Candy Corn Pebbles

This is the one that almost got away!  Thanks to social media, I find so many seasonal products on Twitter and Instagram long before I ever do in stores.  On one hand, that's a good thing because it makes me aware of items that I may have overlooked otherwise.  But, on the other hand, it can be pretty aggravating when thousands of people are posting pics with one of the coolest Halloween things of the season and I can't seem to find it anywhere.  The tease is what sometimes makes the hunt more fun and all that more worth it, but when it becomes impossible, it just gets frustrating.  That's what was was happening with new Candy Corn Pebbles.  In reality, this box was one of the first images I noticed back in early September when I searched #halloween2014 on Instagram.  One guy had it and I figured, okay, soon enough it'll be available nationwide and I'll snatch one up.  Then, weeks and weeks went by without any sign of transition.  Finally, on October 23rd, I resorted to the last of all resorts - Ebay!  $13 later, I'm no longer left out in the cold, I'm simply questioning my life's priorities.

Frute Brute is Back!

As I noted in the Fruity Yummy Mummy review, the legendary Monster Cereals have made their return to store shelves.  On that day, I luckily found Yummy Mummy just as Walgreens received their shipment, but Frute Brute was nowhere to be found and, since, all 5 monsters have alluded me.  I thought that marked the beginning of their return, but it was just a tease.  For as happy as I was to find Yummy Mummy, especially in such an awesome way, I was bummed by going another two-weeks before anything else appeared.  Now, finally, for the first time ever, Frute Brute is mine!

Much like Yummy Mummy, Frute Brute's flavor has been changed since the original last lived.  Also, like Michael Jordan returning with a new number after retirement, Frute Brute has had a name-change.  Once known as "Fruit Brute," the iconic werewolf has returned from what we thought was his extinction and is now cherry flavored.  Because the cereal was discontinued in 1984, three years before I was born, I can't tell you what the original flavor tasted like.  Similar to Fruity Yummy Mummy, the original was an overall fruit flavored cereal and, from what I read, it was extremely popular.  My love for these characters didn't come from their flavors, it was due to their appearance.  I absolutely loved the artistic style and personality applied to these guys and while Frute Brute doesn't look anything like his original incarnation, his reputation precedes him enough for me to overlook his appearance.  I'm willing to overlook the fact that he looks like wolverine.. and Elvis.. and Fonzi.. and John Travolta.  I'm also willing to overlook his snout, especially with the retro boxes on the horizon.

As soon as I opened the box, I was surprised by the smell.  The cherry flavor flies right out of the bag and tingles your neurons.  Yummy Mummy had a healthy scent, as if you were really sniffing oranges, but Frute Brute is sweet, sugary, and seductive.  Yes, I just compared a breakfast cereal to seduction.  That's how good this is.

As for the flavor, I liked this a lot more than Fruity Yummy Mummy.  See, Yummy Mummy is cool because it tastes unlike anything else I've ever had.  The orange flavor is so distinct that you know it's new, different, and unique.  Although Frute Brute isn't anything out of the ordinary, it still manages to separate itself from cereals like Trix and Froot Loops.  It definitely reigns in a league of its own and I thought it was delicious.  Between the two of them, it really comes down to what you're in the mood for on that day and time.  This is why I'm happy they changed the flavors from the original to their new varieties.  Instead of buying two boxes for exactly the same results, we now have two new tastes to dance on our buds as we progress through the Halloween season.  Can't ask for much more from General Mills.

For the first time ever, the legends are together!  I might have mentioned it before, but these two have never been available at the same time.  Years ago, Yummy Mummy screwed over and replaced Frute Brute to make them bitter rivals.  But now, like Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart, the hatchet has been buried and they've made amends to join forces, reunite with their Monster Cereal brethren, and make this Halloween one of, if not the, greatest of all-time!

But, the question remains, what would cereal taste like if we truly did "unite" Frute Brute and Yummy Mummy?  Only one way to find out..

Combining all 5 Monster Cereals has already been dubbed "The Monster Mash," but I don't think I'd like that.  Between the chocolate and four fruit flavors, it just sounds like a waste of highly sought after cereal.  But, bringing Frute Brute and Yummy Mummy together to somewhat recreate what these two might have tasted like in the 80s sounds like a great idea.  However, it needs a name.  Yummy Brute? Fruity Mummy? Classic Crunch? I don't know, I used up all my creativity on the Hi-C Horror Boxes (cheap plug.)  But I can at least tell you what if it's any good!

It's difficult to tell the difference between the two cereals because they both share the same red "ghosts."  But Frute Brute has more of a yellow ghost while Yummy Mummy has orange.  Even though you may not be able to tell them apart visually, you will definitely be able to taste it.  Throwing them both into a bowl was a wonderful idea because, now, I've created more of a "fruit" flavored cereal.  As you're chewing, your tongue goes from orange to cherry and back again all in seconds.  If there was ever an "orange cherry" cereal, this is it.  I doubt this is what the original tasted like, but it may be as close as I'll ever get.  It's worth doing yourself if you buy enough boxes to waste a bowl.  By waste, I mean love.

Next up, the Retro Boxes.  When?  I have no idea.  If Target has given me any indication, probably by Christmas.

Halloween Milk

 

It's November 10th and we're still talking about Halloween.  And really, why not?  So many people throughout the country have been affected in so many different ways this Halloween.  Between now and Thanksgiving, there's nothing but a lull anyway.  Sure, there are some who have already embraced the Christmas season and have moved past spooky things.  But, for others, this is down time before we feast.  So, again, due to my own personal circumstances and those who missed out on Halloween, we're gonna keep on truckin'.  I have at least two more quality posts to write before we put this season to bed.  With Thanksgiving only 12 days away, and Christmas right around the corner, that should bridge nicely between one Holidaze and another.

Seasonal milks seem to be the new fad as of recently.  Last year, we found the Red Velvet Holiday milk at Target.  Now this year, we find TruMoo Holiday milk at Wal-Mart in both Vanilla and Chocolate flavors.  There are two cool aspects to these.  First, the label art is great!  TruMoo could have gone with a more "Fall" approach and last on shelves longer, but they chose "Halloween" and that couldn't be any more perfect.  Not only did they make a ghoulish logo for "TrueMoo," but they made two separate labels for each flavor.  So Vanilla features a spooky pumpkin and tombstone, while chocolate brings us the haunted house, ghost, and "No Trespassing" type sign.

But the coolest part?  The fact that Vanilla TruMoo is colored Orange.  That's enough!  That was the selling point for me!  Had it been white, I would have kept walking.  But they did a great job.

Now, in the past, I've complained about the lack of decorative Halloween boxes from Kellogg's.  It's not because I hate Kellogg's, it's just that I know what they're capable of and hate seeing the holidays go to waste.  Throw a mask on Tony the Tiger, and we're good to go.  Add in a few Halloween marshmallows, and I'm set for a season.  

Last year, I didn't find any Halloween cereal boxes from Kellogg's, but this year is a different story.  Pictured above, we have plain old regular Rice Krispies and Cocoa Krispies, but they're in their Halloween costumes for the year!  The graphics are awesome and even if they didn't add in any special treats, it's good enough.  Especially when you want to add your Halloween Milk into Halloween Cereal.  See where I'm going with this?

Rice Krispies in Orange Vanilla TruMoo Milk tastes a lot better than it looks.  It looks like the milk went bad or, at the very worst, that you're about to eat chunky vomit.  Sorry for the graphic detail, but believe me, it's really good!  It may not look like your typical bowl of cereal, but who wants that on Halloween, anyway?  Throw some orange in there and change it up.  Look for this next year and give it a try!

This one really didn't make any difference.  Chocolate milk definitely have a different taste than that of regular milk or even the milk that becomes chocolate by the time you're done with Cocoa Krispies, but it wasn't very noticeable.  I guess you could say it tasted much more chocolatey from the start, rather than the bowl progressing as time goes on, but either way, it's really good.  Plus, it looks dark and evil like that haunted house on the label so that helps.

My only regret was not mixing the orange milk in with the chocolate Cocoa Krispies.  How did I overlook that?  Even if that tasted like garbage, that makes for the perfect Halloween color combo!  I'll have to remember to up my game next year!