Saturday, June 25, 2011

I Love Quickies: 6 Speedy Product Reviews

Do something everyday that scares you. Here goes.

I have no clue what is happening, but I am sitting at table #5 getting ready to do an impromptu and speedy product review as part of the conference. Condom? Pack of cigarettes? Depends? I have no idea. But, this is real time, kind of like Live TV, so I hope I don’t lose my cool. Score.

Companies have five minutes to describe their products, then it’s time to switch.  Here we go. And the first one is alcohol, they must have seen me coming.

Casa Noble Skinny Margaritas:

All the taste, none of the guilt. Skinny Margarita! 181 calories. Organic. Gives you a buzz (I added that). Made from blue agave nectar, hand crafted. Agave gets to mature 2-3 years longer than competition.

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2 oz Casa Noble Crystal Tequila
1 oz fresh lime juice
3/4 oz La Sierra Agave Nectar

Taste: Delicious. Light. Refreshing. Slightly sweet. Taste of tequila comes through beautifully because it is not weighed down by corn syrup or other sweeteners. Great summer drink.

Jovial Einkorn Pasta:

The most ancient wheat pasta. From Italy. Has higher nutritional value than other wheat pastas. High Vitamin B, protein (9 grams per 2 oz servings). Available in gluten free.  About $4.99 for 12 oz box from Whole Foods.

I was given a dried bag of pasta. It is dark in color. I have no clue what it tastes like, but interesting concept for sure. Drawback: expensive compared to regular grocery store brands.

Rudi’s Gluten Free Bread:

Multigrain. Made with rice flour. Wholesome, simple list of ingredients. Nothing artificial. About $5.99/loaf.

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Taste: Excellent, substantial multi grain bread. Slightly dry. Store in the freezer, no preservatives so shelf life is very short.

Popchips:

Air popped potato chips. The only one like it out there. Next generation of potato chips. No oils in popping process, only sunflower oil in the seasoning. Eight flavors. BBQ, Cheddar, Sour/cream and onion, etc. Jalapeno coming in July.

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Taste: Very good and light. Single serve bag is 100 calories. 280 mg of sodium. 4g of fat. Gluten free. Seriously delicious and guiltless. I would SO eat these in front of The Real Housewives any day.

Recharge Natural Sport’s Beverage:

10 calories per stick of mixing powder. Sweetened with Truvia (from the stevia plant). All natural. Nothing artificial. Eight sticks per box for $3.99. Color comes from vegetable dyes. 30 mg sodium, 50 mg potassium.

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Taste: If you like Kool Aid you will like this.  Sweet, fruity. 

Detour Peanut Butter Cream Protein Bar:

15 g whey protein. 1.5 oz bar. 170 calories. 17 g carbs. 1 g sugar, sweetened with sucralose. Whey is co-product of cheese, transfer the most quickly to the muscles of any protein. 3 flavors. Chocolate chip caramel, caramel peanut and peanut butter cream. $1.45 in health/grocery store. Available Costco, GNC, Kroger, etc.

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Taste: Very good. Not too heavy or sweet. Tastes like a good candy bar.

Lara Bar

Started when Lara when for a hike and she had fruit and nuts, she combined them for a great taste. All have only three to nine ingredients. Gluten free, vegan, dairy free.

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Taste: Peanut Butter Cookie – yum. Only has dates, peanuts and salt in the ingredients. Love it. Genius. Healthy, quick snack.

That’s all I got.

Ever tried any of these? Which do you like? I have to say my fave was the skinny margarita and the popchips. They simply went well together. I almost felt like I was at a Bronco’s game.

Do you ever buy/try new stuff based on a blogger’s product review? I may not run out and buy it, but I definitely consider a product a blogger has reviewed the next time I’m looking for an item that is similar to the one reviewed.

SUAR

28 comments:

  1. You had me at Skinny Margaritas....swoon :)

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  2. skinny margaritas are SO SO GOOD!
    and oh i have found sooooooo many products based on blogger suggestions!

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  3. I ALWAYS buy new stuff based on blogger reviews. I am also a shopaholic of sorts, especially when it comes to running gear.
    But I LOVE Larabars~

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  4. I really like Lara Bars. I don't know, sometimes I might consider buying something based on a review. Your swimming ipod thing is stored in my memory in case I ever have a need for it, or just want to impress my friends at the lake.

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  5. I bought some Welch's fruit snacks because you recommended them!
    Much easier to eat on a run than GU chomps.

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  6. I'm not a big fan of Lara bars. Too bland for me, but a lot of healthy food is too bland for me...thus my addiction to desserts. I really love the Popchips. Totally guilt free...if you can manage to eat only one 100cal bag.

    I haven't tried any "skinny" alcoholic drinks yet, but I would definitely like to try one.

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  7. Larabars are yum!! Finally a bar that doesn't taste like CARDBOARD and/or WHEY protein.

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  8. I love Larabars. They're one of the only ways I can get fruit into my daughter's body. Love the simplicity of the ingredients, although it makes me feel like I should be able to make them myself. Tasted those popcorn chips at Costco a few weeks ago. I was just so-so on them. Skinny Margaritas--now there's a winning concept!

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  9. My sisterasked for a case of salt & vinegar popchips fir her birthday!! They are great!! Love me some Larabars too!! Yummo!

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  10. You did so much better at this live blogging than I. I hated mine and had to take them down.

    On the Einkorn pasta it is slightly more expensive but let me tell you that 2oz has 200 calories and add in veggies and you are stuffed. One box has 6 servings and that is not normal for regular pasta b/c it is durham flour and you tend to eat more than a serving size.

    With this stuff you will NOT eat more than a serving size b/c it is so filling.

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  11. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Larabars!
    The new blueberry muffin one is awesome but my all time favorite is coconut cream pie (followed by key lime pie).

    Yes, I will sometimes buy stuff based off blogger reviews, but only if it's something I'm already in the market for. Like, I wouldn't buy any of the other products in this post, because they're not something I'd normally buy.

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  12. I have had Lara Bars and agree that they are super yummy!

    Are those the Skinny Margaritas like the one from Bethany Frankell? I love them!!! Very yummy!

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  13. I love popchips. Got a bag at smoothies king the other day and loved them, they r amazing!

    Yep, I buy stuff based on blogger reviews all the time. Feels like if someone you 'know' likes it, and u hope they aren't just blowing smoke up ur ass, but so far so good on getting good stuff based on blogger reviews!

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  14. I love the Larabars - yummy and not filled with extra stuff - I love that there are limited ingrediants.

    I make my own skinny margarita's all the time. Mix tequilla, a little triple sec, 2-3 fresh squezzed limes and a little agave nectar for sweetness. Tastes yummy.

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  15. Pop chips LOVE. Want to try the Lara bar and the margaritas. Thanks!

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  16. I, too, love Lara Bars. I think I'll try the Detour bar, too. Always looking for new bars to try and love the protein amount!
    I can't wait to indulge in Popchips and Skinny Margaritas! Yummy!

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  17. I love the Detour Bars! I have been eating these for 10 years - they make another good one called U-Turn.

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  18. So glad you liked the Larabars! :) I was kind of bummed to miss the other presentations (free drinks? POPCHIPS?!) - "Jalapeno coming in July.", next month just got a lot more exciting!

    P.S. It would've been just as quick to take three steps forward and say this to you, vs type it ;) hi!

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  19. You're a natural Beth! YOu could write about wall paper or dirt and make it interesting. Never tried any of these but enjoyed your post. :) I'm wishing I was at this conference!

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  20. Pop chips rock! So happy they are gf, at least the flavors I eat (plain/cheddar) AND you can get them cheaper on Amazon -we get cases of the 100 cal pkgs. Rudis cinnraisin is pretty good, haven't tried their regular. I have actually tried and found a LOT of products, food and otherwise, through bloggers, it's probably how I find most new stuff these days since I don't watch the ads on taped tv and mostly read targeted mags (RW, Triathlete).

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  21. I love Lara Bars! Please tell their rep to bring back the Ginger Snap flavor...it rocks!

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  22. Well those are some efficient blog reviews.

    Reviewing stuff on a blog is an awesome form of (nearly) free advertising, you've got your captive audience right in front of you!

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  23. I've never had a Larabar I didn't like! Great during a race or a midday snack.

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  24. I love Rudi's cinnnamon rasin bread!!

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  25. Popchips and Lara bars are great. I've tried Gotein based on a bloggers review and thought it was great.

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  26. I love, love Larabars! Lemon and cherry are my favs!! I can't eat chocolate or peanut butter when I run. Makes my tummy queasy fast.

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  27. Casa Noble is the BEST tequila, hands down. So smooth - and I am not a drinker, usually. Didn't realize they made a "skinny" version - definitely trying it.

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