Friday Favorites: A bar giveaway and more
Hello there, friends. I hope your week has been going along just great. Before we begin, I want to take a moment to recognize that today is September 11, a day that will never be forgotten. I’m sending some thoughts and prayers to all those who lost a loved one that day and to those who continue to protect our country.
This morning, I’m off to teach my usual BODYATTACK class and then will be doing some work, yoga and chores until Dave gets home. He has been away in NYC all week for business and flies back today, so we’re looking forward to some quiet time tonight. Tomorrow, we’re heading to wine country for a little fun and have no plans for Sunday. Without any further ado, let’s get to today’s favorites …
My latest “Friday Favorites” of the week
It’s that time again for another look at all of the random things I’ve been loving lately, and this week we have an awesome giveaway …
My favorite new healthy bar and a GIVEAWAY
I kid you not, folks. I kid you not with this one. I was so darn pleased when I had the opportunity to try out Rise Bar for the first time while attending IDEA World Fitness Convention back in July. The friendly folks at the Rise Bar booth gave me a few samples and followed up by sending me a whole box to devour. While I tried tons of products at the convention, there were only a few things that I cared enough about to bring back to you. And that’s why I’m so excited to offer this information and giveaway to you today, because I think you will love these bars too.
Trust me, these bars are extra delicious. At more than 300 calories, they are a hearty snack. I actually had one for breakfast a couple of times before our morning activities in Maui and was impressed at how much it filled me up. Rise and shine!
The idea for these bars came from a man named Pete, who found himself looking for a better and more nutritional snack that would not upset his stomach while traveling the world in 2010. He did well, because the Rise Bar is legit. These bars are free of anything artificial and are made in small batches in a kitchen in California, and to this day, Pete often stops in to taste-test all of the products. Some facts about the bars …
- They are clean.
- They are moist.
- Much moister than other bars out there on the market.
- They have great flavors.
- They are gluten free.
- Non GMO. Soy free. Kosher.
- And are made in California, so what else could you ask for?
The short ingredients list include only almonds, honey, whey protein isolate, cacao and banana extract, boasting 16 grams of protein. My favorite flavor is the new Cacao Banana, of course, but the most popular seller is the Almond Honey Protein, which has only three ingredients and 20 grams of protein. While you can order the Rise Bar line online, you can also find it in select health and grocery stores, by searching this store locator. PROMO CODE ALERT: And if you order from the site directly, you can get 20 percent off with the discount code GOESWEST.
Do you want to try out the Rise Bar line too? Follow the instructions at the bottom of this post to enter to win your choice of TWO boxes of bars. This giveaway will close Tuesday evening 9/15 and is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only.
My favorite purchase in Maui
Even though Dave and I went to Maui with full intentions of bringing back a couple of souvenirs (for some reason we always end up empty-handed after a trip and wish we had a memento), we still didn’t buy much. In fact, all we came home with were some memories, tans and cookies. But these aren’t your average cookies …
Made in Hawaii, these cookies are attractive and tasty. The flavors range from the new White Chocolate Dipped Macadamia (my personal favorite) to Dark Chocolate Kona Coffee (also quite pleasing). And they are cute too.
A couple of blog readers told me about Honolulu Cookie Company stores before we traveled, so I knew to seek out the store for free samples on the day we arrived. We went into a Honolulu Cookie store not once, but three times during our five nights in Maui. And we also brought back some boxes for gifts and for us.
When you go into the store, you can sample bites of every single type of cookie and even buy individually wrapped full-sized cookies. While I’m usually into more decadent desserts than shortbread cookies, these are totally tasty. And they are all shaped like a pineapple. Love it. Apparently these puppies are available online, throughout Hawaii and in Las Vegas. How about that.
My favorite new hat
You may have seen in many of my pictures from Maui that I was sporting a new hat. I picked this one up at Target shortly before we left, and that was after looking in many stores. Apparently I was a little late in the season for a hat purchase. But I got my money’s worth and wore it pretty much everyday. I also wore it during our Labor Day barbecue back in the Bay Area.
Cute, simple and just enough coverage for the face and ears, this Mossimo hat was perfect.
It looks like we have a few weeks of hot sunny weather left here in Walnut Creek, so I have no doubt this hat will be making another appearance. Speaking of weather, I’m totally ready for a cool-down. Like now.
My favorite links of the week
Did you miss some of the good stuff on A Lady Goes West this week? Here’s what happened …
- Weekend and fitness — My recent workouts, good reads and more
- Maui trip — An amazing vacation to Maui, Hawaii – Day 1
- More Maui talk — More awesome Maui adventures – Days 2 & 3
- Even more Maui talk — Our final Maui explorations – Days 4 & 5
And finally, thanks to the folks at Booya Fitness for featuring my fit tips in this one: “How to Stay Fit On Vacation.” That’s it for today, my friends! As always, I hope your weekend is fabulous.
Enter the Rise Bar giveaway
Here’s your chance to enter to win Rise Bar products. Click on the image below, enter your name and submit as many entries as you want to increase your chances of winning.
Thanks for entering!
Read more Friday Favorites
If you’ve enjoyed browsing through this post, see below for previous editions or visit the the link-up hostesses, Heather and Katie.
- A snack, a purse and a ritual
- A delivery, a bra and a guy
- A sweet, a wine and a read
- A drink, a gadget and a plan
- A time, a bottle and a powder
- San Francisco edition
- Beauty edition
- Beach vacation edition
- Hidden meanings
- Kicks, a book and a bowl
- The very best sweatshirts
- Party hosting and froyo
- Fourth of July daytime activity
- Beauty basics edition
- Workplace edition
- Shopping, sales and a show
- The foods I always buy
- Sushi, a game and pants
- Fitness apps
- Delicious and healthy products
- Comfort, fitness and function
- Beauty, buddha and blog events
- Dining, the city and gift ideas
- POPSUGAR, sweets and such
- A bunch of fun stuff
- e-book, food, picnic and tunes
- A link, a superfood and a mask
- Pants, shoes, food and links
- Dining, protein and goodies
- Shopping, events and a book
- A gym bag, pumpkin and juices
- Workout gear, a top and a massage
- prAna, a watch, tea and more
- Tasty stuff and gift sales
- Decor, bars, boots and a drink
- Flowers, music and more
- Coqueta, a brush and food
- My people and the holidays
- Beauty, bling and entertainment
- A hodge-podge of goodies
- Just a few special things
- Tasty food, drinks and moving
- A bunch of feel-good stuff
- Home, car and fitness finds
- Sweets, cooking, beauty and blog
- Gold, yoga, photos and more
- Celebs, scents, games and more
- Food, shoes, stretches and fun
- Purse, snack, plant and more
- Fresh, healthy, clean and square
- Pilates, sneaks and much more
- Quite a few good things
- Food, jewels and sweat etc.
- Fun stuff and a giveaway
- Goodies and a yoga giveaway
- Orange, bikes and healthy food
- Food, tech, sparkle and more
- Clothes, home, a roller and more
- Florida, tech, tea and more
- Toiletries, gifts and more
- Fashion, food and a giveaway
- Events, surprises and a puppy
- Good stuff and a giveaway
- Bling, crunch and pet goods
- Fitness, fashion and food
- Health, food and grooming
- A case, sneaks and smoothies
- Tasty stuff and a giveaway
- Snacks, gold, clothes and more
- A healthy giveaway and more
- A fitness giveaway and more
- Samples, workouts and more
- Dave’s favorite things
- Back to business
*Disclaimer: A portion of this post and the giveaway is sponsored by Rise Bar. While I was compensated and did receive product, all of the words and opinions are my own. Thanks so much for supporting the brands that I work with! In addition, there are a couple of affiliate links included.
Questions of the day
Do you have a fun recent favorite to share?
What are you up to this weekend?
The almond honey sounds so good! I love bars packed full of protein because they are so easy to carry with as healthy snacks!
Hi Brittney! Agreed! I always like to have a protein bar with me in case hunger strikes! Happy Friday! 🙂
I love your hat and was going to ask the other day where you got yours. They come in handy when I’m at the pool lounging! I will have to get one before sunmer’s over. Happy Friday!
Hi Megan! It wasn’t easy to find so late in the season, but of course, Target comes through! Happy Friday! 🙂
From Maui to Wine Country?????
GGGGGAAAAAHHHHH
Well Susie, wine country is about an hour a way at most, so it’s not too hard to get there. hehehe We used to go a lot more than we do now. Hope you have a wonderful weekend, lady! 🙂
I would love to try the Almond Honey!
Thanks for entering, Michelle! Have a wonderful weekend! 🙂
I was researching good protein bars last night and these came up! Would love to try them 🙂
Well there you go, Bri! These are awesome! Have a fabulous weekend and thanks for entering! 🙂
Your weekend sounds much better than mine. I have to work a rare weekend. Boo! I would love to try the almond bar. Thank you!
Oh man, Lorie! Too bad! I hope work goes well and you get at least a little relaxation. Thanks for entering!! 🙂
omg, a protein bar I haven’t tried yet . . . would love to win and gobble up every flavor! thanks for sharing!
Hi Jennifer! Yes, so good! You must try these. Thanks for entering!! Have a great weekend!
That hat is adorable! I have some catching up to do in the blog world and am excited to look back at your trip to Maui! It sounds incredible. I hope you enjoy the weekend in wine country (jealous) and thanks for linking up! 🙂
Hi Heather! Yes, you’ve got to see my Maui recaps for the pictures at least. Totally paradise! Happy Friday again!
The cacao banana bars sound so good! And these cookies are too adorable 🙂
Thanks, Ashley for entering! Happy Friday to you, as always!!! 🙂
Love those cookies and wish that I had some right now!! As a memento of our trips, my husband and I always pick up a Christmas tree ornament. We have quite the collection going and it’s always fun to reminisce about past trips while we decorate our tree.
Have a great weekend 🙂
Hhahah Catherine! I actually said I WISH we did that to my husband on this last trip, but we didn’t have a Christmas tree for a few years while living in our little city apartment, so it was pointless. Maybe we should start that now. GREAT idea. 😉 Happy weekend!
I love making my smoothies every day. I try to switch kit up so I don’t get sick of it! I also love trying new protein bars so these look delicious!!!! This weekend I have have my 5th Half Marathon!!! Happy Friday! Have a great weekend!
Wow, Crystal! I hope your run goes well — that’s awesome! And yes, I could have a smoothie every day without getting sick of it too, but you know, I haven’t had one in weeks. I need to get on that today! Have a great weekend! Thanks for saying hi!
Seeing as how I think the chocolate banana combo is one of the best medleys around, I’d LOVE to try the Cacao Banana flavored Rise bar. But that Honey Almond Protein sounds delicious too!
Have a great weekend! Xoxo.
That’s one of my favorite combos too, Court! Thanks for saying hi, as always. Hope your weekend is wonderful, my friend! 🙂
Thanks for sharing, I’ve never heard of those bars but would love to try them!!! Target has the cutest finds sometimes. Have a great day
bakingrunner.blogspot.com
Hi Heather! Target sure does come in handy! Hope you have a great weekend, lady! 🙂 Thanks for entering!
Goodness, those cookies look AMAZING. I’m usually all about ordering people to get me chocolate macadamia nut clusters when people head to Hawaii, Now I might have a different demand!
Hi Morgan! ahah! Yes, the macadamia nuts are ALL over the island. Love it! Have a great weekend, lady! 🙂
I would love to win this giveaway! Those bars look so tasty. I’m probably going to be studying all weekend (going back to school), but will also most likely get in some time outside for a hike, a run or a walk with a podcast. It’s my favorite, free thing to do for myself 🙂
Hi Kylee! Yes, you need to take a break from the books every once in a while! Have a great weekend, lady! 🙂
Those bars looks delicious! And I love the ingredient list. Hope you have a great weekend!
Thanks, Lisa! They taste good too! Happy Friday! 🙂
I want to try the cacao banana
Thanks for entering, Sarah!! Have a great weekend, lady! 🙂
I am a unusually severe hypoglycemia patient who has to eat every 2. Hours sometimes every hour with high protein so these bars sound perfect for keeping up my energy. I am going out to find them today at my local health food stores. Of late with the heat I have been loving fresh Romaine salads with beans , nuts and late season tomatoes with just olive oil. I followed on FB,Pinterest and followed Rise to. Have a great weekend!
Hi Lexie! Oh man, so yes, you definitely need a lot of snacks on hand. These would be perfect! Hope you have a great weekend too! 🙂
Yummm those bars sound deliious! I’d try any flavor but the almond honey one sounds sooo good!
They are all good, Liz! 🙂 You’d love them. Thanks for entering. Have a great weekend!
I just made myself some pumpkin protein pancakes and am sitting here eating them while I read your blog. They are tasty! I am ready for fall! I’d love to try any of those bars. I’ve never heard of them and they sound good – especially after reading your review of them! No weekend plans – we were going to try and go camping, but we are all sick around here.
Oh nice, Melissa! Hope you guys feel better. Fueling up with pumpkin protein pancakes sounds perfect!! You are in the fall spirit already!
Those bars do sound delicious!
And p.s. love that hat—so cute! I’ve never been able to pull off hats, I think they look so silly on me, haha.
Have a good weekend!
To tell you the truth, I feel awkward in hats too. But I wear them anyway heheh. Happy weekend to you, lady! 🙂
I’ve been loving PB on rice cakes for a little snack. Can’t get enough!
I’ve been loving that same snack, Emily! Good stuff (oh and I add banana on top too!). Have a nice weekend!
Yay Cookies!! They are my weakness, all cookies, minus the very crunchy ones :). Those look fantastic, and love the hat as well. I’m meeting up with some friends that are visiting town, hopefully lots of reading, and a few good workouts :). Maybe a long pup walk in there. Have a good one!
Yay COOKIES! Sounds like a nice little weekend, Jessie. I love having visitors and haven’t had any in a while. 🙁 Enjoy!!!
OMG those cookies though…. I really want some haha. Fingers crossed to trying out the Rise Bar though!! Hope you have a fabulous weekend!
Yes, Jamie! Happy Friday to you, lady! 🙂
Ooh, I’ve been loving yogurt bowls lately and the prospect of oatmeal and fall baking.
You and me both, Emily! Cooler fall weather better come soon! Happy Friday, lady! 🙂
The Cacao Banana bars sound delish!
They sure are, Allison! Thanks for entering! Have a great weekend! 🙂
I so want to try the cacao banana.
Thanks for entering Michelle! Have a great weekend! 🙂
I would like to try the Cacao Banana bar.
Thanks for entering, Lauren! Have a great weekend:)
The snicker doodle bar flavor on their website sounds soooo good to me! My boyfriend would love the cacao banana though! Lately I have been loving all the pumpkin foods; it is never too early for pumpkin season for me!
Hi Paige! Agreed! I haven’t had any pumpkin yet, but I Hope to change that this weekend! 🙂 Have a good one!
I would love to try the Almond Honey bars! And the weekend is going to include some cookie baking. Yum!!
Have fun baking, Susan! Yummy! 🙂
Wine country?! You lucky lady! I’m jealous (yet again)!
That hat is too cute. I actually bought my daughter a mini version of that this summer?
How cute, Heather! Your daughter must have been stylin’! 🙂 Have a great weekend, lady!
I’d probably go with the cacao banana, but I’m super intrigued by the lemon cashew. Yay kosher!! It’s something I never thought I’d say since I’m not Jewish, but my stupid new pork gelatin allergy has put a serious funk in my life (especially because I continue to forget I have to check things now or that I can’t have soft gel medicine/vitamins).
I still need to go read all your Maui posts, I’m so behind in my blog reading! Haha.
Hi Breanne! Oh man, guess Kosher comes in handy for you then. And I’m pretty sure I loved lemon cashew when I tried it at the expo. Interesting combo! Have a great weekend, lady! 🙂
I would love to try these bars! I’ve heard of them before but have yet to try them. I have a feeling they will come in handy soon when I’ll be nursing a newborn and won’t have a lot of extra time or energy to spend a lot of time on prepping food. The Cacao Banana flavor sounds right up my alley!
Yes, Ash! You need to do what you can to have snacks ready! These would be perfect. 🙂
I would like to try the honey almond! And today is my boyfriend’s birthday so we will be celebrating this weekend by eating lots of delicious food and watching lots of football!
Yay, Hannah! Hope he has a great birthday! I like the way you celebrate. Have a fabulous weekend. 🙂
I’d love to try the Almond Honey Protein. It sounds delicious. The Snickerdoodle flavor sounds good, too.
Hi Susan! They all sound good! Thanks for entering! Have a great weekend! 🙂
Definitely Cocao Banana 🙂 I think I am going to buy some now
Go for it, Sara! Hope all is well with you, lady! Have a great weekend!
I’d love to try any of the bars but especially honey almond. My weekend… I am running a 5K race tomorrow and then a long run Saturday.
Hope your race and run go well, Amy! 🙂 Thanks for saying hi!
It is really hard to find a protein bar without all of the additional ingredients and that taste good too! Protein bars are one of my favorites to take to work for a snack as they have the protein and maybe some fiber for a fulfilling snack. Quick and easy that I can throw in my bag! I would love to try these bars!
Hi Kimberly, Yes, this is a particularly clean bar! Have a great weekend. Thanks for entering! 🙂
Honey is my favorite sweetener ever! I made my own granola bars with it once and it was yum. I didn’t put protein in it though. As far as thing weekend?? I’m running why of course! 😉 oh, and I may or may not be super jealous of your amazing trip!!!! Thanks for sharing it with us so I can live vicariously through you. 😉
Hi Jess! ahah! You’re so welcome! I hope your running goes well this weekend. And everything else you do! 🙂
Those snickerdoodle bars sound delicious. I normally wouldn’t go for such a calorie-dense bar, but your review and the ingredients make me really want to try them haha. As for this weekend, I’m putting on a Drums Alive demo for a local festival, heading to the Polish-American festival tonight, and of course some time in the gym today and tomorrow.
Hi Jordan! Yes, they are a hefty snack for sure, but a delicious one. It’s okay to eat calorie dense foods when they are filled with good stuff! Have fun doing your drums demo. Sounds cool!
I have been loving medjool dates recently and these bars sound wonderful! I would most LOVE to try the refreshing Lemon Cashew flavor!
Hi Renata! I am ALWAYS loving dates as well! 🙂 Hope you have a great weekend!
I’m not usually a banana person, but the cacao banana sounds pretty great!
Hi Aileen! Sure does! Thanks for entering and saying hi. Hope you have a great weekend. 🙂
This has been/will be a busy weekend! Dinner & games night last night with a friend I haven’t seen in a long time. Today is a friend’s kid’s birthday party and tomorrow is the beginning of a new session of my circus/aerials class.
Hi Megan! Sorry I missed your comment to reply until now. First of all, thanks for entering. And second of all, I hope your circus class is going well! That’s hard stuff!!
My favorite souvenir from Maui was the chocolate covered macadamia nuts. Yum!
Yummy, Sheena! All the food in Maui was delish! Hope you’re having a great weekend!
Cacao banana sounds yum!
Sure does, Suzie! Thanks for entering! 🙂
This weekend I’m on a quick trip to DC to visit a couple of my best friends from college! Having such a great time so far!
Yay, Diana! Visiting friends is always a good time. Enjoy! 🙂
Great how few ingredients these have and so high in protein! I’d like the Lemon Cashew!
Yes, Ray! These bars are awesome. Hope you’re having a great weekend. 🙂
Almond Honey sounds incredible with only 3 ingredients and so high in protein! I would also enjoy the Lemon Cashew! Thank you so much for the wonderful giveaway!
Hi Georgia! You’re so welcome! Thanks for saying hi and entering. Hope you’re having a great weekend!
The Snicker Doodle Protein Bars sound so good!
Sure do, DJ! 🙂 Hope you’re having a great weekend. Thanks for entering!
Never heard of these bars but I’m always looking for interesting bars to try out1
Thanks for saying hi, Audra! Hope you had a good weekend. 🙂
This weekend I had a girl’s weekend with my friends from college – it was great!
How fun! Girls weekend are the best. Have a great night, lady! Thanks for saying hi! 🙂
I have just had a simple college weekend studying, doing homework, and hiking. Thanks for hosting this giveaway!
Hi Kat! That sounds like a nice and simple weekend. Here’s to a great week as well. Thanks for entering! 🙂
I went hiking & swimming (briefly) at Tilden Park this past weekend. A fairly low-key weekend since I just came from a trip to Hawaii as well (vacationed in Oahu!). Also loved Hawaiian Airlines and their meal/treats/alcoholic beverages. My favorite dish is dal nirvana. So good! I make it at least once per month. I’d love to try the Almond Honey bars!
Hi Marian! Yay for your Hawaii trip! How awesome! How do I not know what dal nirvana is? I’ll do some research. Thanks for saying hi!! 🙂
Lemon cashew or Almond Honey Protein
Both sound good! Thanks for entering! 🙂
These sound and look so good! The cacao banana bars sound awesome:)
They are totally delish, Amy! Hope you’re having a great week! 🙂
Thanks for the heads up on a good-tasting bar- would like to try the almond protein one. Will go over to their site next and check out their products. 2nd part of the blog comment: I am loving all things pumpkin right now!
Hi Julie! Me too! I made a pumpkin recipe this weekend that will appear on the blog tomorrow. YAY for fall! 🙂 Thanks for entering and saying hi!
I whipped up a big batch of veggie chili over the weekend and have been enjoying it with some jalapeno cornbread. I found the jalapenos at the farmer’s market as well as the zucchini in the chili. I absolutely love the fall, but I’m sad that the farmer’s market season will be ending soon 🙁
Hi Amanda! Wow, sounds like you’ve been busy in the kitchen. You must like spicy food?? 🙂
Gonna run 20K with my sweetie
Good work, Ken! 🙂 Happy running!
The cocoa banana sounds like a great combo, these would be not only great for my but for my kids, one playing college tennis and the other playing high school tennis. I am always on the hunt for bars that are packed with healthy ingredients and taste great !
sorry should have proof read before posting…I meant to say great for me ..not my !
Hi Linda! They would be great for your kids! Thanks for entering! 🙂