Better late than never – here’s my Expo West Day 3 recap. [In case you missed them, here are my Day 1 + 2 recap and 5 Big Trends from Expo West ’18.]
Nuun 5K
Becca and I started Day 3 of Expo West off with the Nuun 5K. Like last year, Nuun, Health Warrior and Honey Stinger put on an awesome 5K run. It was a timed run where the top 3 women and men got prizes. They also had awards for the “most middlest” and some other fun categories like most spirited and Nuuniest.
It was overcast and a bit misty but a pretty pleasant day for a run. Becca and I did a 2 mile warm up, met up with Elizabeth and met some people. We set off for a 5K. It was the same course as last year so I was familiar with it. It was pretty flat and a straight forward out and back. After about a half a mile, I knew I would not be “in the money.” I ran a steady tempo of about 7:30/mile and cheered for lots of runners at the turn around. We ran a warm down with some November Project runners and waited for the prizes.
Becca was second female and she won Brooks shoes. I didn’t win any prizes or raffles but we grabbed our awesome swag bags and headed for a coffee. It was a great morning!
Expo Day 3
We cleaned up and headed for the Convention Center. I dropped something off to Kimberly so I started in Hall E which had a lot of my fave brands. I checked out new flavors from Country Archer, new Toast’R Pastries from Bobo’s (YUM!), Tcho, Love Beets, Thrive Tribe (got some new bites and bars to try) and swung by the get some pics with the Kodiak Cakes bear. I said hi to Ona Foods (and declared my love for their cookies), Skinny Dipped Almonds (love them!) and Vermont Village (Loved the new functional vinegars and so did everyone else – they won a Nexty award.)
Next up, I checked out the new RxBar flavors and their Nut Butter packs (coming soon! BOLO!). I said hi to Frank from Cookie Pop (He’s the tenant in my brother and Dan’s building in NJ!). [I just tried their reformulated Cookie Pop when I was in NJ and YUM!] I stopped by to reconnect with Thunderbird Bar (new review and giveaway coming soon), Cocoburg Coconut Jerky (excited to check out their coconut aminos!) and Nona Lim (I can’t wait to get her new Noodle Bowls at Whole Foods!).
I checked out the cool rebrand at Evo Hemp and tried their delish new flavors. Then I discussed the merits of adult squeeze packs with the guys from Fruigees. The awesome fruit and vegetable flavors won me over. (Stay tuned for a review and get 30% off on their website with code Ericafinds.) I tried the new formulation of Jica Chips (and you should, too!) Then, I saw my friend Ganesh from Karma Nuts. I got a sneak peak at their re-branding and got to try three delicious new flavors. I can’t wait to share those with you!
I saw the folks from Genuine Health and learned more about their products and clinical studies. I’ve worked with them a bunch and was happy to hear more about the science! I chatted with Madecasse and learned about their mission to provide fair trade chocolate from Madegascar. The chocolate is delicious, too! Get some if you see it! I visited with faves Forager Project and Kite Hill (the Jalapeno “Cream Cheese” was one of my show faves!).
I went upstairs to finish checking out “Hot Products.” I discussed the merits of Epsom salts versus Magnesium Flakes with the guys from Westlab. They gave me some samples and are sending more my way! (Review and giveaway coming soon.) I checked out newbie Growing Roots at Becca’s suggestion. This mission driven company makes healthy snacks that support urban farmers. (Review coming soon!) I saw my friends from Pizootz and then checked out a show favorite, Brekki. Brekki makes overnight oats that are pre-made and sold refrigerated. (Get 25% on online orders with code EXPOWEST18 through 4/30/18.)
Then I visited with my friends from Fawen Soup. (They’re on Amazon now AND Prime Eligible – woot!) I swung by to say hi to Eric from Bite Fuel and tried their new Snickerdoodle protein cookies – YUM! I went by and tried Caulipower’s delicious pizza crust and learned about their new Cauli-flower – BOLO for these! I chatted with the “Sorbabes.” I tried all of their amazing flavors – another BOLO!
A lot of my faves were in Hot Products. I swung by Smashmallow and got to try Cookie Dough and some new seasonal flavors. I can’t wait for the holidays! Yum! Then I said hi to my friends from Smashmallow and Bubba’s Fine Foods. I tried the new gluten free, soft cookies from Simple Mills – they’re amazing! Then I stopped to see James and Danielle from SOS Rehydrate to hear how they were enjoying their first Expo West. Two thumbs up.
I checked out Soozy’s Muffins (GF and Paleo) after stalking them on Instagram. Yup they’re really good! Then I swung by Little Secrets and asked for them to bring the Gingerbread back for the holidays. Voila! They had some AND gave me a bag. Unfortunately, they’re not a super big seller so this may be a last chance! I swung by to see what was new at Sprout Living (found them at Expo East in the fall). They have some delicious new vitamin fruit bites coming soon – stay tuned.
I stopped by to try the new protein cookies from my friends at Healthy Skoop. Keep an eye out for these. I’m trying to get some to review and give away. I stopped by Maker Oats to see how their launch as going. (They’re a Chicago company that I met at Expo East.) Keep an eye out for more on them soon! I had a super interesting conversation with the folks from Mother Dirt. They add specific bacterium to products that has been killed off by anti-bacterial soaps. It’s another “good bacteria” to improve the microbiome. Interesting!
I checked out Caveman Food’s new Protein Salted Almond Butter Bar. It tastes like Snickers! Really. Then, I stopped by to check out changes in Rule Breaker’s delicious chick pea brownies. They have two new flavors and they’re now shelf stable. Also, they’re now round! (Review and giveway coming soon!)
After all of this, Becca and I swung by Simple Squares to stow our bags and went to a Happy Hour with Grandy Oats. We had a great time and then headed out to grab salads and to figure out how to get all of our loot home!
Wrap Up
We decided to skip Sunday morning this time and went for a run and got organized. I went up for a quick visit to my in-laws and SIL and her family. I shared most of the kid friendly loot with them!
I had a great time on Saturday connecting with friends and faves and meeting new people. I missed the big brands and supplements this show, but I had another great experience. I’ll be back!
Day 3 Haul:
Stay tuned for two big giveaways – one of Finds’ Faves and one of New Finds. Check out 5 Big Trends I saw here.
What do you want to try most?