Another wonderful What I Ate Wednesday hosted over at Peas and Crayons!
I tried this new thing yesterday called waking up early. I set the alarm for 5:50, then turned it off and laid there until my eyes collected enough moisture to open. Does anyone else wake up with dry eyes? No matter how much water I drink; it’s ridiculous. Anyway, I made it to my computer by
I’m fully aware that this isn’t early for some of you, but I usually am good to go at 6:45 and it’s amazing the difference I feel waking up just an hour earlier. Also, the amount of work I can get done in that extra 45 minutes is insane, so I’m trying to do it more regularly.
I snacked on melon and decaf while pounding on the keyboard until the munchkin woke up. Then I made us real breakfast.
Egg scramble with mushrooms, peppers and onions, topped with cilantro and salsa. Honey wheat toast ad butter on the side.
The morning flew by soon it was time for a snack.
Leftover 3 Bean Chili with sour cream and cilantro.
I got in a walk with a friend, then came home to an easy lunch.
Turkey, provolone, spinach and mustard on wheat with melon.
Midafternoon I hit an energy slump, so on the way to hot yoga I decided to try some Energy Bits. *more on these below
After a great, sweaty yoga class at Charlotte Family Yoga, we returned home to some delicious taco slop.
Chicken taco slop, brown rice, guacamole and cilantro.
Ok, now back to the bits…
The small sample tin was sent to me to try out and I was shocked when it recommended taking 20-30 bits. I think that’s how many were in a whole tin! Instead, I swallowed about half the tin.
No worries, before doing so, I did check out what they were. Energy Bits are
Made from 100% organicallly grown spirulina algae and loaded with 40 nutrients, ENERGYbits® algae tabs have the highest concentration of protein in the world (64%) all for just one calorie per tab.
In fact, they are actually small bits of food, not pills.
I was intrigued by these bits because I have a love/hate with caffeine. You may notice I usually drink decaf. I do so for a variety of reasons. I’m very sensitive to caffeine and it can make me feel jittery with only a small amount, but more so, I get heart palpitations when I drink it too often.
Lately I’ve been sipping on tea and a bit of regular coffee here and there and have noticed an increase in my heart flutters. For anyone that experiences these, they can tell you that the feeling is unsettling. I’ve been to the doctor (woah flashback to an OLD post) and they say there isn’t a danger in them, but it still makes me feel uneasy so I try to take it easy on caffeine.
Because of this, I’ve kept an eye out for an energy boost option that doesn’t contain caffeine or artificial garbage. Enter Energy Bits. Yesterday I ate half the tin… maybe 15 or so bits? And I did have a steadier stream of alertness and energy throughout yoga class and the evening than I usually do! Not jittery, not hyperactive, just alert.
Placebo effect? Maybe. David is still skeptical, but there weren’t enough bits for us both to try them.
Full disclosure is that Energy Bits sent me the free sample, but not expecting a review or me to even mention them, so all these opinions are completely my own. In fact, I logged on to the site to look at ordering more because I’d like to give them a few more tries, but at $115 for 1000 bits, I wasn’t quite ready to commit.
I’ll try the other half of the tin sometime and see if I get another boost. I need more convincing.
Have you heard on Energy Bits?
Does anyone have a non-caffeine secret to an energy boost?
blackhuff says
I can’t say that I have any other way for a energy boost than caffeine. Maybe sugar, yes but no other way.
Erica says
I love the old post! Your ring is BLINGing in it lol.
Stefanie says
Darn! I was really hoping the energy bits would be something I could use! I am pretty sensitive to caffiene as well. It makes me jittery, my heart races and I can’t focus on anything for more than 3 seconds. I hate it but I can typically handle one glass of sweet tea without too much trouble as long as I’m in the habit of drinking it nearly daily. I took a couple of weeks off and then had a glass and wanted to kick myself. 🙁
Brittany says
Hey Stefanie! I wish you could try a sample of the Energy Bits because I really think I got a boost from them, and I only took half the recommended amount. If I get them and try them again and feel like they work, I’ll let you know!
Maria says
I don’t drink much caffeine either, besides a bit of black or white tea here and there (which has very little). What I do find that gives me an natural energy boost is Fitmixer Aminos. I know, I sound like an infomercial, but I don’t often recommend products, besides this one. You can buy the powder in fruit punch or grape (I love both) from Drugstore.com for about 18.99. I drink one before a workout and receive such a great boost! (I’m not endorsed or anything by them, just a fan!)
Rachel @ My Naturally Frugal Family says
I saw the bits on another site and that blogger was put off by the price as well. Definitely seems steep when you are “supposed” to consume almost an entire tin.
I have to say your term “taco slop” had me laughing, love the name 🙂
Happy Wednesday to you from Greensboro!
chelcie @ chelcie's food files says
i tried a sample of the energy bits when I went to HLS and I wasn’t a fan..i thought they had a really weird texture!
Paulina says
I’ve never heard of those before, but that sounds quite expensive. I drink a cup of coffee every morning. Its part of my morning ritual, although most weekdays I only have time for a few sips before the coffee gets cold. I love enjoying a cup of coffee and a book on weekend mornings before my husband and baby wake up.
Lisa says
Some way to get quick energy for me is to blend a bunch of veggies in my vitamix and drink it like juice…although half of the time it works for energy, the other half I’m having horrible stomach pain from it ha ha. So maybe that’s not the best option;)
Jessie says
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the energy bites. I’m waiting for mine in the mail right now, and have heard mixed reviews. I think it may just depend on the person.. or so it seems?
Oh & btw, your lunch looks delicious!
Chantal says
I don’t do caffeine, and haven’t for nearly 10 years. I’ve looked at those but I’ll just get my energy from other natural sources!
JPetroroy says
I’ve read that breastfeeding can make your eyes extra dry–that’s definitely happening to me right now.
Michaela says
I use chlorella and spirulina and find that they really help me being alert. don´t do caffeine either! another addiction out of the way, ha! but honestly, the best thing is to just eat clean and to get enough sleep 😉
Meagan says
I keep telling myself I may try the waking up earlier thing once Chase is sleeping through the night but yeah I don’t think that is going to happen. I have found taking a shower to be a good pick me up!
Jonathan says
Thanks for the review! We’re happy to share samples with anyone by the way. In regards to the price: feel free to use BLOG to save 10% on our website. Feel free to reach out to us on twitter at @energybits for a sample!
Additionally, once you start taking energybits daily, you don’t need to use any other vitamins or supplements… Our bits have them all!
Matt @ The Athlete's Plate says
Coffee for me every morning. After that, it’s water and kombucha 🙂
jodie says
An apple has more “wake up” than coffee.
Ksenija @ Health Ninja says
How funny I also bragged about getting up early in yesterday’s WIAW – it really is a great habit to build.
And regarding those Energy Bits – Couldn’t you just take spirulina tablets? I couldn’t tell the difference from your description. My favorite energy booster are green smoothies or green juices – they are really great as a morning coffee alternative.
Brittany says
That’s a good point- not sure why I didn’t think of it. I’m going to look more into spirulina tablets! Thanks 🙂
samsur says
Very nice tips , a beverage that I know free caffeine that can boost our energy is hibiscus tea red flower
Sue says
I use Spirulina powder. Much cheaper and easier to mix in water or juice. Suggested dose is 1 tsp. but I seem to do well on 1/2 tsp. It is definitely an energy booster! I just put it in a tall container of water and drink it throughout the day. Don’t drink it too late at night or it might keep you up. And I’ve read that if you don’t see a good reaction from it, to try taking digestive enzymes to help digest it. I’ve read great things about Spirulina. And it helps with weight loss. You visit the bathroom more which I’m sure helps. It’s cleansing so drink lots of water. I noticed some muscle firming even without exercise which may be due to the high Protein content.