Apera Bag - New Gym Bag!

I cannot even begin to tell you how many gym bags I have gone through...The zippers break, the strap snaps, the fabric tears, and they end up in the garbage within a few months.  I decided to go on a search for a really good bag! One that would last, function, and look cool too.  After googling and searching sporting good stores I finally came across one that looked promising! 

It is from a company called Apera.  Their slogan is pure. sport. bags.  Sounds good to me! All they make are bags so I figured they must be awesome. 

These bags are protected by an antimicrobial product that resists the formation of bacterial odor in and on the bag. I am not exactly sure what an antimicrobial product is, but if it keeps my bag from smelling funky I am all for it! 

Apera bags have ventilated compartments and wipeable linings.  I love this because I swim 5-6 days a week and then keep wet towels and a suit in my bag.  Most bags have that cardboard bottom that gets all soggy and smelly.  

There is plenty of room for all my swim gear in this bag!

There is also a really nice washable insert to keep the bag clean and odor free!

This is perfect to put my wet suit in! I can just toss it in the wash once a week and this way the chlorine isn't soaking into my bag.  

I don't always swim when I go to the gym, but I don't want to have a separate bag for when I do weights or other cardio.  I love that there is a separate place to keep my gloves, headphones, and iPhone arm band.  By the way...can you tell I love pink?!

This bag has more compartments than any bag I have ever seen! I actually think I might need to get more stuff to fill it!

There are two little compartments on top.  

Yes, that is a Quest Bar hiding in there! Ya never know when hunger might strike!

I usually go the gym super early before work.  I shower at the gym, get ready, and go straight to work.  This means I need to pack all my shower stuff too! If you are a girl or know a girl, you know that we need lots of stuff to get ready!

Plenty of room for not one, but two towels! Ya know, one for the body, one for the hair...I also have a hair dryer AND a hair straightener in there!

There is also a big compartment on each side of the bag.  These are really great because they are ventilated.  

I keep a shower bag with my shampoo, conditioner, etc. on one side which usually gets pretty wet. It is perfect because the ventilation lets it dry out instead of having the water sit in there and get all funky.

The other side is perfect for my deodorant, makeup bag, lotion...

Plenty of room for all that other "girly" stuff I need to make myself at least somewhat presentable for work! I am a nanny so I honestly don't put that much effort into it...the kiddos could care less what I look like!

The inside of the bag has lots more little compartments for anything you might need.  

Perfect place for your phone, wallet, car keys, bandaids, chapstick...you name it! Seriously though...I need more stuff! I feel the need to fill each and every compartment! 

Of course this bag has a great adjustable strap!

 Oh if I had a dollar for every time I had a strap just break and my bag fell to the ground...Duct tape only works for so long... 

 If I am going to the gym for cardio or to lift I will wear my tennis shoes.  Of course there is plenty of room if I did want to pack them!

Love how my shoes match my bag! You might also notice my matching pink shaker bottle.  There is not just one, but two water bottle holders! 

Just so you can see it all spread out...this is everything I keep in my new gym bag.  That is a lot of stuff!!

And yes, there was room for more!!!

 I am beyond happy with my new gym bag and don't think I will ever find another one that even compares!  

 Check out the Apera website and get yourself an amazing bag! They also have back packs, yoga bags, totes, and duffel bags.  I was actually eyeing up the yoga tote and sling tote! They would be perfect for all the stuff I need to pack while at work with the kiddos :) Even if you don't workout, these bags would be perfect for a pool bag, overnight bag, or even in place of a purse!

All kinds of fun colors and very reasonably priced! I guarantee you will not find a better sport bag anywhere! 

Quest Creation - Salted Caramel Brownie Bites

So in love with Quest Bars! I love eating them out of the wrapper, microwaving them, baking them into teeny tiny cookies, and experimenting with them! I recently made the best treats out of the Chocolate Brownie bar!

Yes, these taste as amazing as they look! Best part is they are quite healthy!! As Quest would say, they are the perfect way to cheat clean :)

So simple too...all you need is a Chocolate Brownie Quest Bar, some caramels, and some sea salt!

I just used regular caramels, but you can also use sugar free.

Unwrap the bar and place it on a microwave safe plate or parchment paper if you have some. Microwave for 10 seconds.

Do NOT try to microwave these bars on a napkin, paper towel, or paper plate! You will have a mess and a wasted Quest Bar!! People go to jail for wasting Quest Bars...

Break the bar into 3 pieces.  Flatten out one piece and place the unwrapped caramel inside. 

 I probably don't have to say "unwrapped", but ya just never know with some people... 

Roll the bar into a ball.

Make sure the caramel is completely covered so it doesn't ooze out.

Do the same with the other two pieces of the bar and place on a baking sheet. I highly recommend using parchment paper.  

Bake at 350 for about 10 minutes.

 As soon as they come out of the oven sprinkle some sea salt on top. 

You could leave the salt off, but they are so much better with it!!

Let them cool a tiny bit before taking that first bite!! 

I know...it is very hard to wait!! I made the mistake of tasting too soon and that caramel is hot!

If you don't have the Chocolate Brownie bar, you can definitely try with some other flavors! Cookie dough, double chocolate chunk, cinnamon roll, peanut butter supreme...you get the idea!

So go buy some Quest Bars, make these, and then tell your friends all about it!

Salted Caramel Brownie Bites

• Chocolate brownie Quest Bar
• 3 caramels
• Sea salt

1. Place bar on microwave safe plate and microwave for 10 seconds.

2. Break bar into 3 pieces.

3. Flatten each piece and place caramel inside.

4. Roll dough into a ball with caramel in the middle.

5. Place on baking sheet with parchment.

6. Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes.

7. Sprinkle with sea salt as soon as they come out of the oven.

8. Let cool for a few minutes and enjoy!!

3 Bites for 250 calories 

8g Protein

 40g Carb 

21g Protein

**Check out the video for making these tasty treats!! Salted Caramel Brownie Bites

Quest Creation - Cookie Dough Pretzel Pops

I firmly believe that salty & sweet is the best flavor combo! I don't know what it is, but the two just taste amazing together! If you agree, you are going to love these Cookie Dough Pretzel Pops.

Oh yea, there is also a generous amount of chocolate in these! Sweet, salty, and chocolatey!!

These could not be easier to make.  You only need two ingredients and about five minutes.

Cookie Dough Quest Bar and pretzel rods are all you need! 

Unwrap the bar and do your best to not eat it right away!! Just admire the chunks for a minute...

Place bar on a microwave safe plate and warm up for about 10 seconds.  If you have parchment paper that is helpful, but do not try using a napkin or paper plate!

The bar will be soft enough to work with now.  Break the bar into pieces and just mold it around the pretzel rod.  

I like to leave the bottom of the pretzel uncovered so I can hold it like a lollipop.

Place your covered pretzels in the fridge for a couple minutes just to let the chocolate set up a bit.  If you are impatient like me, just stick them in the freezer for a minute.  

Or just eat them right away!!! That first bite is fantastic! The pretzel is crunchy and salty.  The Quest Bar is chewy and sweet.  And all those melted, swirly chocolate chunks...Perfection!

 These make a great snack or dessert! The best part is you can eat all three with no guilt! That's because these awesome bars are low sugar, high protein, and "junk" free! If you have been living under a rock and have not tried Quest Bars yet, you can order some here!

You can thank me later :)

Cookie Dough Pretzel Pops

• Cookie Dough Quest Bar
• Pretzel rods (3 or 4 depending on size)

1. Place unwrapped bar on microwave safe plate and warm for 10 seconds.
2. Tear off a piece of bar and wrap around the pretzel rod. Leave one end uncovered.
3. Place in fridge for a few minutes to allow chocolate to set.
4. Enjoy!

For 3 Pops - 245 calories

8g Fat

33g Carb

21g Protein 

Strawberry Cheesecake Bites

Strawberries and summer! They go together like peanut butter and jelly, milk and cereal, and scrambled eggs and ketchup! Ok...maybe not everyone agrees with the last one. Don't knock it til you've tried it!! Anywho...back to strawberries! How about some delicious Strawberry Cheesecake Bites?!

These are my new favorite summer snack! So easy, so tasty, and so healthy! 

All you need is Fiber One Original cereal, fat free cream cheese, vanilla, sweetener, and of course strawberries!

You can also use graham crackers or any other type of cereal you like! 

Start by cutting the tops off the strawberries and rinsing them well.  

I am not a germ-a-phob my any means, but I always wash my fruit extra good.  I always picture all the crazy old ladies opening the strawberry containers and squeezing the berries looking for the best package...

 Next, take a knife and hollow out the strawberries.  

You can leave most of the strawberry, just make a nice little hole for some creamy filling.

Speaking of creamy filling...

This is so simple to make.  Just mix together some fat free cream cheese, vanilla, and sweetener if you want.  You could also add some cocoa powder or cinnamon to make some crazy flavored creamy filling!

We also need to make the "crust" part of the strawberry cheesecake bites.  I love using the Fiber One Cereal but use your imagination and grind up whatever you like!

I threw in one sweetener too.  Just add your cereal to a blender and get it nice and fine.  

 All ready to assemble!!!

Silly me...using a white bowl to show white cream cheese filing...Oh Kim...

 Just spoon a little of the filling into the hollowed out strawberry.

I usually stuff them pretty good!! The crust needs something to hold on to so it's ok if the cream cheese is sticking out a bit.

Dip into your crust...

And there ya have it!! Easy peasy strawberry squeezy!!! Ok, doesn't flow off the tongue quite so well...

How awesome do those look!!!

 The best part is that this whole plate is only 120 calories!! I picked the biggest strawberries too!

Feeling crazy?!

You can dip these in all sorts of things!! Chocolate chips, sprinkles, nuts, coconut...

What is it about sprinkles that make everything look so fantastic!?

So pretty and colorful!

How amazing would these look sitting out at a picnic, BBQ, or party?!

I think for the 4th of July I am going to make them and dip in blue sprinkles!! Red, white, and blue!!

That first bite is perfection! 

They are cold, creamy, and sweet! Yum!

Strawberry Cheesecake Bites

• 6-8 strawberries (148g)
• 2 T fat free cream cheese (66g)
• 1 T Fiber One Original cereal (7g)
• 1/2 t vanilla 
• sweetener to taste

1. Cut tops off strawberries and rinse.

2. With a knife, cut out the middle of the strawberries. Set aside.

3. Add cereal and sweetener to blender grind it up til it is very fine. Set aside. 

4. Mix together cream cheese, vanilla, and sweetener.  

5. Fill strawberries with cream cheese and dip in cereal.

6. Eat! Refrigerate any leftovers in a tupperware.

For 6 Bites - 120 calories

1g Fat

22g Carb

9g Protein

Vitalicious

I love breakfast foods...bagels, pancakes, waffles, eggs, and muffins! Some may disagree, but I strongly believe that you can enjoy these foods at any time of the day! Pancakes for lunch? Yes! Eggs for dinner? You bet!

Given my love for breakfast type foods, you can only imagine my excitement when a big box of VitaTops arrived at my door!

VitaTops are just one of the many products that Vitalicious carries.  They also have regular muffins, cakes, brownies, mixes, pizzas, and sandwiches.

In case you haven't heard of VitaTops before, they are like muffins, but only the tops! Duh, the best part of the muffin! Genius!  They sent me all kinds of goodies to try and review.  Good thing I was hungry!

I got to try 4 flavors of VitaTops and 2 flavors of the mini VitaCakes.  

I was already in love with these treats because they come in a box that says "store in freezer".  Why does that excite me? Well, I hate when I buy baked goods like muffins or cakes from a store and they go bad so quickly.  

These are all packaged individually so you can just take one or two out of the freezer when you want! The rest will keep frozen and fresh for a very long time.

You can let them thaw by sitting out, microwave for a few seconds, or toast them!

Toasted muffin tops! So good!

The Wild Blueberry was one of my favorites.  I loved all the blueberries and crumbles on top!

I ate this one after just letting it thaw on the counter for a bit.  So soft and such a great flavor!

Calling all chocolate lovers! Deep Chocolate! That's right, not dark chocolate or double chocolate, but Deep Chocolate!

This was basically like eating a chocolate chip brownie! Except this brownie is only 100 calories, 1.5 grams of fat, 26 grams of carb, and 4 grams of protein.  Plus, all Vitalicious products are Kosher certified and all natural with no artificial additives or preservatives.

Speaking of brownies...

These mini VitaCakes are basically like a soft chocolatey brownie but much better for you! They are only 50 calories a piece too! I definitely did not just have one! Fudgy Chocolate and Chocolate Rasberry. Yum!

They were both very tasty but I really liked the Fudgy Chocolate one. The raspberry one was very similar but with a nice fruity flavor too. 

So many chocolate chips packed into one cake! These are excellent warmed up in the microwave for a couple seconds.  I plan on putting a scoop of vanilla ice cream on one for dessert very soon! VitaCake al a mode! 

I was very excited to try the Chocolate Peanut Butter top! Just about anything containing peanut butter is going to get a thumbs up from me!

Two thumbs up! I also microwaved this one and the peanut butter chips got all melty...It was so soft and chocolatey and simply delicious! 

Last but not least was a good old Chocolate Chip top.  You really can't go wrong with such a classic flavor.  Especially when you put that many chocolate chips in something!

This was really good toasted!! I just love the convenience of these too! 

Having them be packaged individually makes them perfect for tossing in my lunchbox. I have mentioned before that I always pack my food for work.  In case you were wondering, I am a nanny :) Notice my Tinkerbell tuperware...

I love that I can take them right out the freezer, toss them in my lunchbox, and they are thawed and ready to eat when I get hungry! Only one problem...the kiddos see me eating them and want some for themselves! Can you blame them?? Now I know to always pack extra!

I also always take snacks with me when I am going on a road trip.  Short or long, I never leave the house without a snack! You just never know when hunger will strike.

Take a VitaTop that may still be slightly frozen, place it on the dash in the sun, and you have yourself a warm and healthy snack in no time!

Clearly these are great just out of wrapper, microwaved, and toasted...but there is much more you can do with them!!  I have confessed to my peanut butter obsession in the past...

Uh yea...this was heavenly...

Chocolate Peanut Butter VitaTop, slightly warmed, with a big glob of peanut butter!

Awesome snack, breakfast, or dessert! 

I also have a slight obsession with cream cheese.  I put that stuff on everything! I knew it was going to be fantastic with the Wild Blueberry VitaTops!

I love being right! Kinda like a bagel, but much better!! Most bagels will run you about 350 calories...both of these VitaTops are only 200 calories! Add a little fat free cream cheese and you got yourself one tasty breakfast for only about 250 calories! 

I cannot say what my favorite flavor is because there are still so many more I need to try!! These were all amazing but the VitaTops also come in flavors like Banana Chocolate Chip, Carrot Cake,  Triple Chocolate Chunk, Mint Chocolate Chip, Apple Crumb, Golden Corn, Banana Nut, Blue Bran, Cran Bran, Deep Chocolate Pomegrante, and even Sugar Free Velvety Chocolate!!

Now you see why I cannot choose a favorite just yet!

I definitely plan on doing some more taste testing in the future! I think Carrot Cake and Apple Crumb are calling my name...

Many grocery stores sell Vitalicous products in the freezer section.  You won't get all the variety though so I suggest checking out the Vitalicious site and ordering some online!