You might recall that I purchased a Clif Shot for my 10 mile race last month. I brought it along with me ‘just in case’. I didn’t end up using it because I found that the Gatorade did me just fine in that race.
I couldn’t really see myself buying these on a regular basis because they are quite over-priced for what it is. At running room, they work out to be about $2 for a single or $1.35 per for a box of 24.
After checking out the ingredients, I figured I could make a homemade version of the Clif Shot for much less.
Ingredients: Organic brown rice syrup, Cocoa powder, chocolate liquor, natural flavours, sea salt, potassium citrate, magnesium oxide.
Calories: 100
Here is what I mixed together for the homemade version:
Ingredients:
- Just less than 2 T Organic brown rice syrup
- 1 T carob powder
- Tiny pinch of sea salt
Calories: 110
Directions: Spoon a tablespoon of organic brown rice syrup into a plastic baggy. Next, spoon the carob powder and salt in. Zip the baggie closed and then take your fingers and kneed the ingredients so they blend.
To Use: Bite the corner off the bag and squeeze gel into your mouth. Easy as that!
Probably one of the least photogenic foods I have put on this site.
Bring it with you on any run or workout over 1 hour where you feel like you will need a boost. I had mine at mile 6 yesterday. It was the first time I have ever had any sort of energy gel, but I really loved the taste of this one. The carob powder is key- I felt like I was eating chocolate fudge or something. Now the only thing lacking in my homemade version is the potassium and the magnesium, but my guess is that if you properly fuel yourself before workouts this won’t be a major issue.
The best part of all is the cost of the homemade version. It works out to being just 50 cents per ‘shot’ vs. $1.35-2 for the Clif shot.
I was quite pleased to find that my stomach wasn’t upset after taking it either. I had a noticeable surge in energy after mile 6 that carried me another 3 miles. I will definitely be bringing this homemade gel with me on future long runs.
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Yesterday was also quite a productive day on the business front! I got several Glo Bar orders done…
I also worked a lot on the Glo Bakery shopping cart. We are using Zen Cart for our shopping cart provider and I am really liking it so far. It is quite user-friendly once you figure out where everything is and the support forum is super helpful. Eric tells me that anytime a company makes their software open-source (no purchase required), you will find a huge network of people willing to help others out. Zen Cart = 2 thumbs up.
Check out the shopping cart homepage so far:
How fun is that?! I’m such a proud mama. 
I can’t believe how close we are to shipping to the US!!!! It is finally coming together guys!
On that note, I am going to get to work this morning on it some more and package up my orders to be shipped out tomorrow.
Last night Eric and I had anniversary dinner #1 and it was fabulous (pics to come). I think we are going to Fresh today for lunch and it feels like Christmas. hahaha! Stay tuned for all the pics.
Enjoy your day!
Change does not necessarily assure progress, but progress implacably requires change. Education is essential to change, for education creates both new wants and the ability to satisfy them.
-Henry Steele Commager
