I love to try weird foods. In fact, the more obscure and bizarre combinations the better. (I watch too much Top Chef.) That’s why when we reviewed 101 Optimal Life Foods my curiosity was piqued when I saw the recipe for “Curried Chicken-Banana Yam Soup.” After all, I like curry. I like chicken. I like banana. I like yam. And I like soup. BUT, I’ve never tried them together. It was going to be quite the culinary adventure for me. Especially when I saw coconut listed as an ingredient! How often do you get to put coconut in a soup?

I made this soup on a lazy Sunday, and it was awesome. Way filling, way tasty and way pleasing for even my hubby, who claims to not like coconut. (I sure showed him!) Plus, one giant pot makes eight servings, each with 280 cals, 15 grams of fat, 13 carbs, 3 grams fiber and 23 grams of protein. If you’re not known for your culinary creativity, I urge you to give this one a try. It has a complex, meaty flavor that is both unique and as comforting as food you grew up with (maybe just in another country).

Curried Chicken-Banana Yam Soup

Courtesy of 101 Optimal Life Foods

2 tsp peanut oil
2 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 lbs Amish or organic chicken pieces
1 small leek, sliced and rinsed
1 small yellow onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, peeled
1/2 jalapeno pepper
1 tbsp minced peeled fresh ginger
1 tbsp mild curry powder
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
1/2 c. shredded unsweetened dried coconut
4 c. low-sodium chicken broth
1 yam or sweet potato, peeled and cut into large dice
2 medium bananas, peeled and cut into large pieces (about 1 c.)
4 oz fresh cilantro, chopped
2 tbsp honey
Sea salt and pepper to taste

1. In a heavy bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat the oils over medium heat. Sear the chicken pieces in the hot oils until browned on each side. Remove from the pot and set aside.
2. Add the leek and onion. Sweat for a minute; then add the garlic, jalapeno, and ginger and cook for another minute. Add the curry powder and cayenne pepper. Stir and toast the spices for a moment, and then add the tomatoes, coconut, chicken stock and browned chicken pieces. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a rapid boil. Reduce heat. Stir in the yam and reduce heat to simmer. Cook for 30 to 40 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked and falling off the bones and the yam is tender.
3. Pull the soup off the heat and remove the chicken pieces; let them cool a bit and then shred the meat. Discard the skin and bones. Stir the chicken meat, bananas, cilantro and honey into the pot. Put back on the heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes. Season with sea salt and pepper.

Nom nom! And impress your friends with a funky sounding but delicious-tasting soup! —Jenn

Credit: D Sharon Pruitt

Life Fitness may be an exercise equipment manufacturer, but they also dole out great nutrition and fitness information that lands in our in-box. And because we can all use a reminder, we thought we’d share this list of awesome foods that we should all be packing in our fridges!

Top 10 Super Foods for 2010 (although we think they’re awesome any year!)

1. Almonds. Grab a handful a day to get your dose of vitamin E, an essential tool for the growth of muscle cells. Makes a great snack!

2. Blueberries. A one-ounce serving of blueberries packs more of a punch than most other fruits and vegetables. They’re also low in calories and fat free. A colorful and yummy addition to smoothies!

3. Eggs. New research is showing that eggs are more helpful than harmful for us and deliver one of the best overall sources of protein. Scramble ‘em up!

4. Kale. One cup of kale has just 30 calories but packs heavy doses of vitamins A and C, iron, calcium and much more. Add it to your favorite salad or soup for a vita-boost.

5. Low-fat milk. A glass or two of skim milk each day is the best way to replenish the most abundant mineral in our bodies, calcium. Each cup packs a solid 500 mg of calcium with only 80 calories. Get your mustache on!

6. Lentils. A half-cup serving of this legume delivers loads of fiber with just 115 calories and a sliver of fat. Find it in soups, rice dishes and international fare.

Credit: D Sharon Pruitt

7. Natural peanut butter. High in heart-healthy fats, a serving of PB (about the size of a ping pong ball) also delivers folate, vitamin E and fiber. Awesome on toast! Just be sure to buy natural so that you avoid those unhealthy trans fats.

8. Quinoa. A cup of light, nutty quinoa packs a punch of protein, iron and other vitamins. Try it as a hot cereal, add it to soups and salads or make your own quinoa pilaf. (If I can brave it, you can, too! Oh, but beware of rancid pine nuts!)

9. Salmon. This lean protein is filled with omega-3 fatty acids. Just keep your intake to one or two servings that are the size of a deck of cards each week as seafood can also deliver some unhealthy toxins like mercury.

10. Water. While not technically a food, it’s such an important part of your diet that it’s worth breaking the rules. Staying hydrated keeps your body functioning, your skin glowing and your tummy full. Drink up!

What foods would you add to your personal super food list? —Erin

When you work out as much as we do, you sure do get thirsty. Here’s five (we really outdid ourselves today!) new drinks that promise to help you with five common healthy living probs! We don’t like problems; we like solutions!

CLICK Espresso Protein Drink

Perfect for: Those who wish their morning protein shake came with a dose of caffeine.

I love my protein shake in the morning, but most days it seems ridiculous to double-fist a travel-friendly mug of smoothie and a no-spill tumbler of coffee just for my four-mile morning commute. In the past, I’ve been solving this ridiculousness by throwing instant coffee granules into my smoothie, but depending on what else is in my shake, the result is “eh-” tasting at best. And then CLICK came along. You could say that we, ahem, clicked! CLICK is a multivitamin, protein powder and espresso all in one. And, it tastes like mocha. Yum. Mix it with a little water, and you can have it hot or cold to fit any kind of coffee need you have any time of year!

ALL ONE

Perfect for: Others who have issues with taking pill-form supplements.

I’m not always the best about taking my daily multivitamin pill, and, to be honest, many times the big horse pills upset my stomach unless I’ve had a “big” meal, and I rarely eat a big meal. That’s why I was drawn to the ALL ONE powders. Plus, unlike pills that can contain fillers and binding agents that the body has to break down before the nutrients can be absorbed, powder is better absorbed by the body. Lots of ALL ONE formulas are available for most specific nutritional needs (I tried the Original Formula and the Fruit Antioxidant), and all you do is mix the powder with your fave juice, milk or other beverage. Warning: I found that it was hard to dissolve all of the powder in just a liquid unless you have at least 12 ounces, but it worked well in my smoothie (when I was double-fisting it, see above).

owater

Perfect for: Those who need their electrolytes without overt sweetness.

Electrolytes are so important to those of us who run longer distances or participate in endurance events. You lose electrolytes (potassium, calcium, sodium) when you sweat, and drinking water by itself may rehydrate us, but it doesn’t replenish our electrolytes, which help support all kinds of functions in the body, including the brain (kinda important). Problem is, most electrolyte replacement drinks have sugar and calories in them, which you may not want, especially if you’re looking to lose weight. But have no fear, owater is here! These zero or low-calorie drinks have all-natural ingredients. We particularly liked the subtle flavor of the unsweetened ones that have just a hint of fruit flavor. The plain water one I didn’t mind, but Erin thought it tasted  ”electrolyte-y” and reminded her of a flavorless Gatorade. Not a deal breaker, for sure!

Verve! Energy Drink

Perfect for: Those who are addicted to Red Bull, but don’t want to be. (That should be anyone addicted to Red Bull in our minds.)

We’re not fans of energy drinks, but this one got our attention. This so-called “insanely healthy” Verve! Energy Drink comes in both a low-sugar and sugar-free version and includes phytonutrients, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, thereby promising you pep for your step in a healthy, less jittery way. I tried a couple cans of the sugar-free variety and enjoyed its carbonated bubbly-ness. The flavor is orangey, and although it’s made using natural ingredients, it still tasted a bit fake-sugary to me. (Compared to other sugar-free energy drinks though, it was gourmet.) Did I notice a big energy lift? Eh, not really. But I only tried it twice, and both times it was on days that I worked out, which naturally gives me an energy lift. Bottom line though, if you can’t give up energy drinks, at least consider switching to a healthier-for-you kind like Verve!

CherryPharm

Perfect for: Those who push their muscles to fatigue regularly and L-O-V-E the idea of drinking cherry pie.

I’d never tried a straight tart cherry juice until CherryPharm’s juice landed on my doorstep. I tried three versions of the cherry juice and all blew me away. It’s one of those juices that make you feel like you’re really drinking that fruit. And the tartness made me feel like I was drinking a healthy cherry pie. And I love cherry pie.

The Natural Health version comes in an 8-ounce serving, clocking in at 130 calories. The Natural Light version clocked in at 90 calories with fewer grams of sugar and tasted just as awesome. The Natural Recovery has 160 calories, but packs an 8-gram protein punch. Did I feel the immediate benefits of an antioxidant-packed drink? I can’t say that my muscles recovered any more quickly or that I slept better than usual, but I can say that I loooved the taste of the juice. And if it’s good for me, too? That’s the cherry on top!

Want to try CLICK yourself? Email your mailing address to info@drinkclick.com with “FBG” in the subject line, and they’ll send samples of their protein powder to the first 200 readers! That’s a lot of mocha-y goodness, so get to emailing! —Jenn & Erin

Disclosure: All beverages were provided by their respective manufacturer, but in no way is this post or our review of products sponsored, influenced or paid for by any company. We tell it like it is!

Earlier this week we featured three yummy books, one of which was Tosca Reno’s Eat Clean Cookbook. As you already know, I love the book for its healthy recipes and tricks and tips sprinkled throughout. And today we’re sharing the yumminess with you!

Below is the recipe for Tosca’s Banana Date Breakfast Bread. It’s so hearty and filling and banana-bready. It’s just delicious. And it’s the perfect breakfast or dessert in my opinion. I love that it includes dates and apple butter (I’ve seen applesauce in recipes, but never apple butter! And I looove apple butter.) And I even tried replacing the ground flaxseed with Salba (I had leftovers from the review), which turned into more deliciousness. And get this: Each serving (1/12 of the loaf) is only 210 cals with 6 grams of protein, 4 grams of healthy fats, 7 grams of fiber (!) and no cholesterol. Try it!

Banana Date Breakfast Bread

Courtesy of Tosca Reno’s Eat Clean Cookbook

1 c. mashed very ripe banana (about 2 medium-sized bananas)
1/2 c. Sucanat or rapadura sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 c. apple butter
1 1/2 c. whole-grain flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
3/4 c. ground flaxseed
1 tsp. cinnamon
pinch of ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 c. pitted dates, coarsely chopped
1/4 c. whole flaxseeds for top of loaf

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Prepare a loaf pan by spraying with cooking spray.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine banana, Sucanat, vanilla and apple butter. Add eggs. Beat together well.
4. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine flour, baking soda and powder, ground flaxseed, cinnamon, nutmeg and sea salt. Mix well and add to banana mixture.
5. Fold in dates.
6. Pour batter into loaf pan. Sprinkle whole flaxseeds over top.
7. Bake for 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into middle of bread comes out fairly clean. There should be no batter stuck to the toothpick. Remove to wire cool rack.
8. ENJOY THE DELICIOUSNESS!!!*

I bet you’re hungry now, huh? Hehe. —Jenn

*FBG addition

At some restaurants, it can be nearly impossible to find a healthy item. Sure, you can customize many entrees using phrases like “on the side” and “light on the…” and “substitute veggies for (insert less-healthy item here).” But isn’t it easier for you (and the server) when there are already low-cal items on the menu? Most definitely!

Applebee’s has had lighter items on its menu for years now, with its FBG-tested WeightWatchers menu. But now the restaurant has added even more low-calorie items to help diners avoid some of the caloric monstrosities that sit on its menu. The chain’s “Unbelievably Great Tasting and Under 550 Calories” menu may not have the catchiest name, but we’re all about the idea of adding better-for-you entrees. “Tasty” is a key word on the menu, too. After discovering in a survey that consumers who look for healthier options tend to shy away from them for fear the food won’t be appetizing, Applebee’s enlisted the help of nutritionists and chefs to pump up the flavor.

When I hit the ‘bee’s to check out the new menu, I ordered the Asian Crunch Salad (pictured above). It comes with a grilled chicken breast over salad greens, roasted red peppers, sugar snap peas, cucumbers, sliced almonds and a tangy Asian vinaigrette dressing. The chicken was my absolute favorite part of the salad; it was moist, tender, and truly yummy. The salad greens also had a slaw/cabbage mix added in, which gave the salad a more dynamic texture. The vinaigrette was probably my least favorite part about the salad. I ended up using all of it, but was a bit too salty for me. If I were to get the salad again, I’d probably opt for a few more calories and get the oriental dressing on the side and use it sparingly.

My salad was good—crunchy and satisfying—but didn’t blow me away. I’d been pressured to make a snap decision, so after I ordered I wished I had tried one of their other tasty-sounding options. On the new 550-calorie menu they’ve got Grilled Shrimp and Island Rice, Grilled Dijon Chicken and Portobellos, Asiago Peppercorn Steak, and Spicy Shrimp Diavolo. Next time I’m getting the steak!

FBG word of warning: When you know you’re going to order a low-calorie item, don’t let your mind tell you that it’s fine to order a Big Brutus beer, an appetizer and a dessert. Remember, you’re trying to keep it light! (Also, avoid these dining traps!)

Have you tried any of the 550-calorie items at your neighborhood Applebee’s? What do you recommend? —Erin

We’re featuring three fun foodie finds today and—to be honest—they really have nothing in common besides the fact that you consume them. AND that they start with the letter S, hence the post title. It’s like Sesame Street all over again. Oh, the awesomeness!

Salada Tea

I’ve been a tad obsessed with Salada’s Soothing Mint Green Tea since the company first sent it to us to try. And by obsessed I mean I have to have it every day (maybe twice a day), and then I also feel like I have to spread the Salada gospel as well, sharing tea bags with others as much as possible without depleting my resources too much. Did I mention that I like it? It’s wonderful. It is very soothing and minty, and gives  me a pick-me-up in the morning and in the afternoon. Plus it has the nutritional power of green tea. Perfection in my mind. And unlike other mint things, it doesn’t make me want to kill someone for a York Peppermint Patty.

I also tried the brand’s new Pomegranate and Strawberry flavors, which are good for people who may not like the taste of traditional green tea because they’re naturally sweeter. I thought those fruity ones were fine, but (obviously) mint has my heart.

Salba Smart Organic Tortilla Chips

When Salba Smart sent us these Organic Tortilla Chips, I was pumped. I love, love, love taco salads, but tend to have some—ahem—issues with tortilla chip portion control when I eat them. (And I can’t imagine a taco salad without a few tortilla chips and salsa.) But these puppies come pre-packaged, and they’re filled with good grains and healthy fats!

But before I start raving about these chips’ taste (crunchy, filling and a little heartier than your average tortilla chip), let me tell you about what the heck salba is (’cause I didn’t know either). Salba is a grain from South America that at one time was eaten regularly by the Aztecs. Turns out they knew what was up. Salba grain is crazy rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, antioxidants, minerals and vitamins. You can buy salba in grain or ground form (and then add it to breads, cereals, soups and basically anything), but I like it baked into my tortilla chips. Makes me love my taco salad even more.

SmallWorld Beauty’s Coconut Coco Cream Protein Bars

The final “S” inclusion in today’s Nosh lives up to the other two, and that’s saying a lot based on the rave reviews above. We’ve tried a lot of protein bars up here in FBG land, and when SmallWorld Beauty wanted to send its Coconut Coco Cream protein bars to us, I said yes, mostly because I love Mounds bars (most of the time I don’t feel like a nut). And partially because the nutritionals were intriguing: sugar-free, gluten-free and high in protein with only 2 g net carbs. I really wondered if the bar could be tasty, to tell you the truth.

So you can imagine my surprise when it really was tasty. VERY tasty! Not quite a Mounds bar but almost like a dessert. And with 200 calories, it kept me full. Plus no artificial sugars. It may be a “SmallWorld,” but this is a big delicious bar! (That somehow sounded oddly dirty…but don’t let that distract you from the yumminess of the bar. Again with the dirtiness…)

Dude, the letter S rocks! And to celebrate we’re giving away five free Element workout DVDs. All you have to do is live in the U.S.,  comment, and you’ll be entered to win! Giveaway closes in a week, so get those comments in! —Jenn

Credit: D Sharon Pruitt

One of the most romantic things you can do on Valentine’s Day is cook a candlelit dinner for two. And because it’s the day of all things sweet, even the healthiest fit bottomed girls and boys shouldn’t pass on dessert! That’s why Jenn and I delved into the FBG archives for two of our favorite desserts: chocolate cake and chocolate mousse. (We do love the chocolate, as our records show!) You can’t go wrong making these desserts to top off a meal. And even if you’re not having a “romantic” dinner, invite friends over to chow down. You’ll be the toast of the town!

Skinny Bitch Chocolate Cake

The Skinny Bitches may not have won me over with their attitudes, but their cake hit the spot. Plus, it still has my husband talking about how delicious it was, which tells you that a) it really was delicious if he’s still talking about it and b) maybe not everything I make is that delicious. The recipe, which is featured in their cookbook Skinny Bitch in the Kitch, was easy to make once the shopping was done (vegan chocolate chips took a special trip to Whole Foods). My hubby compared the frosting to Willy Wonka’s chocolate river, and I must admit it really was amazing. The cake was super moist and delicious and didn’t taste AT ALL like a health food pretending to be sinful.

Credit: D Sharon Pruitt

With Valentine’s Day coming up fast and furious (don’t forget to get your honey or yourself a gift to celebrate—I recommend good quality dark chocolate), the FBGs wanted to take a break from our usual fitness programming to do something appropriately heart-warming. That’s right, we’re doing another giveback!

Last time we rallied for the awesome nonprofit Girls on the Run, and today we’re giving to another organization that does good stuff for the XX chromosomes out there. We’re raising funds for the American Heart Association! Yes, we may have just missed national Wear Red Day (we were too busy geeking out over the Olympics), but we’re celebrating in our own way.

Here’s where you come in: Buy any product in the FBG Wear Store from today until the end of the month, and we’ll donate 10 percent of all proceeds to the America Heart Association to help fund heart-health research and educational programs. Heart disease is the top killer of women in America, and, sadly, more women die of cardiovascular disease than the next five causes of death combined, including cancer. We can all help reverse this in our families by eating right and regular workouts, but we wanted to band together to do more for the cause!

And, really, what better way to donate than to do so while you’re also getting your Valentine these cute boxer shorts or yourself these fun undies or a pink tank? Too perfect, right? Plus, if you make an order today or tomorrow and use the code “FEBSALE2″ at checkout, you’ll score yourself free shipping. Now that’s love.

And here’s another thing we love: This dessert by Driscoll’s strawberries that has just 166 calories per serving (more nutritional info below)! So order some FBG swag to benefit women’s health, then whip up this tasty and healthy dessert to keep your own heart healthy, happy and satiated!

Yummy!

Berry Explosion Cobbler

Servings: 9

1 cup chopped fresh strawberries
1 cup fresh raspberries
1 cup fresh blueberries
1 cup fresh blackberries
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 tablespoon cinnamon

Topping:
¼ cup instant oats + ½ cup instant oats
¼ cup pecans
1 tablespoon soy butter
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3 tablespoons agave nectar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a 9×9 pan, spray with non-stick cooking spray. Layer fruit on the bottom of the pan. Then drizzle the maple syrup over the fruit. Sprinkle the cinnamon over the rest of the fruit.

Topping:
In a food processor, add ¼ cup instant oats, pecans, soy butter, cinnamon and agave nectar. Blend until all lumps are gone and everything is evenly chopped. Add to a mixing bowl the remaining ½ cup of instant oats and mix together. Sprinkle mixture over fruit and bake for an hour or until fruit sets. Cool for 15 minutes and serve.

Per serving: 166 calories, 7 grams fat, 4 grams protein, 32 grams carbohydrates, 4 grams dietary fiber

Happy early Valentine’s Day! —Jenn

Julie Mancuso (center) relies on protein smoothies to fuel her fire.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve had this sneaking suspicion that folks are what they eat. Or rather, they eat according to their profession. It sounds loony, but as a kid I remember asking my dear creative mother what mermaids ate. I swear I ate lettuce and beans for a straight week before she finally told me it wouldn’t work on my poor little land-based legs. I was onto something though, at least when it comes to what Olympians are gobbling down. The Nike Olympians were awesome enough to share some of their meal plans with me. The verdict: These women fuel up based on the sports they love.

Jennifer Rodriguez’s Noshes

For speed skater Jennifer Rodriguez (who we’ll feature in a special FitStars later today!), food was integral to get her back in the game. When she retired in 2006, she lost much of her muscle mass, so when the ice started calling her name again, she knew it was going to take major dedication to get back into her former shape.

When training again for the ice, she gained 10 pounds of muscle, as protein became her best friend. She ate fish and steak religiously and limited her carbs. (Note, she made sure to stay on top of her vitamins—especially vitamin D for recovery—to account for what she missed from her low-carb decision.)  She made sure to get 3,500 calories a day. That, my friends, is a lot of meat! Protein equals muscle, which is a must for those with a need to speed (on the ice, that is). For a speedy recovery, Jennifer turns to recovery bars and smoothies. She’s learned quickly that being nice to your body is the ticket to gold.

Julia Mancuso’s Noshes

For alpine skier Julia Mancuso (who will be featured tomorrow afternoon!), it’s all about the liquid yumminess. She drinks teas and protein smoothies in the morning before she begins her 6- to 8-hour training sessions. Yeowsers, right?

Nicole Joraanstad’s Noshes

Curler Nicole Joraanstad is a big fan of oatmeal in the mornings. She’ll sprinkle some strawberries, blueberries or bananas in the mix for good measure. For a snack, she whips out peanut butter and whole-grain toast. Lately, she’s been a nomad of sorts, but no matter where she ends up, she always makes sure to pack the oats and PB—staples for a smart jetsetter. For lunch, she gets in a protein and a lot of carbs (carbs rock if you’re the type of gal who needs to fuel up for endurance.)

How about you? What do you use to fuel up like an Olympian? —Tish

Now that I have a marathon under my belt, I’ve become quite the pro about fueling before and after long, tough workouts. And today I want to tell you about three recent recovery products we received here at FBG HQ. (Say that three times fast.) Are they effective? Worth the price tag? Even remotely delicious? Read on for these answers and much, much more (read: giveaway)!

Myoplex Strength Formula Shakes

After my first 20-mile training run, I felt a lot of things: pride from running that far in 20-degree temps, exhaustion from running that far in 20-degree temps, and frozen from running that far in 20-degree temps. One thing I didn’t feel? Hunger. Believe it or not, eating is the last thing you want to do after running for 3+ hours. However, it’s the one thing you must do. And the sooner, the better. That’s why the EAS Myoplex Strength Formula nutrition shake went over well in my household. EAS sent me the banana cream flavor to try, and although it was too sweet for my taste buds, I could easily chug it down after a long run without feeling sick. And the re-closable, 14-ounce plastic bottle packs in 25 grams of protein and a mix of 23 vitamins and minerals that are excellent for recovery. It’s just a little more than 200 calories for the whole bottle.

If banana isn’t your bag, the shakes also come in chocolate, vanilla and strawberry. A 12-bottle pack of the stuff retails for $34.99, which is dang pricey. But when you’re training for something big, and you want every workout to count  (and you want to feel good the next day, too), it’s worth it if you have the extra dough to spend!

Myoplex Strength Bar

This chocolate mint protein bar that EAS Myoplex sent us can’t be guzzled down after a hard workout like the banana cream shake can, but it can be nom-nomed. In a really delicious way, too. Like really, really delicious. Like as delicious as a candy bar. And did I mention it’s chocolate-mint (aka the flavor that drives me wild)? Like the shake, this bar has 25 grams of protein, and mad vitamins and minerals.

The bar is definitely more dense (and tastier) than the shake, but it also has more calories. One bar is darn near 300 cals. And each bar costs at least $2, even when you buy in bulk. Ouch. But, again, when I need some protein and am having a mint-chocolate attack, this is my go-to feel-better treat!

Vega Vibrancy Bar

It’s well documented that we’re fans of Vega products (see here and here and here). So when Vega offered up a new one for us to try—its new Vibrancy Bars—heck yea, I was game! What I love most about the bars is the ingredient list. Each bar is filled with super healthy stuff: 4 grams of Omega 3- and 6- essential fatty acids, 5 grams of soluble and insoluble fiber, and 10 grams of plant-based protein from sprouted buckwheat, hemp seeds, sprouted almonds, brown rice and pea protein. For you raw foodies, the bars are also 85 percent raw.

At about 200 calories a bar, you can choose from chocolate, berry or “green synergy” flavors. I honestly couldn’t tell that much of a taste difference between the bars, but thought they all tasted good. They’re sweet and have a lot of dates in them, reminding me of a Larabar, only the Vega Vibrancy bars have a pleasant yet slight crunch to their chewiness. Overall, I liked! And thought that the ingredients were worth a higher price tag ($36 for a pack of 12).

If you’d like to try some yourself and live in the U.S., leave a comment below, and one lucky commenter will win a Vega Vibrancy bar prize pack!

The final verdict? These recovery products may be pricey, but in a pinch they can be worth it. I still prefer whole fresh foods to refuel after a long run or workout, but convenience is, well, convenient. And sometimes that’s what a girl needs—along with some mint chocolate. Mmm… —Jenn