A bit about bits, and bits for you!

I've been meaning to post this review for some time. I've been promising Jonathan from ENERGYbits that I would have it up, and now I'm finally getting to it.  As a working father of 5 that have taekwondo and other activities it's amazing that I'm able to get runs in at all.  Let alone find the time to write on this blog and interact with all of the awesome people that I've met since I took the passion that I've found for running online.  They always say that where there is a will, there is a way.  To help me with this, enter ENERGYbits!  A lot of people are on the energy drink craze or even drink a pot (or 2) of coffee a day.  I am not too proud to admit that I drink energy drinks.  The thing is, when I take ENERGYbits I don't need an energy drink.  They sustain my energy level just fine.  Not to mention that there is no "crash" associated with them when I take them.  And thanks to some issues that I've had with swallowing since I was a kid, they inadvertently start my water drinking off to a good start as it takes me about 2 cups (16 ounces) of water to get them down.  ENERGYbits recommends that you take 20-40 (usually 30) at a time especially before a workout or other vigorous activity.  I usually take about 15, and that suffices.  When I take on my 21 mile trail run at the end of October I will probably need the 30....twice!

A little bit about bits now.  Here are a couple of charts to give a comparison of protein and antioxidant amounts in ENERGYbits versus other foods.  There is also another chart that compares energy drinks and gels to ENERGYbits.

Some information from ENERGYbits' website directly (taken from HERE):

Made from 100% organically grown spirulina algae and loaded with 40 nutrients, ENERGYbits® algae tabs have the highest concentration of protein in the world (64%) all for just one calorie per tab. Endorsed by the United Nations as the most nutritious food on earth, spirulina algae has been a favorite of Olympic gold medalists for decades and is a super food in every sense of the word, delivering instant and enduring energy to your brain and body.

There are a few variations of bits that they carry.  They have their main product ENERGYbits; for energy obviously, increased endurance, and other benefits.  They also have RECOVERYbits to help with illness, preventing hangovers, or when you want to detox.  Another is VITALITYbits; these are generally for preventing illness.  And the last one is SKINNYbits; these are to aid in weight loss, curb hunger, balance blood sugar, etc.  You can read more about each one as I linked to the page for each directly.

Check out my tin of bits!

Here is what the bits look like.  Just a partial serving though.

So, they say you can chew up the bits to take them that way.  I have tried this.  Unless you like the taste of fish food I don't really suggest it, but it's something you can do.  There are other ways to take them.  Obviously since they are in tablet form you can just swallow them, as mentioned above you can chew on them, but you can also add them to your favorite smoothie for breakfast or snack!  I've seen several instances where runners or fellow fitness freaks will simply puree them with their smoothie and drink them that way.  The choice is yours....once you get them.  I actually prefer to swallow them with water because it helps me make sure I'm downing the water I need to keep hydrated.

I do know that in less than 2 days I will be running Tough Mudder in Kansas to earn my orange headband.  My team and I have a 10:20 A.M. start time.  And as I am running this I know that I will have my bits with me to make sure I'm #PoweredByBits and that I don't lose the energy that I will need.  I'm still plotting at when I will apply to become an ENERGYbits ambassador.  Since I am not at this time I don't have one of the cool codes to provide you with a discount off of some bits.  I'm not one of the "cool kids" yet.  I do have some good news beyond that though.  The awesome Jonathan over at ENERGYbits has told me that they are allowing me to provide one of my readers with a sample pack so they can have their very own tin of ENERGYbits.  How awesome is that!?  So, just use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter.  And you guys get one free entry just for being awesome Dreadmill Drummer readers!  Now I know I can write more about these, but I know you guys just want to enter to win your own.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Until next time, keep those beats coming!

Happy Birthday, Bad Blogger

So today is my birthday. Happy birthday to me!  Even though it is my birthday, I realized that I've been a bad blogger lately.  I haven't had a new post up in over a week, so what have I been up to.  As I said it's my birthday.  Now I wish I could say that I'm holding a giveaway like I have seen other bloggers, but that's not in the cards for this year.  Maybe I'll figure out how to hold one on my one year blogoversary.  (That's a word....right?)  Now, I have promised you reviews and a couple giveaways.  And I still promise that those are still coming.  I am polishing a couple reviews and will be writing more coming soon, but for now I'm going to let you know what I been up to the past couple of weeks.

I have still been working on my #5am5k.  I am still holding true to that commitment.  I have also recruited my brother-in-law to run the Spartan Race with me next month. So, I have been working with him to try to train him for that race.  Who would've thought of me as a running coach?!  Certainly not me, but I find myself doing it still.  And in helping him I think I have also help myself because I was able to make it 8.3 miles yesterday in all. Now this is a long for my long run except for the half marathon that I ran December.  As I get closer to Tough Mudder I expect that I should be able to get to 9 or even 10 miles.  As I get to the end of October, even after the Spartan Race, I expect that I will be to at least get to 15 if not upwards of 18 miles for the G.O.A.T.z 21 mile trail run.  I am already getting nervous for Tough Mudder, but I don't know if it's more nervous or more excited.  Especially since I'll be running it with so many friends.  I do know that I'm really excited to run Spartan next month and extremely nervous for the G.O.A.T.z trail run.  I do know that if I can handle a 21 mile trail run that next year I think I may tackle Omaha marathon, or even the Lincoln marathon,  We'll see how I do with the 21 mile to see if the half marathon is more of my magic distance for now.

So, now that I have talked about what I have been doing and what I have coming up soon let's talk about the reviews I'm doing and the giveaways.  I know we all love giveaways!  I will be doing a review on Perky Jerky, Tiger Balm, Quest Nutrition "guilt free" pasta, GungHo energy, and at the moment I know that I am forgetting something.  The giveaways that I will be holding will most certainly be for GungHo and also for the Tiger Balm.  If I am remembering correctly I will be allowed to give away some GungHo to either 2 or 3 readers and the Tiger Balm I believe is also for 3 readers.  So be sure to keep a lookout for those reviews and giveaways in the coming weeks.

Until next time, keep those beat coming!

A Biena Foods Winner has been selected!!!

Thanks to all that entered, but unfortunately there can only be one winner.  And that winner is.......Bethany over at Frugal Running Mama!  Congrats on your win!  I sent you an email.  You have 48 hours to respond, so please claim quickly!

If you weren't a winner don't despair.  Not only do I have a jerky review coming up, but I also have an energy gel review with a giveaway coming up soon!  And that giveaway won't have just one winner, but THREE WINNERS!!!!  I also want to mention that I'll be reviewing a very low carb pasta from a surprising source.  So, be sure to keep a lookout for those posts.  I'll have the 1st two posts up in the next week.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Until next time, keep those beats coming!

Let's talk snacks, my Biena Chickpeas review/giveaway!

I know, I know....you are asking why we are talking about snacks when you just want to have one.  Go ahead and get one.  I'll wait until you come back.  Got one yet?  Okay, well I'm moving on.

So, just under a month ago I had a company start following me on Twitter.  It was kind of funny because within the next day I was reading a review about them from another blogger.  So, I sent them a message to this fact and then responded saying that they would love for me to try some and review them for them.  Oh yeah, and they also mentioned giving some away to one of my readers!  So, bonus for one of you!  More on that later though.  The company is named Biena Foods.  They make a line of chickpea snacks.  I know some people are saying, "What's a chickpea?!"  Other names you might know them by are: garbanzo bean, ceci bean, chana, hummus, and there are a few others.  Now you know what I'm talking about?  Either way I'm going to let you know what I think about the chickpea snacks that Biena Foods makes.

Photo from the Biena Foods website.

As you can see from the picture above the snacks come in four (4) different flavors: Honey Roasted, Barbeque, Sea Salt, and Cinnamon Maple.  Now I was lucky enough to have tried all of the flavors. (Thank you Biena Foods!)  The way I would describe these awesome snacks is kind of like Corn Nuts. (Who remembers or still eats those?  Any willing to admit it?)  They have a similar base flavor except they aren't as hard.  So, they don't kill your teeth.  The Barbeque flavored ones REALLY remind me of the flavor of Corn Nuts, but not at the same time.  These snacks are a great source of fiber (6 or 7 g per serving) while providing some protein (5 g per serving) and keeping the calories down (120 per serving).  You can check out all of the nutrition information from them here.

The Barbeque and Honey Roasted that I took to snack on at work.

The Sea Salt and Cinnamon Honey as I snack on them at home.

Here is a "bite size" portion....roughly.

Between the different flavors I would have to say that the Barbeque is my favorite overall.  The Honey Roasted are a good one when you have that sweet tooth kick in.  The Cinnamon Honey can kind of help with that, but is a good way to change up the flavors.  And the Sea Salt are a great substitute when you need something salty and don't want to go grab a bag of chips.

And now....the giveaway!!!  The folks over at Biena Foods have provided the opportunity for you to get your very own pack of any flavor chickpea snacks from their lineup.  So, enter below and be sure to follow Biena on Facebook, Twitter (@BienaFoods), & Instagram(@BienaFoods) to make sure you are connected to them and get the most possible entries.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Unfortunately the giveaway is only for US residents only.  Sorry, they don't yet ship internationally.

I've got 2 more reviews and a giveaway coming up very soon as well. Hints: Jerky & Energy

Until next time, keep those beats coming!