A review and giveaway in collaboration with CLIF bar.
I feel so lucky to live on one of the most beautiful islands in the world. In fact, Lonely Planet declared Shetland as one of the top regions in the world to visit in their book Best in Travel 2011. They called it the ‘last untamed corner of the UK’, advising ‘adventurous travelers to step this way’.
Being primarily self-employed I have the luxury of declaring sunny days official holidays. The computer gets shut off, the housework gets ignored and I go out exploring and adventuring the wild and remote corners of my little island archipelago in the North Sea.
Yesterday was one of those days.
Full sun was predicted for the whole day, so after accompanying my eldest son to the polling booths for the very first time (how is he old enough to vote?!) and packing the younger kids off to school, I headed out over the hills for a 17 mile cycle ride, training for my epic 250 mile mountain bike ride this summer through the highlands of Scotland.
My route was a rather hilly stretch of road we call ‘The Alps’ – good training for this summer’s adventure. On the way out the wind was at my back and I made five personal bests, according to Strava. The way home, however, the wind was in my face and it was hard going even cycling downhill into the wind. Good training.
I had to stop at this little roadside honesty cupboard for some water (I haven’t yet bought myself a water bottle holder for the bike and I was parched after the long slog downhill!), returning later by car to pay for my purchase and picking up some lemon cupcakes and tiffin for the family.
The mail had been delivered by the time I returned home late morning. A parcel had arrived: three CLIF bar samples in the oatmeal raisin walnut, chocolate almond fudge and the new coconut chocolate chip.
The sun was still shining. I didn’t have to pick the kids up from school for another few hours. More outdoor adventuring was needing to be had, so I rang a friend and we headed out to nearby Silwick – a particularly scenic coastal area on the west side of Shetland.
It just seemed a rather appropriate place to taste test the CLIF bars, don’t you think? The first of the spring wildflowers are starting to bloom – we spotted some white and mauve common scurvy grass on the cliff tops as we admired the scenes below.
Parking the car at the end of the road at Silwick we crossed through a gate and followed the fence line a short ways to the cliff edges, following them along a stretch of coastline dramatically shaped by the sea. Our destination was the end of that finger of land you see in the photo below.
It was quite windy yesterday, but the wind was from the south and wonderfully warm (for Shetland standards! The temperature was reading about 10 degrees Celsius!), adding to the air of adventure we felt exploring such a stunning coastal area.
Stopping for our hastily thrown together lunch at the end of the promontory we taste tested the three different flavours of CLIF bars, starting with the new coconut chocolate chip flavour. This one, with its attractive chocolate drizzle, didn’t have as strong a coconut flavour as we expected, although it was quite perfumed and exceedingly sweet due to the use of brown rice syrup (the first ingredient listed on the label). Of the three this was my walking companion’s favourite.
The second one, the oatmeal raisin walnut, was like a very sweet raw oatmeal cookie scented with cinnamon. This was my favourite of the three bars, but it was still very sweet.
The third, the chocolate almond fudge, wasn’t as sweet, thankfully, I’m wondering if the brown rice syrup sweetness was counteracted by the inclusion of cocoa powder. It was rather tasty, but after having taste tested half of the other two bars I was starting to get that sickly sweet sugary feeling in the back of the throat.
The CLIF bar story began in 1990 with a day long 175 mile bicycle ride. Gary Erickson, the founder, had been on a long cycle trip with his friend. They’d been gnawing on energy bars all day and, unable to take another bite of one he thought, “I could make a better bar than this!” and so he set to work to develop a better tasting energy bar.
Now, with a range of 17 flavours of energy and performance related products, CLIF bars (named after Gary’s father, Cliff) are a well known US brand for making nutritious and wholesome food for athletes and adventurers. They use organic rolled oats as a base for their energy bars which are available in seven different flavours. They average around 250 calories each and provide around 10 grams of protein as well as 11 different vitamins including B6 and B12, vital for energy release in the body.
These bars are carb rich (around 38 grams per bar) to supply working muscles with the fuel they need for extended periods of activity. Retailing for £1.60 you can buy them online or from Ocado, Boots, Tesco, Asda, WHSmith, Holland & Barret and many independent health food and sports retailers.
Although we found these particular bars a bit too sweet for our palettes I could see how they could be very useful during extended periods of activity.
UPDATE: 20 miles into a 30 mile cycle my cycling friend and I stopped on the top of a hill and shared a peanut flavoured CLIF bar between us – this one I like! Maybe it was all the exercise we’d just done on the hilly roads of Shetland, or just that it was a different flavour, but it didn’t seem as sweet. It was almost savory and quite palatable. It did the trick too, providing enough fuel to complete the training ride.
CLIF also make protein bars and the new CLIF SHOT energy gels and bloks which I’m going to look into for taking along on our 250 mile cycle. I think they might be the lightweight source of fuel we’ll need to sustain us through the highland cycle (it’s going to be all uphill into the wind, isn’t it…) and mountain climb.
Now, as soon as I hit publish on this post I’m switching the computer off again for the day. It’s going to be another full day of sun – I’m heading out for some cycle training. What are you up to today?
To find out more about CLIF Bar visit their website. You can also find them on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
GIVEAWAY
CLIF Bars have kindly offered a mixed hamper of CLIF goodies as a giveaway prize for one of my adventurous UK readers. To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter entry form below!
HOW TO ENTER
For your chance to win a mixed hamper of CLIF goodies enter using the Rafflecopter form below. Come back and tweet about the giveaway every day for more chances to win!
TERMS & CONDITIONS
This giveaway is open to UK entries only. Entrants must be age 18 or over. The winner will need to respond within 30 days of being contacted; failure to do this may result in another winner being selected.
The prize is offered and provided by CLIF bar. The prize is to win a mixed hamper of CLIF goodies. There is no cash alternative and the prize is not transferable.
There is no entry fee and no purchase is necessary to enter this giveaway. The promoter (Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary) reserves the right to cancel or amend the giveaway and these terms and conditions without notice.
Entry into our giveaways will be deemed as acceptance of these terms and conditions.
If you need some help using Rafflecopter, here’s a quick clip to show you how. Rafflecopter will pick the winners at random from all the entries received. I will be verifying entries and any automated entries or those who have claimed they have made the mandatory blog post comment and really haven’t will be disqualified. It’s mandatory! Please make sure your comment is eight words or longer or Google views it as spam. >>>>> All entries with comments fewer than the mandatory 8 words will be disqualified. <<<<<
Closing date is midnight (that’s 00:00 hours, 12 am on Sunday night/Monday morning) on Monday 16 May 2016 (GMT) and the winner will be announced shortly afterwards.
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Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary received three CLIF Bars to sample and review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are our own. This is not a paid post.
Jessica Townley
Me and the hubby do a lot of walking in the Lake District so these would be ideal!
Kelly L
We would take them with us on a Picnic at Sandwell Valley park!
Lynne O'Connor
These would be perfect when visiting my sister in the Lake District
Anita Missen
A nice walk through the woods looking at the bluebells.
nicola ithell
I think our adventure would be going for a walk up a mountain, stopping to munch on some CLIF goodies at the top to refuel and then zipwire back down to the bottom. exercise and excitement all in one. 🙂
Natalie Richardson
We love our long beach walks, these would be perfect for sitting on the dunes
Lorraine Mabbitt
Take them with me to our Sunday walks with our dog harry
Emma
Going on the three peaks challenge would do it
Joanna Sawka
I love to go hiking in Yorkshire
Tubs
Ooo excitement I want the hat without the top it would prevent the sweat head
Jill Fairbank
A hike along the canal you can walk as long no way without realising it
Jim Dowling
Might not be an adventure but I go on long drives with work. This would be the perfect snack
Jackie Allum
I’d take them when we take the dog to the beach for the afternoon. It would save me packing picnic.
Jocelynne Harrison
I would eat them while biking. Nothing better than a long bike ride on the weekend
Jessica Hutton
I love to go on long walks/hikes with my dogs and discover new places. These would be a perfect snack and a lovely treat xx
Emma
I’d go on a long cycle along the coast, and eat on the beach 🙂
lesley carnochan
Would go long walks along the canel with the kids and feed the ducks while we munch on these
M Allen
I’m aiming for the coast to coast from Cumbria to North Yorks. maybe not this year, but who knows.
Christine Hobbs
My adventure would be to cycle to Dorset and camp. Have just bought a new bike and pannier bags so with them packed full of bars to fuel me the trip will be a doddle.
Nancy Bradford
I’d introduce my family to them and take them all hiking in the Peak District.
Alison
I would take them for a day ramblng in the country park with my dog, WE love going on long walks there
Ema J Lowe
a lovely family walk to the local park and round the pond there.
marian fievez
Camping trip to the Lake District.
cathyj
WHILE taking my dogs a walk in the country park
Dale Dow
we love exploring new places with the kids so these would come in handy
Faridah BROOKER
I’d just take them on a long run through the countryside.
Gillian McClelland
I would go on a long walk at my local walking trails with my dog
Deborah Bird
Our family walks up the moors x
kellyjo walters
when we take the dogs for a long forest walk
sandy ralph
i would take them with me when i go dog walking with my eldest daughter
helena clark
going to the park with my daughter , these would be very yummy snacks to bring
Bob Clark
They would be very useful when I walk the North Norfolk Coastal foot path
Emily Hutchinson
I’d take them camping. We always go on lots of long walks and these would be great for a snack on the way!
Collette Mackey
Lots of dog walking in the beautiful north wales countryside
Arielle Bosworth
I would take them with me to the Lake District
Helen
I would take cliff bars along when climbing pen y fan
stephen smith
i love taking all the kids to the woods for an adventure they love it as much as i ever did
Erica Price
A long bike ride in our local forest is beckoning.
Denise Griffiths
I love going to the Lake District
Nat thomason
Trips to the park with grandaughter Alice
lia sturman
this would be great when im walking along cromer beach
C.Griffiths
My first long distance Triathlon in June this year
Working mum Blog
I am going hiking later this month and the Clif bars sound like something I should try. I usually take bars of snickers with me as that is the only time I feel OK with having one. Pleased to hear they have a peanut flavoured Clif bar – I will get one to try. Great review
Amanda Richardson
The cycling club when we go out on masse for a ride on a Sunday morning
Jayne K
A walking holiday in the Peak District would be adventurous enough for me.
Adrian Bold
We love hiking in the Lake District so they would be handy for that.
ellie spider
We enjoy kayaking in the summer so these would be perfect to take out with us for when we need a burst of energy 🙂
Sheri Darby
We’d take them on our next stage of walking along the British South coast
Rena Plumridge
A long bike ride in the Surrey hills
Isabel O
I like to go on long walking adventures with my mums dog, we always take a snack and a drink.
Lucy Weatherley
I would eat them after one of my runs to replenish my energy levels
Tara | C&CO
This looks amazing, I love eating at places with a view!
Angela Kelly
Every day working with teenagers is an adventure so I need to fuel up regularly!
Victoria Prince
I would take them on a dog agility adventure and use them to keep my strength up between courses 🙂
Theresa Parker
I’ve recently joined a cycling group, which I’m loving, so I would take them on one of our trips and share them with the group!
Melanie Hayes
I’m training for an Ironman so I’d eat some of them on the training rides and possibly one or two on the event itself.
Heather Brannan
Id take my clif bar on the west highland way with me and use it to give me an extra energy boost on my journey.
Carole E
We would have them while walking around the countryside
Hayley Lynch
Long woodland walks with my husband and son
Lauren Chater
nice long dog walks. I need all the help i can get with my little boy in his carrier on my back! (all 21lb of him)!
elaine stokes
long dog walks along the coast, Northumbria first then cornwall
Pamela Gossage
Walk in Hope Valley derbyshire
Laura Baker
My husband and I go on quite a few walking holidays so we’d use these then
grainne marnell-fox
these would be great for our trip to the cliffs of moher in the west of Ireland this summer
Laura Harrison
On the Cornish coast, enjoying the beautiful scenery along the way. The lovely fresh sea air gets me peckish xx
Laura
I love those Cliff bars and they would be perfect for a camping adventure with my two boys or we have a canoeing trip planned soon – so the extra energy would be just what we needed
Laura x
Jane
I’ve got a couple of epic train journeys coming up in the next 2 weeks – up and down the east coast mainline. I can’t wait.
Keith Hunt
They look good for the yearly trip to Iceland for days out by horse.
helen newton
I would take on a family hike through the Forest or Countryside , wherever our next adventure takes us 🙂
Emma Schofield
On a walking holiday to Wales later on this year.
Katie Kingsbury
I’m going to the Northern Isles this summer and we’ll be doing a lot of exploring, on foot and by bike so these would be wonderful snacks for when we’re out and about.
Elizabeth
What do you mean Northern Isles… like…. where I live? Shetland?! 😀
Melissa Crowe
me and my family would head over to Queenwoods for a day of fun, we love the views then tucking into pinic
Jasmin Breeden
I love these bars. They;re great to chuck into my bag as emergency snacks if I can’t sit down and eat lunch at work
Jasmin Breeden
I love these bars
Leanne Newsome
Me and my partner do a lot of walking we walk on the Yorkshire dales I’d use these then
Jacqui
I started going Geocaching with my kids last half term, so we would take some of these along next time 🙂
Susan B
We have some lovely hills at the back of the town, the highest of which has a monument on it. I’ve been meaning to hike up there for ages so these would keep my energy up on the way.
Amy Dear
Probably a long run! I get very hungry trail running 😀
Mary H
What a gorgeous corner of the world you live in. I’d eat up these Cliff bars on my next walking trip in Cornwall.
Greig spencer
i would love to go up snowdon on foot that would be my adventure
Ruth Harwood
A stroll across the mountainside and maybe through the forest xx
Tara | C&CO
Wow, what a great post. Gorgeous pics! I want to go on holiday right now
Laura @ Laura : Fat 2 Fit
Several time a year when it’s warmer, my partner and either run, cycle or just walk a 10 mile route around Graffham Water – so I’d take these as fuel for that!
Lillian Fisher
Running after the kids on a day out at our local country park.
Emma Ellams
Long walks along the river whilst geocaching 🙂
Ali Thorpe
A day out exploring the coast nearby, seeking fossils and sharks’ teeth with some paddling thrown in.
Lizzy Cooper
Id take them for a good hike up a mountain, Brecon Becan’s I think 😀
Margaret Clarkson
I would use them to give me energy whilst walking in rural Yorkshire.
Isabelle Smith
for long coastal walks, maybe somewhere in wales would be nice
Helen W
I would love to feed a trek in either the Yorkshire Moors, or the Lake District.
William Gould
I would feed myself on the adventure of taking a city break and following my wife around carrying shopping bags! :/
Patricia Avery
Walking and cycling in and around the beautiful Clumber Park. Love the place but need plenty of snacks to keep me going. I’m not as young as I was !!!!
Mark Richmond
Bagging a few more Birketts in the Lake District
GEOFF WICKENS
I`D TAKE A LONG WALK FROM BOSCOMBE PIER TO BOURNEMOUTH ALONG THE BEACH
Lindsey loftman
I’d love to go on a walking holiday in the pyrenees so these would be great for that!
Zac Farley
I would wLk along my lovely coasts of Bournemouth
Jenna Parrington
Our family hikes that we take on a Sunday, usually around the local nature reserve!
Rachel Bonness
I have got into running recently and I want to go up from a 5k to a 10k so it’s fuel that goal! 🙂
Laura H
Must be a scary moment when your kid can finally vote! Those bars sure look yummy and the view is glorious!
Kristyn Harris
I would take them on a hike and climbing Snowdon
winnie
i would bring this to our camping trip
Harline parkin
On my walks in Aviemore Scotland when I visit would be lovely eating one of these with such stunning views
Joanne Beale
I would feed the adventure of tackling the jungle of weeds in my garden and enjoying the paradise of the emerging flowers
Angie Hoggett
I’d have a long walk in the lake district
Ray Dodds
A walk along the wild beaches around Bamburgh Castle
Andrew Petrie
I would take a long walk along the banks of the River Tees out to the sea.
Michelle o'neill
we love very long walks through the countryside x
Jessica
I like how you presented this product. Not simply took a photo of it but really applied in hiking/adventure. I am convinced. I need CLIF bar for my next hike. 🙂
Jo Hutchinson
A long nature walk and adventure at the local woods.
Paula Readings
I would cycle along the scenic coast route of Frinton on sea past the Marshes.
Amanda tanner
I would use it and take it camping in newquay
Emma T
The scenery looks stunning . Gorgeous photos – I love the idea of the honesty box shop too.
Sue Price
I would love them for a really long walk on my local beach
Charlene Keddy
We love hiking in the great outdoors. Today we finished the Maidenhead to Staines leg of the Thames Path which was a really pretty walk. If the weather stays gorgeous like this we’ll be doing another leg next weekend xx
Susan Lloyd
Any trip with my triplets is an exhausting adventure – does that count?
Christine Caple
They would be great to take on walks along the Cornish coastal path.
Suzanne Drummond
ive started to run so a nice run along the cliff tops would be great
claire woods
A good long hike in the Lake District would be just the thing.
Tracy Nixon
A day conquoring Goat Fell Peak on the Isle of Arran with my family!
Solange
I would take these bars to Yosemite National Park which we are visiting in August.
Simon C
I’d go on a cycling adventure. Just have to see where the wheels take me.
Sam McKean
I would take these with me when I am camping with my children to fuel our long card game marathons.
Martina Pichova
Walking on our local Malvern Hills with my family – we love those views!
iain maciver
I would go camping and walking round some of our local area in Scotland that I have never been
amy fidler
my hike up Durdle Door to go surfing
Olga carpenter
Got nice walks in the country side
pete c
would like to canoe along the length of Loch Ness
Tania Atfield
After a bout of tree running with my family.
Zoë IKIWN
Trying the Clif bars on a cliff is certainly very apt 🙂 ! Beautiful scenery, what a lovely place to go walking or cycling. Such a great giveaway too! x
Jennifer Haden
Going through a beach trip with my husband in wales, looking for shells 🙂
Miranda
I’d love to go on a hiking holiday in the alp so these would be great for that!
Sarah Ella (Mumx3x)
You really are very fortunate to live in such a beautiful place! I’d love to visit one day! And yes it’s very appropriate place to try the cliffs bar, which by the way, look YUMMY! Fab post, stunning photos, I really enjoyed reading 🙂 xx
Julie Booth
It would fuel my cycle ride to Leith Hill and back from Godalming
Kate Knight
I would walk along the South Downs Way..lovely !
clair downham
my daughter does competitive swimming so i would give them to my daughter to fuel her races thankyou
Daphne Ormerod
I love to go hiking on The Isle of Wight and could do with some tasty snacks to help me on my way.
Sally Akins
I seriously envy where you live – your pictures are stunning. I think high carb bars can be a bit over-sweet unless you’ve done loads of exercise, and then they taste like heaven, LOL!!
Ana De- Jesus
No wonder Lonely Planet commended Shetland so highly it is stunning. I wish I could declare sunny days off to go exploring too 🙁 xx
Jamie Millard
ziplining with the boys – one of our favourite things to do
Leanne
I’m extremely jealous you have this scenery on your doorstep. So beautiful. I want to get a bike so in the summer I can go on bike rides!
Katherine L
I’d love to bring these yummy snacks with me on a hike through Snowdonia!
Natalie Crossan
I’d love to cycle around London and especially all the parks xx
Kira C
Great giveaway! I’d love to use the Clif bar hamper in my adventures in the lake district which I will hopefully have during the summer! Some amazing photos you’ve captured! I’d love to visit the shetlands one day!
Farhana
Does running after toddlers in the park count as an adventure? I need snacks to keep me going!
Abigail Cullen
I would take these bars, on a long coastal walk, to keep my energy levels up.
Melanie Edjourian
The clif bar flavours are just the sort of thing I like they do sound delicious.
Ickle Pickle
You really do live in a most beautiful place – your photos are stunning. Great giveaway. Kaz x
leanne weir
i would love to go a bike round through central Wales
Hassina Begum
May day with my young kids
Harriet from Toby & Roo
Your photograph is just astounding. I would absolutely love to have something like this for going hiking with my kids! H x
Emma Walker
I would go walking over Dartmoor and share them with my lovely hubby
BARBARA MADDEN
a lovely trip to Lands End and a walk along the Jurassic Coast Line afterwards
Eden Harries
a summer hiking trip day and a race for life 10k
Laura Foulds
a trip to lanzarote coming up soon
Sarah Bailey
These sound like such a great thing to carry with you when you are out and about and exploring and your photos are beautiful what a trip! x
melanie stirling
These would be great to eat on walks in the countryside and the woods.
Catherine Whetton
It looks beautiful there. We live in the Lake District where it’s also beautiful
fozia Akhtar
I would feed a mountain climbing trip with the tribe.
Tracey Peach
I would feed a trip to all the breeders of Dwarf hamsters with Clif Bars! 🙂
Georgina Ingham | Culinary Travels
What a spectacularly beautiful place you live in. I bet those views ate breathtaking in ‘the real’ and in any weather too.
Nayna Kanabar
What a beautiful place you live in, the scenery is spectacular.
emma walters
great for a day in the woods on nature trails with my children
Stella
The weather looks amazing there. So beautiful, am jealous.
Simon tutthill
I’ve always wanted to walk the pennine way,now this prize would help me along
daniel baugh
I would put my boy in his harness and go for a romp around Dartmoor
Milly Y
I discovered these recently on my trip to the USA, so definitely to fuel another trip abroad!
Lucy Major
A long walk around the dene near me in summer with all it’s hills and streams
Rhian Westbury
I’ve never been to Shetland but would love to go as the photos look beautiful x
Rachael G
City sightseeing on our upcoming holiday – we are going to need something to keep us all going after a long flight.
Natalia
I think if I had such stunning scenery near my home then I’d spend much more time outdoors too! Will keep an eye out for the clif bars from now on too ; )
Laura @ dearbearandbeany
I love that there is an honesty cupboard, I bet there are not many places that have them. 250 mile ride, wow good luck X
Tracey Belcher
I am always going on long walks and adventures so I would use these for the feed I need
Jo Carroll
I wish I lived somewhere as beautiful and dramatic as you – that’s proper adventure country. My biggest adventure at the moment is getting my little boy home from nursery past the local park without having a tantrum about going in every day 😉 I’ve still got it on the Monkey Bars though! x
amy bondoc
We are going on a walking holiday to yorkshire this summer id take them with us if i won !
JODIE BEAUMONT
for walks in the countryside with my daughter!
Frances H
I would send these to Tim Peake on the ISS. I’m guessing those ready meals they took with them all taste the same by now.
Graham Anderson
I would like to get out and see more of the regional castles and historic sites this year and these would help.
kim plant
I live near a hill called the Wrekin I would take my family and have a picnic up there
Emily Knight
Now that the weather’s getting warmer, it would be a nice long walk! We live in Bristol and there’s plenty of beautiful countryside to explore around where we live 🙂
Nick Addison
My Lynskey Sportive bike build is almost complete, just in time for some better weather so I’ll be heading off around the Downs and probably White Horse Hill just as soon as I can 🙂
Dean of Little Steps
I would love, love to visit Shetland Islands. If we don’t go abroad this summer, a trip to Shetland island would be a lovely alternative! x
Julie Henderson
an breath taking cable car and hike up to the top of mount Tiede
laura banks
thats easy when the hubby takes me fishing i need all my energy to stay awake as he catches fish all through the night
Kamara
My next trip to Iceland, where it’s hard to get snacks when in the middle of nowhere!
Fiona K
It would fuel a long walk through the New Forest National Park
Emma Jones
I love Clif bars! I take them with me when I go on long cycle rides – cycling along the coastline in South Wales is bliss, and I love taking a breather, looking out at the sea and refueling
Jason Lowe
Always going to be for a long distance bike ride in the Yorkshire Dales!
sharon martin
i’d feed a family stroll along the pembrokeshire coastal path
Kristy Brown
I would love to take them with me along the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path on a little advernture
Claire Nutman
They would be for an epic long walk along the jurassic coast this summer x
Holly Gibson
I really want to do a long cycle somewhere, maybe London to Brighton. Or else just going for a hike in the lakes would be a perfect excuse!