Adventure Kitchen: New Mojo Trail Mix Bars From Clif

A few weeks back I received a nice little care package from my friends at Clif Bar giving me a sneak peek at the new flavors of Mojo Bars that they were preparing to ship for spring. Considering that one of my favorite products in their entire line-up is the Mojo, I was interested to see what they had put together in terms of new offerings. Turns out, Clif has put together some tasty new combinations that I think will appeal to a wide audience.

One thing I have always liked about the Mojo bars is that they are a nice blend of salty and sweet. They also don't happen to taste like most energy bars in that they offer a surprising amount of variety and fresh flavor. The new version carry on that tradition quite nicely, giving us more choices to throw in our pack on a long hike or for a post workout snack. Those new choices include: Wilde Blueberry Almond, Cranberry Almond, Coconut Almond Peanut, Dark Chocolate Cherry Almond, and Dark Chocolate Almond Sea Salt. Of those, my two new favorites are the ones that incorporate dark chocolate. They are super tasty without being overly sweet.

As is usual with everything from Clif Bar, these new bars are very healthy. They are complete gluten free and low glycemic of course, but they also use organic ingredients. That means the almonds, blueberries, coconut, cherries and even the chocolate are all natural and good for you.  The Mojo bars are also very affordable. The suggested retail price for a bar is $1.49, with 5-pack going for $5.99.

I have been happily munching away on my supply for awhile now, and the only knock I have against them, is that I wish they were bigger. Don't get me wrong, Clif has made a nice sized trail mix bar, its just that these are so tasty, they always leave me wanting more.

Adventure Kitchen: Honey Stinger Energy Bars, Chews, Waffels, Gels and Protein Bars

A little more than a year ago I introduced you to a line of excellent nutritional bars and energy chews from a company called Honey Stinger. At the time I was quite impressed with the quality of the entire line of products, which stood out from the sea of similar bars from competitors thanks to their use of honey for their natural sweetener. The company also uses all organic ingredients with everything also being completely GMO free. The result is a product that tastes great, doesn't weigh me down and always gives me a boost of energy to help me get through a workout. Recently I received some fresh supplies from Honey Stinger that reminded me why I liked their foods so much and some new flavors gave me even more reason to enjoy them.

One of my favorite items in the Honey Stinger line-up is their wonderful energy chews. Offered in a variety of flavors including pink lemonade, fruit smoothie and cherry blossom, these chews are smaller and softer than similar products on the market, which makes them very easy to eat, even while on the go. Their flavors are fresh and tasty without being over powering and the natural ingredients are easy on the stomach while on a long run or bike ride. New to the line-up this year are the caffeinated cherry cola flavor, which I happen to like a lot.

I'm not the only one who is a big fan of the energy chews. When I met with Honey Stinger representatives at Outdoor Retailer back in August, they told me that the chews are such a hit with kids that they've heard from customers that they often catch their children swiping their chews before they can use them on a workout. With that in mind, the company will soon offer child sized portions of the chews, which are better for kids than other types of sweet products that they might be eating.

The other product in the Honey Stinger line-up that I love are their organic waffles. They come in flavors such as chocolate, honey, vanilla and strawberry and much like the chews, they are tasty for a snack even when you're not working out. The waffles are lightweight, very tasty and completely organic. I appreciate that each type of waffle has its own unique flavor that doesn't seem artificial in any way. They're also great for getting me through a long run before I settle down to a proper dinner.

Honey Stinger also offers energy and protein bars that have their own unique flavors as well. I'm partial to the Berry Banana Buzz in the former and the Dark Chocolate Mocha Cherry in the latter. Like their other products they are filled with natural ingredients and are gluten free with no trans fats. New this year, Honey Stinger is offering the protein bars in both a 20g and 10g version. The 10g version is a result of customers saying they didn't always need such a larger bar and appreciated a smaller option. It is a classic case of a company listening to what their customer want and then giving it to them.

A year ago when I was testing the Honey Stinger line-up I was very impressed. All of the options tasted great and didn't weigh me down when working out. This year that line-up has been improved nicely, with new options and flavors to appeal to more people. If you haven't tried Honey Stinger's products yet, I'd highly recommend that you do. I think you'll like them quite a bit and you may even leave your traditional cardboard-tasting energy bars behind once and for all.

Adventure Kitchen: Sharkies Energy Sports Chews and A New Flavor From Clif Bar

I'm the kind of person who can't exercise on an empty stomach but also can't have anything too heavy before a workout either. As a result, I regularly find myself walking a fine line on when and what to eat in the lead-up to a run, bike ride or other intense aerobic workout. That's why I like to have some quick and easy pre-workout snacks that can provide the energy I need without filling me up. Recently I've had a chance to try two new, and very different, options in this department and I came away pleased with both of them.

Sharkies Energy Sports Chews
The first new option in my pantry are the tasty energy sports chews from Sharkies. These all-organic chews are designed to provide energy for our bodies for use in our favorite endurance sports. They provide a natural source of electrolytes, contain no trans fats or high fructose corn syrup. They also happen to be free of wheat, gluten and nuts, which means they are perfectly safe for those who have intolerances to any of those items.

The one thing these chews aren't lacking in is flavor. In fact, if I didn't know any better I'd swear these were gummy candies that you'd pick up from your local convenience store. That means they're sweet, tasty and good for you. They also happen to provide fuel for a workout without weighing you down in any way.

I've tested three different flavors of these chews – Watermelon Scream, Barry Blast and Fruit Splash – and it is a toss-up on which one I like best. I'm not even a big fan of watermelon flavored snacks, but these were a nice mix of sweet and tangy that I found I enjoyed quite a bit. The shark-shaped chews also have a nice consistency to them that makes them easy to enjoy as well. Other similar energy chews that I've tried in the past actually turned out to be a more challenging to eat than the actual workout itself.

Sharkies sells the chews in a box of 12 for $17.80, which works out to just $1.48 per pack. That's actually a very competitive price when compared to similar products on the market, many of which aren't nearly as tasty.

I've been munching on Sharkies prior to some longer runs recently and have been very happy with the results. Not only do they provide emergency fuel when I'm hungry before a workout but they do so without slowing me down in the least. The fact that manage to taste good while doing so is yet another added benefit.

Clif Bar Sierra Trail Mix Bar

By now, we're all familiar with the popular and ubiquitous Clif Bars. The company has been around forever and continues to refine their iconic energy bars. This spring they've introduced an interesting new flavor that is perfect for everything from a pre-run fuel-up or a mid-hike snack.

The new flavor is called Sierra Trail Mix and just like the iconic snack that it is named after, it contains plenty of peanuts, chocolate and raisins all in handy bar that you can carry with you anywhere. Like the other bars in Clif's line-up, this new addition is an excellent source of protein and fiber, contains 23 vitamins and minerals, but zero trans fats. That means it is a great source of quick energy when your batteries start to run a little low.

I have a confession to make. I haven't always been a fan of Clif Bar products. There were times in the past that I found them to be dry, hard to swallow and mostly tasteless. Those days are long gone however and now I find that I enjoy pretty much every flavor in the line-up. I can now add Sierra Trail Mix to that list too. This new flavor is everything you like about traditional trail mix, but in an easy to carry and eat package.

This new addition to the line-up is well worth taste. Pick some up where ever Clif Bars are sold, which is just about everywhere if your neighborhood is anything like mine.

Video: Running The Badwater Ultramarathon

The Badwater Ultramarathon just might be the toughest footrace on the planet. It is a non-stop run of 135-miles in length through the hottest environment on the planet. Those who enter are not only fantastic athletes, they also have an uncanny ability to happily endure suffering.

The video below follows one such athlete, Michael Arnstein, as he attempts to run the race for the first time. Michael, who happens to be a fruitarian, shares his approach to nutrition and preparation for a race of this length, which tests him both physically and mentally throughout. If you have ever wondered what goes through the mind of an ultrarunner while they are out on the trail, you'll definitely enjoy this video. It is an 18-minute short film that profiles the Badwater quite well.


Day in the Life 10; Michael Arnstein at the Badwater Ultramarathon from True Love Health on Vimeo.

Win A Water Purifying Bottle And A Box Of Energy Bars From Journey Bar

Last week I shared my thoughts on some tasty new energy bars called Journey Bars that are unique in the flavors that they offer. Rather than going with sugary-sweet tastes like so many similar products from competitors, Journey Bar has instead elected to go with savory options such as coconut curry, parmesan romano and hickory barbecue. I gave the bars high marks for offering something different and for being healthy and easy to carry along on trips, long hikes or runs.

This week Journey Bar has launched a new contest that could give you the opportunity try these new bars as well. Entering the contest is easy. All you have to do is select one of your favorite travel photos and email it to socialmedia@journeybar.com. In that email, recommend a Journey Bar flavor that you think is appropriate for the destination, such as wasabi in Japan or bacon in Canada. The most creative entries will be posted to the JB Facebook page. If yours happens to make the cut, get your friends to "like" the photo or retweet it on Twitter. The one that gets the most social media love will win the prizes.

Those prizes include both a sample box of Journey Bars and a travel water bottle with a built-in water purifying system. For more information, hit the Facebook page now.

Journey Bar Puts The Savory Back Into The Nutrition Bars

I have tasted the future of energy bars and they are most certainly savory.

I recently had the good fortune of trying some samples of a new nutrition bar that were sent my way for tasting. They're called Journey Bars and they take a decidedly different approach than most other similar snacks on the market. While the competition has perfected the sweet energy bar, the company behind the Journey Bar has elected to go with more savory flavors instead. That means you won't find any chocolate, peanut butter or brownie flavors on the menu here. Instead you'll get parmesan romano, hickory barbecue and pizza marinara, amongst others.

Journey Bars aren't just unique in flavor however as they also are made from the best possible ingredients. These bars are both GMO and soy free, and they use organic whole wheats and other natural elements. There are even vegan options available for those who prefer their bars without animal products of any kind. Best of all, because these flavors aren't sweet, there aren't any traces of sugar to be found either.

The first thing that struck me when I unwrapped my first Journey Bar was how crunchy it was. Most other energy bars are soft and moist, but the parmesan romano was considerably harder, almost a bit too much so. I was a bit worried that while these bars would indeed be tasty, that their crunchy side would be too much for most. Turns out that first bar wasn't indicative of the rest of the Journey line-up, and each of the bars had its own unique textures and level of crispiness. That crunchy texture has a nice side benefit as well as it keeps the bars from melting in warm temperatures. Who hasn't  peeled off the wrapper from their favorite bar only to find that it had melted into a gooey mess?


I found the Journey Bars to be a refreshing change of pace from some of the other options I've been using for years. While I still enjoy the traditional chocolate or peanut butter energy bar, I definitely welcomed the variety that these bars deliver. I also found that I actually liked the crunchy texture as well. Not only is it different from most of the competition, it makes it also makes them a fantastic snack to carry with you on a day hike or an expedition to the far corner of the globe.

The Journey Bars are even quite affordable. A variety pack of 12 or a box of your favorite flavor is just $20. That's not bad at all considering all of the goodness inside the package.

Get In The Holiday Spirit With Seasonal Flavors From Cliff Bar

Now that Halloween has come and gone, the holiday season can't be far behind. If you look closely, you can already see the signs around us. For example, parts of the U.S. are already getting snow, ski resorts are opening for another year and last night I even saw some Christmas lights that had been strung up in anticipation of the festivities ahead.

Another sure sign that the holiday season can't be far off is the return of seasonal flavors from Clif Bar. It has become a tradition for the company to release three special holiday flavors that are available for a limited time each year. Those flavors include   Spiced Pumpkin Pie, Iced Gingerbread and Pepperment Stick. Each is tasty, unique and unlike anything else in the regular Clif Bar line-up. But just like the traditional offerings from CB, these bars are designed to provide energy and good nutrition while on the go.

These seasonal flavors are fun and a nice change of pace from your typical energy bar. All three are tasty, although I'm especially partial to the Iced Gingerbread. Each has a bit of spice to them as well, which will definitely make you think about all o the special (and usually less nutritional) treats that only come around at this time of year.

If you're looking for a nice change of pace from your typical energy bar, then you'll definitely want to give all of these three flavors a try. Better yet, if you have an outdoor athlete on your holiday gift list, these make great stocking stuffers too. But grab them quick, because they're only around for a short time. They are available in the Clif Bar online store and at your local retailers for $1.39 each.

And since it is the season of giving, Clif Bar is also donating 1% of all the sales from these seasonal bars to Protect Our Winters, an organization dedicated to mobilizing winter outdoor athletes to help educate and raise awareness about global climate change. That's a pretty great cause no matter what season it is.

Adventure Kitchen: Energy Bars, Waffles, and Shots! Oh My!

Anyone who exercises regularly knows that nutrition before, during and after your workout is extremely important. There is nothing worse than getting halfway through an tough run or ride only to hit the wall because you lack calories to see you through to the end.

Recently I've had the opportunity to try out a number of new energy bars, gels and other nutritional items and I have to say I've come away impressed. Not only have these options improved dramatically in taste and variety, they've also become far more sophisticated and effective as well. As a result, outdoor athletes now have a large variety of goodies to help power them through their workout routines. Here are a few suggestions for items that I've been using of late.

Honey Stinger
Back at Outdoor Retailer earlier this month I dropped by the Honey Stinger booth to check out the different nutritional items they had on display. The generous staff manning the booth sent me along my way with an excellent sampling of their various energy gels, chews and bars. For a few days I carried that bag around with me, almost forgetting that I had it with me. But when I got home I was delighted to re-discover it amongst all the other stuff I was lugging home from the show. A few days later I started sampling the goodies and it wasn't long before I was hooked.

As you can probably tell from the name, honey is a key component in all of the company's products. As a natural sweetener it brings a nice, but not over powering, taste to the Honey Stinger product line. I found that their energy chews in particular were tasty without being overly sweet which I appreciated before setting off on a long run. It doesn't hurt that they are also organic and don't include any GMO ingredients either. They also happened to be smaller and a bit easier to chew from some of the other chews on the market. It wasn't long before I found myself grabbing a bag here and there for a snack even when I wasn't working out.

After nearly the entire line of Honey Stinger products I found that I really liked everything in their line-up. Their organic energy shots were tasty without being too thick and their protein bars were tasty as well. Especially the Dark Chocolate Cherry Almond. But hands down my favorite treat is their Honey Stinger Waffles. These thin and tasty wafers simply must be tried by anyone looking for a new nutrition option to add to their repertoire. They're so good, they're actually addictive and they come in classic flavors like chocolate, vanilla and strawberry. You won't believe that they are actually all natural and completely organic. Definitely a must try!



Clif Bars

When it comes to energy bars, Cliff Bars have been my go-to choice for years. The company has done a good job of continuing to refine its line-up and make tastier bars in a variety of flavors. They've even created bars for specific athletes, including their famous Luna bars that are designed for women and the Z-bar for kids.

Recently the company has introduced a item to its line-up called the Builder 's bar. These bars contain 20g of protein that not only provides plenty of post-workout fuel but also helps to build muscle as well. That's all well and good of course, as there are plenty of similar bars on the market. What sets this one apart however, is that it just might be the best tasting energy bar I've ever eaten.

Some of the great flavors available include Chocolate, Crunch Peanut Butter and Cookies n' Cream. All of those are good but my favorites are S'Mores and Chocolate Mint. They taste so good you actually can't wait to have one after a workout as opposed to some bars I've had in the past which were almost a chore to eat. These were definitely a pleasant surprise the first time I tried them.

Gu Energy
Gu Energy is another company that has been making nutritional products for some time and have continued to refine their options over the years. I've used a number of their products for some time and I find that I like most of their line-up as well. For instance, I'm a fan of the Roctane energy drink mixes and their Electrolyte Brew tablets are a convenient option that I carry with me regularly as well. Of course, the Gu Energy Gel is pretty much the industry standards in terms of energy shots and they remain an excellent option.

Recently I've been enjoying the Gu Recovery Brew drink which I mix with a little milk and ice to make a fantastic smoothy. The chocolate flavored one in particular tastes more like a shake from your favore fast food joint rather than a nutritional drink designed to help facilitate recovery and build muscle after an intense workout. Each Recovery Brew includes plenty of protein, amino acids, antioxidants and carbs to help the body get stronger, but when drinking one it is hard to imagine that it actually good for you.

These are just a few of the tasty items I've been enjoying lately. If you're tired of your energy bars and gels, then you may want to consider adding one of these options to your pantry. Each of them are packed with tasty and healthy ingredients and they are also proof that just because its good for you doesn't mean that it can't taste amazing too.