Wendy’s Picks

Natural Energy Bars
Most energy bars promise you the moon, but mostly deliver a candy bar with added vitamins and protein and an ingredient list that reads like a chemistry lab. Several companies however, have gone the natural route, producing energy bars composed of raw foods, organic and natural flavorings. These bars delete additives, preservatives, and trans-fats while leaving in the phytonutrients nature puts into fruits and nuts. Although I’m more junk-food-junkie than Mrs. Natural, I found these bars tasted fantastic and were preferable to the chemlab varieties.

—Wendy Bumgardner
www.walking.about.com

The ProBar This whole food/raw food bar packs a wallop, stuffed with 16 different fruits, nuts, and seeds. In fact, it’s so packed that it is suggested eating half at a time since it weighs in at 380 calories. The bar is non-crumbly and has no coating, great for eating on the trail. It tastes great — it’s become a new favorite of mine. www.theprobar.com
Larabar This delicious energy bar has so few ingredients you might think you missed the list: Just fruit, nuts, and a spice or two. It comes in a variety of pie and bakery flavors. Larabars have the perfect trail-eating consistency; soft enough to chew easily, the bar doesn’t crumble, and there is no coating to melt in your fanny pack. No gluten, dairy, or soy — just good raw foods with great flavor and no off-tastes. www.larabar.com
Optimum Energy Bar This organic, natural energy bar uses only organic fruits and grains. It is lower in fat than some of the other natural bars, but it also is a bit drier and tends to crumble, although not like a granola bar. The PomegranCherry flavor was absolutely delicious Ñ IÕd eat it for breakfast. For eating on the walk, have water available and expect some crumbs. www.naturespath.com/products/bars
Clif Shot Bloks You use gummy bear-like chews instead of an electrolyte replacement sports drink. They are made with organic sugar sources and pectin. No fat, just sugar and salt replacement. Useful if you just want to drink water and get your salts and sugars some other way. They are easy to chew, taste fine, and melt right away without sticking to your teeth. www.clifbar.com
PaleyBar We tried the Jam’n Peanuts variety of PaleyBars, developed by a Portland cyclist and chef. It doesn’t get much simpler — nuts and fruits held together by honey. The peanuts aren’t ground up, so you know what you’re eating. It is delicious, has the perfect consistency for eating while walking, and doesn’t crumble. I want to try the other flavors, now! www.paleybar.com
Gorge Delights JustFruit Bar Gorge Delights produces bars that are basically thick fruit leather — just fruit purée and fruit concentrates. We liked the JustFruit variety and thought it might make a good substitute for gummy bears or energy gels. These bars deliver the carbs and can be used as a fruit serving. www.gorgedelights.com

Clark County Launches Its New Walkaround Guide

Clark County leaders recently gathered to approve the Trail and Bikeway Systems Plan and introduce the new Walkaround Guide. In an event attended by area youths, leaders reaffirmed their commitment to build healthy, livable communities.

Lewis and Clark re-enactors presented the plan during a signing ceremony held April 6: The date is significant because on the same day 200 years before, Lewis and Clark made their final departure from Clark County.

During the event, these community leaders challenged others to do their part in building a safe, healthy, and livable community. “The Trails Plan is one piece of the community’s efforts to set a framework that supports an environment that assures the healthy choice is the easy choice when it comes to access to physical activity,” says Barbe West, executive director of Community Choices 2010.

The Clark County Walkaround Guide is a user-friendly publication that features maps and information about walking or biking 25 Clark County trails. The Walkaround Guide was produced and funded by Community Choices 2010’s Steps to a Healthier Clark County grant. (Printing funded by Kaiser Permanente.)

The guide can be downloaded from the Steps to a Healthier Clark County website www.stepstoahealthierclarkco.org. For more information, or to request multiple copies, contact Patti Petersen at 360-567-1067 or patti@vancouverusa.com.

Put a Little Group Spirit in Your Step
Join the pros from Wonders of Walking (WOW) for a year-long walk club. Designed for walkers of all levels, skills, and goals, WOW Walk Club, hosted by REI/Portland, delivers a program of organized group fitness walks, online guidance, and the motivation that comes from walking with others.

The WOW Walk Club kicked off this March at the downtown Portland REI, located at 1405 NW Johnson St. An annual WOW Walk Club membership fee of $35 includes a pace chart and training plans; incentives further help participants achieve their workout goals, and weekly emails offer tips on training, goal setting, and other “need to know” information. In addition, club members receive a WOW Walk Club T-shirt, retail offers from REI, and discounts on registration for all WOW’s three annual events: Willamette Valley Relay, Sisters’ Stride into Autumn, and the Pumpkin Caper.

“The team spirit offered by the club provides the energy and accountability to keep walkers motivated and committed, making new walking friends, and having fun,” said Judy Heller, master racewalker and founder of WOW.

Weekly Saturday club gatherings take members on walks through downtown Portland and into Forest Park. Distances vary to meet members’ desires.

For more information call 503-282-1677 or visit www.wondersofwalking.com.