product review: LÄRABAR

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of LÄRABAR. All opinions are 100% mine.

From time to time I'll pick up a LÄRABAR.  More often than not, it's when I've made the poor decision to go grocery shopping with an empty belly.  The worst time, really.  Everything sounds good.  You pick up about ten different things with plans of making them all the minute you walk in the door with your bags.  Before you've even peeled yourself out of your coat.  The easiest way to stave off that hunger and brace yourself against unnecessary dirty dishes is to grab a satisfying snack to tide you over until "actual" mealtime.  While I do try to have a snack or two at the ready in my purse or the car, occasionally I'm forced to buy them in the midst of hunger-pain-induced shopping madness.  While this could be a bad thing...I think it's also a good thing.  Because it's then that I cannot decide which flavor to try, so I grab four varieties.  My first experience with a LÄRABAR included the varieties Cashew Cookie, Pecan Pie, and Cherry Pie.  Cashew Cookie and Cherry Pie still hold two of the top spots for me when deciding which to buy.

I was recently sent a large sample pack of many varieties of LÄRABAR that I hadn't even seen in my local market.  LÄRABAR produces 19 flavors in all, and I've now tried 13 of them.  Did you know that each variety of bar contains only between two and nine ingredients!?  The only exception being the three varieties with chocolate chips, which are made with a 4-ingredient chocolate chip (made from Fair Trade certified chocolate, cane sugar, cocoa butter, and vanilla).  No dairy is used to make their chocolate chips, but they are produced on a line that produces chips with dairy, so they will not make the claim that they are completely free of dairy or soy...or that they are vegan.  All varieties are, however All-Natural, Gluten Free, Non-GMO, and Kosher and contain no preservatives, fillers, or colorings.  Lucky for me, this sample pack contained 4 Cashew Cookie bars...so I knew that I'd at least have 4 awesome snack-times.  I did run across a few that I wouldn't buy on my own.  I thought the Apple Pie was far too cinnamony.  And honestly, I didn't really care much for any of the varieties that contained chocolate chips.  Although, I did enjoy the majority of them...with Peanut Butter and Jelly stepping up as my new favorite.  I will hunt it down.  Made simply of dates, peanuts, unsweetened cherries, and salt...I find myself thinking of it when I need a little something to tide me over.  Funny, too.  Since I'm not a fan of the peanut butter and jelly combination normally {I know. GASP!}.  Blueberry Muffin, Coconut Cream Pie, Key Lime Pie, and Banana Bread are also varieties that I've added to my favorites along with the Peanut Butter and Jelly, Cashew Cookie, and Cherry Pie.

Another thing I like about LÄRABAR's...they're only $1-$2 per bar.  It isn't a lot when you compare them to the price of that candy bar you may be tempted to grab at the check-out.  And yeah, why doesn't the market stick these by the check-out instead...or at least as a healthy option.  Suggestion box here I come!  It's almost nothing when you head over to the LÄRABAR website to grab a coupon for $1 off two bars.  Go ahead and grab yours.  Now.  Go on over and get your LÄRABAR coupon.  I'll wait.

Doesn't that feel good!  You're ready to save money and explore healthy snack-fuel possibilities.  LÄRABAR is also one of the chosen foods featured on The Biggest Loser (March 8, 2011 episode...trainer Brett and contestants Ken, Rulon, and Justin).  Just in case you wanted to file that away.  You know, to pull out and impress those around you when they see you eating that LÄRABAR and want to know more about it.  You're welcome.  For more info about LÄRABAR's and to see all of the varieties and read more about their origins, ingredients, and everything in between...check out their website!

Founded in 2003 by Lara Merriken, LÄRABAR now produces nineteen flavors. The company is committed to producing simple, whole food products. LÄRABAR products are available worldwide at a variety of natural, specialty, and conventional grocers and outdoor lifestyle retailers.*

*source: Larabar.com