I like to try and sprout sunshine in the blogosphere if I can. I’m not much for rants or criticisms (I save those for real life) because there’s already so much negativity out there, don’t you think?
I’ve written about politics and even though I tend to tow a very specific line, I try and write with a moderate audience in mind.
I think I’ve touched on religion a bit. Not in the traditional sense, exactly, but I’ve kept it very open.
But I have to admit, sometimes it feels really good to be able to land squarely on one side of an issue with no misgivings, doubts, or eggshells that you need to walk on. And that’s pretty much how I feel about Lance Armstrong.
I think performance-enhancing drugs are wrong. It’s like getting plastic surgery in Hollywood. It’s cheating. And yet time and time again, we hear about professional athletes using something they shouldn’t. Like baseball players, for example. Sometimes they’re canned (and go play in Japan). Sometimes they’re suspended and then return to the playing field.
It’s a bit of a mixed message, isn’t it?
But Lance Armstrong was held on pedestal. He was a record-breaker because he not only beat cancer, but came back to win the Tour de France for an unprecedented seven times. He has since been stripped of those medals and banned from participating in any sport that follows the guidelines of the World Doping Agency.
And not to be outdone, the International Olympic Committee decided to also strip him of the bronze medal he won in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
As if that wasn’t enough, let’s not forget that he dumped Sheryl Crow when she was fighting breast cancer.
So, I don’t really have a high opinion of the guy and honestly, I never have. I felt that his Livestrong organization, while honest in nature, became more of a marketing ploy that made me want to scream every time I saw another one of those bracelets.
But Lance is choosing not to go quietly into that good night. He is, instead, stepping out into the limelight because we all need to hear him say he was sorry. Frankly, he doesn’t owe an apology to me. I’d say he owes it to the other professional cyclists whose careers he probably destroyed.
On Facebook, my friends are talking about it. No one is defending him.
Liestrong. Dopestrong. Or my personal favorite: Loser.
Even with two sides to every story, I can’t even find a way to spin this in his direction. But I am going to give Lance a little advice. And some advice to any of you out there who want to help push your performance to another level.
Eat Picky Bars instead.
OH SNAP! I bet you didn’t see this coming. This is a PRODUCT REVIEW!
But don’t stop reading. Because Picky Bars are touted as “Natural Performance Training Snacks.” They are kind of like Power Bars, except they taste really good. And they’re gluten and dairy free.
The best part?
Yup. Read their ingredient list. It’s all real food. Just like they said.
When I eat a Picky Bar, what am I eating?
Get this: If you took all the ingredients in one Picky Bar and put them in a ziplock baggie like a trail mix snack, this is what the bag would contain: 1/5 cup cereal, 2 dates, 1/2 TB nut butter, 1 tsp honey, 1/2 an apricot, 5 cranberries, 6 nuts, 3 chocolate chips, 1/3 TB rice protein powder, and a micro-dusting of cinnamon and salt.Do Picky Bars contain any added vitamins, minerals or supplements?
Not necessary since they contain the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that are inherent in the natural ingredients we use. Hooray!!!
They come in four flavors…
Smooth Caffeinator: Mocha Hazelnut Madness
All-In Almond: Agave Sweetened Awesomesauce
The Need for Seed: Sunflower Butter Sensation
Lauren’s Mega Nuts: The Original Picky Goodness
and I had a chance to try them all!
Remember a few months ago when I had my running party? We talked about running, drank some wine and sampled some Picky Bars.
(Yes, I realize there are cream puffs in the background)
Here’s why I love them. They’re natural. They taste good. Their wrappers are cool. They have a sense of humor. It’s a win-win-win-win. Oh, and I’m a science nerd.
So why am I eating Picky Bars?
One of my online friends (who runs A LOT) told me about them and so I thought I’d give them a try. And while I can’t run the marathons that he can, I do plan to run my first 5k ever on May 19th. My friend Cara (@carabee) talked me into registering for The Color Run in Washington DC. Lord help me.
It might be a little late to give advice to Lance but if you are even remotely into anything athletic and looking to sustain you’re energy, this is a better (and legal) choice. I’m not saying that eating Picky Bars will win you the Tour de France but then again…
Thanks to Picky Bars for providing enough samples for me and my running friends to try all of the flavors. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
