Lessons To Learn

I’m posting early and quickly today because today is my second to last microbiology class!!!  It was 8 weeks of cramming knowledge in my head, but I think, given the chance, I will take an 8 week class again.  It goes by so quick!  I have my last exam next week, so I have a lot of studying to do this week/weekend.  But then it will be all over and I just have to focus on chemistry and my dietetics class.  And, of course, as Dave likes to say, “growing a baby from scratch!”  That is taking a bit of work too.

Since I haven’t eaten anything especially exciting today and since my dinners on Wednesdays consist of several snacks before, during, and after, class…I thought I would do a review for you instead.

A couple of weeks ago, the kind folks at Sequel Naturals sent me a couple of their Vega bars and a couple of their smoothie mixes to try.  They also sent me this book to review :

I am excited to read more of this book.  So far, I have just flipped through it.  It is written by an Ironman triathlete who discovered through his own experience the optimal diet to enhance his athletic performance.  He went on to create the Vega line of supplements and bars.  Now, I am not aiming to do any Ironman race, but I am always curious to read about nutrition tips that will make me run better, farther, and faster (at least I will be in about 7 months or so   ).  As I expected, most of his recommendations boil down to eating whole foods, something I can definitely get behind.  And with many recipes included in the book, I look forward to trying some.

I have seen the Vega bars and smoothie mixes on several blogs, so I was looking forward to trying these products.  So far, I have tried all 3 bars they sent.

Honestly, I didn’t notice a huge difference in taste in the 3 varieties.  But that was okay, because I liked them all a lot.  These bars are raw and gluten free, and made with nuts, seeds and fruit puree.  Each bar is about 200 calories and has about out 5 grams of fiber and 9 grams of protein.  When I look at nutrition bars, those are the kinds of stats I like to see.   The bars were soft, which I always love. ( I prefer soft bars to crunchy ones.) And the nuts were finely chopped.  I have always disliked nuts, even though I know how good they are for you.   In fact, I have only discovered a love for nutbutters as an adult.  But to this day, I still do not like nuts…so I love when products include these nutritional powerhouses, but chop them up so finely that I don’t have to be reminded that I’m eating nuts!

I loved these bars and would gladly buy them.  However, off the shelf they are pretty pricey and don’t really fit in my budget. So I will have to look for sales and treat myself only occassionally.

I haven’t tried the smoothie mixes yet.  Its been so cold that I just haven’t had a taste for smoothies lately.  But they sent 2 different packets to try, so I will look forward to reviewing those soon.

I only received a couple of bars and a couple of smoothie packets, so there was nothing to give away after reviewing.  But another company sent me a huge sample to review.  So I will be doing another review next week, along with a giveaway!  Stay tuned for that!

I’ll be blogging from good old Cape Cod tomorrow. I will be heading down after my class because today is my mom’s birthday!!  I have no idea what we’ll do, but that’s the magic of my mom…we don’t have to do anything particularly exciting.  I just enjoy her company so much. “  Happy Birthday mom!  I love you!!

Time to get ready for class.  Have a great evening everyone.