A Lazy Mom’s Guide to Getting In Shape for Summer #spon

A Lazy Mom’s Guide to Getting In Shape for Summer #spon

May 23, 2013 by · 4 Comments

This guide to getting in shape is made possible by a product for review.  All opinions expressed here are my  own.

I am a 40 plus woman with 2 children and I am always searching for easy ways to get in shape.  So, like most people who want to learn about a topic I head to my old friend Google to help me learn about it.  What do I find if I Google the term ‘getting in shape”?  I find pictures of buff looking women doing pushups on the beach and links to sports supplements to help me run marathons.  Okay, Google, lets be realistic here a minute, shall we?  I am middle aged and have a lot of things that hurt if I so much bend over to pick up the newspaper wrong.  I have two children who beg for ice cream on a regular basis and I have NO willpower.  My money is spent on piano lessons, not gym memberships and sports supplements.  So, how is this relatively lazy, middle aged woman supposed to get in shape for summer so that she can be seen at the pool in a bathing suit without feeling self conscious?  I am still working on getting in shape but thought I would share a few tips that I came across to help you along this path as well.

getting in shape for summer

Getting In Shape?  Try These Lazy Mom Tips!

 

1.  Put down the soda, vitamin water, and coffee and start drinking more water.  Yes, this is not easy.  It is also not always tasty.  But, getting in shape means that you need to find ways to flush your system and trick it into thinking it is full.  Drinking lots of water is one easy way to do this.  Put a giant pitcher on the counter or in the fridge and vow to finish it by the end of the day.  Add slices of fresh fruit to it or a spritz of fresh lemon or lime juice.

2. Try herbal teas:  So, I am not a doctor, dietitian, or anyone you should actually listen to when it comes to medical advice.  Let’s just get that straight before I continue! I do, however, really believe in the benefits of many herbs when it comes to health issues.  My cabinet is full of herbal teas to help solve just about every ailment you can think about.  I have detox teas, water flushing teas, and even an appetite suppressing tea.  Once a day I have a mug…usually with breakfast.  Great way to increase fluid intake without extra calories and support your digestive system at the same time.  If you are not currently an herbal tea drinker, just an FYI for you:  They don’t all taste that great.  In fact, some of them taste like water that has been added to sticks and dirt.  Add a little Stevia and lemon juice if you have to for a no calorie sweetness and flavor.

3. Get moving:  That seems so simple right?  The most important part of getting in shape is to burn calories.  The only way to burn calories is to get your behind in gear and get moving.  I do not have the time nor the money for gym memberships. I am not investing in a personal trainer or buying thousands of dollars worth of exercise equipment.  I have been trying to do something very simple: walk more!  Instead of sitting in my chair to check email or talk to my mom on the phone I head out and take a walk in the neighborhood while I work or chat.  If you are dropping your child off at soccer practice and sitting in the bleachers how about you go with your walking shoes on and take a few laps around the field while you wait.  If you DO want to get a bunch of exercise equipment, check out Craiglist or ask your friends.  People are always happy to get rid of them since a lot of times they just end up as clothes hangers and storage spaces.

4. Increase your fiber intake:  This goes back to the whole concept of tricking your body into thinking it is full. Fiber takes up a lot of space and takes a while to digest.  Getting in shape isn’t easy if you are constantly hungry!  Apples, nuts, seeds, beans, brown rice, fresh veggies, chia seeds….whatever has a decent amount of fiber in it works to help fill you up.  Eating an apple and drinking a glass of water 30 minutes before your meal will fill you up so you don’t eat too much at your meal.

5.  Leave yourself notes:  Okay, this might sound weird but I am all about lists and sticky notes.  Always head to the fridge at 3 PM for a snack?  Stick a post it note on the fridge with a big NOOOOO written on it.  Or tape a picture of a horribly obese person there, or leave yourself an inspirational message.  Whatever works to help you walk away from the fridge and stick to your diet plan.

6.  Learn what a portion size really is:  I do not count calories, weigh and measure, or in any way try to quantify the food I am eating.  I am far too lazy for that.  Getting in shape means you have to reduce your calorie intake…there is no magic bullet when it comes to shedding pounds.  Eat less, exercise more.  But, if you think that a serving of potatoes is a heaping mound on your plate next to the 12 ounce steak you are sorely mistaken.  Check out some nutrition sites to learn what a serving size is for your age/weight/height/etc.  Eat more veggies that starches, lean meat instead of processed meat food, skip the sauces and just try to make smarter food choices.

getting in shape for summer tips

7. Snack Healthier:  I am a snacker and that is not going to change just because I have to lose a few pounds.  I get cranky when I am hungry!  I am trying to make smarter snacking choices that allow me to still satisfy my need to much but also provide some sort of nutrition and health benefits at the same time.  As much as I love Cheetos, they really are not a healthy snack choice so I have been trying to limit those to special occasions.  Everyday snacking has become things like apples with almond butter, cheese sticks, veggies with low fat dip, or snack chips made from whole grains.  I recently received a package of Way Better Snacks to try out and not only did *I* enjoy them, they were a huge hit with the rest of the family as well.

Way Better Snacks are not made from regular grains…they are made from sprouted seeds!  The grains, seeds and beans are germinated (sprouted) and carefully dried before processing them into their delicious snacks. They  use only the highest quality organic seeds, grains and beans in their products and germination does not at all effect the way these grains and seed taste.  Sprouting them before processing just makes them more nutritious.  They even include things like sprouted broccoli and radish seeds in their snacks!  All of the ingredients are all-natural, non-GMO (not genetically modified) and the highest quality ingredients available. The Way Better Snacks are also Kosher, vegan, gluten free and contain no trans fats.

getting in shape for summer with healthy snacks

I received a nice variety of Way Better Snacks to try out including  Simply Sunny Multi-Grain, Simply Sweeet Potato, Simply Beyond Black Bean, Simply So Sweet Chili, Simply Unbeatable Blues and No Salt Naked Blues.  They include a variety of sprouted ingredients including flaxseed, chia seeds, quinoa, black beans, broccoli seeds and daikon radish seeds.  I served them to my kids and husband and munched on several varieties myself.  I can honestly say that we did not try a single variety that we did not like.  My son like the bold flavor of the Simply So Sweet Chili while my husband liked the plainer Simply Sunny Multi-Grain.  Probably because he covered them with melted cheese and dipped in salsa.  He DOES run marathons and has no reason to skimp on cheese.  I loved the Simply Sunny Multi-Grain eaten plain and think it had a nice, almost nutty flavor to it.  I must admit, no salt chips aren’t my favorite but the No salt Naked Blues were still tasty.  Just didn’t quite appease my salt craving.  Overall, a very tasty selection of healthy snacks that will make getting in shape without starving a tad bit easier!

Enter to Win a Case of Way Better Snacks!

Way Better Snacks would like to give 2 of my readers a case of their sprouted chips to try.  This is a Giveaway Tools contest so just follow the directions in the form to enter!

 

Disclaimer:  In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials.”: I received product samples  in exchange for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed here are mine and mine alone. Some of the links in this post may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers.

By entering this giveaway, you release this blog and it’s owner from any liability whatsoever, and waive any and all causes of action, related to any claims, costs, injuries, losses or damages of any kind arising out of or in connection with the giveaway or delivery, mis-delivery or acceptance of any prize.

 

 

Filed Under: health · Tagged: ,
Tips for Caring for Kids Teeth with Braces #ToothTunes1D #spon

Tips for Caring for Kids Teeth with Braces #ToothTunes1D #spon

May 20, 2013 by · 5 Comments

This post on caring for kids teeth with braces is sponsored by Arm and Hammer Tooth Tunes but all opinions express are my own.

When my children were younger we worked hard to get them to do a good job brushing their teeth.  We would buy fruity tasting toothpaste and sing songs to remind them how long they should be brushing for.  Once they got the hang of things, I pretty much began ignoring tooth brushing time for about 10 years.  I figured they were old enough to do it by themselves and it was one less thing for me to worry about, right?  As long as the dentist said their teeth looked okay I wasn’t going to worry about it any more.  Well, then came the teen years and with it we began our journey into thousands of dollars worth of orthodontics work.  Spacers, jaw widening devices, braces and soon elastic bands.  Oh, the joys of having teenagers, right?  Well, now I find myself worrying all over again about how good a job they are doing when they brush their teeth.  Caring for kids teeth with braces requires a lot more work than it did before they had all that metal in their mouths.  Now that they have all those cracks and crevices for food particles to hide in, I find myself nagging at them again…Did you do a good job?  Did you floss?  Did you use the special mouthwash I bought you?  Are you REALLY done brushing that quickly?  Teeth brushing time has begun to be a game of Twenty Questions in my house.  I have been struggling to get them to understand the importance of slowing down and caring for their teeth properly. I thought I would share some of these tips on caring for kids teeth with braces.  I hope you find them helpful in keeping your own kid’s teeth clean and healthy!

 

Tips for Caring for Kids Teeth with Braces

caring for kids teeth with braces tips

1.  Watch what they eat:  You will get a whole list of foods from your orthodontist on things they should avoid eating while they have braces.  Everything from gum and taffy to ice cubes and popcorn are on the ‘do not eat’ list.  Even healthy foods like apples and carrot sticks are a big no no.  I find that slicing apples nice and thin and steaming the carrot sticks for a few minutes to  soften them up makes them much easier to eat.

2.  Protect those teeth during sports.  If your child is active in sports, make sure you get an orthodontist approved mouth guard for them to wear while they play. They can do serious damage to their mouth and set you back a lot of money if they get hit in the mouth with a cleat or fast moving ball.

3.  Stock up on wax and Anbesol:  All that wire can be harsh on the lining inside the mouth.  Make sure your orthodontist gives you wax to cover the wire with and invest in a numbing gel to help sooth tender gums and cheeks.

4.  Find the right toothpaste:  My daughter has never liked most mint flavored toothpastes and when she was younger we always got the bubblegum or strawberry versions.  Since no one else in the house likes that sort of toothpaste we always have multiple flavors floating around.  I recently found a ‘mild mint’ toothpaste from Toms of Maine that she really enjoys so I only need to buy one toothpaste for the kids bathroom.

5.  Don’t forget to floss:  Just because they have all that metal in their mouths doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be flossing.  They make little tiny floss threaders that help your child weave the dental floss between their teeth for easy flossing.  Flossing is one of the most important parts of caring for kids teeth with braces.  So much food gets stuck in there that you really need to make sure they are getting it all out!

6.  Make things easy to find:  We keep a basket on the counter in easy reach of the kids to encourage them to use all the products we blow our money on.  Honestly, my teens are so lazy some days that just opening the medicine cabinet is too much work for them.  Mouthwash, floss, toothpaste, etc all get put in the basket as a visual reminder to take care of their teeth.

7.  Make sure they are brushing long enough.  Just like when my kids were younger, I needed to find a way to keep them at the link longer.  Teenagers have OH so many more important things to do in life than to brush their teeth.  Like eat me out of house and home and socialize with their friends.  Caring for kids teeth with braces means keeping them clean and in order to do THAT they need to actually be in the bathroom brushing.  I tried a timer but that was rather boring and required one extra step that they are just too lazy to take.  I was recently sent the Arm and Hammer Tooth Tunes 1 Direction Toothbrush for my daughter to try out and she was so excited! Like most teenage girls, she is a huge 1 Direction fan!

caring for kids teeth with braces

 

Caring for Kids Teeth with Braces

The  ARM & HAMMER™ Tooth Tunes™ One Direction toothbrush is the only brush that plays One Direction  here in the US.  There are two options to choose from:  one brush plays “What Makes You Beautiful” performed by One Direction and the other one plays “One Thing” performed by One Direction.  Each toothbrush plays two minutes of music to encourage longer brushing.   ARM & HAMMER™ Tooth Tunes™  uses a special, one of a kind Music in Your Mouth™ technology. It actually streams sound vibrations from the bristles of the toothbrush through the teeth, allowing kids to hear the music while they brush.   The brushes have a suggested retail price of $9.99 and are available at mass, drug, and food retailers nationwide.

My daughter really loved the new ARM & HAMMER™ Tooth Tunes™ One Direction toothbrush and hounded me constantly once it arrived to get started testing it out!  The head on the toothbrush is a nice size and the handle isn’t so big that she can’t hold onto it easily.  She thought the music could be a bit louder but then again she listens to her music at ear splitting decibels.  I thought the volume sounded just fine to me!  The base of the handle is flat, making it easy to set upright on the bathroom counter to dry.  The music is turned on with a quick press of the thumb and the handle is comfortable to hold.  All in all, a great way to make caring for kids teeth with braces easy and enjoyable.

 

Brush with Tooth Tunes™, Rock with One Direction Sweepstakes 

Check out the Brush with Tooth Tunes™, Rock with One Direction Sweepstakes and enter for a chance to win the Grand Prize, four tickets to a One Direction concert in August 2013!  100 First Prize Winners will receive One Direction prize packs, with One Direction merchandise!  This would certainly WOW most teenagers!   To enter, follow the below steps:

  • Create an optional video of yourself or your kids brushing with Direction ARM & HAMMER™ Tooth Tunes™ for your chance to be featured on ToothTunes.com! (A video is not required for entry.)
  • Visit ToothTunes.com, complete the registration form and click submit to be entered for your chance to win.
  • Enter up to once per week now through 6/30/13
  • Winners will be chosen July 2013

If you would like to learn more about Tooth Tunes, you can check them out on Facebook!  For official rules and to enter the contest visit ToothTunes.com. 

ToothTunes_logo

Disclaimer: I am part of the Mom It Forward blogger network. Mom It Forward and ARM & HAMMER™ Tooth Tunes™ partnered in support of this campaign. ARM & HAMMER™ Tooth Tunes™ compensated me for participation in this campaign. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Filed Under: Family Life, health · Tagged: , ,
Tropical Green Smoothie Recipe and a Nature’s Greens Pinterest Contest #sipyournaturesgreens #sponsored

Tropical Green Smoothie Recipe and a Nature’s Greens Pinterest Contest #sipyournaturesgreens #sponsored

May 17, 2013 by · 6 Comments

This tropical green smoothie recipe post is brought to you by Nature’s Greens who provided a sample for review and a promotional item for my time.

I have found over the years that one of the easiest ways to boost my nutrition intake is to blend things together into a smoothie.  I throw all sorts of things in them including fruits, veggies, seeds, oils and all sorts of other good things.  Green smoothies have become quite popular nowadays as people are trying to find easy ways to get healthier on the go.  Green smoothies are perfect for the busy lifestyle because you can just blend, pour into a travel mug of some sort and off you go to run your errands.  Sip your nutrients while you shop!

Kale

 

The greens you use in your green smoothie can be anything from kale and spinach to mustard or collard greens.  I like to buy the big bags of greens from Nature’s Greens because they come triple washed and ready to use.  No washing means less hassle and time spend preparing for my green smoothie!  Nature’s Greens offers a complete line of triple-washed, ready-to-use greens such as kale, collard, mustard and turnip greens, along with greens blends.  They are  available in both one- and two-pound packages and are packaged by WP Rawl, a leading producer of fresh bulk and packaged greens based in Pelion, SC.   Nature’s Greens is available year-round and can be found in many large grocery stores like Krogers, Walmart, and Save A Lot.

 

image001

 

If you have never made a green smoothie before here are a few tips you might want to keep in mind when you make it:

1.  Your liquid base can be anything from plain water, apple juice, coconut or soy milk or any other liquid you think sounds good with your ingredient list.  Juices will add sweetness, dairy and dairy alternatives will make it a bit more filling and higher in protein.  Water is just fine but you will not have a smoothie that has quite as much flavor.

2.  Blend your liquid and fruits first, before adding the greens.  This will allow the blades of the blender to move freely and give you the smoothest green smoothie possible.

3.  Choose natural sweeteners if needed.  If you are adding plenty of fruit and/or juice you may not need a sweetener at all.  Taste your green smoothie before adding any sweetener.

4.  For a slightly spicier and bolder flavor try adding fresh herbs to your green smoothie.  Herbs are easy to grow in your garden or landscaping so you can always go  out and grab a handful when you need them.

5.  To thicken your smoothie you can freeze your berries before adding them to the blender or add ice.

6.  Consider adding healthy fats to your green smoothie like avocado oil, flax seed oil, or raw nuts and seeds.

Sip Your Nature’s Green Pinterest Contest

Nature’s Greens is hosting the “Sip Your Nature’s Greens” contest on their Pinterest page from May – July.  They willl be picking a winner once every two weeks to receive a NutriBullet blender.

All you have to do is Follow Nature’s Greens on Pinterest

Create a board called “Sip Your Nature’s Greens Contest”

Repin their Contest Announcement

Pin at least 5 images from the Nature’s Greens Pinterest Board on Pinterest

Make sure to include the #sipyournaturesgreens hashtag on all your pins!

Email your board link to the email address in the contest announcement below.  For extra entries, tweet about the contest  using the contest hashtag!

 For more information, like Nature’s Greens on WP Rawls’ Facebook to stay connected or head over and browse through the Nature’s Greens recipes for some inspiration

PintoWin-Contest

Tropical Green Smoothie Recipe

I don’t have a fancy blender so I just did this in a regular blender and it came out very good.  It had a bit more texture than a plain fruit smoothie but the green color was just amazing!  I love knowing that this green smoothie is packed full of nutrients.  It makes the perfect breakfast or even a filling afternoon snack.

tropical green smoothie recipe

Tropical Green Smoothie Recipe
 
Save Print

Prep time

Total time

 

A refreshing blend of fruits and vegetables that provide a burst of nutrition
Author:
Recipe type: beverage
Serves: 2 to 3

Ingredients
  • 2 to 3 cups coconut milk (depends on desired consistency)
  • 2 cups fresh chopped pineapple
  • 1 banana
  • 3 cups fresh kale
  • 1 TBSP flax seed oil

Instructions
  1. In a blender, combine 2 cups of the coconut milk, the pineapple, banana and flax seed oil.
  2. Blend on high speed 2 to 3 minutes or until smooth
  3. Add in the kale, 1 cup at a time blending on high speed 1 to 2 minutes after each addition
  4. When all the kale is added, adjust to desired consistency with remaining coconut milk.
  5. Serve immediately

 For more information, like Nature’s Greens on WP Rawls’ Facebook to stay connected or head over and browse through the Nature’s Greens recipes for some inspiration

Disclaimer:  In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials.”: I received product samples and a promotional item in exchange for my honest review.  Some of the links in this post may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission.  All opinions expressed here are mine and mine alone. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers.

Filed Under: recipe · Tagged: , , , ,
Health Care Costs: Can You Afford to NOT Have Insurance? #sponsored

Health Care Costs: Can You Afford to NOT Have Insurance? #sponsored

May 10, 2013 by · 7 Comments

This discussion about health care costs has been sponsored by Aflac and Mom Central Consulting but all opinions are my own.

Health care costs are on the rise and with people sometimes struggling to make ends meat,  many families are choosing to cut corners on their insurance and medical needs.  I work as a pharmacy technician and every day my patients come to me and ask how to save money on their prescriptions. They look at the copay that their insurance company charges them and wonder why it is so high.  Inevitably, they ask “How much would this medicine cost without my insurance?”.  They are usually shocked when I tell them that the prescription medicine they are paying $30.00 with insurance for would cost them hundreds of dollars if they didn’t have their insurance plan.  Often times, people don’t realize that health care costs could bankrupt them completely if they didn’t have insurance!

aflac logo

If you think the price of your prescription medicine is bad, just consider what the health care costs associated with an accident or severe injury would be!  A trip to the hospital could cost thousands if you do not have the proper insurance.  Aflac want to help people gain a better understanding of the true consequences of health care costs without medical insurance.  The Aflac Real Cost Calculator is designed to help show you the health care costs associated with an assortment of different scenarios.  The Real Cost Calculator is an interactive tool  designed to show potential out-of-pocket medical costs and household expenses in just three simple steps.   Serious medical conditions like cancer or stroke can result in thousands of dollars in unexpected out-of-pocket medical costs and expenses. Not to mention that if you are seriously ill and can’t work, you have no income to pay for your mortgage, car payment or even groceries!

health care costs

How does this health care costs calculator work?

The Aflac Real Cost Calculator incorporates data from numerous national public sources to show the average costs of a variety of medical conditions.  I played around a little bit with it myself just to see what sort of scenarios it provided me with.

1.  If my oh so clumsy child happened to fall and break a leg, I would be out $11,678.

2.  If my husband or I had a hear attack we would own the hospital a whopping $12,621.  That number alone is enough to give anyone a heart attack!

3.  If one of my family member was diagnosed with Diabetes, we would be out $17,448.  And that doesn’t include the cost of a lifetime of medicine!

Kids get sick a LOT.  They can be clumsy and have accidents.  As adults, we can suffer from a range of illnesses and diseases that could be very minor or could be life threatening.  When someone in our family gets sick, we should not have to stop and ask ourselves if we can ‘afford’ to go to the doctor.  When we go to pick up our prescriptions we shouldn’t have to leave them behind because we don’t have enough money to pay for them.  We should not  have to lose our homes because health care costs get too out of control for us to afford the mortgage.

hidden health care costs

Health Care Costs

You do not need to be an Aflac customer to use their Real Cost Calculator.  Keep in mind that medical debt is the most common cause of bankruptcy in this country!   By understanding the real costs and expenses associated with health care, individuals and families have the power to better financially prepare themselves. Your insurance may not pay as much as you think.  And hospital bills aren’t the only expense you need to worry about.   Deductibles, copays, child care, car payments….this list of unexpected health care costs goes on and on!  If you want to get a better handle in this concept,  go to Aflac.com/Real Cost to test the new calculator and  see how Aflac helps offset the real health care costs of an illness or injury.

Disclaimer: I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Aflac. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

Filed Under: Family Life, health · Tagged:
Trail Food For Your Outdoor Adventure #sponsored

Trail Food For Your Outdoor Adventure #sponsored

April 19, 2013 by · 3 Comments

This Trail Food post is sponsored by PROBAR but all opinions expressed are my own.

My husband and I love to head out into the woods and go hiking whenever we can.  Our children are 11 and 13 and are forced to come with us as often as possible.  Of course, being teenagers they would rather be playing video games or gossiping with friends but I think it is important for them to get out into the woods occasionally and appreciate nature.  One way to keep cranky teenagers happy in the woods is to feed them frequently.  Of course, that also keeps mommy happy, too, so we bring a lot of trail food on our adventures in the wild.  The type of trail food you bring matters quite a bit.  You want to pack foods that are light weight but that really pack a lot of nutrition into a small package.  High protein, lots of complex carbohydrates, some fiber to fill you up, and easily transportable.  Over the years, we have discovered some favorite trail foods and every time we hike I like to try one or two new things as well.  If you are looking for the perfect trail food, here are a few  ideas on what to throw in your backpack next time you head out.

easy trail food suggestions

Trail Food Suggestions

1. Beef Jerky:  Although most beef jerky can be slightly high in salt,  it is also very high in protein.  I have noticed a number of organic varieties online or you can buy a dehydrator and make your own.

2. Trail mix:  The great thing about trail mix is how many different things you can toss in it.  Nuts for protein, dried fruit and chocolate chips for carbohydrates, whole grain cereals, seeds, etc.  Get creative and throw it into some small, zip to lock bags for your next hike.

3.  Dehydrated meals:  Have you ever heard of the abbreviation MRE?  That stands for Meals Ready to Eat.  While they aren’t the tastiest trail food in the world, they come in a ton of different varieties and all you have to do is add water.  These are great if you are backpacking quite a distance and want a filling meal and not just a snack.

4.  Dried fruit:  The great thing about dried fruit is how light weight it is.  While it doesn’t provide a ton of energy or calories, it is a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth on the trail.  It is also a LOT lighter than bringing actual fruit on the trail.  Apples and oranges can get heavy and bananas are way to squish-able to carry in a back pack.  However, banana CHIPS make an awesome trail food.  Lots of potassium to replace what you lose through sweat!

5.  Probars:  I recently received a couple boxes of assorted Probars to try out and these make a very tasty trail food!  You can choose from a number of different varieties depending on your nutritional needs and taste preferences.  Here are the varieties they currently offer:

PROBAR Core™  20 grams of plant protein and plenty of real, recognizable ingredients into this bar including  chia seeds for hydration and recovery too.

PROBAR Bolt™   Organic chews packed to power you up from morning workouts to race days. They’re loaded with electrolytes, B vitamins, antioxidants and complex carbs for fast fuel-ups.

PROBAR Meal™  Weighs in at three ounces of fruits, nuts and seeds with enough nutrition to make a fresh, tasty, satisfying meal replacement.

PROBAR Halo® Delicious between meals treat that’s designed to do your body good and loaded with natural whole food ingredients

PROBAR Fuel™  A gluten-free bar full of superfruits, cashews and oats. It’s soft, chewy, and it’s a full serving of fruit.

I was sent a box of assorted flavors of the PROBAR Core Protein bars and the PROBAR Meal bars.  These bars are not only great trail food but also great for post gym workout refueling or even meals on the go when you are busy.  They are incredibly delicious and easy to throw in your purse, workout bag, backpack or even diaper bag!

PROBAR makes great trail food

The PROBAR Core bars came in Mint Chocolate, Brownie Crisp, Cookie Dough, and Peanut Butter Chocolate.  They have 20 grams of protein, are gluten free, contain 4 to 6 grams of fiber and lots of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.  They contain real food ingredients like chia and flax seeds.  These taste like a combination candy bar/cookie type thing.  Chocolate on the outside with a crispy, crunchy sweet interior.  This is a good sized bar that is filling and sweet.  My favorite of the flavors was the Mint Chocolate, although they were all pretty tasty.  I didn’t think the Cookie Dough one tasted quite like cookie dough but it wasn’t bad.  If I could make one change to these bars I would like to see a protein source other than Soy Protein Isolate.  I know there is some discussion about whether or not this is the best source of vegetarian protein in a diet.

The PROBAR Meal bars come in a ton of different flavors including Original Blend, Whole Berry Blast, Superfood Slam, Superfruit Slam, Superberry & Greens, Chocolate Mint, Oatmeal Raisin, Koka Moka, Superfruit Slam, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, Double Chocolate, and Peanut Butter.  That is a lot of flavor choices!  They are high in fiber, have plenty of protein, Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids and are Non-GMO project verified.  I thought they were very filling, moist and flavorful.  I really like that they come in so many different flavor choices. I was also happy to see that you can buy a variety pack on the website.  A little variety is nice! The ingredient list is loaded with tons of whole foods, including many organic options.

I think these PROBAR varieties make great trail food, post workout supplements or just meals on the go when you are too busy to stop and make something complicated.  They are also incredibly tasty!  If you would like to learn more about PROBAR you can follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

 Use the code BLOGGER for 40% off your FIRST order!

Disclaimer:  In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials.”: I received product samples  in exchange for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed here are mine and mine alone. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers.

 

Filed Under: Family Life, health, travel · Tagged: , ,
«Older Posts