JFG Nation, it’s Monday, which means it’s the beginning of a new week. Every other Monday (basically) for the past four years I’ve posted about the Nosh Show, and I’ve said these words:

“For you new arrivals, The Nosh Show is a podcast started by Marvo from The Impulsive Buy, featuring Ryan from GrubGrade, Dubba from On Second Scoop, and, of course, me, your friendly neighborhood JFG.”

The Nosh Show was the brainchild of Marvo, a food blogger who I consider the godfather of the junk food and fast food reviewing game. When I started my blog in June of 2011, my initial thought was “I HAVE TO DO THIS BECAUSE NO ONE ELSE IS.” As I dipped my toe into the food reviewing waters, I quickly realized: I was wrong. SOOOO wrong. Names came out the woodwork of people who were doing EXACTLY what I was: Freezer Burns. Rodzilla Reviews. Food Junk. The Foodette. And, of course, The Impulsive Buy (Marvo’s blog).

Some of the previously listed aren’t around anymore, but TIB had surprising strength. I quickly learned that TIB was a force, then I learned of two other forces to be reckoned with: Ryan over at GrubGrade and Dubba over at On Second Scoop. Holy S – these guys were experts at fast food and ice cream, and I was a pretender. As I dug down daily to prove I wasn’t a poser, I tried to learn as much as I could by looking at those three blogs – how often did they post? How did they conduct business? What were they seeing that I wasn’t?

Imagine my surprise when, in the Spring of 2013, Marvo asked if I wanted to be part of something different: a podcast. A podcast about junk food and fast food. And not only that, but with Ryan and Dubba. Joining forces with these guys???? I was not even two years into my blog yet, and now this opportunity. How could I say no?  I was truly honored.

And this is what our first show sounded like:

Wow. Talk about a walk down memory lane. This show was called NOSH at the beginning? Why do I sound like I am underwater? Amazing.

Over the past four years I’ve grown up with these three guys. It’s like spending four years in college (but not with the Miami Heat.) As my own blogging journey has taken twists and turns, I always knew that every other week, I was able to turn to these three for talks on new foods, for laughs, but most of all, for support.

And with that, I want to personally encourage you to listen this brand new episode of the Nosh Show. Please. Please listen to it, for me: The Nosh Show, Episode 101: My Initial Reaction Was Gag.

This week: “Birthday Cake Froot Loops Cereal, Hershey’s Flavors of America, a new Ben & Jerry’s flavor, a new Oreo flavor, and much more.” You can listen embedded here:

You can subscribe to The Nosh Show using various services: iTunes, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, RSS.

Well, if you did me the honor of listening to that podcast, you know that this was my last episode of the Nosh Show, and you know why I stepped away.

Sigh. Let me just say that growing up, I was the type of kid that used to cry at the end of a school year, because I hated change. I like routine. I like stability. This blog has given me great opportunities, but I’ve always had solid things to return to to ground me: my family. The JFGal. And, of course, my brethren on the Nosh Show.

But if life teaches us anything, it’s that you can’t get too comfortable because new challenges, opportunities, and lessons are waiting just around the corner. You can’t shy away from these things; you have to meet them head on. And you can’t pretend things will always be the same. The days of graduating from college and saying, “I WISH WE COULD ALL JUST LIVE IN THE SAME APARTMENT BUILDING IN NEW YORK CITY” are long gone.

I’m stepping away from the Nosh Show with a heavy heart. As soon as I clicked off the mic, a little teary eyed, I said aloud, “Did I just make a mistake?” But no – the show will go on. This website will go on. And hopefully I’ll have a chance to guest appear on Nosh Shows in the future.

So with that, I just wanted to thank Marvo, Ryan, and Dubba, for being one of the best parts of this blog for the past four years. As new faces appear on the food reviewing horizon, breaking new products faster than I ever will be able to, I’m not worried about what will become of the JFG because it has accomplished one of my favorite things of all: this little old blog allowed me to become really good friends with the three of you. You guys are more than just kindred blogging spirits; you’re just good people. Thank you for believing in me enough to be part of the Nosh Show. We are the Core Four (sorry, I HAD to sneak a Yankees reference in there).

Sigh. Ok, JFG, shake it out, shake it out. Let’s get back to the goods:

Today’s junk food: New Hi-Chew Fizzies!!

More goodies from Morinaga! Thanks, Morinaga, for giving me a chance to try Hi-Chew Fizzies, a soda-flavored version of their popular soft candy. The PR buzz: “Fizzies takes the nostalgic flavors enjoyed by kids and adults and infuses them into the sensationally chewy texture Hi-Chew fans love.”

The above flavor, Orange Soda, “is the perfect balance of citrusy sweet and tang.” I’LL BE THE JUDGE OF THAT.

DO THESE TASTE GOOD? YES.

WHY OR WHY NOT? The Hi-Chew certainly SMELLS like Orange Soda…that over the top almost too perfect orange smell was on point. Biting into it, the initial flavor was a little weird – almost like biting into a piece of Bazooka bubble gum! It had that off bubble gum flavor. That initial awkward taste quickly dissolved into a wonderful orange soda flavor, however. Tangy and sweet and orange syrup-y. I loved it. These were very very tasty! Not cloying with plenty of orange soda flavor. One of the best Hi-Chew flavors I’ve ever had.

When I opened the Cola version, the cola aroma was faint – it reminded me of anything else that I’ve had that was cola flavored. It had hints of cola and root beer in the smell.

DO THESE TASTE GOOD? YES.

WHY OR WHY NOT? Biting into these, I got gat same Bazooka bubble gum initial flavor, which quickly dissolved into a really really interesting cola flavor. It was citrus-y and tart, with a good deal of cola syrup flavor in the background. It reminded me a lot of Coke with some sort of fruit added to it, whether it be lemon, lime, hibiscus — some sort of tart juice. It was REALLY tasty but not quite Cola by itself. I’m still chewing and trying to think of what these taste like. The Orange soda flavor was easy to recognize, these were more complex (and I sort of love that).

ANYTHING ELSE I SHOULD KNOW? Available nationwide starting March 2017…which is long gone. GO LOOK FOR THESE NOW!

PURCHASED AT: Sent to me but you can buy them on Amazon.

WHERE FOUND IN STORE? n/a

COST? N/a

Sincerely,

The JFG