If you know me – you know that I love bars. I like eating bars. I like making bars. I’ve tried a lot of bars – some are keepers and others unfortunately taste like cardboard or are so sticky I worry about the ingredients. Well, as you likely know, there is no reason to be concerned about taste, consistency or ingredients when it comes to Clif Bars. (Yes, I may be biased since I’m fortunate to be sponsored by Clif Bar – but since you know me, you’ll know that I’d eat Clif Bar nutrition even if I wasn’t sponsored by the company.)
But lets get to the real reason for this post: Gary’s Panforte Clif Bars. On Monday a box of these limited edition Clif Bars arrived in my mailbox. A very nice surprise and an even tastier surprise. I had no idea what to expect when I opened up the package – well, lets just say this bar is really really good. It is like no other bar I’ve ever had.
It is rich. It is sweet. It is fruity. It is light. It is has a great aroma. Gary’s Panforte instantly reminded me of my mom’s fruitcake and mincemeat tarts. Yes – this Clif Bar is like no other bar.
Really, I should just let Clif Bar tell you about this bar:
CLIF Bar, the original energy bar made with organic ingredients, was also born on a bike – in 1990 during a 175-mile ride in Northern California on which Gary Erickson had “the epiphany” that he could make a better tasting energy bar. Two years later the first CLIF Bars hit the market and Clif Bar & Company was off and running.
Now, 20 years later, Erickson wanted to create GARY’s PANFORTE, embodying the flavors of a traditional Italian Panforte, which is full of fruits, nuts, spices and citrus notes, and has been a staple in Italy for hundreds of years. The bar delights taste buds with a flavorful blend of 23 ingredients, including many new to CLIF Bar but typical in Italian Panforte, including crunchy hazelnuts and pistachios, sweet figs and pears, citrus peel and hints of cinnamon, ginger and coriander.
“GARY’s PANFORTE is our way of acknowledging the people who have celebrated 20 years of adventures with us,” Erickson said. “I never could have imagined that an idea on a bike ride with a friend 20 years ago would take us on such an incredible journey. I am appreciative every single day of what we have created and want to thank all the people who have helped us along the way.”
Made with organic ingredients, GARY’s PANFORTE is nutritious, delicious and convenient—good for you and for the planet. It’s a good source of protein and fiber, which help the body digest carbohydrates slowly to deliver sustained energy.
Definitely read the press release so you can read all about the Share Your Epiphany contest:
To add even more spice to its 20th anniversary, Clif Bar & Company also announced the “Share Your Epiphany” contest to celebrate the fans who have contributed so much to the company’s success. All fans are invited to share their own epiphanies, big and small, that have changed their lives for the better. Five grand prize winners will have $5,000 donated to a nonprofit of their choice by Clif Bar. In addition, all “Share Your Epiphany” contestants will be entered in a random drawing to become one of 20 winners of a month’s supply of CLIF Bars. “Share Your Epiphany” runs May 15 – June 11, 2012. Entries can be made online at www.clifbar.com/shareyourepiphany
Now, go online or get to your favorite Clif retailer (hint The Cyclery)
Thanks Clif Bar for the surprise box of bars and for the amazing support – I really do appreciate and I’m proud to be sponsored by a company that gives back to so many people.
Ottawa Cross 
I tried some Clif Builder Max bars, with 30 grams of protein, but found them to be too dense,
and they didn’t go down as easily. They do fill you up for
the short term, which makes them a great snack item between meals.
These are perfect bars to have during your extreme
workout while training for the Spartan Beast or
prepping for a big mountain excursion.