Friday, October 29, 2010

Pure Bliss!

Hello all my blog readers! I have a great post for you today! Back in April I did a post on my absolute favorite bar in the world! I actually found out about this company through a blog! After seeing it, I just knew I had to try one. I searched for a bar here in Athens but couldn't find one. So, I contacted a company that sold them and BAM! They were on my door step! Whhhooooo Hhooooo! I yelped! When I opened the box back in April I received a box of every flavor. This made my year! Not kidding. I was floating around for weeks with the thought that I could eat one every day for months. Well....that's what I thought.



















I actually went through those babies in two months flat. That's crazy!!! I couldn't stop! I did share with a few as I couldn't contain myself when someone would ask what I was snacking on. It was my go-to snack if I was on-the-run or just whenever. I was at the local health food store and realized that Pure had a new package. In case you didn’t notice, Pure got a makeover. It is the same fantastic bar, just new outer wear. I love what they have done with the packaging and wanted to review the bar again now that it "looks" different. Let's get started on the wonderful product review! I am going to tell you alllllllll about it!

Pure is dedicated to satisfying stretches, sunlit hikes, belly laughs,
and muddy hands.

The folks at Pure Organic believe in creating products that nourish both the body and the soul. PURE seeks to go one step beyond promoting a healthy, active lifestyle through wholesome food. They recognize the importance of giving back to the community in a genuine, meaningful manner. At Pure they endeavor to change the world, one satisfying snack at a time.

How are Pure Bars different than other snack or energy bars? These aren’t your average wrapped energy bars. Raw, organic, and able to satisfy the most snack attack, they also boast ingredients like antioxidant-loaded fruits and heart-healthy nuts. Each bar has nearly five grams of organic fiber and close to seven grams of organic protein, making it a wise weapon in the fight against munchies. You get all of this in a minimally processed bar that’s as close to raw as we can make it. Still, none of this will be running through your mind once you take your first taste of the bar that’s truly Pure.

Pure Bars are made from certified organic ingredients and are gluten-free, vegan, raw, kosher, and entirely delicious.
Our bars aren’t simply tasty, they also pack a nutritional punch with omega-3s, fiber, and protein.

With six flavors this enticing, it’s hard not to cram them all in your mouth at once. Don’t even try, they won’t fit. Here is the run down:


Apple Cinnamon Pure Bar














Our Apple Cinnamon Bar is so delicious, you might be tempted to pair it with a scoop of ice cream.
It starts with antioxidant-rich organic dried apples, which provide both fiber and flavenoids (fun to say and fun to eat). We combine that appley goodness with energy-sustaining cinnamon and certified organic walnuts that are chock full of omega-3s. The result is a wholesome snack that powers your body and delights your mouth, no oven required. Think of it as a healthy slice of apple pie you can carry in your pocket.


Cherry Cashew Pure Bar















We take dried, unsweetened, organic tart cherries that are rich in antioxidants, phytonutrients, and Vitamin C. These tiny, tangy tidbits are mixed with organic cashews, omega-3 rich walnuts, heart-healthy almonds, and organic dates. The result: a nutty sweet-tart snack that definitely isn’t the pits.



Chocolate Brownie Pure Bar (close second for my favorite!)







We could tell you about how organic cocoa has flavonoids which act as antioxidants to reverse cell damage. We could mention how organic walnuts have heart healthy omega-3s. And, yes, we could tell you about the essential fiber, potassium, and magnesium that are found in Deglet Noor dates. Or we could just say two words: Chocolate Brownie. Made from all of these incredible ingredients, it’s utterly nutritious with an unbelievable chocolate taste. Take a bite of the best brownie your body has ever had.

Cranberry Orange Pure Bar






You’ll like our Cranberry Orange Bar so much, you might do a little dance as you chew. A zing of citrus from organic orange peel combines with naturally sweet-tart, organic cranberries. These fiber-rich, antioxidant-loaded ingredients are blended with a myriad of yummy, heart-healthy nuts.



Trail Mix Pure Bar (third place for me!)





Say goodbye to the bland granola bars that plagued your last hike.
Our trail mix bar is off the beaten path. We blend raw dark cacao nibs that are high in antioxidants with fiber-rich organic apples and raisins. Then we add certified organic walnuts that are full of omega-3s, protein, and more fiber. The result is a trail-mix-blazing snack that is both healthy and delectable, leaving you satisfied as you trek across the wooded glen or race your way to work. It will have you humming “Happy Trails” for sure.




Wild Blueberry Pure Bar (My favorite!)
















When your body gets the blues and your palate needs a pick-me-up, humdrum just doesn’t hack it. That’s why we created the Wild Blueberry Pure Bar. We combine flavorful antioxidant-rich ingredients like dried, organic blueberries, walnuts that are full of omega-3s, heart-healthy almonds, and potassium-packed dates, resulting in a natural snack that’s savagely delicious. Try a bite and you’ll be convinced: the call of the wild sounds like this bar’s wrapper tearing open.


Here are some answers to questions asked about Pure Bars:




Are Pure Bars gluten-free? Yes. Pure Bars are certified gluten-free. We use no wheat or wheat family products in our bar. (The facility where our bars are processed is not wheat-free, but contamination is virtually impossible given the measure of cleanliness required by organic standards.)

Are Pure Bars organic? Absolutely. Unlike Larabar and other raw bars, Pure Bars are certified organic, which means that at least 95% of our ingredients are organic. Using organic fruits and nuts means that our ingredients are free of pesticides and herbicides. This is especially important given that conventional fruit is relentlessly sprayed with nasty chemicals. After all, you can’t wash a bar. (We’ve tried.) Buying organic also keeps the planet cleaner, so your tummy and taste buds aren’t the only beneficiaries.

Do Pure Bars need to be refrigerated? Only if you like the taste of them cold! Otherwise, leave them anywhere you tend to get hungry. Pure Bars have a one-year shelf life, no fridge required.

What does "raw" mean? "Raw" indicates foods that aren’t exposed to heat above 118ºF. Raw foods aren’t just uncooked, they’re unprocessed, close to their source, and many are coveted for their nutritional value. When food is heated, the high temperature destroys its enzymes. By choosing raw foods, you’re selecting vittles that boast the most nutritional gusto, including a higher antioxidant content. Raw foods give your diet bonus points if you’re looking for healthy extra credit. They also taste rawsome.

Why is it important to include raw foods in our diet? Our bodies aren’t just temples, they’re temples undergoing constant renovation. From cell renewal to keeping our immune systems strong, we perpetually require energy to repair and renew ourselves. Raw foods provide healthful and flavorful fuel for this process. One of the benefits of eating raw is a feeling of overall health and wellness.

People who choose a raw food diet are noted to experience improvements in their general physical and mental status, including increased energy, weight loss, detoxification, and a sturdier immune system that better resists and recovers from disease. Most people who add raw fruits and veggies to their diets also report becoming more conscious of their bodies, and many report definite spiritual improvement. Ask anyone: eating raw is bliss.



By eating raw foods, you omit cooking, which means that you’re wasting less electricity. It’s a bright idea that’s better for the bank account and the environment.



Are Pure Bars raw? We know you can’t always prepare raw meals at home. Not-cooking often takes more time than you’d think. Pure Bars are convenient bits of certified organic goodness that are raw and ready to go when you are. We’re committed to choosing wholesome fruits and nuts for a nutritionally balanced snack that provides a raw advantage over the other options out there. All of our bars are cold processed using ingredients that are not subjected to heat above 118 degrees Fahrenheit, except our agave nectar, rice protein, and cocoa (cocoa only being found in our Chocolate Brownie bar).

Here are the exact percentages of raw ingredients for each flavor:
Chocolate Brownie 65%
Apple Cinnamon 78%
Cherry Cashew 78%
Cranberry Orange 79%
Chocolate Chip Trail Mix 82%
Wild Blueberry 81%

What is agave nectar?
Agave nectar is sourced from the sap of succulents by the same name (plants that resemble cactus or yuccas), and the taste is similar to honey. It’s a low-glycemic ingredient that adds moisture and natural sweetness to foods without significantly raising your blood sugar. We consciously chose agave nectar over syrups or other refined sugars because it’s just better for you.

Here is Veronica Bosgraaf, Pure Bar Founder's story:
When my daughter was six, we went to a petting zoo.
At the dinner table, she made the connection between the chicken on her plate and the animals that she had held. It was then that she made the decision to become a vegetarian.
I recognized this as an opportunity for us to explore a new way of eating together. There clearly was a lack of healthy vegetarian snacks in grocery stores, so we decided to create one of our own. Our requirements were stiff. We would only use real ingredients, organic fruits and healthy nuts untouched by harmful herbicides and pesticides. No refined sugars, no chemicals, no genetically-modified stuff. We wanted ingredients rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and omega-3 fats. Most importantly, it had to taste amazing.
After all, she was six.



Following hundreds of hours in the kitchen and dozens of dinner-table taste-tests, we perfected our recipes. We shared them with friends and family. They passed them to even more people. There was excitement about a bar that was cooked up in a kitchen instead of created in a lab. What I fed my daughter as a tasty, healthy snack had suddenly taken on a life of its own.
Pure Bars were born.

We love that we have the opportunity to share the deliciousness of Pure with the planet. Although our bars are suitable for vegetarians and vegans, they’re superb nutrition for every appetite. Try a bite and help us to spread healthy around. And be sure to bring one on your next trip to the petting zoo.

She contacted me herself! I love it when a company does that! It makes me feel like I am getting to chat with a celebrity! Anyway, she was kind enough to send me some Pure Bars and my oh my, it never ceases to amaze me how good these bars really are. The blueberry is my absolute favorite with the Chocolate Brown at a close second. I love, love, love these!




Please go to: www.thepurebar.com

and see for yourself just how great this site really is!

Hope you try one, you'll thank me later ;)

-Heather