Category: Product Review

Health Warrior Chia Bars Review

Disclaimer:  I received Health Warrior Chia Bars to review as part of being a BibRave Pro.  Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find and write race reviews!

I like to eat.  However, I can be lazy and rarely cook.  I make pasta, quinoa, eggs, pancakes, etc.  It has to be easy with very few ingredients.  I told you I was lazy.  I also like to snack.  I know it isn’t healthy but many times I crave something salty and spicy.  My favorite is potato chips with hot sauce.  No wonder I cannot lose weight!!  Sometimes I also crave something sweet.

It was during this summer that I first heard about Health Warrior Chia Bars.  I believe it was before my trip to Alaska.  I didn’t think about it anymore and then just completely forgot about them till about sometime in October when the opportunity arose to try them out.  Sign me up!

Health Warrior makes Chia Bars, Pumpkin Seed Bars, and Chia Protein Bars.  I received two different flavors of the Chia Bars – Apple Cinnamon and Dark Chocolate.  What makes these so great and healthy?  They’re gluten free, soy free, dairy free, 100% vegan, and non-GMO.  Plus they’re only 110 calories, have 4-5 grams of sugar, 4 grams of fiber, 3 grams of protein, and 1100 mg of Omega-3.

I first tried the dark chocolate.  I liked that it wasn’t too sweet but yet it was enough to satisfy me.  I finished it in 3 bites.

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Next I tried the Apple Cinnamon and also liked that one too.  This one had pieces of apples.  Again, 3 bites later and it was gone.

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I realize that they’re meant to be eaten as a snack but I think these should be a bit bigger.  🙂  Also, I know chia seeds tend to get stuck in your teeth (dislike it when that happens).  However, I found that that was not the case with these bars.

I enjoy eating one or two of these after school.  I eat lunch at 11:30 am and am done with school at 3:00 pm.  You bet that afterwards I am hungry.  Depending on the day I either have a meeting, stay late to grade papers, or have Math Club on Thursday.

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Something else I received with the Chia Bars is a Marathon Training Coloring Book.  I like to color but don’t always make the time for it.  I laughed when I checked out each page because I could relate to many of the pictures in the book.  

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The Chia Bars come in 9 flavors:  Acai Berry, Apple Cinnamon, Banana Nut, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Coconut, Dark Chocolate Cherry, Dark Chocolate, Vanilla Almond, and Mango.  The Health Warrior Chia Bars are $15.99 for 15 bars (one time purchase) or $12.79 when you subscribe and save 20% off your order.  The company offers free shipping for orders over $25, hassle free returns, and a rewards program. 

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You can also try a sampler box of 3 bars for $4.99 and FREE shipping.  I ordered the Pumpkin Seed Bars in Cinnamon Spice, Dark Chocolate, and Honey Cracked Pepper with Turmeric.  You can also get the free coloring book with your order by going here:  http://healthwarrior.link/colorbookbr.

Have you tried these bars?  Thoughts?  If you haven’t, which one would you like to try?

5K Crate Product Review

Disclaimer:  I received a 5k Crate to review as part of being a BibRave Pro.  Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find and write race reviews!

What is 5K Crate?  It is a quarterly subscription box ($59.99) that has premium apparel and accessories for runner of all types and fitness levels.  Each box is carefully hand picked to include 5-6 items that you will use over and over again.  You can select a women’s or men’s version and shipping is FREE.

I was excited when I received my box.  Inside my box were the following:

  • Mission VaporActive Alpha Running Shirt- $35.95
  • Mission VaporActive Cooling Towel- $19.99
  • Spigen Wireless Bluetooth Headphones- $45.00
  • Zensah No-Show Compression Socks- $19.99
  • (2) Epic Full-Size Body Wipes- $2.50 each
  • (3) La Fresh Travel Sunscreen Samples- $1.00 each

Total value is $128.93.  

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Mission VaporActive Alpha Running Shirt – I wear short sleeve shirts for running.  However, I like the color and the fit.  This shirt is supposed to dry up to 5 times faster than the leading shirt.  I really didn’t notice this but it could have been that when I wore this shirt it was mostly for shorter runs.

Mission VaporActive Cooling Towel – It is a soft towel that keeps you cool for up to 2 hours. All you do is wet it, wring it, and snap it.  I didn’t take advantage of it during these 90 degree days because all I wanted to do after a run was jump in the shower.

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Spigen Wireless Bluetooth Headphones – I rarely run with music.  It depends on my mood and run.  However, I have two pairs of headphones with wires that when I do use them, the wires drive me crazy.  Enter wireless headphones.  I wear these mostly for when I am working on my laptop entering grades for school or writing blog posts.  These were easy to pair up with my iPhone and the sound is clear and crisp.  

Zensah No-Show Compression Socks – Is it possible to have too many socks?  No way!  I own about 20 pairs and pick a pair depending on the shoes I plan to wear (I have 3 pairs in rotation).  I love that they’re thin, soft and comfortable.  No blisters either.  I didn’t think I would like the ankle height because I prefer no show socks.

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Epic Full-Size Body Wipes – I didn’t use these wipes but I know they’re big enough to wipe off the sweat and smell when you need to go somewhere else after a run and you don’t have time for a shower.  

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La Fresh Travel Sunscreen Samples – I’ve never heard of sunscreen wipes.  They’re the perfect size for a bag or even short pockets.  The lotion isn’t greasy and I didn’t notice any scent.

Final thoughts:  I like trying out the different products.  Most of these were new to me.   The one item I didn’t care for is the shirt but that is because I have enough in my drawer and I prefer to run in short sleeves.

Is all of this worth $60?  Definitely!  As you saw above, total cost is about $130 so you get all of this stuff for about half price. 

You can sign up HERE and every 3 months  you will receive a new shipment with 5-6 items. Join today as the Octobe boxes start shipping on October 16th.

Lola likes the box.  She says it is the perfect size and sends her thanks to 5K Crate.

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Have you tried any of these products?  Have you tried a 5K Crate subscription? Thoughts?

Friday Five 2.0-Luvo Frozen Meals Product Review

Disclaimer:  I received Luvo Frozen Meals to review as part of being a BibRave Pro.  Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find and write race reviews!

I love to eat but don’t like to cook.  My mother makes the best Mexican food and I look forward to it everytime I see her.  

I have a hard time deciding what to take to school for lunch.  I only have 30 minutes to eat and in that time I also have to finish up some work for the next two hours of class and use the bathroom.  Enter Luvo Frozen Meals.  The past few weeks I had the opportunity to try their products for a quick, easy, and healthy meal.

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Luvo’s philosophies for their meals consist of :

  • The right balance of protein, whole grains, and veggies
  • Not too much sodium or added sugar
  • No artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners

There are so many meals to choose from – either in a pouch or a bowl.  Below are the ones I was able to sample.

Kale Ricotta Ravioli – This one had a great smell!  Teachers asked me what I was eating because it smelled so good.  This bowl is nut free and vegetarian with 12 grams of protein, 14 grams of whole grains, and 1/2 cup of vegetables

Hawaiian Un-Fried Rice-I didn’t think I would like this but it is actually very tasty.  This bowl is vegan, gluten-free, vegetarian, dairy free with 10 grams of plant protein, 42 grams of whole grains, and 1 cup of fruit and vegetables. 

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Quinoa & Veggie Enchilada Verde-My sister and I both enjoyed this bowl.  I love green enchiladas as well as quinoa.  The salsa verde was tasty and definitely not spicy at all. This bowl is gluten-free, nut free, vegetarian with 10 grams of protein, 37 grams of whole grains, and 1/2 cup of vegetables.

Great Karma Coconut Curry-This is another bowl I did not think I would like.  I like coconut but not a fan of curry.  This bowl is vegan, gluten-free, vegetarian, dairy free with 10 grams of plant protein, 16 grams of whole grains, and 1 cup of vegetables.

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So Cal Kale & Bean-I know Kale is good for you (don’t eat it as much as I would like to) so I looked forward to this meal.  It was sweet which I liked.  This bowl is vegan, gluten-free, nut free, vegetarian, dairy free with 10 grams of plant protein, 23 grams of whole grains, and 1 cup of fruit and vegetables.

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Roasted Cauliflower Mac & Cheese-I loved the brown rice noodles and the panko style topping on top made it crunchy!  This bowl is gluten-free, nut free, vegetarian with 11 grams of protein, 55 grams of whole grains, and 1/2 cup of vegetables.

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I know frozen meals are never a substitute for real food.  However, with so many choices of frozen meals out there, I didn’t feel guilty having one of these for lunch.  Here are a few reasons:

  • A few have a high number of whole grains and/or protein.  I was able to stay full till dinner time.
  • Most frozen meals have a high number of sodium.  However, the meals I tried had sodium in the 300s.  The Great Karma Coconut Curry has the highest number with 390 milligrams.
  • A variety to choose from whether you are looking for a vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, nut free, or dairy free meal.
  • Great taste!  Seriously, I was surprised at how good they were.  I tried 6 different meals and I liked all of them.
  • They’re inexpensive!  I went to my local Jewel-Osco and they were on sale for $3.00 (regular price was $4.99) each which is affordable.  Click HERE to find out if they’re available at your local grocery store.

Have you tried Luvo Frozen Meals?  Which one did you like the most?

I’m linking up with Running on Happy and Fairytales and Fitness for Friday 2.0.

Hoping everyone had a good week!

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Brilliant Reflective, my latest favorite running song, and I am still running.

Disclaimer:  I received Brilliant Reflective Safety Strips to try and review as part of being a BibRave Pro.  Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find and write race reviews!

I rarely run when it is dark.  During the summer it is bright as early as 5am and doesn’t get dark till about 8:30pm.  The few times I run while it is dark, I wear a reflective vest and a headlamp.  I was more than happy to test and review Brilliant Reflective Safety Strips.  The company sent me both Iron-On and Stick-On strips.

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So what exactly are these strips?  They’re pieces of tape that you can stick on to your gear so that when light hits you, you are seen.  They’re easy to peel and can be placed on pretty much all of your running gear such as shoes, shirts, hats.  They’re available in black, red, blue, and purple so they either blend in or stand out.

My niece liked them on her shoes.

I used them in my shirt, shoes, and running hat.

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I will admit that I removed them from my shoes to put on another pair and somehow one of the strips fell off during my race.  However, they stayed on the shirts even after washing them.

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I haven’t used the Iron-On strips but am excited to use them on my Oiselle Power Stretch Beanie and Softshell Gloves.  <<Definitely not ready for cold weather as I am enjoying the cool and fall like weather we are having in Chicago.

Join us on Tuesday, September 12th as BibRave and Brilliant Reflective will be hosting a #BibChat at 8pm CST.  Come by and chat with us about this great product and you’ll have a chance to win some of your own.

My latest running song is “Mi Gente”.  Have you heard it?  Not a big fan of the video but I do like the beat and it makes me want to dance too.  🙂

I had some great runs this week.  Monday and Tuesday was 5.02 miles.  Fall weather is here and that makes the runs much more enjoyable.  I was pleased and surprised with my negative splits!

On Saturday I ran the Run Mag Mile 10K.  It was so much fun!  The weather was perfect and it was fun running down Michigan Avenue (it reminded me of RnR Las Vegas when the strip was closed for the race).  I didn’t get a PR (old one is from 2010) but I ran faster than I thought I could and also had a blast.  I think that definitely counts more than a PR, right?  🙂

So what did you think of the song “Mi Gente”?  What is your favorite running song now?

I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for their Weekly Wrap.  This week’s host is Sara @ Sara Runs This Town.  Please stop by her blog and show her some love!

Hoping everyone had a good week!

WWGuest

Under Armour Horizon RTT shoes, back to work, and a giveaway!

Disclaimer:  I received a pair of Under Armour Horizon RTT Trail Running Shoes to review as part of being a BibRave Pro.  Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find and write race reviews!

I don’t normally run on the trail.  However, when I was training for the Lake Michigan Marathon, I would do my long runs on the trail.  I wanted a different place than running along the lakefront.  Also,  I realized that I would recover much faster when running on the trail.  Plus, there is a certain smell (dirt) that comes with it.  It may sound weird but it is true and I actually enjoyed it.  

Last month I received a pair of Under Armour Horizon RTT trail running shoes.  Under Armour reminds me of Michael Phelps (and his cool video) and running clothes. Definitely not running shoes nor trail shoes.  I was still very interested to check them out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xh9jAD1ofm4

The Horizon RTT comes in 5 colors.  I picked marlin blue/neptune and I love the color .

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Product DNA (from the UA website)

  • Durable PU & textile upper for breathability & reliable protection
  • Reinforced welded synthetic material in critical areas for increased durability
  • Mesh heel with dual protective welds
  • Molded collar foam package for added comfort
  • Charged Cushioning® foam puck placed under the heel for responsive comfort
  • Lightweight, full-length EVA midsole for optimal cushioning
  • High traction rubber lug outsole for dependable traction on a variety of conditions
  • Offset: 7mm
  • Weight: 9.2 oz.
  • Imported

While they weren’t heavy, they felt more stiff than my regular running shoes.  My first run in them hurt my right foot.

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A few more runs in them and the shoes feel a little bit more comfortable.

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While they’re primarily trail shoes, they also did well on the road.

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I also wore them to work (in my skirt).  🙂  I like that they’re wide enough for my feet.

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Check out these lugs!  I have a feeling these will be great to run in the snow.

Overall, I am pleased with my shoes.  My only regret is not sizing up.  I wear a 9.5 and remember reading some people suggesting to size up.  I don’t know why I didn’t.  I have been wearing thin socks and no longer run more than 5 miles in them.

Monday was my first day back at work.  In the morning I worked in my room and then parents dropped off school supplies from 9-10 am.  Then meetings, lunch, and another meeting in another building.  Long day.  Thankfully we had a break to see the eclipse.  It was cloudy but did manage to see a bit of it.

Eclipse glasses

Tuesday was more meetings.  It went by fast.  I couldn’t stay late because I had a doctor appointment for my yearly checkup.  I had to step on the scale and was very surprised at the number.  No, it didn’t go down but instead went down.  I was tired so I didn’t really care.  But now I do.

My first day with the kids was Wednesday.  Some of the teachers used chalk to write messages for them.  Pretty cool!

I have 24 students in my room.  Wow!  At the end of the day I wanted to cry.  I was exhausted.  My back, feet, and legs hurt.  I have a rough group of kids.  I remember my first year and it wasn’t that bad.  These kids talk a lot and don’t know when to stop talking. They’re also distracted and looking elsewhere but me.   

Tired cat

The next two days were rough too.  Something new this year is that the kids eat breakfast in the lunchroom.  They come in at 8:30am, grab breakfast (if they want), and go to the classroom.  They have 15 minutes to put stuff in their locker and eat.  It isn’t enough time because they like to talk which in the morning is fine but they also need to eat.  In the meantime I take attendance and track who ate breakfast and who brought a lunch.  The kids need to stop eating at 8:45, throw away the garbage, and clean up because at 8:50 they have a special (gym, media, art, gym, or computers).

I know the first couple of days/weeks are rough.  I am ready for that.  I need to remember those moments that make teaching so worth it.

Teacher Inspiration

Now time for a giveaway!  The winner will receive a Momentum Jewelry inspire-ring.  I have one and love it.  

Momentum Inspire-Ring

Please use the Rafflecopter below to enter.  This giveaway will run until September 2 at 11:59 pm.  The giveaway is open to US residents only.  The winner will be contacted via the email address associated with their Rafflecopter account and will have 24 hours to claim their prize.   All entries are verified, so please be sure to complete them or a new, random winner will be selected.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Do you prefer road or trail running?  Or both?

I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for their Weekly Wrap. This week’s host is Teresa @ Finding Fabulous at Fifty .  Please stop by her blog and show her some love!

Hoping everyone had a good week!

WWGuest