Clean Energy Sources: Huma Chia Energy Gel and PROBAR Bolt Energy Chews Review

About 6 months ago, I did a review on some different ways to fuel during long runs.. including stuff from The New Primal and Energybits. 

As I am now working my way back to another marathon, and with a half marathon coming up in about a month, I thought it was a great time to review some of the latest fuel sources I've been trying out.

The two products are Huma Chia Energy Gel, and Probar Bolt Energy Chews. I am really excited about both of these products, primarily because of their simple clean ingredients.  Check out the reviews, and then stay tuned for a chance to win some samples!

Ok... to kick this off, I need to introduce you to Huma Chia Energy Gel...  if you haven't heard of them, you need to check them out!  I've tried a wide variety of gels, and fortunately for me, my stomach can handle most of them... but I've always been a little dissappointed with the ingredients.  I know there are arguments that a sugar is a sugar to your body, but when trying to avoid all things processed and unnatural, I really wanted that option when looking for a quick source of energy. Most gels have a mile long laundry list of odd ingredients, many that I can't recognize, let alone pronounce.

So what is in a Huma gel?  How about this for an ingredient list: Strawberries, evaporated cane juice, filtered water, brown rice syrup, ground chia seeds, citric acid, sea salt.   That's it!!   That is about as clean a gel you can get, and still a pack carries 100 calories, 15 from fat.

And to top it off, they taste really great! Much more like "real" food than a typical gel.. and yes, they perform as well too. I liked how easy they were on my stomach, and the boost I got from using them.. especially the "holy grail" of barefoot/minimalist runner ingredients.. the almighty Chia seed :-).

Now what is even more exciting is that Huma has an Indiegogo project going on right now, and there are 9 more days left to score some gels and to help them continue to make this great product!  Check their campaign out here ---->  http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/huma-chia-energy-gel-your-healthy-tasty-sports-nutrition-option

And here is the video that goes with it...  check them out!  I am going to jump in on one of these perks today!



This video cracks me up!  Anyway, stay tuned to my Facebook page for a chance to win a few samples.. but in the meantime, jump on the Indiegogo campaign before it's over!

Now... along those same lines of simple and clean ingredients, I've found another way to give my training runs a boost, with energy chews from PROBAR  You may know PROBAR from the great protein bars and meal bars they make. I've tried those before, and I do like them.

But I really enjoyed the Bolt Organic Energy Chews (and so did our boys by the way).  These chews are similar to Clif Shot Bloks but I feel the flavors are a little more genuine and perhaps a tad bit easier to chew.  The ingredients in each flavor are organic, and the list is clear of unnatural additives.  The packages contain 10 chews, for total of 180 calories.

I really like these about midway through a long run to refuel with something that has a little more substance than a gel.  However, it is still basically a quick energy fuel to help carry you through longer runs... or to entice your kids to keep moving forward on a hike!

Anyway, check out their site at http://theprobar.com/  to learn more and give these a try!  And, if you want a chance to win one box of any of their products, including Bolt, just enter below!  (US and Canada only).  I'll run this until 10PM MST, Monday August 12th 2013... good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Trails!

Jeff
http://barefootinclined.com