feet that I truly can't even follow along. :)


So okay, let's talk more about the product. This is imported from URC China, so the packaging looks very foreign. Normally, I would complain with this kind of packaging because I couldn't understand what was written in there, but because this is a ready-to-eat food product, and that the picture instructions were very easy to follow, all is okay, afterall, the ingredients list and the nutrition information is written in English, so that's what mattered the most.

Jack 'n Jill Shake and Roll comes with two flavors - Salmon Sushi Wasabi and Unagi Kabayaki flavors. Each bag comes with two components inside: the potato chips bag and the flavor pack. All you have to do is to open the potato chips, transfer it to the bigger bag, open the flavor packet and sprinkle it over the potato chips, close the bag (it is a resealable bag, by the way) then shake and roll to distribute the flavor powder.


I am not a fan of wasabi, although I would say that the Salmon Sushi Wasabi flavor was actually good. My siblings love it so much, they were raving about how it truly tasted like salmon sushi wasabi, and even commented the only thing lacking was the soy sauce! Personally, I truly feel it the flavors were very exceptional - the Unagi Kabayaki flavor truly tasted like eating fish with glazing. I guess that's the best thing about this product - it was like eating the real thing.

Another thing I like with this product, you control the amount of flavoring you put into your crisps. The potato chips are actually seasoned very lightly so you can eat it as is... or if you want to go mild on the flavoring, you can just maybe half of what's on the pack... and of course, if you really want to enjoy the flavors, just pour it all in!

Jack 'n Jill Shake and Roll is now available in supermarkets at 35 pesos (standard retail price), and is best enjoyed with cold beverage.

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Pasalubong from All Over

I just would like to thank certain people for the gift of regional products:

Our neighbor Cindy for the pack of Chicharon from Carcar, Cebu.
> She traveled to Carcar, Cebu to be with her in-laws and when she got back, she gave us two packs of Chicharon, which she said she bought directly from the factory and she even packed the goods she bought. Well, chicharon has always been my poison (one of my favorite food), but because I am now traveling the road to weight loss, looks like am not going to taste this one. However, should I get the chance to travel back to Cebu, I sure would like to experience what she experienced - entering factories can be so fun! :)

Our neighbor Ria for the pack of Apas from Quezon.
> She celebrated Christmas in Quezon, and because she already knows Apas is one of my brother's favorite regional food, she decided to buy it for us. The big pack contained 4 small packs, brother already ate two as of this writing. I still haven't tasted it, though.

My sister for the Uraro from Batangas, as well as Shing-a-Ling and Banana Chips from Laguna.
>Christmas afternoon, sister went to party with friends and the next morning they decided to travel to Laguna. She didn't buy a box of Buko Pie anymore, but she knows I love Shing-a-Ling so she bought me a pack. :) I already ate the pack of Shing-a-Ling and Banana Chips, the Uraro I might eat tomorrow, but not all at once. :)

The Philippines is really rich in different regional food products; while I am not really much into native delicacies, I really love the crunchy ones! Too bad I won't get to eat the Chicharon, but it's okay.

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Weekend Eating | Giving in to Temptations

I am so late in posting this week's linky... I was out all night and got home around 1pm this afternoon, and while I wasn't really sleepy and tired, I still fell asleep and woke up past 4pm. My weekend wasn't really that "interesting" (except for the party part) I basically just stayed at home and even if I went out last night to party, my cell phone's battery wasn't fully charged (so is my camera's batteries), so no pictures from the party, simply because I didn't really take pictures.


This picture was from last Friday... something mom took home from the office. Anyone can tempt me by dumping a truck load of chocolates in our house without having to fear that I will eat it because I am not really into chocolate candies (and most sweets), but I admit I am a weakling when it comes to salty food. When I saw that pack of Lay's Potato Chips, I started salivating over it.

... and the temptation won. This pack had less than 200 calories - not really that heavy... but it had a lot of sodium, something I wasn't so proud of. It felt good eating the chips, but of course I felt guilty after. The other food on this picture, I didn't eat... I only had my eyes on Lay's.

The past week I was lazy. I did do my exercise, but not as religious as last month, and I am now starting to fear its effects. I still have 11 days to redeem myself and at least maintain the tiny amount of weight I have lost (I weigh myself twice in a month - one every first day, the other mid-month). I am pressured, but I am still very much optimistic that this month's weigh in will be something that will put a smile on my face.

- * - * - * -

So... what did you have last weekend? If you're new to the Weekend Eating meme, you can read the rules and get the badge codes HERE. My heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined last week.

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Potato Wedges

When it comes to letter "P," a few food items that came to mind include: Pineapple, Papaya, Pork, and Pizza. However, while editing my 2010 pictures, I came across two "P" food - Pad Thai and this:


Potato Wedges. This was something sister had when we had a food trip at BBB (Big, Better, Burgers). I do love potatoes, but for some reason, I don't like French Fries and Potato Wedges that much, although I could say I eat it, too. Well, if it's available, I will eat it, if not, it's okay, too.

Anyway, I don't think I am really an emotional eater, for I don't really seek comfort in eating if I feel bad, but I am a hearty eater in general - give me a spread of different sumptuous food and I will eat it all with gusto. However, I admit there were a few instances that I would eat just because it was a boring day and I don't have anything else to do.

I don't know what the author meant with the quote, but reading it, I somehow relates it with emotional eating. I agree with some people - food can give us comfort and it's a good way of forgetting problems, but I do agree, too, that even if we drown ourselves with lots of food, the problem is still there. Come to think of it, once the food gets into our hips, we have more problems to face. :)

There are still times that I get tempted to eat more than I needed. There are still times that I would crave for certain food... just because. I still have a lot to learn as to how to control myself, and I would like to think that I am becoming stronger.

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Blogapalooza | Farmer John Premium Potato Chips

When I started anew this journey to fitness and weight loss, one of the things I told myself was that I'd try to stay away from chicherya. Well, it's true what they say, "What you resist, persists." When I attended the Blogapalooza and saw the Leslie's booth featuring the bags of potato chips, my mind was already starting to "rebel" on me. :)



Based on what I heard from the presentation, Farmer John Potato Chips are made from Atlantic potatoes (America's favorite potato). It is prepared right after harvesting to ensure the freshness and the quality. It is cholesterol-free, GMO-free, and has no trans fat, making it a good choice compared to its counterparts.

Currently, there are four flavors and two types of cut, and since Leslie's was so generous to let bloggers take home a big pack of each of the flavors, I was able to taste the chips at home - and yes, it also gave me the time to photograph them separately.



BBQ Sausage (Wavy Cut). At first bite it could be salty. However, as I eat more and more of the chips, it gets better and better. My sister shared the same sentiments - one small taste would never be enough to sum it up, and even if I am not personally fond of the BBQ flavor, this one's quite good.



Simply Salted (Thin Cut). This was love at first taste. Sometimes, the simplest can be the best, and I loved that I was able to fully enjoy the taste of the potatoes. This one can actually compete with the Imported brands, and I really felt sad when I ate the last morsel of chip. This can make you crave for more.



Mesquite BBQ (Thin Cut). Although this is BBQ flavored, it had the hint of sweetness to it, which I immediately appreciated.



Cheddar and Sour Cream (Wavy Cut). Another flavor that I loved, like what I said about the first flavor, this could be a little salty at first bite, but since it also had the Sour Cream flavor, eating more of the chips would let you taste its tangy side, which actually paired well with the cheesiness. :)

Farmer John Potato Chips are by Leslie's, the same company that gave us the ever-famous Clover Chips. It may be a local company, but their potato chips can surely match up to the International brands. Personally, I can now say that I am liking Farmer John's Potato Chips over Lay's, because...

• the chips are NOT that oily (but of course there are still traces of oil, after all, it's deep fried).
• the chips' cuts are actually quite thick - yes, it's thin cut, but thick enough for you to taste the goodness of the potatoes.
• it's cholesterol-free, GMO-free, and has no trans fat. Wait, I already said that... but let me just stress on it again. :) There is a printed Nutrition Facts at the back of each pack, but of course, even if this is somewhat "healthier," we really should not overeat on these chips because it is still packed with sodium.

There are two sizes for the chips - the 30 gram pack, which is around p12 pesos... and the 90-gram pack, which retails at around p40 pesos (I forgot the exact price). For that price, this certainly is more affordable than the International brands. Since I am now walking along the healthier path, I guess I can only eat the 30-gram pack once in every two / three weeks.



Aside from Farmer John Potato Chips,  I was also able to sample another Leslie's product - Wild Willy's Real American Chicharrones. This isn't the ones made from peas (which is gaining more popularity as of late), this is real pork rinds and available in two flavors: Salted and with Vinegar. Among the two, I prefer the salted one.

I guess eating chicherya is acceptable as long as you watch what you eat. On our next grocery day, I might include a pack of the Simply Salted potato chips, but will settle for the smaller bag only, and I will really psyche myself to just put in just one pack in the cart.

Crossing fingers.

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