Vixi Bar Review and Giveaway

As you know by now I am forever looking out for new products to help me become a better endurance athlete. I will try anything. I will buy a one off product at the store just because it is new, never saw it before, never heard of it, never saw it on Twitter or Facebook and want to learn more about it.

It was with this mindset that I contacted Vixi Bar after we began following each other on Twitter. I reached out to the person behind the account and asked if I could give their bars a review since I had not heard of them before. The reason I was intrigued was because of the following: Gluten Free Natural Food Bar.

The words Natural and Food were side by side and I was intrigued. Being gluten free did not make a difference to me but the last word bar did mean something. As you may or may not know I have been training on El Diablo using PowerBars cut into 4s and eating them once every 15 minutes. PowerBar is good but it is not natural and I want to get as close to all-natural as I possibly can. These bars seemed like they would be perfect, and considering they would be vegan as well I could not resist but to ask for a ‘taste test’

Kate at Vixi Bar was gracious enough to provide me with 4 sample bars and let me tell you….HOLY YES THESE ARE AWESOME. I seriously dove into the first one thinking it would be the best. Boy I was wrong. They got better with each bar. I tried not to eat the last one and save it for Karen, but hey I have a review to do so I ate it (plus I was getting ready to go for an open water swim and wanted the carbs…..naturally!)

The four flavors that I ordered were Peanut Butter and Jelly, Peanut Butter Banana, Coconut Bliss and Pumpkin Pie. Can you see why I would think the first one I ate would be the best? Peanut Butter and Jelly!!!! I have one EVERY DAY for lunch.

Here is my unbiased review of each flavor.

Peanut Butter and Jelly

Texture was good as it was moist (actually all the bars had the same texture) and not a crunchy bar. I was at first a little thrown off by this because every PowerBar is crunchy. I had to be prepared to adjust my thought process.

The peanut butter flavor is evident from the get go. You cannot miss the flavor and there is certainly the scent of peanuts in the air when you open the package. I was a little disappointed in the lack of Jelly taste in the bar. It could have been a little sweeter with some more jelly as it had a savory taste to it. Now, please know that this is not a knock on the bar. It was delicious but when I make my sandwiches I use 1tsp of nut butter and 1tsp of blueberry jam. Well the flavor from the same amounts leans towards jelly since the bread absorbs the nut butter.

Nutrition Facts:

Serving Size: 1 Bar (1.8oz)	Sodium 21mg
Calories: 220	Total Carbs 24g
Total Fat 9g	Fiber 4g
Sat. Fat 1g	Sugar 17g
Cholest. 5mg	Protein 12g
Ingredients: Dates, Raisins, Organic Peanuts, Natural Whey Protein(non-rBGH isolate and concentrate), Natural Vanilla and Caramel Flavor

Peanut Butter Banana

This bar was better than the PB&J because the banana came through and there was no loss of the peanut butter taste. If you have ever dipped a banana into peanut butter and savor that flavor on your taste buds then you will love this bar. As a person who eats a banana every day (I like routine) I can tell you that the taste is there. Again texture is the same so no difference there.

Nutrition Facts:

Serving Size: 1 Bar (1.7oz)	Sodium 24mg
Calories: 225	Total Carbs 24g
Total Fat 9g	Fiber 4g
Sat. Fat 1g	Sugar 15g
Cholest. 5mg	Protein 12g
Ingredients: Dates, Bananas, Organic Peanuts, Natural Whey Protein(non-rBGH isolate and concentrate), Natural Vanilla and Caramel Flavor

Coconut Bliss

OMG. I texted Kate (Founder and CEO of Vixi) immediately and told her that I loved this bar. The flavor is incredible. The coconut is there but not overpowering. Kate told me that the coconut bars are two of her best sellers. In all honesty this was the best of the four bars I had the opportunity to taste test.

Nutrition Facts:

Serving Size: 1 Bar (1.7oz)	Sodium 27mg
Calories: 250	Total Carbs 23g
Total Fat 13g	Fiber 6g
Sat. Fat 6g	Sugar 17g
Cholest. 5mg	Protein 12g
Ingredients: Dates, Almonds, Natural Whey Protein (non-rBGH isolate and concentrate), Unsweetened Organic Coconut, Natural Vanilla and Caramel Flavor

Pumpkin Pie

Did you ever have pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving? The smell that comes out of the kitchen/oven and your mouth is watering. You sink your teeth in and your taste buds explode in pleasure. Well guess what? You don’t have to wait until Thanksgiving anymore. This bar had all the flavor of what Grandma’s pumpkin pie tastes like. Karen would have loved this bar for sure. Maybe I’ll order her some.

Nutrition Facts:

Serving Size: 1 Bar (1.7oz)	Sodium 16mg
Calories: 235	Total Carbs 24g
Total Fat 11g	Fiber 6g
Sat. Fat 1g	Sugar 17g
Cholest. 5mg	Protein 12g
Ingredients: Dates, Almonds, Walnuts, Natural Whey Protein(non-rBGH isolate and concentrate), Pumpkin, Spices, Natural Vanilla and Caramel Flavor

As for replacing PowerBar on the bike, this is a definite option. The bars are smaller but they pack a punch. They have a similar amount of calories, and more protein than the PowerBar Harvest variety that I have been using. The issue is that they have quite a bit less in terms of carbohydrates. In switching to the Vixi bar I would have to train myself to consume more liquid nutrition which is something I need practice on anyway for hydration on the run.

I would definitely recommend these as a meal replacement as well. With 250 calories they are going to make you feel full especially if you are eating every 2-3 hours.

Since I don’t want to just tell you about these I asked Kate if she would be willing to do a giveaway and she agreed to supply one lucky winner a variety box of 12. In addition to the four flavors I tried there is also: Chocolate Macaroon, Apple Crisp, Peanut Butter Cup, Peppermint Patty, Cherry Biscotti, and Cherry Brownie.

Here are the rules for your entry into the Vixi Bar Giveaway:

Must be a follower of this site. If you are not already just use the RSS feed in the top right there.
Visit VIxi Bar and tell me one thing you found interesting about their story, their products, ingredients….anything.
Like Vixi Bar on Facebook. Tell them that CTER sent you.
Follow Vixi Bar on Twitter.
Connect to CTER through Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Paper.LI (1 entry for each of these)
Link this giveaway to your Facebook, Twitter, Blog or any other way (1 entry for each way you link this giveaway)

Thank you to Kate who has been a pleasure to speak with. I have exchanged emails and twitter messages and I always get a prompt response. She is not only responsible with her ingredients but she is also a responsible business owner.