Junk Food Nation, I’m back. Did you miss me? It’s been so long.  Well, it’s been one day. Yesterday was a stumbling block – I wanted to talk about the Hot Dog Eating Contest again, I wanted to talk about fireworks, and the 4th of July, etc., but no.  Stupid storm wiping through DC, taking out power and internet everywhere.  Boo.  Well, I got back my cable connection yesterday around 6pm, and basically kissed the ground where my cable modem was.  One day unplugged was…well, it was kind of nice. I went shopping, saw the new Spiderman (Andrew Garfield > Tobey Maguire), and celebrated the 4th peacefully. But I missed you, Nation.  Ever so much.

Since I didn’t get a chance to speak about my patriotism yesterday, I figured that I’d take the opportunity to discuss some America today – and there aren’t too many things out there more American than Paula Deen.  And I got to meet her.  Seriously! Check it out:

Me and Paula Deen!  And several tall people.

Yep, that’s me and the Deen. This all happened because my friend Dan, an exec with a very large corporation, was in DC being wined and dined by a client who happened to also be working with Paula Deen on a promotion. They were at Nats Park to advertise the promotion and Dan was invited to attend, and I got to tag along.

We walked out onto the field and suddenly, there she was – Paula Deen, in all her Southern Glory, set to throw out the first pitch of the game and get interviewed. We shook hands, I said two words, “Big fan,” and we stopped for a photo opp, and then we were quickly ushered away. Two minutes with celebrity.

Paula Deen was VERY nice (why wouldn’t she be? She’s a gazillionaire) and seemed genuinely happy to be there.  The one thing I remember that I thought was funny was the small posse that walked behind her, including one dude who was literally carrying 8-9 Louis Vuitton bags. He was like a cartoon character, with so many LV bags we seemed like he might fall over.  I guess even Paula Deen needs her bags with her at all times.

I thought today’s junk food was appropriate: Paula Deen Collection BBQ Snack Mix and her Sweet & Sassy Snack Mix!

Paula Deen Collection BBQ Snack Mix, Sweet & Sassy Snack Mix: The Money Shots

Paula Deen Collection BBQ Snack Mix was given to me by my friend Melissa, who knew I’d met Paula Deen, and I picked up her Sweet & Sassy Snack Mix at TJ Maxx, of all places.  I guess Maxxinistas like Snack Mix too.

I had no idea Paula Deen made snack mix.  She sells these products and more on her website. Calling them part of the Paula Deen collection seems funny – I can understand pots and pans, maybe a cookbook…but snack mix?   Would this be any different than Chex Mix?

I dunno, but there’s only one way to find out. Let’s get right into it.

Paula Deen Collection BBQ Snack Mix: The Money Shot and Paula’s smiling face.

Paula Deen Collection BBQ Snack Mix: BBQ doesn’t necessarily mean hot, but I like hot sauce, so…

Paula Deen Collection BBQ Snack Mix: not a TON of sodium…

Paula Deen Collection BBQ Snack Mix: WHOA this is a lot of ingredients. Ingredient #1: Honey Nut Squares? Weird.

Paula Deen Collection BBQ Snack Mix: Standard look

Paula Deen Collection BBQ Snack Mix: Glazed nicely

Paula Deen Collection BBQ Snack Mix had standard snack mix crunch and feel.  The flavor was DEFINITELY smoky with BBQ flavor.  Here’s the thing though – the snack mix was SWEET.  That caught me off guard – as you chew and your mouth is filled with a smoky BBQ flavor, the honey nut squares and the other sweetened bits like the toffee peanuts and the sesame sticks give off a nice sweet flavors.  The whole thing tastes like carbs coated in delightful honey BBQ sauce.  I have to admit I was PERPLEXED as I ate this.  My final thought was: REALLY good!  An ultimate sweet and savory snack mix.  Hat tip, Ms. Deen.

Paula Deen Collection Sweet & Sassy Snack Mix: The Money Shot, and what IS a sassy snack mix?

Paula Deen Collection Sweet & Sassy Snack Mix: Apparently sassy means a dash of cayenne

Paula Deen Collection Sweet & Sassy Snack Mix: slightly less sodium and less sugar than the other variety…same calories

Paula Deen Collection Sweet & Sassy Snack Mix: Ingredient 1: Toffee Peanuts? Er….very unlike Chex Mix

Paula Deen Collection Sweet & Sassy Snack Mix: Don’t SEE a ton of toffee peanuts…I don’t think

Paula Deen Collection Sweet & Sassy Snack Mix: Sweet taste…and sassy kick?

Paula Deen Collection Sweet & Sassy Snack Mix also had standard feel and crunch – and it was even SWEETER than the BBQ mix!  What is going on here??? NONE of this tastes like normal Chex Mix – Ms. Deen has gone the whole sweet and savory route, and is knocking it out of the park. This mix, named Sweet and Sassy, basically is a really sweet mix and as you chew the savory kick of cayenne flavor comes through.  Not spicy, per se – just that peppery kick provides a really interesting contrast to the very sweet bits.  Its like salt on caramel – it makes the sweet taste REALLY interesting.  I liked this a lot too.

So there you have it! I met Paula Deen and now I’ve eaten her snack mixes.  A solid A to both; if you are the type who likes sweet and savory, you’ll like these a LOT.

PURCHASED AT: TJ Maxx and given by a friend

COST: $3

Thoughts? Please comment below (I always reply) or hit me up on Twitter @junkfoodguy or LIKE my Facebook Page and message me there. Also, you can always email me at junkfoodguy@junkfoodguy.com. Let’s hang out.

Sincerely, Junk Food Guy