Maybe its the after-effects of good Thanksgiving meals, but there were some hungry folks in the OnMilwaukee.com editorial office this week, which explains the munchables we're recommending this week. Stuffed after a weekend of gluttony? How about a handy Twitter application, a sweet music collection or book or a funky mini-tripod.
Trader Joe's Sparkling Cranberry Juice -- In these parts, it's no secret that one of the biggest keys to holiday survival is booze. I love those all those specialty drinks that surface this time of year -- the hot toddies, the egg nog, the Tom and Jerrys. Yum. Alas, sometimes, there comes a need for an alcohol-free alternative while gathered together at the dining room table. And sure, Welch's Sparking Grape Juice has been around forever, but it's very sugary. Over Thanksgiving I had the pleasure of sampling Sparkling Cranberry Juice from Trader Joe's. Instead of just sugary, it's flavorful and rich and packs a legitimate punch of carbonated tartness. In fact, it would probably work well mixed into an alcoholic punch, but if you're looking to avoid a buzz, this one's an easy social sipper. -- Julie Lawrence
Chocolate Gourmet Cowboy Kettle Korn -- I've raved before about Doug Gutenkunst's Cowboy Kettle Korn. It's salty, sweet goodness. Now he's out with a chocolate flavored version. Made with Hersey's cocoa and with a hint of vanilla flavor, it's pretty tasty stuff. Not too chocolate intense, either, so the popcorn's character isn't lost. Pick up some at your local Sendik's. -- Jeff Sherman
Covers from SomaFM -- I stumbled across this station in the "Alternative Rock" section of the radio stations available on iTunes. It's exactly what you'd think -- a non-stop parade of covers. Some are awesome. Some are uninspiring. Some are intriguing. When you're tired of your iPod, give this a spin. I was hooked for awhile when I heard Steve Earle and Sheryl Crow combine on The Chambers Brothers hit "Time Has Come Today," followed by Milwaukee's own Willy Porter doing Devo's "Whip It" and Korn doing Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall." -- Drew Olson
Yogurt Dots -- I am very particular about my candy, and recently, I realized Yogurt Dots are on my short list of faves. The shape of the candy is similar to regular Dots, except half of it is a fruit flavor -- strawberry, banana, blackberry, orange and lemon-lime -- and half is "yogurt." I particularly like that they are not as sticky as regular Dots, yet still very chewy. Don't bother reading the mostly horrifying ingredients on these bullet-shaped candies. However, if you're like me and like to catch a sugar buzz despite what the dentist says, smuggle these into the movie theater next time you go. -- Molly Snyder Edler
"Downbeat: The Great Jazz Interviews" (Hal Leonard Books) -- This weighty paperback collects interviews from 75 years of Downbeat magazine. Although quite a few aren't "jazz" by any definition of the word (Van Morrison, Joni Mitchell, Elvis Costello, James Brown, Bela Fleck, Tom Waits, Frank Zappa, etc.), that doesn't make them any less interesting. Anyway, there are interviews with Andrew Hill, John Coltrane, McCoy Tyner, Thelonious Monk, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Coleman Hawkins, Louis Armstrong. I could go on, but I won't. Attractively designed and packed with great reading for music fans, this volume -- which could serve as a doorstop when you're not devouring it -- is a steal at $24.99. -- Bobby Tanzilo
Tweet Deck -- Especially for those using social media for business purposes, this application is a great way to get your tweets out into the world. Manage numerous Twitter and Facebook accounts in one easy desktop window. The software updates your timelines -- tweets, mentions and direct messages -- in real time and also has a handy auto-shortener for lengthy URLs. Download the handy iPhone companion, and you're set to get your 140 characters out with the greatest of ease. Download it for free at tweetdeck.com. -- Andrew Wagner
Joby Gorillatorch -- Many months ago, I recommended the Joby Gorillapod, a small and flexible tripod that attaches to almost anything. Hot on the heels of that clever little invention, Joby has released the Gorillatorch. The tripod part is about the same: ball-and-socket jointed legs let you attach this bright, 65-LED work light to about anything. Clamp it to a pipe, a door frame, a tent, a car fender or stand it up on the floor; at its brightest setting, the three-AAA battery-powered light will last about 20 hours. In economy setting, it lasts 80 hours. And, the feet are magnetized, so you can keep loose screws and other metal parts from rolling away while you work. It's really elegant in its hands-free simplicity, and the opportunities for new and creative uses are practically unlimited. It costs $30 at joby.com, but a few bucks less elsewhere on the Web. -- Andy Tarnoff
