She Says: Potato Chip Taste Test
Hi Everyone! We’re glad you liked our video interview about Mark’s dessert. We always have fun making video posts and it’s nice to know they provide a laugh for some. The Beer Ice Cream Float was the mystery dessert that I mentioned in this post.
My ankle is slightly less swollen than it was yesterday, but now it’s black and blue. I’m pretty positive it’s sprained and not twisted after reading this article on WebMd. I’ve been trying to follow these treatment tips, referred to as the PRINCE approach from WebMd.
Protection. Use a protective brace, such a brace with a built-in air cushion or another form of ankle support.
Rest. Use crutches until you can walk without pain.
Ice. For at least the first 24 to 72 hours or until the swelling goes down, apply an ice pack for 10 to 20 minutes every hour or two during the day.
NSAIDs or acetaminophen. NSAIDs (such as Advil and Motrin) are medicines that reduce swelling and pain. Acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) reduces pain.
Compression. An elastic compression wrap, such as an ACE bandage, will help reduce swelling. You wear it for the first 24 to 36 hours. Compression wraps do not offer protection. So you also need a brace to protect your ankle if you try to put weight on it.
Elevation. Raise your ankle above the level of your heart for 2 to 3 hours a day if possible. This helps to reduce swelling and bruising.
I can stand, but can’t walk without some discomfort so I’ve been hobbling around and avoiding moving altogether. Extremely frustrating, but necessary and that’s that.
I decided to take this rest time as an opportunity to have some food fun. Last night this meant a potato chip taste test. Potato chips are not my favorite snack food (I am more of a pita or tortilla chip girl), but Mark loves Kettle cooked potato chips, so we usually have one or two bags on hand. Recently they were on sale 3 for $5 at Target so we got three bags of Archer Farms Kettle Cooked Potato Chips.
Traditional: Nice, classic kettle cooked chip. Perfect for a traditionalist who likes a chip to taste like a potato and doesn’t care for tons of salt.
Buffalo Wing: Spicy and flavorful, but I am not sure they scream buffalo wing because they were actually sort of vinegary.
Parmesan Garlic: Traditionally, I love processed cheese products, so I was the most excited to try these. Unfortunately, the cheese flavor doesn’t really deliver and these chips are more about the garlic and similar to a sour cream & onion chip.
Buffalo Wing & Parmesan Garlic
So, overall I was pleased with my chip experience, but they were nothing special. Once again, I am not a chip lover, but I do think I prefer the texture and flavor varieties of Kettle brand. Also, I noticed a lot of chip bits in the bottom of the bag, which is something I know does not occur in the Kettle brand chips.
For breakfast this morning I had some plain fat free yogurt and an apple. I like to dunk.
I also had half of the Banana Nut Odwalla Bar I received from Anna, my Secret Valentine.
Many people have asked about the Chocolate Covered Figs she sent me. Sorry, but they were from a small gourmet shop near her apartment, so I don’t know where you can get them. I will tell you they are delicious, so if you ever see a chocolate covered fig, buy it. The fig is so soft and gooey. I am very excited I still have one left.
For a healthy snack I had carrots and Trader Joe’s BBQ Sauce. I love this snack.
Also, thank you to Sabrina at Rhodey Girl Tests who was kind enough to send me a sample of Zatar, which she described as a mix of thyme, oregano, and marjoram with teeny toasted sesame seeds and salt. I can’t wait to use it to make her Zatar Bread.
These are legit spices. Promise.
Have a great day everyone!
Tags: apples, BBQ sauce, carrots, Odwalla Bar, potato chips, product review, spices, yogurt
February 10th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
I hear ya on the chips…I can live without em. Now chocolate on the other hand…well I think it is obvious that I can’t live with out it.
February 10th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
heather i was SO worried that they would spill out at the post office and they would close the whole office and say there was a drug alert or something hahaha! I SWEAR they are just spices!!! enjoy! You can put it on chicken too!
February 10th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
oh no!!!!!! i’m so sorry about your ankle. luckily if you stay off it they tend to heal pretty quickly. i love the bad sprains and the moving bruise. it starts at your ankle but then the blood/bruise seeps down along the side of your foot. i used to get those in bball and would pride myself on the size + color of the bruises. hehe. you should get a bell to put next to you so you can ring it if you need mark!!!!!!!!
that’s what my family used to do when anyone was sick or injured 
February 10th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
I’ve been craving kettle chips ever since we went to Panera and my boyfriend got them, I of course snagged 2 and now I can’t get them out of head!
Love the dessert last night lol.
February 10th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Thanks for the reviews! I SO need to try the carrot BBQ combo!
February 10th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
I’m so sorry about your ankle. Don’t push it at all, just take it easy.
When you said, “I like to dunk” I thought you said “I like to drunk,” which may or may not also be true.
Hope your ankle magically heals!!
February 10th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
OH i love zatar!!
February 10th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
suuuuuure those are spices, hahah
i don’t even like potatoes. or chips. and i need some asap
hope you’re having a great day!
February 10th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Keep taking care of yourself Heather! I’m worried about your ankle! :/
Making chocolate covered figs is easy! Melt chocolate chips in the micro for 30 seconds, stir, and then melt them a little more. Then dip stuff in it and put it on parchment paper in the fridge! Not that YOU need to know, but I thought I’d share.
I should make some!
February 10th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
I’m not a chip person either! Take care of yourself and get better soon!
February 10th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
I hope your foot feels better soon, Heather! Thanks for chip review
I love Odwalla bars- well so far I have only tried the Peanut Chocolate Chip flavor and I loved that so I am sure I would love the banana one!
Have a great day!!
February 10th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
I love kettle chips!! I will have to try those next Target trip!
February 10th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Chips are one of my least favorite foods (I say that even though I ate a bag of Baked Lays today). They are almost too air-like for me. Like eating nothing but at the same time consuming tons of calories. Weird.
February 10th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
They used Zatar on Top Chef! I wondered what it was!
February 10th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
I love that you did a potato chip testing! I am def more of a pita/tortilla chip girl as well! I never buy them in fear that I will eat way more than 1-2 servings
I haven’t tried bbq sauce and carrots but I bet I would love it! I love bbq sauce mixed with pretty much anything that can fit on the savory side!
February 10th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
The salt-and-pepper kettle chips are the most evil addicting things. I’m totally a tortilla chip girl too, but those things’ll get ya!
I’ve had ankle issues in the past and they’re no fun. I still wear my brace when I exercise just in case (although sometimes I wonder if that’s actually bad…oh well).
February 10th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
I dip my carrots in Hummus… never thought to dip it in BBQ sauce. Interesting. Yummy looking chips!
February 10th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
I’m so sorry about your ankle, Heather! Good for you taking it easy.
I love chips, especially Kettle Chips, so I try to ban them from our house. It doesn’t work very well and the salt + vinegar ones seem to sneak into our shopping cart every month or so. Yum.
February 10th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
I love those archer farm chips! I always try to get the “baked” versions – but ALL i REALLY want are the kettle cooked!
February 10th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
if I’m going to have a chip, I love the kettle ones too. Hope you ankle keeps improving
February 10th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
I have Tj’s BBQ sauce too, never tried as dip!
great idea!
February 10th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
Get your ankle checked out, you silly banana! Don’t want it getting any worse
February 10th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
I use similar spices in my Italian bread. The Zatar sounds cool.
Sorry about the ankle. NSAIDs are permanently of the menu for me because i easily get ulcers. Spinach has similar blood thinning effects. Just a random tidbit for ya = ) Hope the ankle gets back to full speed as soon as possible =)
February 10th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
those chips all sound good – too bad the cheese flavor wasn’t too good.
love odwalla bars – you should try the sweet & salty peanut flavor!
February 10th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
OH NO!!! i hope your ankle is okay!?
yeah for odwalla bars (its hard to go a day at work without one)
February 10th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
Archer Farms makes some really good-tasting snacks. I think they’re supposed to be trans-fat free and all that good stuff too?
I love the trail mix that they make. Don’t remember the name, but it has dried cranberries and pepitas in it…
February 10th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
Zatar is awesome – good luck with the bread!
February 10th, 2009 at 9:57 pm
Random — went to class tonight and my professor spent like an hour talking about the chemical reactions that allow NSAIDS to work. I was like “Yeah, this girl, who I don’t personally know, sprained her ankle…PRINCE method…”
February 10th, 2009 at 10:00 pm
Awww man!!! I’m sorry about your ankle…that really sucks!
I only have a weakness for potato chips when there is an open bag of Cheddar & Sour Cream Ruffles in front of me, hence I NEVER buy them haha.
That is my favorite Odwalla Bar flavor!!
So nice of Sabrina to send that spice mix…it sounds awesome!
February 11th, 2009 at 12:19 am
I always see those Odwalla bars, but I’ve only tried the carrot raisin flavor. What did you think of it?
February 11th, 2009 at 12:35 am
Caroline: I love Odwalla bars! I am not sure I’ve ever had the carrot, but I absolutely love the banana. It’s not super banana flavored, but really its the texture and consistency of Odwalla bars that I like. They are hard, but chewy and don’t fall apart or crumble. Oh man, I just made myself “hungry.” I also love the Super Protein flavor.
February 11th, 2009 at 10:28 am
Oh, Zatar looks ROCKIN! I covet.
February 11th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
Mmmm, kettle cooked chips are my favourite kind of chips as well. I like Miss Vickie’s brand the best, they have some great flavours like Jalapeno, Honey & Roasted Garlic, and Sweet Chili & Sour Cream. Which is why I just don’t buy them, otherwise I’m sure I’d polish them off waaaay too quickly!
April 15th, 2009 at 6:35 am
If you want to see a reader’s feedback
, I rate this article for four from five. Detailed info, but I have to go to that damn yahoo to find the missed parts. Thank you, anyway!