Junk Food Nation, this is a letter to Rob Gronkowski, stud tight end for the New England Patriots: What the heck is happening, Gronk!?!  You’re about to undergo your FIFTH surgery overall, this time on your back, and it’s your FOURTH surgery in three years, and your SECOND surgery THIS MONTH ALONE.

Trust me, even though I am not a Pats fan, I don’t take pleasure in this. Surgeries are not funny, and everyone tries to avoid them for good reason.  I’m actually legit concerned for Gronk.  Besides being one of the best tight ends in the league, Gronk had been known for his frat lifestyle – posing naked for ESPN the Magazine’s Body Issue, partying with college girls, hanging out with porn stars, etc.  And so even though there was never any direct relation, people have said, “Gronk should not do this stuff, and concentrate on being healthy.” I always thought, and still think, that perspective was stupid – he can do whatever he wants, and his injuries (at least to me) were never related to his cavalier lifestyle.

Now, with his fifth surgery, I think it’s fair to say the focus isn’t even on his lifestyle anymore – now it’s just, “Dude, what is UP?”  Five surgeries for an NFL player?  That is NEVER good.  Plus, I believe this is his second or third surgery on his back, which is NEEEEEVER good.

I hate how he kills my Bills, but I respect what Gronk has done at his position.  I hope the Pats have a backup plan – yikes.

Today’s junk food: New Milk & Hazelnut Crisp Ghirardelli Squares!

New Milk & Hazelnut Crisp Ghirardelli Squares: The Money Shot

I picked these up at my local Safeway, and to be honest, I don’t think I’ve reviewed (ever) a Ghirardelli product.  It’s funny – I’ve actually been to the Ghirardelli HQ in San Fran, and have sampled their wares plenty of times, but I never think to review their products.  I mean, there’s a billion flavors, first of all, and many of them are pretty straight forward.

I was intrigued, however, by these New Milk & Hazelnut Crisp Ghirardelli Squares, however, because it had two things I love in chocolate – rice crisp and hazelnut.  Seems pretty straightforward, but I wanted to try it anyways…

New Milk & Hazelnut Crisp Ghirardelli Squares: Hard to take a picture of a shiny bag…I wonder what the “crisp” is?

New Milk & Hazelnut Crisp Ghirardelli Squares: Ahhhhh….crisp rice. I like how they highlight MILK and HAZELNUTS.  We get it, Ghirardelli…

New Milk & Hazelnut Crisp Ghirardelli Squares: 80 calories a square?  I GUESS that’s good not horrible…I’d prefer to eat a bunch of crackers, honestly

New Milk & Hazelnut Crisp Ghirardelli Squares: Standard awesome Ghirardelli look

New Milk & Hazelnut Crisp Ghirardelli Squares: MMMMM HAZELNUT FILLING

New Milk & Hazelnut Crisp Ghirardelli Squares were, as expected, pretty standard and tasty.  The chocolate was definitely sweet and had that great milk chocolate flavor. It is full of oils, which made the overall texture kind of soft, and I know that people don’t love that.  Still, the sweet milk chocolate was a perfect complement to the strong hazelnut flavor…nice and hazelnutty and creamy.  And then the crisp was very subtle – just a few crispy bits here and there, not like a CRUNCH bar at all.  I kind of wish it was more CRUNCH-bar-ish, to be honest.  Would’ve loved to see a hazelnut creme PLUS a big crunch!

Overall, just a nice little treat.  I probably wouldn’t buy it again, but just because I like variety and would opt to try something else.  But these met my expectations, and are a good chocolate square for those who like hazelnut.

PURCHASED AT: Safeway

COST: $3.50 on sale

Thoughts?Please comment below or hit me up on Twitter @junkfoodguy or LIKE my Facebook Page and message me there. I also have Google+!! Let’s hang out.

Sincerely,

Junk Food Guy