Morning glories!!!! It seems like such a bright and sunny day out. It’s probably still frigid, but at least it’s not grey. 

Interesting thoughts on the yoga/strength training question I wondered about last night. I am going to have to do some research I think. Speaking of yoga, I read here about Yoga Day, which was created by the Yoga Alliance as a way to build the yoga community, is this Saturday, January 24th. You can find a free class or workshop near you here. 

For my pre-run breakfast I had some plain Greek yogurt w/ wheat germ and some Barney Butter. I explained my feelings toward the taste and sweetness level of BB already, so let’s just say it made my yogurt v. sweet . 

I also had the last of our Sunkist Natural samples. This time if was the Golden Mango Smoothie. Now, I am not really a mango juice person, but this was pretty good. Not my favorite in the bunch (that was Berry Blue Bountiful), but the mango wasn’t terribly overwhelming. It was kind of like thick OJ w/ a kick. Overall, I was impressed by the flavor of these smoothies. They all tasted really fresh and not too sweet. I hate sugary sweet drinks.  

Reminders

1. If you are a Barney Butter lover remember that today is the last day for FREE SHIPPING with the coupon code ‘HangryPants.’ Here is the original link explaining the free shipping promotion. 
2. Oh She Glows Angela has another contest going on.  It’s for Honest Foods and Neal Brothers products, so make sure to enter today or tomorrow!

I am off to the gym to run. I also want to get in a little yoga before I have to brave the N.J. roads again today! I am having some iPhone issues. Cross your fingers that I arrive at the store ok and that they give me a new phone!

Are you excited for Lost tonight? I am!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I  had my friend date last night and it was really fun. The girl I went with is super nice and easy to get along with. Bride Wars was silly and entertaining.  Id read in People that Ann Hathaway was much better, but I really liked Kate Hudson in it. Some parts were almost like one of those parody movies, like it should have been called “Wedding Movie” like Date Movie or Scary Movie. But at the same time, I did shed a tear because it is touching. Definitely something to see with with girl friends unless you want you boyfriend to say, “Brides are crazy,” and really, who wants that?

When I got home I had … the Friday night baking bug. It’s been too long since my last baking excursion and I needed to create! This was quite challenging considering I have no flour or butter, but luckily my niece gave me Rocky Road Brownie mix in a jar for Christmas.

All I had to do was add 2 eggs – had those, a T of vanilla – had that and butter – oooh, no butter. I thought about my baking audience, Mark, and decided to use two cap fulls of Extra Virgin Olive Oil instead. The result was a dense brownie that certainly satisfied my baking bug! 

You were only supposed to sprinkle the marshmallows and jimmies on top, but I couldn’t really separate the ingredients that well and ended up putting a little bit of the brown sugar on top, too. 

 

I had it in cheerios this morning before I hopefully avoid the predicted snow and go to the gym (and maybe some free yoga at a new studio in the area thanks to a tip  from a blog reader!) and I am really impressed. It has a good taste. I think I will continue to buy cow’s milk, too, but now I now I am okay with the Soy Milk when it’s cheaper at the market. 

Bumble Bar Review 

Right before Christmas I received a present from Bumble Bar … 

An assortment of their beautifully packaged bars! As I promised, here is what I thought about them. 

Nutrition as Explained on the BumbleBar Website

Bumble Bars…

• are gluten-free, wheat free, dairy free, and ceritified organic
• contain 1/2 T of flaxseed and sesame seeds, which contain an abundance of life-enhancing Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids
• contain calcium-rich organic sesame seeds to help build strong bones
• range from 240 calories and 16 g fat  (Original Flavor with Hazelnut) to 180 calories and 11 g fat (Awesome Apricot)

Impressions: I’ve enjoyed eating the Bumble Bars and sharing them with friends and family. Mark and I agree that BumbleBars should be divided into two categories: Nut and Non-Not.  Everyone I gave them to enjoyed them, give or take a flavor. Taste testers included: me, Mark, my mom, my aunt, my 8 year-old niece Isabella.  Overall, people strongly favored the Non-nut variety. 

In the nut category is the Original bar alond with other take-offs on the original such as Almond, Hazelnut and Mixed Nut. In general the “Nut” bars are slightly hard, crunchy and all pretty much taste the same. They are not sweet and taste like nuts and seeds. Mark and I both kind of liked all the flavors (but I definitely prefer the Non-Nut), but we can’t say we would buy them. Neither my mom nor Isabella liked the Original when then tried it. Isabella gave it back to me. 

In my opinion, the Non-Nut category is where it’s at. Admitedly, a bar made entirely of seeds and nuts is not going to be for everyone. The flavored bars are more mild on the seeds, strong on the flavor. The flavors include my two favorites, Lushsus Lemon and Chai Almond; Mark’s two favorites, Chocolate Crisp and Chocolate Cherry, and other great flavors like Tropical, Cherry and Peach. Overall, the texture is much more pleasing. They are not hard or crunchy like the Nut flavors, but rather, soft, firm and chewy!

I loved the Chai Almond and Lushsus Lemon, which is not surprising because I am generally in love with chai and lemon flavored items. I would definitely buy these flavors! The spices were fantastic. They wasn’t fake tasting and it wasn’t sweet. Best of all, there was no fake frosting like on many other bars.

 

Mark loved both chocolate varities. I tasted the Chocolate Crisp and I can definitely see how it would make a great chocolate bar replacement! Mark noted that the cherry and chocolate combination is not one he usually likes, but worked well in this particular bar. 

 

 

 My mom and Isabella loved the Chunky Cherry! Isabella noted that it is “fruity.”  My Aunt loved the Tasty Tropical, noting that it satisfied many food cravings at once: salty, sweet, crunchy and chewy. 

Bumble Bar is very different from most bas I tried, which was a pleasant surprise. Have you ever had a Bumble Bar? What’s your favorite different bar? Got any new or undiscovered ones for me?