I am inordinately proud of the creation of “Off-Brand Bulkies!” cereal with its cheerful, bear-resembling mascot. I slip Bulkies in when I can, and in my imagination they have roughly the same look and consistency of dog food but are slightly tastier.

The inspiration for these comes from all the store-brand knockoff cereals that every supermarket carries. I grew up on a lot of bulk-purchased cereals that were similar, but legally distinct, from popular brands; usually I didn’t mind eating them in any case.

Fun fact: My favorite off-brand cereal in all the world (and bear in mind that this award has nothing to do with taste) is carried by my local Co-op food stores. It is reminiscent of Froot Loops but has no mascot and is called, in capital letters on a white background, “FRUIT-FLAVOURED CEREAL”. [May 25, 2012]