Fé Fit: Fé Fuel Gluten Free Protein and Energy Bars #Review #FeFit

When I read Gluten free on a package, I really first think does that mean flavor free too ? So many products advertise a healthier option, however your diet is more based on avoiding to eat it, versus what the product delivers.  Not the smartest way to diet and going hungry because a product tastes so bad is also wasted money.

When I was approached to review the Fé Fuel bars, I liked the flavors and ingredients but I was a little fearful of what would come.  Is it going to be a dry hockey puck like many of these date based bars of today, or is it going to be a mushy mess.  I like dates.  Many products that are gluten free use it as a base for texture, moisture content and fiber intake……many failed at making good flavorful products that I started to question my liking of dates.  I can’t understand how a moist date can become so dry that it sucks any moisture out of your mouth.  Gluten free products should not dehydrate you!

The good news, you know how so many products advertise the “Best of”, well Fé Fit did not lie!  Their Fé Fuel bars are not only great for being Gluten free but I would eat them just because they taste good and have a good amount of nutrition to combat hunger, plus keep you going.

You start with three flavors to choose from and I opted in ordering the multi-pack to keep things interesting (dislike eating the same everyday) and also so I could taste all three bars.  The flavors are not only good tasting but not the typical Peanut Butter this and Chocolate chip that.

• Coconut Pecan
• Cacao Nib Almond
• Apricot Cashew

All bars deliver only 140 calories and the first ingredient is Isolate Whey protein, with 10 grams of protein.  Then comes raw pecans and organic dates.  The aforementioned is the base product and it then expands to the flavors of the bars.  Everything is kept in it’s raw state, making this a Paleo diet friendly bar or for people like me that seek no processing.  Sweeteners range from Organic Coconut Palm sugar, Organic Coconut Nectar, to Organic Coconut Sugar and Raw Honey.  Simple list and the shortest I have seen on an energy/protein bar.  You will recognize everything on Fé Fuel’s ingredient list and it’s always a plus knowing what you are eating.

Out of the bars I have eaten in any class, and by this I mean gluten filled or not, to different proteins from pea to whey, the Fé Fuel bar kept me the fullest.  It’s hard to comprehend because it’s small in size but it makes an impact.  I felt full and not bloated, just energy that kept me going and a sense of satisfaction.  I was happy because I was not hungry but had energy.  I kept thinking if the bar had enough because it’s 1/2 the size than a typical bar but it kept me feeling better in all areas.  I digested easier and some bars tend to make me feel bloated as I consume water, sort f like they poof inside me as I hydrate.  Not these bars!  Pure energy is all I got with zero unpleasant side effects.  I ate them crushed in yogurt to just grabbing one and going.  The texture is pleasant when eating and each bar tastes like the combination listed in the package.  If I was craving chocolate, the Cacao Nib literally nipped that craving because it had sufficient chocolate to satisfy my indulgence.

Retail Price Point: $29.99 for a box of 12 bars.  24 bars is prices at $59.98 and 36 bars at $89.97 via the website.  You can save 20% if you subscribe for monthly delivery.  I also found that via Amazon, you can order 12 bars for $19.99!

No matter the diet you follow, these bars have a place in your tummy!  I found the Fé Fuel bars are what I have been looking for because in the end I don’t want hunger to stop me or worse, cause me a headache and I could keep going.  The bars are satisfying and great tasting like they should be. Fé Fit, also has an entire site dedicated to healthier living from fitness and diet plans that break down in 90-Day combo kits.  The Fé Fit company goes beyond just providing nutrition but also a way to change your body into a healthier you that I always find is a bonus and also to look better.  With Summer upon us, you can start eating cleaner and feeling better.

 

Connect with Fé Fit at:

• On-line
• Amazon
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Pinterest
• YouTube
• #FeFit

I received the above product(s) free of charge from FeFit.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

 

 

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Swaggable: Detour Neapolitan Whey Protein Bars

I always seem to be playing catch-up and somehow think if I hurry up in the morning and make concessions, like not eating a real breakfast, I can get ahead of everything I need to do. You would think I would learn but I always have an excuse on why cutting on breakfast the other times did not work, but will work again today. I’ve fooled myself many times so I started resorting to having meal replacement bars, energy bars, snack bars, protein bars…..well anything that fills the hunger hole but trying to fill it with something nutritious. I like fast too but the last thing I want to do, is go to a drive-thru somewhere to purchase something in a bun that will hinder me more when it comes to nutrition and energy.

I have consumed many bars from Luna to even store brands. The amount I pay never reflects the taste some of them have that I then label them “diet bars” because they taste so poorly, that you only can eat 1/4 to maybe 1/2 of them on a brave day. It’s called the “I make this bar so bad, starving a little feels better” diet plan.

I was happy when I was accepted to try out Detour bars that showed a big 15 grams of protein on their package. Being derived from whey, I like this because sometimes when I am running errands with my Husband, we share a bar together and I don’t always need the full 15 grams. I get the bar and it makes me think of those ice cream bars I had back when I was a child.

Opening package time: The scent is pleasant and sweet with a hint of chocolate. They dip the bar in a milk chocolate “flavored” coating and then a white design on top so the product looks pleasing. I slice a square off and notice that the texture within the bar does not resemble the picture on the product card. I look at the back of the packaging and notice it may be the “soy chips”, so that may be why.

Taste Test: You have a bar that is not too soft or hard when you bite, just a little granular in texture but many of these energy/protein bars tend to be mealy. The texture is not so off that it prevents you from eating it. When I think of Neapolitan, I think of the three flavors commonly associated, Strawberry, Vanilla and Chocolate. The bar’s flavors, both natural and artificial start to taste fruity and then comes that taste, almost like film that covers your tongue with the artificial sweeteners. It’s over powering and starts to permeate up to your nose.

I can say I have had worse but unfortunately this is not a bar I would seek out due to the ingredients list. Great that it’s low in sugars, 4 grams for this “light” version versus 8 grams for their normal bar but the sucralose and list of artificial ingredients does not justify the price point. The market is flooded with these bars that if you are “going to play ball”, you need to hit it on the mark when it comes to flavor and this is me even being flexible on texture. I have had bars with simple ingredients that taste better and my body can absorb with ease, but this lab experiment on the Detour packaging will leave my system going, “huh”.

I received the above products from Swaggable free of charge. I am not obligated in providing a favorable/positive review, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the products, which may differ from yours.

Strawberries~N~Cream Squares

Strawberries~N~Cream Squares

Being that Easter is approaching and we are embracing Spring, I wanted something light that would showcase the fruit.  I also wanted something that was quick because I again purchased strawberries and picked for the perfect case, to then just forget them in fridge for 3 days!

My crust is identical to the one I made for the Key Lemon bars and since it was a hit, not changing it!  It’s a shortbread crust and please view that recipe here https://samplesandfreebiesgallery.wordpress.com/2013/03/14/welcome-the-first-day-of-spring-with-key-lemon-cream-bars/ for details on preparation but I will note the ingredients needed.

Crust: 

1 stick of Salted Butter (softened)

1 stick of Unsalted Butter (softened)

110 grams of Powder Sugar

2 teaspoons of Vanilla Extract

3 drops of Almond Extract

300 grams of All-Purpose Flour

Vanilla Bean Cream Filling:

3 5/8 ounces of Mascarpone cheese (softened)

8 ounces of Cream Cheese

1 1/2 tablespoons of White Sugar

3/4 ounces of Sweetened Condensed Milk

1 teaspoon of Vanilla Extract

1/4 Vanilla Bean

2 tablespoons of All-Purpose Flour

You soften both cheeses by leaving out until soft or like me, I use the microwave in the defrost setting.

With a mixer or by hand with a whisk, you blend until combined.  You add the white sugar and sweetened condensed milk and again whip, making sure you are mostly lump free.  Then you add both the vanilla extract, and 1/4 of the scrapings from a Vanilla Bean.

Again, whisk until combined.  Last comes the flour and I usually do one tablespoon at a time in order to keep everything nice and smooth.

Fruit Filling:

5 1/2 ounces of Strawberry preserves

I made my own using the strawberries I purchased before they went bad.  I just cook them down on the stove with some water, a teaspoon of sugar (more or less depending how sweet the berries are), and a teaspoon of fruit pectin.  I add a used Vanilla Bean and cook about 15 minutes or when the product reached the thickness I desire.

Topping:

2/3 cup of All-Purpose Flour

1/4 teaspoon of ground Ginger

1/4 teaspoon of Cinnamon

A couple gratings of fresh Nutmeg

1 tablespoon, plus 1 teaspoon of White Sugar

3 tablespoons of Unsalted Butter (cold)

To make topping, you combine all the dry ingredients and when incorporated, you then start to add the cold butter until you get crumbles.  Very easy to do by hand or even with a fork….whatever works best for you.  You can also add less or more of the spices to fit your taste.

Once you have pre-baked the crust, you allow for it to cool down just a bit (10 minutes).

You add the Vanilla Bean cream filling and just spread out evenly.

I then add the Strawberry Filling and make swirls so everyone gets a good helping of fruit and cream filling, it also looks pretty.  Short on time….you can stop here and bake and still have a great final product!

If you have a little time, you then make your topping and sprinkle over before baking.

Once everything is assembled, you simply put it in the oven and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes and then at 375 degrees for 10 minutes.  Test for doneness by simply measuring the jiggle but keep in mind like brownies, you do not want to wait until firm.  This is sort of like a cheesecake and will continue to cook when you take it out.  I cooled it down 2 hours outside and 2 hours in the fridge.

I then cut different sized squares because sometimes we want to eat more or less.

You can serve as-is or with vanilla bean ice cream.  Enjoy!