Gettin' Picky

If you know me at all, you know that I love food.  All food.  I think my ideal job might involve food (personal chef, anyone?) though I might gain 50 pounds if my job actually involved being around food 24/7.  I love food. 

You should also know that I don't love boring food.  If it doesn't taste good, if it doesn't inspire me, I can't be bothered.  Yes, I have been known to devour boring food whilst scrambling for 3 minutes of a lunch hour during work.  But at home, in my real life, I'm much more likely to eat a bowl of cereal if the rest of my options are boring.  I just don't waste time on boring food.

As an athlete, my training days (read: non-work days) often involve going from a 90 minute swim, to a 3 hour bike ride, followed by a transition run or maybe hitting the trails for an hour or two.  And on rehab days- add in 45 minutes of core work followed by stretching.  I have to constantly eat, or I don't have enough energy to get through my day.  This means that I am looking for foods that are quick, easy, and won't upset my stomach while exercising at high intensity. 

My go-to foods have been Ensure, PB&J, and various gels, etc.   Last year I stumbled across Peter Rabbits Organics, which is actually baby food I think.  Pouches of pureed fruits and vegetables which are similar in calorie content to a gel, but better tasting and healthier.  I love Peter Rabbits during trail runs.  They are a little too big to carry without my hydration pack to store them in, but make for perfect trail food. 

This week, I stumbled across something new.  Picky Bars.  I was perusing my favorite online trail running store (zombie runner) last week and found them in the nutrition aisle.  I had read about them in a magazine recently.  Created by an American professional track and field/ recently turned marathon runner and her professional triathlete husband, these bars are real food with good ingredients.  I was skeptical.  They aren't much to look at.  Small, dense-looking squares of mushed together nuts, seeds, dried fruits.  But, their most recent creation (The Smooth Caffeinator) called my name and I placed my order.

Now, I've tried various whole foods bars in the past.  Sometimes you get lucky, like with Erin Baker's breakfast cookies.  Other times, not so lucky.  (Absolutely zero offense here, but I just can't choke down a Lara Bar no matter how good it is for me.)  The downside to EB's cookies, is they are over 300 calories a piece.  Not bad for normal snack, but in the middle of my training day, it's too much at once.  Sits like a rock on my gut. 

Picky Bars arrived on my doorstep early this week.  I looked at them.  I didn't have high hopes.  I actually put them in my cupboard for a few days.  Finally, I threw the Smooth Caffeinator into my lunch box.  Late in the day, when the afternoon munchies start, I picked it up.  I looked it over.  I opened it.  I held the small square of blended whole ingredients in my hand.  And I took a bite.

Flavor exploded in my mouth.  The essence of coffee permeates this bar, despite being almost the last ingredient on the list.  There were large chunks of hazelnuts, and whole chocolate chips.  I was in love with the Smooth Caffeinator.  This was not like any other bar.  This was heaven in a pint sized zip lock baggie.  I savored every bite and smiled, pleased with my discovery. 

Over the next 3 days I tried the rest of the flavors.  Nutless Wonder.  All-In Almond.  Mega Nuts.  Each provided a similar flavor experience and the textural enjoyment of whole nut pieces.  I feel like I won the lottery.  I scoured the website.  Where can I get my hands on more of these bars... in mass quantities?  I can join the Picky Club!  I can order online!   

It's not often that I am woo-d so much that I have to write about it.  Picky Bars woo-d me.  Sucked me into their real food goodness.  They're not paying me to talk about them (though if you're reading this, I'm open for endorsements....).  I just think when you find something great, you gotta let people know.  I'd love to hear your opinion of Picky Bars.  Or whatever opinion you have for that matter.  If you try Picky Bars and don't like them... you can ship the leftovers to me.