Super Food Nutrition in a Convenient Pouch - My Review of Food Groove Super Food Bites

Disclaimer:  I received a box of Food Groove Mission Super Food Bites to use and review as part of being a BibRave Pro.   Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), 

and check out BibRave to review, find and write race reviews.

Those that know me are fully aware that I am a junk-food junkie. Healthy eating has been something that I've struggled with my entire life.  I call myself the yo-yo-er.  It's true!  I'll go for weeks with excellent selections and then fall entirely off the wagon.  So, finding quality foods and snacks that are easy to eat and easy to grab are imperative to my success with my health and fitness journey. 

When I was selected to test these super food bites, I was excited.  And to be honest, nervous.  Would these little balls of magic actually taste good?  But, I was intrigued and I love convenience.  Even more... foods that are processed with all-natural ingredients!  Food Groove Mission came to the rescue with pouches filled with yummy goodness!

From their website: 

Superfoods are Mother Earth’s most nutritious powerhouses, providing essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They can help increase energy, improve brain function and memory, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle, and even extend your lifespan. Incorporate these these unique and diverse superfoods into your diet to fuel your journey.

These super food bites are paleo friendly and packaged with ease-of-use in mind.  If you just want a few at a time. No worries!  They bag can be sealed tight and saved for later making these incredibly easy to EAT and easy to USE.  They come in three different varieties: Mother Earth, Truffle Punch & the Nutty Adventurer.  All of them are delicious.  But, I would say my favorite is Truffle Punch; sweet tooth anyone?  

Unfortunately, I have been injured, so using them as fuel during my runs has not happened yet, but if you put the pouch in the refrigerator they are perfect to then slip in your bag and GO while you're on your run.  I have enjoyed them particularly for snacks that I can throw in my purse and enjoy when the hunger strikes! 

One of the cool things about these bites is {if you've discovered that you love them, and I'm sure that you will}, you can become a member of their "Bite Club."  It's a FREE membership where you can customize your box of 10 individually wrapped pouches with exactly the flavors that you like!  Plus you'll earn 10% off each box after you enroll.  This will satisfy your belly as well as you wallet.  

But first things first, to try them for yourself, you can get 15% off your entire one-time order of these super food bites with code "BIBRAVE15."

A Runner's Dream - Your Own Personal Shopper

Disclaimer:  I received a FREE box from  Mercury Mile box to use and review as part of being a BibRave Pro.  Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave 

to review, find and write race reviews.

To say that I was a little bit excited about this opportunity to test out a Mercury Mile box would be an understatement.  If you're a mom, you know exactly what I'm talking about.  Shopping? That word does NOT exist for a mom. We are lucky to set foot in a mall two seconds after we birth our babies.  Then, those children grow up and we are running in all different directions, it's amazing we wear clothes at all.  

I'm kidding of course, but online shopping is truly the ONLY way I can shop at my current stage of life.  To find an available couple of hours to leisurely peruse a mall in hopes to find cute clothes; dream on.   Plus, if you look in my closet at any given time, you will see that I "mom" and I run.  My closet is 80% running clothes and 20% casual.   So, when the Mercury Mile opportunity came along I was doing the jig in my living room!  

So, what IS Mercury Mile? 

Mercury Mile is an online athletic/athleisure clothing service where your own personal stylist does your shopping and ships your items directly to your door with your own specifications in mind!  How cool is that?  I simply go online and fill out my online profile, that includes my measurements, and other fun get-to-know-you questions.  There is a $20 styling fee that is applied toward any items you keep!  That styling fee is well worth it in my opinion because the gas alone to the mall is half that!  

Once you have told your stylist what you're looking for, in a few days your box appears at your doorstep with 4-6 hand-picked items!  You have 7 days to try on and choose what you'd like.  If you need to return any items, just pop them back in the postage paid bag and you're done.  Any items you keep are charged accordingly.  Easy Peasy!!

But, I bet you're curious as to what came in my box?  I couldn't WAIT to open it!  Check out my un-boxing video here!  

For my first box, I requested hot weather running gear.  I wanted lightweight tanks and shorts to compliment the hot and humid Minnesota summers.  When I opened my box, I received a personal note from my stylist and fantastic options!  She sent exactly what I wanted and a few surprises too!

KEEP

This tank!  Well, it's a stunner and it's my absolute favorite piece of workout clothing I currently own.  It's incredibly comfy and flows well.  My stylist knocked it out of the park on this one.  I'd wear it everyday if I could.  This was a definite KEEP.  It was $48.

These were my next items.  This amazing orange tank and ASICS shorts.  To be honest I love it ALL, but realized that I didn't have to have the shorts, they didn't get me super excited, so I decided to return them.  They were priced great though.

Would you look at how cute the back is on this tank?  Um, yes please.  And, it was unlike anything I have so it was a KEEPER!  Again, she listened to my specifications and this tank was also incredibly lightweight and comfortable!

I also received these adorable pair of white sunglasses.  These were a surprise and affordable, so I had to keep them.   Again, very lightweight and perfect for SUMMER.  They've been attached to me since I got them!

My stylist did throw in a pair of running socks too and if I didn't already have 1,900,000 pair, I would have kept them!  What is a girl to do?  I like socks!  I figured even though they weren't expensive, I didn't really need them. 

The only bust for me was the tank pictured below.  I liked that it fit my specifications of lightweight and cool, but the cut and fit was just a bit off.  I also didn't like the high neckline - I felt a bit closed off and it was difficult to get over my head. 

I am in LOVE with this service.  Mercury Mile goes above and beyond expectations!  It's incredibly convenient and I'd be lying if I wasn't excited to see my surprises in the box.  Do you have budget concerns?  You can set your specific spending limit so no worries about getting items shipped to you out of your budget!  Plus, you can shop in the comfort of your own home.  Now that's a WIN!!

 If you'd like to try a box for yourself, use code " BibRave10" for $10 off your styling fee!  I'll definitely be ordering again! 

Put Some Spring in Your Step - My review of the Brooks Levitate Running Shoes

Disclaimer:  I received the Brooks Levitates to use and review as part of being a BibRave Pro.  Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave 

to review, find and write race reviews.

Christmas shopping.  Long lines. Black Friday Chaos.   It's much like the experience of a runner getting FREE running shoes!  Everyone is up before the birds and are standing in lines waiting to snag that "too-good-to-be-true" deal.   Except,  I was gifted a FREE pair of Brooks Levitates to review and I didn't have to stand in line!  I call that a WIN! 

But, let's get to the important review. I love running shoes.  I have tested many over the last 8 years of running!  Many have been retired after hundreds of miles; some to the running-shoe graveyard.  May they rest in peace.  

I was so excited to test out these shoes because I have been a loyal Brooks runner for about 4 years.  I appreciate the heal cushion and roomy toe-box of the Glycerins.  I honestly had never tried any other model of the shoes, so when the opportunity came to test the Levitates, I jumped at the chance.   I was one of the lucky nine who tested! 

I was like a kid at Christmas when the box came to my door, would they be white; or blue; or black?  It was all just so exciting!  I was pleasantly surprised to have the black color.  I appreciated the fact that I could wear them with anything; even out and about with athleisure.  

So how do they perform?  From the first moment I put them on, I could tell they had ample cushion.  Cushion is a very important feature that I look for in a shoe.  They were a little snug on the top of my foot, but I found that after my first run, they loosened up just fine.  The toe box was roomy which is a huge plus!  Even though I don't have a wide width, I have long toes and wear thick socks.  Those of you looking for a wider toe box will love these shoes. 

I also immediately felt the springy sole when walking.  Plus, it was as if I was bouncing on air during my runs.  My farthest run in these shoes was 10 miles, but I could easily run a marathon in them.  They are a neutral shoe and weigh 9.7 ounces; although I'd be lying if I knew the difference between how light shoes are when compared to others. 

Nice reflection on the soles

These shoes have been through rain and snow and are perfect for running on the road.  I also use these shoes daily for my strength and HIIT training workouts.  I'm finding that I am jumping and bouncing a bunch during these workouts and my feet are supported very comfortably.  

The overall look of these shoes is somewhat simple.  Usually, I go with a very flashy variety.  When picketing out my shoes, I first choose comfort and then I choose as bright of a color as reasonably acceptable.   What can I say?  If I'm spending my hard earned money on a running shoe I want them to be cute.  My only complaint of these shoes is that they didn't seem as breathable as I'm used to.  Although, I do wear very thick socks, so this may not be a fair judgement.  

Overall, these have been a reliable running shoe for me and I would definitely buy them again! They retail for $150 but right now on the website they are on sale for $119.95.  That's a great deal for quality running shoes!

 

Super Connected, Zero Gravity! My review of the Under Armour HOVR Sonic

Disclaimer:  I received the Under Armour HOVR Sonic running shoes to use and review as part of being a BibRave Pro.  Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave 

to review, find and write race reviews.

Runners are a specific breed.  We like our running gear to be perfect;  especially our shoes.  After-all, it's our shoes that can make or break our performance in a run.   When we find a running shoe that works for our very particular feet it's certainly hard to get us to sway our opinion or even glance an eye at another shoe brand.   

Over the last seven years, I have been very loyal to one brand.  However, I must say, after wearing the Under Armour HOVR Sonic exclusively for 6 weeks,  I think I've found a new favorite!  

A few characteristics that makes a running shoes appealing for my tastes and specifications are: 

• Comfort
• Light-weight
• Breathability
• Cushion
• Durability
• Style

 
These shoes check off those boxes.   PLUS!  Later in the post, I will talk about the technology INSIDE these smart shoes that make them appealing! 

Upon receiving these shoes I was, in my 'girly-girl' fashion, very pleased with the color.  They are a vibrant coral color and look very sharp!  Don't worry if this color isn't your favorite, of course they have different colors to choose from.  I noticed that they were incredibly lightweight and the zero gravity technology helped me feel light on my feet.   They are constructed of mesh material and fit snug but not too tight.  I ordered true to size and I always size up 1/2 size.  These shoes fit perfect. 

I immediately took them for my first run on the treadmill and was happily surprised at just how comfortable they felt.  

What gives these particular shoes an edge up on the competition is the RECORD SENSOR technology inside the shoe!  Did you know that these shoes have the ability to give you detailed metrics of your runnning?  They sure do!  The idea behind this shoe is so that every runner can be connected with an individulized training plan that uses your own specific stats.  The shoe works hard for you so you can get your best results!  

With the UA MapMyRun application these shoes sync effortlessly and you are on your way to finding out ways to improve your running.  How cool is that? 

To get started, you are asked to perform a jump test.  The directions are simple and once your jump test is completed, you are given a detailed summary of your training options and your fatigue reports.  I found that when I was consistent with doing my jumping tests before my run,  the results for how hard I should push were spot on!    As you can see from the data below, I had a range of fatigue reports where some days I was told to run easy, and other days I was told to run hard!  

When my runs were completed, I was also provided with data that included my pace, cadence, stride length and distance.  This is the area that I would say does need to fine-tuning.  Although I'd like to tell people I can maintain some of these paces, I found that the data had me running about 15-30 seconds faster than I actually was.  I  didn't find this to be burdensome because I'm always relying on my watch for particular pace goals anyway. 








I DID however find the fatigue reports and training schedules a VERY helpful tool.  One feature I really enjoyed was your goal race time.  You can plug into MapMyRun your goal race and time and the shoes will help you train by giving you your own personalized training plan and adjust as necessary depending on your individual fatigue reports.  Now THAT'S smart technology. 

Now let's talk performance! 

Due to the insanity that is the Minnesota Winter, it's been bitterly cold with temperatures far below zero for most of the month of January and into February.  This left me with most of my miles on the treadmill this month.  However, I did get to test the shoes outdoors on several occasions.  A couple of occasions even after fresh snow!  I was pleasantly surprised at the traction control these shoes had and the road felt amazing under my feet.  No blisters, no hot spots, no rubbing.  A+ for comfort. 

My only negative is that once I took these shoes to the road, and with our sloppy conditions with snow and slush, the front toe box of these shoes became dirty quickly.  I'm someone who tries to keep my shoes as clean as possible for as long as possible, so this bothered me a bit.  In one particular run, the wetness did seep onto my toes.  A suggestion I would have is to increase the covered area of the toe box to help with splash-up during the run.  You can see this by my photo below.   

All in all, these shoes get an A.  I appreciate all of the extras but most of all the breathable comfort.  As you can see below, I was able to log a significant amount of miles and I will most definitely continue to run in these shoes often.  

In addition, the price point on these shoes in my opinion is accurate.  At $100 and FREE website shipping and returns, you can't go wrong with this zero gravity, super connected shoe!

Feel the OO-la-la!

Disclaimer:  I received the OOFOS Oolala Sandals to enjoy and review as part of being a BibRave Pro.  Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave to review, find and write race reviews.

I can’t get enough of my @oofos ! Can I get a pair in every color?? It’s like having clouds for feet! #bibchat @BibRave pic.twitter.com/0Mc9hQwi4p

— RUN gina RUN (@hanzelboyzmama) August 8, 2017

It's NO secret that I am absolutely in LOVE with these sandals.  Full - on love affair.  If you want to here more about my love for these shoes, you can read my first review here.

However, for this review, I am going to concentrate on the technology behind the OOFOS shoes. These shoes were designed for the workout enthusiast and were built to reduce stress and aide recovery to the body part that takes the most abuse during long hard training sessions.  They are perfect for any runner and of course any other person looking to have their feet feel pampered!

Oofos are 37% more shock absorbing than traditional foam.  They have a raised arch that perfectly fits your foot and I personally can feel the ultimate comfort the moment I put them on!  The technology behind OOFOS shoes absorb impact, giving your tired and achy feet some much needed relaxation!

I will speak from experience when I say that these shoes really do help with recovery; just like they say they do!  I wore them after my marathon and I definitely felt a bounce in my step.  Dare I say I had less delayed onset muscle soreness?!?!  The OOFOS shoes for SURE helped aide in my recovery.

I've gone as far to say in recent tweets that I wish I had a pair in every color.  I like simplicity and I like comfort and these two features are accommodated with this shoe!  They come in a variety of different styles and a variety of different colors. You are SURE to find a shoe that fits your fancy!

The OOFOS Oolala sandals are my go-to shoes!  Especially, since in MN, right now it's summer and the weather screams sandals!  This meme made me laugh.  I think you're a Minnesotan if you wear sandals until your toes start to freeze!   Is this just a Minnesota thing?  I guess our winters are just so cold, we hold on to every bit of summer that we can!  OOFOS to the rescue!

You will not be disappointed if you purchase a OOFOS shoe.  I have already gifted my own mother and my mother-in-law with these shoes and they have gotten glowing reviews!

If you want to learn more and win a pair for yourself, make sure to check out #bibchat on Tuesday, August 15th!  8PM CST.