On a Quest

Hello there!

It's been a little bit, since we've posted, but no worries... we're here to stay! Today is our final post containing our reviews for the Quest Protein Bars. We hope you're as excited as we are to share with you our thoughts about their products! Let's begin...

* Cookie Dough *

I love cookies, in fact, I love mostly anything sweet. If you do too, we wanna know,  so comment! Anyway, I have always loved making cookies because I get to nibble on some of the chocolate chips, taste the dough (YUM), and then get to enjoy it completely finished while drinking a cup of milk. How would you like it if you could get all that from a single protein bar that is actually good for you? That's just what Quest did!

I loved that this bar wasn't too much of the dough flavor, but that it had a sufficient amount of chocolate in it. This was one of my favorites because it cures a sweet tooth while giving you a burst of energy. I really love that it has all the same flavors that cookie dough has. It has a sweet, chocolatey flavor and a little bit of saltiness. It definitely makes your taste buds happy! I definitely enjoyed this protein bar!

* Banana Nut Muffin *

Muffins are amazing. Please don't disagree! I have never tried a Banana Nut Muffin, but it sounds good. I love Pumpkin muffins, Blueberry, Chocolate Chip, any kind really, so if you have a protein bar that tastes like one- give it to me please! 

Quest made an amazing bar. It tastes just like a muffin. It tastes like a nice ripe banana, it tastes nutty, and it tastes like perfection in a bar! I had seen some reviews about this bar, and a certain percentage said that it had an over-powering banana flavor. If you were a little unsure about it, than please, let me have the final say. The mixture of banana and nuts was perfect. Quest did a great job!! Neither flavor was over powering, but in fact there was just enough of each. I didn't warm it up, but I can imagine that doing so would make it taste even better! Why don't you head on over to their site and treat yourself to a box of them. Sound good?

* Cinnamon Roll *

Yum. I loooove cinnamon rolls! Give me one any day of the week! 

I tried this protein bar before I had an intense workout, and let me tell you something.... it was GOOD!
Let me re-phrase that. It was GREAT. You get what I mean :)

I loved the uniqueness of this Quest bar. It was unlike all the other protein bars of theirs that I've tried. The consistency of the bar reminded me of a candy bar. It was stuffed in a backpack that had been in the car, so it probably had been warmed by the heat inside the car. Anyway, it was softer and less chewy than their other bars. The flavor was more cinnamon than cinnamon roll, I personally thought, but hey, not every bar is perfect :) I liked that the cinnamon taste wasn't overpowering, but that there was enough so it tasted similar to a cinnamon roll. 

I love the fact that after I eat I Quest bar, they definitely satisfy me for a while. While that is a plus, another bonus is that I personally feel energized after I eat them. I love that the bars not only taste good, but increase your energy level and satisfy you. I know that from previous experience, I would eat a protein bar and feel hungry 30 minutes later. Also Quest bars are really low in sugar. Unlike other protein bars, they give you a lot of protein and less sugar. The only thing that was a little bit of a downer was that you got a slight aftertaste of sucralose :( As much as I like Quest, I really dislike that some of their bars have sucralose. Otherwise, this bar was a winner!

* Cookies and Cream *

I heard so much about this Quest bar. It was advertised everywhere. No matter where I went, I found that somehow this bar was advertised there, too. So, as it was, I was really eager to try it. Results...

The bar was simply amazing. I loved every single bite of it. I loved the intense cookie flavor which was in every bite, and the consistency was amazing too. It was simply awesomeness in a bar. It had many chunks of the actual cookie and then the cream inside, so it gave it a little crunchiness to the bar, which was... super nice!!

It's so hard to say which is a favorite because they are all so good, but this was definitely one of the very best I have tried. It's worth every dollar you spend on it. I am so excited to head over to GNC soon and get me some more bars! 

Thank you so much, Quest, for allowing us to review these bars. You are such an awesome company, and we love all of your products! 

* Quest Cravings *

I had been so eager to try these too, because I and heard so many great reviews about them! It was Quest's version of a Reese's PB Cup, and I love those! 

To start off, I was impressed that Quest made the taste so similar to an actual PB cup. It was a great first try, but I honestly I didn't love it. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't horrible, but it was, in my opinion, only okay. I had so much looked forward to eating it that my hopes were so high. I'd love to see Quest improve the taste. 

I felt as though it tasted slightly bitter, though the peanut butter flavor masked it somewhat. It was great that they took healthy ingredients and turned it into a sweet treat. Maybe it would be better warmed up, but I wasn't extremely impressed. 

I would probably give it a three out of five stars. It wasn't horrible, but I think it could be improved. 
I'd love to see Quest continue tweaking the recipe, and then I'd taste it again, but currently I wouldn't re-buy them. Maybe in the future! Maybe...

Thank you so much, Quest, for sending us these bars to review! We love getting to try each new flavor created in your kitchen :) 

Have a blessed day everyone, and keep shining for HIM!
Olivia

*All opinions in this review are our own. 

Quest Reviews

Hello my beautiful friends!

I'm so excited that we are blogging again (sorry for taking a long break)! We're here to share with you our thoughts on Quest bars. So many people say that they are just amazing and that you need to try them, but is it true? See for yourself...

* Brownie *

Olivia - "Wow. Where should I start? This was the very first Quest bar that I ever tried, and let's just say... it was really good! I had always dreamed of tasting one- after all, you see them advertised everywhere, and they look mouthwateringly delicious. Back to the bar...

When I tried it, I warmed it in the microwave for about 15 seconds, and when I pulled it out of the microwave it smelled exactly like a real brownie! Because it smelled great, it made me want to taste it so badly, but I didn't realize that I would be in for a real treat. 

The bar tastes like a freshly baked, warm brownie. It was rich and chocolatey, so it will cure your sweet tooth! The flavor is just right, it doesn't taste artificial and it doesn't taste like a healthified brownie. Nope. It tastes like one of the best brownies you've eaten. Ever. It was amazing, and I'd definitely get it again!"

* Coconut Cashew *

Mariah- "For my body I try to keep my diet high in veggies and protein. I like to include a serving of protein in every meal, so I usually opt for a protein shake when I'm ready for a snack. However, when I was about to make myself a shake, my sister offered me the coconut cashew Quest bar - my life would never be the same... ;)

But seriously, for soooo long I wanted to try a Quest bar. It seemed like everyone was eating and loving Quest bars and I wondered what I was missing out on. The coconut cashew bar was soooo amazingly delicious and satisfyingly filling - it was perfection all wrapped up. :)

I loved the unique coconut cashew flavor and it was unlike any protein bar - or any bar for that matter - I had ever tasted. I love that this bar has 20 grams of protein and only 1 gram of sugar. That's unbelievable!! I've had some seriously delicious protein bars before, but they had more sugar than a candy bar and less than 10 grams of protein. The Coconut Cashew Quest not only is low in sugar an high in protein, it also has no artificial ingredients and is only 170 calories! Besides all of the nutritional information, it is just plain delicious! I loved this bar and can't wait to try more."

I'm on a quest for Quest! ;)

* Peanut Butter Supreme *

Michaela- "I love peanut butter, and I love Quest bars. When those two loves are combined they transform into something incredible, something I didn't know was possible. Quest's Peanut Butter Supreme protein bar is just that - absolutely incredible. It was like getting a taste of heaven, that good. I absolutely loved the smoothness of it and the rich flavor. Honestly, I couldn't even believe how good it was. I had only one Quest bar before trying this flavor, and I hadn't been impressed. But this, this was amazing. 

I microwaved it for a couple seconds, and the flavors just burst in your mouth. I can hardly wait to try it again. I was doing a bit of reading about Quest Nutrition, and found out some things that make me appreciate Quest protein bars even more. All of their ingredients are natural and they don't add any sugar outside of ingredients such as chocolate and fruits to their bars. They have created something absolutely sensational without adding in all the ingredients that are unhealthy. It really is the ultimate #cheatclean!

A quick shout-out to all you peanut butter lovers out there: You need to eat this bar! Seriously, it is amazing."

*Chocolate Peanut Butter *

Olivia- "To start off, I love sweets. I'd eat sweets with every meal, but... you get the point. So whenever I get the chance to grab a bite of deliciousness in a healthy form, it's a winner! That's just what this Quest bar was: a winner!

It was on a practice night (I play a sport) when I got really hungry. You know that gnawing hunger that just won't go away? Well that's how I felt. I had thrown the Chocolate Peanut Butter Quest bar into my backpack before heading out the door- it was a "just in case I get hungry" sort of thing. So since I was super hungry, I decided I'd eat the bar then and there- don't forget, I was running/exercising. 

It was so delicious I was actually happy I was hungry! This was the 2nd Quest bar I had tried, and I liked it. A lot. The bar was so perfectly made. What I mean to say: There was just enough peanut butter to leave you satisfied and just enough chocolate flavor to cure that sweet tooth. It was perfection in a bar. :) The consistency was like any other protein bar that you'd get. It was really good. Not just that, but the extra + was that it gave me a lot of energy, left me satisfied, and it wasn't a  heavy snack, I guess you could say, so I didn't get cramps! It was a winner in my opinion!"

*Lemon Cream Pie*

Michaela- "This flavor really intrigued me, partly because I like lemon a lot, and partly because I like pie. After trying this bar I realized something: 

Lemon + Pie + Quest = Deliciousness

I decided to try something a little different than simply eating the bar. So, I cut it into fourths and rolled each chunk into a ball. Then I popped them in the oven for about five minutes. They smelled great when I took them out, and to top everything off, I sprinkled some powdered sugar on top (optional). I let them cool and they were amazing! I loved the flavor of the tangy lemon and the consistency of the bar. 

Overall, the Lemon Cream Pie protein bar has been one of my very favorite Quest bars. Quest creates the most awesome protein bar flavors! :)

Thank you for stopping by to hear our thoughts on Quest bars. We're so thankful for your support. Have an amazing day, everyone, and keep shining for Him! 

Lots of love,

Mariah, Michaela, and Olivia

Robyn Coale Interview - Part 2

Hello my friends!

I hope you are all excited to continue reading about Robyn from The Real Life RD! She posts frequently on her blog, so make sure you subscribe to get her posts :) Before you start - if you enjoy reading this interview, please make sure to share on Twitter, Facebook, or any other social media websites!

6. I know that you stress the importance of having a balanced diet. When you’re not eating “clean,” what is your favorite indulgent meal?

I like to view foods in terms of a “focus.” So I focus on all those nutrient dense plant foods- fruits and veggies [especially dark leafy greens], whole grains that are the least processed like rice, quinoa, buckwheat, etc, beans and legumes and healthy whole food fats like avocado, nuts and seeds. Then if I want other foods, that’s totally okay, but I focus on wholesome foods that nourish my body so I know I’m getting all the nutrients I need. It’s all about balance, and if I want something- I’m going to eat it. But overall I find that when I’m eating the “focus” foods, my body just craves the good stuff most often- but when a craving does strike... I LOVE a wood fire, veggie pizza with a really good goat cheese, a glass [or two!] of red wine and then follow that with some really good ice cream- mint chocolate chip or cookies and cream are my fav. 

7. Is there any  piece of advice/knowledge that has helped you most in your life?

To be okay with not being okay. We don’t always have to be okay and do all the things and have it all together. When I finally realized it was okay to not be okay all the time, I not only fully embraced who God created me to be, but my relationships with others grew stronger. I was able to love others better, and I found so much more joy in life. I stopped trying to perfect everything and instead started seeing everything through a grace-filled lens. It’s something I have to remind myself of everyday. 

8. Reading your “About the RD” page is truly inspiring. You have accomplished so many incredible things, and you continue to amaze me. If you had to choose one thing that has been your greatest achievement, what would it be?

Well, I’d say anything and everything in my life is the Lord’s doing- He has blessed me more than I ever imagined, and I just feel really grateful. Of course I have my struggles too, I’m human, but I feel very blessed. Being accepted and starting a graduate nursing program at Columbia University is definitely up there, but overall I’d say seeing Nutshell Nutrition grow into the private practice it’s become is at the top. When I started Nutshell, it was really just to make a little extra money so I could pay off my student loans from undergrad. I didn’t grow up with a lot of money, my mom was a single mom of 5 working as a teacher, so I wanted to be able to get myself out of student loan debt as fast as possible and then start saving. And at first, I had a few clients and I was blogging, but I hadn’t really found my niche yet. I was practicing the same way I am today, but I hadn’t realized that the way I practiced nutrition as an RD was something that was different than most RDs, and that’s what I should start blogging about- my passion for helping people find food freedom, eat more, and nourish their bodies well. Today, it’s my sole source of income and the business has grown into something I never thought it would be. Everyday I’m thankful for what it’s become, and I hope to continue to grow the business while I’m in nursing school.

9. Is there anything “big” that your are working towards? What is one major goal that you hope to achieve?

I actually just started an accelerated nursing program at Columbia University to become a Nurse Practitioner. After working as an RD for a year and a half, I realized that my passion for helping others extended far beyond food. Especially as Nutshell Nutrition grew and I was seeing more and more clients, I wanted to know more and help them, but I felt like I was at a dead end in my practice- I couldn’t comprehensively care for people like I wanted to. The program is 2 1/2 years and after the first 12 months I will have a BSN and be an RN, then over the next 18 months I will do the master’s portion and graduate in December of 2016 as a Family Nurse Practitioner with a speciality in women’s health. Then if I decide to go on, I can do another 18 months of school and graduate with a Doctorate in Nursing Practice. So that’s where I’m at now. I’m still an RD and although the program is very intense, I will continue to do Nutshell Nutrition as long as I am able while in school!

10. On busy days, or when you just don’t know what you want to eat, what is your go-to healthy meal?

Hands down, roasted potatoes [yukon gold and sweet potatoes] that I slice into discs, toss in coconut oil and bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes. Along with that I love a homemade veggie burger I’ve had in the freezer or a good quality one from the store- like Sunshine brand or Hillary’s burgers- and a kale salad [massage kale with EVOO + lime juice and sea salt] with sliced avocado on top!

And that's all, folks! I hope you've enjoyed this two-part interview! Make sure you subscribe and comment below! Have a super, super great week and keep shining for HIM.

Olivia

5 Ways To Slim Down 4 Summer

Hello my friends!

It's another beautiful, sunny day here in Florida! Thank the Lord that mostly every day is this nice. I can hardly imagine waking up each morning to a dark, drear-looking sky that make me want to cuddle up next to a warm fire and drink hot chocolate. Sounds nice though, huh?

Since summer is here, and everyone is trying to slim down and get that perfect, bikini body, I have some great tips to let you know how you can do it. Whenever I look at my twitter feed all I see are ways to lose weight quickly and how to get the 'perfect' body for summer. It seems like that's what everyone wants. Well sometimes the advice that is given isn't so good. What I mean is that it isn't healthy to do these things to your body. But in a world were skinny is the 'perfect body', how can you expect anything other than that? So here are some really good ways to slim down for the summer. :)

1. "Drink 8-10 glasses of water, and only water, every day. Cut out all those sugary soft drinks and juices and load up on water. Not only will you save money, cut a large amount of unnecessary sugar from your diet and facilitate fat metabolism, you will end up eating less because water fills you up. So before you devour your long-awaited lunch, chug a full glass of water." -10 Slim Down Tips

2. Swap long hours at the gym for interval training. Studies show that doing high-intensity workouts "increase your metabolism and burn calories long after you workout."

3. Eat breakfast. We always say that. Are you wondering why? Studies show that when you skip a meal, you blood sugar drops exceedingly low, and your metabolic rate slows. This results in hunger and lack of energy which leads to over-eating. 

4. Fill up on anti-fat foods. Those are... fruits. Simples as that! Fruits and vegetables contain a lot of water, so they actually help rid the body of water and bloating. Melons, grapes, tomatoes, etc. are all great fruits and vegetables to start adding to your diet.

5. Do Blogialtes Summer Slimdown! 

Those are all great ways to slim down for the summer, but here is a way you can flatten your stomach (definitely) and actually lose a little weight: Try Temple Cleanse!

Temple Cleanse is designed to gently cleanse your colon from impacted waste. It not only cleanses your colon, but also will jump-start your wight loss! Try Temple Cleanse today! 

Seriously, have an absolutely amazing weekend, and don't forget... SHINE FOR HIM!

Olivia

Quest Review - Apple Pie

Well hello everyone!

I've been completely ignoring the blogging world, so I'm sincerely sorry. The good news is... I've got a pretty fantastic review for you today! I mean I've already expressed my complete adoration for Quest Bars, right? Many times I see puzzlement about whether Quest Bars are really worth the extra money. If I had to answer, I know I would say "yes." 

No, not every flavor is my favorite, and not every texture is amazing. But I have to say, in the 

end, they definitely win as one of my favorite protein bars. They are so filling and most of them have a pretty awesome flavor. Not every company can always produce a 'wow bar', but for the most part, Quest has a selection of bars that are quite good! So today I'm going to focus on only one bar, but trust me - it'd definitely one of their very best!

Quest - Apple Pie - Protein Bar Review

Quest surprised me extremely with this delicious protein bar! I will admit that I have not had apple pie for a long time, so when I say it reminded me of apple pie so much, remember that it is based off of my vague remembrance of when I had it. :) 

When I ripped open the bar, I could smell a delicious mixture of cinnamon and apples and... you get the point. 

The bar already got a +1 for just the smell- and I hadn't even tasted it yet!! I couldn't not take a little nibble of this bar before I mixed it all up for the dish I was planning on making, so when I did taste it for the first time, it tasted exactly like apple pie! Amazing, right? 

So now that we know it's a great-tasting bar, we can continue with our baking. I used this bar to make little apple pie cookies. I originally found the recipe for Quest cookies on Blogilates, but I had already devoured the Quest bar it called for so... I used the Apple Pie! No regrets. 

                                                               Quest Apple Pie Cookies

                                                                           2 Apple Pie Quest Bars

                                                                           1/4 C. Milk

                                                                           2 Tbsp. Applesauce

                                                                           1 Tbsp. Coconut oil, melted (or canola)

                                                                          3 Tbsp. Flour 

                                                                          1/4 Tea. Baking Soda

                                                                          1/2 Tea. Butter (optional)

Mix everything together in a bowl, and pop into the oven for about 5 - 7 minutes on 375. I mixed up some powdered sugar and butter/oil to drizzle over the top of them, and then I sprinkled cinnamon. I'm sure they would be delicious with other toppings!

Some more pictures, naturally! 

They were soooo good! I would definitely make these again and again! They tasted so much like an apple pie. 

Well I hope you enjoyed this Quest recipe! Have a blessed day, and go get some Quest Bars now! 

Keep shining for HIM,
Olivia