img_0237

cha-cha-cha-changes…

i am not always great with change.

sometimes it really hurts.

especially when you mess with my favorite comfort foods.

example 1: my blue box kraft mac and cheese

let’s get right to the brass tax.  i think they have shrunk the noodles.

i was so shattered at the prospect that i took this picture with the fork in the bowl (albeit a large bowl that maybe holds the entire box of mac and cheese) so i could create some context for future reference.  i know it doesn’t help.

IMG_8409

 

chicago, illinois 7.2014

this is…errr was one of my favorite treats on the planet.  i will spare you the rant that i did write and delete because we are focusing on the potential of smaller noodles and not my rocky relationship with kraft blue box as i work towards a healthier lifestyle.  i have not purchased or consumed any blue box since this discovery because A) healthier lifestyle dictates i steer very clear and B) the fact that they might have changed it is just too much for me to bear….

anyone else noticed this? was this a one time bit of personal confusion?

that is what i thought with example 2…but the scenario has repeated itself.

example 2: my stouffer’s french bread pizzas – deluxe

why ohh why would you stop cutting the pepperoni into quarters?  now i have to hand shred them.  sure i was always interacting with the pepperoni making sure that they were evenly distributed across the pizza but that doesn’t make your hands greasy.  shredding the pepperoni does.  it happened a few weeks ago and i prayed it was just a random mistake but then it happened again this week and i think this might be the way of the future… (candidly, i did get better pepperoni coverage but too much work.  please see an au’ natural look beside a hand shredded option…

IMG_0237

opelika, alabama 12.2014

example 3: mcdonald’s egg mcmuffin muffin

(okay, so i get that my choices of comfort foods might qualify me for a food intervention but please note that i am working to train myself to really like fruits and vegetables….very slow road…and feeling a bit of food shame right now.)

at this point i suspect that they have only switched the mcmuffin in the alabama market.  “research tastings” in airports across the country and on ashland avenue in chicago appear to still match the original recipe but we might have a switch-a-roo on our hands.  in alabama i have experienced a less bread like mcmuffin that does not really toast as well and doesn’t seem to have the same binding characteristics as

am i alone on these?  have you noticed these changes or others in the products you buy and eat?  please share them in the comment section below…

View More: http://frantz-photography.pass.us/kate-and-mac-watson

how am i still alive?

not too long ago i was faced with trying to process/re-acquanit myself with all of the food in my pantry.  this happens every few years or so and is often driven by the discovery of some pretty old expiration dates by myself or even worse, a friend.i can ramble on about the reasons behind how this happens (e.g., never home, live alone, do not cook often) but upon bringing up this issue on Facebook i learned that i am not alone.

many many of us ignore expiration dates and we are all still alive!  this was thrilling news – but maybe a bit unsettling for those of you who i cook for if you are not of this mindset.

recently, a friend’s dad shared an article about the creation of a gelatin label that could help limit waste by more accurately determining when the food has actually spoiled/gone bad.  here are some highlights from Adele Peters’ article:

“The next time you start to toss an “expired” carton of milk, consider this: Dates on packages don’t actually have anything to do with food safety or FDA regulations. Instead, the dates are a somewhat arbitrary indication of when a manufacturer thinks food might be freshest, and most food will likely be fine for days or weeks afterward.

 

img_0253

to a new year of magic!

so typically when one celebrates the new year they drink some bubbles.  and today i have the story of an amazing bottle of bubbles!

i would like to introduce you to andre’ clouet 1911 grand cru classe.

one of my favorite parts of this product story is in the number 1911.  this represents how many bottles of this champagne that are bottled per year.  you are currently looking at bottle #1045 de la cuvee’ 36 that was bottled on 2.5.2014.

that story alone has me swooning!  but then you see the packaging and i am practically speechless!

IMG_0253

chicago, illinois 12.2014

yes, that is straw tied around the bottle with twine which is covered in a white wrap with an informational packet neatly nestled close to the bottle’s bosom. the unwrapping of this bottle felt like some sort of ritual which helped generate even more excitement about the actual bubbles contained.

IMG_0253IMG_0254IMG_0255

IMG_0260

and the bubble were….GLORIOUS!  the insanely unique packaging, the gorgeous bouquet of flavors contained in the bottle, and the spectacular company that shared in this experience with me put this bottle in another class.

many thanks to mark for this most special present – and for sharing in the magic of its drinking!

i wish you all a 2015 full of magical surprises, unexpected connections, abundant health, and boundless joy and happiness!

can you think of a product that has a story that helps it stand above the rest?  or just a story that stands out to you?  please share it in the comments sections below.

and just in case you are interested in a bit more about the wine itself here are some extra pictures that give a bit more detail…

IMG_0264IMG_0263

 

Bert_smile

the pigeon chronicles, vol 2

i find sometimes that the time between turkey day and the december holidays can be very stressful with work, shopping, just being your festive-est, and with life.  for that reason i present you with volume 2 of the pigeon chronicles.

no, this pigeon chronicles has nothing really to do with anything except for my bizarre fascination with pigeons (and do not even get me started on ants….).  my hope is that it will hopefully bring a little smile to your face and give you a little chuckle that will help you glide into the holidays and a most wonderful new year!

so here we go.  i present you now with bert from sesame street.  here he will show off his legs and perform his special little ditty that may just change how you view pigeons….

Bert Dances & Sings to “Doin’ the Pigeon”

and the extended version in case that was not enough…

Bert Presents “Doin’ the Pigeon” (extended version)

i truly hope this brings a smile to your face!  happy wednesday!

is there a video or picture that makes you smile?!  feel free to share them in the comment section!

(and special thanks to Meegan for sharing this bit of magic with me!)

love (is in) the details

my brother teaches special needs kids ages 10 to 12 in the mansfield, ohio city schools.  he has been making a difference in the lives of those amazing kids for over 21 years.  i am super proud of him.  he is an inspiration.

for the last two years i have had the honor of spending the day sharing with them the magic and fun of qualitative research.  i take them through a variety of exercises that i actually use for clients and then help understand the strategic learnings that come from the many exercises.  needless to say, it is a blast.

beyond the fun of spending time with such curious and energetic kids, i always seem to walk away so impressed with the insights they have and how observant they are.  to help illustrate this i have included pictures from our unaided drawing exercises from the last two years:

heinz ketchup (12.2012)

IMG_3749

two of the kids even recalled the little detail of the tomato and vine at the base of the package (see the green on the one in the top row?)!  what?!  holy impressed!!

coca cola and pepsi (12.2013)

IMG_0103

red is an equity – check.  it says coca cola on the package – check.  and did you see the polar bears?!  top row #1 (“you only gave me a white crayon”), bottom row #1 & 2.  genius.

IMG_0106

looks like the classroom has a bit more to say about pepsi!  note the logo, emphasis on blue, and the 12-pack box of cans, individual cans, and even the plastic bottle.

these kids make my heart smile.

TRY THIS AT HOME!  make it a family activity or even something to do with friends.  grab a 12 or 16 pack of crayons (one box for each person), a 11×8 piece of paper (and do not hesitate to use the WHOLE piece of paper), pick a brand, and start drawing!  it is fun seeing the details that stand out for some and not for others.  and if you do it, please PLEASE please send me the pics privately or post them in the comments section!

photo

and the winner is…..

…the humane society!

please meet ella.  super cute right? she was adopted from this local humane society by our lucky drawing winner michele.  ella is michele’s second cat from this humane society, first one named cali, and she has been so impressed by the work they do that she chose them as the beneficiary of the $500 prize money!

photo

further, michele has earmarked the donation money to be used to purchase the Stretch and Scratch cat scratchers on their shelter wish list with the remaining money going to the purchase of cat food, cat toys, and other supplies purchased to care for the cats and kittens they bring into the shelter.

great choice michele!

happy friday to all!

not sure what this is all about?  check out this previous post to gather the details: where would you donate $500?

huh?

okay, so one thing that has become abundantly clear in my qualitative research career is that i am not the norm.

i can look at the proposed package designs, advertising campaign directions, and new product concepts and know with a high degree of certainty that the one i like, is not the one that will be carried through to next steps.  (side note: a client once told me they could save millions of dollars by having me taste potential products…knowing that if i liked it, it would fail in the US. yep, quite a feather in my cap!)

i would like to point out that this does not mean i am bad at my job, as i am not hired to guess what the consumers will like, but it simply reinforces that i am so very often not their consumer target.

why this long winded introduction?  because i am about to share some products that i just do not understand…because i am not their target (she types diplomatically).

 

huh #1: mac and cheese loaf

not sure there is much to say on this one.  i love my starches probably more than the average bear but this feels like it might be taking the joke too far. would you add this to a sandwich? is this to be thick cut and served as a side?  i am now feeling a little regretful that i did not buy some at the time or ask more questions.  anyone have any insights on this?  please?

IMG_5194

portland, maine 8.2013

huh #2: jack link’s jerky chew, original (shredded beef jerky)

this was found in a candy store.  it was sitting beside a wide variety of innocent fun kids sugary treats.  sure when i was a kid we had both sugary and gum candy cigarettes (remember how the gum ones would even give a puff of smoke? and the candy ones had the red coloring at one end to represent the fire?)…but now i am going be a hypocrite because this just felt so wrong to me…and somehow different from those other tobacco interpretations.

do i have qualms about big league chew?  pretty much trying to mimic the same thing but in a soft foldable pack and gum not shredded beef jerky…i have no problem there either.

IMG_3601lakeview neighborhood, chicago, 2013

as i am typing this my hypocrisy on this is starting to irritate me.  so i decided to open it.  give it a taste see how it is.

it looks nothing like i expected it to (although i am not positive what i really did expect).  it has the texture of a fine saw dust.  and tastes like aged raw hide saw dust.

IMG_7635

ok, so i think it comes down to my lack of love for chewing tobacco in general.  i cannot think of another reason for this almost physical negative reaction.  the packaging is typically used for chew and when that was combined with its flavor and texture this game ended quickly for me.  sugary cigarettes had a melt to them that made them way way fun.  big league chew offered an awesome grape flavor and even fun sugary original flavor.  ultimately, earthy tasting saw dusty looking beef jerky is just not within my ideal target product set (but i am still being a hypocrite because chewing tobacco is not my thing).  but for every product, there is a consumer….right?

summers-selfies

keep calm and summer on!

summer's selfies!now that i have your attention, let me tell you a little about my girl summer.  may 15th she posted this picture on facebook with the following caption:

“Well in princess crazy world, when you brush your newly grown back hair and it comes our in large chunks you have 2 choices you can let it ruin your day or turn yourself into a human potato head and try facial hair selfies.  I chose the latter.”

she epitomizes beauty and love and has been fighting breast cancer with inspiring grace and unbelievable humor.

have you known someone who has fought an epic battle?  do you recall feeling a sense of helplessness?  it seems that we are not alone.

so what does one do when they feel helpless?  well, in the teachings of my girl princess crazy, we work hard to put more love and kindness into the world.

i challenge all of you to do two things…

  • start looking for occasions when you can practice a random act of kindness and DO IT!  offer someone else who looks exhausted your seat on the train/bus, pay for the person in line after you in the drive through, give a stranger a card wishing them a most spectacular day or even just say it and mean it!  the options are endless…
  • pass this on.  encourage others to take a moment in this crazy fast paced world to step back and share a smile or jump on an opportunity to do something unexpected and nice for someone else.

there is no real way for me to properly convey the strength and awesomeness of summer.  she lives in bloomingdale, il and the city has designated this friday, june 6th as “Keep Calm and Summer On” Random Act of Kindness Day.

to learn more about our tenacious summer and to join the facebook movement for this event this friday, click on summer’s RAOK event !  feel free to share your random acts of kindness with me or with summer as we are working to compile a book for summer that includes the myriad of gestures made in her honor across the globe.  be a part of the magic!

i think amy said it best…

“Please join the movement of random acts of kindness for my dear friend Summer. For those that haven’t had the pleasure of knowing her, think of the best person you know and that’s her. It would mean so much to her if all over the country and world people were doing nice things for other people in honor of her life. Keep Calm and Summer On.”

keep calm and summer on princess crazy!  with boundless love….

img_2540

oui s’il vous plaît

picture it.rainy day in paris and you stop into a cute little cafe to have a bit of a nosh with some heart healthy wine.

you settle into your chair and start perusing the menu and see this as an option….

IMG_2540paris 5.2012

i must say it wasn’t quite what i was expecting.  oddly, this was the only item on the menu that brought the core ingredient back to its roots.

beyond their choice to include a LIVE pig, i found their actual choice of pig visual a bit disturbing.  sort of glad there is no eye contact but he looks as if he is asking for you to please not order the grilled pork through his prison bars.

i obliged.  the steak was delicious.

 

science is progress?

for some years now people talk about making a turducken for the holidays.  little did I know that is now so mainstream that you can get this same taste combination for your pets!

IMG_5721

washington dc, 2013

ginger-pup, the receiver of this tasty blend, seems like a pretty lucky dog.

this next part is a bit gratuitous but I think you will be glad you stuck with me…

in September of 2010, I joined some friends, actually the proud parents of ginger-pup, for my first Minnesota state fair experience.  It was life changing and I am convinced that my body is still struggling to recover.

beyond the wide range of amazing culinary delicacies, they also have live animals that you can visit with and learn from.  candidly, when Sarah said we were going to explore the poultry barn, I had some concerns about how they “fair.”

but to my amazement, it was one of my highlights!  two pictures capture this magic, one a bit more germane to the post at hand than the other, but again, I think you will be glad to have seen it.

first, we have a turken.  nope, you read that right.  sure, I am missing the duck for a full turducken experience but this feathery delight is alive and walking around and checks 2 of 3 boxes!!  good enough for me…for now at least.

IMG_0807

minnesota state fair, 9.2010

finally, a duck.  while this may not seem like a big deal to you now or ever realistically but there is so much that makes this picture wonderful.
IMG_0794

not sure why this is so special?  please consider the following….

  1. “Ducks, Any other duck, old duck” (quite a category name right?)
  2. 1st place (suggesting there were more old ducks competing)
  3. owner’s name is Donald (low lying fruit…sorry…)
  4. please note the egg beside said old duck (well done duck!  way to show them!)

and yes, there was so much more about the Minnesota state fair that made it magical, even in the poultry barn, but i figure i won’t push my luck…for now!