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.
You could help me become an award winning blogger! I’ve made the shortlist for the Britmums Brilliance in Blogging Awards in the Food category. If you enjoy my blog posts please consider casting your vote for me to reach the finals. Click here or on the image below to take you to the voting page, open until May 18th! Thank you! x
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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.
No Waste Food Challenge – Spring 2016
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Me and the hubby do a lot of walking in the Lake District so these would be ideal!
We would take them with us on a Picnic at Sandwell Valley park!
These would be perfect when visiting my sister in the Lake District
A nice walk through the woods looking at the bluebells.
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. š
We love our long beach walks, these would be perfect for sitting on the dunes
Take them with me to our Sunday walks with our dog harry
Going on the three peaks challenge would do it
I love to go hiking in Yorkshire
Ooo excitement I want the hat without the top it would prevent the sweat head
A hike along the canal you can walk as long no way without realising it
Might not be an adventure but I go on long drives with work. This would be the perfect snack
I’d take them when we take the dog to the beach for the afternoon. It would save me packing picnic.
I would eat them while biking. Nothing better than a long bike ride on the weekend
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
I’d go on a long cycle along the coast, and eat on the beach š
Would go long walks along the canel with the kids and feed the ducks while we munch on these
I’m aiming for the coast to coast from Cumbria to North Yorks. maybe not this year, but who knows.
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.
I’d introduce my family to them and take them all hiking in the Peak District.
I would take them for a day ramblng in the country park with my dog, WE love going on long walks there
a lovely family walk to the local park and round the pond there.
Camping trip to the Lake District.
WHILE taking my dogs a walk in the country park
we love exploring new places with the kids so these would come in handy
I’d just take them on a long run through the countryside.
I would go on a long walk at my local walking trails with my dog
Our family walks up the moors x
when we take the dogs for a long forest walk
i would take them with me when i go dog walking with my eldest daughter
going to the park with my daughter , these would be very yummy snacks to bring
They would be very useful when I walk the North Norfolk Coastal foot path
I’d take them camping. We always go on lots of long walks and these would be great for a snack on the way!
Lots of dog walking in the beautiful north wales countryside
I would take them with me to the Lake District
I would take cliff bars along when climbing pen y fan
i love taking all the kids to the woods for an adventure they love it as much as i ever did
A long bike ride in our local forest is beckoning.
I love going to the Lake District
Trips to the park with grandaughter Alice
this would be great when im walking along cromer beach
My first long distance Triathlon in June this year
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
The cycling club when we go out on masse for a ride on a Sunday morning
A walking holiday in the Peak District would be adventurous enough for me.
We love hiking in the Lake District so they would be handy for that.
We enjoy kayaking in the summer so these would be perfect to take out with us for when we need a burst of energy š
We’d take them on our next stage of walking along the British South coast
A long bike ride in the Surrey hills
I like to go on long walking adventures with my mums dog, we always take a snack and a drink.
I would eat them after one of my runs to replenish my energy levels
This looks amazing, I love eating at places with a view!
Every day working with teenagers is an adventure so I need to fuel up regularly!
I would take them on a dog agility adventure and use them to keep my strength up between courses š
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!
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.
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.
We would have them while walking around the countryside
Long woodland walks with my husband and son
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)!
long dog walks along the coast, Northumbria first then cornwall
Walk in Hope Valley derbyshire
My husband and I go on quite a few walking holidays so we’d use these then
these would be great for our trip to the cliffs of moher in the west of Ireland this summer
On the Cornish coast, enjoying the beautiful scenery along the way. The lovely fresh sea air gets me peckish xx
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
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.
They look good for the yearly trip to Iceland for days out by horse.
I would take on a family hike through the Forest or Countryside , wherever our next adventure takes us š
On a walking holiday to Wales later on this year.
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.
What do you mean Northern Isles… like…. where I live? Shetland?! š
me and my family would head over to Queenwoods for a day of fun, we love the views then tucking into pinic
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
I love these bars
Me and my partner do a lot of walking we walk on the Yorkshire dales I’d use these then
I started going Geocaching with my kids last half term, so we would take some of these along next time š
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.
Probably a long run! I get very hungry trail running š
What a gorgeous corner of the world you live in. I’d eat up these Cliff bars on my next walking trip in Cornwall.
i would love to go up snowdon on foot that would be my adventure
A stroll across the mountainside and maybe through the forest xx
Wow, what a great post. Gorgeous pics! I want to go on holiday right now
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!
Running after the kids on a day out at our local country park.
Long walks along the river whilst geocaching š
A day out exploring the coast nearby, seeking fossils and sharks’ teeth with some paddling thrown in.
Id take them for a good hike up a mountain, Brecon Becan’s I think š
I would use them to give me energy whilst walking in rural Yorkshire.
for long coastal walks, maybe somewhere in wales would be nice
I would love to feed a trek in either the Yorkshire Moors, or the Lake District.
I would feed myself on the adventure of taking a city break and following my wife around carrying shopping bags! :/
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 !!!!
Bagging a few more Birketts in the Lake District
I`D TAKE A LONG WALK FROM BOSCOMBE PIER TO BOURNEMOUTH ALONG THE BEACH
Iād love to go on a walking holiday in the pyrenees so these would be great for that!
I would wLk along my lovely coasts of Bournemouth
Our family hikes that we take on a Sunday, usually around the local nature reserve!
I have got into running recently and I want to go up from a 5k to a 10k so it’s fuel that goal! š
Must be a scary moment when your kid can finally vote! Those bars sure look yummy and the view is glorious!
I would take them on a hike and climbing Snowdon
i would bring this to our camping trip
On my walks in Aviemore Scotland when I visit would be lovely eating one of these with such stunning views
I would feed the adventure of tackling the jungle of weeds in my garden and enjoying the paradise of the emerging flowers
I’d have a long walk in the lake district
A walk along the wild beaches around Bamburgh Castle
I would take a long walk along the banks of the River Tees out to the sea.
we love very long walks through the countryside x
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. š
A long nature walk and adventure at the local woods.
I would cycle along the scenic coast route of Frinton on sea past the Marshes.
I would use it and take it camping in newquay
The scenery looks stunning . Gorgeous photos – I love the idea of the honesty box shop too.
I would love them for a really long walk on my local beach
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
Any trip with my triplets is an exhausting adventure – does that count?
They would be great to take on walks along the Cornish coastal path.
ive started to run so a nice run along the cliff tops would be great
A good long hike in the Lake District would be just the thing.
A day conquoring Goat Fell Peak on the Isle of Arran with my family!
I would take these bars to Yosemite National Park which we are visiting in August.
I’d go on a cycling adventure. Just have to see where the wheels take me.
I would take these with me when I am camping with my children to fuel our long card game marathons.
Walking on our local Malvern Hills with my family – we love those views!
I would go camping and walking round some of our local area in Scotland that I have never been
my hike up Durdle Door to go surfing
Got nice walks in the country side
would like to canoe along the length of Loch Ness
After a bout of tree running with my family.
Trying the Clif bars on a cliff is certainly very apt š ! Beautiful scenery, what a lovely place to go walking or cycling. Such a great giveaway too! x
Going through a beach trip with my husband in wales, looking for shells š
I’d love to go on a hiking holiday in the alp so these would be great for that!
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 š xx
It would fuel my cycle ride to Leith Hill and back from Godalming
I would walk along the South Downs Way..lovely !
my daughter does competitive swimming so i would give them to my daughter to fuel her races thankyou
I love to go hiking on The Isle of Wight and could do with some tasty snacks to help me on my way.
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!!
No wonder Lonely Planet commended Shetland so highly it is stunning. I wish I could declare sunny days off to go exploring too š xx
ziplining with the boys – one of our favourite things to do
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!
I’d love to bring these yummy snacks with me on a hike through Snowdonia!
I’d love to cycle around London and especially all the parks xx
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!
Does running after toddlers in the park count as an adventure? I need snacks to keep me going!
I would take these bars, on a long coastal walk, to keep my energy levels up.
The clif bar flavours are just the sort of thing I like they do sound delicious.
You really do live in a most beautiful place – your photos are stunning. Great giveaway. Kaz x
i would love to go a bike round through central Wales
May day with my young kids
Your photograph is just astounding. I would absolutely love to have something like this for going hiking with my kids! H x
I would go walking over Dartmoor and share them with my lovely hubby
a lovely trip to Lands End and a walk along the Jurassic Coast Line afterwards
a summer hiking trip day and a race for life 10k
a trip to lanzarote coming up soon
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
These would be great to eat on walks in the countryside and the woods.
It looks beautiful there. We live in the Lake District where it’s also beautiful
I would feed a mountain climbing trip with the tribe.
I would feed a trip to all the breeders of Dwarf hamsters with Clif Bars! š
What a spectacularly beautiful place you live in. I bet those views ate breathtaking in ‘the real’ and in any weather too.
What a beautiful place you live in, the scenery is spectacular.
great for a day in the woods on nature trails with my children
The weather looks amazing there. So beautiful, am jealous.
I’ve always wanted to walk the pennine way,now this prize would help me along
I would put my boy in his harness and go for a romp around Dartmoor
I discovered these recently on my trip to the USA, so definitely to fuel another trip abroad!
A long walk around the dene near me in summer with all it’s hills and streams
I’ve never been to Shetland but would love to go as the photos look beautiful x
City sightseeing on our upcoming holiday – we are going to need something to keep us all going after a long flight.
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 ; )
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
I am always going on long walks and adventures so I would use these for the feed I need
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 š I’ve still got it on the Monkey Bars though! x
We are going on a walking holiday to yorkshire this summer id take them with us if i won !
for walks in the countryside with my daughter!
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.
I would like to get out and see more of the regional castles and historic sites this year and these would help.
I live near a hill called the Wrekin I would take my family and have a picnic up there
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 š
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 š
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
an breath taking cable car and hike up to the top of mount Tiede
thats easy when the hubby takes me fishing i need all my energy to stay awake as he catches fish all through the night
My next trip to Iceland, where it’s hard to get snacks when in the middle of nowhere!
It would fuel a long walk through the New Forest National Park
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
Always going to be for a long distance bike ride in the Yorkshire Dales!
i’d feed a family stroll along the pembrokeshire coastal path
I would love to take them with me along the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path on a little advernture
They would be for an epic long walk along the jurassic coast this summer x
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!