4
Aug
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GIVEAWAY: ZonePerfect Sweet and Salty Flavors |
Do you like to read about and see pictures of what other people ate during the past 24 hours? It’s quite possible that you do because there’s no shortage of bloggers documenting just that. Fortunately, I’m not one of them. Fortunately, because I wouldn’t be very good at it. I’d most likely bore you to tears and send you running away. And that would be a big fat blogger fail.
If I gave it a shot, even for just a few days, you’d quickly learn to predict almost everything that goes into my mouth before dinner time based on the following list:
*Oatmeal
*Protein Powder
*Eggs (‘beaters, whites, or whole)
*Cottage Cheese
*Chobani
*Joseph’s Low-Carb Lavash wraps
*Tuna
*Turkey
*Arugula
*Avocado
*Candy Bars
Oh, what’s that you say? One of these things is not like the other?
Let me clarify: my daily choice of candy bar is not the kind that you’d find in a ratty pillowcase carried door to door by little witches and pumpkins on October 31st. There are no cups of peanut butter, or peanuts and caramel snicking around in my lunge back.
But let me assure you I have something just as good. Not only does it satisfy my craving for sinful chocolate, crispy and gooey all in the same bite,it energizes me both mentally and physically to attack at 5:30pm in the gym. What is this piece of super-fuel?
A ZonePerfect bar, naturally.
Zone bars are nutrition bars formulated to fit in nicely with the classic Zone 40/30/30 eating plan. Followers of this approach aim to take in about 40% of their calories from carbohydrates, and about 30% each from protein and fat. This macronutrient breakdown has been shown to result in greater satiety and to more effectively support an active lifestyle when compared to eating the same total number of calories with a greater carbohydrate contribution. Zone bars weigh in around 200 calories, just right for a hearty snack.
All science aside, I’ve figured out over the past several years that eating more protein and good fats and less carbs makes ME feel good. While I no longer track my calories and macronutrient percentages every day, I know I’m still right in that 40/30/30 ballpark.
Zone bars came in over a dozen crave-worthy flavors, but I can most often be spotted with a Double Dark Chocolate or Dark Chocolate Almond in tow. One, because I’m a chocoholic and these flavors seriously bring it, and two, because they are available at a can’t-be-beat price at both Sam’s Club and BJ’s.
However, when I need a snack on the go, I love finding the Zone bar display and picking out a new flavor to try. Mint Chocolate? Fudge Grahame? It can be so hard to decide!
Recently, ZonePerfect came out with two new flavors to satisfy those sweet AND salty cravings we all have. You know, like chocolate covered potato chips? Anyone? Sadly, that wasn’t one of the flavors, but maybe some will read this and take note.
Anyway, I was lucky enough to sample them first, and they are Trail Mix and Cashew Pretzel.
Remember the good old days of hiking up a mountain (or maybe it was a big hill) with a sandwich baggie full of GORP? The Trail Mix bar rolls those gold old raisins and peanuts into convenient form and function. A true delight for the peanut lover, this bar boasts three peanut butter-y ingredients: peanut butter fudge, peanut butter drops, and roasted peanuts. Throw in the essential raisins along with some coconut, oats, and walnuts, and it’s easy to see how this is a winner.
But for me, it wasn’t the winner. Maybe it’s because a touch of fruit, while perfectly delicious, always makes me feel like I’m eating something not-quite-as-indulgent as I could be. The Cashew Pretzel bar, loaded with creamy nuts and yogurt chips that my tastebuds actually mistook for a caramel swirl, was right up my alley. The crunchy, salty pretzel pieces throughout provide the perfect contrast in each bite. I was actually surprised at how much I loved this bar, given that it didn’t have a single bit of chocolate. I even had to double check the ingredients to make sure, doubting that I could love anything without chocolate that much!
These bars were provided by ZonePerfect, and as with any review, the opinions are my own.
Now I’m back to my Dark Chocolate Zone bars, and while I’m not complaining, I’ll definitely be jealous whoever wins this giveaway and ends up with two boxes of Sweet & Salty ZonePerfect bars delivered right to their door. That’s more than I got to sample, and you’ll be getting some other fun stuff as well. Lucky you!
Here’s what you need to know:
- The contest is open to US residents only and will run until Wednesday, 8/10/2011, at 12pm EST.
- The winner will receive the following:
- A 5-pack of ZonePerfect Sweet & Salty Trail Mix Bars
- A 5-pack of ZonePerfect Sweet & Salty Cashew Pretzel Bars
- A ZonePerfect T-shirt
- A reusable ZonePerfect bag
- There are many ways to enter. Please do any and all of the following, and leave a separate comment about each one:
- Talk to me about your favorite ZonePerfect flavors, which flavors you’d like to try, or what your favorite pre-workout snack is
- Follow Cara’s Cravings on Twitter (@carascravings)
- Like Cara’s Cravings on Facebook
- Follow @ZonePerfect on Twitter
- Like ZonePerfect on Facebook
- Tweet about this giveaway, with a link to this post, and mentioning both @carascravings and @zoneperfect.
Thanks for visiting Cara’s Cravings. If you like what you see and want more, subscribe via email or in a reader, follow me on Twitter, or visit me on Facebook.
Pamela — August 4, 2011 @ 4:02 am
Hi Cara! I love mostly any sort of bar before a workout – Clif, Luna Protein, Clif Mojo, Larabar, Grab the Gold (a local Tennessee product – I TOTALLY recommend it!. I've not tried the Zone perfect, but I think I'd love it! Thanks for the opportunity to win and try the new flavors. 🙂
kay — August 4, 2011 @ 4:02 am
i'd like to try the cashew pretzel bar because i love chocolate covered pretzels!
amanda — August 4, 2011 @ 4:09 am
I love love love the chocolate peanut butter bar. I think I had one every single day in college.Â
amanda — August 4, 2011 @ 4:10 am
I follow you on Twitter!
amanda — August 4, 2011 @ 4:10 am
I like you on Facebook! 🙂
amanda — August 4, 2011 @ 4:10 am
Just followed Zone Perfect on Twitter.Â
amanda — August 4, 2011 @ 4:11 am
And just liked them on Facebook! 🙂
Clare Ferris — August 4, 2011 @ 4:19 am
I love Zone bars – I eat them all the time! If I had to pick a favorite, I think it would be the Dark Chocolate Almond (although I like pretty much all the Dark Chocolate ones). Â I'd really like to try the Cashew Pretzel – I love that salty/sweet combo.
Clare Ferris — August 4, 2011 @ 4:19 am
And I'm following you on Twitter now, too 🙂
Clare Ferris — August 4, 2011 @ 4:20 am
And also following Zone Perfect
Ljyoung85 — August 4, 2011 @ 10:37 am
I love zone bars and have yet to try Cashew Pretzel or Chocolate Peanut Butter…both sound excellent. Of the ones I have tried the chocolate mint is my favorite.
Kate — August 4, 2011 @ 10:50 am
I haven't tried the Zone Perfect bars yet, but I love the Z-Kids bars (especially their S'mores ones) for snacks. I imagine that these would be even better!
rachel — August 4, 2011 @ 11:23 am
I've never tried a Zone Perfect bar, but that cashew pretzel one sounds delicious! Â My kids do like the Z-Kids bars as a quick snack when we're out and about so I'm guessing the "grown up" kind will be just as good.
Rebolding — August 4, 2011 @ 12:28 pm
i would love to try them all! how can you go wrong with salty and sweet!
Rebolding — August 4, 2011 @ 12:29 pm
i like you on FB
Rebolding — August 4, 2011 @ 12:29 pm
i like zone perfect on FB
Katie — August 4, 2011 @ 12:59 pm
The chocolate almond is my favorite, although Iove sweet/salty foods, so I have to try these new flavors!
Angela H — August 4, 2011 @ 1:10 pm
I haven't tried any, but the cashew pretzel sounds very yummy! Â I do love LaraBars though!
Nicole, RD — August 4, 2011 @ 1:15 pm
Most of my patients are put on Zone bars during their treatments and most LOVE them! Chocolate Graham is my favorite 🙂
Nicole, RD — August 4, 2011 @ 1:16 pm
I follow you on Twitter! @Preventionrd
Nicole, RD — August 4, 2011 @ 1:16 pm
I <3 you on Facebook 🙂
Nicole, RD — August 4, 2011 @ 1:17 pm
Now following Zone Perfect on Twitter!
Nicole, RD — August 4, 2011 @ 1:19 pm
Tweeted!
Mastistyle — August 4, 2011 @ 1:30 pm
My go to right now is the chocolate chop cookie dough since I found them on clearance and bought the entire stock!
Cara — August 4, 2011 @ 1:41 pm
I love anything with cashews!
Mary G. — August 4, 2011 @ 2:36 pm
I would love to try the Cashew Pretzel flavor! Yum!
Mary — August 4, 2011 @ 2:36 pm
I follow you on Twitter! (I'm @oh_mg)
virginia Motroni — August 4, 2011 @ 2:40 pm
I love the Zone bars and having been a person who loves to try different protein bars, the Zone bars are my favorite . They are like eating a candy bar but so good for you. My favorite one is chocolate almond raisin. Love it…
Courtney — August 4, 2011 @ 3:26 pm
The Cashew Pretzel flavor sounds great…I'm such a fan of sweet/salty – this is right up my alley!As for a pre-workout snack – I like pb smeared on a banana! 🙂
Marksgal97 — August 4, 2011 @ 3:55 pm
I've never tried them but you've convinced me that I should!
Anna Mushi Michaud — August 4, 2011 @ 4:12 pm
I'm with you on the fruit thing- it's just not as indulgent a treat if there's fruit in it! That cashew pretzel bar sounds intriguing. Great giveaway! 🙂
Haley N — August 4, 2011 @ 4:19 pm
my favorite pre workout snack is a banana with almond or peanut butter. i bet a zone bar would be perfect though!
Haley N — August 4, 2011 @ 4:21 pm
tweeted 🙂
Haley N — August 4, 2011 @ 4:23 pm
follow zone bars on twitter
Haley N — August 4, 2011 @ 4:23 pm
follow you on twitter!
Kaytorade — August 4, 2011 @ 4:57 pm
when I was driving back and forth 90 miles each way between work and home/school and home I always kept these in the car!
Brie — August 4, 2011 @ 5:34 pm
I love all the Dark Chocolate Zone Flavors!
Brie — August 4, 2011 @ 5:34 pm
I follow you on Twitter!Â
Jsen — August 4, 2011 @ 9:28 pm
Going to Sam's Club in the near future. Good bye generic bars, HELLO ZONE PERFECT! I crave something with fudge chunks and peanut butter chips
Greekmelie — August 5, 2011 @ 1:36 am
The dark chocolate almond one sounds delicious! I eat a bar pre-workout when I work out in the evenings and I need to hold up until dinner, so this might work out perfectly too!
Greekmelie — August 5, 2011 @ 1:37 am
I already follow you on twitter. Would that work?Â
Greekmelie — August 5, 2011 @ 1:37 am
and I tweeted about the giveaway!
Greekmelie — August 5, 2011 @ 1:37 am
I liked you on facebook
Greekmelie — August 5, 2011 @ 1:38 am
And I liked Zone perfect on facebook too
Bm — August 5, 2011 @ 1:54 am
i'd like to try the cashew pretzel!
Julie — August 5, 2011 @ 2:46 am
I love the Mint Chocolate flavor. Yum. But I just ate the Chocolate Caramel Cluster and it was delicious.
Julie — August 5, 2011 @ 2:47 am
I follow you on Facebook.
Julie — August 5, 2011 @ 2:50 am
I like ZonePerfect on Facebook.
Cheryl — August 5, 2011 @ 12:56 pm
I would love to try the cashew pretzel bar sounds soo yummy!
Cheryl — August 5, 2011 @ 12:57 pm
Follow you on twitter (cherylcasperson)
Cheryl — August 5, 2011 @ 12:57 pm
Follow Zone Perfect on twitter (cherylcasperson)
Cheryl — August 5, 2011 @ 12:58 pm
Tweeted (cherylcasperson)
Shannon — August 5, 2011 @ 2:09 pm
oh man, the cashew pretzel???  i want to try that one!!  been impressed with the few flavors I tried after you talked these bars up the first time 🙂
Shannon — August 5, 2011 @ 2:09 pm
and i follow you on twitter! Â @tri2cookÂ
tiffany — August 5, 2011 @ 3:02 pm
I am a fan of Larabars and will have one as a snack pre-workout. I haven't tried the Zone bars yet, but the cashrew pretzel flavor sounds good!
Amy W — August 5, 2011 @ 5:52 pm
i've had their caramel and the pb chocolate bars. both are fantastic but i'd love to try their two new bars!!!
Heather Badower — August 5, 2011 @ 7:45 pm
Dark Chocolate Almond are by far my favorite!
Andrea M — August 5, 2011 @ 8:18 pm
oh yum! the cashew pretzel bar for sure 🙂
Mari Baker — August 6, 2011 @ 12:53 pm
I like you on FB
Mari Baker — August 6, 2011 @ 12:53 pm
I like Zone Perfect on FB
Mari Baker — August 6, 2011 @ 12:54 pm
I haven't tried these yet, but I think my husband would love these for his early morning pre-workout snack
Jenna Z — August 8, 2011 @ 2:17 am
Dark Chocolate Cookies N' Creme!! Yum!
Jenna Z — August 8, 2011 @ 2:18 am
I follow you on twitter (corgipants)
Beastbunny — August 8, 2011 @ 2:19 am
I follow zoneperfect on twitter (corgipants)
Jenna Z — August 8, 2011 @ 2:19 am
I tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/corgipants/status/100390242376359936
Kelsey Kemmer — August 8, 2011 @ 2:21 am
I tried the Cashew Pretzel and fell in love! it's such a unique combo and I LOVE IT!!! my email is christianqt07@hotmail.com
Kelsey Kemmer — August 8, 2011 @ 2:26 am
I follow you on twitter 🙂 @Christianqt07
Kelsey Kemmer — August 8, 2011 @ 2:27 am
I follow ZonePerfect on twitter 🙂 @Christianqt07
Kelsey Kemmer — August 8, 2011 @ 2:27 am
I like ZonePerfect on Facebook!
Kelsey Kemmer — August 8, 2011 @ 2:28 am
I tweeted your giveaway @Christianqt07   "@carascravings is having a @zoneperfect giveaway!!
Tiffany @ Simply Shaka — August 8, 2011 @ 1:55 pm
I havent had a Zone bar in forever but used to love their cookies n cream flavor
Tiffany @ Simply Shaka — August 8, 2011 @ 1:56 pm
I follow you on twitter (@tiffanynico)
Tiffany @ Simply Shaka — August 8, 2011 @ 1:56 pm
And now follow Zone also!
Tiffany @ Simply Shaka — August 8, 2011 @ 1:57 pm
I tweeted about this giveaway! (@tiffanynico)
Lisette — August 9, 2011 @ 2:05 am
I'd love to try the cashew pretzel ones. Ahh they look so yummy! My favorites are the white chocolate covered pretzels though. There are these homemade ones I always get in California. Delicious!
Liz — August 9, 2011 @ 3:29 am
My favorite has to be the dark chocolate almond, it's like dessert but good for you.
Stephanie — August 9, 2011 @ 1:19 pm
I like Cara's cravings on facebook!
Stephanie — August 9, 2011 @ 1:20 pm
I am a big fan of their dark chocolate bars. It's like eating a candy bar!!
Colormetoo2003 — August 9, 2011 @ 1:20 pm
Before I workout I love a small banana with pb but I dont always eat before a wo. After I love chocolate milk. I love a good carb protein mix b4 or after a workout. Great giveaway! -veniceforever at colormetoo2003 at verizon dot net
Stephanie — August 9, 2011 @ 1:20 pm
I like zone perfect on FB!
amy — August 9, 2011 @ 1:22 pm
The Zone Fudge Graham is YUMMY! great after a long run.
Erin's Eats — August 9, 2011 @ 1:26 pm
These sound delish!
Robin — August 9, 2011 @ 8:06 pm
Before today, my favorite Zone Perfect was the choc. chip cookie dough. Today's new flavor was ecstasy, Cashew Pretzel. The mix of sweet and salty was perfect, hence the name Zone Perfect. I eat a bar every Tuesday and Thursday before karate class just to give me that little energy boost. Thanks for allowing me to share.
Lisa Dorsey — August 9, 2011 @ 8:53 pm
I love the chocolate peanut butter bars and also get them in bulk at Costco, I currently have 10 boxes hidden under my desk at work. My coworker jokes that we could live for a month of of them! Can't want to try these new flavors and I will like both the facebook pages!
Eclairre — August 9, 2011 @ 10:14 pm
I want to try the cookie dough varieties! I tried the chocolate chip cookie dough bar before and boy is it the closest thing i've ever tasted to real cookie dough or what??! I love that stuff.
Eclairre — August 9, 2011 @ 10:14 pm
Like ZonePerfect on Facebook
Jo_jlem — August 10, 2011 @ 12:29 am
The Cashew Pretzel is amazing!
MrsSisler — August 10, 2011 @ 2:14 am
I haven't tried any Zone bars & this would be the perfect reason to try them!
MrsSisler — August 10, 2011 @ 2:16 am
I also like you on Facebook!
Rebecca m — August 10, 2011 @ 4:09 am
I loved the apple cinnamon fruitified bar and am so sad that they seem to have stopped making it. It tasted like a slice of apple pie! Also it wasnt coated, so it didnt melt in the heat. The cookie dough bars are great to add to ice cream or frozen yogurt to make a higher protein version of cookie dough ice cream. I like you and zone perfect on Facebook.
Zoneperfect — August 10, 2011 @ 3:01 pm
ZonePerfect fans, don't forget to sign up for our VIP Program (http://zoneperfect.com/offers) for coupons, news and more! ~Brittany @ZonePerfect
Bree — August 10, 2011 @ 3:07 pm
Cashew Pretzel sounds amazing!  I have liked all the Zone bars I have had in the past. Yum!
Hanna S — August 10, 2011 @ 3:44 pm
I love the Double Dark Chocolate!
Hanna S — August 10, 2011 @ 3:45 pm
I follow @carascravings on twitter!
Hanna S — August 10, 2011 @ 3:45 pm
I follow @zoneperfect on twitter!
Hanna S — August 10, 2011 @ 3:46 pm
I like zone perfect on facebook!