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?

Friday Five 2.0-5 Things I Am Loving

Happy Friday!  Any interesting plans this weekend?  My birthday is on Monday so I have plans on Saturday to get together with my sisters and my brother to celebrate.  Nothing fancy but we will be going to a Thai restaurant for some delicious pad thai and pad see ew.  Yummy!

happybirthdaycake

Next week I work Monday and Tuesday and then will be off the rest of the week.  You bet I am excited.  I will be running a turkey trot on Thursday and planning to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family.  I made a mistake and thought that the shirts were going to be blue.  They’re not.  They will be an ivory/oatmeal color.  It is still a pretty color.  Remember, there is still time to sign up and use code “17BIBRAVE10” to save 10% off all distances.

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When I started writing this post I did not realize the topic this week was “Giving Thanks”.  I had initially decided to write something related to it for the day after Thanksgiving.  Instead in this post you’ll be reading about some of the few things I am loving.

  • Waves Micro Towel – I’ve been using these for a few years.  They’re fast drying and ultra absorbent.  I use mine to wrap my wet hair after a shower.  They are also perfect to take to the beach or on a trip.  I love that they’re not bulky and come in some cool colors.

Waves Micro Towel 1

  • Oiselle Lightning Layer – Thanks to the time change it is dark in the morning and after work.  I prefer to run after work because I know more people and cars are out there during that time.  My vest makes sure that I am seen.  Well, it is a top and a vest.  I’ve worn it alone with a sports bra during the summer and over a long sleeve top during the fall/winter.
  • iHome Color Changing Bluetooth Speaker – I love listening to music while working in my classroom.  I mainly listen to Amazon Prime and have a few playlists that I like.  I also enjoy Pandora but for some weird reason my school has blocked that site.  With my bluetooth speaker I can listen to whatever I want.  It is easy to set up and has great sound quality.  I love how it changes colors throughout each song.
  • Achievement – Do you want to get paid to be healthy!  Join Achievement, connect your apps, and start earning money.  Use THIS LINK to join and we both get 250 points.  For every 10,000 points you accumulate, you get $10.  I’ve connected it to FitBit, Strava, and Garmin accounts and already made $20.  Seriously, you have NOTHING to lose.
  • Eagle Creek Pack-It Sac Large– I originally bought this after I saw how my friend, Meghann, had neatly packed for our trip to Alaska.  I did not.  I’ve heard great things about their products but until recently had never own any of them.  You can use this to store magazines, computer cords, toiletries, etc.  I use it to take home my papers to grade.  Throughout the day I store the papers inside and make sure to grab it before heading out the door.

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Any exciting plans this weekend?  What are you loving lately?

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

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Friday Five 2.0-5 Goals for November

I realized it is almost halfway through November and I am just writing down my goals. But better late than never, right?

Run more than 100 miles.  I’ve been slacking off on my runs the past couple of months. The last time I ran over 100 miles in a month was in July with 122 miles.  Then in August it was 52, September it was 48, and in October it was 45 miles.  No excuses since I have all of the shoes now.

100miles

Take swimming lessons.  I still have some classes that I purchased in the summer.  I just need to figure out the days and times that are convenient for me and hopefully they will also work for my swimming coach.  This goal might even extend to December since the classes expire at the end of December.

Be more patient.  My days have been stressful.  Many of my kids are low in reading and writing.  Some struggle with basic instructions.  That combination just drives me up the wall.  I just cannot understand how someone cannot follow basic instructions.   Oh, and they TALK all of the time.  Yep, breathe slowly and relax.

Have more social activities.  Lately my days have been all about work.  I get to work at 7am and leave around 4 or 5 pm.  Then I am just too tired to do anything else.  I need to find a balance with work and having some fun too.  Tomorrow I am meeting some friends at Cooper’s Hawk for dinner and you bet I am excited about it.

Get a haircut.  Why is it that we drag doing something very simple?  The last time I got a haircut was in June.  Prior to that was August of 2016.  My plan is to cut about 2-3 inches.

haircut 

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

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Friday Five 2.0-Become a BibRave Pro in 2018

Do you like to get FREE stuff to use and review?  Do you like to get FREE race entries to some of the best races in the US?  Do you enjoy meeting new people?  If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, keep on reading to learn how you can become an ambassador.

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The BibRave Pros are ambassadors for BibRave.  Everyone shares a passion for running and blogging about their recent running escapade.  Each Pro gets free entries to run BibRave partner races (a few past partners include Grandma’s Marathon, Detroit Marathon, Rock ‘n’ Roll Race Series, Hot Chocolate Race Series, and more).  They also get to test and review running products (wireless headphones, shoes, fuel, etc).  Plus, you are part of an amazing community that motivates and encourages you.  What else is there to ask for?

Do YOU have what it takes to be a BibRave Pro?

Here are the requirements to join the program:
– Enjoy running and racing!
– Maintain a personal running-orientated blog
– Have a strong social media presence across multiple platforms
– Have a BibRave account at www.bibrave.com with at least 3 reviews
– No more than 3 other ambassadorships

I applied in July and a few weeks later received an email welcoming me into the program. Since then I’ve received race entries for the Run Mag Mile, Chicago Half Marathon and Lifetime 5K, Turkey Trot Chicago, and Illinois Marathon.  I’ve also received a few products to test such as Under Armour Horizon RTT shoes, Brilliant Reflective, Luvo Frozen Meals, and 5K Crate.

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Is this something you want to do?  If so, sign up TODAY.  Applications are now open till November 15, 2017 11:59pm PST.  You will be notified by November 24, 2017 if you’ve been selected as a member of the 2018 BibRave Pros.  If you apply, make sure to include my name on the application as the person that referred you.  🙂

I have applied again for next year and will be back in 2018!  Next year is supposed to be bigger and better so you bet I am looking forward to it.

BibRAVE Pro

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

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Friday Five 2.0-Top 5 things I am looking forward to the Turkey Trot Chicago

It is hard to believe that we are close to the end of October and November starts next week.  Also, hard to believe Thanksgiving is right around the corner.  Oh, and my birthday is that same week as Thanksgiving.  🙂

I am excited because that same week of Thanksgiving, I only work Monday and Tuesday and then I am off the rest of the week.  Thanksgiving is always a time to eat all of the food and spend time with family.   It is also time to run in a turkey trot.  This year I am looking forward to run the Art Van Turkey Trot in Chicago.  I haven’t decided on whether to run the 5K or 8K.   It’s been years since I’ve run in a turkey trot.  Read along as I list the reasons why I am excited to run this race and why you should too.

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1. This race supports the Greater Chicago Food Depository.  What better way to start off the day than to help out fellow Chicago friends to ensure they don’t go hungry this holiday season.

2. It is a local race.  That saves me time and money.  I sleep in my own bed and drive to the race.  I’ve never run this race before and am looking forward to runing in Lincoln Park.

3. FREE Race Photos.  I never buy any of my race photos (too expensive and don’t like how I look) but I’ve noticed that I do like the FREE ones. Regardless, whether I like them or not, they’re still FREE.

4. It is a short race.  There are two options in this race, 5K and am 8K.  Whether it is 3.1 or 6.2 miles, those distances are still doable.  Right?

5. A cool shirt and medal!  New this year is that everyone that crosses the finish line gets a medal.   Check out that cool blue color of the shirts!  Love it!

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EXTRA:
6. I get to wear some cool socks!  I purchased these socks at the Shamrock Shuffle expo specifically to run a turkey trot.  I am excited to wear them on race day.

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Remember, if you would like to sign up, use TURKEYDAY2017 to save 10% off any race distance.

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Any plans to run a Turkey Trot this year?

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

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