EPIC BAR-is so, well, epic and perfect for marathons and everyday life

 Hi ya Gorgeous!
I was reading Yahoo News (stop laughing...) and saw a story on these protein snack bars from Epic.

Their story and recipe reminded me so much of what my Grandpa and uncles used to eat on a hunt. They would use a bit of fat, dried berries and moistened jerky and mash it all into a ball and carry it in a pouch with them. It had all the fat, carbohydrate and protein that they needed to sustain them while they were working the land and hunting. As a Native, this makes so much more sense than a processed flour and sugar bar.

So let's talk Epic.

 So I wrote to Epic and asked for a sample and they were so gracious to share with me one of each flavor. Thank you Epic!


I've tried a bite from each, and I had to choose the turkey first because it is what my doctor would want due to the recent announcement that I have hereditary high cholesterol.

The Bison and the Lamb are my favorites, the turkey is a bit weird and the beef is really good, sort of like moist jerky? I found that one bar was satisfying and could carry me a couple of hours without being hungry.
While running and eating it, I was taken by the chewing factor and flavor intensity. I usually use a goo pack on long runs but would really like to get away from the synthetic colors, chemicals, sugar and caffeine spike they give. Which is good in one way, bad in others.

 Below I will post a link and full description of each bar. These wonders come from Austin, and I love the saying for this fave town of mine "Keep Austin Weird". Well, the weirdness in the Epic bar is amazing. 
I'm such a texture girl that anything nubby gets my attention.

 The Bison, Beef and Lamb are the least nubby and have a savory flavor to them and it lingers on the palate. I so want to bust out a glass of wine with these, but I ate mine on a run, (testing for endurance before I take it with me to the Las Vegas Rock N Roll marathon) during a long drive and I have sworn off the drive thru this year so this meaty snack came in handy and I ate my other as a meal replacement.

I don't think they are intended for a full meal replacement, but I was in the middle of a long day on set and did not want to go near the craft service table with all of it's tempting and high cholesterol laden snacks.

 Speaking of cholesterol, these are in the 30 mg and under range, so if you (or me in particular) budget the allowed 100 mg for the day right, there is room to snack on these.

So let's talk Turkey. It's the least favorite of mine due to a spongey like texture and a semi sweetness to it. My experience is it was like a Thanksgiving left over party shaped into a bar. Not bad, but not good.

If you do like Turkey, it had the lowest calories, and lowest cholesterol.  It's all Beef with it's hint of hotness for me!

Now, here are the specifics from the Epic website-please visit them and order some for yourself, your road trip, your endurance event or stocking stuffers for the health nut in your family!

LAMB (OVIS ARIES)

The Lamb Bar is comprised of a select blend of 100% organic grass-fed lamb and sophisticated seasonings. To maximize the EPICness of this bar, we added both organic currants and splashes of dehydrated Spearmint Leaves, both of which are subtle, yet brilliantly harmonized. The finished product is a truly EPIC tasting bar, guaranteed to satisfy your highly evolved omnivore palate and leave you salivating for more.

Domestic sheep are versatile and amazingly practical animals valued for more than just their meat. They have played a important historical role throughout American History. The great President Woodrow Wilson once purchased a flock (also known as a "mob") of sheep to graze on the White House grounds in order to conserve groundskeeping costs during World War I. The sheep not only kept the lawn nice and trim, but also provided wool to be auctioned off to raise money for the American Red Cross.

 

 

BISON (BISON BISON)

The Bison Bacon bar delivers a substantial serving of our two most favorite meats; 100% grass fed and organic buffalo brilliantly combined with humanely certified uncured bacon! This unique, modern-day take on a Plains Indian staple food known as pemmican is sure to exceed your energy demands. Tender bison, savory bacon, and tart cranberries combine to create an EPIC tasting bar unlike anything you have experienced!

This nutrient-dense, flavorful, and outrageously lean animal is an iconic symbol of North America. For the past 10,000 years, the American Bison has played a crucial role in shaping the Great Plains and nourishing the native tribes that inhabited them. As late as 1871, a single herd of bison could easily contain over 1 million animals and take a man 6 days to pass through!

BEEF (BOS PRIMIGENIUS)

This EPIC bar begins with a solid foundation of nutrient-dense 100% organic grass fed beef! Next, we added our favorite antioxidant-rich American-grown cherries to make things even more interesting. The Beef bar is finished with a touch of habanero to add a complex and delicious accent to the natural sweetness of the cherries. The end result is a flavor-forward sensory experience that will leave you both inspired and fueled for your next EPIC adventure

Ever since the Spanish introduced cattle into the Americas in the late 1400's, no single animal has had a greater impact in providing the world with nutrient dense animal protein. These amazing ruminants thrive on eating grass and when allowed to forage in pastures contain up to 5x the omega-3 values of corn-fed cows!

TURKEY (MELEAGRIS GALLAPAVO)

Naturally low in fat and loaded with vitamins and minerals, turkey is an exceptionally dense source of nutrient- rich protein. This delicious bar is loaded with almonds and cranberries to add both texture and balance to the dominant meatiness of the turkey. We finish the bar with a hint of tandoori spice that further enhance the flavor and naturally increases shelf life. The native North American turkey has deep-rooted cultural and nutritional value that long exceeds the arrival of Columbus.

The great Ben Franklin once noted, "Turkey is a much more respectable bird (than a bald eagle), and withal a true original Native of America... though a little vain and silly, a Bird of Courage, and would not hesitate to attack a Grenadier of the British Guards who should presume to invade his Farm Yard with a red coat on."

 

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