Review: Skinny Noodles Shirataki Angel Hair

So I've ventured into Skinny Noodles territory before and I let's just say that I found several things about the experience to be very interesting.  I'll never forget the smell of them after I took them out of the packaging and while I eventually made the smell go away with some intense rinsing, it's something that will stick with me forever.  That said, Skinny Noodles actually responded to my post via Twitter and gave me a tip on how to more quickly rid myself of that smell:  rinse the noodles in vinegar.  With that tip in my back of tricks, I was ready to embark on another Skinny Noodles adventure and take a look at this package of Skinny Noodles Shirataki Angel Hair.  This one was given to me by my sister via a Groupon purchase (remember, she couldn't get over the smell), so I paid nothing for these.  The package itself is 8.0 ounces and it's apparently calorie free for each serving of 4.0 ounces (or at least less than five calories, per government regulations); the entire package eaten together is ten calories.  It's also gluten free, kosher, soy free, vegan and vegetarian.  There's a whole lot of nothing going on here, if you choose to look at it that way.

Review: That's it. Apple + Apricot Bar

I've finally run out of That's it. samples that I've been repeatedly drilling for reviews.  While not the most glamorous of all bars, they've certainly done the job so far and it is with that positive attitude that I head into this final review of the That's it. Apple + Apricot Bar.  Like the other diminutive bars, this one only clocks in at 1.2 ounces and has a pittance of calorie count in that it only registers at 100 calories.  The protein is also a pittance as it has a lonely single gram of protein.  The bar itself is also all natural, gluten free, kosher, raw and vegan.

Review: Nature's Path Organic Qi'a Roasted Peanut Dark Chocolate Bar

I know some people might view this as odd, but I often find it kind of soothing and therapeutic to wander through the grocery store aimlessly just looking at all the products on the shelves.  You find new stuff, you see variety and it's a great way to pass the time as you definitely have to be in no hurry to get anything done.  I recently was doing that at my local Meijer when I stumbled upon something brand new in this Nature's Path Organic Qi'a Roasted Peanut Dark Chocolate Bar.  It's not my first Nature's Path review, but it is the first time I've seen one of these Qi'a bars.  So, I quickly snatched it up for about $1.50 and here we are.  The bar itself is 1.3 ounces and packs in 190 calories and five grams of protein.  It's also gluten free, organic, vegan and ALSO a superfood.  It's got tons and tons of stuff going on.

Review: That's it. Apple + Cherries Bar

I can't wait for the day that I get to say that's it to reviewing these That's It bars that I've been plowing through.  Actually, I'm just joking.  All of these have come as free samples and I'm always grateful for the opportunity to review products.  I will admit that it does sometimes get a bit tiring reviewing derivatives of the same product over and over again because I just lose that product variety and as we all should know, variety is the spice of life...or something.  Anyway, this That's it. Apple + Cherries Bar clocks in at 1.2 ounces with 100 calories and one gram of protein.  Being that it only has two ingredients, it is obviously all natural.  Also, it's gluten free, kosher, raw and vegan, so hooray for that.

Review: That's it. Apple + Mango Bar

I keep grabbing these bars for reviews and each time I grab one, I think to myself "That's it.  That's got to be the end of these bars."  But, it never is it (at least not yet) and I've still got several of these left to review.  And yes, that was definitely in the top ten for the lamest introductory paragraphs that I've ever written for this blog and there's been over one thousand of them.  So, today I embark on this That's it. Apple + Mango Bar that I received via a free sample, just like the others.  This bar clocks in at 1.2 ounces and packed within that are 100 calories and zero grams of protein (LOL).  This two ingredient bar is also all natural, gluten free, kosher, raw and vegan.

Review: That's it. Apple + Pineapple Bar

I mentioned in my previous That's it. review that I was generously sent a big box of flavors to try out, so here we are again to try out another one of those flavors.  Today's flavor revolves around two ingredients (That's it.) that I have had an old and new relationship with.  First, I've loved apples my entire life, thus the old relationship.  Second, I've only recently come to enjoy pineapples, so that is the new relationship.  So, with that meaningless knowledge now passed along to you, it's time to take a look at this That's it. Apple + Pineapple Bar.  It comes in at 1.2 ounces and has 100 calories with ZERO grams of protein.  It's all natural, gluten free, kosher, raw and vegan.

Review: That's it. Apple + Coconut Bar

That's it. bars have been difficult for me to find.  They aren't in my typical stores and I've only been able to find them in healthy stores and sometimes in out of the way locations (for me).  That said, I was very appreciative when a representative of That's it. contact me recently and asked if I'd like to review a sampling of their bars to add to the limited review collection on this blog.  I happily agreed and this leads me to the first of many reviews as I take a look at this That's it. Apple + Coconut Bar.  The bar itself comes in at 1.2 ounces and has a minuscule 110 calories and one gram of protein.  The whole point of That's it. bars is that they only have the ingredients listed in the name and that is the case here as this bar is made up of one apple and 1/4 coconut.  It's also all natural, fat free, gluten free, kosher, raw and vegan.

Review: Pure Organic Ancient Grains Triple Berry Nut Bar

I've been noticing recently that I haven't been reviewing a lot of bars, which is strange considering that the history of this blog is very bar heavy.  I'm trying to re-focus on bars (or at least mix them into reviews more), so that leads me to today's review of this Pure Organic Ancient Grains Triple Berry Nut Bar that I was able to pick up at Fresh Thyme for I think roughly $1.25 (it was on sale).  It's not the first Pure Organic bar that I've reviewed but since these are typically more expensive and/or harder for me to find, I haven't reviewed a lot of them.  Anyway, this bar is 1.23 ounces and within that is 160 calories and five grams of protein.  It's also gluten free, kosher, soy free and vegan.

Review: Pure Organic Cranberry Orange Bar

Today is a seminal moment here on the blog.  It's the last review out of an out of control Fresh Thyme splurge that I made a couple months ago.  I've finally reached the bottom of the barrel in terms of products that I threw into that barrel (I'm not referencing quality at all...well, at least not yet).  Today, I'll be reviewing another Pure Product when I take a look at this Pure Organic Cranberry Orange Bar that I picked up for $1.89.  This one clocks in at 1.7 ounces and has 200 calories with six grams of protein.  It's all natural, gluten free, organic and vegan as well.  Before I hop into the review, I want to drop this little nugget from Pure's website:  "You’ll like our Cranberry Orange Bar so much, you might do a little dance as you chew."  LOL.  Classic.

Review: BumbleBar Chocolate Crisp Organic Energy Bar

Sometimes a product name can be intriguing.  That was the case with BumbleBar products and it's why I picked up a couple of these at Fresh Thyme for reviews.  I've already looked at one and was decidedly unimpressed, but since I bought two, I was on the hook for another review and that's why we are here today to take a look at this BumbleBar Chocolate Crisp Organic Energy Bar that I grabbed for $1.89  This one is organic, gluten free and vegan friendly and clocks in at 1.4 ounces.  Within that is 190 calories and five grams of protein.

Review: Raw Revolution Spirulina Dream Organic Live Food Bar

This blog is often about the continuing education of the Crazy Food Dude.  Today's review is one of those educational moments because when I saw the name of this product, I had NO CLUE what the heck it could mean.  So, a simple Google search provided me a little background on this Raw Revolution Spirulina Dream Organic Live Food Bar that will add to my smallish Raw Revolution review series.  What I learned is that spirulina is a dietary supplement that can come in many forms.  In the case of this bar, it comes in powder form and adds protein and other nutrients.  The bar itself is also gluten free, kosher, organic (obviously) and vegan.  It clocks in at 1.8 ounces and 230 calories with seven grams of protein.

Review: Larabar Coconut Pineapple Cake Bar

In my last Larabar review, I mentioned how delighted I was to see their products make a return to the blog after nearly a year's absence.  Today is the second part of the two bars that I picked up in that shopping trip at Kroger as I picked up this Larabar Coconut Pineapple Cake Bar for $1.00.  The bar itself comes in at 1.6 ounces and has 190 calories with a tiny two grams of protein.  If you are a big fan of health or at least attempts at health, this bar is also dairy free, gluten free, soy free and vegan.

Review: Larabar Strawberry Shortcake Bar

It's been quite a while since the oft-reviewed Larabar has made an appearance here on the blog.  It's been since July 2014, in fact, so it's been almost a year.  Each time I go to the store, I stroll through the aisles yearning to see a new flavor pop up that I've never tried, but it's been a lonely stroll for quite a while.  On a recent stroll, I was very flabbergasted to see TWO new limited edition Larabar products sitting on the shelf at my local Kroger, so I snatched both up for $1.00 each.  Today's review of this Larabar Strawberry Shortcake Bar is the first of those reviews.  The bar itself clocks in at 1.6 ounces and has 200 calories with three grams of protein.  It's also gluten free and vegan, so yahoo there if that is what floats your boat.

Review: Mindful Delights Gluten Free Vegan Peanut Butter Cups

As the Crazy Food Dude, I get a lot of random email.  Most times it's garbage, but occasionally I get something good, like an offer for a free product.  That's happened several times throughout the blog's history and it happened again recently when someone from Chocolate.org reached out to me and asked if I'd like to review a couple of the products available on their site (their site is a conduit for small manufacturers to distribute their products).  Never one to turn down a freebie OR chocolate, I jumped at the offer and the first product I chose to review is this six pack of Mindful Delights Gluten Free Vegan Peanut Butter Cups.  On the Chocolate.org site, a box of these goes for $12.50 and is produced by a small shop out of Chicago specializing in organic foods/sweets.  In the box of six, each cup comes in at 1.0 ounces (the entire package weighs 6.0 ounces, so I did the quick math) and since these are handmade out of a private shop, there is not any nutritional information available.  I'm guessing they probably aren't zero calories though.  Too bad.  For an added benefit, this is also all natural, gluten free, organic and vegan.

Review: Earnest Eats Almond Trail Mix Baked Whole Food Bar

Sorry folks, but this blog has been a little Fresh Thyme heavy recently.  Unfortunately, that's mostly going to continue for a while because I made a HUGE splurge there and probably will go back again.  The positive is that it's freshened up (get it?) the content a bit here and given me some new products to review.  Today is the second look at an Earnest Eats product as I grabbed this Earnest Eats Almond Trail Mix Baked Whole Food Bar for $1.69.  It's 1.9 ounces and has 210 calories with six grams of protein.  It's also organic, vegan and wheat free.

Review: That's it. Apple + Blueberries Bar

I'm all for minimalism because it makes things less complicated and I very much appreciate lack of complications.  That's what makes today's review so interesting to me.  It's the second time I've looked at a That's It. product here on the blog and if you are new to their products, they pretty much only used one or two ingredients.  In the case of this That's it. Apple + Blueberries Bar, it's only apples and blueberries.  That's it.  Get it?  Ha, ha.  Anyway, I picked this one up at Fresh Thyme for $1.69 and it's 1.2 ounces with 100 calories and one gram of protein (fruits aren't necessarily known for their heavy protein content).  It's also all natural, gluten free, kosher, raw, vegan and zero fat, so how about that?

Review: Go Raw Live Pumpkin Bar

Of all the bars I picked up in my Fresh Thyme shopping binge, today's bar (along with some others of the same ilk, but in different flavors) is definitely the most interesting of what I picked up for $0.99.  I mean it was interesting in terms of size and composition.  I'm not sure I've ever seen anything like this Go Raw Live Pumpkin Bar before in the over one thousand reviews that I've done on this blog.  I mentioned its size and it clocks in at a measly 0.46 ounces.  In that tiny package is 60 calories and two grams of 100% organic protein.  If you are interested in all the other health metrics, and I know a lot of people are, this is also gluten free, nut free, raw, vegan and wheat free.  They also tag this on the wrapper as "Real Live Food" too.

Review: Earnest Eats Cran Lemon Zest Baked Whole Food Bar

Today's product is doubly new for me.  Firstly, I picked this up at Fresh Thyme, which is a store that I had never been to until then (nice store, by the way).  Secondly, with a new store bring a new product manufacturer and this is the first time that Earnest Eats has ever made an appearance on the blog with their Earnest Eats Cran Lemon Zest Baked Whole Food Bar that I was able to pick up for $1.69.  Each bar is 1.9 ounces and has 210 calories with five grams of protein.  It's also organic, wheat-free and vegan, so there's those additional health benefits (or life choices) as well.

Review: Pure Organic Ancient Grains Peanut Butter Chocolate Bar

As I mentioned last week, I've been away for a bit to deal with some health issues (I'm fine), so this is my first review back after depleting my queue and then running out of reviews to post during my break.  To say that it's been a bit difficult to get back into the swing of typing a review would be an understatement.  Still, I'm here today with another Pure review to bring you a look at a product that I was able to obtain for free through a manufacturer's coupon (my favorite kind of review...FREE).  Anyway, I grabbed this Pure Organic Ancient Grains Peanut Butter Chocolate Bar at Kroger where it typically retails for around $2.00.  It's 1.23 ounces and has 160 calories and five grams of protein.  It's also gluten free, kosher, organic and vegan if that kind of stuff interests you.

Review: Mariani Sesame Honeybar

After having reviewed several of their products and having seen consistent success in my reviews of those products, it might be time for me to join the Mariani family.  What I like about these products is they stick to basic recipes and presentations and just deliver on flavor.  That said, the source of today's review is one that I've held until last because not only is it the least basic of all the bars that I picked up in a splurge at the Walmart Neighborhood Market for $1.49, it's also the one that I was most scared of because the recipe description seemed just off to me.  Either way, it's time to plow ahead and take a look at this all natural Mariani Sesame Honeybar that comes in at 1.4 ounces with 200 calories and six grams of protein.