Posts

…Dehydration: Endurance Athletes kryptonite…

As an avid endurance runner, one of the  first AND last things that are on my mind when I am getting ready for a race is nutrition.  How will I nourish my body to ensure it has the nutrients it needs before/during/after my race AND how can I prepare my body to obtain/maintain hydration.

What is dehydration? 

Dehydration occurs when you use or lose more fluid than you take in, and your body doesn’t have enough water and other fluids to carry out its normal functions. If you don’t replace lost fluids, you will get dehydrated.

Dehydration also can occur in any age group if you don’t drink enough water during hot weather — especially if you are exercising vigorously.

You can usually reverse mild to moderate dehydration by drinking more fluids, but severe dehydration needs immediate medical treatment.

SOURCE: Mayo Clinic 

How to tell if you are dehydrated:

In Adults

  • Extreme thirst
  • Less frequent urination
  • Dark-colored urine
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Confusion

Infant or young child

  • Dry mouth and tongue
  • No tears when crying
  • No wet diapers for three hours
  • Sunken eyes, cheeks
  • Sunken soft spot on top of skull
  • Listlessness or irritability

SOURCE: Mayo Clinic 

If dehydration is not taken care of, the side affects can cause some severe body issues.

There are several things that can be done to help someone stay hydrated for normal day-to- day activities OR for those that are getting ready for athletic activities.

  • Drink water before, during, and after any physical activity that you do
  • Avoid or limit alcoholic beverages (studies have shown that consuming alcoholic beverages actually dehydrates your body MORE than it hydrates your body).
  • If you are on a high protein diet, make sure that you are drinking additional water to help aid your body with digestion and processing the food that you consume.
  • You can use electrolyte tablets, salts, or drinks to help maintain your hydration during vigorous events

I was lucky enough to get to try SaltStick chewable tablets.

When I get the chance to try a product like this, I like to put it to the test. I used and tested this product while I completed several different races:

  • 5k (3.1 Miles)
  • 10k (6.2 Miles)
  • Half Marathon (13.1 Miles)
  • 25 K Ruck March (15.5 mile Hike with my weighted ruck sack on)

Typically I get slight dehydration issues when I complete a half marathon or during my 15 mile ruck. Typically around mile 10 is when I start to notice some slight issues and I take measures to hydrate more (in addition to already drinking water).  I also did these events in weather that was not above 60 degrees. So, the heat was not a major factor for me.

I consumed two tabs before the start of each of the above events which I found to be helpful (from my own personal expedience).  I took two more tabs around mile 8 and also at mile 10 to hopefully prepare myself for my usual dehydration symptoms. To be completely honest… I did notice a positive difference in my overall hydration AND my pace was slightly faster than normal.

Believe me… I was somewhat skeptical of this product being able to aid in my hydration AND increased pace for my longer races.  But, then I stumbled upon an article and research about SaltStick (CLICK HERE TO READ IT)  

Now, to be honest I have been training and pushing myself to become a more efficient runner leading up to these races.  BUT, I was not expecting my pace and speed to increase as much as it did (I ran my half marathon 12 minutes faster than normal AND I completed the 25 K Ruck March 15 minutes faster than normal).

Overall Comments: 

I was excited but also skeptical to try this product. But, from the times that I tired the product I did not find anything negative to say.  The chew-able tabs had a taste similar to the sweet tart candy tablets.  They were not overly bitter and they did not cause me to have dry mouth.  I also had some tablets on a empty stomach and the tablets did not seem to cause me any issues. The product is sweetened with stevia and is said to be non-GMO, gluten-free, vegetarian, fat-free.

Quality for Price: 

These capsules and chew tabs can be purchased online and in stores.  Be expected to pay around $22 for a bottle of 100 capsules. The 60 count chew-able tabs are about $15. You can also get individual packs to make them easy to pack/carry during events. In my opinion this is a great price for this quality of product.

Ranking Scale: (on a scale from 1-5)

Price: 4.0

Overall Quality: 4.5

Quality for Price: 4.5

Overall Ranking: 4.33

Closing Remarks: 

I would say that I would recommend this product. I enjoyed it and I did notice a slight difference while using this product. I would for sure suggest trying it out on your own to see if it indeed is something that you can regularly incorporate while you endure athletic activities. For more information about SaltStick please CLICK HERE and you will have access to their website and the other products that they offer.

 

**NOTE: Please make sure to note my product review disclaimer that can be found HERE***

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…Merchandise Evaluation: AMEVIE Sunglasses…

For those of you that REALLY know me, you know that I have two accessories that I am ALWAYS wearing… headbands and sunglasses. When I had the opportunity to try these glasses out I was BEYOND excited.

AMEVIE is a company that created products that are focused on being a brand that focuses on sun-care and lifestyle brand that cares. After a full year of research and development, they recently launched their FIRST product line, a collection of sustainable bamboo sunglasses.

The brand was born from the owner/creators own need and desire to develop safe products that protect the entire family from the harmful UV rays. The bamboo sunglasses are water-proof and sweat-proof as well as they are perfect for travelling as they come with a foldable case. And as for protection, they sourced the best lenses available, UV blocking and polarized.

Overall Comments:

I am IN LOVE with this brand and product. I am a HUGE stickler for actually trying out products. I wore these glasses to social events, athletic events, and even during some of my own outdoors workouts. I got complimented on the overall style and sleekness of the design. While I was working out in them, they DID NOT slip off of my ears or nose easily.  Once I was drenched in sweat… they of course slipped. BUT leading up to that point I had NO issues at all.  They are light weight and very comfortable to wear. The folding case that comes with it is an added bonus!

I seriously had friends trying to steal these glasses away from me… so that tells you the overall quality and design is favorable.

Quality for Price: 

Looking at the AMEVIE glasses I was shocked at first at the original price of these glasses.  BUT, I would have to say I am a firm believer in “you pay for the quality of the product you want”.   It is clear that the higher price of these glasses makes them a higher quality accessory.  They performed well in various settings for me.  If you are someone who enjoys wearing glasses, these would be a good addition to your wardrobe.

Ranking Scale: (on a scale from 1-5)

Price: 3.5

Overall Quality: 4.5

Quality for Price: 4.5

Overall Ranking: 4.16

Closing Remarks: 

I honestly enjoy these glasses. Like I said I tried them out before writing this review because I wanted to make sure they would withstand “normal” abuse and not break after wearing them over a weekend. Again, they were very stylish and comfortable. Shipping was quick and painless.  Not to mention you get the folding case, sunglasses carrying bag, and lens wiping cloth ALL INCLUDED with your purchase. I hope to be able to get more of these glasses to add them to my accessory collection!

Please feel free to check out AMEVIE’s social media pages:

Facebook CLICK HERE 

Instagram CLICK HERE

**NOTE: Please make sure to note my product review disclaimer that can be found HERE***

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…Merchandise Evaluation: prAna Jeans & Sweater…

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prAna is a clothing company.  They thrive on creating versatile, stylish, and sustainable clothing and accessories that you can wear during every activity, every adventure, every day.

prAna was started in a garage in Carlsbad, California back in 1992. At that time yoga and climbing gear left a lot to be desired, so Beaver and Pam Theodosakis decided to create their own stylish and sustainably made clothes. They sewed the first pieces themselves, labeled them with tags made from homemade recycled paper, and shipped their orders in fruit boxes from local grocery stores.

Today, prAna is still based in Carlsbad. We’re a lot bigger than we used to be, but we continue to follow our core belief that companies like ours should give much more than they take from the world. Our commitment to sustainability, community, and doing right still inspires and pushes us to find innovative ways to do good things in a good way.

I was lucky enough to get to try out a full outfit from prAna and this is what I got and my overall thoughts:

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Overall Comments:

I was VERY skeptical about getting these items and trying them on.  I am a woman, this has a very unique shape and build.  Because of that, it is very hard for me to find clothing (especially jeans) that fit correctly and COMFORTABLY.

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This is the sweater Stacia Sweater.  I deiced to get a size medium (I am 5’10 tall, I have long arms and a long torso. I typically get sweaters larger so they will be long enough for my torso and my arms).  This sweater is SOFT and comfortable. The color… is by far one of my favorite shades of blue/green.  And, this sweater is cozy yet helps to keep your body heat contained.  What that means is, I am a cold natured person. I am typically cold no matter where I go.  I was quite warm during the whole time that I had this sweater on. The length of this sweater was GREAT!

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The next item that I would like to talk about are the jeans:

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These are the Kara Jean and I got these in a size 10. I typically get jeans that are a size bigger because I have a round bottom and thick quads (in other words ladies… I have a bit butt and thick thighs! No shame in those gainz! LoL). I was very interested to see how these jeans would fit (especially since I did not get to try them on before I got them).

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I was SHOCKED at how well they fit me.  I slide the jeans on and was able to button them with ease (also meaning that my training has paid off and I have not grown to need a bigger pants size 😛 ).  There is a slight stretch in the jeans, so in the areas that the jeans were more fitting, they were not uncomfortably tight.  They actually fit just right. Like I said… I was SHOCKED at how well these fit.  And the quality of the material is great! It is not a thick jean material.  It is a thinner/stretchy material but has a great color and I love the folded pant legs at the bottom.

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Price & Quality: Over the years I have learned to embrace and accept the term “you get what you pay for”.  The Stacia Sweater is about $89.00 and the Kara Jeans are about $89.00.  Yes this seems like a steep price to pay for a sweater and jeans… BUT once you get these items you will realize exactly what you are paying for. You are paying for a quality product that will be able to keep up with you and your busy/active lifestyle.  You are paying for organic and recycled material that is used to create some of the pieces of clothing that prAna offers. You are paying for the bluesign® systems tat was created to ensure that the fabrics that are uses meet the highest environmental and human safety standards. You are also paying for Fair Trade which are standards that were created to ensure that garment workers have safe working conditions, a voice in the workplace, higher earnings, and that women are treated equally. Although these rights may seem basic, they are simply not guaranteed in many of the countries where clothing is produced. You are also paying for traceability  which is prAna might not know the exact plant that grew the organic cotton, but then can make a close guess.  They can trace their fabrics life from the farm where the bowl of fiber was grown, through processing and production, all the way to end product. prAna finds it very important to make sure that what they sell their customers is in fact what they claim it to be.

So, if you are looking for a cutting edge company to support, prAna offers various products that are organic and environmentally friendly.  They take pride in providing the best quality products for their clients, giving back to the community and their workers, and being able to use natural resources to create their products.

HERE IS A COUPON CODE for 15% off your own prAna purchase: PFS16LIFE

Code is valid until 10/31/2016

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…WHAT TO DO W/ WHAT IT DO: GORUCK Echo vs GORUCK Kids Ruck…

There are various bags that can be found on the GORUCK website. I know that the first question that is running through you mind is… “Why are these bags so darn expensive!??” and the next question may be…”If I decide to get a bag which bag should I get!?”.

Yes, I admit, these GORUCK bags are expensive.  BUT in reality let me break it down for you…

quality-over-quantity

You can pay $20-$50 for a bag at a typical store. BUT how long will it last you? You will in return burn through SEVERAL of those $20 – $50 bags (because I know I have!) and have to spend more money in the end.  OR You can spend a little more money on a good quality bag and NOT HAVE TO WORRY about the bag failing you.  GORUCK offers a “SCARS Lifetime Guarantee“.

What is SCARS?

It is a way for you to get your bag (and this warranty also applies to various other items that they sell on the site) repaired or replaced if you were to damage it. YES you heard me right… You can get the bag fixed or replaced IF YOU DAMAGE it.  This also applies for regular wear and tear that may occur when you use the bag. GORUCK takes pride in building gear that is made to last through your torturous workouts and training.  How many $20 bag companies offer that kind of warranty!? So is the extra money for a GORUCK bag worth it… YES! Hence why I personally bought a GORUCK bag.

I have had a few questions in regards to the GORUCK ECHO and the GORUCK Kids Ruck.

echo_kids_watermark

As you can visually see, there is some similarity between the two bags BUT there are also a lot of things that are also different.

GORUCK ECHO

echo

This bag is VERY similar to the GR0, GR1, GR2, and Rucker. It is just a smaller version of those bags.  It has all of the same features at the GR0, GR1 and Rucker. This is a great bag for someone who is small/petite. Or is can be a good day bag and can store all of the things that you need. Yes this bag is the more expensive option (when looking at the Echo or Kids Ruck). BUT you are getting a lot of extra things.  You are getting the padded compartment for your laptap, the padded straps, the molle on the front, and the two internal pockets.  This bag also opens and can be laid down flat.  It also is heavier and thicker than the Kids Ruck. CHECK OUT THIS POST if you are looking for other Ruck options.

GORUCK Kids Ruck

kidsruck

This ruck comes in various colors.  This ruck is a great day bag and bag for children of ANY age.  There is not a padded internal pocket, there are NOT two internal pockets, BUT it does have the external pocket and the padded straps. The added extra is that the one internal pocket does have Velcro on it so you can attach patches or anything else you would like.

I hope this post helps to answer any questions that someone may have had about these two bags. Please let me know if you have any other questions!

 

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… What to do w/ what it do: Product Review Simple Tote & Tough Clutch…

This post is for sure dedicated to my Boss Ass Babes (BAB’s) that love to do endurance events.

GORUCK is doing a GREAT job at trying to create some items that will appeal to the ladies.  This has included RUCK with curved straps (to make the chest straps more comfortable for our lady lumps), t-shirts, and now these totes and clutches.

 

GORUCK Simple Tote:

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I have to admit, this was one item that I immediately purchased when it was released.  My friends refer to me as “The Bag Lady” because when I travel I always have a ton of bags with me.  My friends see it as obsessive packing and clutter… I see it as organization. Let me break it down for you…

I am going on a 5 day trip which will include me doing a 5 K in the middle of the trip. I typically will have bags (similar to the size of the GORUCK totes) filled what clothing or whatever I need for each day.  I will distinctively put ALL of my race gear into the PINK bag so it is easy for me to find.  So this eliminates me having to dump my suitcase when I travel.  I just look for whatever bag I need, grab it, and go! It also helps me to triple check that I have packed everything that I need.  Because I am packing a specific race bag I can make sure that I have EVERYTHING I need for the race in that bag. So in a essence it is also like a packing check list for me.  I will put the filled bag in my suitcase when I know I have everything I need in it. If I am missing something I will set the bag out until I have what I need and then place it in my suitcase.

These bags are GREAT! For me they are the PERFECT size for every day travel.  I have used them at the grocery store and when traveling (to have my food, ipad, and other important things) to have easy access to the things I know I will need. Not to mention there is a small side pocket that is located INSIDE of the bag which is also a great asset to the tote.

Bag measurements:

Dimensions 14″ x 10″ x 5.5″
Volume 12.6L

I do have ONE slight concern.  There is no way to close the bag or keep it closed.  For instance, when I travel with this bag on the plane and I have to put it on the floor under the seat in front of me…the contents of this bag fall out.  My quick fix is that I just tie the straps together.  BUT I do wish there was a Velcro or zipper at the opening of the bag to have a way to close it if needed. The traps are very strong and the material is very durable. These bags were made to last and undergo daily abuse.

Other than that one slight issue… I really enjoy the bag and will use them regularly (especially while I travel).

 

GORUCK Tough Tote: 

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This is also a great asset to have to your gear inventory ladies. I bought one and will get more! This clutch is perfect to hold your keys, your phone, and any other items that you need easy access to.  I will use this clutch alone or I will toss it in my Ruck (or purse) so I can easily find the contents that I need.

This is a great size and is very durable.

MY ONLY wish is that it was made in another size that was slightly bigger than the “large”. Like I said, it is a great size BUT I wish it was just a little bigger. And maybe come with a wrist strap that can be attached to it.

I am happy that GORUCK is making more items for the ladies. I am excited to see what else they are able to come up with.  When I can I will  purchase those items and let you know what I think/how I feel about them.  I have purchased a few things from GORUCK and I can honestly say that I have really enjoyed (and used) all of the items that I have purchased.

I give these items two thumbs up! So ladies, feel free to grab some. Fellas… if you are looking for the perfect gift for your lady I highly suggest these.

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… What to do w/ what it do: Event Attire/Product Review of GORUCK Shirt & Pants…

Another frequent question that I get from people who decide to do a endurance event is “What do you usually wear to these events?”… “What kind of shoes do you wear?”…

The truth is that what works for me may not work for someone else. BUT, I have no problem telling people what I use and what works for me.

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In the video that is posted at the top of this post I go over in detail each of the items that I typically wear during events AND I also go over how the GORUCK pants and shirt fit on my body (and issues that I had while wearing them).

I typically do events that are in warmer weather.  2016 was the first year that I really did events in weather that was cold, rainy, and far from perfect.  That did cause me to have to troubleshoot my wardrobe choices and add some things to my list.

But in a nutshell:

Base Layer (layer closest to my body):

  • Compression shorts: to help assist with preventing with chaffing and other skin rubbing together.  This is the most important layer (other than foot attire).  NOTHING is worse than getting chaffing early in the event and having to deal with that the rest of the event.
  • Bra: I did have to troubleshoot this a bit and find a bra that would be comfortable for long periods of time (and while doing exercise). My top choice… Wal-Mart/Target high impact sports bra. Cheap (just in case they do get ruined during the event) and comfortable for me to wear with my ruck AND during the whole event with minimal discomfort issues.

Outer Layer (outermost layer):

  • IF I AM DOING A COLD WEATHER EVENT: quick dry/water wicking long sleeve shirt (to help keep me warm but will also not hinder me if I sweat/get wet)
  • IF I WEAR A TANK TOP it is typically UNDER a t-shirt (so I can take off the t-shirt when I want and put it back on if I am getting rubbing on my shoulders/back).
  • T-shirt
  •  Fitness Compression Workout pants: I got mine from JCPENNEY but you can use any brand that is comfortable.  OR
  • GORUCK Challenge Pants: I am 5’10 and I got size Waist – 36 Length – 34
  • Wind barrier jacket

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Footwear: 

  • Socks (I also usually pack a pair in my dry bag)
  • Shoes (or boots for those who use boots)

MISC Items:

  • Hat/beanie
  • Face protection (for cold events)
  • Gloves
  • Knee sleeves (or knee pads)

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The GORUCK Pants were a great asset to my event wardrobe.  I honestly was not sure what to think of the pants before I got them.  I have a huge issues with getting pants that will actually fit and BE COMFORTABLE.  I was very shocked at how well they did fit/feel throughout the entire event. The material allowed me to move as needed but also protected my legs when we had to do activities on the ground.  They dried quickly, were very comfortable, and most importantly they fit (like I said is usually a hard thing to find when it comes to pants).  Another plus… they made pants that were also long enough for me…

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My fellow long-legged endurance junkies may be able to appreciate this aspect.  Nothing is more annoying then getting pants and having then not be long enough.  These pants hit me exactly where I wanted and were an over all great fit. The two events I did with these pants on… one was a colder event and the other was a warmer event.  Both events weather conditions yielded no additional issues for me while I was wearing these.  Cold (about 35-45 degrees) and warm (60-70 degrees) weather did not cause me to feel colder/warmer than I would have normally felt while wearing any other pants that I would wear to a event.  Overall I would recommend these pants to anyone looking for good durable pants. I do plan on getting another pair when they are available.

Pants DOWNFALL: 

These pants would NOT stay zipped up. I am not sure why.  They would zip up, but throughout the event the zipper would creep back down. I was not too worried about it because (1) I had on compression pants under them, (2) my t-shirt was long enough to cover it.  But, this could be more uncomfortable if I was wearing a tank top or another shirt that was not long enough to cover it. I made my own latch with a hair tie and it did just fine after I was able to attach the hair tie to the zipper/pants fastening button.

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The GORUCK Shirt was something that I enjoyed having.  The material is thin but also provides protection when you need it (I like having my arms/legs covered during events because of the brush/grass you may go through since I am allergic to those things).  These shirts also dried fairly quickly.  They did not keep the wind out very well (I felt a slight breeze but nothing that would be moderately uncomfortable) but that is why I usually always have a under shirt and wind jacket on. LADIES: I got a medium in this shirt and it was fairly LARGE. I typically wear a small/medium t-shirt so if you do the same I would suggest a small for sure. As with the pants, the material was very durable and cleaned very easily after the event. I wore both the shirt/pants throughout portions of a HTL (GORUCK Heavy, Tough, and Light) so it was put to the test throughout event.

I hope that someone (especially the ladies) are able to find this information helpful/useful.

Questions? Comments? Concerns? Let me know!

***THANK YOU Nick Schrein for capturing these moments of me during the Oklahoma City, OK Memorial Event***

 

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…What To Do W/ What It Do: Gear Check…

GEAR IS A VITAL COMPONENT TO TRAINING FOR ANY EVENT.

If you know that you need to use gear for a event, you want to make sure to trouble shoot it and also figure out what will work best for YOU! There are so many options out there.  I am simply sharing my opinion and view point on products that I have personally used over the years.

You will want to use it as much as possible so you can see if you have any issues with the gear that you will use during your event.

DO NOT BE THAT PERSON who has gear that is too large, too heavy, or just not functional for the event.  Simplicity is key during any event and you want to make sure that your gear is function, easy to access, and can withstand the tortures that your event will throw at you. Some events are team events, so you can use your team as a resource to help you just in case something does happen.  BUT if you are doing an individual event, you want to do your best to be ready and to make sure that your gear is ready to complete the event with you.

Bag Reviews:

Tactical Back Pack:

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Detailed Description:

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  • Capacity:30L
  • Constructed with waterproof 600D Nylon material, the backpack is wearable and durable.
  • 1.5 Inch Waist Belt, 1 Inch Sternum Strap, padded and adjustable shoulder straps help relieve pressure on shoulders while carrying heavy loads.
  • Two large compartments with small pouches inside and two front pockets.  

Product Overview:

  • Great bag for the cost for those who are just starting.
  • It has a lot of pockets for storage and easy organization for placing things where they can be easily be found.
  • Waist and chest straps are very helpful and easy to use and manipulate.
  • MUST MAKE MODIFICATION (shown and mentioned in the above video) to ensure the bag will perform with minimal flaws.
  • The shoulder straps do lose “cushion” after a while and become uncomfortable (and at times painful) when used for long periods of time.
  • This bag is NOT waterproof (in comparison to water not seeping into the bag).  If it is raining lightly you are OK but a downpour did cause water to leak into the bag.  Also being submerged in water the bag did retain quite a bit of water.

GORUCK Bag:

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Detailed Description:

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Product Overview:

  • All products on the GORUCK website are made in the U.S.A.
  • The “GR0” (which I talk about in the above video is now called the “GR1” and you can get it in the 21 L size
  • All products on the GORUCK website come with a SCARS lifetime Guarantee
  • There are various sizes to accommodate any persons bag size preference.
  • If you get an item and do not like it, you can send it back and get your money back (as long as it has not been used).
  • Bags have a lot of padding on the shoulder straps and provide comfort when bags have additional weight in them.
  • Bags have several internal pockets for storing/organizing items you may need during your event.
  • MOLLE provides the opportunity for you to attach other add ons/carabiners/webbing
  • All bags have 2″x3″ velcro section on the bag so you can attach a patch (which can be earned via completing events OR you can purchase novelty patches).

Questions? Comments? Concerns? PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SHARE THEM!

E-Mail me at: [email protected]

In a later video I will go over some suggestions for your Packing list (things to carry in your bag during endurance events).

Please note that all products discussed in this video were purchased by me.  I have used them for an extended period of time to create my OWN opinion and views about how well they can perform.  I have participated in over 40 events over the past two years.  I am just sharing my own personal suggestions, opinions, and views about these products. 

 

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…What To Do w/ What It Do: Introduction…

This series is to help those who need suggestions or tips to help them get ready for fitness activities and endurance events. Questions, comments, concerns? Shoot me a email at: [email protected]

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…Product Review: AvalancheProtien Bar…

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Over the past few months, I have been able to come across so many new and interesting protein bars. For those of us who have busy lifestyles, it is sometimes helpful to have quick and healthy snack and meal options to have handy to help keep us on track with our health and fitness goals.

Today I would like to talk about another protein bar that is on my favorite list.  I had the pleasure of getting to try these bars for a review to share with all of you. Avalanche protein bars is a delicious, natural and nutritious protein bar that can be enjoyed by you (or any member of your family).  Avalanche nut free protein bars contain healthy ingredients: rolled oats, toasted sunflower kernels, flax seed, dried fruit, whey protein, and honey.  These bars are classified as protein bars BUT they are without tree nuts or peanuts.  So this is a great bar for those who may have a nut allergy.

Overall Comments:

I was very surprised at the flavor of these bars.  I will not lie, when I first looked at these bars I did not have a lot of expectations.  They look like typical bars that “your friends make on a Saturday night when they were bored”.  But the flavor…is something I know that me nor my friends can imitate. Blueberry vanilla was by far my favorite bar from this company.  It was packed with amazing flavor.  Not too sweet and very filling. Cranberry Pineapple came in a close 2nd place, and Caramel Espresso was in 3rd place. All of the bars were delicious but the three that I listed were my top flavors.

The only negative thing I have to say about these bars is that they do not have as much protein as I would like.  The bars have about 10 g of protein and about 35+ g of carbs.  This is not terrible but I do with that there was more protein in these bars. There is about 10+ g of fat, which is not bad but still a little higher than I would like.  If you track your own macronutriens, you will have to make sure to account for these values when planning your meals for the day.

Quality for price:

You can purchase these bars for $2.50 a bar or $14 for a box  of 6 bars.  This price for the quality of protein bar is very comparable to other bars that are on the market.  Most bars that I regularly purchase range in price from $1.75 to $3.00.  This is a great price for the size (82g) protein bar.

Smell/Taste:

Like stated previously, the taste of these bars was pretty amazing.  It was full of flavor.  They did not leave a stale or undesirable after taste.  They were not overly sweet.  They provided enough flavor to leave you satisfied once you were done consuming the bar.

Ranking Scale: (on a scale from 1-5)

Price: 4.3

Overall Taste: 4.0

Quality for Price: 4.5

Overall Ranking: 4.3

If you are looking for a great bar to add to your health plan, this is a great option.  Great price, great taste, and well worth every penny you spend.  I would have to say I am a big fan of this bar and look forward to purchasing more!

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…Merchandise Evaluation: Candice Foods Energy Bars…

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I have had the amazing opportunity to try out a different kind of energy bar.  For those of you who know me, you know that I am somewhat of a energy bar/protein bar addict.  With my hectic lifestyle energy bars and protein bars are a perfect thing to pack and travel with you.  So when I am able to find some bars that taste amazing and provide the nutritional values that I am looking for they become a staple in my diet.

Candice Foods  is a company that provides a line of bars for those of us who enjoy 100% natural and healthy things to incorporate into your diet. Candice Foods Energy Bars are FREE OF GLUTEN, DAIRY, ALL NUTS, PEANUTS, CORN, SOY, EGG, CASEIN, are all natural and protein packed with energy boosting sunflower seed butter.

Overall Comments:

These bars are VERY yummy! They are pretty dense (due to the products used to make the bar).  It does not have the texture of a typical protein bar or “nut” bar.  It is a nice texture but just something that is different from what I am use too.

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Quality for Price:

The bars are about $3.20 per bar of you can save some money and buy a whole box of 12 bars for $27.00 (or get the variety pack box for $28.00).  Getting a box of bars will cost you about $2.25 per bar (a much better deal).

For the price of a box of bars, this is very comparable to other popular bars that you can find at the store or online.

So yes, for the quality of this product it is well worth the cost that they are offered.

Smell/Taste:

The aroma of these bars when you tear open the package is very enticing! They smell is very fruity and pleasant.  The Java bar (one of my favorites out of all of the bars that I tried) has a slight coffee smell.  I am not a huge coffee fan so I was slightly hesitant about trying that flavor.  But, as I bit into the bar it was clear that there was a plethora of other flavors swirling around in my mouth as I chewed.

Each bar that I tried was packed with that same amazing taste.  There was not one particular bar that tasted horrible.  They all were delicious and true to their flavors.

This is the type of bar that I would have after a workout, in between meals, or even as an addition to my breakfast (or another meal).  This bar can be eaten any time of the day and will satisfy that sweet tooth if you happen to have one. The bar is indeed filling and leave you feeling satisfied if using it as something to fill your stomach until you have your next meal.

Side Note: 

Their customer service was beyond amazing. Any questions that I had they were very prompt to reply to me.  I am HUGE on customer service and how a company treats their customers no matter what the circumstance may be.  So, it was very refreshing to have that happen.

So all in all, I would have to highly recommend this product to anyone who is looking for a good healthy alternative for energy bars. They have a handful of flavors to choose from, but all of the flavors taste AMAZING. So if you do buy one bar…or even a full box…you will NOT be disappointed.

Ranking Scale: (on a scale from 1-5)

Price: 4.0

Overall Taste: 4.0

Quality for Price: 4.5

Overall Ranking: 4.2

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