So, since I never really gave a formal introduction, here's a little more information about myself!
That's me in the center!
A few fun facts:
My dad is still waiting on me for the last one! He owns two sports stores: a bike store, Sunrise Cyclery, and a triathlon store, Sunrise Tri (Check out his website: www.sunrisetri.com). He's extremely busy there so I work for him whenever I can!
That's me in the center!A few fun facts:
- I am 19 years-old! I live on Long Island and attend school at New York University.
- I love, love, love to run! (If you couldn't tell by now, you would have soon found out.)
- I have a huge family--two older brothers and two older sisters, who I absolutely love. :)
- I am passionate about law (and hope to be a USDA one day).
- I love cooking, baking and trying new recipes!
- I am obsessed with vanilla-ey flavors (even though the occasional chocolate craving kicks in)!
- Peanut butter is my favorite topping! It's so energizing and tastes great when combined with apples, bananas, the traditional jelly, toast, waffles, oatmeal, chocolate and pretty much anything.
- My goal for this year is to complete my first half-marathon. (I've run over 13 miles before--just never in an actual race. I think it would be amazing experience though.)
- I plan on competing in a triathlon next year. (I figured I would set a longer date to achieve this, considering I am an absolutely horrible swimmer!)
If there's one thing that my dad loves, it is to help people improve in all aspects of life. He is one of my greatest inspirations. He really loves and takes pride in his job--and, well, I'd be lying if I said I didn't love his job too! How many other people can say that they can try a variety of tasty energy snacks...for free! I make sure to remind him that I'm a lucky girl each time he brings home a new box! ;)
After having the opportunity to test out a long list of energy products--from brands such as Clif Bar to PowerBar to Hammer to Gu to Jelly Belly to LaraBar to Kashi--and dozens of varieties, I've decided to rate them and share with you a few of my favorites! Here are the winners:
#1) Luna Bars
These bars (made by Clif Bar) are my personal favorite! They're the perfect snack for on-the-go or as makeshift granola (crumbled up in your yogurt). They're delicious (I even forget I'm eating an energy bar sometimes) and keep me full for hours! (Each one has between 160-180 calories, 9-10 grams of protein and is 70% organic.) They are one of the more nutritious energy bars I've tried. My top flavors are:
Iced Oatmeal Raisin
Dulce de Leche
#2) Pria Bar
These crispy bars (made by Power Bar) come in a close second! There's a bit more sugar in these, but with only 110 calories per bar, are perfect for a light snack or a morning wake-me-up. I love French Vanilla Crisp but Chocolate Peanut Crunch is tasty too! (The other flavor that they offer is Double Chocolate Cookie, but it's way too chocolatey for my taste: http://www.powerbar.com/products/68/POWERBARsup/sup_PRIAsup/sup.aspx) Pria has a much crispier texture than Luna and contains a full layer of flavored coating. Like the Luna Bar, it's loaded with vitamins and minerals:
French Vanilla Crisp
#3) Jelly Belly Sports Beans
If you like typical jelly beans, these are the energy snack for you. These little gels will replenish you with electrolytes to give your body--whether mid-workout or mid-day--an extra burst of energy! But, they're pretty high in sugar so make sure you have a drink nearby to guzzle down after. I can never get enough of these little packages! I keep them in a bag with me at all times. (You never know when you need a quick punch in your day.) They come in Cherry, Watermelon, Orange, Berry Blue, Lemon Lime, Fruit Punch and are about 100 calories a pack! (Check the ratings and see how these yummy flavors rank up: http://www.jellybelly.com/Shop/ShopMain.aspx?CategoryID=Sport_Beans)
#4) Kashi TLC Chewy Granola Bars
OK! So these are not your typical "energy" bars, but I felt like these could not be excluded from the list. They definitely have more of a granola-ey texture (and do not contain the vitamins and minerals in many other energy bars), but they're low in sugar and a good source of fiber! The PB-flavored bar (140 calories) will leave you feeling full for hours. I also recommend them because, like all Kashi products, they're all natural. (Yay, so we can guarantee they won't contain any hydrogenated oils, HFSC or any other artificial ingredients!) Kashi, you've done well. (See more of Kashi's nutritious TLC flavors here: http://www.kashi.com/products/chewy_granola_bars_cherry_dark_chocolate)
If you like typical jelly beans, these are the energy snack for you. These little gels will replenish you with electrolytes to give your body--whether mid-workout or mid-day--an extra burst of energy! But, they're pretty high in sugar so make sure you have a drink nearby to guzzle down after. I can never get enough of these little packages! I keep them in a bag with me at all times. (You never know when you need a quick punch in your day.) They come in Cherry, Watermelon, Orange, Berry Blue, Lemon Lime, Fruit Punch and are about 100 calories a pack! (Check the ratings and see how these yummy flavors rank up: http://www.jellybelly.com/Shop/ShopMain.aspx?CategoryID=Sport_Beans)
#4) Kashi TLC Chewy Granola Bars
OK! So these are not your typical "energy" bars, but I felt like these could not be excluded from the list. They definitely have more of a granola-ey texture (and do not contain the vitamins and minerals in many other energy bars), but they're low in sugar and a good source of fiber! The PB-flavored bar (140 calories) will leave you feeling full for hours. I also recommend them because, like all Kashi products, they're all natural. (Yay, so we can guarantee they won't contain any hydrogenated oils, HFSC or any other artificial ingredients!) Kashi, you've done well. (See more of Kashi's nutritious TLC flavors here: http://www.kashi.com/products/chewy_granola_bars_cherry_dark_chocolate)
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