Love me some protein!

Sorry for the absence. Sometimes life (and work) happens. And the computer and blogging come second. I was a little busy doing this:

And

That would be spending too much time reading at Barns and Noble, and dancing the night away on the weekend. Their was also a lot of work added in there somewhere but no one wants a picture of that..

On To The Reviews!

Protein bars:

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Perfect Foods Bar sent me a sample box of their fabulous bars! And let me start by saying.. “Perfect” is what these are. They taste AMAZING. They definitely live up to their name for sure.

The first thing that stuck out to me was that they have to be refrigerated. Why? Because they have NO added chemicals or preservatives. They start with a creamy base or organic peanut or almond butter and then add organic honey and nutrient dense whole foods and whole food proteins.

-These bars are gluten and soy free, have no refined sugars or GMO’s. They are a good source of fiber, high in protein and omega-3’s, and have 20 whole foods in them. Their also handmade.. which is a perk in my opinion.

They come in four regular flavors:

• Peanut Butter, Fruit and Nuts, Carob Chip, and Almond Butter. Each ranging from 305-309 calories, and 13-18 grams of protein.

And One ‘Lite’ flavor:

• Cranberry Crunch Lite. Oh my heavens.. this was by far my favorite bar. I could eat one every day. And.. well, if i can find them anywhere here, i will probably buy as many as them as i can find because it was just that good. This bar has 199 calories and 10 grams of protein. With the same base as the origionals, they added sweet cranberries and puffed rice. Which in all honesty.. i couldnt tell. It simply tasted like creamy peanut butter with a hint of honey. If you try any of these bars go for this one!

-Whats neat about these bars is they start with the organic PB or AB base and organic honey and then have awesome ingredients such as sunflower and pumpkin seeds, kelp, spinich, carrots, apple, cherry and red bell pepper… just to name a few. These bars are so sweet and creamy i would never have guessed anything else were in them.

Pros: Amazing ingredients and taste. Their sweet but not that sickening overly sugar loaded sweet taste you often get in other bars. The texture is fantastic, smooth almost. And i really enjoyed that they had to be refrigerated because the slight coolness to the bar was refreshing.

Cons: Their pretty high in calories. But i guess you could always cut them in half. And the fact that they have to be refrigerated could be an inconvenience if your looking for a bar that you could just throw in your purse for the day.

Think Thin Is “created for active people who care about what they eat”

They follow 3 principles: No or low sugar, high protein, and gluten free.

They sent me two varieties to try: thinkThin Protein, and thinkThin Crunch

• Think Thin protein in White Chocolate, Brownie Crunch and Chunky Peanut Butter. These range from 230-240 Calories, 20g protein, and no sugar!

All three were great. The peanut butter lived up to its name, and the brownie crunch was a nice change to the typical ‘chocolate protein bar’ taste. But the white chocolate stole the show!

• Think Thin Crunch in Chocolate Dipped Mixed Nuts. This contains 190 calories, 4g fiber, and only 3g of sugar. For someone who typically stays away from fruit and nut bars, these were really good. And the fact that they were so low in sugar compared to other fruit and nut bars was an added bonus.

Pure Fit Bars were also kind enough to send me some stuff to try!

They are an all natural bar with no artificial sweeteners, no trans fatty acids or hydrogenated oils. They are also high protein, vegan, kosher, have a low glycemic index, diabetic friendly and follow 40/30/30. They also contain NO wheat, gluten, or dairy. Thumbs up Pure Fit Bars!

- They contain just 210-220 calories, 6-7g fat, and 18g protein per bar.

• They sent me 5 bars to sample: Chocolate Brownie, Granola Crunch, Peanut Butter, Almond Crunch, and Berry Almond Crunch.

The Chocolate Brownie was the least of my favorites. I thought it had that ‘typical protein bar’ flavor and texture. But my mom liked it… which is surprising seeing as she hates anything that could be considered healthy. So maybe my taste buds were just off.

The Granola Crunch was actually my favorite. It tasted literally like a bowl of oatmeal in my hand. This would be a good choice for people in a rush during breakfast time.

• Pros: These bars are insanely ‘clean’. Low calorie. Nothing iffy, everything that could possibly be taken out was, and they wont melt.
• Cons: The look and texture of these bars are your typical run of the mill protein bar.

Pure Fit is offering my readers 25% off your first order! Just enter promo code: Promo25 here.

***Whats your favorite protein bar??***

Its been like Christmas up in hurrr

No words today.. Ill just let pictures do the talking.

It is Wordless Wednesday after all….

         

 

And.. as I’m writing this, the post man just dropped off two more boxes.

I introduced myself.

His name is Gabe. I think we’re going to become friends.

Hmm… I think ill bake him some cookies… …Or maybe he’s more a muffin type man?  Well as i contemplate what to make for my new best friend….   I’ve got some reviewing to do!

***Do you like getting things in the mail? What’s the last thing you got in the mail? What do you think i should make for Gabe??***

Happy Halloween!

HaPpY HaLlOwEeN!!

Does everyone else love this holiday as much as i do?

First off, im a chronic decorator. I love any and every occasion and excuse to decorate my house, yard, room, car? Christmas is a given, and seeing as i was born on Christmas Eve, i think i have a little more excitement and enthusiasm towards that holiday. Plus it being our Lord and Saviors birthday and all is a plus too :)

But i also love to decorate for Easter,

Halloween, Thanksgiving, Valentines day and anyones birthday. I may go a little crazy with it, but it makes me happy and theirs nothing wrong with being festive!

But back to Halloween! When i was little every year we would get dressed up, grab our pillow cases and take off outside. My mom would usually let us do the cul-de-sac by ourselves a few times (i live in a very close community) and then we would head off into the neighborhood and run up and down every street, to every house we could until that horrible point in the night when people turn off their porch lights. The ultimate sign to go home. WOMP!

For me, it was never about the candy. Yes their was always a small competition of who collected the most, but it was more just the rush of going from house to house.. the anticipation and anxiety of knocking on a door only to be greeted with smiling faces. The candy was just an added bonus.

I love the way my mom raised us in terms of food. Nothing was ever off limits. The pantry was always full, we would often have dessert first (because thats life and its important to do something fun every now and then). And if we ever wanted sweets they were readily available to us. But as were veggies. My favorite thing as a child was carrots. My skin turned a nice orange hue for quite some time because of my mass consumption.

For the record, im also pretty sure i still have a pillow case in my closet half full of Halloween candy. Every year we would have to dump it out only to refill it with fresh goodies. I guess the whole point behind this is: because it was never off limits or deemed "bad", we never went overboard. Oh the perks of being a child. But i digress...

Theirs just something magical about this day. So many people coming together for little kids, neighbors doing potlucks outside, people spending money for treats to give away to strangers, being scared silly and then laughing after. (One of my first job was working in a haunted house, im basically a professional scare-er).

Lets look at some past Halloween fun shall we?

I think these are the oldest pics i have on my computer. My sophomore year in high school. A ballerina obviously. btw.. totally made that tutu on my own. I know.. so crafty!

A few years later Dad and i went to the fair one year dressed in scrubs!

Not sure what i was this year, I think i was going for a fairy. I mean.. i had wings and glitter..

Two years ago i went as Aphrodite.. or some version of a Grecian goddess.

And this year i went as Raggedy Ann.

***What are you being for halloween?** Show me your costumes!**

Sometimes you just need to sparkle

So since Im aware that im the only girl who ever has a bad hair day, cant find a thing to wear, feels uncomfortable in her own skin, and just downright doesnt like how she looks (just kiddinggg) i figured i'd share some things that perk me up, add a little pep in my step and get me out of the house!

1- Create an alter ego. And channel that person. For me, its Jenna Jameson. Not the porn star side.. im a classy gal and basically a nun. Which is why Channeling a little Jenna works for me. I tease my hair a little extra, add a little more eyeliner, and rock her overly-confident, sassy attitude.

2- Put on a dress (as per usual) Or anything that makes you feel good. For me, its a dress and boots. Especially if im going out dancing. Footloose aint got nothing on me ;)

3- Add a little sparkle. Rhinestones are a girls best friend. And when desperate times call for desperate measures.. a little glitter never hurt anyone. Just use it in moderation. Or else you'll like like pixie dust exploded on you.. or that you just came back from a strip club..

4- Just a little touch goes a long way! And even if its not that noticeable. YOU know its there. And thats all that matters =)

Then... grab your best friend. Go out. And have a good night. Because remember that just because you feel less then stellar, no one else will know it unless you let them. Fake it till you make it ;)

**What do you do when your feeling less then stellar?**

Ive got some reviewin' to do!

Morning loves! Ive got some wonderful reviews coming your way..

But first i have to introduce you to these candy nutrition bars.

Seriously.. how yummy do these look??! And just in time for Halloween!

Why indulge in nutritionally void candy bars, when you can have something that tastes just like a candy bar that:

-Has ONLY 150 calories.

-Is Low in sugar.

-VEGAN and Dairy free

-All natural, and a good source of Omega 3 & 6!

-They also come in Honey Graham, and Nutty Marshmallow.

PROBAR is convenient, easy for on-the-go, and an all natural food. They use only the finest all natural, real, wholesome, and organic ingredients from

responsible growers to create food that is simple: delicious and Real.

But thats just one type!

Arts Original is where it all started. Their basic meal replacement bar has 8 flavors with whole foods, grains, nuts and fruit!

Arts Origional is 100% vegan, certified organic, 70% raw, a good source of omega 3 and 6, and has 8-12 grams of plant based protein! WooHoo!

And the newest edition to the line is the Fruition:

This fruit-based, superfood snack bar is designed to be satisfying on-the-go without the extra fat and calories.

This baby comes in 6 mouth-watering real fruit flavors Dense with antioxidants and Omegas from Chia Seeds.

Each bar has 2 servings of fruit, 4g of fiber, 2g of fat and only 160 calories!

***If you'd like to try these wonderful bars as well AND to receive 40% off your first order!!! go to www.theprobar.com/shop And enter code "BLOGGER" at checkout. Sweet deal!***

But kids dont eat vegan!?

Well i beg to differ!

I take care of two amazing little girls and on top of their basic needs, meds, emergency girly situations and mental health. Im also in charge of feeding them.

Being vegan myself, i dont mind making carnivorous meals. I grew up in a family who eats (and still eats) meat. I prefer not to deal with meat, but its inevitable.

BUT... seeing as im in charge of their meals, i tend to stick to vegetarian, if not vegan snacks/meals depending on what is in the fridge and what i have to work with. And i have to say. They ask for fruits and veggies more often then say, chocolate. We make home made hummuce and vegan cupcakes and cookies. And i may have cried a bit the first time one of the girls came to me and said "i hate no animal for lunch today!" all excitedly.

I truely believe we eat with our eyes. Kids especially. If something doesnt look appetising or fun, their not gonna be willing to eat it. Ill add cinnimon to apple slices, honey and peanutbutter on bananas, parsley on hummuce, paprika on cauliflower. Anything to help make it a little more festive and fun.

Here's an example of a snack. Sliced strawberries, a banana with drizzled peanut butter, and organic peanut butter pretzels. With a fruity yogurt drink on the side.

And heres a (less then stellar picture) of a more savory meal:

-Tofu scramble with bell peppers and mushrooms on an english muffin.

-With vegan cheese.

-pop chips for the older one, extra bell pepper slices for my little one.

Start with the tofu scramble with veggies. Add vegan cheese to a toasted english muffin. Place scramble on the english muffin and Wha-lah! Veganized and much better version of an Egg McMuffin!

**What are some of your favorite veg-friendly snacks/meals? Do you think its hard to get kids to eat healthy?**

Manic Monday (second edition!)

Its Monday again! Which means another edition of Manic Mondays:

Where i tell you random/interesting/strange/quirky things about myself, and you hopefully do the same!

Aw baby Tink! My dog and i are ridiculously alike. Were both hyper at times, and dead the next. We sleep in very odd positions. We both love veggies. I think she actually likes squash more then i do. And we both make goofy faces. Which leads me to #2...

I am incapable of not making a stupid face in pictures. Its very rare i will actually smile.

Since i have no shame, i figure no one else should either. I will make you pose with every object, character, random person if i think it will make a good picture. Pretend all you want it bothers you.. we all know you'll be thanking me later for the photos =)

It makes me incredibly happy to dance around my house.

Especially if theirs multiple people there.

And especially if its to Justin Bieber.

Bonus points if its after 2am.

Your Turn! Tell me something manic about you!