Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Pretty Picky

For most of my short existence, one could say I have been a picky eater. Like a rogue piece of toilet paper stuck to a shoe, this reputation is one I cannot seem to shake. As a youngin', my lunch du choice was a plain bulky roll, a member of the 'itos family (Doritos, Cheetos or Fritos) and a fruit snack, preferably shark bites.

Pb &J? No way. Deli meats and cheese? Dream on. Leftovers? The possibility leftovers from my chicken fingers and fries was about as high as an ant's step stool. My nutritional choices were by no means was a result of my mother's cooking or inability to prepare good lunches. She just needed to feed me and this was it in terms of my culinary range.

I kept up this heartily nutrient filled diet throughout high school. Bread rolls at NDA, shaped like the tower tops at the Kremlin, were my standard go-to. Unless it was CFD or Chicken Fritter Day- then all bets were off and I would be running to the cafeteria after my last pre-lunch class. Steal off my plate? You were asking to be stabbed with a plastic fork. Apparently I missed sharing class in kindergarten.

College came as did the wide open glories of a meal plan and a dining hall. For most students,  this means the fast track to 15 but for me, I started to branch out and try new things. If I hated it? I could dump it and get something I wanted. Slowly but surely I started liking wild and crazy new foods. The breakthrough? A salad of simple greens and balsamic vinaigrette at a friend's house sophomore year. Holler at the Shen household for getting me to eat my first greens.

Now, I am a different kind of picky. 95% of what eat has become fruits and veggies- the crazier the better.  I will eat anything if it's green and coming from the ground except for a very select few instances. These instances are pre run and pre race. As any runner knows the stomach can be a demanding and debilitating mistress. She can riot with dairy, cause a fiber induced maelstrom and just make you miserable if she is disrespected.

That friends, is why Picky Bars are awesomesauce. For those with sensitive stomachs, food allergies and taste buds, these bars are absolutely spot on for pre and post race, breakfast, snack time and well any time. I don't get the same chalky mouth feel a la protein bars because they are made with real food things. Peanut butter- check. Almond Butter? Yup. Hazlenut-chocolate and Caffeine- Oh smooth caffeinator get into my belly. Soy lechitin-yogurt but not yogurt coating? Nope. Strange granulated rice esque type crisps that I don't actually know what you are? Thankfully not. And did I mention they have five delicious flavors...one of which includes caffeine? Oh yeah. And now that its hot, I have been nestling them in the ice tray for a cool and tasty treat when I get in from my runs. So this time I will own my pickyness. I want something delicious, made by athletes for atheltes. And I want it right now. Thank you very much.


                                      Who needs Patron on Ice when you have Pickys on Ice?

 Check em out for yourself, I promise it keeps the digestive dictator completely happy!

http://pickybars.com/