Attention! Attention! Hear ye! Hear ye!

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This past month I have been eating a Paleo-based diet, which basically means I stick to meat, veggies, fruits and nuts/seeds. Because a lot of protein bars contain gluten & milk-based protein, ect, I decided to investigate Paleo-friendly options.  I've always thought that a meat protein bar would be really cool, so after searching through google a little bit I discovered a company called EPICbar.

I e-mailed them immediately, asking if I could do a review of their products. When I got back an e-mail from them agreeing to send me some samples, I was ECSTATIC. 

Before I get into the actual review, let me give you a run-down of the company background and standpoint. They are MUCH more than just a protein-bar company.

                        

EPICbars is an Austin, Texas based company which aims at providing the highest quality grass-fed meat-based protein bars. They are gluten free, have a low glycemic count, are soy-free, dairy-free and nitrate free. They have a one-year shelf life and are loaded with omega-3's.


As stated on their website at EPICbars.com, "We believe that EPIC animals should always live pasture-centered lives where turkeys forage, pigs wallow, and buffalo roam. This is the way nature intended animals to be and we see ourselves as leaders in recognizing the value of sustainable and responsible animal welfare practices." 

EPICbars is essentially a "green" company, their approach is beneficial towards the animal, the land, your health, and the taste of the product. They add that "Pasture grazing requires significantly less fossil fuel than a feedlot diet consisting of corn, soy, antibiotics, and hormones. Pastured animals fertilize the land they graze on, which eliminates the fossil fuels required by conventional fertilizing practices." 

Lastly, the health benefits of the product are immense: "Grass-fed animals are loaded with higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which are better for both cardiovascular health and contain anti-inflammatory properties. They also have significantly higher values of vitamins A and E as well as antioxidants.  For athletes, grass-fed meat is particularly favorable in that it contains up to twice the levels of conjugated linoleic acid, or CLA, which promotes the development of lean muscle tissue and lowers the risk for a myriad of other health problems."

I personally feel like the hysteria around eating animal meat stems largely from the heavily-dosed antibiotics and hormones that the animals are being fed, in addition to the unsanitary and inhumaine methods of containment. This company provides individuals with a safe and healthy way to get their protein intake, without compromising the taste.

Last week was like Christmas...I got a small package from EPICbars in the mail. They provided me with two of each flavor-- Bison (with Bacon & Cranberry), Turkey (Almond & Cranberry), & Beef (Habanero & Cherry). I also got some cool stickers, some pens and a pin! Thanks guys!!

So here is my review for EPICbars:

I decided to get a little creative with the bars. Considering they are meat, I treated them much like I would a type of sausage, and sliced it up to throw into a breakfast scramble.





I think it's really important to point out that eating actual FOOD is much better than most of the chemically-driven protein bars and other products that are on the market right now. On their website, EPICbars explains that "Other protein bars typically source either soy or whey protein isolates. These highly processed ingredients undergo toxic chemical treatments to create a protein source that is difficult for your body to recognize. Additionally, other bars have to rely on syrups and/or sweeteners to counterbalance the chalky flavor of protein powders. This results in an unavoidable and often unfavorable high sugar/carbohydrate load that is seen in every other protein bar on the market."

Here is the nutritional content info. I apologize about the bad quality, I couldn't find an image online with the info.

But that is not all, folks!

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When I first purchased my ticket to Lightning in a Bottle's 2013 music festival, I really had no idea what to expect. I watched videos, read about the performers and workshops, and marveled at the costumes people were wearing. I packed my things, ready to camp for four days, expecting to be a spectator, not a participant. I wanted to observe, explore and investigate. What happened was transformative, and it's hard to put into words what exactly was so incredible about my experience. This festival review will be a blend of writing, videos and pictures.






So, without further adieu, here are my Ten Things I Loved About Lightning in a Bottle

1. The Tent Porn

Some of you may be familiar with the moniker "Food Porn". The first thing I noticed while carrying my things to the campsite at Lightning in a Bottle was the extravagant (and alluring) tent designs. Forget your standard REI tent, people were busting out their inner carpenters left and right! From giant make-shift castles, to pyramids full of pillows and cushions, creativity was in full blast. Being my first music festival, I was blown away by the community / tent "city" that emerged within hours.




My favorite part of everything? The "street" names. My friends and I camped out on the corner of Elephant Stomp and Fish-Sticks. Yeah. Seriously.

2. The People Watching

I am, at my root, an observer. I like to people watch. I like to let everything soak in before I open up and explore. Lightning in a Bottle is the perfect environment for people watching. At any given moment during the festival, you could pick a shady spot under a tree and just watch people walk by with endless amounts of entertainment. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves with this one.

3. The Visuals

4. The Unique Performances, Music & Dancing

5. The Spirit Morning 5K

It was only a little past 8 in the morning, so people were just beginning to emerge from their tents, still groggy and sleepy-eyed. Let me tell you-- their reactions were priceless. Some cheered us on, some simply gawked in a mixture of horror and shock. My favorite was all the high-fives we got. It was like having your own personal cheering squad every step of the way.

6. The Water Stations

7. The "Beach"

8. The Location

9. The Yoga/ Spirituality / Meditation Areas

10. Walking 40+ Miles