The TV Told Me To Buy It

Marketing is a huge part of all of our daily lives.  So much so that we almost don't even notice it anymore.  Advertising sneaks into almost everything.  That logo on the shirt you're wearing?  It's an ad.  That hat? An ad.  The shows you watch on TV?  When not broken up by ads, you find all kinds of product placements through out them.  Look the detective is using his smart phone while pointing out that they've just used a specific search engine to get that key piece of evidence.  Don't blink or you'll miss the explanation as to why they are using the special voice controlled GPS to get them to the suspects house in their amazing new car.  It's everywhere.

Some of the most powerful sales tactics are when mascots are used, especially when they are characters that kids relate to from that TV show or favorite cartoons.  Mickey Mouse, Bugs Bunny and a slew of other characters  have found their way onto everything.  It should come as no surprise that they've found our beloved mac n' cheese as well.


The Review

Brand:
Earth's Best Elmo Mac 'n Cheese with Carrots & Broccoli

Hi! I'm Elmo!  Can you believe that you're hearing my voice as you're reading this?  I'm so cool that not only am I a marketing tool but this is MY mac n' cheese!  I stay up late when not filming Sesame Street and make this for all of you! Consider any red fuzz an unexpected special bonus!

Price:
~$3.50 at Lucky's (receipt has gone missing)

Packaging Description:

(On Front)

All Natural

22g Whole Grain per serving, Excellent source of Iron, Zinc and six B vitamins  75% Organic

(On Back)
Too much to list without getting carpal tunnel.  See the picture to see the slightly shortened version of

There is a freaking story and a half on the back.  Earth's Best forgot that they made this meal to be targeted at 3 and 4 year olds who can not and will not read that huge wall of text and then ask mom or dad how we get milk or where our veggies come from (A vegetable farm is their answer...).

Preparation:

*Remove the tray from the box.

*Poke a few holes in the pasta side of the tray.

The holes are there, trust me.

*Put the meal in the microwave and cook for two minutes.

All steamy and semi cooked.

*Remove from the microwave, remove the film and stir the pasta and cheese.

De-filmed and ready to be mixed, though some rogue broccoli got into the noodles at the factory.

All mixed up, don't know what to do, next thing you turn around and find this mac is for you...

*Put the tray back in the microwave and cook for an additional three minutes.

*Let the meal cool for one to two minutes.

*Commence with the nomming!

Just gave the meal one final mix before I dig into my Elmo branded mac n' cheese.   Brought to you in part by Microsoft's Bing!, Disney/Pixar's Brave (in theaters now) and with support from viewers like you!

Taste:

When I pulled the tray out after the first portion of the heating I didn't really smell much of anything.  Once I peeled it open I smelled the partially steamed veggies and but a hint of the mac itself.  After I pulled it out from the second half of the cooking I really smelled the veggies and there wasn't really much more of a mac smell.  The carrots were very undercooked.  It was a weird mix of half raw and half cooked (so crunchy centers with mushy outsides).  The broccoli was bland and very overcooked. Despite what the box shows, there were really no broccoli spears or even portions of them.  It was almost all stems.  The pasta was cooked and was all in the shape of Elmo's head.   The cheese sauce had no flavor.  When it was cooking the cheese acted less of a sauce-like cheese and more of a fresh off the block cheese, however that is where the comparison to cheese ended for me.  Piping hot, sitting after five minutes, sitting after ten, it didn't age, it never gained any kind of flavor. 

Final Score:

This may be a healthy meal, full of tidbits and conversation starters for parents and kids alike. But it was obvious to me that Earth's Best not only didn't live up to their namesake, they were so worried about their apperance that they forgot the most important part.  Taste.  Over cooked broccoli, undercooked carrots and flavorless mac are not foods that little ones should be eating and it's not food that adults would enjoy eating either.  It was a reasonable amount of food, that most kids would get to experience another time via reheated leftovers (yuck) but I would see that most of this would be wasted as kids just wouldn't want to eat this stuff.

Nutritional Information:

Serving Size 1 Package (198g)

Calories  220  Calories From Fat 60
Total Fat 7g
Saturated Fat 4g
Trans Fat 0g  
Cholesterol 20mg
Sodium 200mg

Total Carbohydrates 33g
Dietary Fiber 5g
Sugar 4g
Protein 9g