Eat Real Food, Help Fight Hunger with Larabar (GIVEAWAY)

Larabar

So, for the first 27 years of my life, I thought I was allergic to nuts. I *am* allergic to peanuts (still), but I don’t know if I was never allergic to other nuts and just assumed I was because of the peanuts (yes, I know a peanut is a legume now, thanks) or if I grew out of it, but at the age of 27, I learned I was not, in fact, allergic to nuts.

Regardless, when I started eating healthy I saw Larabars all. over. the. Internet. They looked like a great delicious and nutritious snack…that I couldn’t have.

Until I could.

Let me tell you, trying something you thought was off-limits your entire life is…a weird feeling, at best. I felt like I was eating some sort of forbidden fruit, but no, no, I was just eating a banana bread bar made with minimal ingredients. (Spoiler alert: it did not kill me.)

Larabar

For the past 6 years, I’ve been eating those bars without abandon as a fairly regular afternoon snack or pre-run fuel. They’re also absolutely one of my “emergency” foods that I throw into my bag if I think there’s a chance I might go a long time between meals, and my favorite ones are, shamelessly, anything with chocolate, like the Chocolate Chip Brownie. They were also a clutch snack to have when I was doing Whole 30.

But I know that buying a $2 bar is certainly a luxury and a privilege — and so does Lara Merriken, the founder. She launched Larabar with the intent of making real food accessible to all, and the company recently teamed up with Feeding America, a nonprofit food bank with more than 200 locations that feeds 46 million Americans. They donated $150,000, and they’re asking their customers to help build awareness about the charity by using the hashtag #EatRealFood and sharing your experience donating to a food bank, volunteering at one, or learning more about hunger in your community.

One in seven Americans is facing hunger, but every dollar provides 11 meals through Feeing America’s networks. I’ll also be donating on my own.

And good news! If you haven’t yet experienced the awesomeness of Larabar, I’m giving away a prize pack valued at $30. This giveaway will be open for the next week, so until March 16. There is no purchase necessary to win, but you must be a U.S. resident, age 18 and older. Enter via the Rafflecopter widget below, and I’ll pick winners next week!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
  This post is sponsored by FitFluential on behalf of Larabar.

123 comments on “Eat Real Food, Help Fight Hunger with Larabar (GIVEAWAY)”

  1. Beth

    I just finished the Whole30 and now I’m addicted the Larabars! I can’t wait to try all the flavored – I’ve never seen that pineapple one!

    Reply ↓
  2. Cate

    How did I not know there is a pineapple upside down flavor?! Also? I know hunger is a worldwide problem, but I am so happy Larabar teamed up with Feeding America. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply ↓
  10. Valerie

    I give to my local food bank weekly through the United Way and have visited. It was an important experience.

    Reply ↓
  11. Erin Harris

    I’m obsessed with Larabars! I have only one amazon subscribe and save and it’s for the mini bar pack.

    Reply ↓
  17. meredith @ The Cookie ChRUNicles

    I have slight walnut and almond allergies (only to raw – I think) so I can understand! My allergies aren’t life threatening but I do get uncomfortable if I eat something with raw walnuts and almonds (sometimes) so I do try to avoid them BUT the allergy isn’t an every time thing so I do like to eat larabars and things like this on occasion because they are good (my allergies have to do with oral allergy syndrome).

    Reply ↓
  25. Janine

    I think the coconut is my new favorite!
    There is a local food food cafe where I love to volunteer, it feeds the hungry with respect and dignity.

    Reply ↓
  29. Gina B

    Although I don’t spend much time volunteering, I work in an inner city school and doing so has made a big impact in my life. I’ve learned not to take the things I have (a nice home, 3 healthy meals a day, my family, etc.) for granted. It is so easy to get caught up in your own self and your desires and wants.

    Reply ↓
  30. Elizabeth

    I’ve volunteered as a sponsorship director for a local 5K/10K race and have really enjoyed it. It’s amazing all the work that goes into putting on a race for runners and walkers.

    Reply ↓
  31. Beth R.

    I volunteered with Girls on the Run last fall and it was so much fun to see the girls grow as runners and as people.

    Reply ↓
  32. Stephanie K

    The cherry pie one is my absolute favorite, but I had a few of the blueberry muffin ones on a ski trip last week and they hit. the. spot.

    Reply ↓
  37. Elliot

    I’m allergic only to peanuts too! Thank goodness, because almond butter and unsalted roasted cashews are LIFE!

    Reply ↓
  38. Wendy

    well, i’m in the Junior League too- so i’ve been lucky to work on so many amazing projects with amazing organizations. My favorite is being a mentor for our Learning Circles program which is a weekly mentoring group for 9-12 yr girls.

    Reply ↓
  44. Whitney

    I had no idea there was a snickerdoodle Lara bar flavor, but my current fave is Cherry Pie.
    I volunteer with kiddos to show them insects, so that’s my fun favorite. 🙂

    Reply ↓
  49. Maria

    I work at a nonprofit, and I manage the volunteer program. I LOVE working with volunteers and giving them the opportunity to give a few hours of their time to a great cause. More than anything, I love seeing them leave inspired and feeling great!

    Reply ↓
  55. Michelle G

    I used to volunteer teaching swim lessons to children and adults with special needs. A life changing expierence!

    Reply ↓
  56. Liz

    I volunteer for the Humane Society and while it might not be the most thrilling most days (my duties include cleaning cages, washing dishes, laundry, etc, I feel great about helping out an organization that’s dedicated to helping animals.

    Reply ↓
  59. Jennifer P.

    My most meaningful volunteer experience has been in orphanages in eastern Europe. I can’t wait to go back.

    Reply ↓
  70. Michelle

    My favorites are the lemon, key lime, cashew cookie and pineapple upside down. But in a pinch I’ll eat any of them.

    Reply ↓
  71. Denise

    My proudest moment as a volunteer came when I went to Sacramento to watch the Governor sign a bill that I had advocated for as a member of the Junior League of San Diego and California State Public Affairs Committee. The bill made it easier for former foster children to find siblings after they’d been separated in the dependency system and it was long overdue.

    My favorite Larabar flavor is Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip – yum!

    Reply ↓
  73. Joanna

    I volunteered giving packs of food to poor families in the Boston area a few years ago. It was very eye opening and extremely rewarding.

    Reply ↓
  74. Mary Frances Daly

    I used to take an elderly man grocery shopping once a week! It was always such a hoot to listen to his stories!

    Reply ↓
  82. Erin

    I recently volunteered at Dress For Success and it’s a really cool organization that helps women look and feel good about themselves to help them have the confidence to nail a job interview!

    Reply ↓
  87. Kelcy

    I used to volunteer at retirement/assisted living facilities and play music with the residents. Some of them were amazing experiences and others were very depressing but it always reminded me that life changes you and you have know idea what happened in individuals lives but if you can make a small difference in their day it is NEVER a waste of time.

    Reply ↓
  90. Katie Couch

    PBJ is my favorite flavor for sure! That’s such a bummer you can’t have peanuts!

    I am so happy to learn about this partnership! It makes me love Larabars even more!

    Reply ↓
  92. Marissa

    My favorite Larabar flavors are apple pie and chocolate chip cookie dough (microwave that one for five seconds and eat it with a spoon for the ultimate treat).

    Reply ↓
  94. Cindy

    As a kid my mom used to take us to nursing homes and we would play the piano and serve lunch to the residents. I’ll never forget how sweet those experiences were and how much the residents loved having kids to serenade them over lunch. A good reminder that a little effort can really brighten someone’s day.

    Reply ↓
  96. Meg

    I have always loved Larabars but now I buy them religiously so that my snacky toddler has nutritious snacks instead of the endless other junkier options. Love the apple pie flavor!!

    Reply ↓
  104. Rebecca

    I discovered Lara Bars when I was doing the whole 30 and agree they were a lifesaver, and helped me not feel like I was missing out on food! That apple obe was amazing

    Reply ↓
  108. Kelsey

    LOVE larabars 🙂 I like the chocolate coconut brownie, or the carrot cake if I’m feeling more virtuous.

    Reply ↓
  109. Amy

    Chocolate chip cookie dough is the best. I have volunteered with a local nursing home when I was younger and loved it

    Reply ↓
  119. Annie

    Love all the flavors! And I’m on the board of a safe water and sanitation nonprofit — feels great knowing the huge impact of our work.

    Reply ↓
  120. Tracy Schwartz

    Volunteering has always been a large part of my life. Especially volunteering for American Cancer Society having my mom being a cancer patient. After her passing I volunteered for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk. Best volunteer experience.

    I would love to try the Pineapple One. Enjoy the chocolate chip brownie.

    Reply ↓
  122. fitforlife

    Being an food allergy sufferer myself, I found it fascinating to learn that you have overcome some of these obstacles are able to enjoy some of these delicious protein bars. Since they come in a variety of flavors, there is certainly something for everybody to eat. Keep up the great work.

    Reply ↓
  123. Jan Marie

    I Tried The Captain Kutchie’s Key Lime Pies And Those PieGasams Healed All My
    Symptoms Within The First 4-Weeks! I highly Recommend Captain Kutchie’s
    Key Lime Pies For Anything That Ails You!….(“They’re Great”!!!.)..

    ..

    …Kobe Bryant May Be Retiring From Basket Ball But Captain Kutchie’s Is Still His Pie Of Choice!…
    …Can’t Get Enough Of That Key Lime Pie, Key Lime Pie, Key Lime Pie. Can’t Get Enough Of That Key Lime Pie Or I’ll Just Cry Until I Die, I Don’t Know Why I Just Love My Key Lime Pies!….

    .

    …This Key Lime Pie Is For Our Old Friend, “The Late Great MEADOWLARK LEMON”!…RIP OLD BUDDY!…Keep Spinning Those Pies Dude!…
    ..
    ..
    ..This Key Lime Pie Goes Out-Too Our Other Buddy “GLENN FREY”!….Rock and Roll Heaven Just Keeps Feeling Up!….So Glenn,….Take It Easy Buddy. Or As You Always Said, You’ll Take It Anyway You Can Get It!…
    ..
    ..And We Hate To Sound Like A Broken Record But Here Is A Key Lime Pie For Our Buddy “Maurice White”, Founder Of The Great Group “Earth, Wind and Fire”!..Rest In Peace Dude.
    .
    …This Key Lime Pie Award Goes To A Very Great American As Well As The Judge That First Declared Anita and Kutchie Pelaez’s “The Official Key Lime Pies of America”!..”The Great Antonin Scalia U.S. Supreme Court Justice…. RIP, Judge!…

    ..

    ..

    …that “Captain Kutchie Pelaez” of “Kutcharitaville” over
    in Asheville, NC sure enough is “One Wild and Crazy Guy!” All the women
    are so wild about him and his Famous Cheese Burgers and Key Lime Pies,

    Hellaciously Fantastic Tender and Delicious Prime Ribs and Prime Steaks.

    Drop Off the Bone Bar-B-Q Ribs, Pulled Pork and Beef Brisket

    .

    His Drop Dead Gorgeous Wife “Miss Anita” together in they’re Historic Key

    Lime Pie Factory and Grill, where the Smiles and Ovens are always Warm

    and Friendly, Inviting You to Spend A Little Time Resting and Enjoying

    Your Time in They’re Little “Key West Island” near the Biltmore Estate

    Close By…Kutcharitaville Cafe’ Where It’s Always 5-O-Clock!…

    .

    ….Kind of Funny You Know, The World’s Greatest Key Lime Pies Aren’t

    Even Baked In The Keys But At Kutcharitaville By Captain Kutchie

    Pelaez and His Lovely Wife Miss Anita In The Carolina Mountains!….Go

    Figure!!!!!!!….

    .

    …”Kutch”, Is The “CAPTAIN” That Put The “SOUL” In SOUL FOOD!…Who Would Have Thought That?…
    ..
    ..Miss Anita And ’Chef ‘Captain Kutchie Pelaez’s Key West-Kutcharitaville Key Lime Pie Factory And Cafe’, “Where Eating Is A Pleasure And Cooking Is An Art”….. Hell, “Chef Kutchie Pelaez” Has More Talent In His Toe-Nail Clippings Than All The Others Have In Their Entire Bodies!..
    ..

    ..

    You’ll Soon Learn Why People Call “Captain Kutchie

    Pelaez “The Most Interesting Man In The World!”…But don’t take our word

    for it, follow the Long Lines to “Miss Anita and Captain Kutchie Pelaez’s Key

    West-Kutcharitaville Key Lime Pie Factory and Grill’. “The Place To Be”

    since 1976!..

    .

    Don’t be fooled into thinking that Jimmy Buffett

    designed or had anything to do with this place. Just Ask Miss Sunshine Smith! That would be an insult To The “Captain”!… Kutchie’s was here long before anyone ever heard of JB……Sheesh!..

    ..

    Donald Trump loves KUTCHARITAVILLE so much that he often has take-out

    flown to him in NEW YORK CITY! WOW! He must really love those Original

    Cheese Burgers in Paradise, we sure do, they have our Vote for Sure.

    .

    My best friend said she heard last week that Donald Trump and Stephen

    Colbert together are planing on a Welcome to the USA Party for “Pope Francis”

    to be held soon over in Asheville, NC at “Kutcharitaville”.

    Some party that will be for sure!.

    .

    Think, I’ll just get all the girls together and we can all Nude-Up and

    go too “Captain Kutchie’s” and Get Drunk and Screw! Let’s Go Y’all!

    Captain Kutchie’s Key Lime Pies Are World Famous For Giving Everyone

    That Eats Them They’re Very First “PIEGASAM”….That’s Probably why one

    must be over 18 years of age to purchase one or have an adult present.

    .

    …Oh and all that Great Fall Off The Bone Bar-B-Q Slow Smoking Beef Briskets, Pork Ribs, Shoulders and Pork Butts…“Carly
    Fiorino” say’s that she Can Smell They’re Butts Miles Away!….Or Maybe She Was Just Smelling “Hillary”!…..OMG?…..Recent Thoughts, Maybe She Is Just Smelling Her Upper Lip!…
    ..

    .

    …The Late Great “Captain Tony Tarracino” of Key West Fame was an Old
    Friend of “Captain Kutchie Pelaez”. Together the two of them Sailed Many
    Adventures Not Known To Much Of The World! Nighttime Runs Too Cuba And Back. Cheese Burgers, Rum, Scotch,
    Cigarettes, Cigars, Treasure Maps, Pizzas, Chocolate Bars and Key Lime
    Pies Helped The Two Make History. If You Can Believe It Even “Mel
    Fisher” Was Known To Hang With Them!….

    ..

    Captain Kutchie The Key Lime Pie Whisperer!…Don’t Cha-Know!..

    ..

    Thank “GOD” That Noah Had Two of Kutchie’s Key Lime Pies On That Ark!….

    ..

    And Don’t Forget “Ernest Hemingway’s” (Original Thinking Post) ! There
    Was Only One And “Captain Kutchie” Has It. Don’t Miss It.

    ..

    ..Hillary Sucks!…………………….Bill Does Too!…….I Feel His Pain, Don’t You?…And “Jebio”, Yeah, “Little Marco” Really Sucks Too! Just Ask “Chris Christie”…

    ..

    ..And Why Is “Little Marco” So Interested In What “Donald Trump” Has Between His Legs Anyway? “Yeah,” What’s Up With That?…..And “Ted Cruz,” Dude, What Have You Got To Lose But A Hawk Nose, Maybe A Women With Some Booze And The Cigarette Blues, Whatever You Chose, You Still Lose!…You And Little Marco Make “Trump” Feel Like A “Cuban Sandwich”. Feel The Bern?…

    ..

    ..Captain Kutchie Pelaez For President And Miss Anita Pelaez For First Lady!!!

    They Will Put A Key Lime Pie and A Gallon Of Fresh Kutcharita’s in Every Refrigerator!….

    ..

    ..Oh, I Forgot One,….That Chuck Todd Sucks Too!….That Sleazy Eyed Gutter Snipper!….Sheesh Give Me A Break!…Where Did They Find That Moron?..Such A Smuck!..

    ..
    ..
    …”Captain
    Kutchie Pelaez”,….Who Loves You Pretty Baby!,…Who, Who,
    Who!……Everybody Does!…We Loved Your Movies Too, Please Make Some
    More. All Your Fan Base Loves You “Captain Kutch”!….

    ..

    …And Like You Said Captain Kutch…..No More Clinton’s, …No More Obama’s, and… No More Bush’s/ (Vito Corleone)! , Or “Jebio Rubio Marco”. No More First-Term “Wet.Back” Senators!…

    ..

    ..And Now, They’re All Trying to Paint “Donald Trump” As Being So Bad That He Is “Ronald Reagan” INCARNATE. One Would Think That This Was The 80’s Again! And Listening To “Mitt Romney” Whining You Would Think That He Was Some Kind Of “Mormon Moron!”…What A Sore Loser……….Just Look At The Numbers On Both Sides “People”!…(It Has To Be Because Of “Donald Trump” If You Ask Me.)..even if you don’t ask me And You Didn’t…..just look….

    ..

    ..

    ..Talk About Snake’s In The Grass, We Sure Do Have Enough Of Them For A Lifetime!…
    Now That’s What I’m Talking About!…

    ..

    …Praise The Lord And God Bless The USA!…….So Don’t Worry Mon, Bee Happy!….

    .

    …SNL
    Just Hasn’t Been Very Funny Since Captain Kutchie Got Mad That Night,
    Got His Key Lime Pies Packed Back-Up And Stomped-Out With Them Under His
    Arms!…Yeah, What Was All That About?…Wonder What Lorne Michaels and Larry David Thought About Them Apples!…

    ..

    ..We Remember Reading Several Years Back, That “Megyn Kelly” Of FOX NEWS, Really Loved Eating Herself Plenty Of “Chef, Captain Kutchie Pelaez’s” World Famous Key Lime Pies!…..You Don’t Think That “Megyn Kelly” Has Been Eating Too Many Of Those Pies Do You? ..Because With “Donald Trump”, She Has Lately Been Acting More Like “DAN RATHER” Than “Megyn”. That’s Our Report, You Decide.

    .
    …”Robin Meade” Loves Her Some Of “Miss Anita And Captain Kutchie’s” World Famous Key Lime Pies Too! You, Know She Has Good Tastes, She Probably Tastes Good Herself!…”YUM”!….
    ..
    ..It’s, No Secret, The “Pelaez’s” Are The Most Compelling Pies To Cross Anyone’s Palate In The History Of Our Great Nation!….
    ..
    ..”Miss Anita And Chef, Captain Kutchie Pelaez’s” World Famous Key Lime Pies, At Your Service Whenever The Mood Strikes You!…..
    ..
    ..No, It’s Not STAR WARS, But Let The Pies Be With You!…
    ..
    ..We Heard That “Hulk Hogan” Said That He Was Talking About Hiring “Captain Kutchie” To Build Him A Key Lime Pie Factory In His Home Town Of Belleair Estates, In Clearwater Beach, Florida…..
    ..
    …Hillary, Doesn’t Think That She Has Ever Lied And Doesn’t Think That She Ever Will! .. Are You Still Interested In Buying That Property For Sale Down In The Everglades?…

    ..

    ..We’re Not All On The Same Boat But We’re All On The Same Wave-Length!…

    ..

    …Can’t You Just See, “Brother Merle Haggard” Sitting There Drinking FREE BUBBLE-UP And Eating “Chef Captain Kutchie’s” Famous Key Lime Pie And Merle’s Favorite Fork Tender Smoked Beef Brisket There At “Kutcharitaville”. Keep Spinning Those Hits “Merle”!….

    ..

    …And “Nancy”, Here Is A Key Lime Pie For You And “Ronnie”! You Go Girl…

    ..

    ..

    ..And With An Extra “HEAVY-HEAVY HEART”, “Captain Kutchie Pelaez’s”, EXTRA GOOD FRIEND And OLD PARTNER IN CRIME….The Legendary….”YANKEE JACK”,..Of Key West and Boston, Mass. Has Passed Away, Much Too Soon..Rest In Peace Pisan…….Enjoy Your Key Lime Pies Buddy…
    ..
    …We Remember “Yankee Jack”, “Captain Tony”, “Jimmy Buffett”, “Mel Fisher”, “Captain Terry Levi”, “Captain Kutchie Pelaez” And Many Other Famous Characters Down In Key West In The Good Old Days. What A Blast Those Days Really Were!….
    ..

    ..Do You Ever Wonder?..Who Writes All This Crap?..Well, We Sure Do. They Deserve Getting Awards For Such Literary Skills, We Hope They’re Getting Paid Well. This Stuff Is As Good As “Hemingway” Or “MAD MAGAZINE”!

    ..

    ..It, Don’t Mean Nothing, It’s Just A Fun Read……,Yeah Right!….
    ..

    ..And That’s All I Need!….Well, Maybe This Key Lime Pie Too. Yeah, Just This Fun Read And This Key Lime Pie And That’s All I Need! Yeah, That’s All I Need!……Well, Maybe This Gallon Of Fresh Kutcharita’s Too! Yeah, Just This Fun Read, And This Key Lime Pie, And This Gallon Of Fresh Kutcharita’s! And That’s All I Need! Yeah, Just These Three Things. Let’s See, This Fun Read, This Key Lime Pie And This Gallon Of fresh Kutcharita’s! And That’s All I Need!………Well Maybe……

    ..

    ..

    ..Oh I’m Picking Out A Thermos For You, Not An Ordinary Thermos For You But The Extra Best Thermos You Can Buy With Vinyls And Stripes And A Cup Built Right In………I’m Picking Out A Thermos For You And Maybe A Barometer Too………And What Else Can I Buy…..So On Me You’ll Rely……A Rear End Thermeter Too
    ..

    ..I Think That I’ll Pick Out One For “Crooked Hillary” Too!…. And That’s All She Needs!…

    ..

    ..You Know, It’s No Wonder They Say That “Captain Kutchie Pelaez And Howard Livingston” Both Are Living On “Key West Time” And Blaming It On The Kutcharita’s!

    ..

    ..And We Really Love “Captain Kutchie’s Damn Bar”!

    ..

    ..Hell, If You Didn’t Know Better, You’d Probably Guess That This Is Just Another Chapter From That Famous Island Book Named “The Tales From KUTCHARITAVILLE”!….

    ..

    ..

    ..”Damn” Give Us A Break! ….”PRINCE” Is Gone Now!….Here Goes A PURPLE Key Lime Pie For You “PRINCE”!….RIP….

    ..

    ..

    …A New Team Of Kasich and Cruz Makes Me Want Too Scream! The Two New Lovers Sitting In The Park, Desperation And Collusion On They’re Tiny Little Minds Until Well After Dark!…They Just Make Me Want Too Fart!…The Scream Team Against “TRUMP” That They Just Can’t Beat, With They’re Low Mentalities They Just Decided That They Should Cheat!…At The Hands Of “DONALD TRUMP” They Will Suffer They’re Defeat!…So Kasich And Cruz Would Get Further Along Just Beating Each Others Meat!…

    ..

    ..Hell, I Think That I Should Get A Thermos, One For Kasich To Carry His Pancakes And One For Cruz Too Put His Booze!..And That’s All They Need!…
    ..
    ..
    ..
    …Captain Kutchie Said To Me. Who You Gonna Vote For, Boy. He Said That He Wanted “Pat Paulsen” To Be His President And A Feller Called “Soupy Sales” For His Vice. And Don’t Think About It Twice, The Captain Said To Me…..Ok, It Sounds Good To Me Sir, But “Kutcharitaville Is The Place That I Really Want To Be, That’s Is What I Told Him As I Started To Flee. Got To Run Now, I Really Need To Pee…..
    ..
    ..
    ..
    …updated story!…………..and that’s all i need!………..

    ..

    ..

    ..
    …

    Reply ↓

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.