Tried It Tuesday: Meat for Athletes (#Giveaway) + SF/GF Electrolytes (#Gvwy) + #BetterYourBest

Now that the weather is nice here, I am spending a lot of time outside on the run – YAY! This “Tried it Tuesday” is a running edition. Today, I share fuel, electolytes and crazy challenges.


Screen Shot 2014-06-02 at 3.04.31 PMAfter trying EPIC bars, I started looking at some other natural meat products to fuel my active lifestyle. I saw some great looking products from Native American Natural Foods that are branded as Tanka. They recently partnered with Onnit Labs to create a co-branded product called the Warrior Bar, a spicy buffalo meat-and-cranberry food bar that contains 14 grams of protein.

warrior bar blog
BIG taste – low calories!

The new Warrior Bar is the first product in a joint product line for people who are looking for “natural, high-performance, real food to fuel their lifestyles.” They say, “based on a traditional Native American recipe that powered Lakota Sioux warriors for centuries, the new Tanka Onnit Warrior Bar is designed for today’s modern warrior who is dedicated to maximum performance.”

In addition to 14 grams of protein, the all natural Warrior Bar has only 140 calories and 4 grams of fat per 2-ounce serving. It is free of gluten, nitrites, MSG, lactose, soy, antibiotics and added hormones. The Warrior Bar is designed to provide the protein and calories that triathletes, runners, climbers, and other high-energy and endurance athletes require. They say, “Real performance requires real food… Whether you want to be your best for work, school, recreation, or elite competition, the Warrior Bar is a valuable resource to have at your disposal. And it definitely doesn’t hurt that it tastes amazing.”

I have to agree, the bar is rich and filling and has a nice spicy taste. The cranberries add a bit of sweetness and tang. I loved this as an afternoon snack. I am not sure I could eat this in the morning before a race, but taking it on a hike, or while traveling, would be perfect for me. I am definitely a fan!

The giveaway has ended! The winners are Kat, Tammy, Marcia and Alyssa.

Want to try it? I will send one Warrior Bar to 4 lucky readers ($4.95 value). There are several ways to enter:

  1. Leave a comment on this post telling me what interests you most about the Warrior Bar.
  2. Like Tanka Bar on Facebook and Like Erica Finds on Facebook. Leave a separate comment telling me you did.
  3. Follow Tanka Bar on Twitter and follow me on Twitter. Leave a separate comment telling me you did.

The giveaway runs through Tuesday, June 10th. I will select four winners with random.org based on comment number on Wednesday, June 11th. Winners must be US residents, over 18 years old and the giveaway is void where prohibited.


Screen Shot 2014-06-02 at 3.50.03 PM

As an ambassador for the Zooma Chicago Women’s Half Marathon on August 2nd, I have gotten to try some awesome products! As the weather is heating up here, I find myself reaching for electrolytes all weekend after my training runs. I do not perspire, I sweat.

I was very excited to receive a mixed box of Ultima Replenisher. Like Tanka and Onnit, Ultima believes in real food. They say, “Ultima Replenisher is a real food answer to the question: What’s the best drink for total hydration?” Many sport drinks are loaded with sugar and salt, artificlal colors, flavors and sweeteners. Ultima Replenisher has minimal processed carbs and nothing artificial. It is a great tasting way to replenish 8 essential electrolytes.

Screen Shot 2014-06-02 at 3.39.33 PMEveryone can use this all natural product. From elite athletes to toddlers, Ultima reminds us that, “we all need to replenish the essential minerals and electrolytes lost in perspiration.” They have special appeal to seniors (leg cramps), cancer patients (hydration), vegans, Crohn’s and colitis sufferers (gluten free) and for your kids (no sugar!).

Ultima Replenisher comes in Grape, Lemonade, Orange and Red Raspberry. My favorite is Lemonade. I love the mild flavor.

The giveaway has ended! The winners are Jennifer (comment #14), Tessa, Dandi + Amanda C.

Want to try some? I will send 3 packets to each of 4 winners. There are several ways to enter:

  1. Leave me a comment and tell me which flavor(s) interest you.
  2. Like Ultima Replenisher on Facebook and Like Erica Finds on Facebook. Leave a separate comment telling me you did.
  3. Follow Ultima Replenisher on Twitter and follow me on Twitter. Leave a separate comment telling me you did.

The giveaway runs through Tuesday, June 10th. I will select four winners with random.org based on comment number on Wednesday, June 11th. Winner must be a US resident and the giveaway is void where prohibited.


Me (3rd), Lindsay (the champ) and Stacy (2nd) post Treadmill Challenge
Me (3rd), Lindsay (the champ) and Stacy (2nd) post Treadmill Challenge

After we did our Saturday run – coffee – farmer’s market trifecta of goodness, Stacy and I happened upon the Asics Treadmill ChallengeIn fairness, we noticed the treadmill, harness, truck and tent when we were running but did not stop to investigate. As we were walking, we heard the announcer egging some folks on to try to run Chicago Marathon American record pace on the treadmill. Then we realized that he was talking to us. Despite the 9+ mile run and large coffee, we decided to give it a go. I even tried it in wear tester Asics Gel Kayano 20’s (free socks!). The pace for women is Deena Kastor’s 2:18 effort or 5:13/mile (11.8 mph on the TM). For men it is Ryan Hall’s 2:08 (4:48/mile).

I made it 2:03 - good for 1st place in women's until Stacy then Lindsay beat it. More than 1/3 mile!
I made it 2:03 – good for 1st place in women’s until Stacy then Lindsay beat it. More than 1/3 mile!

So, I went first, got harnessed in and felt pretty good considering. My legs were going so fast and the announcer was making funny remarks about my form. I was thinking, “just trying to stay alive here, man!” I beat the previous women’s leader by 20 seconds so was momentarily in 1st place with 2:03. Stacy got to 2:29 and Lindsay to 2:48 or so. We all had a blast. Like every running challenge, I thought of ways I could have done better in the post-mortem (a/k/a our walk home.)

Want to try this? Asics is doing the challenge at some races and Asics stores around the country. If you go to the new Asics store in Bucktown in Chicago, you can try to best my time. Please tell me if you do, I promise to be impressed!

What have you tried lately??

Please note: I was not compensated for these reviews. I received Warrior Bars in return for review and Ultima Refresher as an Ambassador for Zooma. All opinions are my own.

PS. Don’t miss my other active giveaways. Last day for Torie and Howard organic candy!