I first heard about Perfect Fuel Chocolate during their IndieGoGo campaign which I supported. I am still anxiously awaiting my perks (new flavors) to share with you all (well not all of you, but I will give some away!) I posted on their Facebook page and they offered to send me some Dark Chocolate Ginseng to try out, so OF COURSE I said yes!
What is Perfect Fuel Chocolate? It is the mix of “chocolate, ginseng and sport.” During a triathlon, Nicolas Warren, discovered he forgot his beloved ginseng. He had dark chocolate on hand. The idea struck him to combine ginseng with chocolate! Perfect Fuel Chocolate was born. They say, “Eat Perfect Fuel Chocolate in the morning, afternoon, or 30 min before a workout to give you the long lasting endurance you need, without the caffeine jitters. Endurance Chocolate is the perfect combination of nutritious raw cocoa and the vitality of North American ginseng.”
Benefits of Dark Chocolate: reduced stress, lower blood sugar, stronger cardiovascular system, better circulation, energy and overall mood
Benefits of Ginseng: better psychological function, well-being, improved physical endurance, reduced stress, better brain function and stronger immune system
(They had me at hello.)
Each individually wrapped piece has 80 calories. Here are the nutrition details:
THE VERDICT:
It was GOOD! I’ll admit that as much as I love chocolate, I was worried it would be too sweet for me pre-run. (Stop laughing friends who know and love my infamous sweet tooth.) It was not too sweet at all. I found that it tasted good, had a nice texture and no after taste. I always expect ginseng to taste like ginger, though rationally I know it won’t! It doesn’t. Even though the pieces are small, I found that one piece did a nice job of keeping me fueled for a 5 mile run. In the spirit of full disclosure, I do not always eat before an activity of one hour or less, BUT I felt satisfied and energized. I would compare my fuel level/satiety to having eaten a banana, but I did not feel hungry again as quickly.
I shared with Jen and Maureen. Jen has a sensitive stomach with exercise. She was pleased with the taste, had no issues after eating it and it curbed her hunger for her afternoon work out. Maureen thought that it was “good overall.” She said that “the taste wasn’t necessarily memorable, but [she felt] like it was good for it’s purpose. Nice chocolate taste with no after taste. Didn’t really notice the ginseng. [She] thought the size was perfect. A couple of bites and you could have a little pick me up especially since it was rather dense. Kind a packed a punch…”
They are working on three new flavors:
> Organic Coffee chocolate for its natural caffeine boost. This is the one I sponsored – of course!!
> Organic Chia for its high density of omega-3’s and fiber, and
> Sea Salt as a delicious recovery chocolate to replenish your electrolytes
Ready to try it? You can buy Chocolate Ginseng at several stores and Whole Foods Markets in Massachusetts (and one random one in Jackson Hole, WY) or HERE online for $19.99 a box.
Have you tried any new athletic “fuels” lately?
Please note: I was provided a promotional sample of Perfect Fuel Chocolate. All opinions are my own (and those of my friends who shared it with me!)
Now that we are fueled up, how about some shopping?
> Active Gear up has great deals on Mojo Compression Socks and apparel by CRAFT (among other great deals!)
> Have you checked out Lifebooker Loot? They offer great deals online and in major metros on health, beauty and fitness services and products. Today they are offering:
– $45 for hundreds of fitness classes with the Passbook from American Health and Fitness (available in Chicago, NYC and Los Angeles). It is 50% off on the Loot pages for each of these cities- a great deal!
– They also have a bunch of $29 massages and facials in various cities ($35 in NYC) – book through the end of the month!
> More good stuff from Gilt City as usual!
– Bliss is back! Check out deals at Bliss spas in NYC, Chicago, LA, San Fran, Atlanta, Scottsdale, Boston, Dallas and South Beach. Extra savings for new customers!
In Chicago:
– Get Great deals on classes and a training plan from On Your Mark Coaching and Training in Bucktown. Molly and I went to a great class here- I would definitely go back!
– Try dinner for 2 for $48 at Ripasso in Bucktown, too – delicious!
In NYC:
– Check out great deals and special offers for Broadway shows.
– or get 43 – 53% off of group exercise classes at Body by Simone in Chelsea. Her workouts were featured in Shape magazine for March and she is said to be beloved by celebs like Sandra Bullock!
In LA:
– Get a 4 course chef’s tasting for 2 ($125) at Craft in Century City. It is delish! We have been there.
> Get 40% off of a 3 month subscription to curated beauty box Glossy Box (plus a complimentary ModelCo Lip Duo Lipstick & Shine Ultra Lip Gloss, a two-in-one lipstick and gloss) from Daily Candy Deals.
> Traveling this spring and need some healthy snacks? Get 35% off of a 12 pack of meals from Go Picnic from Groupon.
> Need to freshen up your wardrobe? Get 30% off on all new arrivals at J.Crew Factory, plus free shipping; with the promo code SPRINGTOIT.
> 1 Year Zipcar memberships are on sale for $35 (regularly $125) at Fab.com. They also have a magazine pop up shop with something for everyone and some GREAT deals on magazine and digital versions, too!
> Health Chic has a great deal on gummy vitamins from Nature’s Dynamics and lots of other great stuff at the moment, too!
> In NYC, Bloomspot has:
– $99 for 4-course prix fixe dinner for two ($200 value) at Fishtail by David Burke on the Upper East Side. Includes one shellfish platter, two appetizers, two entrées, and two desserts
– An awesome deal on private and group tennis lessons on the (way) Upper West Side (near Riverbank). (Last day!)
> Shoebuy.com is having a special event running and fitness sale on running apparel, socks, shoes, gear for 2 days only. Get $10 off of $50 with this link, too!
That’s all I have for now! Don’t forget to check out my awesome OKU Oxygen jacket giveaway. Giveaway ends Sunday!