Cuppow to the Rescue

Today I decided to try the Amazing Grass/Amazing Meal 'Cafe Mocha' plant-based energy drink... (one of the goodies I received a week ago in my RUNspiration rizebox ). Well, the drink seemed easy enough to make -- just add the contents of the envelope to a milk-product and blend. (Being non-dairy, I chose almond milk.) The mix blended well and I poured the smoothie over a few ice cubes. (It looked a little greenish for coffee, but whatever...)

Well, I couldn't even swallow it. The first sip had me stunned, and I wasn't even exactly sure what it tasted like... so I took a second sip and wow. I just couldn't do it. I couldn't swallow. OMG. WHYYYYYY????!!!!! What a mean thing to do to in the name of coffee! I poured the entire drink down the drain.

Feeling my taste buds violated, I rinsed out the blender and made a quick banana-almond milk smoothie for relief -- and gave it a little hug in it's Cuppow-covered jar. Ahhhh... comfort.

Banana Smoothie To-Go. Love my Cuppow.

I love my Cuppow lid -- a sweet little cover that turns a canning jar into a travel mug -- and a few folks have commented on it. So to end this post on a positive note, here are a few of my favorite things about this nifty little topper.

1. The lid is so simple to clean.
2. I have dozens of canning jars -- (you know I do) -- so I almost never run out of a clean glass.
3. The jars are easy to wash and can go right in the dishwasher.
4. They kinda fit in my water bottle cage, so I can take my smoothies to go. (Better on the Lexa than the Trek)
5. It makes my to-go cup environmentally friendly, and contents can be hot or cold
6. Dunkins doesn't mind filling it.
7. I don't need a straw for my smoothie and the straw-tek opening is big enough to suck the fruit through. (Sometimes with a strong suck.) Note: not all of my Cuppow lids have the wide opening.
8. The boys call it my sippy cup.
9. I never spill my tea or coffee when I take it to bed. (Important.)
10. It looks like I'm drinking moonshine all day.

So there you go... Thumbs DOWN for the Amazing Grass, Thumbs UP for Cuppow.

New Product Testing

I received a fun treat in the mail today — RUNspiration's rizebox arrived, and inside were a few interesting products to try. (Fortunately for me, the edible products were paleo!)

Since I had just rolled in from a ride, I was due a post-workout snack. I chose the Hail Merry Strawberry Macaroons. OMG. So good. Gluten-free, vegan, non-GMO.. the ingredients listed included shredded coconut, maple syrup, almond flour, coconut oil, almond butter, strawberries, vanilla and sea salt. Simple. (Sadly, there were only 2 in the pack)

Crushed that my two small cookies were gone in a snap... I ventured on to the Bearded Brothers Raspberry Lemon Energy bar... (figs, dates, sun butter, hemp seeds, raspberries, chia seeds, lemon extract & sea salt.) Well, let's just say I'm not a fan. It had an odd metallic taste that threw me off right away, kinda like Lara bars, though I'll give them another try.

The rest of the goodies in the box look promising; Teeccino Herbal Coffee (Dandelion Caramel Nut), Amazing Grass/Amazing Meal cafe mocha smoothie powder, Eboost natural energy powder, Cocogo coconut hydration mix, KT Tape elastic kinesiology sports tape, and a Bondi Bands fluorescent green headband. (There are several other products in the box as well.)

Neat stuff, fun to try -- and the Hail Merry cookies are my favorite so far.