SLC/Utah
Part 2
Portable food energy, like portable power=is delivered by scores of vendors nowadays…enticing consumers looking for easy, tasty ways to fuel on the go.
Or to snack on---no matter where/what -including couch potato types.
Some Highlights:
 |
| Chocolov XOXOX…24 flavors are sold all over- very authentic tasting even discerning chocolate snobs would nibble…and we're half French. |
 |
| one distributor offered various sized, ready to drink tea options from Ito En-a brand remembered fondly- drinking gallons of- from all those vending machines-during time spent in Japan. Unsweetened options actually taste good! |
 |
| Brooklyn's brewing up 100% Arabica- Jay Street Coffee-coffee drinks with the milk part mixed in +shelf ready. These kinds of beverages have been massively popular in Japan for decades wonder why it took so long to catch on here. |
Third generation owned
Nature's Bakery™ served up devour-able natural versions of the classic Fig Newtons- made of non-GMO stone ground whole wheat, dried cane syrup, and brown rice syrup for sweetness (not high fructose corn syrup…). Packaged in handy 2oz sizes-our fav -the lemon, didn't 'survive' the plane ride home. Completely addictive-you've been warned.
 |
| flavor options-apple cinnamon, blueberry, fig, peak apricot, raspberry, lemon, mango, strawberry, vanilla fig,, vanilla raspberry |
 |
| love these-aromatic lemon really comes through-and not coconutty at all-about $6.99/bag |
Coconuts are having a '
moment' as the '
it' ingredient-the elixir for endurance activities (electrolyte loaded-coconut water) and beauty/hair treatments (organic extra virgin/ cold-pressed coconut oil).
And so too with-
Laughing Giraffe Organics Snakaroons™ 100 calories/cookie, coconut embedded bites-that have the texture of thick buttery sugar cookies -but are non-GMO, gluten-free, USDA certified organic snacks, made from 'raw' food ingredients that are all pronounceable. The melt in your mouth treat comes in several authentic flavors-sweetened by low glycemic agave syrup.
Maybe because they are authentic foods---we found one cookie very satisfying-versus an urge to inhale the entire bag.
Family owned
SunRidge Farms™ offers a wide assortment of snack+trail mixes-including themed ones like nutty/spicy Zen Party Mix™…candies, dried fruit, nuts, and seeds…plus -Power Chews-bite sized energy bars-that come in four flavors...
 |
| -Power Chews-Peanut Butter, Vanilla Coconut, Almond Cranberry, Cocoa Energy |
Chances are-if a local grocery -health food store sells these kinds of items in bulk or packaged with its own label-the eats might be SunRidge Farms™ supplied-which is a good thing, given the
company's commitment to green policies-like reimbursing employees $5/day who bike to work and food sourcing policies of using only sustainably produced products.
One of our first 'hits' on Demo Day-is the from Utah-
ProBar® booth---and not just us…we see attendees with the company's signature MEAL™bars-everywhere.
 |
ProBar® Bolts-gummy-bears' like USDA organic energy chews in four flavors that can constitute breakfast for us on triathlon race days…and the new plant based protein packed BASE™ bars-4-5g of fiber, 20g protein from chia and flax seeds non-GMO=6 flavors…ready to sample |
 |
| new flavors for MEAL™- Almond Crunch and Strawberry Bliss -10 others with 5-8g/fiber, 5-11g/protein (nuts+seeds), non-GMO, 350-390 calorie-3oz size |
A highlight, tastebuds wise - - -
Setton Farms' products are a smash hit since arriving at OR. Frankly, pistachios any which way- are a favorite food group all unto its own in our household.
New to us-are the
flavored ones-that take those delectable Californian grown pistachios -and fuse them with some added kick. (5 flavors available). Bars across America-take note. SO MUCH BETTER…than the mixed nuts.
Available on
Amazon.
 |
| the Chewy Bites are cranberry and pistachio loaded tiny bars-about 3 bites worth…just the right texture and blend of sweet/salty/tangy. We would be happy too if we worked for this company. Yummy! Great for kids. $5.99/6 pack, $14.99/16 pack, individually wrapped. |
 |
| Gift sized, every allergy -free human -practically speaking- would love the 100% bag of extra large 18/20 premium California pistachios -roasted with a touch of sea salt (19oz)…or the 18oz roasted cashews with sea salt. $15.99/per |
 |
| Dark Chocolate Pistachios=win win! |
PowerBar's Performance Energy Wafers-have that satisfying lightness and crunch of a waffle cookie but are made of the company's C2MAX-"a dual source energy blend…2:1 ratio of glucose to fructose." Reminds us of what energy gels deliver. We tried the Chocolate/Peanut Butter flavor (other one is Berry Yogurt)---and it is on the sweet side---but real tasting with satisfying crispness.
 |
| PowerBar Protein Plus® 20g protein NOT from meat. Peanut Butter Cookie and Chocolate Mint Cookie-chewy-without cardboard taste. Each bar has 270-280 calories. Sweat-ers alert-their PowerGel® have 200mg of sodium/pouch. AND the PowerBar® High Intensity Beta-Alanine Dietary Supplement-is NSF certified. |
Fortunately for attendees-CLIF Bar has a huge- hanging from the ceiling banner-making it easy to change-up routes- so we can do a drive by -and sample some of the company's offerings-including the LUNA and Builder's Bars that we count on for protein nutrition.
 |
Big thumbs up for sponsoring races! The Clif Bar gels are a bit thicker textured than other brands- makes it easier take a bit at a time vs liquidy kind. FYI:-we buy the Black Cherry Gel Bloks by the case…
HONEY STINGER bases their entire organic product line on naturally energy delivering, easy to digest honey. The gels- are no caffeine and caffeine blessed-getting a 32mg kick from green tea extract. Also new and easily devoured-Gingersnap Waffle-crispy light and delish. We could see an entire Christmas themed gingerbread house made of these though we guess buttery frosting would negate any healthy eating fantasy. |
 |
| Organic gels get new flavors-chocolate and strawberry kiwi. |
After reading a Runner's World readers' forum on best fuels for long distance that are easy to digest- we took up one guy's tip-and carried some of Honey Stinger's
Organic Wildflower Honey in a little plastic bag during a recent marathon…easy enough to take a bit when needed...and it really gave us that instant kick to avoid bonking out during the last 5 miles. Now a staple on 2+hour runs.
 |
| Freeze dried-just add boiling water and wait a 8-9 minutes-or use cold water and heat it up-Breakfast Skillet is all in one meal=hash browns, scrambled eggs mixed with pork sausage, peppers and onions. Different sized packets widely available. |
 |
| this ginormous can that doubles as a pot- has shelf life 25 years |
Campers-including car campers, the military…as well as those stocking up on stable, last for years' items for storm ravaged emergencies-or for when the power goes out moments… have choices. An entire just add water-or open the packet industry of food purveyors exists.
With really long shelf lives of prepared food staples--one of the bigger ones at OR-
Mountain House- dazzled us with their Raspberry Crumble. So easy…just open the can, add boiling water, stir up-serve with the included chocolate cookie crumble on top. DONE.
 |
| Feed a whole group. FYI-gluten free, vegetarian, ethnically flavored and low sodium options are available-including entrees like Pasta Primavera, Mexican style rice and chicken, Beef Stroganoff and whole bunch of sides. Even ice cream sandwich-jsut tear packet open and eat. |
We went on their website-and thought the prices totally reasonable. People who hate to cook-but like to eat-should check it out.
 |
| cookie crumble is in a protective sealed pouch- crispness guaranteed. 10 year shelf life |
CHEF 5 MINUTE EXPRESS™ had just tear open and eat tuna vegetable and chicken vegetable salads (with 3 year shelf life, no refrigeration needed)…and …super cool Chef 5 Minute Meals that are self heating-with a heating pad oven envelope -that works with the included salt water activator pouch-tear open and pour contents into heating pad oven, fold over as directed with the meal placed just so, and wait 5-10 minutes.
Everything needed is completely packaged in one box. EVEN featured on the Rachel Ray show…we bet she was as impressed as we are.
 |
| 9 entree size, self-heating meal options-like Beef Chili and Beans, Chicken Cacciatore, Vegetable Lasagna... the company donated an entire inventory-2 million units...to Hurricane Sandy victims. Bravo. Also sold by the huge buckets and pouches. |
Gadgets abound at OR-but this AMAZING Ice Cream Ball from YayLabs™ is super special---we wonder how the inventor thought this up! The blue ball, ruggedly built from food-safe BPA free materials-one side gets the salt, the other side opens up for the natural ingredients…both sides seal shut-then kick it around for 20 minutes=exterior is a toe friendly soft-shell…then violà-a pint of ice cream.
 |
| wide opening makes it easy to mix natural ingredients and scoop it out. |
 |
| handles are built-in makes opening the ends easy |
 |
| Ice cream salt in the other side |
 |
close shut-roll around
MSRP $34.99 |
FYI-company now sells an
ice cream ball with additional inflatable cover. The one featured above-is an all in one soft-shell... should be available soon.
 |
| bonus points go to this watermelon juicer. THANKS! |
PART ONE-
Manly Snacks, PART THREE
Glamping+Grilling, PART FOUR
Staying Connected-Powering Up-Portably, PART FIVE
Grey is the New Black PART SIX
Color Trend Solid and Saturated, PART SEVEN
Pink, Berry-Colors Spring, PART EIGHT
Nautical Navy+UN Blue, Pastels,PART NINE
Black, White, Greens Color Trends, PART TEN
Bold Graphics
Third generation owned Nature's Bakery™ served up devour-able natural versions of the classic Fig Newtons- made of non-GMO stone ground whole wheat, dried cane syrup, and brown rice syrup for sweetness (not high fructose corn syrup…). Packaged in handy 2oz sizes-our fav -the lemon, didn't 'survive' the plane ride home. Completely addictive-you've been warned.
