I’m a BIG fan of Clif Bar & Company. They’ve done great things to create sustainability, promote eco-initiatives, provide healthy programs for employees, support their communities, and engineer a variety of organic & sustainable products for consumers. Read all about Clif Bar & Company in their 2007 Aspirations Report. You’ll become a big fan, just like me!
I’m a hypoglycemic, lactose-intolerant vegeholic* (*my definition: someone who can’t seem to get enough fruits & veggies but could really live without meat). As a result, I need a consistent supply of protein to regulate my blood sugar levels but don’t naturally get it due to the lack of dairy and meat in my diet. Clif Bar products to the rescue! Clif Bar products do not use dairy sources, no high fructose corn syrup or hydrogenated fats, and contain high levels of protein. Each Clif Bar product has a different purpose and benefits, and you can find out the details for each at the Clif Bar website. Here are some thoughts:
Clif Bar: The Original: These all natural energy bars are a conglomeration of all kinds of natural goodness. They average 230 calories per bar and contain 23 vitamins & minerals. They come in a large variety of flavors, so if you don’t like one be sure to try some others! Some people don’t like the mish-mash ingredients, but it warmly reminds me of a hearty cookie… These bars now also come in minis!!! You can’t buy them everywhere, but the minis are 100-110 calories apiece, perfect for any girl’s (or guy’s) pre-workout energy boost. For the girls (and guys), there are also Clif Luna Bars below with other girl-friendly considerations.
Luna Bar: At 170-190 calories per bar, these are designed as the perfect fuel for active women who don’t want the calories of the average energy bar. It contains 23 vitamins & minerals in a combination just for women, including high calcium and folic acid, as well as 9-10 grams of protein and 3g of fiber. They come in a wide range of tasty flavors that don’t have that typical energy bar taste. I usually keep a small stash of these around for when I’m having a sugar craving but want my calories to count for something. These always hit the spot!
- Luna Bars also come in 3 specialty varieties: Luna Sport, Luna Teacakes, and Luna Sunrise. I have not tried the Sport or Teacakes. I have tried the Luna Sunrise, which comes in more breakfasty flavors than the original. Sunrise does not have as many vitamins, contains more carbs, and fewer grams of protein than the original. However, if you like these flavors better, you’re still giving your body a healthy boost.
Clif Mojo Bar: “The Sweet and Salty Trail Mix Bar” The biggest snacking surprise of the year! I had low expectations of this bar, since I’ve tried many fruit and nut snack bars in the past and have never been particularly impressed. If you have the same feelings, you should really give this a shot! The glycemic index of this bar must be incredibly low. I normally need to eat at least every 3 hours, but after eating this bar I was fully satisfied for over 5 hours! Wow. This bar does not contain the same number of vitamins & minerals as other Clif Bars, and each bar has around 200 calories. But if you’re looking for sustained energy, this may be it.
- Clif Mojo Bars also come in a Dipped variety, which I have not tried.
Clif Nectar Bar and Nectar Cacao: This is how I bribe my husband into eating his daily serving of fruit. Each bar contains two full servings of fruit, is made from 100% organic ingredients, and is a serious source of fiber. These are pure decadence and might as well be eaten for dessert. We’ve tried every flavor, and they are delicious!!! While these are an expensive way to get your fruit, they are a guiltless indulgence.
Clif Builder’s Bar: This bar claims to be the only all-natural protein bar, and it has 20g of protein per bar which means the glycemic index is very low. It’s marketed toward men, but I’m a big, big, big fan of this one! (Oh, and the hubby like it too!) There are about 270 calories for a full bar, so I like to eat one bar in stages throughout the day between meals to keep myself fueled. I was particularly impressed with the texture of this bar, which has a layer of “clif pro” (rice and soy puff stuff) and a layer of thick protein-y goodness, all dipped in a coating. (Sorry for the poor terminology!) This is simply a delight to eat, and I like it with a cup of coffee. However, I’ve only tried the Vanilla Almond flavor so far, so the others may still be suspect.
Clif Kid Z Bar and Twisted Fruit: I haven’t tried these, but my hunch is they’re good! They’re marketed as a healthier alternative to granola bars and fruit snacks. According to Reader Ashley (see her comment below), she eats the Z Bars for dessert. I’ll just have to try that myself…
Clif Shot: This is Clif Bar’s line for performance atheletes, and I haven’t tried any of them. (I guess I’m just your average runner…) There are 4 options: Shot Blocks is a pack of 33 calorie cubes to pop while on the course; Shot Gel is a packet of liquid carbs for an on-the-go boost; Shot Electrolyte Drink is a mix to use in your water bottle for before and during performance; and Shot Recovery Drink is a mix that contains all kinds of body-nourishing nutrients. Once I try them, I’ll let you know.
I hope you turn out to be a big Clif Bar fan just like me! Feel free to share your thoughts and comments, especially on the products I have yet to try.
Posted by: Lynnette
For my birthday this past weekend, my grandmother took me out for dinner. Based upon a coworker’s recommendation, we went to Via Tribunali, a locally-owned authentic Italian pizzeria. The owners’ goal was to transport diners straight to Italy. Even the oven itself is made of bricks from the ash of Mt. Vesuvius, and the wine list was fully imported. To read about what makes authentic Italian pizza “authentic,” be sure to read about it at the restaurant’s website. No heavy American pizza here! The “sauce” is made from freshly smashed tomatoes or simply of olive oil, and the fresh mozzerella was sparsely scattered around the pie. Some of the imported topping included artichoke hearts, kalamata olives, prosciutto, Italian ham, salame, basil, argula, anchovies, and many others. The menu also includes a couple of calzones and some salads. Everything that came out of the kitchen looked great!
