As seen above (At the Walker Art Center Sculpture Garden’s “Open Field.”), today was an incredibly beautiful day. I guess maybe my rant yesterday got noticed by Mother Nature, and we were given perhaps the most beautiful day this summer, thus far.

After an afternoon filled with lazing, reading (Eve Ensler’s ‘The Good Body’ cover to cover), berry-picking planning and idle conversation, I was ready for a summertime snack.

Enter my latest addiction; The Clif Bar. You may remember last year when I tried one for the first time. I was not a fan. I was putting it in the same category as, say, a TLC crunch or fiber one bar. I wasn’t ready to appreciate these protein packed candy bars yet.

Then a few weeks ago I hit a hangry hour at work and my obsession was born. I impulsively bought a peanut butter crunch Clif at the gas station on a break from work, and wow did it ever hit the spot. Though I chose it for its 10 grams of protein, I returned for its chewy denseness, sure to kick hunger to the curb the way only, say, a Snickers can.

But Snickers don’t have soy protein pumped into them, do they? hehe.

So I’ve long been a fan of Clif Kids Z-bars. The Blueberry ranks my favorite, seconded by the s’more, chocolate chip, honey graham, and brownie. The peanut butter Z-bar? Ick. But the Z-bars are a quick snack when dinner isn’t quite ready yet, something to throw in your purse for the mall.

Clif regular? I might actually take these on a hike with me. In fact, come next vacation? I’ll have a stash in my carryon. For now, I’m trying to stay on a habit of only one a day. For sheer sugar overload’s sake…

The final countdown: Reasons I love these things:

1. They are perhaps the least obscure energy bar, and you can find them almost anywhere

2. Wide variety of flavors. Some great, some NOT. Don’t try the carrot cake. Don’t try the chocolate chip PB, the chocolate chip, or the brownie. They are lame.

3. They actually fill you up beyond a normal energy or protein bar, are the SAME PRICE OR LESS, and when heated they taste even more desserty.

One last thing before I go worship at the altar of my bar stash… Cassie from Candidly Cassie passed on the Amazing Blogger award to me. This is a new one for me and I’m psyched about it! So here is the questionnaire, for some more gratuitous information about me…

1. Favorite cartoon character: The animaniacs

2. Favorite thing to photograph: Light and shadows

3.Favorite thing to cook: Risotto ( I love the stirring)

4. Favorite way to exercise: Kickboxing

5. Favorite movie: Sabrina

6. Favorite clothes: Shift dresses, with or without tights depending on season.

7. Favorite flowers: blue hydrangea

8. Favorite breakfast: fruit and tortillas, but not together

9. Favorite book: The Sun Also Rises- Papa Hemingway

10. Least favorite food: Iceberg lettuce. Blech.

Thanks very much Cassie! Now everyone go check out Cassie’s blog! And if you read this on the holiday weekend- consider yourself tagged and fill out this fun little questionnaire yourself!

What kinds of snack bars or energy bars do you like these days? What do you think of Clif bars?

I’ll be gone for a few days and guessing others will be too- but I’ll be back with some fresh rants and raves in a day or two!

Meri